From: "Mary Horsley" <mphorsley-AT-earthlink.net>
To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 21:53:31 -0500
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Paper Mache: the vermin problem again



Just a thought, Matthieu, but when you said essential oils it came to me
that it might be possible to try eucalypsis oil. Since eucalypsis keeps
away fleas it might work on other varmints. And your puppets would smell
great......

Mary

"The great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do."
-Walter Bagehot

"One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the
choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape
ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And, the choices we make
are ultimately our own responsibility."-----Eleanor Roosevelt

"Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are
dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day. Do
it! I say. Whatever you want to do, do it now! There are only so many
tomorrows.

-Michael Landon

www.gentleteaching.com

We can't become what we need to be by remaining what we are.
 
--Oprah Winfrey
 




> [Original Message]
> From: Mathieu René <creaturiste-AT-magma.ca>
> To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org>
> Date: 11/3/2006 7:32:07 PM
> Subject: [Puptcrit] Paper Mache: the vermin problem again
>
> Hi all.
>
> Today a collegue asked me some advice on an age-old problem: how to
prevent rodents and insects from EATING their whole show while in storage.
>
> It happened to them one time (a whole show ruined) , and now use a
strange method that they have been told works well. Only time will tell.
Perhaps asking a rodent directly would be faster...
>
> The collegue said they now add a little rubbing alcohol to the glue mix
when applying the paper mache strips.
> Their current glue mix is White glue, water, cornstarch, and a tiny bit
of rubbing alcohol. Around here the standard of rubbing alcohol on the
market is 70%, so I guess that's what they used.
> The alcohol is somehow supposed to do something to, or leave something in
the mix, which makes the paper object unapetizing to rodents. I didn't know
there was anything left after rubbing alcohol evaporated, unless they used
the scented kind, which means there would be camphor leftovers...?
>
> What puzzles me even more, is that he said they also add cornstarch to
their glue mix, to make it stiffer.
> Euh, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that a food? Wouldn't that
actually neutralise the benefits of adding alcohol, since the starch is so
much more abundant in the mix?
> My collegue said they have grown apranoid since the catastrophe and also
store their puppets and props in strong crates with electric anti-rodent
devices inside each. 
> I personally think the device might make the difference isntead of the
alcohol, provided the batteries are kept fresh at all times.
>
>
> Stranger still...
> A student of mine, went this summer to Bread and Puppet Theatre, to help
with the building of the new show.
> She said they used simple cornstarch and water as a glue, and soaked old
carboard boxes in water to soften them. Then they peeled the layers and
applied them tickly onto the clay form.
> She told me their storage facility for the puppet had nothing special
against insects or rodents.
> !!!
>
> I assume all parasites aren't everywhere at all times, but how can a
company be lucky enough to avoid rodent dammage for so many years? Or maybe
they did and do have damage. 
>
>
> I would love to hear people's thoughts, and especially tried-and-tested
methods.
> Last time we discussed this, I seem to remember we never reached a very
fulfilling solution. I think some people suggested to switch to other
methods instead of trying to solve it for paper mache.
> Why must we always (ok, I should say "so often") avoid the problems
instea dof solving them head-on?
>
> Old paper mache recipes call for various additives in paper mache for
such repelling purposes, but I don't have access to them in my troubled
mind right now.  Specific essential oils?
> I need a solution that won't be toxic (especially on the skin, most of my
collegues work bare-hands.)
>
>
> Thanks for your leads and suggestions!
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Mathieu René Créaturiste
> Marionnettes, Masques, Etcetera...
> Puppets, Masks, Etcetera...
> SITE officiel:  www.magma.ca/~uubald/
> www.creaturiste.blogspot.com
> www.maskmaking.blogspot.com
> creaturiste-AT-magma.ca
> (514) 274-8027
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