I Made a Dragon Puppet! (in a week)

Rachel Maksy, sewist, crafter, goblin and professional Hobbit is now a puppeteer!

Okay, I know you spent an entire video explaining how you made this puppet, but when the reveal came, I was totally blown away! All I see is Dany and Drogon - well done!!

Despite watching the whole video, my brain refuses to see the arm as fake. I’m just like ‘of course, that’s Rachel’s third arm. That’s how she makes amazing things so quickly.’ Also, I am ASTOUNDED by how incredible this magnificent creature is. Definitely one of the best things I’ve ever seen anyone make! 🐉

Rachel: "I am not oft good at engineering and big brain thinking" Also Rachel: proceeds to build a WHOLE ASS DRAGON PUPPET from SCRATCH using a BAZILLION different materials, tools & techniques GIRL WHEN ARE YOU GONNA ADMIT YOU'RE FRICKING AWESOME

Those creepy little shoulder dragon puppets at ren faires are one of the best parts, honestly. So I'm in full support of this enormous cousin. What a charming, strapping young fellow

Can we please take a moment to appreciate Rachel’s editing, copy/story telling, and filming skills? They’re all, just 👩‍🍳💋? It’s so thoughtful, funny, well done, and just freaking charming. I imagine the planning, doing, and editing to make these videos has to be a mountain of work. Thank you for pouring yourself into these videos. You’re such a fabulous creative/creator. 💕

Puppets are magic like that. Any flaws just kind of disappear when you put on the puppet and it comes to life. So neat.

It feels like your production quality has just SKYROCKETED lately!! The lighting, the equipment, the skill!! I’m living for this

As a young aspiring puppeteer who has made too many shoulder dragon puppets, I am very impressed by your dragon! Realistic puppets are complicated, but it came out incredible! I am currently working on my senior year Halloween costume of Toothless from HTTYD and this is just the inspiration I need!

Rachel: buys a house with a whole extra building for crafting. Also Rachel: still sews at her couch 😂❤

Rachel, you are a treasure. And a goof. “I don’t know what I’m doing!” - Proceeds to create amazing work. I have been making Dragons for 25 years, and you blow me away. Have fun at DragonCon!

Hello! I am an Occupationnal Health and Safety Officer and chemist and I couldn't help but notice your respiratory protection struggles through this video. You might want to consider buying COV or multi-contaminant cartriges for your mask instead of using the P100 ones you have. Those should help with all the chemical smells, such as liquid latex or heated foam. I also have been a huge fan of everything you do for many years now. I really loved this one.

As someone who always finds 2,956 distractions while cleaning/adulting, when Rachel said “and I took it out of the dryer and just started wandering” I felt that to my core.

I have to pause the video after the reveal because OH MY GOD you need to participate in cosplay contests. This costume is just one of the coolest things you've ever made (and I don't say that lightly!). I absolutely love it, good job <3

Rachel is halfway to being either a puppet maker or a fursuit maker … ❤

As an experienced dragon puppeteer, I think this is a creative and fun way to upgrade normal dragon puppet! Love your style of sculpting and painting, and hope you have a successful year! 😊❤😁

As someone who practically never wears make-up, I'm terrified by how I just can't recognise Rachel as the same person when she is in her Danearys make-up. That's a whole different woman sitting there with the voice of Rachel. I'm impressed by her skill at shapeshifting.

This woman's skill, perseverance and creativity will never cease to amaze me.

Girl does more physical action in a week than I have in my entire life

As someone who has used, and made, MANY puppets, I compliment you on this project. It looks great! The head and mouth movement is terrific.  And your puppetry in the video and still images is very life-like and natural. Well done! The arm illusion at the shoulder is seamless! If you want a bit more realism in the fake arm, you could try adding a touch of red/pink here and there- elbow, fingertips, knuckles.. Your coloring is a tad rosy-er than the fake one, though it's pretty close. Also, if you can find a way to close the fingers, rather than the default "fingers spread open" position, that would look less awkward. Try holding your hand in a closed but neutral position, and copying that. You can probably glue the fingers together with contact cement (hot glue might be too messy?). Make sure to add some curve so it doesn't go from "fingers apart hand" to "flat karate chop hand." Perhaps an elastic strap on the tail end, rather than relying on velcro? Possibly both for good measure? As always, though you are constantly pushing your own creative boundaries, trying new things, making it up as you go, the end result is wonderful. Every project you do, you find a new tip, a new technique, add more experience and practice, that adds to the next project, even if it's a new technique or material. I applaud you, and can't wait to see what you come up with next!