I have a homemade clip like the one jomama posted. I too got the idea from a project puppet tutorial.  Works great for photographing a finished puppet.

I use a dolls stand (they're used to hold dolls upright, and have a round wire where you slot the doll's body into), with a bit of a modification: I add a second curved wire. Each wire fits comfortably inside the grips on the mouth.

http://puppetsinmelbourne.com.au/index.php/faq/2007/11/30/puppet_stands_what_are_they_and_how_to_m

This is a bit off-topic but I got my hands on a old IV pole.  I had my husband saw the IV bag hooks off and now I have a nice puppet stand for building and photographing.  I like that I can vary the height and that it can roll.  I usually build puppets standing up so this works great for me.  I put one of those clips in the mouth while I add features to the face with straight pins and then stand back and view my work or let it sit a few days as I ponder and swap different features out until I get the look I want.

That's a really novel idea, I would never think of doing that.

I was initially going to use the IV pole to store rolls of foam.  Any ideas you guys have about storing and organizing puppet building supplies including patterns and their revisions would be greatly appreciated.  Start a new thread with your ideas please.  Pretty please.

what is IV pole?

Great idea!! ... using big clip to close the mouth....Thanks Shawn

what is IV pole?

In hospitals they are the things that hold the bag of stuff and slowly drips it into your arm.  It can be adjusted and some times if they can walk they can role the IV pole with them.

I like the idea as well especially the way you can turn the puppet around easily.....

I hope this clarifies things.....

Daryl H