Kreutinger Puppets
  • Puppet Nerd
  • Learn Puppetry
    • Patterns
    • Supplies
    • Become a Puppeteer
    • Puppet Making Videos
  • Puppet Gallery
  • Podcasts
  • Contact
    • Educator
  • About
  • Support
  • Puppet Nerd
  • Learn Puppetry
    • Patterns
    • Supplies
    • Become a Puppeteer
    • Puppet Making Videos
  • Puppet Gallery
  • Podcasts
  • Contact
    • Educator
  • About
  • Support
Picture

Why Your Brand/Business Needs a Mascot

2/24/2021

0 Comments

 
No longer are mascots limited to just the football field and basketball court. In the digital age a costume just won't cut it anymore. Imagine your mascot talking to your customers and doing interviews. The best way to do that is with a puppet version of your mascot! Pump up your audience and increase viewer engagement by adding a mascot to your brand or business.​
Marketing
The first reason why your brand needs a mascot is for marketing purposes. The mascot of your brand should be a visual cue to what your business is. Think about some of the most famous mascots for brands, like the M&M characters or the Pringles man. You automatically connect the mascot to the brand because it’s a direct visual cue.
Brand Recognition
This brings us to our next point of brand recognition. As humans, we’re much more likely to remember a green giant pasted on a can of green beans rather than a field of greens on a can with the logo of your brand.

Picking a mascot means your brand stands out. Mascots are wacky, draw attention, and command recognition by just existing. When customers recognize the mascot, they recognize your brand and business.
Audience Engagement
A mascot at a sports game gets the audience pumped! They set the scene and make the game more exciting than it actually is. No hate to sports fans, but take away the cheerleaders, crowd, band, and mascot and you have a pretty lackluster show. 

Mascots act as a way to connect the audience to the brand. You feel personally connected to the brand because they’ve put a face to their business. Even if that face is a girl with a yellow umbrella on a salt shaker… it’s recognition.

Also, many brands have brought their mascot out into the 3-D world for events to promote their brand even further. While most kids will shy away from the tall, slender clown that is Ronald McDonald, his appearances at events and in commercials for McDonalds has landed the fast-food restaurant the recognition they have today.
Picture
Who Are You?
Add a mascot to your brand or business to solidify who you are. A mascot does more than just tell a funny side to your brand, it connects your audience to who you are.

​
by 
Puppet Nerd Blog

Instagram @AdamKreutinger
YouTube  @AdamKreutinger
Twitter  @AdamKreutinger

See what it takes to to film with your Mascot Puppet!

0 Comments

How to Make a Frog Puppet

2/17/2021

0 Comments

 
Looking for more ways to create fun inside? Always wanted to become a master puppeteer? Follow this easy tutorial on how to make a frog puppet that’s professional in style, but simple in design. ​
Step by Step Instructions
Feel free to get creative with the design by using whatever color and texture of fabric you want. This puppet can be a frog, lizard, or any other abstract animal that you see fit.
Picture
STEP 1
​Pick out a fleece fabric and trace the printable pattern on the fabric.
Picture
STEP 2
Next, cut out the body of the pattern. This will be two pieces.
Picture
STEP 3
​
Sew the two pieces together by hand or with a sewing machine.

Picture
STEP 4
​Next, trace out the mouth and pin and sew it onto the body of the puppet.
Picture
STEP 5
​
Make a mouth plate. This can be any flexible plastic, like a laundry detergent plastic. Paste them on with heavy duty glue (Super 77 spray adhesive) and then turn the puppet inside out for a clean finish.
Picture
STEP 6
For the eyes, use wooden knobs and screws. Make a plate out of PVC, place it on the inside, and attach the knobs to the outside.

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
STEP 7
​
For the arms and hands, trace out the patterns on fleece. Make the hands out of foam and use wire for the arm rods. The foam and wire should be even throughout and secured.
Picture
Picture
Picture
STEP 8
Trace out the feet and legs and attach the ankle to the foot to attach the leg to the foot. Again, stuff the felt with foam and wire where needed. ​
Picture
STEP 9
This step is optional, but you can create a sleeve to cover your arm when using the puppet. ​
Picture
STEP 10
​Make the foam body with strong foam and then insert the foam body right into the puppet.
Picture
STEP 11
Attach the limbs by stitching or using doll joints. 
Picture
Picture
STEP 12
Lastly, create the pupils and decorate your puppet as you see fit!
Picture
Learn Puppetry!
Learn how to perform puppetry too!

by Puppet Nerd Blog

Instagram @AdamKreutinger
YouTube  @AdamKreutinger
Twitter  @AdamKreutinger
0 Comments

“The Muppet Show” Returns!

2/9/2021

0 Comments

 
“The Muppet Show” Returns!
“The Muppet Show” is a classic for any Gen X, Millennial, and even some Gen Z young adults. However, with streaming platforms on the rise, many young kids today have yet to experience the hilarity of this classic puppet tv show.

Picture
Going to Disney Plus
It’s been announced that “The Muppet Show” will be added to Disney Plus on February 19th. This includes all 5 seasons, starting from the 1970s premiere. With huge numbers of parents turning to streaming services rather than traditional tv for entertainment, this means a new generation of kids will begin to experience this classic show.
Picture
What is “The Muppet Show?”
If you’ve never heard of “The Muppet Show” you may be either a baby or a person who lived in isolation from the internet their whole life. The show was started by creator Jim Henson and ran from 1976 to 1981. It has a similar vibe to the show, “Sesame Street”, in that it features popular puppet characters, such as Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, the Swedish Chef, and Fozzie Bear. Alongside these characters, popular stars and influencers of the time come on to speak with the puppet showrunners, such as Steve Martin, Liza Minnelli, Julie Andrews, and Elton John.

Picture
New Generation, New Muppets
Disney acquired the rights to the Muppets in 2004 and has since added and created new content for this lovable show. Yet they still hadn’t added the original 5 seasons to the platform. With this move, a new generation will experience this wholesome show. 

This is a great way to bring the older generation mixed in with the new generation. The show is classic entertainment for kids. It’s no doubt that kids will enjoy the show all the same as the older generation did. After all, what kid doesn’t love a silly animal puppet?

Parents can also rest assured that the content they're letting their children view is safe. Since they have probably watched the show themselves, it’s already pre-watched and approved for viewing. This can’t be said with many other forms of entertainment for kids, such as YouTube videos, that have to be watched by the parents before showing the kids to ensure the safety of the content.

Joy for the Whole Family
There’s no doubt that “The Muppets Show” will provide entertainment to the new generation of kids and classic nostalgia to the parents. The show comes on Disney Plus on February 19th and isn’t one to miss!
by Puppet Nerd Blog

Instagram @AdamKreutinger
YouTube  @AdamKreutinger
Twitter  @AdamKreutinger
Picture
0 Comments

I made a Baby Yoda!

11/27/2020

2 Comments

 

DIY Baby Yoda

​A few months ago my subscribers challenged me made the Child from Mandalorian - AKA Baby Yoda.
Picture

Designing the Mechanisms

When making mechanisms, it’s best to start out with a sketch. Especially when you have multiple mechs that have to work together. Having a plan can save you a lot of headaches even if you have to make changes later as you are building.
Picture

The Eyes

For the eyes I used wooden spheres that were 2 inches in diameter. I pained them black and coated them with ColorShift spray paint. This makes the color change at different angles.
Picture

The Skull

When making mechanisms it’s important to have a sold framework for a foundation instead of just the foam head. I used this 4 inch diameter schedule 20 PVC pipe. It worked great!!!
Picture

Ear Mechanisms

For the ear mech I used spiral boning. It’s a material used in dress and corset making. It’s nice since it won’t get outstretched like a spring and won’t fatigue like wire. ​
Picture

Eye Blinks

To make these eyelids, I vacuum formed plastic over the wood eyes. Then I welded posts on the back to they could be controlled by the trigger.
Picture

Covering the Lids

I stretched fleece over the eyelids and secured it down with contact cement. 
Picture

Movement Test

Everything is working together nicely!

Adding Foam

Next I covered the skull with foam. I added more than I needed to I could sculpt into it to get the shapes I wanted.
Picture

No Jams!

When adding foam sometimes the mechs can get jammed in ways you didn’t expect. Before moving on it important to constantly check that the mechanisms are working smoothly.

The Controls

This is the headstick I made. I cut it from a block of Delrin. It’s very strong. ​
Picture

Foam Details

I added some foam shapes to get even more detail before adding the fabric.
Picture

Fleece Covering

I get my fleece at Puppet Pelts!

Wardrobe

A quick robe! This was the closest fabric I had on hand. ​
Picture

Baby Yoda Time-Lapse Build

See more of my puppet builds on YouTube. Search “Adam Kreutinger”. #puppetbuilding #puppeteer
Instagram @TheWholeKreu @AdamKreutinger
YouTube @TheWholeKreu @AdamKreutinger
Twitter @TheWholeKreu @AdamKreutinger

Yours truly,
Adam
2 Comments

I Interviewed My Mom and You Should Too

5/9/2020

2 Comments

 
Seven years ago my parents moved from snowy Buffalo to sunny California. Sounds like an easy decision to make. I mean, who wouldn't like perfect comfortable weather every day with a view of the ocean from their balcony window.

Despite the view, I'm sure this was one of the toughest decisions they've ever had to make.

And for us, well... now we have the perfect excuse for yearly vacations. 😎

With 2,559 miles between us, it should be no surprise to hear that the Kreutinger's are well versed in video calls. Something that has become a sudden popular trend in the world due to unfortunate circumstances.

That said, there is nothing quite like sitting down in person and having a nice conversation. I had a really nice conversation with my Mom this past August. She was visiting when my daughter was born. We were talking one day so I migrated the conversation to my puppet workshop. My workshop also has a recording setup for when we make episodes of Puppet Tears Podcast.

But there was no puppet talk that day. Just an awesome, impromptu, in person, conversation with my mom.


These in person conversations were something that have been taken for granted for a long time... 

but we shouldn’t anymore.

Many people have given me flack over the years for pulling out a camera and recording things. 

“Can’t you just be in the moment?”

or

“You are not being present.”

They always say.

I couldn’t disagree with this more. In fact, it’s the opposite is true.

You would have to be hyper PRESENT to recognize you are IN a moment that is worth capturing.


When sitting back and reflecting on your childhood or family memories, I don’t think there are many people who think “Golly, I wish I didn’t have so many family photos” or I really wish I didn’t have that video clip of grandpa singing while cooking spaghetti.”

No.

You always wish you had more. And so often the most routine and mundane things end up being the things we miss the most.

So…

Don’t record everything.

However, if even for a second you have an urge to pull out your phone to capture a moment...

DON’T HESITATE...


you will regret it.

Here is my interview with my mom. Well worth the watch. (CLICK HERE)


Instagram @TheWholeKreu @AdamKreutinger 
YouTube @TheWholeKreu @AdamKreutinger
Twitter @TheWholeKreu @AdamKreutinger

Yours truly,
Adam


Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
2 Comments

Shy Kids? 3 Reasons to Try Puppetry

1/26/2020

3 Comments

 

Tell me if you have seen this before…

A kid who’s an outgoing playful goofball when they are at home... but becomes shy, nervous, or gets anxiety when in any other situation.

We have all seen children who are afraid to speak up when in a group of friends, or giving a class presentation, or even to simply raise their hand to answer a question. Whether this is your son, daughter, niece, nephew, grandchild, or student; I have a tip that might help, and that tip is puppetry.

Puppetry is empowering. 

I see puppetry as an underused tool in education and early childhood development. Learning puppetry can help give kids a voice, especially if they are naturally shy, have trouble making friends, or seem to lack self confidence. 

Puppetry can be a truly powerful confidence builder for three main reasons.

1: Eliminate Risk
Using a puppet can eliminate the risk of feeling embarrassed when presenting in front of a crowd since technically they are not the one who’s presenting… the puppet is. It acts as a sort of “mask” which shields from feeling like the focus is on them. This starts to break down the barrier of public speaking. Once they are more comfortable presenting with a puppet, then they will be one step closer to doing a presentation on their own.

2: Play is Practice
The “Eliminate Risk” reason above might seem like too big of a first leap, but in reality, the above example is not likely to be the first thing they do with a puppet. The first thing they will do is play. Play has always been part of development for kids, this is nothing new. But playing with puppets specifically develops the presentation and communications skills needed in building the confidence to become less shy and more social with peers. An extra benefit to puppetry as play is it can be done independently or more collaboratively. Making it easy to include friends when the opportunity arises. (During my Masters in Education I took a class called “Theory, Research and Practice of Play” and I am planning to talk more about it regards to puppetry in future posts. Stay tuned!)

3: Be an Expert
There is so much one can learn about puppetry. When you dive in, you quickly find how wide and diverse the world of puppetry is. Anytime you study and practice an art or hobby, you start to gain knowledge that goes deeper than the knowledge of the general public. You start to become an expert in the eyes of the average person. Being a source of knowledge to your peers is a true confidence builder, especially to a kid.

All this is just the tip of the iceberg for what you can expect to gain from puppetry. I have seen it first hand over and over again with my students and with my family. 

Not only is it important, but it’s also a ton of fun! I have added many puppetry projects into my art class in Orchard Park, as well as at many public events at Explore & More Children's Museum, Buffalo Public Library, local Scouts troops, the Theatre of Youth, and many more! 

If you’re a parent or know any teachers, therapists, or anyone who works with kids; I highly recommend giving puppetry a chance. It would be a great addition to their tool belt for helping their kids.

Instagram @TheWholeKreu @AdamKreutinger
YouTube @TheWholeKreu @AdamKreutinger
Twitter @TheWholeKreu @AdamKreutinger

Yours truly,
Adam
Picture
Picture

Learn Puppetry!

Learn to Make Puppets!

Picture
Picture

Puppet Building Supplies!

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Interview with Sesame Streets Leslie Carrara-Rudolph
3 Comments

Decade in Review!

1/3/2020

1 Comment

 
Ten years ago I was 21...

Needless to say the past ten years have been extremely influential. Life changing milestones at every step...
​
- Graduating from college
- Started teaching career
- Masters degree
- Married
- My daughter

and all along the way creating my art.

Though I don't know exactly what the future will hold for me, I do have plans. My main plan is to continue exactly what I am doing now, but to expand on it.

So more tutorials, build projects, and interviews. But also I'd like to do some fun challenge videos and talk backs.

If there is anything specific that you would like to see, please let me know!

Ideas commented on the blog will have priority!
​
**Happy New Year!!!**

Instagram @TheWholeKreu @AdamKreutinger
YouTube @TheWholeKreu @AdamKreutinger
Twitter @TheWholeKreu @AdamKreutinger

Yours truly,
Adam
1 Comment

We Went to Maker Faire!

11/27/2019

1 Comment

 
Maker Faire had reached out to me last year on Instagram, inviting me to the event. I WAS THRILLED, especially since they were adding a puppetry section to the faire. Rochester it is practically in my own backyard, being from Buffalo.

At the time I accepted I didn't know we were going to be bringing an infant. But our new family had a BLAST, especially baby Fred! You can see our experience first hand in the Vlog on Youtube.

Being so new to the Maker Faire experience, I wasn't sure of exactly what to bring. So we just stuffed the car with all I had until nothing else fit! I even ordered custom banners designed by Cameron Garrity, my co-host on the Puppet Tears Podcast . And I LOVE how it all turned out.

Over the course of the two days day Maker Faire I did puppetry demos for thousands of people. I showed them how the mechanical puppets work, performing techniques, as well as how to find free resources on my website to make your own puppets. I even taught how to make your own show!

I also met a ton of awesome people! Many of which we are planning to do collaborations with. I met Elijah Horland who was a host on Mythbusters Jr. We got to learn about his experience on the show and they invited us to go to his Maker Faire in Coney Island! Keep an eye out for it, I'm really hoping we can go!

We also met and got to see an awesome magic show by Mario the Maker Magician! He was awesome! We chatted a little about my old magician days, I'm hoping to build puppet for one of his projects coming up! Be sure to check out his YouTube Channel too!

I connected quick with my friends over at Thimble and we are hoping to make a puppetry themed box for their maker subscription kits!!!! Stay tuned!!!

Lastly, Kira and I are planning to co-design a line of puppets. I'm going to be creating a custom pattern exclusively for her shop! So if you like the design, the only place you will be able to get it will be at Kira Arts!

The whole event was sooooo amazing! I am definitely looking forward to going back again next year and even to other Maker Faires!!

Instagram @TheWholeKreu @AdamKreutinger
YouTube @TheWholeKreu @AdamKreutinger
Twitter @TheWholeKreu @AdamKreutinger

Yours truly,
Adam
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
1 Comment

The Story of Fred

10/1/2019

1 Comment

 

    ​Seeing people around me give birth to sticky kids with ten perfect toes and cute little laughs honestly made me roll my eyes. I was so busy building my career as a teacher and performing on the weekends, creating lesson plans, characters on stage, dreaming of how to engage students while having them pass the NYS exams and figuring out how to make audiences laugh, the last thing I had on my mind was being nauseatingly pregnant and inspecting “What shade of poo?” diapers. If someone would have said to me a few years ago, “Maria, the most creative endeavor you will ever make would be Winifred Truly” I would have laughed.

    I knew I wanted to be a mom, “someday”, but that “someday” wasn't exactly laid out for me. I was at a point in my life where everything had started to begin. I had dealt with an extremely heavy loss the previous summer, and with Adam had to make an extremely tough decision. The bond I had with my puppy, Ornacia was something I had truly never felt. The connection I have with my four dogs is something that is irreplaceable. With Ornacia, we were connected in a special way, though I am not spiritual in an astrological or tarot card way, I am 100% on  board with fate. Fate brought us together, and what we hand was magic. And she taught me how to be a mother. As parents, Adam and I had to make a decision, one that broke me down, but made me trust my instincts. The day of her passing was the rebirth of my life.
 

    Without Ornacia, the sweet summer went on, I still took great care of my other dogs, but had an emptiness that nothing could replace. I learned how to love with coping with loss, but took comfort in the fact that I had two years with my special pup. I started a brand new job as a third grade teacher, was performing a full season of Buffalo theater, and getting used to the fact that I was now a wife. There were so many changes I embraced, I couldn’t see myself taking on anymore. 

    It was always in the back of my mind I would be a mom, but could I handle it? Could I handle my biggest, deepest, darkest fear? Could I really host a small human in MY body? The thought irritated me, knowing something would be taking over and I would have no control of the situation. That I would let my body pretty much ride bike with no breaks and I would be speeding head on down the road with no choice other than to scream full voice, hair in the wind.  “No” I told myself, I couldn’t possibly do it. How selfish. I thought.

    But it wasn’t selfish, it was a real tactile feeling. I knew what it felt like to love something so much you’d do anything to make sure it was okay, even if it meant making tough decisions. I did that as a nanny, a teacher, a dog mom. But I still felt like something bigger was on the horizon, just waiting for me to teach me to see the world in a different way. I didn’t know it yet, but that thing was Fred. 

    The day we brought Fred home from the hospital, life was chaotic. There were friends and family coming in and out, bringing food and offering help while I slept through hospital exhaustion. When the nights were quiet, sitting with Fred, Adam beside me I looked at him out of nowhere and said, “ Isn’t it so weird that she’s here but nothing seems different, and yet everything has changed? It’s like she has been here all along.” That’s the only way I can describe the feeling. How is it that something so new in this universe is already an old soul? Meeting her wasn’t a first time encounter for me. It felt like, “How lovely to see you again.”  Something much bigger than us in the universe brought her to me and Adam.
​

It might be science or something from above, but before I knew I was pregnant I remember looking up at the stars one night, and feeling calm, and ready to let go, for the first time in my life. Whatever that feeling was or is, came back to me the second the nurse placed Fred in my arms. “I’m so glad you’re here.” Finally.

Instagram 
@TheWholeKreu
YouTube @TheWholeKreu
Twitter  @TheWholeKreu

Yours truly,
Maria

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
1 Comment

I made my daughter a cookie monster dress!

9/2/2019

4 Comments

 
People who know us well are very familiar with the dresses I have made for my wife over the years. But now it's Fred's turn! This is officially the first outfit I made for her and she was only four days old.

The inspiration for this was a coincide in timing. Hasbro Pulse toy company was in the middle of promoting a campaign to have a life size cookie monster replica. They sent it to me for a few days so I could make a video giving an up-close look on my main channel. I was working with them to promote it to other puppeteers. Unfortunately, the campaign did not reach it's goal, but I was still glade that I was able to get an up-close look at it myself.
Picture
While I had the Cookie monster in my hands, I just had to take advantage of the opportunity to do something fun with Fred. My first idea was to make her  a dress from fabric with chocolate chip cookie print and so a photo shoot to make it look like Cookie Monster was trying to eat her😂🤣. 

But I was not able to find cookie print fabric under such short notice with such a fast turnaround.

So then I had the idea of a Cookie Monster dress with a headband that had big googly eyes (You can see the full making of the dress in this video). 
Picture
It fit her perfect!
Picture
Next we began the photo shoot!!!​ All photos were taken on my Canon M50 with my Cannon EF-M 22mm f2,0 lens.

​And we couldn't be happier with how the photos came out!!

Enjoy!!!

Instagram @TheWholeKreu
YouTube @TheWholeKreu
Twitter  @TheWholeKreu

Yours truly,
Adam
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
4 Comments
<<Previous

    Author

    Dad, Art Teacher, 
    Puppeteer, YouTuber, Writer. member of SCBWI

    Archives

    February 2021
    November 2020
    May 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed