Diary of a Marionette Maker

Work in Progress

2009-06-11T23:48:00.003Z

Glyndebourne project finished. Will write something about that soon but too busy this week making a couple marionettes for 'The Tudors'

More pictures to come

Dancing Skeleton Marionette (Wooden Carved)

2009-03-10T00:39:00.002Z

New

All Handmade Wooden Skelton Marionette.

Carved from Lime and Painted with oils.

50cms Tall

Price:
£249 (GBP)
Including free shipping worldwide

Oh look its the 'Ting Tings' as marionettes

2009-02-27T00:56:00.005Z

I'd been hearing the Ting Tings for the last year or so and always thought they sounded familiar. Whilst watching the Brits the other day I saw them as opposed to just hearing them on the radio and thats when it clicked. A few years ago I was asked to supply 3 marionettes for a photo shoot, the shoot was a promo as i recall for an upcoming band called Dear Eskiimo. They released a few singles and then split due to differences with their management. Two of the members went on to become the Ting Tings.

Anyway here are the pictures, sorry they are only very small but they are all I have.

New wooden marionettes offer

2009-02-21T23:05:00.005Z

New offer:
14 inch wooden carved marionettes, the character of your choice done in the style pictured below for £199 GBP including worldwide delivery.
I have a King and Jester ready to go, other characters will take approx 14 days to make.
For commissions firstly tell me the type of character you want and I will then send you a sketch. If you are happy I will request payment and start on the construction of your puppet.
This offer applies to marionettes 14 inches approx tall, 9 strings. single piece body, joints at head, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips and knees.
If you require extra features such as 2 piece body, joints at ankles or more detailed characters then there will be a small extra charge.

Spam attack

2009-02-18T13:53:00.002Z

Today this blog, who very few people read, was assaulted by a spam attack linking to a very dubious Asian website. I have removed all comments posted by this person and have now implemented comment moderation on older posts.

Also you will not be able to comment anonymously at the moment.

I do find it quite sad that some people have nothing better to do.

Glyndebourne Education Program

2009-02-10T19:30:00.002Z

Hopefully I will be working with Glyndebournes Education Project this spring, helping them to design, build and perform marionettes.
The project is currently running in Lewes prison and is for young offenders (under 25s)
I have alot of security forms to fill on but hopefully I will be able to start in April.

Oak Bookcase

2009-01-27T19:45:00.003Z

Solid Oak bookcase made for a client in Lindfield. Actually finished this a while ago but the photo i took originally didn't come out very well.
Cupboard door panels are material to allow infra red remote signals to operate dvd player and satellite decoder etc.

Pelham Puppets on Ebay

2009-01-16T21:11:00.004Z

I'm trying to have a bit of a New Year clear out and have decided to sell some of my Pelham puppets. I have picked these up from various places over the years but think its time to let them go.
There are plenty of collectors on Ebay it seems and although these aren't A1 condition I'm sure they'll find a happy home.

String Puppets for Christmas

2008-12-08T19:29:00.003Z

Can't believe its that time again already. Orders for Christmas for overseas customers should be made in the next couple of days and UK customers shouldn't hang around either. See here for the current stock list ready to go.

New for this Christmas are this Pirate (pictured left) and also a Devil

THE SLEEPING DOLL by Jeffery Deaver

2008-08-01T17:42:00.001Z

Here's the book advert.
The lighting really brings out the detail on the face and hands.
The marionette was carved from lime and painted with oils.

Ooops

2008-07-19T18:54:00.002Z

Ok, so I've been slacking a bit on the blog again.

Well this is what i've been up to:

Widened the staircase and replaced spindles, handrails and newel posts.

Then made the two fitted cupboard/bookcases pictured above along with a similar two in a different room.

Then made a skeleton marionette into a mummy.

Marionette for book advert

2008-06-11T19:11:00.003Z

This is a marionette I made for the picture production company (www.theppc.com)

It's for a book advert. The book is called 'Sleeping Doll' I think.

Friendly Ghost Marionette Puppet

2008-06-10T11:53:00.004Z

Just arrived into stock are two 'friendly ghost' marionettes made by Miss Pavlickova.
Buy from my site here:
www.tonysinnett.co.uk

Skeleton Marionettes (again)

2008-06-09T20:16:00.003Z

Will be selling off some stock soon to finance a small project but for now have a these couple of skeletons. These were expertly made by Mr Mertl

Click here to buy

Marionette Controller Version 2

2008-05-06T19:13:00.002Z

Mark 2 marionette controller features:

Leg bar rotates in slot for one handed use but can be removed if preferred.

Bottom section (head control) can rotate independently of main arm. It has elastic to keep it centred. (it has provision for back string to head which gives much better head control) - It can also be locked in place if required

Optional bar on the back for strings to the heels.

Free flowing arm controls give up and sideways movement (they are a little harder to control but give much wider range of movement - even with one hand)

Hook for hanging.

Priced at £37.99 and available here

Skeleton Marionette String Puppet

2008-04-29T17:46:00.002Z

Yet more skeletons in the closet.

Working from the wooden carved skeleton I now have available a less expensive cast version with glass eyes and moving mouth.
He stands 14 inches tall and has 7 strings.
Available with free delivery (UK customers) he is priced at £99 and available here

'Tickle Me Pink' - New Version

2008-04-10T18:39:00.001Z

Full version of the video.

Tickle Me Pink - Johnny Flynn

2008-04-08T17:40:00.003Z

You can see a short edit of the Johnny Flynn video Tickle Me Pink here

Puppeteer Required

2008-04-04T10:30:00.002Z

Anyone interested in a couple of days marionette puppeteering?

I am involved in a little low budget short film project for which I have made 2 marionettes.
Shooting is scheduled for the week of 14th-18th April.
The project will require a second puppeteer for a couple of the days maybe wed/thurs but that will be confirmed next week hopefully.

Filming is in London so someone within easy reach would be preferable.

There isn't any budget for this so you would be working for free I'm afraid although travel costs will be reimbursed and you will also get full accreditation on the finished project.

Perhaps would suit a student of puppetry.

If you are interested or know anyone who maybe please contact me here or via email from my website

First Look

2008-04-01T19:22:00.002Z

I am working on a couple of marionettes for a short film, here's a look at the 'burnt marionette'. He's a dead marionette come back to life.
I've got more work to do on him yet but he's coming along nicely.

Kafka

2008-03-29T17:29:00.004Z

Nothing to do with marionettes but thought I'd post this picture of my dog.
Kafka (aka snafka,kaffy) passed away yesterday. She was always up for a game and would regularly interrupt tennis matches and football games in pursuit of getting hold of every ball on planet earth.
Outliving her sister by almost a year she did pretty well to get to her grand old age. It's going to be sad being without a dog for the first time in 16 years.

Filming day for 'Tickle Me Pink'

2008-03-20T19:25:00.004Z

Yesterday was the filming for the music video 'Tickle Me Pink' by Johnny Flynn.
It was a long day - as most studio days are - but very enjoyable, all the people were professional and friendly with everyone really working hard.
The video was produced by Chrome Productions who I really enjoyed working for as they were very supportive given the time frame for construction of the marionette.

I am really looking forward to seeing the final cut and will post as soon as it's available.
I will hopefully add some more behind the scenes photos if I can get hold of them.

Music Video - Marionette

2008-03-11T17:47:00.001Z

Don't know how much I can say at the moment but this week I'm working on a marionette to perform in a music video for an up and coming folk/pop artist.
It's going to be a bit of a rush but hopefully I will be able to post some photos as I go along.
I will also be performing the marionette for the shoot next week so I'll try and get some pics there too.

Shadow Puppets and Shadow Play by David Currell

2008-02-21T12:01:00.001Z

One of the presents I was lucky enough to receive last Christmas was 'Shadow Puppets and Shadow Play' by David Currell. Having read and thoroughly enjoyed his book "making and manipulating marionettes" - there's still plenty to enjoy and learn even when you make marionettes professionally- I was keen to get a look at this one. It didn't disappoint.

The book covers some of the traditions and history as well as design,construction and performance. There is even a great section showing how to make staging and screens, from small home versions to larger portable theatres. Not being as familiar with shadow puppetry as I am with marionettes I must say this book has inspired me to do more. I hope you find the same.

If you are looking for a start into puppetry you couldn't do much better than this book in my opinion.

Click the image and buy through my amazon store and you can support not only Mr Currell but myself too.

Hello Again

2008-02-19T11:06:00.002Z

Have been working for the last few months with a property developer doing various carpentry and joinery jobs on two hi spec properties in East Sussex. Although it has been on the whole enjoyable - I've learnt a lot to be sure - I have missed being at the workshop and being more creative. The blog has suffered too but we all have to pay the bills sometimes. I am back now for a while so will try to get the theatre on the go and post so more info when I can.

I will be restarting the marionette construction tutorial soon too hopefully.

Oh if you do stop by why not click on some of the google ads on the right hand side below and help support this site.