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.

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

Day 12 – How Much!!

Matt Smith made a small edition of these pieces earlier in the year, and a recent look in the stock cupboard revealed that we have one left!

The man is calmly resting on the box with his arms folded, in his hand he holds his price ticket when you wind the handle he presents you with the ticket, however when he sees the price he takes a closer look. His jaw drops and his eyes pop out.

He is carved from lime with a Douglas fir box and various other materials, the original and rather elaborate painting on his Hawaiian shirt was devised by Matt’s wife Sarah whilst they were artists in residence at the Exploratorium in San Francisco in 2004.

Day 11 – The Rudiments of Wisdom

The Rudiments of Wisdom by Tim Hunkin. An A to Z of random, peculiar and fascinating facts.

Re-discovered and revived in Technicolor, this new title features Tim Hunkin’s entertaining and off-the-wall series of cartoons originally appeared in “The Sunday Observer” magazine between 1973 and 1987.

How does hypnosis work? What is chocolate made of? And what do crocodiles eat for lunch? Think of a question, any question and you’ll probably find the answer here.. Squeezed into each intricately drawn comic strip is a wealth of weird and wonderful information, as well as crazy tricks and practical experiments. With over 125 comic strips in total, “The Rudiments of Wisdom” is back to delight and entertain a whole new generation of enquiring minds. Whether you immerse yourself from A-Z or dip in and out, you’re sure to emerge with some amazing, crazy and fascinating facts to wow your friends.

The Rudiments of Wisdom by Tim Hunkin – £12.99

Paperback – 128 pp