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John W. Lewman Toy Designer www.toymakerpress.com
Publishers of fun to make wood toy projects and plans

Stuart King says: We all like objects that move and do things, and this electronic age has brought us some fantastic toys and novelties, but they all need batteries! Fun objects such as this automaton can amuse and entertain using the simplest of mechanical technology and can be made by anyone using basic woodworking skills. This example of automata started out as being just a rat catcher and rodent but, having available spare space for extra cams etc, I ended up adding other moving parts. It’s called “Catch Me if You Can” and I’ve made a video to show you how it works. Read More.

John W. Lewman Toy Designer www.toymakerpress.com
Publishers of fun to make wood toy projects and plans

These great examples of automata from the YouTube channel are fun to build, fun to watch and fun to share with your friends. Enjoy!

John W. Lewman Toy Designer www.toymakerpress.com
Publishers of fun to make wood toy projects and plans

John W. Lewman Toy Designer www.toymakerpress.com
Publishers of fun to make wood toy projects and plans.

TIMESONLINE says: Carlos was born in Colombia in 1963. The Visual Arts have always captured his imagination and over many years he has been especially drawn to Folk and Tribal Arts from all over the world. Carlos is a self-taught artist and whilst struggling to survive in London he found his own ways of expressing himself through painting, drawing and making things. . In the late nineties he began making and selling his first automata, eventually enabling him to concentrate on creating new pieces full-time. Many of the ideas for his new works have evolved and been taken from his own personal life experience of living in a foreign country and in his home country where a civil war rages on relatively un noticed by the outside world. His vibrant work is colourfull and full of emotion. With the help and encouragement of Cabaret Mechanical Theatre he has quickly gained international success. His work is in private collections and museums in several countries. Read More.

John W. Lewman Toy Designer www.toymakerpress.com
Publishers of fun to make wood toy projects and plans.

Keith says: Welcome to my Automata web-site. After studying graphic design at Essex University I went to work in an art studio in Newcastle but left after only six weeks suffering from extreme boredom. I love to experiment with new styles and materials and to find new ways of creating movement. I never aim my work at a particular age group, and it makes me happy that both children and adults enjoy my work. I am always happy to accept new commissions both large and small. Read More.

John W. Lewman Toy Designer www.toymakerpress.com
Publishers of fun to make wood toy projects and plans.

John W. Lewman Toy Designer www.toymakerpress.com
Publishers of fun to make wood toy projects and plans.

The Howard Bros. Circus, complete with eight main tents, 152 wagons, 1,300 circus performers and workers, more than 800 animals and a 57-car train, is on permanent display in the Ringling Circus Museum’s Tibbals Learning Center.  The Howard Bros. Circus is a ¾-inch-to-the-foot scale replica of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus when the tented circus was at its largest (circa 1919-1938), and occupies 3,800 square feet in the 30,600 sq. ft.-Tibbals Learning Center.  The “largest miniature circus in the world” was created over a 50-year time span by master model builder and philanthropist Howard C. Tibbals of Tennessee and Florida. Below is a guerrilla video of the Howard Bros. Circus Model at Sarasota’s famous Ringling Museum, shot from a child’s perspective. Read More.

Emily DeCola, is a freelance designer, performer and director working all over the world with puppetry and masks on stage and in television and film. She has received a Jim Henson Foundation Grant. Toymakers and toy designers often get inspiration from puppet artists. Emily is one of the best. http://www.emilydecola.com/
Filmmaker: Paul Muller

John W. Lewman Toy Designer www.toymakerpress.com
Publishers of fun to make wood toy projects and plans.

Check out all the fun and excitement at this year’s Maker Faire in San Mateo, California. It is the world’s largest do-it-yourself celebration. People from all over the world came to experience this amazing event. Take a look at some of the highlights.

Timberkits started as a small craft based enterprise in Wales, U.K. in 1993. Originally only a few mechanical model kit designs were available. The collection of automata was an entirely new novelty and were an instant success. The Internet now helps to bring all the fun of Timberkits models to homes anywhere in the world. Explore their website and learn all about Timberkits, Automata and more. http://www.timberkitsus.com/

John W. Lewman toy designer www.toymakerpress.com
Publishers of fun to make wood toy projects and plans.