Considering the work that goes into making the puppets, and considering that they appear in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC, puppets ARE an art form. Granted, I don't understand most art these days, but I can look upon a beautiful doll or puppet and be moved. I love it when skilled practitioners make them come to life. It's incredible. It's funny when you start talking to the puppet rather than the person because that's natural.

I have not seen many of your puppets, but the Picard one that I DO remember seeing was very nice. It reminded me forcibly of the "Bull" ventroloquist's dummy that Richard Moll had on one episode of "Night Court". And to know that you made it, that's wonderful.

Don't let them get to you. Puppetry is an art, that's why it's called "puppetry ARTS" rather than puppetry craft.