Blinking Eye Tutorial for puppets

Welcome to my first Tutorial for Hidden Hand Puppets, due to a question posed in a social media group for puppet makers I decided it was time to begin sharing my knowledge with you all :)
This video shows a basic example of how to make a blinking eye mechanism for puppets, fursuits and anything else you can use this idea for :)
Filmed in the wee hours of the morning with scrap materials lying in my workshop, proving that you make make anything from anything ;)

[@FloralFromUnderARock]

Something I've learned when working with foam like this is use that hard thin plastic packaging you get off of random things you buy - like the plastic part of a battery package (that kind of stuff) and just make a little washer for yourself so that the foam isn't rubbing against itself, specifically for movement over time because the foam will wear, where that will reduce friction and ware.

[@hiddenhandpuppets6265]

You're quite correct which also comes down to how you design the mechanism as well. If I patterned it correctly for the eyelid there would not be the extra on the sides 😁
When planning your build if possible you can plan for having enough space but if there isn't room yes a washer like you described is the perfect solution 👍

[@tawnyfrogmouth2022]

thats really clever, thank you for the tip, i'm gonna try that one out!

[@sufferedenuf]

This is great. I'm going to pass it along to my son. He often has animals mounted from hunting. It will be great to see a fox or deer with eyes that open so the camera inside can follow movement. Great security feature. Thanks

[@cosplayfanbyreid3038]

I have a puppet head pattern (brought on Etsy) would this method work to make bliking eyes for it? If so any advice on how id go about it?

[@johnkoester7795]

What if you wanted to give him two eyelids?

[@tawnyfrogmouth2022]

really cool, thank you so much for this tutorial!

[@hiddenhandpuppets6265]

Your very welcome 😊