The Beatnik
It’s time to create another puppet. For some reason, a beatnik character keeps churning around in my head. As with any puppet, creating a character on paper is the first step. I use MS Paint to “draw” my characters, since you wouldn’t be able to tell my puppet design from a bunch of shapes drawn in kindergarten class otherwise!
My plan is to use the Project Puppet Punto pattern for my puppet’s elongated head. I’m going to use non-pill fleece for this puppet’s “skin” since antron (Muppet) fleece is a bit expensive and harder to come by. I’m on a budget and mainly doing this puppet for practice. His hair and goatee/moustache will be fake fur in a dark color, and his turtleneck a fun courderoy fabric I found. For his vest, I’m going to use a tapestry-type fabric I found at my local fabric store.
My initial plan is to paint his eyes onto the back of the glasses so they show through as slits. I may try a few tests to see how this works. If I don’t like the effect, I can always make typical ping-pong ball eyes and put the glasses on over them.
I also want him to have a bongo (as he should) so I plan to either purchase a small toy drum, or make one out of a plastic container. It depends on availability of materials.
He’ll have removeable arm rods, so I’ll be able to have him hold the drum, or have his arms free to move, whichever I choose.
This weekend is build time! Wish me luck!
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Diane began performing as a puppeteer when she was only six years old. Her first marionette, Clippo the Clown, a gift from her Grandmother, accompanied Diane to school every year through college. As an adult, Diane began making and performing hand puppets. She writes the shows, fabricates the puppets and props, performs all of the puppetry, and even serves as her own lighting and sound engineer!
