I then carve the wood using the natural tendencies and grain to give it a refined personality all its own. Each moving part is carved separately and the more complex puppets have up to 47 individual pieces. They are then hindged together to allow near human precision in their movements. Their movements should also fit their personality. Accessories are added such as hair and teeth using materials which are the most suited, such as human hair and deerhorn for teeth.
Clothing is made from scraps and other recycled or donated fabrics.
Each puppet is then carefully strung to give control and yet allow for some accidents which give the puppet room to express his or her own opinion. My aim is for the viewer to empathize with the puppet as though it were a living entity with a unique personality. It is funnier to me that a person can be upset by something a puppet does, than anything the puppet actually does. I therefore enjoy taking the show a little bit off the stage.