Paper puppet 'Wild Things'...

This swap is based around the 'Monsters' in the classic childrens book 'Where the wild things are' by Maurice Sendak...

The book tells the story of Max, who one evening plays around his home making "mischief" in a wolf costume. As punishment, his mother sends him to bed without supper. In his room, a mysterious, wild forest and sea grows out of his imagination, and Max sails to the land of the Wild Things...

And I think you all know the rest!

• For this swap you will create one creature of your very own and make it into a paper stick puppet for one partner.

• You can make the puppet with any method you like, such as collaging, patterned papers, painting etc but you must use papers/cardstock and make the 'creature' itself sturdy.

• Make your puppet no smaller (shorter) than standard postcard size and no bigger than A4.

• It must be a 'flat' puppet (think shadow puppets) and 2D, but you can layer papers, make flaps or moveable parts etc.

• The puppet can be jointed using brads if you like but the idea is to use your imagination and create with paper materials so please keep embellishments to a minimum.

• For the 'stick' you can use Lolly sticks, BBQ skewers or thick cardstock or board but it must be able to stand up and be used as a puppet.

• Use the creatures already established in the Art work of Sendak as a guide and try to create yours as an addition to them and so that they would fit in to the group! But do not feel limited by the certain style they have and play around with mixing the look of existing wild animals, as Sendak does, such as eagles, bulls, monkeys (this is just an example) etc to create an unusual mythical monster!

• Give your creature a name and Write it somewhere on the front of your puppet (handwritten, printed, stamped) You can make it part of a patern on it's fur or skin if you want to but it must be visible and clear.

• You will also create a small 'prop' for your monster, taking inspiration from the book, something that may be in the imaginary land visited such as an unusual plant or flower, toadstool, smaller creature, jellyfish, bird, or even a food or other strange item, anything that can be a companion item to your monster, This should also be on a stick like a puppet and also 2d and made using paper/card materials. It must be no smaller than half an ATC and no bigger than a postcard.

• Make sure you send a note with your swap, to say hello and put a little information about the idea/inspiration behind your creation!

*As always, package carefully and make sure you support your puppet with sturdy board or cardstock so it does not bend or get damaged in the post.

Most of all be imaginative, creative and have fun!

I think I have covered things but this is my first time hosting a swap so please be kind and let me know if I have made any mistakes or left anything out! =D