Place to get materials to make a muppetish puppet

[HPDJ]

Where can I get materials to make a muppetish puppet (e.g. one that looks like fozzie). Thanks in advance!

 

[Buck-Beaver]

Welcome to the board HP!

That's kind of a broad question, sort of like "where do I get the materials to build a house?" Generally speaking there is no one stop shop for puppet building materials and they tend to slightly harder to find in the UK than they are in North America.

Probably a good place to start would be spending some time searching the archives here, just about every question you could ask when you're starting out has been asked and answered many times over.

I've written a guide to puppet building resources that you might find helpful too.

 

[shtick]

I think hes reffering to the shaggy fur that covers characters like fozzy and telly and the images below. I've always wondered about that myself.

http://www.kermitage.com/html/characterindex/tms/character/rowlf.jpg
http://www.kermitage.com/html/characterindex/tms/character/fozzie.jpg

Where do you get shaggy muppetlike fur? Is there a name for it?

 

[Buck-Beaver]

Most of the fur the Muppets use can't be bought in fabric stores. Much of it was bought in the 70s and isn't made any more. Some of their furs are custom made as well.

You can buy similar materials. It's basically shag fur (that's the only name I've heard for it) it usually costs $75 a metre and up.

 

[WildJoker]

Try finding a fabric store in your area that is locally owned. Many times these types of fabric stores still go to New York and purchase fabrics. They are also more likely to work with you in finding odd fabrics.

Here in Kansas City there is one that caters to the theater community and to brides to be. They are located in a higher end shopping area. There used to also be store located in our old down town area that had been there for decades. You might try areas like that in your area.

If you are in a franchise fabric store even like at Walmart or something strike up a conversation with the person working in that fabric department. More then likely they know of these types of stores also and would be happy to let you know where they are if you explain to them what you are doing. Folks seem to be fasinated by puppeteers that build.

Something you can try is takeing the standard furs that you find in most stores and washing them. Many times this tangles or naps up the fabric and can produce some interesting results. Doesn't always work so try it on a small sample. Don't throw it in the dryer but let it air dry.

Try taking your dog shears or mustache trimmer to the normall furs. Yep you heard me right. You can shave and sculpt the fur to give it a different look. On some puppets I want the fur around the face to be shorter and this is the technique I use.

Fur is just hair so don't be afraid to combine fake fur with wigs. If you where makeing a lion you could use a short fur for the face and find a wig that matches close in color for the mane.

Hope some of these ideas help to inspire.