Hand puppet making: A look at a famous sock puppet

Why are puppets so appealing? Perhaps it's that we can make them say and do things that we might not be able to. Many puppeteers and ventriloquists have been surprised by what their own creations said. The late Shari Lewis is said to have made her famous sassy six-year-old Lamb chop from a simple sock. A talented ventriloquist, Lewis was not a hand puppet making expert. As the character of her simple sock puppet emerged, Lamb chop began taking form and a professional artist made the well-known version- watched and loved by thousands of television viewers. Lamb Chop was great at getting into a fix and then asking for help. There was always a lesson taught. From penguins to poodles, our animal puppets had the same humble beginnings as Lamb Chop. They began as a simple puppet pattern. With imagination and skill(and some very plush materials) they became the soft and cuddly creatures that children love to put a voice to.

Like Pinocchio who came alive, hand puppet making can be magical. The craft has often brought us unforgettable creatures. Start with a plain face and a simple animal puppet pattern. Should the face be adorned with long hair or short? Add a crown and that same face becomes a king. A wise old man might wear spectacles and have white or grey hair.

Villain or hero? Silly or serious? The magic really begins when you place your hand inside one of our hand puppets and see who appears!