Jester Marionette

This one was made by my son years after the previously posted marionettes. I taught a summer class for Jr. High students making marionettes. With this one I only had to help just a little, sewing the seams with a sewing machine, I believe that was it, he made the whole thing. The head is paper mache, the hands and feet are Sculpty clay and the body is an old sock. It took about three weeks--four, one hour classes a week to finish. I wish I had pictures of all the great puppets made at that time. Maybe I do! I'll have to do some searching...
These puppets have made me think about my time as an art teacher. I may post about that too.

Matilda Marionette

I got it all wrong in my last post. My daughter informed me that the marionette in the red dress is Scarlett O'hara from Gone with the Wind. Geeze, I haven't even read Gone with the Wind, and she was reading that in elementary school?! There's lots I don't remember. This sweet little marionette is the character, Matilda from the book Matilda by Roald Dahl. My daughter must have been a year or two older when she made this one, because I don't remember helping with this one as much.

Marionettes

Long ago, my daughter made this old fashion lady marionette for a school project--having to do with a book they read--was it for, Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott? I can't remember. I do remember helping more than I should have.

Looking back I'm sure this was my own fault--as you know, I do love to make things! I'd get caught up with any project my kids had to make--this isn't the best way for children to learn. I hope with my granddaughter I can let her make her own things without getting all involved. I try--I really do--it's hard.

Some of you know that I was an art teacher! I can say it was much easier for me to be hands off in the classroom-- too many students!--it's all I could do to bring in supplies and give helpful hints. Teaching was good for me--I had to let go of my own ideas--shut my mouth--help guide a project even if it failed.

I got this old marionette out the other day and had lots of fun playing, Lady and Uni the unicorn, with my granddaughter.