Muppet Builders - Share and Discuss

[Blitzkreig]

Hello,
This thread is for makers to show off and discuss their builds and ideas on crafting Muppet puppets. Please share images, drawings, ideas and Muppet related information. Lets work together to build and help others craft a Muppet to have in their own home. Lets don't use this to discuss the sale of or post links to Muppet puppets for sale.

Growing up in the 70s and 80s I was a huge fan of the Muppets and the idea of having an Animal, Gonzo or Kermit Muppet sounds awesome. So my journey on Animal began. Probably not the easiest character to start with I dove in. Collecting photos drawings and any reference materials I could find. During this process I discovered many different versions of him were built through the years. Most of the reference out there is for the more modern animal from 2011 and later. So I began there, building an early prototype of the modern Animal (except for the nose, photo below). Realizing the scale is to large I'm beginning again. I would like the final puppet to be a late 70s early 80s version so I'm now working on a second puppet based on the earlier versions.

In the next couple posts I will be adding reference material I have gathered to help others thinking of building an Animal for themselves.

 

[Timelash]

Hello,
This thread is for makers to show off and discuss their builds and ideas on crafting Muppet puppets. Please share images, drawings, ideas and Muppet related information. Lets work together to build and help others craft a Muppet to have in their own home. Lets don't use this to discuss the sale of or post links to Muppet puppets for sale.

Growing up in the 70s and 80s I was a huge fan of the Muppets and the idea of having an Animal, Gonzo or Kermit Muppet sounds awesome. So my journey on Animal began. Probably not the easiest character to start with I dove in. Collecting photos drawings and any reference materials I could find. During this process I discovered many different versions of him were built through the years. Most of the reference out there is for the more modern animal from 2011 and later. So I began there, building an early prototype of the modern Animal (except for the nose, photo below). Realizing the scale is to large I'm beginning again. I would like the final puppet to be a late 70s early 80s version so I'm now working on a second puppet based on the earlier versions.

In the next couple posts I will be adding reference material I have gathered to help others thinking of building an Animal for themselves.

View attachment 1090306

Well my animal pattern went tottaly wrong, going to have to bin and try again

 

[dr_slurpee]

Looking forward to watching this thread! I want to make an Oscar the Grouch if anyone has any tips or patterns to go from?

 

[Timelash]

Well my animal pattern went tottaly wrong, going to have to bin and try again

Started again I'm a little more happier this time.

 

[Blitzkreig]

Well my animal pattern went tottaly wrong, going to have to bin and try again

Looking good. We learn so much from each step in the process. Keep at it!

 

[Timelash]

Thanks, it is all a learning curve but I did finish him in the end

 

[Blitzkreig]

Nice looking group

 

[Weezer]

Excellent looking Animal. I’m curious, roughly how many ostrich feather did it take to cover his head?

 

[davidnagel]

Well my animal pattern went tottaly wrong, going to have to bin and try again

ya know Lee, he looks more like Marvin from Fur TV here ;-)

good show if you like crude puppet humour

 

[Zeugmax]

Hello,
This thread is for makers to show off and discuss their builds and ideas on crafting Muppet puppets. Please share images, drawings, ideas and Muppet related information. Lets work together to build and help others craft a Muppet to have in their own home. Lets don't use this to discuss the sale of or post links to Muppet puppets for sale.

Growing up in the 70s and 80s I was a huge fan of the Muppets and the idea of having an Animal, Gonzo or Kermit Muppet sounds awesome. So my journey on Animal began. Probably not the easiest character to start with I dove in. Collecting photos drawings and any reference materials I could find. During this process I discovered many different versions of him were built through the years. Most of the reference out there is for the more modern animal from 2011 and later. So I began there, building an early prototype of the modern Animal (except for the nose, photo below). Realizing the scale is to large I'm beginning again. I would like the final puppet to be a late 70s early 80s version so I'm now working on a second puppet based on the earlier versions.

In the next couple posts I will be adding reference material I have gathered to help others thinking of building an Animal for themselves.

View attachment 1090306

Do you have any side views of this build, with mouth open?

 

[David Martins]

I just finished my first muppet built last week. I work for a non-profit kid's organization. I am in charge of the Art department. When we do outreach and go out to the community, I love to bring my vintage muppet puppets along. I have Animal, Grover, and Kermit from the 70's. The kids enjoy it when I take the puppets out and do the voices. I decided to build a replica of Elmo. At least as close to Elmo as my first build could get. Here are a few of the pictures I took during the build. I used an old puppet that I purchased on eBay to build the head off of.

*Not me doing the voice. This was a TikTok soundbite*

 

[Blitzkreig]

David, very cool build of Elmo above.
I'm on to version 2 of Animal. Leaning now more towards the 70s version. The one i enjoyed watching as a youngster. Below are some shots of the head in the works. Im attempting to replicate the appearance of the 70s animal. but not necessarily their build style. I am currently working on another jaw that's more flexible from side to side. Ask questions if you like.