PeleBRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA


Posted:
I've gotten into this, not heavily but a bit.

I bought a marionette in Prague that I simply love.
I also have been watching my Muppet Show dvd's and am inspired.

I want to make a 3 person puppet, but need to figure out how to form the head and make him light. Chicken wire and...? Should be interesting.

Also, I know I've seen flaming puppets. These are the large cage kind, and while I'm not interested in that, I am interested in what combinations might be found between the arts.

Thoughts?
Thanks!

Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK


zeeku777SILVER Member
newbie
6 posts
Location: Vermont, USA


Posted:
Although I don't know much about puppets, I imagine that just chicken wire and paper maché would make a good shell to design the puppet on...



While reading this I thought that depending on how big you make this puppet, maybe you could even use that green foam that you stick fake flowers in?(That's the best description I can give, I don't honestly know the real name of the stuff) But that may make it a little too light, and if your planing on making you puppet really big, I don't think those green foam blocks come in any sizes bigger then the size of a flower pot.



Also just doing a quick search I found this, hope it helps:

https://www.sagecraft.com/puppetry/building/index.html#instructions
EDITED_BY: zeeku777 (1208913279)

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PeleBRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA


Posted:
Mortimer (cause that's what I'm naming him) is going to have a big head biggrin

I thought about paper mache but since we'll be outside, I'm worried about if we get caught in the rain. I don't think he'd stand up to it.

Floral foam, hmmmm....now that's an idea. Thanks! beerchug

Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK


hamamelisBRONZE Member
nut.
756 posts
Location: Bouncing off the walls., England (UK)


Posted:
Oasis foam? (the english name anyway) I'm not sure if that'd work- it is very light, but it's also extremely crumbly, and I didn't think it would hold paint all that well.. so unless you're making a frog, it wouldn't look so good..

Varnished papier mache should at least take a rain shower or two, I reckon..? If you varnish inside and out..

THE MEEK WILL INHERIT THE EARTH!


If that's okay with you?


SkulduggeryGOLD Member
Pirate Pixie Crew Captain
8,428 posts
Location: Wales


Posted:
oasis foam will crumble to dust and that dust is not very nice and can be breathed in. I would use a more spongy foam that gives you less chance of the dust.
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PeleBRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA


Posted:
Spongey foam. Hmmmmm....If I could laquer it against the elements. I went to the craft shop the other day and looked at it but it is so prone to weather.

Would a chicken wire and wire frame and some kind of fleece fabric work maybe? Though that wouldn't give me the details I want for him.

Herm.

Thanks all. Lots to think about!
Any more suggestions would be appreciated and entertained.

Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK


ElectricBlueGOLD Member
Now with extra strawberries
810 posts
Location: Canberra, Australia


Posted:
hey pele as far as laquring you can use liquid latex.

That is what we uses for all of our big foam props it is stretchy so it wont get cracks and it is very water proof.

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hamamelisBRONZE Member
nut.
756 posts
Location: Bouncing off the walls., England (UK)


Posted:
Another suggestion just occurred to me- you could use layered tissue paper soaked in watered-down PVA glue, over a wire frame..? It's not hard to paint, should be pretty tough, and it's cheap smile

THE MEEK WILL INHERIT THE EARTH!


If that's okay with you?


PeleBRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA


Posted:
Blueberry, what kind of liquid latex? I am only familiar with the kind used for make-up purposes. Is it the same one?

That's what I use for paper mache hamamelis. My fear is that it would be fragile. I know it's easy to put a hole in paper mache when moving it around, or it always has been for me at least. Could be I'm making it wrong. lol

Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK


onewheeldaveGOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom


Posted:
Hi Pele- if you can get hold of this book, I'll think you'll find it useful-



https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Screamer-Guide-Papier-Cloth/dp/0879051639/ref=cm_syf_dtl_pl_3



Many years ago i read a copy in the library- it uses papier mache techniques, but with cloth instead of paper and PVA instead of wallpaper paste, to produce a much more resilient and sturdy item.



'Screamers' aren't puppets, but I think the techniques would translate very well to the craft of puppet creation.



(I think it's also possible to mix in wood glue for a really solid finish)

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PeleBRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA


Posted:
 Written by :onewheeldave


Hi Pele- if you can get hold of this book, I'll think you'll find it useful-

https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Screamer-Guide-Papier-Cloth/dp/0879051639/ref=cm_syf_dtl_pl_3

Many years ago i read a copy in the library- it uses papier mache techniques, but with cloth instead of paper and PVA instead of wallpaper paste, to produce a much more resilient and sturdy item.

'Screamers' aren't puppets, but I think the techniques would translate very well to the craft of puppet creation.

(I think it's also possible to mix in wood glue for a really solid finish)



Now that might work! I have tonnes of fabric scraps and lots of wood glue here. I'll try it on a balloon and see what I get.

I'll also see if our lib. system has the book.

Thanks so much!

Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK



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