I’ll have the bunraku video up probably on Wednesday - I’ve got a post already set for tomorrow, and the video should be finished by then. I’ve just been adding final touches, in terms of costuming. I wanted to be able to show the puppet in full costume, but haven’t had the time or energy to properly make it. So I’m mocking it up, and will do finishing of it later.

The decisions I refer to in the title of the post are as follows:

1. I’m changing the update schedule to five days a week. Although I can easily update the site seven days a week, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to write something in depth and informative AND make puppets, keep up with admin, etc. So the weekends will be a ‘break’ - I’ll write a couple of posts ready for publishing - and hopefully content quality will improve.
2. I’ve been making a muppet to sell on the site. I had planned on selling it as a ’series’… in other words, it’s not a one-off creation, but simply a product sample, on which I can sell repeatedly. I haven’t wanted to do this, but I’ve decided that I will sell it as a once-off after all.

Continuing on the second decision, I’ve decided that unless commissioned, I’m not going to make too many moppets. Truth is that lately I find them totally uninspiring. Unless the build is particularly difficult, like doing blinking eyes, I just get disinterested really quickly.

Now I love the muppet design as much as anyone; it’s versatile, creates a great professional-looking puppet; and is quite easy to do once you get the hang of it. But the procedure to make a single puppet is so time consuming, and to be honest, I don’t find it challenging enough.

In Perth, I was finally able to take a look at my growth in puppet making, and had made progress in understanding where my skills best lie, as well as where my interests lie. And frankly, I’ve had my fill of muppets. I may occassionally build one, but I’m not going to offer a range of muppets for sale.

Having said that, I know from my stats that most people are hunting for muppets to buy on my Store. So towards that end, I’ll be adding products there to help people make their own - and with some patience I may be able to finally finish a pattern of a muppet to sell as well.

If you’re interested in having a muppet made, I’m still happy to take a commission; but please don’t expect a lot of muppets going up for sale without prompting.