In PART ONE of his 3-Part “How to Build a Hand & Rod Puppet” course series, BJ Guyer (The Muppets, Crank Yankers, Glee) teaches you how to create the “foundation” for your puppets. From design & planning to mouth plates & arm rods, Guyer shows you everything you need to know to get your hand puppet projects off to a great start.

Intermediate Level

3h 36m of duration

English, Spanish (auto)

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Curriculum

1. Title & Introduction - 10min

2. Materials - 11min

3. Patterning the Mouth Plate - 7min

4. Cutting and Gluing on the Felt - 12min

5. Taping Up the Back - 9min

6. Making the Thumb and Finger Rings - 29min

7. Attaching the Finger Rings - 20min

8. Working with Other Kinds of Foam - 7min

9. Puppet Hand Design - 6min

10. Building the Hand Armature - 15min

11. Making the Rubber Palm Pattern - 23min

12. Constructing the Arm Rod Pocket - 13min

13. Carving the Foam Hands - 5min

14. Gluing in the Hand Armature - 5min

15. Rounding the Edges - 7min

16. Making the Arm Tube - 10min

17. Connecting the Hand & Arm - 3min

18. Student Q&A - 23min

Materials

THIS MATERIALS LIST IS FOR PARTS 1-3 OF BJ'S BUILDING A HAND & ROD PUPPET COURSE SERIES

CLICK on the links below to find the materials you need for this lesson.

Some items might be harder to find, but a little internet scouring usually finds you everything you'll need.

Foam Mart

Robin's Hobby

Joann Fabric (Michaels)

BJ Guyer's Puppet Patterns: If you would like the Patterns that BJ talks about please email info@stanwinstonschool.com with your payment confirmation of the class and we will email them to you.

ALL MATERIALS ARE PER-PUPPET

FOR YOUR WORKSTATION

12" x 12" piece of 1/8" or 3/16" Thick Birch Plywood from Model Airplane Shop

4' of Featherlight Boning

(2) 3' Pieces of 1/2" Dowel Rod

(2) 3/32" Copper Clad Welding Rod - For Puppet Arm Rods

1 Pack of Round Shoelaces

Assorted 12-24 Month Old Children's Clothing for Wardrobe

FABRICS/FOAM

1/2" Reticulated Foam. 24" x 48" Piece (Can substitute Upholstery Foam if not available in your area)

3/4" Reticulated Foam 24"x 36" Piece (Can substitute Upholstery Foam if not available in your area)

10" x 10" Piece of 1/8" or Slightly Thicker Shoe Rubber

10" x 10" Piece of 1/8" Leather. (Smooth on One Side)

1 Sheet of Red Felt, Red Velvet, or Red Ultra Suede.

24" x 24" Piece of Spandex or Similar One Way Stretch Fabric

1.5 - 2 Yards of Fabric for Covering Puppet - Antron Nylon Fleece, Fur, Polar Fleece. ( Would prefer a fabric with at least a one way stretch.)

TOOLS

Scissors

Vinyl or Nitrile Gloves

Dremel or Small Drill - Assorted Drill Bits & Small Drum Sanding Bits

Personna Blades or Razor Blades

Sewing Needles and Thread

Barge or Duall Contact Cement (Can also use Devcon Contact Cement.)

Bandsaw or Small Jigsaw/Coping Saw

SUPPLIES

Small Spool of 18 or 19 Gauge Galvanized Wire

Assorted Feathers

Buttons

Fur

Ping Pong Balls

Plastic spoons

HEALTH/SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

When working with toxic and/or dangerous materials or tools:

ALWAYS read labels for appropriate use guidelines

ALWAYS wear a high-grade respirator

ALWAYS work in a well-ventilated area

ALWAYS protect your skin

ALWAYS wear eye protection

Artist BiographyBJ Guyer

World Renowned Puppeteer and Puppet Builder

See Full Bio

Additional Purchasing Options

Notice: DVDs do not include closed captions.

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