An Elephant Thinking of Inventing the Wheel

Paul Spooner has just finished 7 of these elephants.

The elephant is either re-inventing the wheel, or practising the fifteenth letter of the alphabet.

They are made from limewood with a leather sheath over stainless steel spring in the trunk. The box is a tropical hardwood salvaged from a hotel door frame.

Dimensions H 130mm , W 160mm, D50 mm.

Edition of 7

£295 (excl. VAT)

Sold Out.

A Novel Transmission

ROBOTS

The marketing arm of P Spooner Stithians, noticing the upswerve in the sales of robots, has created its own Robonics Division. The first models to be produced were in the “Space Men” range, capable of seeking out female humans and subjecting them to a jolly exciting shaking. Read more

Ron Fuller Retrospective

An exhibition of work from Ron Fuller and Guy Richardson opens at Craftco in Southwold, Suffolk this Saturday. Ron says, “Mine is a special retrospective show one example of every toy I’ve ever made over the years (43 to be exact). It should be worth a visit to see some unusual creations and be of special interest for hobbyists, model-makers and craftpersons who make things with their hands in their spare time.”

Saturday 28th August – Thursday 9th September
Craftco Site

Deluxe Designing Automata Kit

This box contains everything you need to get started with automata design.

Contents:-

1. Designing Automata Kit. The classic CMT kit – No glue or tools are required, and you will learn about simple mechanics using cams and a crank slider mechanism. Many different designs can be made, and the kit used over and over again.
It is suitable for either left or right handed use, and takes the frustration out of designing automata by allowing very quick assembly and testing without the use of tools. It is a valuable teaching aid, and ideal for those wishing to experiment with some basic mechanisms.
Kit includes a DVD showing you how to put it together, (and our small Barecat has some fun along the way!)

We have enjoyed using this kit around the world at workshops and exhibitions. Produced in Thailand using chemical-free rubber wood, from sustainable sources.

2. A range of materials to help you create your own designs.
(5 pieces of foam material, 4 straws, feathers, wire). Colours will vary.

3. The Interactive CD-Rom. An interactive version of the Designing Automata Kit – hours of fun.

4. How to Make Automata DVD (NTSC or PAL) Understanding mechanisms with Keith Newstead

5. Cabaret Mechanical Movement – Our book, republished many times since 1998. Covers all the basic mechanisms with specific reference to CMT automata.

£79.50 (excl. VAT)

Simon Tait’s Mews No.15

Beastly time
You know about Chronophage, the weird and wonderful clock/creature created by John Taylor that has adorned the corner of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, for the last couple of years, but you don’t know its younger brother yet. These monsters are multiplying. Read more

Simon Tait’s Mews No.14

Ron, the village toymaker
We’ve been to Suffolk to visit the workshop of, first, Tim Hunkin, about whom more news later. But a few miles nearer the border with Norfolk in the village of Laxfield is another workshop belonging to another of Cabaret’s presiding geniuses, perhaps the first: Tim’s friend Ron Fuller. Read more

Mexican Chickens

Carlos Zapata has just finished this colourful one off piece. These South American chickens are taking a break from their usual diet of corn, for something more refreshing. Carlos’ ingenious mechanism evokes the noise of pecking.

Height 34 cm (13 inches)

£1,195 (excl. VAT)

Simon Tait’s Mews No.13

Suffolk Punch – Part 1
To the Suffolk chapter of the Cabaret club, and a delightful June day with two of the key members, Tim Hunkin and Ron Fuller, makers for whom their workshops are their worlds. Tim first, Ron next time. Read more

The Clockwork Automataumbrella

Keith Newstead and Gonzo artist Ralph Steadman have created this incredible new machine, ‘The Clockwork Automataumbrella’. It forms the centrepiece at the Clockwork and Automata Exhibition (18th June to 22nd August 2010).
Having collaborated on the critically acclaimed Terry Gilliam commissioned piece ‘Mad God Universe’ Ralph and Keith have teamed up again.

In this new exhibition Ralph Steadman takes on the soft and wonky world of Clockwork. Inspired by the comedy of Jacques Tati, the random and awkward movement of old clockwork toys and a genuine affection for things that just seem a little bit wrong.
‘Clockwork is hard and precise – let’s do soft and wonky’.

Frustrated Felines

This free download contains Paul Spooner’s plans for an automata called ‘Frustrated Felines’.

The detailed plans give an insight into how the automata was constructed, (a small edition was made and sold at CMT in the 1980’s). It makes a challenging project for an automata enthusiast!

You can find more plans and insights into automata making in the downloads section of our store.

14 page PDF (6.8 MB) – FREE