From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Mathieu_Ren=E9?= <creaturiste-AT-primus.ca>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007 01:14:44 -0400
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] foam and joints


Hi betty.
I don't know about the "articulated" look, unless you mean the joints to 
look like they are carved in wood, when the puppet joints show. I'm very 
curious about what people have come up with.

About weight distribution, I'm just starting with this, but I've had good 
success with adding weigts in the feet and hands. I use lead weights that I 
find on the street (they fall from cars), I seal them in duct tape or some 
other thing to make sure the stuff does not spread into the puppet overtime 
(friction?).
Sometimes, as is the case with the current puppets I'm making, added weights 
are not necessary, because the shape and weight of the body parts are 
already balanced and move well. Each puppet is different, of course.
The joints I made in the past were string poking through the limbs, the 
escess sticking out pasted on the outside skin and held there and in the 
holes (in limb ad on torso) by hot glue. Now I use strips of fabrics in the 
same way, reinforced by stitching two layers together, or nylon webbing 
(backpack straps). Instead of the hot glue, I usxe an industrial contact 
cement called helmifix. VERY strong, dries quickly. But VERY Toxic, I only 
use it outside, with a fan pushing the fumes away.

The good foam I use these days is denser than the blue polyfoam, it carves 
better and stays put. Sorry, I can't be more specific, I got it as a 
donation.









----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Betty T. K." <beatrixx-AT-gmail.com>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 8:37 PM
Subject: [Puptcrit] foam and joints


> has anyone carved foam with a hot wire to make a body?
> is this too toxic or whats your take? ups and downs?
>
> also, how do you manage weight distribution in medium to small table top 
> and
> rod puppets?
> what joints for arms and legs are you favorite? is foam too fragile for
> this? are wooden dowels and sculpey better? i want something that looks
> articulated. thanks.
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