PUPPET MAKING CLASSES WITH
HOMESLICE PUPPETRY
VIRTUAL Progressive Puppet Building Class (6 weeks, 1.5hr/week)
In this class series, students will learn how to how to build several different kinds of puppets within two of the traditional forms of puppetry over a six week period. These classes will begin with very basic skills and will build upon one another as we move forward through the classes. The first puppets will be a very basic foam and rod puppet with our main focus on characterization and how we develop that in puppetry. Students will also begin to get familiar with the dynamic properties of using foam in puppetry. We will then move up to a very basic hand puppet by making what I call a deluxe sock puppet. These are not your run of the mill sock puppets, they will have a mouth plate and a foam “skull” to give it some dimensional shape and better expression as well as greater control over the head. The third and fourth puppets that the students will create are two different types of mechanism puppets. A mechanism puppet is one in which you use a device to create the movement in your puppet. The first of these two will be learning how to make a flat puppet move, and the second one will be creating a mouth mechanism in a foam and rod puppet. For the fifth class, students will bring a stuffed animal to life by turning it into a hand puppet. Students will apply what they learned in the sock puppet class but this time will have to pattern out a mouth for their puppet to fit the unique animal. Our last class will be the most challenging as students will learn how to carve foam into a foam rod puppet using scissors, and then how to manipulate it. This last class will truly give a perspective on just how dynamic a foam puppet can be. I hope that you folks will join me for this unique puppetry experience.
The Kit will include:
1. (1) Low temp glue gun; 2. (1) Pair of scissors; 3. (1) Pack of pastels; 4. (1) 2.5” Styrofoam ball; 5. (4) 1” Styrofoam balls; 6. (1) Bag of general craft supplies; 7. Several different sizes and shapes of polyfoam; 8. (20) Skewers; 9. (2) pieces of fabric; 10. (1) length of Gaffers tape; 11. (1) a strip of Duvetine tape; 12. Several Duvetine tape pupils; 13. Patterns; 14. (1) Ruler; 15. (10) Strips of Topstick tape; 16. (2) Sheets of peel and stick felt; 17. (1) A sheet of thick white craft foam; 18. (2) Sheets of thick black craft foam; 19. Several sheets of thin colored craft foam; 20. (2) Fuzzy microfiber socks; 21. (1) Strip hard plastic for mouth plate; 22. Scraps of dyed foam pieces; 23. (3) Craft foam tongue circles; 24. (3) Small sections of Marabou feather boas; 25. (3) strips of different sized elastic; 26. (1) Wooden handle; 27. (2) Popsicle sticks; 28. (1) Dowel with wooden top plate; 29. (1) Cardboard mouth plate; 30. (4) Clipped plastic spoons; 31. Several felt strips; 32. (1) Black Sharpie; 33. (1) Disappearing ink fabric pen; 34. (1) Emery board; 35. Kite string; 36. (20) Glue sticks
Optional Supplies:
1. Electric carving knife (the kind you use for carving a turkey); 2. Extra fabric; 3. Set of sharpies; 4. Leather punch set (and hammer or mallet) which includes (3/8”, ½“, and 5/8”); 5. Fabric Scissors; 6. Teflon, titanium, or non-stick scissors
Additional Supplies Required:
One Stuffed animal (which we will be cutting open) medium to large in size with a pronounced mouth and stuffed with soft fill, not Styrofoam pellets or a hard material. Your hand will have to fit easily inside. It is not needed until the fourth class and I intend to give good examples in the first class of what to get that will work well.
Individual class descriptions are available in a supporting document provided by emailing theworcshop@gmail.com
Minimum Enrollment: 2 / Maximum Enrollment: 10
Class Cost: $215 Members / $258 Non-Members
Find tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-head-of-the-class-carved-foam-puppet-head-tickets-130501598795
VIRTUAL Head of the Class - Foam Carved Puppet Head (6 weeks, 1.5hr/week)
In this six-week class, students will build a carved foam puppet head from a foam ball. Students will learn to carve and sculpt foam, how to cover it with a silicone skin, and how to build a mouth plate. We will also learn a unique way to use a Dremel tool with a retrofitted bit to smooth out our foam carving. Students will learn how to make puppet eyes and add facial features and how to create a character. By the end of the class, you will be able to apply these techniques used in building your puppet in a multitude of alternative ways to create a host of other puppet characters. *This is an adult level class because of certain tools and glues that we will be using. If a student wishes to take this class between the ages of 15-18 they must have a parent or guardian present or a waiver must be filled out prior to the class.
This Kit will include:
1. 8” Round foam ball; 2. 1/8” Birch modeling plywood; 3. (2) Boxes of persona brand razor blades; 4. Hobby saw; 5. Strip of Gaffers tape; 6. Black leather;
7. White colored pencil; 8. Sanding Belt sandpaper 120 grit; 9. 2 Tubes of GE Silicone 1 silicone; 10. 1 Bottle Odorless Silicone Solvent) OSS; 11. Powdered mica set; 12. 1 EVA foam ball; 13. Plastic spoons; 14. Wire cutters; 15. Felt strips; 16. (10) Strips of Topstick tape; 17. Craft foam; 18. (2) Sanding drums with tiny plastic washers; 19. Tiny Screw Driver; 20. Leather strips; 21. Sewing kit; 22. Vinyl gloves; 23. Eye Protection; 24. Popsicle sticks; 25. Scissors
Additional Supplies Required:
1. A Dremel tool with a low setting (If you do not have one I can order one for you at an additional cost of $65) The Dremel 200 is a perfect choice if you are buying your own; 2. Rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl alcohol); 3. Contact cement (see attached page); 4. Cloth face mask; 5. First aid kit; 6. A room with very good ventilation or a fan and window to vent out of; 7. Scrap dishes for mixing silicone (paper bowl or old yogurt container, etc.)
Optional Supplies: 1. Band saw, coping saw, or other type of hobby power saw; 2. Apron or smock; 3. Hair dryer
Minimum Enrollment: 2 / Maximum Enrollment: 10
Class Cost: $215 Members / $258 Non-Members
Find details & tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-progressive-puppet-building-class-6-weeks-tickets-130346380533
In this class series, students will learn how to how to build several different kinds of puppets within two of the traditional forms of puppetry over a six week period. These classes will begin with very basic skills and will build upon one another as we move forward through the classes. The first puppets will be a very basic foam and rod puppet with our main focus on characterization and how we develop that in puppetry. Students will also begin to get familiar with the dynamic properties of using foam in puppetry. We will then move up to a very basic hand puppet by making what I call a deluxe sock puppet. These are not your run of the mill sock puppets, they will have a mouth plate and a foam “skull” to give it some dimensional shape and better expression as well as greater control over the head. The third and fourth puppets that the students will create are two different types of mechanism puppets. A mechanism puppet is one in which you use a device to create the movement in your puppet. The first of these two will be learning how to make a flat puppet move, and the second one will be creating a mouth mechanism in a foam and rod puppet. For the fifth class, students will bring a stuffed animal to life by turning it into a hand puppet. Students will apply what they learned in the sock puppet class but this time will have to pattern out a mouth for their puppet to fit the unique animal. Our last class will be the most challenging as students will learn how to carve foam into a foam rod puppet using scissors, and then how to manipulate it. This last class will truly give a perspective on just how dynamic a foam puppet can be. I hope that you folks will join me for this unique puppetry experience.
The Kit will include:
1. (1) Low temp glue gun; 2. (1) Pair of scissors; 3. (1) Pack of pastels; 4. (1) 2.5” Styrofoam ball; 5. (4) 1” Styrofoam balls; 6. (1) Bag of general craft supplies; 7. Several different sizes and shapes of polyfoam; 8. (20) Skewers; 9. (2) pieces of fabric; 10. (1) length of Gaffers tape; 11. (1) a strip of Duvetine tape; 12. Several Duvetine tape pupils; 13. Patterns; 14. (1) Ruler; 15. (10) Strips of Topstick tape; 16. (2) Sheets of peel and stick felt; 17. (1) A sheet of thick white craft foam; 18. (2) Sheets of thick black craft foam; 19. Several sheets of thin colored craft foam; 20. (2) Fuzzy microfiber socks; 21. (1) Strip hard plastic for mouth plate; 22. Scraps of dyed foam pieces; 23. (3) Craft foam tongue circles; 24. (3) Small sections of Marabou feather boas; 25. (3) strips of different sized elastic; 26. (1) Wooden handle; 27. (2) Popsicle sticks; 28. (1) Dowel with wooden top plate; 29. (1) Cardboard mouth plate; 30. (4) Clipped plastic spoons; 31. Several felt strips; 32. (1) Black Sharpie; 33. (1) Disappearing ink fabric pen; 34. (1) Emery board; 35. Kite string; 36. (20) Glue sticks
Optional Supplies:
1. Electric carving knife (the kind you use for carving a turkey); 2. Extra fabric; 3. Set of sharpies; 4. Leather punch set (and hammer or mallet) which includes (3/8”, ½“, and 5/8”); 5. Fabric Scissors; 6. Teflon, titanium, or non-stick scissors
Additional Supplies Required:
One Stuffed animal (which we will be cutting open) medium to large in size with a pronounced mouth and stuffed with soft fill, not Styrofoam pellets or a hard material. Your hand will have to fit easily inside. It is not needed until the fourth class and I intend to give good examples in the first class of what to get that will work well.
Individual class descriptions are available in a supporting document provided by emailing theworcshop@gmail.com
Minimum Enrollment: 2 / Maximum Enrollment: 10
Class Cost: $215 Members / $258 Non-Members
Find tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-head-of-the-class-carved-foam-puppet-head-tickets-130501598795
VIRTUAL Head of the Class - Foam Carved Puppet Head (6 weeks, 1.5hr/week)
In this six-week class, students will build a carved foam puppet head from a foam ball. Students will learn to carve and sculpt foam, how to cover it with a silicone skin, and how to build a mouth plate. We will also learn a unique way to use a Dremel tool with a retrofitted bit to smooth out our foam carving. Students will learn how to make puppet eyes and add facial features and how to create a character. By the end of the class, you will be able to apply these techniques used in building your puppet in a multitude of alternative ways to create a host of other puppet characters. *This is an adult level class because of certain tools and glues that we will be using. If a student wishes to take this class between the ages of 15-18 they must have a parent or guardian present or a waiver must be filled out prior to the class.
This Kit will include:
1. 8” Round foam ball; 2. 1/8” Birch modeling plywood; 3. (2) Boxes of persona brand razor blades; 4. Hobby saw; 5. Strip of Gaffers tape; 6. Black leather;
7. White colored pencil; 8. Sanding Belt sandpaper 120 grit; 9. 2 Tubes of GE Silicone 1 silicone; 10. 1 Bottle Odorless Silicone Solvent) OSS; 11. Powdered mica set; 12. 1 EVA foam ball; 13. Plastic spoons; 14. Wire cutters; 15. Felt strips; 16. (10) Strips of Topstick tape; 17. Craft foam; 18. (2) Sanding drums with tiny plastic washers; 19. Tiny Screw Driver; 20. Leather strips; 21. Sewing kit; 22. Vinyl gloves; 23. Eye Protection; 24. Popsicle sticks; 25. Scissors
Additional Supplies Required:
1. A Dremel tool with a low setting (If you do not have one I can order one for you at an additional cost of $65) The Dremel 200 is a perfect choice if you are buying your own; 2. Rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl alcohol); 3. Contact cement (see attached page); 4. Cloth face mask; 5. First aid kit; 6. A room with very good ventilation or a fan and window to vent out of; 7. Scrap dishes for mixing silicone (paper bowl or old yogurt container, etc.)
Optional Supplies: 1. Band saw, coping saw, or other type of hobby power saw; 2. Apron or smock; 3. Hair dryer
Minimum Enrollment: 2 / Maximum Enrollment: 10
Class Cost: $215 Members / $258 Non-Members
Find details & tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-progressive-puppet-building-class-6-weeks-tickets-130346380533
In Person Classes to resume once it is safe to do so.
Head of the Class:(Foam Carved Puppet Head - TWO DAYS)
In this class, students will build a carved foam puppet head from a foam ball. Learn to carve and sculpt, paint and dye foam, and learn how to build a mouth plate. We will also learn how to make puppet eyes and add facial features. At the end of the class, you will be able to apply these techniques used in building your puppet in a multitude of alternative ways to create a host of other puppet characters **All necessary materials and tools will be provided, however, if you own a Dremel tool I highly recommend bringing your own so that when you leave the class it is retrofitted to use for puppet carving.
Minimum Enrollment: 2 / Maximum Enrollment: 10
Class Cost: $215 Members / $258 Non-Members
Find dates and details here: We can't wait to offer these classes in person again when COVID has subsided!
Mechanized Puppet Power:(Foam Carved & Simple Mechanism Puppets - TWO DAYS)
In this class, you will build a carved foam puppet with a simple “mech” or mechanism. Sometimes a foam puppet is too small to fit your hand, or too long for your arm to reach, and that is when a “mech” can be a great solution. Learn to carve and sculpt, paint and dye foam, or to use a newer silicone skin covering, and how to build a simple spring mechanism that can bring your creation to life. We will also learn how to make puppet eyes and add facial features. At the end of the class, you will be able to apply these techniques used in building your puppet in a multitude of alternative ways to create a host of other puppet characters. **All materials and tools will be provided, however, if you own a Dremel tool I highly recommend bringing your own so that when you leave the class it is retrofitted to use for puppet carving.
Minimum Enrollment: 2 / Maximum Enrollment: 10
Class Cost: $255 Members / $268 Non-Members
Find dates and details here: We can't wait to offer these classes in person again when COVID has subsided!
Head of the Class:(Foam Carved Puppet Head - TWO DAYS)
In this class, students will build a carved foam puppet head from a foam ball. Learn to carve and sculpt, paint and dye foam, and learn how to build a mouth plate. We will also learn how to make puppet eyes and add facial features. At the end of the class, you will be able to apply these techniques used in building your puppet in a multitude of alternative ways to create a host of other puppet characters **All necessary materials and tools will be provided, however, if you own a Dremel tool I highly recommend bringing your own so that when you leave the class it is retrofitted to use for puppet carving.
Minimum Enrollment: 2 / Maximum Enrollment: 10
Class Cost: $215 Members / $258 Non-Members
Find dates and details here: We can't wait to offer these classes in person again when COVID has subsided!
Mechanized Puppet Power:(Foam Carved & Simple Mechanism Puppets - TWO DAYS)
In this class, you will build a carved foam puppet with a simple “mech” or mechanism. Sometimes a foam puppet is too small to fit your hand, or too long for your arm to reach, and that is when a “mech” can be a great solution. Learn to carve and sculpt, paint and dye foam, or to use a newer silicone skin covering, and how to build a simple spring mechanism that can bring your creation to life. We will also learn how to make puppet eyes and add facial features. At the end of the class, you will be able to apply these techniques used in building your puppet in a multitude of alternative ways to create a host of other puppet characters. **All materials and tools will be provided, however, if you own a Dremel tool I highly recommend bringing your own so that when you leave the class it is retrofitted to use for puppet carving.
Minimum Enrollment: 2 / Maximum Enrollment: 10
Class Cost: $255 Members / $268 Non-Members
Find dates and details here: We can't wait to offer these classes in person again when COVID has subsided!