An Instant Body, The Hand Positions, Paper-Bag Gremlin, The Envelope Bird Hand Puppets
An Instant Body
To make a quick body or "skirt" you need a large handkerchief
and a rubber band. Hold your hand in one of the two hand positions shown below and drape
the handkerchief over the extended fingers. Loop the rubber band over the handkerchief and
around finger, A. Pull it around back of finger, B. Finally, loop it over your thumb, C.
The head is placed on the first finger, and the thumb and the other finger become the
puppet's arms.
The Hand Positions
Below are two ways of holding your hand inside a puppet. The
first one gives the puppet's arms a longer reach and a better grip on props, but it tends
to tilt the puppet to one side. The second position is more balanced, but the little
finger makes a shorter arm. It is harder to get it and the thumb together to hold on to
props. The first position is the one most commonly used and lie best for small
hands.
5.BAGDAD THE PAPER-BAG GREMLIN HAND PUPPET
You need crayons, scissors and a small brown
paper grocery bag. Flatten the bag out and turn it with the open side down. The fold
across the top will be Bagdad's mouth and should be marked with a line of bright red. Cut
out two white paper fangs and paste them to the edge of the fold, pointing downward. Now
draw a button nose and two big droopy eyes above the mouth. Add paper feelers on top if
you wish. Put your hand inside the bag and fit your fingers into the flap, as in A. You
will find that by opening and closing your hand you can make Bagdad's mouth open and
close. This gremlin speaks English, and he loves to sing.
6.BEAKNIK THE ENVELOPE BIRD HAND PUPPET
You need an envelope and crayons. Put your hand
inside the envelope, B, stretching your fingers into the upper corner and your thumb into
the lower. With your other hand press in the front edge of the envelope. Pull it away
quickly or it will be nipped, for by opening and closing the hand inside the envelope, you
make Beaknik's beak open and shut. Add an eye, fierce or friendly, according to taste.
