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In regards to the "ring" question... If you are referring to the hoops made of plastic tubing which are placed at neck, base, and at the bottom of the head sleeve, these tubes give a really nice shape and structure to the puppet. They give the foam and fleece something firm to wrap around...

If weight is not an issue, craft stores with a decent floral section carry "rounds" of styrofoam in just about that size. Also, the decorative baking section in the craft store will also carry cardboard rounds for cake decorating. Pair two with a long strip of carboard in the circumference...

The current high-bidder on the EBay eyes just happens to be ME! :) If I win, I'd be really willing to share some of the eyes (I am WAAAAYYYY too busy to put 40+ pairs of eyes to use any time in the near future!) for cost (or less) plus (real) shipping for anyone who might be in need of...

Corrugated plastic can be purchased by the undecorated sheet at many art supply stores or arts & crafts stores (like A.C. Moore, where I got mine). You might want to try Dick Blick, Michael's, or Ben Franklin (depending on what's available in your area). The corrugated plastic isn't too much...

Buck is on the money...preference is everything, especially if YOU are going to be manipulating the puppet. I tried foamcore and had such a difficult time with just preparing it to be used as a mouthboard (i.e cutting, finishing the edges, etc.)...and I've been doing OTHER crafting with...

If you post an e-mail address, I'll forward them to you. --Melissa

In order for you to see the picture...I need an e-mail address to send it to. ;)

While shopping this weekend, I came upon an interesting option for Oscar material. IKEA has a bolster pillow (pure foam, of course) cover which is an interesting mottled green shaggy fur. Check the kids' section. Also, my local JoAnn Fabrics & Crafts currently has an interesting...

Ben-- You may need to use a smaller "seam allowance" or, depending on your fabric, you may need to take triangular notches out of the 1/2 inch "seam allowance" to allow it to lie flate against the base of the mouthplate. If you're using contact cement, pull your fabric over the "lip" and...

For the glasses, sew them to the head of your puppet. Use a thread which matches the color of your fleece or use clear thread. Stich over the frame and through the fleece multiple times. (Kind of like how manufacturers of pants and jeans stitch on the paper tag at the waist band.)...

Tab -- I will dig out the pictures and e-mail them to you direct. My Larryboy was a little on the heavy side but hindsight IS 20/20 and I'll include some construction suggestions. (I was so psyched to see a post directed to ME! :) ) --Melissa

Michelle-- Yes and no. No, the video shows only one basic (I believe its Pattern A) example but its all about the techniques and tips and these are universal. Yes, you CAN choose the puppet kit you work with: the light blue heavy jawed Pattern A or the pinkish egg-shaped face of Pattern...

I have both the Armslength video and pattern (and a great puppet made from a complete kit). David Pannabecker is a great teacher and the video is wonderful (lots of suggestions and hints). The video covers basic puppet construction but you choose a particular pattern (i.e. one of the...

I have yet to use teeth for any of my puppets but you might try Friendly Plastic (which comes in flat "sticks" which are heated and then molded) or polymer clay (like Fimo or Sculpey). Both of these mediums can be used to shape individual teeth or a whole mouthful of "pearly whites"...

On that note, use an extra long tube of foam and cut the top and bottom of the tube into 6 to 8 half-ellipses of equal height and equal width (kind of like those paper Burger King crowns) (the height & width do not have to equal each other). When the "edges" of the ellipses are glued together...

If what you're aiming for is indeed a capsule, what about using a tube as your main body shape and Nerf ball halves as the top and bottom? This would require your tube to be the same circumference as the ball but they are available in an almost-playground ball sized version as well as the...

These ornaments are often stocked in the potpourri or wedding sections because they are meant to be filled. They are also available on-line in several places, including: Sunshine Crafts and Factory Direct Crafts. Seacrh here and elsewhere for fillable acrylic ornaments. Do not choose the...

The contact cement I now use and is actually recommended by David Pannabecker of ArmsLength is Tanners Bond Contact Cement by The Leather Factory. (The name changed but the formula is the same.) The Leather Factory has a website from which I ordered mine. I'm not sure about international...

Take heart, BorkBork! The "right" supplies exist and as you learn what they are FOR YOU, you will find greater success and happiness with your puppets. A "mistake" is only bad if you don't learn from it. Also, consider transforming your puppet into someone or something which you had never...

(This is going to sound like testimonials but I REALLY do not work for either Georgia Stage or RIT...) First, Georgia Stage may still have available some lighter-weight antron fleece (9.5-oz. compared to 12- and 14-oz.). Kathy was going to offer it at around $8 per yard. A reasonable...