Something that I have been thinking a lot about recently is the idea of creating a “name for yourself” (reputation) as a builder. I know I have worked very hard to do so and it is always a thrill when someone says they know my work or that I built a puppet that inspired them. When I build a puppet I have always been the only builder who makes it. What I mean is, I create the patterns, cut fabric, glue, sew, etc. I build the puppet.

Now that may not seem very unusual until you take into account some realities that may exisit in a puppet building workshop. The idea of working with a group of builders on a project. For example in a puppet studio you may have a team of builders all working together to build one puppet. One person does the fabric patterning for the head, another person does the patterning for the arms and legs. Someone adds the features and details, another works on the head sculpting, and yet another person does all of the sewing and gluing. When you consider all of the people who work on the build, I am left with only one question. Who built the puppet?

Not so easy to answer.

What amazes me is that for years I had admired the puppets of certain builders and only this past summer did I meet someone who I never even realized was the primary person who had done most of the building. I had been a fan of her work for years and I never even knew it. What I have come to see is that often the lead builder may get credit for a puppet, but there are often other builders who do a good amount (and in some cases most of) the work.

As a result of this new insight, I am now more curious than ever to find out who the “real builders” of some of my favourite puppets are.

It will be an interesting investigation. Keep tuned in for future posts on some of my favourite and some lesser known puppet builders.