Frankenpuppet Lab: build your own hand puppet
You get: 1 canvas hand puppet blank and 1 puppet kit bag (googly eyes, eyelashes, foam clay nose, ears, and an optional foam clay horn)
Time: about 45 to 60 minutes, plus 30 minutes of hands-off drying
Take home: same day, after 30 minutes of drying
IMPORTANT TO KNOW
Many of your puppet pieces are hand-formed from foam clay, so no two are exactly alike. Those little quirks are on purpose and help make every puppet one of a kind.
Sample puppets are on display for inspiration, but yours can be as unique as you wish.
After your last piece is glued on, wait 30 minutes before gently handling your puppet. The glue won’t be totally dry, but it will be ready for gentle handling. For the glue to dry completely, let it sit for 24 hours.
GRAB FROM THE ART BAR
Felt for your custom pieces
Scissors
Glue
1 silicone cupcake liner
Sharpie markers
Acrylic paint pens
Please take only the felt and extras you’ll use.
STEP 1: PREP YOUR PIECES
Cut your own lips, spots, beard, mustache, teeth, or anything else you’d like from felt.
Color the white foam clay pieces with Sharpie markers any way you like. It’s easier to decorate them before they go on the puppet.
Use acrylic paint pens on the canvas or felt as desired.
STEP 2: MARK YOUR SPOTS
Put your hand inside the puppet and make a tiny Sharpie dot wherever each piece will be glued. This way the face works with your hand and everything lands in the right place.
STEP 3: ADD YOUR CUPCAKE LINER
Before gluing, slide the silicone cupcake liner inside your puppet so the front and back don’t glue together.
[IMAGE: Sliding the cupcake liner inside]
STEP 4: GLUE
Apply a thin coat of glue, just enough to grab onto the canvas threads.
It’s okay if it soaks slightly into the canvas and you feel a little dampness through it.
Don’t glob on a lot. It makes pieces look messy and isn’t needed.
Press each piece in place and hold for 5 to 10 seconds.
Not sure how much glue to use? Ask a staff member.
STEP 5: LET IT REST
Once your last piece is glued on, set your puppet on the table and don’t touch it for 30 minutes. After that, it’s ready for gentle handling. Full drying takes 24 hours.
CLEANUP
Leave any unused supplies at your table. We will bus these for you.
Want to make more? Extra blanks are available for purchase at the register. Just ask a staff member.
Questions? Ask anyone at the register.