I think that I won't need to add any reinforcement to the head.  the finger tubes are sufficiently big enough to fill the snout of the beetle.

Billy you asked what the horns would be made from.  I plan to make a tapered tube of 1/2 inch foam.  This tube will have wire glued into it which will make it positionable.  I believe that this will give me the look and weight I'm looking for.

BTW - I like your new avatar, Billy.  Very colorful and creative.

I agree with Jon.That is quite a catchy logo you have there Billy!
Brenda

Not to highjack your thread Jon but thanks.................. this was a design from a drawing a coulple of years back that I had presented to Sonny to make in to a banner for something else I was working on. It now will be encorperated into my new adventure coming in January 2009. Thanks for your compliments but all the praise goes to Shawn for this design and Cicero from Brazil for helping me in other areas.

Billy D.

Here's an update on the progress with the Rhino Beetle build.  I got a lot more done today than I expected to.  I admit I slacked off on some things I really ought to have been doing.  This just means that I'll have to shelve the build for a few days to chatch up with the other stuff.

Anyway ... I got the body and all the horns in place.



most of what you see is self explanitory.  I will mention that the horns are simply foam tapers with wire in them to make them positionable.  Also, about mid way down the body you will see a black line.  This is where I cut a slot part way through the foam and glued a wire in place to add support to the body.  If the body has a very large diameter it has a hard time maintaining its shape with just the foam alone.  In the past I have inserted plastic ribs but this time opted for the wire support.  It seems to be working so far.

Thanks,  Jon

Jon

I will have to say that with each build you get more and more creative. Your talents for creating puppet characters is amazing. I can't wait to see how all this comes together when you complete them all. Thank you so much for including all of us with the detailed descriptions of the building of each of these characters.

Billy d.

Hiya,
I'm a huge fan of your work Jon, your puppets are all so unique. When i think of how a bug puppet would look i have no idea but then you make it and i think 'of course, thats exactly how it should look.'
How are you going to cover the head? will you make the pattern and sew the fleece together first, then put it on the head or do you hand sew the fleece as your covering the head?
keep up the great work and thanks for showing us your progress.

cheers
Spam 

That looks awesome - can't wait to see what you do next!

I would like to echo some of what has been said already and simply add WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is bang on.
Brenda

Thanks guys.  You're

Spam, in regards to covering the puppet, I plan to stitch it together on the puppet itself.  Machine sewing is faster, when you can do it.  But I find it easier to cover odd shaped pieces if I hand sew.  This is especially true if I need to glue the fabric in place.  On top of that I find it relaxing to sit back with a puppet and a needle and thread and stitch away.