Bobo Blockhead, Baldy Ball, Raggedy Ruthy, Gordo The Wizard Hand Puppets
30.BOBO BLOCKHEAD HAND PUPPET
Bore a finger-sized hole in a block of soft wood such as
pine or balsa. Into this fit a finger tube of cardboard or leather to make the neck. Glue
a plastic thimble or a red wooden bead in place for the nose. The eyes are two
cloth-covered buttons with dots of black ink for pupils. The mouth is made with two cuts
of a razor blade or sharp knife. A piece of white toothbrush plastic is glued in for a
tooth. Cut ears out of cardboard or balsa and glue them in place. Glue on a wild wig of
tangled yarn or just plain straw. Paint him with poster paints or, better yet, model
airplane dope.
31.BALDY BALL HAND PUPPET
You need a hollow rubber ball, unpainted if possible. Cut a
hole for your first finger and insert a cardboard finger tube. Rubber cement will help
hold it in place, but it should fit snugly. It is best to paint on the features so as to
keep the round, baldish effect. Use rubber cement to glue two tufts of cotton over the
ears and give him what little hair he has.
32.RAGGEDY RUTHY HAND PUPPET
Make a little bag of pink or orange cloth, thrust a finger
tube into its neck, tie it tight and glue it. Turn the head right side up and sew on a
nose and eyebrows of felt. The mouth is best embroidered in bright red. The eyes are big
blue buttons. For hair try yarn or a bit of cotton loop rugging.
33.GORDO THE
WIZARD HAND PUPPET
Prepare a small gourd with a neck tube as shown. Paint the features
and wizard's starry cap with enamel or airplane dope. Add a nose and glasses cut from
construction paper.