Rod Arms for Puppets
We offer two categories of rod arms: BUILT IN (which are permanently installed in the puppet), and EXTERNAL (which can be put on/taken off your puppet).
BUILT IN Elbow Rod Arm Option $25
Order this type if you are ordering a VENT style puppet where you will stand in front of your audience holding the puppet. Tell us which arm of the puppet you want it on. The puppet’s left or right arm or both.
BUILT IN wrist rod Option $25
Order this type if you are ordering a STAGE/TV style puppet where you will stand underneath the puppet while performing for your audience. Tell us which arm of the puppet you want it on. The puppet’s left or right arm or both.
While this style of rod is normally used on aStage/TV style puppets, it can be built into a full body VENT style puppet is desired.
EXTERNAL Elbow Rod Arm Option $15
If you are not sure which side to install, get the external rod arm that you can velcro around either arm (covered by clothing).
(Comes with instructions. You mount it to either arm and it provides the same control with the ability to remove it if you want to. It is basically a wooden rod with 2 velcro straps that you attach around the forearm of the puppet – under the shirt. It sticks out the elbow as pictured – after you make a small hole in the clothing).
EXTERNAL WIRE wrist rods / BIRD WING rods $10
These are long vinyl coated wire with a bend in the top of it to hold a plastic zip tie. You tighten the zip tie around the wrist or wing of a smaller puppet to tie the wire to the puppet. These are for STAGE PUPPETS with LIGHT DUTY ARMS. Puppets with heavier hands need BUILT IN WRIST ROD for $25.
While this style of rod is normally used on aStage/TV style puppets, it can be built into a full body VENT style puppet is desired.
Order the small wire rods here:
Rod arms add greatly to the animation of puppets that have forearms. Your puppet can wave at your audience, smooth it’s hair, hold props that you rig to attach to the hand etc.
Such animation control can add to the emotion of your performance. To express bashfulness – simply hold the hand of the character up in front of it’s eyes and have it peek around the hand. To express frustration, have it paw at it’s face.
To express love have the puppet slowly reach out or touch someone. It’s fun and adds a bunch to the performance.
If you decide not to order a rod arm now, you can always order an external one and add it yourself later.
It’s basically a wooden handle that gives you control over the pivot and rotation of your puppets forearm.
LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE??
With your right hand in the puppet you would want a rod arm on it’s left arm so you can operate it with your left hand which is free.
You’ll need to set the puppet on your leg or lap if you are seated, or on a puppet stand if you are standing. Or use a short stool to put your right leg on, and stand with the puppet seated on your right leg.
Another way to do it is to put the rod on the puppet’s right arm and hold the puppet cradled in your left arm. Your left hand reaches up to the right rod arm. Movement is more limited (the puppet’s right arm will have less of a range of motion) but one advantage is that your audience doesn’t see you controlling the rod.
(Left Hand in the Puppet’s Mouth)
Reverse the above instructions.
Half Body/ Human Arm Option
Half Body / Human arm option comes with two arms that are like gloves. The puppeteer puts their hand into one glove to animate the hand. An additional puppeteer can bring the second hand to life.
