How to make a cave out of paper

How to make a cave.

First I started off with some paper mil paper. It is pretty heavy duty stuff, and it come in a roll, but don't ask me where from because I have never had to order it.  We have just always had a giant roll of it.  I am nearing the end and I am going to have to figure out where it can be purchased.

Anyway, I unrolled a long piece, and cut it using a razor knife.

 Starting at one end I began folding and stepping on it to crumple it up.  This is a great way to take out some pent up frustrations.  And this is also a great time to let the kids help.  They love jumping and crumpling up paper.  

WARNING: If you crumple this up on a tile/stone floor it will be a little slick, and you might find yourself sitting rather hard on the floor.

ANOTHER WARNING: This paper is also very easy to get paper cuts from.  So be careful.

Ok so it is now crumpled up. 

I unfolded it back to it's almost original length.  Time to staple it on the wall.

I have a set built of 4'x8' frames with styrofoam on them.  So I added a few pieces of plywood for the staples to hold to. Then I randomly bunch and move the paper so it forms rock like shapes.  

I always try and turn the raw edge under.  It makes it a little bit more rock like.  

See if you lightly fold the raw edge down and staple, it looks better.

I didn't take any pictures of the painting process, mainly because I was in a hurry to get it done and get some sleep.  

I have used a paint sprayer before but the overspray took so long to clean up I decided against it this time.

I took an airbrush and sprayed blackish grey paint upwards.  Only from the bottom up.  This gives the illusion of shadows.  I tried to fill in as many gaps as possible.  If you really have a lot of time and want it to look better, do the same concept but from the top with a lighter color.  This will give the illusion of highlights.

Here is a promo video using the set.

How I Made a Cable Operated Bird Puppet Part 3 - Wings

or how to make a Cable Puppet part 3

I liked the other bird puppet so much that I decided to make one with moveable wings.  At first I had very complex designs trying to get the wings to just move up and down.  Then I went for a walk.  As I was walking I worked on the problem, and a simple solution presented itself.  I already had the basic idea from the other bird's head, so I just used the same concept for the wings.


I had a few cables left over from the original bird puppet so I used them.  I am waiting for the push rods (which are what model airplane enthusiasts use to control various switches and such) to come in.


I borrowed one of my son's Mr Potato Head for the body.  (He has a bunch and I am going to buy him another one so don't get all high and mighty on me.)

I put a piece of twine through the top hole (I believe it is the ear hole.) and tied a large knot.  Then I hot glued the twine to a Popsicle stick.  This lets the stick move around but keeps it attached to the shoulder.

I fed the cable jacket through the bottom hole (arm hole) and then pushed the cable up through it.  I threaded a button on the cable and then bent the cable into a 90 degree angle.  I hot glued the button to the bend and at the same time glued the button to the stick.  I originally did it further down the stick but once again it didn't have the desired effect, so I repositioned it. 

I can turn the cable and the wing moves forward/backwards.

Push the cable in and the wings go out.

I didn't take a picture of the inside of the head last time so here it is.  I used the same button technique that I used on the wing and glued the button to the cable & the Easter egg that is used for a head.

Here he is so far.

This is a back view.

I am going to make a handle for the not shown ends of the cables. Mainly because I have a good bit of difficulty operating the cables without some kind of end. 

Continue on to part 4 - How to make a cable puppet control handle

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