Day 21 – Free CMT Cartoon History

Free CMT Cartoon History
(1979-1984) by Ron Fuller

As you may have read in Simon Tait’s recent mews, at the age of 15 Sue Jackson found herself at Falmouth Art School with Ron Fuller. Sue caught up again with Ron years later when he was making wooden toys, and she was opening a new crafts shop. Ron was involved with Cabaret from the beginning, and we have reproduced the original cartoon which Ron did in 1989 illustrating the early days of Cabaret and the move to Covent Garden. You can click here to download your copy, print it out (and colour it in if you like).

A Cartoon History of CMT – £0.00

Day 20 – Le Bureau Automatique

A new one-off piece from Paul Spooner for 2009.

The grey office worker surveys his papers moving endlessly between his in tray and his out tray. The elaborate air powered mechanism contains tiny leather bellows, and a very long ratchet. An optional grey face can be removed, and hung on the side of the machine if you want a faceless bureaucrat, as shown.

Simon Tait’s Mews No.6

Wanna tell you a story…

If you’ve been following the Magic of Cabaret day by day you’ve got some idea of the range of what CMT does, and elsewhere on the site there’s a bit of history, but I think you ought to know the real story about how the whole thing came about, and that’s Sue Jackson’s story. I warn you, though; it’s a breathless roller coaster we’re boarding. Read more

Day 19 – ‘Carlos Zapata’ by Andrew Lanyon

A new book by Andrew Lanyon, in which Andrew examines some of Carlos’ most challenging pieces of work. As he says ‘We are grateful to Carlos for being brave enough to make these awful things’.

The subject of war, oppression, poverty and disease are all observed in these demanding works.
Handbound 28 pp
20 cm x 15 cm

Day 18 – Harmless Fun

This evening we feature a little piece by Paul Spooner which was first sold in 1997. ‘Harmless Fun’, a gnome sitting on top of a toadstool, were produced by the Fourteen Balls Toy Company, (but no longer available).
This one is number 50 of the edition. Dated 11th July 1997.

The accompanying rhyme – (written by Paul Spooner aged 49)

When yawning Orpheus drops his lyre,
and pixies of their trilling tire,
All softly to the dell I creep
To see the place where fairies sleep
And, while they dream a solitary Gnome
Is gently tossing in a toadstool’s dome.

Day 17 – The Skateboarder Kit

A brand new kit for 2009 – the Skateboarder. What better gift for the hard-to-please teenager than this lovely indoor project? Alternatively you can buy one to make it as a present. These kits can also be painted which adds to the fun.

Day 16 – Friendly Gifts

If plastic carrier bags are practically illegal where you live (as they are in parts of London), this CMT tote bag from our Cafepress store is a great alternative. We know that there are only so many ‘bags for life’ that you can fit in the hallway, but this one is quite special, and can be used exclusively for tins of catfood if you like.

The CMT sigg water bottle, also from our CafePress store, cuts out the disposable plastic drinking bottle problem, whilst adding both style and content to your drinking habits.

Day 15 – Xan Xi Drinks the Sea

‘Xan Xi Drinks the Sea’ by Andrew Lanyon

Artist, author and film-maker and Cornish resident Andrew Lanyon produced a small letterpress edition of this book nearly 10 years ago.
There are now only 20 remaining of the edition of 200.

Andrew’s books have been critically acclaimed, and his witty treatment of Paul Spooners automata in this book make it a real treasure.

‘Such a marriage of the cerebral and the practical in the composition and production of books is a rare thing today’ Dr Chris Ridgway

Review of ‘Xan Xi Drinks the Sea’ – ‘Hybrid myth/models that transgress the rules of day to day sense’.

Day 14 – A Wolf in Sheeps Clothing

This brilliant piece by Keith Newstead is set around a fairy tale dining table.

This new edition (of only three pieces) will make a fantastic addition to any automata collection.

A little sheep who is about to enjoy his lunch of lamb’s lettuce (probably with a baa-b-q sauce), the thinly disguised wolf has joined him at the table, and gnashes and lunges forward at every attempted mouthful.

The animals have optional party hats for Christmas.

Be quick!! These won’t last.

Day 13 – Piano Player Cut-Out

Piano Player Cutout – A Peter Markey Design.
This great paper cutout will make the ideal Christmas gift.

It seems that everyone wants to play the piano. But playing the piano is hard. You have to learn so many different things to do it, and you can’t surf the web or watch TV at the same time. And besides, there’s iTunes, so why bother? Here’s the solution. Simply cut out all the little parts, score and fold and glue them all together (in the right order) and then all you’ll have to do is turn a crank. Adagio or vivace, it’s your choice! Not that the piano this player is playing will sound all that good. To be honest it will sound like paper tapping on paper, but it’s a start. Composed by the mechanical genius of Wales, Peter Markey. Everything you need, except glue and patience, is included.
Takes around 2 hours, give or take, depending on how musical you are!

Piano Player Cutout – £3.95 excl. VAT
A Peter Markey Design