Puppeteers Unite has just posted its first video tutorial - Making A Blink Mechanism. It just may be the perfect thing to send your new monster puppet, built with the Mostro Pattern, over the top. We’re looking forward to many more quick and easy video tutorials from Puppeteers Unite! Thanks Tom!

By the way, the tutorial is based on a drawing by the great Terry Angus that has been in circulation for a few years, and has undoubtedly inspired many a puppet builder. Thanks Terry!

Talk about great characters! If you haven’t already (or even if you have), take a look at Philip Hatter’s Thistledown Puppets. The puppet company was founded in 2006 and has quickly assembled an outstanding cast of puppet characters built by Philip himself. Thistledown Puppets offers live shows as well as custom puppet building services.

And best of all, you don’t have to be in Roanoke, Virginia to enjoy Thistledown Puppets’ performances. Check out their YouTube page!

Posted below is one of our favorites.

Hey, by the way, Project Puppet is graciously mentioned in the Studio Tour. Thistledown Puppets is definitely a company to keep your eye on and a great source for inspiration.

David Thornton of the new Puppetechnics.com wrote to tell us what he and his team have been “cooking” up in the UK and about their success in using the Project Puppet patterns. Bob Todger Green (pictured above on the right) is Puppetechnics’ spokesman of sorts. He used to be a local weather man until lighting struck (wiping out the rest of the news crew) making him South West News International’s number one (and only) news reporter. Bob was made using the Punto Puppet Pattern along with the Punto Fleece Covering Pattern. You can catch Bob’s newscasts on YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/user/puppetechnics.

Not only is Puppetechnics venturing out into video puppetry, but they also are performing a live show entitled “The Secret of Gooney Farm” at a snazzy looking puppet theater in Miniatura Park.

Puppetechnics.com is building up to a full launch of their website in September 2007. In the meantime, however, there are a few teasers and previews posted on the site. Check out the Puppetechnics’ Movie Studio. See if you can spot glimpses of the Project Puppet patterns serving as the understucture of some of Puppetechnics’ cast of characters. We love it!

And, as if that’s not enough, Puppetechnics is hiring!

One of the great things about the Project Puppet patterns is their flexibility. The patterns themselves are meant only to be a base on which a virtually endless amount of characters could be built. This allows for a great range in styles that reflect the puppet builder’s creativity and vision. This picture above comes to us from Brenda in Arkansas. We love the soft-sculpture look of the characters, like stuffed toys that came to life. Brenda used the Glorified Sock Puppet Pattern as a base.

We received this picture from Michele in New York. Her character, Hope, has a similar soft-sculpture look. Michele used the Roly Puppet Pattern as a base. Michele writes:

“I used the Roly Pattern; reticulated foam for the head, fleece, spoons and plastic eyes. Her hair is braided and made from yarn. I bought the outfit from Build-A-Bear Workshop. Initially I used floral spray paint for her face, but decided to cover her and sculpt out her features. I am proud of my first effort. Thank you Project Puppet for your great website and comprehensive patterns and instructions.”

Thanks to Brenda and Michele for sending in pictures of their puppet characters!

Jim Henson, Frank Oz, and Michael Frith talk about puppet design and more. Just watch the video. You’ll love it.