Puppetry guru Susanna Oroyan (1942-2007) began making dolls seriously in 1972 and was elected to NIADA in 1982. She mastered a variety of materials including polymer clay, paper clay and fabric. Her style of doll making was never static but was constantly evolving. In addition to making dolls, Suzanne has taught extensively in the USA and Australia, self-published booklets and designed fabric doll patterns sold through her company Fabricat Designs, actively participated in local and regional UFDC events and conventions, and in local doll clubs in Oregon.

In the 1980s there was very little information about art dolls and Susanna Oroyan decided to make up for it. For many years she was the most published author of articles for both puppet makers and puppet art. The book "The Puppet Reader" made Susanna Oroyan a regular columnist and it was through her columns and other articles that many puppet artists learned about NIADA. She later published in other puppet magazines, and by the mid-1990s there was probably no puppet publication that did not carry one or more of her articles. Susanna published more than 300 articles in twenty years. Because of her high visibility, Susanna Oroyan has been approached by hundreds of aspiring puppet artists with questions about everything from materials and techniques, to business, to legal practices. She has spent countless hours answering their letters, taking their phone calls.

This book can be considered a handbook for every puppeteer, from beginners to professionals. The real art of puppetry in Susanna Oroyan's work has nurtured more than one generation of puppeteers, inspiring and continuing to inspire the search for beauty and perfection.