Storing your puppets Now that you have invested time and money in building a puppet collection, it is important to develop a storage system that will adjust to your changing needs. Be sure and write the contents on the box or make a list showing what is stored in each container. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to find a puppet who has decided to move into a different box without leaving a forwarding address. A simple way to keep track of the puppet's location and which props you usually use for it is to write this information on the Puppet Personality Form Small collections A small cardboard or plastic box such as a banker's box or a portable file box will work well if you have just a few hand puppets or some finger puppets. Place the puppets and their props together in the box. Place bag puppets inside a file folder and store them flat in the bottom of the box. Place a little tissue paper inside finger puppets so that they won't get crushed. Larger Collections Many people find that once they start using puppets, the puppets tend to take over all the available space. Your storage solutions must become more creative when you have a growing collection in a variety of sizes and types. Shoe Bags make good storage bags for hand puppets and finger puppets. Most shoe bags will hold from 9 to 24 puppets and their accessories without taking up much space. Hang the bag on the wall or on the back of a door and use each pocket for a puppet and it's accessories. Shoe Racks can be purchased in most variety and hardware stores. These racks are available in either free-standing or vertical models which come with the hardware to mount them on the wall or door. Place a puppet on each shoe form. I have seen them in 18 to 64 peg sizes. A Hat Rack makes an attractive holder for large puppets. I have a one that has 3 rows of 9" pegs around the pole. It makes the puppets easily accessible and makes for an attractive room display. To make your own puppet pole, purchase a 6' wooden closet rod, 3 36" x 1/2" dowels and a 2' X 3' piece of 1/2" plywood [If you don't want to go to the trouble of making a base for your puppet pole, use an old Christmas tree stand or the base for a patio umbrella.] You will also need a 1/2" drill, a pencil, wood glue, and a saw. Cut each dowel into three 9" pieces. Drill 3 holes around the rod 2" from the top, 20" from the top and 48" from the top. Drill the holes at least 1/2" deep and slightly offset. Making the holes at a 45 degree angle, will allow your puppets to rest more securely on the pegs. [Skip tht next two steps if you are using a tree stand.] Using a pencil and a piece of string, draw a 2' circle on the piece of plywood. Cut the circle, reserving the left over wood to form the pole holder. Cut the reserved wood into 4 5" x 12" pieces. Form the upright part of the pole holder by gluing the 5" x 12" pieces as illustrated. Glue the upright to the base. Insert the pole into the base and place the dowels into the holes you drilled. You should not need to glue the pole into the base or the pegs into the holes. To Index