Questions: I was wondering if you are ever planning on coming out with a book or video of your methods of dummy making and mechanics? I know there are a few out there now, but not sure if they are the same method as what you use. Your dummies are always good looking and although I don't have one of yours, from what others have said are very reliable and perform excellent as well.
Also, would you mind telling me where you buy your dummies clothes, especially boys vests? I occasionally find a shirt I like at Wal-Mart, but I seem to have a hard time finding stuff I like. And I haven't been able to find a vest anywhere.
Also, any chance your son or someone else will take over Maher Studios? Who is going to supply us whenever you decide to quit permanently? Thanks for your help! Lance
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From Mr. D: No, I have no plans to produce a book or video on my methods of making a figure. No two are exactly alike and I use at least a dozen tools I crafted myself just for various unique steps. So my way would take some changes in order to be useful to the masses, and at this time, that thought does not inspire me at all.
My son grew up in my shop and has been building figures his entire life. And we both scontinue to build figures today. But the materials and method of mechanics Kevin employs today are quite different than mine. It's not a matter of right or wrong - each figure maker has his own way of doing things depending on artistic ability, tools, handcrafting skills, etc. That's the way it's always been with hand crafted products. I can look at any ventriloquist figure and determine how it was built. But unless I could find a way to clone myself as the figuremaker himself, I'd never be able to exactly duplicate the work. In fact, I find it difficult enough trying to duplicate my own work!
I purchase clothes whereever they sell children's clothes. Wal-Mart, K-Mart, JC Pennys are my favorite retail sources for new clothes. Thrift stores can be a gold mine for clothes. A child's vest will be a more difficult item to find. You are most likely to find them Christmas and Easter seasons - occasions when mother's like to dress up their children.
Names, models, and titles change, but I feel quite certain there will always be a source for all the types of ventriloquist products and services Maher has sold over the years. Thank you for your support, and your words of encouragement!
My son grew up in my shop and has been building figures his entire life. And we both scontinue to build figures today. But the materials and method of mechanics Kevin employs today are quite different than mine. It's not a matter of right or wrong - each figure maker has his own way of doing things depending on artistic ability, tools, handcrafting skills, etc. That's the way it's always been with hand crafted products. I can look at any ventriloquist figure and determine how it was built. But unless I could find a way to clone myself as the figuremaker himself, I'd never be able to exactly duplicate the work. In fact, I find it difficult enough trying to duplicate my own work!
I purchase clothes whereever they sell children's clothes. Wal-Mart, K-Mart, JC Pennys are my favorite retail sources for new clothes. Thrift stores can be a gold mine for clothes. A child's vest will be a more difficult item to find. You are most likely to find them Christmas and Easter seasons - occasions when mother's like to dress up their children.
Names, models, and titles change, but I feel quite certain there will always be a source for all the types of ventriloquist products and services Maher has sold over the years. Thank you for your support, and your words of encouragement!
I've found entire 4T (and similar sizes) slack, shirt, tie and vest combos at both Target and K-Mart. Just went to look and discovered one from K-Mart with the price tag still on it: $24.99. Pretty sharp-looking, too!
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