Questions from a newbie puppet builder

[Ignorance]

I'm sorry if these questions are REALLY stupid, but hey, we all have to start somewhere.

1. I see puppets being sold as "professional quality"... what, by definition, is a professional quality puppet? And what level of success would one get selling puppets on e-bay? I'm not experienced nor professional, but I'm a quick enough learner and planning on building good quality puppets.

2. I do not own a sewing machine and the puppet I want to build requires one. Besides it taking more time, would me sewing it by hand be a problem?

3. When working with contact cement, is it necessary to have foam rubber at the end of your brush?

More to be added as I think of them. Thank you!

 

[TheCreatureWork]

Answers to your questions...hopefully.

1. I would suggest looking up past threads here on Muppet Central on what classifies a professional puppet. As a new builder I would suggest practice building. Sure you might be a quick learner but remember there should never be a time you "know everything"...just my two cents

2. You can sew by hand and I recommend doing so. A machine is faster but depending on what you are doing, sewing by hand is better.

3. Any foam will do- as a starting builder I recommend not spending tons of money on some materials mentioned here- Scott Foam, Antron Fleece etc. These materials can be costly if mistakes are made. Work your way up. Learn with cheaper materials and practice, practice, practice. You'll come up with your own method of doing things and if you decide to spend money on more costly material your less likely to make mistakes.

This is my advice on your questions. Others on this forum may disagree with me...oh well LOL

I'm sorry if these questions are REALLY stupid, but hey, we all have to start somewhere.

1. I see puppets being sold as "professional quality"... what, by definition, is a professional quality puppet? And what level of success would one get selling puppets on e-bay? I'm not experienced nor professional, but I'm a quick enough learner and planning on building good quality puppets.

2. I do not own a sewing machine and the puppet I want to build requires one. Besides it taking more time, would me sewing it by hand be a problem?

3. When working with contact cement, is it necessary to have foam rubber at the end of your brush?

More to be added as I think of them. Thank you!

 

[Ignorance]

Thank you, that helped a lot!

 

[CoOKiE]

On the note of hand sewing... i say do it for some time. Get to know how to... because it helps... but eventually get yourself a sewing machine. I would be there for hours... sometimes put the project away for a day, then continue... But once i got my sewing machine i could do things in minutes that took hours by hand.