Ever wanted to create your own puppet? In this video course, which I made in 2019, you’ll learn how to design, build, dress, and string your very own marionette from start to finish. We will go through the entire process of making a simple marionette, starting with a sketch, then making the wooden body, head, hands and shoes, sewing clothes, and finally, stringing onto the controller, to bring your marionette to life.

Who is this course for?

This course is a good starting point for aspiring puppet-makers, crafters, DIY enthusiasts, and anyone interested in sculpting or doll-making.

While the marionette is simple, some prior experience with basic tools like a handsaw, drill, and sewing machine will be helpful.

(Note: this course is also available on Skillshare. If you happen to have a Skillshare membership, you can find it there, too.)

How this course differ from my e-book Making a Marionette (2024)

• This video course (Making a Simple Marionette, 2019) is more beginner-friendly. The body construction is simpler. The joints (elbows and knees) are easier to make, but less visually appealing, and so they are more suitable for clothes that will cover them (long-sleeved T-shirts, pants...). However, these joints are functional and strong anyway. This course also covers lessons on painting, sewing a simple outfit, and hair-making.
• My e-book (Making a Marionette, 2024) is an advanced body construction guide. The joints (knees and elbows) are more sophisticated, so they can be uncovered (allowing your puppet to wear shorts or a T-shirt.) In the e-book the focus is on woodworking and clay sculpting (hair, painting, and sewing tutorials are not included - you can customize your puppet however you like.)

What You'll Learn in This Course

• Basic Marionette Construction. We will make a simple wooden body using just a few basic DIY tools.
• Making the Head. You'll learn how to form a basic skull, then sculpt the head and facial features, paint it, and finally, make hair. Here’s where creativity really starts to shine - you get to bring personality and character to your marionette.
• Making Hands and Shoes. First I will show you how to form the basic shapes, and then we will have fun playing with details and design. I’ll guide you through my process of making tiny puppet shoes.
• Sewing Clothes. You'll see how to sew a simple outfit - sweatshirt and pants.
• Jointing and Assembly. I will teach you the process of making simple but strong and functional joints, so your puppet can move easily. We will connect all the body pieces.
• Making the Controller. You will gain skills in crafting a wooden controller for your marionette, so you have full control over its movements.
• Stringing. Finally, you’ll learn how to string your marionette onto the controller and bring it to life. Now it’s time to see your puppet dance, wave, and perform - all thanks to your own hands!

Materials and Tools

Wood and air-dry clay - these are the basic materials we will be working with in this course. To paint my marionettes I use acrylics.

When it comes to clothes, hair, and accessories, I like to work with materials I find at home - mostly old pieces of fabrics, and to make hair I use mending threads / darning yarn. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything at once - you can gather your materials step by step as you progress through the course. I will provide you with the list of all you'll need.

When it comes to tools, I work with basic DIY equipment like a handsaw, drilling machine, rasp, file, and a sewing machine.

And that brings me to the safety disclaimer: some tools that I am using in this course can be dangerous (handsaw, drill, sharp tools...)! Please be very careful when working with all the tools. I highly recommend that you find all the safety information associated with these tools beforehand. This course does not contain any safety instructions. You undertake this project at your own risk. The course is intended for adults.

After clicking “Sign Up,” you’ll be prompted to choose a username and password to create your Payhip account (or log in if you already have one). Once you’ve purchased the course, all your video lessons will be waiting in your Payhip account, ready to watch whenever you like. This is a one-time purchase (no recurring payments), and your access never expires - so you can enjoy the lessons at your own pace.

Payment is processed securely through the payment processor you will select during checkout. I do not have access to your payment details. For more information, see the Payhip's privacy policy. 

Due to the nature of digital products, refunds aren’t available, but you can always email me for assistance.

If you have any questions or need a bit of guidance along the way, feel free to email me anytime at mihokova.barbora@gmail.com - I’ll be happy to help. :)