Welcome to this site. Any help you may need about this field you will find it.

By the way; what is papier mache? (Sorry, but i don't know what it is?

Miguel!

Papier mache = newspaper and wallpaper paste.  You probably made some in elementary school, but once sanded and painted it makes nice puppets.

Are you talking special glue made with corn, pour them on the newspaper to make it hard (Used to make face festival masks)?

Miguel!

I think I understand; I've done something similar, but simpler before, using a rod and some elastic instead of a spring.

Hi Miguel, here you are information about papier mache.  http://home.eol.ca/~props/papier.html

Hi Allan
Welcome,I too am a Canadian (from Oshawa).I think Catarina is outstanding.Tsu you're right,perfect match for Achmed!.
Brenda

Jorge,

Thanks for the link.  Ronnie Burkett is an outstanding puppeteer and puppet maker.  I tend to think of papier mache as a simple kind of puppet making but after making one and reading that article, I'm seeing a lot of possibilities.  It's also nice to be working without any toxic fumes for a change.

Miguel, don't be intimidated by all the detail in the article.  I just used strips of newpaper dipped in wallpaper paste.  I put them on a carved styrofoam or cardboard form and shaped them how I wanted.  I also made 'bones' from rolled up pieces of dry paper and attached them with masking tape, then covered them with the papier mache for hardness.

Wao! Interesting. I want to learn more about work with that!

Miguel!

I am glad you like the document. I found the link several years ago through the Sagecraft's puppetry home page http://www.puppetry.info/puppetry/index.html It is a pity it is not updated so often as at the beginning, but it is good source of information

Well, papier mache is the "guilty" of my interest in puppetry.
When I was at university, I went to a course of puppets construction just because they teach how to make papier maché. I wanted to learn papier mache just for making figures and make my gifts to friends. I was intended to give up the course as soon as I learned the papier mache technique.

Puppets?, that's just for little children! I thought. The last time I had gone to a puppet show could be 12 or 15 years before. But the teacher and puppetry in general captivated me.

Papier mache, just layers of newspaper is still my favourite construction technique. I do not perform, and making puppets is just for hobby, so the drying time is not a problem for me. I take it easy, it's for relax

I was remember when I was a kid (Maybe between 7-13 years old) My Grandfather did teach me to work with special glue homemade (Made with potatoes or yuka) we call it (Engrudo, spanish word) and newspaper, to make mask. We have a festival call "Carnaval de Barranquilla" in the city where I came from in Colombia, SouthAmerica. People getout to the street with customs and mask (Is crazy and messy, but...).
I learn some, but that was long time ago, now I don't remember much. I want to learn more!

Miguel!

That character looks awesome