Shelley King loves sock puppets! Well okay - she loves all puppets, but sock puppets are her favourite. Why? Mostly because they’re so darn cute, easy & fun to make, and portable to carry around. (Yes, Shelley always has a puppet in her purse or pocket.)
Shelley has been using puppets in her life and work for a long time; as a parent, educator, social worker, care-giver, entertainer, and expressive arts facilitator. Decades of experience in working with children, people with developmental disabilities, survivors of abuse, community groups, and elderly seniors has affirmed many times over, the incredible benefits of using puppets not only as a source of entertainment and play, but as a tool.
A tool? Yes! Puppets are an awesome tool for building relationships, augmenting communication, problem-solving, storytelling, educating, self-expression, entertainment, and simply having fun & playing. In fact, this tool is so powerful and effective, Shelley has made it her life’s mission to share the processes, strategies, and creativity of using puppets with as many people as possible to help support them in the work they do with others. As Shelley is always saying, “Puppets are just too great a tool for people not to be using them!”
In 2013, Shelley started her business, Puppeteria, to share the power and magic of puppets with parents, educators, care-givers, social workers, and expressive arts facilitators everywhere. She offers workshops, artist in the schools programs, one-on-one “create dates”, intergenerational project co-ordination, community arts facilitation and on-line workshops, to reach as many people as possible.
Have fun exploring Puppeteria’s menu of on-line workshop options. Shelley is always available to answer your questions, coach you through a challenge, and support you in using puppets in your life and work.