on the bench

Currently on my worktable are several part completed wooden automaton figures. Some made from pegs, some from bobbins and some from wooden blocks - am experimenting with the most efficient process at the moment. 

 

automaton

The latest automaton to grace my work table. This time using a wooden block for the base and a simple turntable mechanism. Again, the figure is poseable and twirls as the handle is turned.

 

The small red beads you can see in this pic support the turntable.

 

Quite pleased with the simplicity of this one. It also breaks down into two parts so is relatively easy to package should I decide to sell them through my shops. What do folk think?

finished

Yesterday I completed the ballerina automaton and it works! The figure is still poseable and she twirls when you turn the handle. The box lid slides in and out. Quite proud of this little piece though you do have to hum or whistle a little tune as you turn the handle in order to get the full 'musical box' experience.

 

I've left the box plain as this was a prototype but obviously it could be painted, decoupaged, stained etc. Am now on the lookout for more boxes to adapt.

recently

In y3 we created some Gorgon pictures. We used sharpies for the heads/faces and then blew watered-down paint to represent the writhing and wriggling mass of snakes atop.

 

In y5 we continued along our Green/enhancing the environment theme by painting some small stones.

Meanwhile I've been adapting an old 'farm animal' domino box by installing a simple automaton mechanism. The right-hand side will feature the poseable peg ballerina from a recent post whilst the left will still be a useable space. I'm hoping that the ballerina will rotate!

BIG 2

It wasn't as messy as it could have been! The children were very sensible and managed to cover large areas of the dinosaurs rather than themselves!

 

 A little wooden peg doll I whittled recently. The joints are tied with elastic making it poseable.

peg doll

Arabella Peggotty is a refined young lady. She is confident and poised. It wasn't always thus - she had a lowly start in life, but through persistence and a winning personality has managed to overcome all the obstacles life has thrown at her. She is now looking to broaden her horizons further - you'll find her in my Folksy shop (button on the right) patiently waiting for the right person to come along.

She stands around 13cm tall and is made from a wooden peg, a lollipop stick and a carved wooden bead. Her joints are secured by thread and vintage Fench nacre buttons.

peggy

Here she is all finished. I think she's turned out much as I envisaged. I like the primitive style and lack of fussy detail. She's about 13cm long. Might end up making a few of these before my attention switches to something else!

I've listed her in my Folksy shop (please click the button on the right to visit).

latest peggy

Been making the pieces for a new peg doll. This time I decided to see if I could carve a simple face, much like the peg dolls of old. The easiest way to do it was to file and sand away part of a wooden bead and attach this in place of the top of the peg. The joints are secured with embroidery thread and vintage French hand-cut nacre buttons. Will give it a simple paint job, attach some string 'hair' and list it in my folksy shop when it's complete. Not quite sure what to charge though.

peggy revisited

Had this one on the back-burner for a little while and have just completed her. She has knees! But I'm drawing the line at elbows!! Her joints are held together with embroidery thread and vintage buttons and she measures in around about 12cm tall. Not sure whether to give her eyes or leave blank.

peg dolls

As part of their 19th century studies, the children made peg doll characters. They were each given a peg and a page of hints/tips as to what might make good arms, how to do hair etc. The figures that returned were fantastic. They were all different. Clothing had been made from fabric scraps, paper or even just painted on. Many had obviously enjoyed the parental touch but that is very much a positive - interacting, helping with their childs homework can only be a good thing. I love the big, baggy shorts on the footy player !

poseable jake

Have been playing around with improvements to the 'jake' figures. Joints made with elastic cord secured by buttons allows for a fantastic range of holdable poses as can be seen from the pics. Please note that this figure was one I put together out of spare pieces just to try out the concept. He stands around 10cm (4") when stood up straight!

I Would really welcome any comments.

peg 2

Have made another unique, naive piece of folk art - Peg 2. She 'wears' a slightly battered and faded heart (possibly too many unrequited loves & missed opportunities). Could you be the one to make her life complete and give her the tenderness she deserves - or perhaps you know someone who would! An ideal valentine keepsake for the one you love.

She is jointed using red embroidery thread and vintage, hand-made French nacre buttons.

Update - she's now listed in my Etsy shop should you care to peruse. Click on the shoplink.

peg 1

Have tried to take some better pics of the peg doll and have listed it in my shop. Surely someone out there would like a truly unique collectors piece!

peg doll

Have painted up one of the recently made peg dolls in a style after the work of Niki de Saint Phalle - lots of bright colours and dots/lines. It's about 10cm from head to toe. Would love to know what folk think.

Also re-purposed a couple of wooden teaspoons (bamboo I think) as bookmarks. They measure around 14cm in length. Thinking about listing them in my etsy shop.

naked pegs

Have been whittling again! A trio of peggy's, not yet painted or embellished. Have a few ideas going round in my little head about a different style of paint job - ie. not like previous ones where they 'represented' footy players etc (see previous posts). The actual design has also been tweaked slightly (can you spot the difference?). Might be after Crimble before they get done though.

littl' black dress

Just made another peg doll figure - this time dressed in a little black felt number. Not sure how to make it stand independently, other than the ubiquitous wooden stand - posed it on the edge of a glass for now.

peg doll kit

Have just finished creating a peg doll kit - one with movable limbs. I intend to list this in my Etsy shop soon.

I've 'posed' the pieces next to what it started out as. It's designed to be fixed together using string (or wool etc.) and painted or dressed according to personal taste.

Would love to know what folk think about it.

Jake in boxer shorts!

Just listed in my Etsy shop - an energetic and flexible Jake doing his early morning exercises!

Jakes reappear

Have decided to see how well the 'Jakes' go down again (see way, way back for their conception).


First up is a red footy kitted figure.

Prima Ballerina

Miss Peggy D'Ancer deigned to put in an appearance today. She posed for a few photographs but insisted I sack the photographer after he failed to capture her in all her glory.

She has agreed to stay a while in my etsy shop, so should you wish to meet her please feel free to pop along.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7669563