From felt to friends at the Cranberry Library
As participants walked into the makerspace at the Cranberry Public Library on Tuesday evening, July 30, music played in the background to set the tone for each person to bring to life their handcrafted hand puppets.
Mary Frances Reutzel, makerspace manager, led the class.
“This class was in my head from the very beginning,” Reutzel said. “Last week was the best teaching I’ve done in my life, because the students were eager to learn.”
Reutzel and volunteer Janet Saracco answered questions from students. It was the second week of the course, and participants sewed the body, built the mouth plate and spray-painted the eyes.
Saracco volunteers regularly in the makerspace, working alongside Reutzel on different DIY courses.
“I’ve never felt as appreciated as I do with Mary,” said Saracco in regard to her experience assisting Reutzel.
Each participant had their own reasons for wanting to take the puppet course.
“For me, it’s one of those things where I would always do sock puppets and make stories to entertain my kids,” Noble Newman said. I’ve always been drawn to this. I knew it was going to be one of those programs that will be well put together.”
Possible names for his puppet were Mooshkie or Gunar.
Another participant came to the class through a referral from a friend.
“I would like to come back for this,” Amanda Rotzker said. “I like the way she designed the class. It was thought out in a nice way.”
Krista Conway learned about the class at a board meeting, as she is employed at the library. “I would totally come back with a friend for this course,” Conway said.
