Antron fleece, for those of you unfamiliar with the name, is a stretch fleece that is great for covering foam puppets. It's nap can be easily brushed to hide machine or hand seams. It's also known as "Muppet" fleece, because the Muppets popularized it as a puppet building material. Buy antron fleece by the yard at www.puppetstuff.com

Foust Textiles is a wholesale supplier of all kinds of fabrics. They now sell directly to the public.

Polyeurethane foam, or polyfoam, is great material for puppets because of it's flexibility and light weight. It also dyes well or can easily be colored with art chalk or floral spray paints (see above). Many people starting out in puppet building get their polyfoam from upholstery supply stores. You can also find it at fabric stores, although it is usually more expensive there. To learn how to make polyfoam puppets, I suggest buying The Foam Book. (And not just because I'm mentioned in it <g>) It's generally used in 2 thicknesses: 1" and 1/2". 1" is good for bodies, arms, and legs, and 1/2" is good for facial features and more delicate features. Here's one source of polyfoam by the roll:

Much denser than polyfoam. Great for mascot characters, or any large item that must retain shape. It comes in different thicknesses, like polyfoam, and is bought in sheets. Works best with a glue like Duall 88 (see above).

Sculpt or Coat is a non-toxic brushable plastic coating. It dries clear unless mixed with paint. Sculpt or coat will adhere to metal, wood, fabric, plexiglass, PVC, foam, and many other materials. Works well to create textures on foam and fleece. Also works as glue. It's great stuff!

3M Foamfast 74 is a great contact glue. Once applied, let dry until it is tacky and then press together. Works great on polyfoam. MUCH faster than hot glue! 3M Super 77 is a weaker glue, but works well for adhering foam temporarily. I've also used it to stick paper to foam core (for posters).3M spray glues are available at hardware stores like Home Depot. Usually run about $7-8 per can.

A word from Dave McDonald: I would like to remind the first-time users of 3M spray 77 adhesive; IT'S DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH! Use outdoors or with respirator; it's toxic, and since it is an adhesive, once it goes into your lungs, it doesn't come out! Just ask Uncle Sticky Spit.

Parabond is another contact glue that many puppet builders swear by. I find it doesn't dry as fast as the 3M 74, but it gives a strong bond. Over time seams on foam might begin to crumble and show, so it's a good idea to cover foam with fabric while using this glue.

Another highly toxic contact glue, but boy, is it great stuff. Use it on EVA foam, fabric, plastic, shoe crepe, just about anything!

This supplier sells in smaller quantities (under a gallon).

Check out their website for a great list of different products and their properties.

These spray paints won't eat away at foam like regular spray paints do. They also come in a great variety of colors, which can be layered on top of one another to create neat effects. They may have to be touched up once in a while after hard use, but otherwise they are low maintenance. You can find these spray paints at craft stores and floral supplies. (Usually $3-$4 per can.)

Buy ready made puppet heads, torsos, hands, and feet and incorporate them into your own puppet building. These finished casts are so versatile you will be able to adapt their use for Marionette, Hand, or Rod Puppet construction. Many styles to choose from.

Great catalog of craft, doll, and animal eyes.

Great supplier of realistic eyes, claws, and teeth, as well as taxidermy supplies.

Tons of sewing supplies as well as organizational items. Everything from rotary cutters to metallic threads.

Tons of sewing supplies as well as organizational items. Everything from rotary cutters to metallic threads.

A great company to buy feathers, boas, plumes, all kinds of feathers and all colors. I have purchased from them since the early 90's, never been dissatisfied with their product.
We perform blacklight puppetry and they carry the best selection of colors, best quality, immediate shipping, and at a very reasonable wholesale price.