Puppet Making Masterclass

In this hands-on course, I'll guide you through designing and crafting your own beautifully made table-top puppet.

Over the course of the weekend, you’ll develop the skills needed to turn your own puppet design into a durable, finely crafted performance-ready puppet. You’ll learn how to draft designs and translate them into 3D form, starting with a strong armature, lock joints, and carved foam structure.

A range of finishing techniques and handle designs will be introduced, ensuring your puppet is ready for life on stage or screen.

Ahead of the weekend, I will run a one-hour online session to guide you through the puppet design process, helping you arrive fully prepared for the practical workshop.

Programme

Tuesday 10th February — 7–8pm Puppet Design (Online)

Saturday 14th February — 10am–4pm Puppet Making @ Puppet Place

Sunday 15th February — 10am–4pm Puppet Making @ Puppet Place

You will learn how to…

• Work from a scale drawing
• Construct a puppet armature with lock joints
• Create different handles for manipulation
• Carve from a block of Styrofoam
• Apply finishing techniques to make your puppet smooth and paint-ready
• Use basic manipulation techniques to bring your puppet to life
  

Who’s it for?

This workshop is for anyone inspired by puppetry and keen to develop their making skills. Whether you’re creating work for theatre, education, a puppet show, or personal projects, this inclusive and supportive course will give you industry-standard techniques and practical confidence. Ideal for those continuing their professional development.

Who am I?

With a background in theatre and live events, I have been building puppets, props, and sets for over 11 years. After training as a puppet maker and puppeteer at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2012, I went on to work freelance with a wide range of clients — from Handspring’s majestic War Horse puppets to creating character costumes for pantomimes at the London Palladium.

I later founded my company, Paper Jungle, which specialises in creating highly crafted puppets that bring stories to life. Alongside this, I continued my training as a 3D designer while completing an MA at the University of the West of England. I remain continually fascinated by the power of puppets to capture emotion and transform people’s imaginations.

Follow me on Intstagram HERE

See more of my work HERE

“Bella created a stress-free, welcoming environment that allowed everyone to follow their own creative vision.”

“I’d highly recommend this course to anyone starting their journey as a puppet maker — it’s incredibly helpful.”

Where?

The workshop takes place at Puppet Place, the home of puppetry in the South West, located in the heart of Bristol. You’ll be working alongside the studios of leading puppet makers.

Puppet Place 18 Albion Dockside Estate Hanover Place Bristol BS1 6UT