I am looking for a ventriloquist's plush toy cat.

February 6, 2011 4:03 PM

I am looking for one of those plush toys that you can put your hand up and make talk, like a ventriloquist's doll. Specificially, I am looking for a cat. Is there a particular brand that caters to such things? Years ago I seem to remember there were places where you could go in, choose the "skin" of the plush toy, then stuff it yourself, name it, that sort of thing.
posted by Sully to Pets & Animals (11 answers total)

The store is the Build A Bear Workshop, but I think you may be talking about hand puppets generally. Lotsa stuff available if you google for that.
posted by lhall at 4:04 PM on February 6, 2011

Folkmanis makes lovely puppets. Here's their ragdoll cat; there are other cat puppets on the site.
posted by MonkeyToes at 4:09 PM on February 6, 2011

Folkmanis has some great puppets, including several cats.
posted by Metroid Baby at 4:09 PM on February 6, 2011

This one's pretty cute
posted by amethysts at 4:12 PM on February 6, 2011

Thirding Folkmanis, assuming you don't want something customizable. Their puppets are well-made and will hold up to a ton of abuse, if that's of importance to you.
posted by Knicke at 4:38 PM on February 6, 2011

Another vote for Folkmanis, we have several of them that Mrs arcticseal has used with her school kids.
posted by arcticseal at 4:45 PM on February 6, 2011

I'm going to nth Folkmanis because they really are that good. Pricey but well made and won't fall apart. There's a store that I go to frequently and I'm always checking out the Folkmanis puppets. I have the black raven one that I appropriately named Edgar.
posted by MaryDellamorte at 5:19 PM on February 6, 2011

Heh, I also came in to say Folkmanis.
posted by naoko at 5:34 PM on February 6, 2011

If you can find a store that has a selection, it's worth going in and trying them out; different variations in the stitching will make a difference in the way the puppet feels on your hand. Some will be too cramped, some too loose, some just are going to be awkward while with others the 'awkwardness' is part of the unique way you interact with the puppet. There's a store here in Western Washington that's great, memail me if that's convenient for you to visit.
posted by Pastor of Muppets at 6:26 PM on February 6, 2011

Response by poster: Thank you all! I had never heard of Folkmanis before. excellent!
posted by Sully at 9:16 PM on February 6, 2011

If you want something a bit more on the muppet side of puppets there is a company called Stage Struck Puppets that makes excellent puppets, including cats. Unfortunately their website seems to be in transition but you can email [e-mail] and ask to see some cat puppet pictures. If you look at my Projects, the christmas song video I did was with one of their puppets (but not a cat).
posted by mikepop at 5:46 AM on February 7, 2011