They look great and I'm assuming that they hold their positions quite well?
I really need to learn about removable rods!
Chris

Thanks Chris and Rikka.  Chris if you are asking about the fingers holding their position, they work very, very well.  The best example would be the tail.  Because of the length and weight, normally I would have to spend a lot more time securing and tweaking, so to speak the attachment to the body to keep it in an upright position. Because the armature is stronger than the wire once I secured it into the body the tail can be posed in any position and stays.n It great!  So excited with the results.

The only thing I can say that I might need to do differently with the fingers is again because the armature is more sturdy the fingers do not clos into a tight fist.  I think I can remedy this on the next project by cutting a notched area in the sintra plate to allow the armature to rotate more.

Julie

Did you by chance get a shot of the attachment of the tail to the body?  I think you mentioned that you had used a doll washer in the attachment.  The reason I ask this, is because it seems like with tails like this they always tend to "sag" a bit at the base where they are attached to the body. Did the doll washer give you enough structure in that area to keep this from happening or did you add something or do something else?

Shawn, you ask good questions.  I appreciate them, it helps me remember to explain what I do without thinking, kind of like what you mentioned in Chris' post seeing spandex.

Unfortunately because of the tight space I could not get a photo that really looked like anything recognizable, but I will try to explain what I did.



In this photo I mentioned earlier that the grey bag was filled with plastic pellets.  Right behind the bag facing the back of the puppet I attached a small piece of sintra.  This makes a sturdy base to attach the armature.  On both the out side and inside of the hole in the foam I hot glued a 45mm plastic washer from a doll joint set.  This has nothing to do with the attachment only to give the hole in the foam more stability.  I left about 8 sections of armature exposed on the tail.  Inserted the tail throught the fur which was not completely attached..onto the sintra and slightly under the edge of the grey bag.  I then hot glued (several coats) the tail to the sintra and grey bag.  The grey bag had already been hot glued to the foam.  I believe having the washers on either side of the foam help support the tail and since the armature is stiffer than wire and foam combination the tail stays in an upright position.

Julie

Yep makes sense to me. The base of the Sinatra, is really important I think.  With all the layers you end up having in the butt of the puppet I can see how it all holds together well.

What is the point of the plastic beads, weight or to cushion the hard sintra?  Is roadkill going to have big black X on eyes? Is there going to be a pouch with tiny babies too?  So glad your tail works good.

By the way I love your Donkey puppet,it is so awesome, you are a good artist?

What is the point of the plastic beads, weight or to cushion the hard sintra?  Is roadkill going to have big black X on eyes? Is there going to be a pouch with tiny babies too?  So glad your tail works good.

By the way I love your Donkey puppet,it is so awesome, you are a good artist?

Actually the plastic beads in the grey fleece bag is to give the bottom of the puppet weight, so thatnit sits up better.  It will be used by a ventriloquist.

This possum is Granny P, but the next one I build will be roadkill for my husband.  I haven't decided exactly what roadkill will look like yet.  I try to concentrate on one design at a time at least as far as the detail work.

Glad you like Donkey, he has become very popular.  Thanks for your kind words.

Julie

Getting Closer to having her finished.

The eyes and whiskers are not attached yet, just put them in place so I could send photos to client for approval.  Got the go ahead, so hope to finish her up this week.  Still need to make actual eyes, attach eyes, ears and whisker.  Then for the final detailing.

 Click on the last photo to see the full puppet.

Okay, I couldn't resist taking this photo.  I had just finished airbrushing her tail and laid her down to dry.  Came back to the room and just couldn't resist the photo op.
 

Julie

LOVE IT!

Great looking puppet, Julie! Lots of character. I'm sure your client will be thrilled and I look forward to seeing the finished puppet.
Chris

She's amazing Julie!  Well done!  And thanks for taking photos, I never remember to take photos either!