To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2009 13:32:03 -0000
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] woodcarving


I've been following the thread about carving wooden puppets, and I thought
some of you might be interested to know that we will be offering a course in
carving wooden puppets using a combination of lime(basswood) and jelutong at
the Boo, Horse + Bamboo's Theatrespace in Rossendale, England this July. The
week long course will begin on Monday July 20th, and leads on from our
Children's puppet festival (17-19th). The course will be run by John Roberts
(of PuppetCraft), probably the most experienced puppet carving tutor in the
UK, who teaches a combination of Chinese and European carving techniques.
The course will cost =A3325 (a much better bargain for American/European
visitors than it would have been 6 months ago!) This does not include accom,
but does include tools and materials. John is a fantastic tutor, and the Boo
is a beautiful, inspiring place to work.

I don't think there are details of the festival yet on our website
(www.horseandbamboo.org) but there should be in the next couple of weeks.
You can get in touch with me directly at alison-AT-horseandbamboo.org if you
want more details.

The Puppet festival will be featuring PuppetCraft's latest show - The Tin
Forest, as well as Horse + Bamboo's new show Little Leap Forward, and Shona
Reppe's Olga Volt the Electric Fairy amongst other delights. 

Alison

-----Original Message-----
From: puptcrit-bounces-AT-puptcrit.org [mailto:puptcrit-bounces-AT-puptcrit.org]
On Behalf Of conradhartz-AT-islc.net
Sent: 23 December 2008 15:54
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: [Puptcrit] Basswood again


Basswood is classified as a hard wood.  Yet, it is a very lightweight
wood.  This is ideal for puppet making.   Basswood was used a lot in
the past as the skeletal brace in kitchen cabinets because it is so
light.  I have been carving puppets with it since 1979 and it is
wonderful to work with.

If you make tiny shoes of basswood........you may need some weights
added under the shoe for balance.  These can be puttyed in with
plastic wood, etc.   Now, this is important..........when you go to a
lumber yard........generally, basswood comes in various widths and
lengths.  I get 3/4" boards thick boards approx. 6' in width.  I glue
pieces with Elmer's Professional glue as needed.  Now........when
looking at basswood boards........you need to look at the color of the
boards.  You want the whitest ones you can find.  They are super
lightweight.  The more pinker color...the nearer to the heart of the
tree.  A good white or cream color is tops.  It IS expensive per board
foot. This is why I usually get 6" wide boards as they figure a board
foot and then divide it in half.  Simple to figure.  This is why I
mentioned the pallets in the other email at Sears........free legs,
hands and arms to say the least.  You can tell if the pallet is
basswood because of the fuzzy sides of the cut wood and the lightness.
   Ah.....and yes.......the smell of basswood.......something similar
to wee wee.........(:o)

Conrad


Conrad Hartz....Professional Puppets in Wood
3140 Clydesdale Circle S., Beaufort, SC 29906
http://www.geocities.com/conradhartz/mypage.html
http://bellsouthpwp.net/g/k/gkoepke/hartz
1-843-525-6352


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