Dancing Queen Automaton Finished

I wanted her to do a little Cockney knees up but she does her own thing!

Here is a truly awful film of her. It gives you an idea of her moves but

I must get someone to help me film my work!

An Angry Cat

Two new characters but not from the same story.

Unamussed Unfinished Automaton

First Automaton in 2014 Finished!

I can't believe it has taken so long to finish one. This has been a long cold winter!
 So here is 'The Planned Sabotage of The Amazing Catso Bro's Trapeze Act.'

Olaf the dog menacing with scissors.

The Catso Brothers who's rather over swingy trapeze act is possibly about to end! 

More Puppet Progress

I have nearly finished my puppet for the Clive Hicks-Jenkins' Artlog Puppet Challenge.

The little girl puppet that transforms into an ogre is coming together well and seems like it may work. 

I had to make the girl's hollow head to fit the ogre inside. I decided to use non-slip shelf lining material to build the head shape and cover it with pieces of an old fine knit cardigan. Then use unraveled cardigan to make the hair.

I made the head in two parts and attached them at the neck, front and back. I made the neck from the neck of a plastic bottle to give a good rigid support to the head.

The two halves of the head are tied at the top with a ribbon and when this is loosened the two halves drop down and out comes the ogre!

After testing the head worked I drilled a hole under the girl's chin and stitched it to the neck and attached it to the ribbon at the top. I then stitched hair to the head.

I have made fabric hands and lower legs so now need to make a dress to finish the puppet.

Mr Punch is in Prison!

All the mechanism is strung and tested. Just a few little finishing touches to go and then I will make a film!

Mr Punch and Swimming Caps!

This is wonderful! Mr Punch and a swimming cap fashion show. 

Thank you PATHE archive!

Cats and Dog Automaton

I have too many things on the go and all at early stages but I will finish the Devil in the Cupboard soon. He is actually in the cupboard I just have to finish the other characters and string the mechanism. Anyway here is a little taster of some of the other things I am making.

A flower that will have a bug land on it's behind

And 'The Sabotage of the Amazing Catsos' Trapeze Act'. 

I think this may be the first dog I've made.

Making Automata Again!

It is still too cold to work in my garage but I have so many ideas for automata and need to finish projects that are underway first. I have been braving the cold for short spells and have now almost finished the wooden set for my newest Devil in the Cupboard automaton.

I spent 3 hours today hanging and adjusting little doors! 

Puppet Progress

My 'Puppet Challenge' puppet is taking shape. I am now hoping that the ogre's head will eventually fit in the girls head!

I couldn't resist making various ogre features 3D. 

After working out the best position, parts were tacked into place before machining.

I used some iron on adhesive to position 2D features.

I have a rough plan of how I want the ogre to look but as I went along I positioned each feature in relation to the ones already in place.

So here is the almost finished result. 

The little girl may need big hair!

I have carved the girl's face in wood to give it a mask like quality.