About me and my work
I am a puppet maker specialising in WOOD and STRINGS. I am based in South Devon (UK) with a workshop situated on the southern edge of Dartmoor National Park.
WOOD
I work to commission both as a puppet maker and creative woodworker. To date I have built puppets, props, dolls, mannequins, marionettes, crankie boxes, heraldic carvings, jewellery and sculpture. I dream of one day trying my hand at automata.
STRINGS
In 2023 marionette making was added to the Heritage Craft Association’s RED LIST of endangered crafts. I am proud to be one of the few remaining professional makers of marionettes in the UK!
TEACHING
I currently teach puppet making through my online tutorials and carving kits. I hope to develop an extended short course in marionette making (online or in person) sometime in the future.
PUPPETEERING
While I am primarily a maker, I also puppeteer in 'Flying with Strings', a marionette and music duo inspired by the avian world. I am also in the early stages of developing a new heritage and arts project concerned with the UK's red listed birds.
WHAT INSPIRES AND MOTIVATES ME?
My own work is primarily concerned with the natural world and our native wildlife. I create work about the natural world because I care about it, and I hope that by celebrating it we will not lose it. To quote the artist Jackie Morris: “…protest doesn't have to be loud, and can be beautiful."
In the day-to-day I am essentially a nerd who deeply enjoys solving mechanical problems. I don’t always solve them in the best possible way, but I get better at it each time. I work in wood because of its connection both to the natural world and to heritage craft traditions. I create work that I hope will never hit landfill; items that will be kept, cherished, played with, broken, repaired and passed down to the next generation.
Please visit my contact page if you wish to get in touch! (Updated July 2023)