I have been making my own eyes for awhile now. I make them from liquid resin that I cast, and then paint them on the backs. I like doing this, because then my eyes are very unique to my puppets. These green eyes will be for the squirmy wormy puppet, and will match the color of the poof of hair on the top of his head and his nose.

Many of my characters have been a couple different colors. But squirmy wormy- or Cornelius, as he will be called- will have 6 different colors of fleece, and polka dots to boot. It may take a little longer in the sewing, but the effect will be grand. The fleece will fit like a sock over the plastic tubing underneath, which will make a bendable but sturdy body for him.

As many of you know, there is no such thing as a "puppet supply superstore". The variety of what is used to build puppets is just as vast as the number of builders. I love building custom puppets, especially when my customers have an idea of what they want their puppet to do. Then I get to figure out how to make that happen- and where to find the materials to do it. I am glad to be able to have resources for ordering materials, and also good friends who will point me in the right direction. (The Institute for Ridiculous Science helped me find the company to order this fantastic tubing!)
Where else do I get supplies? Thrift stores, hardware stores, garage sales, curbside (before the garbageman!), craft and hobby stores, and fabric companies. The main parts of my puppets I buy new, quality materials, but you'd be surprised what kind of cool accessories (glasses, hats, etc.) and props you will find at thrift stores and garage sales. Keep your mind open to opportunities and always have a sketch pad/journal along. Puppet ideas are constantly popping out at me at odd times. If I don't write them down, they usually float away. :)

I am now building a worm puppet for a ventriloquist entertainer. The worm will be controlled with 2 hands from behind a black curtain. One hand will control the head, and the other hand will control the "tail". This will allow the puppeteer to make the worm squirm and dance. His body will be built with a fleece covered plastic tubing.

Finished up the foxy lady stole. she's quite cartoony, and yet classy. her new owner is quite happy with her. i love the faux furs that i used on this project, and am very thankful to have leftovers to create some more wild, furry creatures.