Hi Jordandavey,

I think i know what you mean. I saw the video Paul did and you can find many things either at the dollar store or walmart.

For example, at the walmart, you can find type of fleece or any kind of material in their sewing department, in their craft department, you can find boa's for the hair, you can also find stuffing material like he used in his video to stuff the hands and arms of the puppet. You can also find foam, but be sure to spend a little on those materials at walmart. They can be a bit pricey if you have a budget. But if you need small amounts to start off with, i am sure somebody could send you a little of what they have if you ask them.

At the dollar store, you can find pompoms that you can use for nose. Felt stickers for eyes, ping pong balls for eyes as well. You can find felt of different colors for the mouth piece. Plus you can find alot of different items that could help you out at a fraction of the cost. But like Paul said in his video's, if you want a puppet that will last a long time, you may have to buy more expensive materials. But for a first puppet, less quality items are very good. What you will learn from your experience will be far more valuable than the puppet in itself i believe (but that is my opinion only).

Coat hagners you can find at home or even at the dollar store. And as you saw in the video, you can do your own pattern with your marker on the felt, sew it and then cut it out.

I hope that this helped you out a little. I know how difficult it is sometimes to jump into this new hobby. When we are not used to thinking like a puppeteer, it can be difficult to "see" like a puppeteer see's. But you will see that after your first puppet, you will see a little more how to proceed.

And you will even be able to go beyond what you saw in that video. Like Nikole said, you will eventually do changes like making hands with pvc parts and so on and so forth. The sky is the limit. But for now, try finding what you need at the dollar store and the walmart (or any other store that has a crafting section of somekind). And if you really cant find anything, well just send us a list and maybe some of us can help you out from what we have in our puppet rooms.

We are very open to helping any newby. I know i got some great help and still do from many members here. So dont hesitate to ask. A stupid question is one that has not been asked.

If you have more questions, you can email us here or you can maybe try privatly.

Until then, good luck,
Puppet hug,
SHould

It depends on waht you are going to use to make the puppet, whether it is cheaper or not. If you are oging to use spray adhesive for foam, contact cement, foam, fleece, polyfil, eyes, hair, etc. and only make one puppet, you might a well buy one. If you are going to make multiple puppets, then it can be cost effective.

I would strongly recommend purchasing a pattern or a pattern and CD/video instructions. It is much easier to start when you have some directions and patterns to work with. After you get the basics, then you can costomize it to make it your own creation.

jordondavey,

I am trying to figure out where you are living.  Are you in the UK? This may help everyone figure out what the names of products and the places you could look for supplies in your area.

Shawn

 
Hi
Welcome.I'm a newbie too.I have just about finished my first puppet.We all just sorta learn as we go along.This site is A1.Everyon here is so helpful and super talented.
You have come to the right place to be made welcome!
Wisersmom