Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2003 03:00:40 -0500
From: Mathieu <uubald-AT-magma.ca>
Subject: PUPT: possible alternative to sheet foam


Hi all.

I can't help feeling sorry for a puppet's relatively short lifespan if made
from foam.
(here he goes again with his quest for eternity).

I was wondering if there was a permanent foam on the market, or if I could
find a good , more natural alternative. Maybe a spongy plant somewhere has
all the right properties! Maybe some basic kitchen supplies could be
combined into a magic bread that will remain spongy? Let's keep looking!

As a permanent foam, if only they made polyethylene foam (black insulation
backing rods and plumbing isolation tubes) in sheet form! It says on the
packaging that it won't rot away. I wonder about the life expectancy...

Then again, if price were not an issue for bigger puppets,  I have made
small puppet using polyester sponges of varying densities. Remains to ask
scientists if polyesters degrade as foam does. I have never witnessed a
stuffed animal's polyester fiberfill's inside rot away...

As I write this paragraph, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. I
just imagined a piece or two of polyester batting (in thick sheet form)
very tightly sandwiched (sewn at edges, or glued?) in between two sheets of
non-stretch fabric. The resulted sheets could be sewn or glued together
using the same methods used for sheet foam???

I'll definietely try and report discoveries here.
Of course, it requires a few more steps before actually working on the
puppet, but whatever works, right?

Any ideas or leads in mind?


----------------------------------------------
Mathieu RENE, CREATURISTE
Marionnettes, masques,  etc.
Puppets, Masks, etc.

http://www.magma.ca/~uubald

uubald-AT-magma.ca
Montreal, Canada
(514) 725 - 5821
----------------------------------------------




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