DIY Network

When in Rome Here are tips to help you enjoy a taste of bella Roma without leaving home! From "Creative Juice" episode DCRJ-507

(Continued from page 1)

Look out, Geppetto! These Italian marionettes are inexpensive, easy to make and -- best of all -- a blast to play with!

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Italian Puppets

Italian Puppets

Materials:

empty plastic dishwashing detergent bottle, label removed
three 18" dowels
upholstery needle
larger carpet needle
acrylic paint
spray paint sealer
8 pipe cleaners
felt
4" foam ball
craft knife
14"x14" scrap fabric
string
colorful felt scraps, foam or construction paper
hot glue

Figure A

1. Drill a hole the diameter of the dowel in the bottom of the dishwashing liquid bottle (figure A).

2. Using the smaller upholstery needle, pierce the bottle at a 45-degree angle where the arms of the puppet will be placed. Use the larger carpet needle to enlarge the hole. For each limb, pierce two holes: one on the front of the bottle and an opposing hole on the back of the bottle (figure B).

3. Paint the bottle with acrylic paint (figure C). Use several coats, if necessary, letting each coat dry before applying the next coat. Paint extra details, if desired. Seal with a spray sealer.

Figure B

Figure C

4. Bend the end of a pipe cleaner into a J shape. Thread this end through one armhole and out the other (figure D). Match the ends together and twist the two sides together. Repeat for each limb (figure E).

Figure D

Figure E

Figure F

5. For the second joint of each limb, fold a pipe cleaner in half and twist the sides together, leaving a loop at one end. Fold it over again, leaving another loop before twisting the two sides together (figure F).

6. Cut felt in the shape of hands, paws, etc. Cut out two layers for each paw or hand.

7. Dot the back of one paw with hot glue and place an 18" dowel on the glue, making sure the dowel extends from the paw at a 45-degree angle. Add more glue and sandwich the dowel between the two layers of felt; repeat for each arm (figure G) (figure H).

Figure G

Figure H

8. Attach the forearm to the upper arm by sliding the end of the upper arm pipe cleaners through the loop of the forearm, folding the upper arm back and twisting the upper arm pipe cleaners back on themselves. Repeat for each limb (figure I).

9. Glue details to the paws using small pompons, additional felt, etc.

10. The foam ball will be the marionette's head. Press the ball into the bottle neck to leave an impression. Using a craft knife, partially cut away the foam from the impression (figure J).

Figure I

Figure J

Figure K

11. Drape the fabric over the ball and gather fabric together. Place the ball so the gather occurs at the back of the head and the carved impression is at the bottom (figure K). Using string, tightly tie the fabric gather and trim off excess fabric.

12. Cut the fabric away from the bottom of the ball where the neck impression was cut (figure L).

13. Make facial features from felt scraps, foam or construction paper. Use buttons or wiggle eyes for the eyes and layers of felt to make a lion's mane. Attach features with white glue and hold in place with pins. Set head aside while the glue dries (figure M).

Figure L

Figure M

14. Insert the dowel rod through the bottom and out through the head (figure N). Apply hot glue to the top of the dowel and the neck; press the head onto the dowel (figure O).

Figure N

Figure O

15. Add more felt details to create a belly, clothing, etc., if desired.

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