Here is my second attempt at making a puppet.  I am much happier with this gal then my first one.  I learned so much while creating my first puppet and was able to improve my second one!  First, I added shoulders so her clothes would stay on (you can view my gallery to see photos of changes).  Second, I trimmed the extra fabric on the neck to make it less flabby. 

I used the eyes that Billy reffered to in his ebay post.  Building up the eye socket took some work but in the end I was pretty happy.  I already learned a few things for the next puppet.  I can see how you can improve with practise!

She doesn't have a name as she is a gift for my daughter for Christmas and I want to leave the honours to her.  She does have a personality though!  She is a friendly, shy girl who loves to be silly and play with her friends.  Boys are okay, but she is glad God made her a girl because she loves wearing pink.  She enjoys welcoming new kids to church and is a good friend.





Are the eyes focused enough?  If not, what would you suggest?  Any other facial feature improvement suggestions?  I see my nose is crooked, I'll have to fix that.

I think she is adorable and the eyes look great on her............... you did a good job building them up and using the flat back eyes. Perhaps you can share how you did that. It is always interesting when someone comes up with a solution in solving a building problem and you did just that.

Can't wait to see the next one. keep em coming.

Billy D.

For the eyes I just cut some foam in a cresent (to mimic the shape of the top of the eye).  I then sewed on fabric like you would for the nose (back and forth getting rid of any bumps or loose fabric edges).  I then glued the foam, fabric covered crecent shape on top of the eye.  I also glued a piece of fabric to the bottom and cut to be flush with the back of the eye.  I added some foam eyelashes to finish it off and then glued the entire eye to the puppet.  It takes patience but I am getting quicker at it.  First time I used foam, second I used styrofoam and liked working with styrofoam better.  Just keeps its shape better.  I will try to take photos next time I do some eyes like this.

Ok, those eyes are beautiful! I like how you used the fabric top and bottom, the lashes and the shiny beautiful pupils.  You have to click on this folks for a closeup. (Yep, not quite focused, but that can be improved in puppet number three!)  Did you paste on an eye picture onto those white spheres and then make it shiny with something?  I REALLY want to know.  So real looking!

@puppetlady, I may be wrong, but the thing that makes her eyes shiny it's just a light they reflect. The acrylic has this ability to absorb the light very well - both direct and dispersed one.

You are correct Tsu Acrylic eyes have a sheen that reflect light............ these eyes are available on EBay. They do have flat backs and are designed to be used in dolls............... buy hey  puppet builders are special and can use anything they want.

http://stores.ebay.com/LUCKY-DOLLAR-OUTLET

Billy D.

Yes, I've seen your 'ebay tip' for them.
These irises you helped me to get (once again: THANKS!) are made of plastic but their surface reflects the light very well too. I was playing with direct and dispersed light on them as well and the results were very good too.

@puppetbubba, you've asked for any facial features suggestions: I'm not stuck into a symmetry at all but this time would perhaps be better to get symmetrical lips? I mean, the right part of the top lip has a little different shape/profile than the left one. Was it intended?

OK Billy, Is this the item on ebay that sells packaged sets of eyes from overseas with the pupils already manufactured into them?  I actually have some of those.  I had issues with eye focus, so now I only use them on glove puppet monsters and birthday gifts.

Could you point me to the link or thread?

No that is SFcdirect that ships from Hong Kong
http://search.stores.ebay.com/SfcDirect_plastic-eyes_W0QQfcdZ2QQfciZQ2d1QQfclZ4QQfromZR10QQfsnZSfcDirectQQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsaselZ655200293QQsofpZ0


Here is the EBay tips thread
http://puppetsandstuff.com/community/index.php/topic,3706.msg32514.html#msg32514

Billy D.