I am trying the huge task of making a "walk-around" puppet similar to the one used in the "Bear in the Big blue house". I know the basics and have watched what videos and stuff I can find on line, but most of those are for mascots. I believe I have it all figured out, but could really use some help since this will be a huge cost in faux fur. Does anyone know where I can find more info, books, video, and so on on this subject? Drawings of how the suit fits, especially in the area of the right shoulder since the arm is used to control the head, would be awesome. You would all be making a lot of children very happy by helping me pull this off.

Thanks ahead of time.
TGR Puppets Studio

Haven't tried it myself before, but I do recommend http://www.forestpuppets.com/

I did an intro to making costume puppets with him and he has some good resources listed on his site.

And the following book:
Link no longer available.

Again, I don't have it, but it's come highly recommended to me. I know it's a bit on the mascot side of things, but for the most part I think the costume comes first, and then you modify it with puppet mechanisms. (That's how it came off to me from taking the aforementioned class)

Nice start for me. I believe I can modify a fursuit to work with no problem. This book will be a great help I'm sure. I will check it out and let you know what its like.

FYI, I purchased the book suggested, and it really is a good book to get you started. I have almost finished the walk around puppet mentioned. If anyone would like to check it out, you can visit my website at www.tgrpuppets.weebly.com and go to the puppet blog. Oh, leave a comment so I know you were there... See ya.

He looks great! It takes time to develop and build something like this.

Looks great.............. although I liked the red fur the final outcome is fantastic.

I really liked the red fur too. But after 7 re-skins, there was no more of that material left (goes to show a good plan before hand helps). Good thing someone is paying me for this. Here is the best part, if I make him and perform with him during their 4 day show, I get to keep him and get paid $700 for him. I hope to use him to go to a local children's hospital and do visits afterward. You know, visit the kids, say hello, brighten a young kids heart. If anyone is interested, I will post picks of the show with Big Red after it's done. Wish me luck. Oh, and for anyone interested in making their own walk around puppet, you can contact me any time for what I learned and give any help I can.

I think you did a terrific job and I for one would love to see some video of the show.

Great job! As I said in my comment at your blog this has given you a whole new set of tools that you'll have available for future projects. Just think of the possibilities!