Singing Through the Woods: Creating Gunny Wolf
Meet Gunny Wolf — a half-human-height puppet set featuring a barefoot girl and a soft, silly gray wolf. Inspired by a North American folktale, the story follows a young girl who wanders into the forest, meets a mysterious wolf, and uses the power of her voice—and song—to guide her journey and return safely home.
This project was a joyful collaboration with my friend Brie, who directed and produced the show. Together, we brought the tale to life through hand-crafted puppets, heartfelt design, and playful storytelling.
The Girl: Barefoot and Brave
The little girl puppet was built with a lightweight sponge sheet frame, making her soft and easy to animate. Her mouth is hand-operated, allowing her to sing and speak naturally during the show.
She wears a dress made from reused fabrics, including a piece of orange embroidered cloth that once belonged to an old garment. I love giving materials a second life—and this choice added both texture and story to her character. She’s completely barefoot, emphasizing her innocence, freedom, and connection to nature.
Her arms are rod-controlled, allowing for expressive movements like waving, hugging, covering her mouth, and reaching out—just like a real child exploring the world.
The Wolf: Soft, Silly, and Not So Scary
Our wolf was never meant to be terrifying—instead, he’s a little goofy, a little curious, and very lovable. He’s also built from sponge sheets, with a soft fabric body that’s plush and friendly to touch.
His hand-controlled mouth gives him just enough expression to sing along or respond to the girl’s voice. His features are exaggerated for comedic effect, making him ideal for young audiences—charming rather than threatening.
His arms, too, are rod-operated, allowing him to gesture, cover his snout, and even give a warm puppet hug.
Movement and Magic
All puppet motions were designed with expressiveness and accessibility in mind. The sponge-core bodies keep them light, while the rod-controlled arms offer a wide range of emotional gesture.
From sketch to stitching, sculpting to singing, every detail was created by hand in my Chiang Mai studio. The process took several weeks and a lot of joyful experimentation—and the result was worth every moment.
A Voice in the Forest
With Brie’s direction, Gunny Wolf became more than a puppet show—it became a musical adventure about courage, curiosity, and the quiet power of voice. We’ve performed this piece at international schools, where children engaged deeply, sang along, and laughed with the wolf.
The greatest joy has been seeing young audiences connect—with wide eyes, open hearts, and spontaneous giggles.
Thank you for following this behind-the-scenes journey.
If you’d like to invite Gunny Wolf to your school or learn more about puppet-making and workshops, feel free to reach out here at Gewenjia Creat.