Nothing quite like that here Na. There are recycle centres but I find where I am it tends to be more industrial waste which I can't use or furniture etc. From memory Krafty Karacters is in Brissy so might have something like that there.

Wow, just occurred to me that I'm the Aussie contingent's hick! Damn my rural and remote handicap!

That's a pity - I really jumped for joy when I found this place.

Ah, you bogan you

I think though most of the bulk suppliers I've found for special items have been out in country VIC, rather than city bound. It's just in those cases it's been easier to buy bulk and have them ship to me.

It's a great idea and I really wish we had something like that here. I've often contemplated a move to Melbourne - I just adore that place and the more of it I see, the more attractive a move sounds - except the cost!

It's not bad here really. Took the dog for a walk along the break wall last night and just absorbed the beauty of the ocean. It's not a terribly arty place but it is beautiful. Sorry, I digress...

I might need to look in to bulk suppliers vs shipping costs. One of the things I really struggle to find locally is fur so need to source a decent supplier.

I can understand - I honestly forget how easy it is being in a big city. I keep thinking that getting around is difficult, because my local bus is irregular/hourly, trams are 20 minutes walk away, and there's no train for several suburbs over. But that's pretty darn good compared to being in a small town. Cost-wise, yeah renting or buying is pretty astronomical; and you get views! My best view currently is when I walk outside to take the trash out and maybe might see some of the moon

Hmmm... fur suppliers. That's a tough one. I just googled and found two (who knows how reputable they are?)
http://www.thefabricstore.com.au/fabric-gallery/57
http://www.theremnantwarehouse.com.au/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=31
Anywhere you go the prices will be high from the looks of it. I wonder if it's just worth ordering from Spotlight...

Thanks for the info LL, I won't go down the path of Clark Rubber based on your comments.  Did you happen to find any other material locally that is suitable for a flexible mouth plate?

Na,  I will look into a recycle place, good idea but I don't know of any off hand.  I have found a specific foam supplier and am just testing their materials now, otherwise I am leaning on Spotlight and Lincraft fairly heavily. 

I too would like to source a larger variety of fur.   I came across a small independent fabric store that had pretty cheap faux fur ($10 per metre) which I have used but they only had three colours.  Two of which I have used on my last two puppets which I will be posting pics of in the near future...

Sorry, you may dig it but it wasn't for me. I can send you up my remnants if you want to experiment at some point. I certainly won't be using them! Probably not best to take building advice from me... I'm self taught and no doubt do things incorrectly. I use foam for my mouth plates. Clark Rubber sell sheets (offcut sheets) with various level of flexibility. I use one that is approx a 1cm and is reasonably dense meaning there's limited flexibility - you may prefer more flexibility but if you look around you'll see the various options. I use my mouth fabric as the first hinge (gluing to both pieces) then use leather or a stronger substance on the other side (inside the head) as a stronger hinge. I've made plenty where the mouth fabric is adequate without having to reinforce but as I've developed I've got in the habit of reinforcing as an in case. It's probably not ideal but it works for me.

Na, Spotlight is the only place locally that sells fur and their range has been less than awesome of late. I particularly like the long pile furs which seem few and far between. I did find a couple of Aussie sites but the prices were astronomical or they sold only fat quarters which are too small for my use. It's getting to be a problem as it's definitely my preferred material. If you ever stumble across a supplier in your endless search for all things puppets, I'd love to hear about them!

Yeah, Spotlight has always been my go-to for fur, but have never liked their range or their prices. The cheap furs are sort of ... rough or something, and their expensive furs are lovely, but well, expensive.

I'll keep my eyes peeled - but am wondering if it's worth asking the other locals. I know a number of puppet makers and surely they have been able to find decent suppliers. At the same time I wonder if it's just them shipping stuff from overseas.

Cool, thanks guys.  I have been thinking of going down the path of a foam mouth plate for flexibility in my next puppet.... really to just try something new and further my skills more than a necessity.  Like I said earlier I got onto some fur from a small fabric store which I have used.  It's not awesome quality and it makes a hell of a mess, but at $10 a metre I thought it was worth a go.  It comes in brown, black and kind of a bluey grey.  I'll post some pics of the puppets I used it on soon, and if either of you want me to get some and post it to you, I'd be happy to do so.  Also, I got a catalogue from Spotlight yesterday and I they are having a 30% discount on fur for the next two weeks.

Thanks for the heads up on the sale! I hope they've stockpiled prior to the sale as the choices last week were pretty poor! $10 is an awesome wicket. Does it feel nice? I'd definitely like to see some pics and do appreciate your offer.

Yeah Na I agree, the cheap furs are for the most part just that, cheap. They feel kinda nasty and often the pile is sparse meaning you can see the underlay/webbing in certain areas. I have always been happy to pay for deluxe fur but I can't justify it on fabrics I'm compromising on. The bulk of puppets I've made recently have been polar fleece and the one I'm working on currently is a fabric with absolutely nooooo stretch. Pain in the arse to work with but I'm liking the look of it. I am enjoying the massive savings with forced fur avoidance though

Lizzie, don't sell your self short!  Your details of how you make your mouth plates, are spot on pretty much to how I do it.   I like using L200 foam (most likely similar to the density you are using) with fabric hinges or leather. I think really it is the best way to go for the size puppet you are making. I think where the gasket rubber can be handy is in smaller sized puppets (Like PP glorified sock puppet) where you want a flexible mouth plate.