I`d like to buy a puppet case. I have only soft puppets. Does anyone know a good website? Any recommendations? Thanks.

I like to use the inexpensive footlockers sold by Kmart and Walmart. They have black with gold metal trim, very pro looking and now even wheels at one end to pull.
Maher Studios also sells cases for dummies http://www.maherstudios.com

Ax

Lowe's hardware stores have a nice plastic "footlocker". I believe they have a version with wheels as well. It is lighter than the wood based footlockers and not as wide, so it can be carried more easily. For local transport I actually pull my bear out of a 55 gallon yellow trash can with 10 inch (or so) wheels. The large wheels get over any curb, I can put my vent stand and backdrop curtains inside, as well as 2 or 3 other puppets. I put the tripods on top and voila! It's also a quick clean up by tossing everything into the trash can and wheeling it out. The rat would be a trash can natural as well.

I like to have the case serve as a prop as well. For example... Pull a jungle character out of a suitcase with jungle designs. Pull The Old Storyteller out of a cardboard box with "First Class Postage" all over it. "My father in law wanted to visit, so I said I would send him here first class!" Then bring out the box.

Check out pet carriers at pet stores. Add some black cloth to hide the view and you have a natural look. Perhaps a bird cage with a cloth. The point is to try to make the case look like a prop. Do that for your largest puppet and then add the smaller puppets to it for carrying.

Of course, if you fly a lot, check out the Lowe's case.

Just in case you are interested, I use a case like Steve suggests. It is a footlocker from K Mart. I modified mine by fully lining it with cabinet shelf liner. (The rubbery type) I also put some recessed handles on the sides and it made it so much easier to carry and handle. Incidently, a keyboard stand is great to sit them on during your show. They are lightweight, easy to transport, and they're pretty inexpensive. Placing your case on a stand will keep it at a good height for easy accessibility.

Regan

Wal Mart also has light weight plastic cases perfect size to carry several latex puppets..look in the automotive section where they have their truck tool boxes.

Greetings! I have a friend who is going on a missions trip with puppets and props. He wants a lightweight case for air travel. Everything fits in a standard foot locker right now.

I've tried cheap suitcases from flea markets. (They are new). But they really don't last very long. My wife says that I collect cases like women collect shoes or purses. Actually, I go through them pretty fast. (The cases, not women's purses.)

So what is a more permanent solution? I'll check out Wal-mart's automotive section. Any other nice ideas?

Thanks for hosting this discussion. Could someone tell me more about K-mart or Walmart? I have gone to both and not found foot lockers. I have found nice plastic automotive cases like Mark suggested. But the old fashioned footlockers for cam p or college I am not finding. Is there any kind of a website to what you guys are referring to? Do you think it's a store by store option?
Thanks

Jim,

I sent you a email.

Target had a clearance on their rolling foot lockers a few years ago. They are made by a company called Seward. I don't recall having seen them lately. I like the lighter weight of the plastic ones at Lowes. But they aren't as large. They do have some really big ones made by Rubbermaid for local shows or some great HUGE tool cases at Lowe's but neither will fly.

Copy and paste the different links to see some nice cases:

http://www.trunkoutlet.com/categories/13-shippingairline-trunks-and-cases/products/122-airline-trunk


http://www.rhinotrunkandcase.com/pages/airline-trunk/

This next one is oversized for airlines, but a nice size for everyday use.



http://www.cases2go.com/productview.asp_Q_id_E_35668_A_cid_E_181


Thanks to Marc Griffiths of Wales for the links.

Jim K Mart has its own website and lists the cases on the website for just under $40. good luck

I just got a catalog filled with amazing choices in cases! The website ishttp://www.hybridcases.com. I'm leaning toward C or D on their Drums and Hardware page. I feel that it is best when a case can become part of the set, and these could either be a magic stand or a vent stand, depending on the height needs and if they stand on end well.

They also have cases that turn into tables. Cases with drawers. And a custom page so you can see what people have ordered custom wise.

I don't use hard cases for my soft puppets, it's just easier to carry them around. You can buy suitable bags from The Dummy Shoppe and they'll even monogram your figure's name on it for free

http://www.thedummyshoppe.com/accessories_category.php?act=accessories_detail&pup_id=91&sp_id=15

Just purchased two footlockers from Walmart.com Search for trunks on their website.

A friend of mine loves his pelican case with wheels. (ALWAYS get wheels on trunks. You never know when you have to park a block or two away, or carry it through an airport terminal.)

I found two nice cases to haul my puppets around in this evening at Wal-Mart. One folds down to nothing when not being used. The other is a harder plastic, Starlite, kind of a tunk on wheels. These will work out nicely for what I have planned for them. I plan to use the carrying cases when traveling with my puppets. I think a very good sign that you are growing in the business, is you need traveling gear for your puppets. {:->

Sterilite cases

http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=footlocker&ic=16_0&Find=Find&search_constraint=0

i use an oversize travel suitcase. i cut a 2 inch thick styrofoam board into a 't' and fit it inside. that gave me 3 compartments to put puppets in. i use the inside cover compartments for my white boards, the side pockets for small props and the outside zip compartment for my stand top.
i keep the handle pulled up with the back facing the audience, hang a banner from it and that becomes my stage trunk. i have a small version of the same bag for my laugh meter and additional props and my mic stand and pa. rounds out my setup. all on wheels. works great, i can zip up, collapse the stand, and be rolling out in under 5 minutes.

Do you think the styrofoam might be abrasive if a painted puppet's face is against it? IF so, I would recommend wrapping a cloth around the styrofoam first.

How do you keep the contents from coming out when it stands on end during the show? I really like the idea of the sign on the handle.

For my all vent and magic show I put two large and one small puppet in a large suitcase, and one or two puppets in a duffle bag. I ask for a table and bring a cloth to cover the table (to hide the duffle bag). I set the suitcase on the table and pull things from it. But I also bring a vent stand that fits in the case. All of the magic goes in the pockets, as well as an MDB. The handle of my PA slides right over the extended luggage handle. I wrap the cord around the extended handle, and can then go off with a suitcase rolling behind me and a duffle bag in the other hand.

(I don't ask for a table at birthday parties. I just set it on the floor, so I really like your idea of it being on end. Just don't know how I could keep puppets from falling out.)

Got any military surplus stores in your area? Many of them carry footlockers which could be easily adapted to puppets-- especially the bigger ones.

Great idea John. I do have one a few miles away. I'll check it out. Thanks!

We have a liquidator near us called XS Cargo. I bought a big rolling duffle bag for under 30 bucks. I get 3 or 4 puppets in it (depending on who I am using) as well as my magic draweing board and my vent stand (I use and Al Good folding stand). There are also pockets on the outside that hold a couple of magic effects.
It has a solid enough bottom that I can put it right onto the keyboard stand I use.

I can get my whole show in that bag (not counting sound equipment)