Automata and Toy maker

All images are copyright of the artist unless stated otherwise.

Decorated wood is my main concern, whether it is a toy, tells a visual story, a sculpture, moves or doesn’t move.  I like making interesting and quirky pieces, which appeal to me and hopefully, to the observer.  They are mainly intended for adults, but it's a bonus if children like them too.

After training as a teacher of History, I was appointed to my first job in Grimsby on the East coast.  Not being very affluent, but faced with a desire to give departing French colleagues  mementoes to take home, I collected pieces of driftwood from the beach and made them into personal gifts.  These proved to be very popular, and thus began my interest and passion for making “toys” out of wood and found pieces. 

I use all kinds of wood, much of it recycled, and driftwood.  I love the individuality and uniqueness of each piece of driftwood, which, if it could talk, would have its own story to tell.  I  try to make many of my pieces interesting by including simple movement.  The mechanisms I use are mainly cranks, cams and levers.  If the pieces are non-moving, I usually mount them
onto interesting selections of hardwood such as elm, oak and poplar burrs.  All my carvings are done in air-dried lime.  I use acrylic paint, washes and coloured inks, and seal with a matt, water based varnish or wax polish.

I see my toy making as a continuous developing investigation into the thrill of creating new pieces.

I am a member of the British Toymakers Guild.

Sue's work can usually be seen at:

She also shows in various galleries at Christmas, this year including:

• The Millenium Galleries, Sheffield
• The Platform Gallery, Clitheroe
• The Cooper Gallery, Barnsley
• The First Gallery, Southampton