For a while now, we’ve been working on being able to deliver the CD instructions included with some of the patterns to our customers who are Mac users. To that end, the Mac version of The Mostro Puppet Pattern is now available!
In the months ahead, we’ll be revisiting some of the older patterns here at Project Puppet, updating them, and making Mac versions available as well.
Puppeteers Unite has just posted its first video tutorial - Making A Blink Mechanism. It just may be the perfect thing to send your new monster puppet, built with the Mostro Pattern, over the top. We’re looking forward to many more quick and easy video tutorials from Puppeteers Unite! Thanks Tom!
By the way, the tutorial is based on a drawing by the great Terry Angus that has been in circulation for a few years, and has undoubtedly inspired many a puppet builder. Thanks Terry!
One of the great things about the new Mostro Pattern is the CD. The CD contains the instructions for putting the pattern together as well as the two tutorials included with the pattern. This is not new to Project Puppet patterns. The Forma Series patterns come with instructions on CD, but we did make a few changes that make the CD instructions for the Mostro Pattern even better. One great new feature is the ability to maximize the program window.
Of course, you can view and print the instructions and the tutorials from the program. Not only that but you can zoom in incredibly close on the pictures featured on the CD. You can’t get this close even with touching your nose to a set of printed instructions! To add to that, the screenshot above does not show the full zoom capability! You can zoom in even closer without losing the quality of the photo on screen. Enabled with these features, and besides the obvious benefits of having an electronic version of the instructions to print and re-print, the CD can be used as a tool to fully grasp the methods and techniques described in this great new pattern from Project Puppet.
We know many of you have been waiting patiently for the new Monster Series from Project Puppet. Finally, the wait is over! After over eight months in development, Project Puppet is very happy to release The Mostro Puppet Pattern.
The Mostro Pattern includes a puppet pattern and instructions for building a full-bodied monster hand puppet with a round, spherical head shape that stands 25 inches from head to foot. By adding facial features (such as eyes, a nose, horns or teeth), you can create your own unique monster character. Two very useful tutorials are also included, the Working with Faux Fur tutorial and the Arm Rods and Posable Hands tutorial.
The problem is fixed! We’re still in the process of answering the mysteriously missing questions and comments and should be finishing those up tomorrow. Thanks for you patience and feel free to use the contact form if you have any questions. It works now!
We discovered today that many emails, questions and comments, that were sent to us from the Contact Us page of the website were mistakenly delivered to our Spam Folder. We have found emails dating as far back as January 24th of this year. If you have used the contact form in the past month and have not received a reply from us, we apologize profusely for the delay. We will be answering these emails in the order they were received during the next few days, as well as correcting any issues with the contact form itself.
Again we apologize for the trouble. Your questions and comments are important to us. Please bear with us while we resolve this issue. Thanks.
Step 8-1
Bend the wire arm rod at a 90° angle as shown. The length of the arm rod above the bend is your choice. Consider the final use of the puppet and what is most comfortable for you personally.
Step 8-2
Cut the wire rod just past the bend. To gauge where to cut the rod, keep in mind that once the rod is inserted into the hole in the handle, it should not extend out of the opposite side. Use the 5-Minute Epoxy to secure the rod to the handle. Allow the epoxy time to fully set.
Step 8-3
Tape the handle for added strength and a better grip surface. We have found gaffers tape to be excellent for the job.
That’s it! You’ve just added permanent arm rods and posable hands to your puppet character!
The wait is just about over! The first pattern of a new Monster Series here at Project Puppet, The Mostro Puppet Pattern, will be released next week. “Mostro” is Italian for “monster” by the way.
If you’ve been waiting for the Mostro Puppet Pattern and have not yet signed up for Project Puppet Updates, now would be the time. That’s all we’re saying!
In reality, a handle or grip can be added to each arm rod by simply cutting a wooden dowel to an appropriate length and securing it to the end of each rod with strong tape. That’s as simple as it gets and technically all that is required. The following steps are slightly more involved in an effort to ensure the handle’s sturdiness and improve the rods’ manipulation possibilities to some degree.
Notice, also, that a square dowel is used. This not only makes building the handle an easier task, but improves the grip of the completed arm rod. A 1/2 inch square basswood stick was used for the handle in this tutorial. Basswood, in a variety of shapes and forms, should be readily available at your local hobby shop.
Step 7-1
First cut the wooden dowel to an appropriate length. In this particular case, we cut the dowel at four inches.
Next, drill a small hole about 3/4 of an inch from the top and centered on the dowel. The drilled hole should be large enough for the wire rod to fit. Cut a groove parallel with the dowel from the hole to the top of the handle. Basswood can be easily cut and carved with an X-Acto™ knife. The groove will subsequently help keep the wire rod in line with the handle.
