If you’re looking for a simple project to introduce puppetry to a group, or just want to create good looking quick rod puppets as extras for a show, these simple rod puppets are just the thing.

The materials listed below are merely suggestions, as you can really do these puppets in many different ways and with lots of different materials, depending on your needs or your group’s skill level or project time.

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OK, so my well-intentioned plans involved puppet-making over the weekend. I did my pre-character drawing. I did my pattern preparation. I even cut the head piece out of foam. And that’s as far as I got!

I was going to say “no excuses” but then I realized I was just about to follow up with a bunch of excuses, so “some excuses!” ‘Tis rent week, so money is not exceptionally abundant. I decided to hold off doing my build until next weekend, when I have more cash for supplies. I’ve gotten into the middle of a build before and run out of something or needed something in an emergency. I decided it was safer to wait until I could purchase a few things I knew I would need, and have some cash on hand to buy the things I wasn’t planning for, before I jumped into the point of no return and began gluing.

Add to that some family things (my 18-year-old dog passed away last week, and although I think we’ve moved on from the active mourning stage, my younger remaining dog is now decidedly moving into the “happy-to-have-your-undivided-attention” phase!) and sheer lack of will-power, and I didn’t exactly get as much done as I intended.

Building begins in earnest (poor Ernest!) next weekend. Wish me luck. Really!

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!