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How can I work on my puppet skills?

To help keep my puppet skills up to date, I like to have a puppet in my office that I can use for practice purposes. That way, when I have a few extra minutes while waiting for something (usually my computer) I can put it on and practice a song or play.

I want to make sure that the puppet is easy to get to, but is also stored properly so it doesn’t get dirty or damaged. I have a small office, so right now; I keep the puppet in a file cabinet drawer. It is protected, but not visible and I’ve found that it is easy to forget about it. The immediate solution is to make a daily “to do” list entry in my planner to practice the puppet. It helps, but isn’t perfect.

Another solution is to make a puppet stand which involves getting a piece of lumber about eight inches square. Cut a wooden dowel about eighteen inches in length. (The diameter of the dowel should be at least one-half inch.) Drill a hole in the center of the board slightly smaller than the diameter of the dowel. Carefully push the dowel into the hole so that it is flush with the bottom. (Don’t push it too far or the base will become lopsided.) Set the stand where it is in plain sight, but out of the way. Then, when you have a few moments, simply remove the puppet from the stand, practice, and put it back.

(Note: To further protect the puppet, take a plastic golf ball and drill a hole in one side the size of your dowel. Place the ball on the top of the dowel as a cap. The ball will help keep the end of the dowel from snagging and ripping the inside of the puppet as you put it on.)

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