Wellington crafter makes fun puppets

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

Texann Hughes is a sucker for a cute kid.

If she sees a crying child in the grocery store, she reaches into her purse and hands the youngster one of her whimsical finger puppets. Then, the magic happens. Who wouldn't smile when confronted by the tickle monster (with feathers that really do tickle), a funny clown or Old MacDonald's duck?

Hughes, a Wellington resident, started making finger puppets when she had small children at home. When the children were grown, she began creating the puppets professionally under the business name Miss Texann's Puppets. A graphic artist and cartoonist, she finds that these talents mesh well with her puppet-making pursuit.

Hughes makes dozens of different little characters and loves them all. "They don't talk back unless I want them to," she joked.

The puppets are a hit with preschool teachers, therapists and, of course, her grandchildren.

This time of year, with the holiday demand, Hughes puts in 10- to 12-hour days creating finger puppets from children's nursery rhymes and fairy tales. She participates in several Front Range craft fairs, since the puppets make great stocking stuffers. At the craft fairs, she sells some puppets for just a dollar each, making them perfect for children's shopping.

"There's got to be something that's affordable for kids - and doesn't need batteries," she said.

Hughes sells individual puppets and also puppet sets that tell an entire story, such as "Little Red Riding Hood," "The Gingerbread Man" or favorite Bible stories. For many of her sets, background scenery is included, and some sets have mini-CDs available for when mom and dad don't have time to help tell the story.

For the holiday season, a favorite is the nativity set complete with puppets of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, a yellow-haired angel and other characters that came to call at the Bethlehem stable.

Hughes has kid-tested her creations in many different settings, including Creative Kids Corner in Wellington where she taught 2-year-olds. When she ran her own preschool in Texas, she gave each child a puppet every Friday afternoon when they left for home. Playing with puppets isn't just fun, Hughes pointed out. It also strengthens children's imaginations and their language skills.

Professionals tend to use the puppets for specific purposes. Hughes' daughter uses them to teach sign language, and teachers use them to teach songs and tell stories. Mental health therapists find them helpful in coaxing children out of their shells and into a conversation.

Adults can't resist the little creatures, either. Some pin them on their clothes for the holidays, and others use them as candle toppers for a festive table setting.

Hughes and her husband have lived in Wellington for five years. Hughes, a high-energy person, has owned her own businesses since she was in her 20s, but in the last few years health issues have slowed her down a bit. She was diagnosed in 2003 with a slow-growing brain tumor, called a meningioma, so she now works at home to keep her stress level as low as possible. She also donates a percentage of her online puppet sales to research on this type of tumor.

Meanwhile, Hughes doesn't let the brain tumor dampen her enthusiasm. She's busy gluing on pigs' tails, turkey feathers and Santa hats for this year's under-the-tree treats for kids.

This holiday season, Hughes' puppets will be available at the Fort Collins Senior Center's Holiday Craft Fair, Nov. 23 and 24; and the Santa Shop in Wellington, Dec. 1, at Eyestone Elementary School. Many of her puppets can also be seen on her web site, www.misstexanns.com.