"Gratitude is the vessel that we lift to the gods, that they may fill it with their wonder gifts"
R. Steiner
International Celebration of Natural Fibers
http://www.naturalfibres2009.org/en/index.htmlMy friend Dominique let me know about this site....awesome...international awareness to the natural fiber world, which we, as puppet enthusiasts love, LOVE!!! I recommend you just drool over it...especially the events page, which just got me excited....even if I cannot attend anything...just to know the whole world is supporting these fibers!Did you know ebay has great buys on wool roving? You do need to know what kind of wool you want....i.e. border leicester and romney, or corriedale for needle felting...merino for nuno felting yardage and scarves, and fine wet felting projects.... but check out their offerings.... it is all so yummy.
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on October 3rd, 2009
Puppets for Peace Day
Puppets for World Change Section Puppets for World Change Institute is a training and research initiative developing how puppetry can bring healthy change to the world Projects under this umbrella are: 1. International Puppets for Peace Day Sept. 29 September 29 is the annual International Puppets for Peace Day founded by Juniper Tree Puppets - a day when we can all join forces and offer generous-hearted puppet shows around the world. The idea was inspired by the "butterfly effect" - the scientific fact that when a butterfly flaps his wings in San Francisco, it changes the weather pattern in Singapore. Imagine hundreds and thousands of puppet shows occurring on the same day around the world. All this creative and healing intention will help change the world energy toward peaceful existence. The shows can be simple or complex, public events or at home and school. They can be presented for children or with ...
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on September 29th, 2009
Silk Staging Tip
I found this gorgeous silk painting online...the artist offers workshops in Hawaii....here is the email address for your pleasure....especially if you live in Hawaii...marionette@kauai-artist.netI imagine it as a beautiful background for an underwater story with silk marionettes....maybe add lighting behind it....ooooh...nice.always looking for inspiration...
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on September 22nd, 2009
Great Resource on Healing Story
I am reading Susan Perrow's book - "Healing stories for Challenging Behavior", and it is terrific. I have added it to my recommended book list. I mentioned it on Facebook, and people went nuts with their replies... so definitely have a look at it...Susan Perrow has decades of experience as a teacher/storyteller/ therapeutic storyteller....and the book is bursting with inspiration and stories. Restless children - try The Restless Red Pony Messy children - try The Little Straw Broom Lazybone children - try The three Weaver Brothers... this is well worth getting for your resource collection.
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on September 21st, 2009
International Puppets for Peace Day Sept. 29
Today is a beautiful blue sky and sun day. People are out walking dogs and children in strollers. It is hard to believe a year ago there was a very strong peace movement all over the country. Even though there is a return to the every day in our lives, the call to peace is still urgent. The call to peace in the world will always be urgent. The Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn writes in his book, 'Creating Peace', that we need to develop a 'mindfulness' of peace in our speech, our gesture, and our inner compassion. He says that by creating peace in small ways in our daily lives we are building peace in the world. As I read this book I thought, this is what we are doing when we offer a puppet show! I see how we all can contribute to the healing of the world ether by ...
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on September 19th, 2009
Red Hot Chili Peppers
On my road trip from southern Arizona to northern Colorado we drove through a town called Hatch, New Mexico....famous for it's chili peppers. Everywhere there were garlands of chili peppers hanging....deep crimson red, greens and rusty earthy reds. They reminded me of a silly and humorous Australian story I have told many times in grade schools about Wombat Stew..ooey gooey yummy chewy wombat stew!
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on September 18th, 2009
Little Squirrel
I have been watching a bunch of newborn ground squirrels, truly newborn with wobbly legs. They explore the area with seemingly little if any fear. Mother squirrel has her hands full keeping them safe from hawks and the many predators of Arizona. SO of course this makes me think of story and how story can be created to make children feel safe again and again. In my collection of Story Vessels that can be used in these Protection Stories, I had never thought of a hole in the ground as a perfect 'vessel' to provide safe shelter.
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on September 18th, 2009
A Gaggle of Characters
Here is a motley and varied group of characters from an 'introduction to the rod puppet' class. Note the violinist, looking so distinguished and patient among the rowdy bunch! These are small hand and rod puppet characters with the needle felted heads....what a fun exploration it was! We work with this puppet among many other types, in the first session of the certificate puppet training...with an early childhood group we do focus on Wee Willie Winkie....but I thought you would enjoy seeing this variety....to check out the training info....go to www.junipertreepuppets.com Next new training group will begin in Boulder, CO as a regional through-the-year weekend (6X yr) format....Starts Sept. 2010. The next summer training intensive will begin 2011!!! Already ...
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on September 12th, 2009
Resources for the Thick Felting Pads
To make the wool pictures, I use a Felt Work Pad for working copper on. I found it at Paper Scissors and Stone. The item code is CFWP and it costs $3.95 at this time per piece. It can be found on the "Creative Fun" page on their website, www.waldorfsupplies.com. I had to check with them on what they call it and how to find it on their site. Now you know - great needle-felting permanent backing...you felt into it and just hang it up!
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on September 11th, 2009
Wool Felt Story Pictures
I love giving workshops on felting (wet or needle) fairy tale and other story pictures. In this last workshop we used story postcards or illustrations from a lovely childrens book to get us going, then the process takes on a life of it's own... They become a creative meditation as people go inward in their own creative work with the layers of colors. I like to use a firm base to needle felt the wool to, an industrial felt...then they can be hung easily in a classroom or a child's bedroom.
continue readeingPosted by Suzanne, on September 9th, 2009
Continue Reading