Finding the Right Stuffed Puppy

When I first started blogging about the stuffed toy puppet to marionette conversion, I was in love with the big-eyed toys put out by Russ.  They no longer make them and have not for a long time.
So I've taken to haunting Goodwill looking for any toys I could use instead. Luckily there are hundreds to choose from at Goodwills all over the city.  Next to Teddy Bears, plushy dogs are the most common stuffed toy available.
But how to choose?
Here is a picture of my finds for the workshop I'm giving at the Mini-Festival this Sunday:

 

 Nice looking doggies and except for the brown one...pretty brightly colored. Notice that they are all Miniature dog size...not Teacup. You are looking for a 15" to 18" dog. Two of them are Build a Bear dogs...perfect size! Most of them have five bean bags, one in each foot and one in the butt. This is great because I won't need to weight them. Now...for the most important feature... See the side view: 

 

Notice that each of these dogs have full-sized straight-down back legs. Many dog toys are made with the dog sitting or relaxed on its side--those styles will short you in the fabric you need for your marionette to walk. Also, be wary of the human-style standing-up-on-back-legs kind...Snoopy is often done like that. This type is better suited to stringing as you would a human.

Start Stringing your Puppy with the "Heart Strings"

 

You need a black fishing line for stringing your puppy. The clear plastic fishing line will work but it really does stand out a surprising amount and I have been told it stretches. I have not had many problems with that because my puppets are generally too light weight to matter. Most rag doll style puppets are very light weight. So is a stuffed animal with a few bean bags and lead egg weighs in it. You are also going to need a large needle. You can also see a stringing stand in this picture and that is a great tool for solo string efforts. If you don't have one, I have used split doors, shelves, slide out cutting boards and victims...er...I mean family members or friends. Thanks to all who have patiently held controls for me before!

 We will start with the shoulder string (1) and the posterior string (2) which are the main two support strings. They will carry the full weight of the puppet. They are the heart strings too...the only two strings that if cut, will kill the performance completely. The control must be held level and the strings set so that all four feet are just barely touching the ground.
I use this diagram to show where it's best to hold the controls for the person who will be using this puppy in performance:

 This assumes that the person who is in this diagram is full grown and plans to use this puppet on the floor and walking about in a room.  For a child, you might add a few inches for when they grown a bit more or if you are planning on performing on a bridge, you need to stand on the bridge to get the right length. Conversely, if you plan on performing on a table, the puppet needs to stand on that table to get the right length.
Next Post will discuss the leg strings.

RadCon 2009

I got pictures! I had 9 students on Saturday if you count the 5 that came super late and played with my glove puppets...which I do. Interest is good.

Four of the nine showed on Sunday...the three who came the whole time on Saturday: Dann, Mary and Andrew plus one of the late comers. Luckily I had prepared some hands so that the second day could stand alone.
I think the convention will try it again next year--the feedback we got was that too many craft workshops were in the morning and not enough kids activities were in the morning. I guess the adults turned up at the kids workshops and were put out. Alas, I think me that there are no gaming early birds! Not only that, but they want a morning place to take their kids while hung-over. Go fig. Here's a shot of Mary, Dann and me:

As for me...I need more puppets like Shippo. I was employed in entertaining folks in long lines on Friday. I need more anime marionettes. Who am I kidding? I need more puppets...I always need more puppets.

I'm on YouTube

This is at RadCon 2008 and that's my Shippo Marionette. I didn't know until Kim happened to mention it when we were getting our badges today. (Mine says "Visiting Pro") :)