The Foundation Course to Puppet Mastery with Bernd Ogrodnik
Unleash Your Inner Artist and Carve Your Own Wooden Puppet in 8 Short Weeks!
Demystify carving with clear, step-by-step videos and live Q&A sessions. You'll be amazed at what you can create, even with no prior experience.
Unleash Your Inner Artist and Carve Your Own Wooden Puppet in 8 Short Weeks!
Demystify carving with clear, step-by-step videos and live Q&A sessions. You'll be amazed at what you can create, even with no prior experience.
The Foundation Course to Puppet Mastery is closed for enrollment. If you sign up for the waiting list, we will send you a message and you will have the opportunity to register as soon as possible.
Unlock Your Creative Potential
Our over-the-shoulder video lessons make it feel like you're right beside Bernd. With detailed diagrams and live Q&As for support, you'll confidently complete the 8-week course with your own handcrafted puppet, ready to perform!
Unlock Your Creative Potential
Our over-the-shoulder video lessons make it feel like you’re right beside Bernd. With detailed diagrams and live Q&As for support, you’ll confidently complete the 8-week course with your own handcrafted puppet, ready to perform!
What our students say about their experience:
"It was a self-journey for me to realize that I have abilities that I didn’t really believe I have."
Yael Kandelman
"Incredible learning experience."
Charles Hoffman
Click the CC button next to the video progress bar to turn on captions.
What our students say about their experience:
"It was a self-journey for me to realize that I have abilities that I didn’t really believe I have."
Yael Kandelman
"Incredible learning experience."
Charles Hoffman
Click the CC button next to the video progress bar to turn on captions.
Transform Your Passion into Reality
Whether you've been captivated by marionettes since childhood, experimented with other materials, and are ready for a new challenge, or you're a multi-disciplinary artist seeking to bring all your skills together in one magical craft—this course is your next step.
If you've felt daunted by the tools or techniques, you're not alone.
Like hundreds of others that have taken this course, you'll find confidence and creativity in our step-by-step approach.
For the Dreamers and Creators Ready to Bring Wood to Life
The Foundation Course to Puppet Mastery is perfect for you if:
- You dream of crafting characters that tell stories.
- You are curious about working with wood as a medium.
- You have looked at a block of wood and imagined turning it into something extraordinary.
- You want to learn from one of the most renowned masters in the field as he shares his proven techniques, systems, and secrets of the trade
- You want to boost your confidence, ignite your creativity, and immerse yourself in your imagination.
Unlock Expert Techniques and Transform Your Creative Vision
- Master Essential Tools: Learn how to use both basic and advanced carving tools safely, ensuring you can work with confidence, whether you're well-equipped or just starting out.
- Discover the Secrets of Wood: Understand the properties of different woods and how to choose the best one for your project.
- Design a Strong Character: Create a clear character design, starting with a drawing that becomes a functional technical blueprint, guiding your carving process.
- Carve Each Puppet Part: Step-by-step instructions on how to carve each part of your puppet, using a variety of tools to achieve detailed and professional results.
- Get Started with Minimal Tools: Even with basic tools, you’ll learn techniques to start carving and achieve quality results.
- Assemble, Dress, and Paint Your Puppet: Bring your creation together by assembling the parts, dressing, and adding artistic touches through painting.
- Animate Your Creation: Learn expert manipulation techniques to bring your puppet to life, making it more than just a static object.
PLUS: Get a sneak peek into advanced puppet styles with an exclusive overview of the highly functional designs featured in the follow-up Academy of the Wooden Puppet.
Transform Your Passion into Reality
Whether you've been captivated by marionettes since childhood, experimented with other materials, and are ready for a new challenge, or you're a multi-disciplinary artist seeking to bring all your skills together in one magical craft—this course is your next step.
If you've felt daunted by the tools or techniques, you're not alone.
Like hundreds of others that have taken this course, you'll find confidence and creativity in our step-by-step approach.
For the Dreamers and Creators Ready to Bring Wood to Life
The Foundation Course to Puppet Mastery is perfect for you if:
- You dream of crafting characters that tell stories.
- You are curious about working with wood as a medium.
- You have looked at a block of wood and imagined turning it into something extraordinary.
- You want to learn from one of the most renowned masters in the field as he shares his proven techniques, systems, and secrets of the trade
- You want to boost your confidence, ignite your creativity, and immerse yourself in your imagination.
Unlock Expert Techniques and Transform Your Creative Vision
- Master Essential Tools: Learn how to use both basic and advanced carving tools safely, ensuring you can work with confidence, whether you're well-equipped or just starting out.
- Discover the Secrets of Wood: Understand the properties of different woods and how to choose the best one for your project.
- Design a Strong Character: Create a clear character design, starting with a drawing that becomes a functional technical blueprint, guiding your carving process.
- Carve Each Puppet Part: Step-by-step instructions on how to carve each part of your puppet, using a variety of tools to achieve detailed and professional results.
- Get Started with Minimal Tools: Even with basic tools, you’ll learn techniques to start carving and achieve quality results.
- Assemble, Dress, and Paint Your Puppet: Bring your creation together by assembling the parts, dressing, and adding artistic touches through painting.
- Animate Your Creation: Learn expert manipulation techniques to bring your puppet to life, making it more than just a static object.
PLUS: Get a sneak peek into advanced puppet styles with an exclusive overview of the highly functional designs featured in the follow-up Academy of the Wooden Puppet.
Transform a block of wood into a table-top puppet in just 8 weeks!
Check out these creations from our students
Created by Miguel Rojas
Created by Anna-Maria Lawrie
Created by Philip Millar
Transform a block of wood into a table-top puppet in just 8 weeks!
Check out these creations from our students
Created by Miguel Rojas
Created by Anna-Maria Lawrie
Created by Philip Millar
Meet Our Team
JIM JER SEY
JIM JER SEY
JIM JER SEY
Bernd Ogrodnik
Bernd Ogrodnik has been a prominent figure in the world of puppetry since 1986. He is the artistic director and co-founder of "Worlds of Puppets" and has served as the Master Puppeteer for the National Theater of Iceland.
He has a track record of over 7,000 live performances and has toured all over the US, Canada, Europe, Africa, and Asia as a performer and lecturer at international theater festivals, universities, and conferences.
He has been creating marionettes, puppets, and masks for stages around the world, and his work is frequently featured on TV and in film.
The global pandemic took his teaching online. Now he shares his highly-functional techniques developed over the years, in the online classes available to watch from the comfort of your home.
This course will not only leave you full of knowledge and enthusiasm for the art of puppetry but also enrich your life way beyond the realms of the puppet.
Mark Blashford
During the course, Mark will assist you and encourage you on this journey. You will see him a lot as he posts new lesson updates and hosts some of the Q&A sessions.
Mark is a professional puppeteer/builder specializing in traditional puppet performance forms, including marionette, shadow, rod, and hand puppetry. As a trained puppet builder, he received his Master of Fine Arts in the Puppet Arts from the University of Connecticut in 2017.
He has also studied in Germany, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, and Iceland with one-on-one instruction from Bernd Ogrodnik.
Mark has worked with many theaters in addition to the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival as an associate artist and Chicago Puppet Studio Coordinator. He now lives in Iceland and works full-time with Bernd in the studios of Worlds of Puppets.
He also manages and performs with his own company – Rootstock Puppet Works.
His mission is to craft and perform puppet theater rooted in stories that promote mutual kindness and ecological awareness for the good of people and their environment.
Your Instructors
JIM JER SEY
JIM JER SEY
JIM JER SEY
Bernd Ogrodnik
Bernd Ogrodnik has been a prominent figure in the world of puppetry since 1986. He is the artistic director and co-founder of “Worlds of Puppets” and has served as the Master Puppeteer for the National Theater of Iceland.
He has a track record of over 7,000 live performances and has toured all over the US, Canada, Europe, Africa, and Asia as a performer and lecturer at international theater festivals, universities, and conferences.
He has been creating marionettes, puppets, and masks for stages around the world, and his work is frequently featured on TV and in film.
The global pandemic took his teaching online. Now he shares his highly-functional techniques developed over the years, in the online classes available to watch from the comfort of your home.
This course will not only leave you full of knowledge and enthusiasm for the art of puppetry but also enrich your life way beyond the realms of the puppet.
JIM JER SEY
JIM JER SEY
JIM JER SEY
Mark Blashford
During the course, Mark will assist you and encourage you on this journey. You will see him a lot as he posts new lesson updates and hosts some of the Q&A sessions.
Mark is a professional puppeteer/builder specializing in traditional puppet performance forms, including marionette, shadow, rod, and hand puppetry. As a trained puppet builder, he received his Master of Fine Arts in the Puppet Arts from the University of Connecticut in 2017.
He has also studied in Germany, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, and Iceland with one-on-one instruction from Bernd Ogrodnik.
Mark has worked with many theaters in addition to the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival as an associate artist and Chicago Puppet Studio Coordinator. He now lives in Iceland and works full-time with Bernd in the studios of Worlds of Puppets.
He also manages and performs with his own company – Rootstock Puppet Works.
His mission is to craft and perform puppet theater rooted in stories that promote mutual kindness and ecological awareness for the good of people and their environment.
"Bernd takes you gently by the hand and passes on his vast experience in puppeteering and wood carving helping me find my confidence and sparked my creative side."
Mary Nagler, Artistic Director of Whorls of Wonder Puppet Theater
"This course has broadened my horizon in puppet building. Whether beginner or advanced, everyone can find their level. It was a very pleasant journey. Thank you."
Andreas Kurrus, Puppeteer, Puppet Builder
"Bernd takes you gently by the hand and passes on his vast experience in puppeteering and wood carving helping me find my confidence and sparked my creative side."
Mary Nagler, Artistic Director of Whorls of Wonder Puppet Theater
"This course has broadened my horizon in puppet building. Whether beginner or advanced, everyone can find their level. It was a very pleasant journey. Thank you."
Andreas Kurrus, Puppeteer, Puppet Builder
Foundation Course to Puppet Mastery Curriculum
This immersive workshop begins the moment you enroll and unfolds over eight weeks, with one class per week. The pre-recorded lessons are available on your schedule, allowing you to progress at your own pace until the program ends.
By following these carefully structured steps, you'll carve your own wooden table-top puppet and build the confidence to explore more advanced puppet styles.
Week 1
Project Overview and First Experience With the Carving Knife
Week 2
Discover Wooden Wisdom and the Joy of Character Design
Week 3
Making Your First Technical Drawing
Week 4
Transferring Your Ideas to Blocks of Wood
Week 5
Working With Wood – The Art of Drilling
Week 6
The Art of Sawing, and Practicing Advanced Carving Techniques
Week 7
Sculpting Head, Body, Hands and Discovering Further Tools
Week 8
Assembling, Dressing, Painting, and Manipulating Your First Puppet
And if you need more time, don't worry—extend your access to lessons and Q&A calls for a nominal fee, giving you as long as you need to complete your masterpiece.
Foundation Course to Puppet Mastery Curriculum
This immersive workshop begins the moment you enroll and unfolds over eight weeks, with one class per week. The pre-recorded lessons are available on your schedule, allowing you to progress at your own pace until the program ends.
By following these carefully structured steps, you'll carve your own wooden table-top puppet and build the confidence to explore more advanced puppet styles.
Week 1
Project Description and First Experience With the Carving Knife
Week 2
Discover Wooden Wisdom and the Joy of Character Design
Week 3
Making Your First Technical Drawing
Week 4
Transferring Your Ideas to Blocks of Wood
Week 5
Working With Wood – The Art of Drilling
Week 6
The Art of Sawing, and Practicing Advanced Carving Techniques
Week 7
Sculpting Head, Body, Hands and Discovering Further Tools
Week 8
Assembling, Dressing, Painting, and Manipulating Your First Puppet
And if you need more time, don't worry—extend your access to lessons and Q&A calls for a nominal fee, giving you as long as you need to complete your masterpiece.
What our students have to say:
"As someone who had never carved wood before, I was somewhat nervous undertaking the challenge of creating a carved wood puppet. Bernd's lessons and encouragement kept me going and gave me the tools/methods and inspiration required to complete my first carved piece. With what I've learned, I feel confident to tackle more carved projects and have a few more puppets in mind that are calling out to me to be made."
Anna-Maria Lawrie, Artist, Art Educator
"This course gave me a true appreciation and respect for the art of puppetry. Bernd is an inspiring instructor. I will take with me not only the skills I learned during the course but also a deeper understanding of the meaning of creating a character. I felt encouraged and supported by a whole community of creative artists. Thank you!"
Professor Céline Perron, Theatre and Dance Department, Keene State College
"Thank you for offering this wonderful course. I feel like I have been waiting for many years to make some artistic and technical progress in my work as a puppeteer. You have been a very inspiring teacher in many ways by asking the participants to consider how we approach puppetry as an art, and in the way, you approach the craft of wood carving as well. This course has given me the needed confidence to start new projects after many years of stagnation. I also liked getting to know the other participants in this course. There are many very talented and very inspiring people in this class."
Antony Chapman, English Literature and Drama Teacher
What's included in the Foundation Course:
- 8 Comprehensive Video Lessons: Released weekly, these pre-recorded classes are accessible anytime, allowing you to learn at your own pace.
- Ongoing Expert Support: Get continuous assistance from our team throughout the eight-week course.
- Live Interaction: Join 2 live Q&A sessions per month—ask questions live or submit them beforehand. Miss a session? Watch the recordings anytime.
- Exclusive Community Access: Enjoy 2 months in a private Facebook group, where you can connect, share insights, and get support from fellow puppet enthusiasts.
- Flexible Learning: Need more time? Extend your program access for a nominal fee.
- Detailed Resources: Receive ready-to-print diagrams to guide your carving process.
- Earn a Certificate: Submit your completed Buddy Puppet and receive a certificate of completion to showcase your achievement.
Bonus: Sharpening Mastery Course
Instant Access Upon Enrollment!
Mastering the art of sharpening your knives and chisels is essential for any successful woodcarver. Bernd believes that the lack of sharpening skills is a major reason why wooden puppet artists are rare. This bonus course offers detailed, step-by-step instructions to help you achieve razor-sharp precision with your tools.
As soon as you enroll, you'll receive a confirmation email with instant access to this valuable class. Experience the joy of carving with perfectly sharpened tools!
Questions Fellow Puppet Enthusiasts Asked Before Joining the Course:
When does the course begin?
The Foundation Course to Puppet Mastery is closed for enrollment. If you sign up for the waiting list, we will send you a message and you will have the opportunity to register as soon as possible.
What if I don't have any woodworking or carving experience before taking this course?
We're so glad you asked that!
Guess what: we have students like you, who joined the Foundation Course and have never held a carving knife before.
Carving is like any other skill — you just need to start and practice, practice, practice. So, you can absolutely join even if you have no woodworking or carving experience.
What if I'm not fluent in English?
Don't worry! We're not native English speakers either 🙂 In the pre-recorded classes, Bernd explains everything slowly so anyone can understand. However, if you don't understand something, you can always pause the video, rewind, and watch it again. Plus, you'll have a community of fellow students who will be eager to help you if you have any questions.
Will I benefit from the course if I have already built wooden puppets?
Definitely! The course not only teaches the making of one of Bernd's most treasured puppet designs, but it also offers a tremendous wealth of tips and trade secrets that even advanced builders will benefit from.
Bernd will share what he has carefully studied and discovered in his almost 40-year journey as a successful puppeteer!
What if I fall behind?
The motto of our course is: working through the material at your own pace!
Classes are pre-recorded, and you can watch them at your own pace on your own time.
A program extension is available for a nominal fee.
I'm worried that I don't have any tools. How can I start?
We have had people like you with us that have made amazing puppets with an absolute minimum of tools.
We want to make it possible for EVERYONE to take part in this course with an absolute minimum of readily available tools.
Although you will learn about basic and advanced tools, all you need to start is a utility knife, coping saw, fine handsaw, and a drill.
Maneesh from India built his first puppet with just a utility knife and a coping saw.
So, you don't need to buy many tools in the beginning. You can start with just the utility knife, which you can buy at the gas station, and build your toolkit at your own pace.
I have physical challenges — I have arthritis — is it still possible for me to take the course?
We have many participants struggling with health challenges.
The use of various tool handles, constant reminders of correct posture, etc., are just a small part of this process.
If you have any other questions concerning this course offer, please send us an email at info@worldsofpuppets.com and we will answer as quickly as possible.
Questions Fellow Puppet Enthusiasts Asked Before Joining the Course:
When does the course begin?
The Foundation Course to Puppet Mastery is closed for enrollment. If you sign up for the waiting list, we will send you a message and you will have the opportunity to register as soon as possible.
What if I do not have any woodworking or carving experience before taking this course?
We are so glad you asked that!
Guess what: we have students like you, who joined the Foundation Course and have never held a carving knife before.
Carving is like any other skill — you just need to start and practice, practice, practice. So, you can absolutely join even if you have no woodworking or carving experience.
What if I am not fluent in English?
Don't worry! We're not native English speakers either 🙂 In the pre-recorded classes, Bernd explains everything slowly so anyone can understand. However, if you do not understand something, you can always pause the video, rewind, and watch it again. Plus, you will have a community of fellow students who will be eager to help you if you have any questions.
Will I benefit from the course if I have already built wooden puppets?
Definitely! The course not only teaches the making of one of Bernd's most treasured puppet designs, but it also offers a tremendous wealth of tips and trade secrets that even advanced builders will benefit from.
Bernd will share what he has carefully studied and discovered in his almost 40-year journey as a successful puppeteer!
What if I fall behind?
The motto of our course is: working through the material at your own pace!
Classes are pre-recorded, and you can watch them at your own pace on your own time.
A program extension is available for a nominal fee.
I'm worried that I don't have any tools. How can I start?
We have had people like you with us that have made amazing puppets with an absolute minimum of tools.
We want to make it possible for EVERYONE to take part in this course with an absolute minimum of readily available tools.
Although you will learn about basic and advanced tools, all you need to start is a utility knife, coping saw, fine handsaw, and a drill.
Maneesh from India built his first puppet with just a utility knife and a coping saw.
So, you don't need to buy many tools in the beginning. You can start with just the utility knife, which you can buy at the gas station, and build your toolkit at your own pace.
I have physical challenges — I have arthritis — is it still possible for me to take the course?
We have many participants struggling with health challenges.
The use of various tool handles, constant reminders of correct posture, etc., are just a small part of this process.
If you have any other questions concerning this course offer, please send us an email at info@worldsofpuppets.com and we will answer as quickly as possible.
There is at least one puppet striving to get out of you.
Let this course help it emerge.
There is at least one puppet striving to get out of you. Let this course help it emerge.
