To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2006 02:01:21 -0400
Subject: [Puptcrit] Dumpster Diving for Puppet Making


Hi all. 

I am a Dumpster Diver, and not affraid to say it. The police officers I met tonight seemed to find it a bit weird, but who cares, if I'm having fun and saving money without disturbing anyone?
Turns out they were on a call for somebody who was suspisciously sneaking around.
I said I wasn't sneaking at all, I was stationary for the last 30 minutes, exploring this superb set of two dumpsters behind the Electricity company. I always find great stuff in there, and leave the area cleaner than when I arrived.
They let it go, trying to find someobdy more suspiscious to question.
Maybe I WAS the suspiscious sneaker...but if so, some people are stupid to call in such a thing.
I never hide what I'm doing, I do it in plain sight, I'm quiet and never tresspass or dive in locked dumpsters.
Plus, it's obvious by one look at my bicycle that I'm fully equipped to pick stuff up.


If more Dumpster divers are among the Puptcrit ranks, could you please share some treasure hunting tips with me?
I think it is so compatible with puppet making! Lots of the supplies (and even tools) that people throw out are perfect for puppet making. Even for accessories and sets!
I seem to have a gift for finding wood, including fine dowels!


This evening I had this strong urge to go Dumpster Diving. Wanting to improve my performance/luck, I went online to search tips about this wonderful Art-sport. Lots to learn!
I even found ut somehardcore people have adopted a tool to help them out: a grabber!
It's usually a long stick with a hook at the end, to help push and move and pick up things without having to actually dive in there. The Deluxe version is called an Unger Nifty Nabber. It's a long stick with a pair of strong claws.
I want one!
check it out, it's almost sexy!
http://www.ungerglobal.com/english/eng_pro/01a_outdoorintro.html


For now I checked my inventory, anbd found a work-in-progress walking cane, double headed, that did the trick and helped a lot. 

I've been practicing moderately for a few years, usually not planned trips, just picking up useful things as I passed by them.

But last year I started going out fully equipped, to make sure I had the safety and the tools to enable me to retrieve and carry more treasure.
I am looking for anything I can use, but I mostly find supplies for my puppet making.
My biggest scores so fare have been fine woods. 

My latest big find was a gorgeous foldable wooden chair, handcrafted by somebody who must be proud of fine work.
It is so comfortable, just the right height and shape, It feels like it was made for me! (yeah right, probably before I was born) 


Tonight I found a long piece of spring steel (the type used to hold parcels onto buig wooden crates) and 4 small squares of Honeycomb-patterned cardboard shapes. Very light and very strong.
One can build furniture with those. I think Deborah Costine from Gerwick Puppets once mentionned she made small furniture with these.

A few other trinkets, not really worth mentioning.
I also found what might be my biggest puppet-realted find ever: a small and strong carrying case. Probably designed for a full make-up kit for travels or for actresses. It was soaked with water from a waterspout pouring on it,  but seemed like it a recent thing. It might dry without too much warping. If so, I would be thrilled to use it as a strong carrying case for a mini marionette I hope to build for myself soon.
Since I've started puppetb uilding, I've developped quite a loev for old style carrying suitaces. they are so much more classy and Theatre-worthy than carboard boxes or garbage bags!
The problem is finding them cheap, and of a model and size I need!
This one might be perfect!

Have you ever found wonderful things in other people's trash that you used or could use for puppet making?




Mathieu René Créaturiste
Marionnettes, Masques, Etcetera...
Puppets, Masks, Etcetera...
www.creaturiste.com
creaturiste-AT-magma.ca
(514) 274-8027
_______________________________________________
List address: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
Admin interface: http://lists.driftline.org/listinfo.cgi/puptcrit-driftline.org
Archives: http://www.driftline.org