ok i broke down abd got the glorified sock puppet pattern from puppet projects. the issue i am having is that i cant find the 1/2 foam for the mouth. i was going to use a hard type material for it instead as i have cardboard that i used for my first puppets mouth but looking at the pattern and the directions i dont think it will work very well. so does anyone know where i can get the 1/2 inch foam or some other easily avalible item i can use for the mouth plates. thanks.

What stores do you have available to you in your area BiZcut?  That might help everyone think of an alternative you could use. Since the idea behind the Glorified mouth plate is that it is pliable so you can get expression out of the puppet, you want it to be something other the cardboard really but I think even that could work. I've used cardboard glued to felt for such a puppet in in the past. Something like "Funky Foam" might work. It might be under a different name in your area but you find it in hobby stores like Hobby Lobby. It is thinner then 1/2 but very durable. It would still be pliable though. You could try to slice a thicker foam in half but that can be a real pain to do.

P.S. It just dawned on me that you are in the KCMO area... sorry I have a short memory.   Although it might be a drive for you, you can get it in mid-town at the following location.

Comfort Felt and Foam Inc.
3021 Cherry ST.
Kansas City Mo 64108-3124
816-531-0822

That is where Heather and I get our foam. You can dig through their scrap bin even and get foam for real cheap. They are very used to both puppet and theater folks coming into buy foam. It is a warehouse that sells to larger stores and upholstery folks.

I regularly gt 1/2" foam at JoAnn's Fabrics.  Another option is to go to an upholsters supply company.  Often they will recut thicker foam if requested to desired thickness.

In a pinch a camping foamie will work too. We cut one up to line the bottom of... something... can't remember what, but the scraps left over have been useful.

J.

awsome thanks all for the input. i will definatly check out that place shawn i live in oak grove and dont mind the drive if it will help me to make a better looking finished item. i may try the camp foam as i have some left over from makeing swords for a Live Action ROle Play i am part of.

As I was pondering this 1/4" foam problem, I'm having the same issue, I looked down and realized that my mouse pad is about 1/4" thick and is, really, a rubberized foam. I may try it.

cruppetman

I tried a mousepad for a head once, but I found the foam to be too dense and heavy, and it sagged under its own weight. For small pieces, though, like ears and noses, those trade show giveaways are great!

BizCut, in the KCMO area I am able to find 1/2 foam readily available at Handcock Fabrics. Comfort felt and foam is awesome though. As an alternative I would suggest using vinyl for the mouth plate.

I tried a mousepad for a head once, but I found the foam to be too dense and heavy, and it sagged under its own weight. For small pieces, though, like ears and noses, those trade show giveaways are great!

We are looking for "mouthplate" foam right now.  So...the a mouse pad does actually work.  ;-)
Sara

If you want to order in bulk, try foambymail.com.  If you order more than $75.00 shipping is free.

Craig