Good job.   Much better on the framing of the puppet.  He fills the screen well.  You'll get better with the hand and manipulation.  It just takes practice. Do you write down (script) what you are going to say or do you improve it?  The reason I ask is that if you know for sure what you want to say and practice that so you don't have to think about it then it might make it easier for you to work on hand and mouth manipulation. I know that when I preform if I am struggling with the lines I tend to forget about my manipulation.

I just saw this artist on CBS Sunday Morning.  Not sure if they have it up on their site yet but I did find an ABC Evening News segment that is at YouTube. The name of the artist is Willard Wigan.

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https://youtu.be/d0ALUjoyMJI

This is really amazing art!

Yes Jomama is correct, the higher the number the thinner the wire.  Like you Billy, I always get confused on that one.  

I don't remember seeing anything that would restrict you from making a puppet with their pattern and then selling it. It is my understanding that the copyright is on the pattern itself so that you do not duplicate that and sell it.

I use it but I am not in the Greater Boston Area.   Here in KCMO I have to go to older hardware stores. We have one that is local that has just about anything you want.  Also Ace Hardware stores here are like this also so that might be an option for you if you have Ace Hardware in your area.  Hobby stores that cater to models train, planes and such well often have it also. Another name for it is spring wire.  That may help you in your search

Hey that is Craig!  He is a member here. http://puppetsandstuff.com/community/index.php?action=profile;u=394  If you want to see more of his work check out his gallery. http://puppetsandstuff.com/community/index.php?action=gallery&g2_itemId=7538

Well I use a foam that my local foam supplier specifies as EVA Foam.  Perhaps that is what they are talking about.  It may also simply mean glue sticks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene-vinyl_acetate

What context was the term used in?  Where they talking about gluing the foam together or something else?

I agree the second one has a richer orange the the first one that looks a bit on the peach side.  I don't see as much difference in the other colors though. 

Very cool art!

Welcome to Puppets and Stuff.  Hang around here and you'll get a lot of pointer.   Check out these past posting... they may get you started.
http://puppetsandstuff.com/community/index.php/topic,5560.0.html
http://puppetsandstuff.com/community/index.php/topic,4898.0.html
You don't need a degree in puppetry but it may be the way you want to go.  Many puppeteers have simply learned from experience.  Check out Daryl's BlogTV series.  You can see the info on the left column.  He has shows every week or so and that would be a good resource for you.  There are tons more things within the forum post that you'll find like just browse a bit.