Start 2012 with the "Beginners' guide to puppetry", a quick list of references to articles that will help you on your journey in discovering the world of puppetry! From definitions to theory, you'll find it all here.

• Puppetry events, Feb 2012
• 4th National Puppetry & Animatronics Summit (AUS)
• Back from holidays; many updates made
• Comments fixed
• Comments temporarily closed

• Free muppet-type puppet patterns: A list
• What types of puppets are there?
• Basics of puppet design and building
• How to make a muppet-type puppet: Round Head Foam Puppet Pattern
• Free sock puppet patterns: A list

Sock puppets are not limited to moving mouths. They can shimmy, they can shake, they can bend at the neck (wrist) and again at the ??? (elbow). They can move their heads, they can carry things, they can jump and hop and swim and dance. They can roll over or stand up. They can be startled or soothed and show that physically. I have two that have delighted audiences and me for more than 30 years--sock puppets last! If you build them right, they can be washed and even little babies can play safely with them. Please give the good old sock puppet its proper due!

Last time I counted, I had more than 300 puppets (lots of kinds) and more than 30 years in the puppet playing.

Pat