Photo via Fast Company
For decades, the artisans at Jim Henson's Creature Shop have quietly crafted some of entertainment's most recognizable characters—from the Muppets to Sesame Street favorites—working largely out of public view. According to Fast Company, the historic workshop in Queens has recently opened its doors for Saturday tours, marking the first time the company is inviting the public to witness the creative process behind these beloved creations.
The 80-minute tours, priced at $150 per person, offer visitors a rare glimpse into custom puppet-making and design work. Jason Weber, the shop's creative supervisor, emphasizes that the experience centers on celebrating the specialized expertise of its craftspeople: "Things are made one-of-a-kind, made by hand with artisans who have been trained for years and decades," he explained. The tour showcases both finished pieces and puppets in various stages of assembly, alongside the materials and tools that enable such precision work.
Founded by Jim Henson in the 1960s, the workshop has relocated multiple times throughout New York City before settling in Queens in 2009. The company's portfolio spans film, television, and theater—including work on Five Nights at Freddy's, Where the Wild Things Are, and a Fraggle Rock musical currently in production. Melissa Creighton, the shop's director, underscores the bespoke nature of every project: "Everything we do is custom. Everything we do is bespoke."
For business leaders and professionals interested in skilled trades, the Creature Shop's public expansion illustrates a broader trend: celebrating and monetizing specialized craftsmanship in an increasingly digital world. The workshop's success in attracting fans willing to pay for access to artisan expertise offers a business case for makers and creative industries seeking to connect directly with audiences who value handmade quality over mass production.
