Double Take

Ok, check this out. I took a picture of my newest character's clay sculpture and played around with it in Paint Shop Pro to see what he might look like finished. As you can see on the sculpture there are some areas below the eyebrows that protrude out. I was going for a somewhat baggy eye effect under the eye. While playing around with the picture I placed the eyes above and below this area, and what I realized was that it created a totally different looking character just by putting the eyes in a different position. Check out the pictures below using the identical clay sculpture and different eye position. Cool! MontanaDan

New Ventriloquist Figure

As it is with most things I do, it seems that I am never finished. I start on one thing and then another, and another, and the next thing you know I am working on something else. I find that my creative impulses take control and the next thing you know I am creating something new. Oh well, who knows where this will end up, but the good news is I have created another character. I still need to work on some details, and some finishing touches, but here are a couple of pictures, one of the clay sculpture, and the other, a paint shop pro picture of what this new guy may look like. MontanaDan

Ventriloquist Dummy For Sale

Another JellyBean Jack Ventriloquist Figure. This one with Blue Side to Side Moving Eyes, and Moving Mouth. JellyBean Jack is a Great Character, get one today. MontanaDan

Ventriloquist Dummy Headstick

The headstick of a Ventriloquist dummy can be made of many different materials. I like the wooden headsticks myself. Many head sticks are fashioned out of doll rods and range from 3/4 of an inch up to 2 inches in Circumference.

The headstick itself is used to attach the control levers and operating controls for the eyes, mouth, eyebrows, and blinkers of the ventriloquist figure.

Depending on your preference, you can install these controls on the outside or the inside of the headstick. PVC pipe can also be used as a headstick, which is already hollowed out and comes in many different diameters. Inside the head a series of pulleys, springs and cords are attached to the jaw, eyes and eyebrows and run down through the neck to the headstick.

These controls once in place and attached are easily used to control the figures animations. A headstick can be created for both right or left handed persons, and with a variety of thumb and finger levers and controls.

I like to wrap my wooden headsticks in leather as a hand grip, and I use leather on the thumb lever as well. It gives a nice feel to the headstick and is also comfortable to use. MontanaDan

Puppets and Props

Hi Guys, Mike Brose at Puppets and Props has done it again! Mike has written a New Book on how to create Winkers/Blinkers for your Ventriloquist Dummy. Mike has a new 98 page ebook, available for immediate download, complete with pictures, diagrams, and detailed information on the subject. If this book is anything like his original book "Figure Making Can Be Fun", then I think that it will be a must have in your collection. A Big Round Of Applause for Mike Brose at Puppets and Props. Thanks Mike. MontanaDan

Get your copy by clicking on the link below.
Puppets and Props eBook

Ventriloquist Dummy "JellyBean Jack II"

This is a picture of the second JellyBean Jack Ventriloquist Figure I am working on. This one has Blue Eyes. I still need to paint the hair, put in the controls, and finish the headstick, but he is looking pretty sharp so far.
Stay Tuned, MontanaDan

Ventriloquist Figure For Sale!

Sold on eBay this New Ventriloquist Character JellyBean Jack. He has side to side moving eyes and moving mouth. JellyBean Jack comes dressed as pictured. MontanaDan

Ventriloquist Figure "JellyBean Jack"

Here are two pictures of my New Ventriloquist Dummy "JellyBean Jack" He is just about ready to go on eBay, all he needs is a body, as this one was borrowed, from my Uncle Joe Character. MontanaDan

Ventriloquist Dummy

SOLD! A new Uncle Joe Ventriloquist Dummy. Dressed as pictured, moving Side to Side Eyes, and moving Mouth. Uncle Joe is quite a character, this one with blue eyes, and strawberry blond hair. MontanaDan

Ventriloquist Dummy Eyes

JellyBean Jack now has eyes. What a difference it makes once you choose an eye color and install the eyes. That is when the puppet character starts to come to life. MontanaDan

Ventriloquist Dummies

Here are some pictures of the two characters I am currently working on. Uncle Joe now has eyes, and is just about ready for a headstick. The new ventriloquist character JellyBean Jack now has a mouth and has been painted, the eyes are next. Stay Tuned. MontanaDan

Ventriloquist Dummy Projects

I started working on the cast head of JellyBean Jack today. I cut out the eyes and jaw, and the trap door. Then I created a mouth piece, and did some work on the eyes. I will take some pictures this week and post on his progress. Meanwhile, I painted a new Uncle Joe character and did some work on his controls. I will be mounting the eyes next. Here are a few pics of him so far. MontanaDan

Ventriloquist Figure "JellyBean Jack"

Today I made a silicone mold, a mother mold, and a couple of cast heads of my newest character JellyBean Jack. I am also working on a Butler character, and an Uncle Joe character. Looks like I will be quite busy for the next couple of weeks. Stay Tuned. MontanaDan