Constructing a Hobby Animal
This study started as the text of a talk which I gave in 1985 at the Morris Ring's Weekend Instructional for Fools and Beasts. It was very hurriedly composed and typed, but copies have circulated for several years - errors and all. Encouragement to correct and update it has only now born fruit, but my natural procrastination has had the useful result of allowing me to meet Phil Underwood, the Ring 'Recorder of Beasts' from whom I have learnt much including a reduced belief in my own infallibility.
In this paper I have tried to identify areas where decisions need to be taken or where problems may occur, and to suggest possible solutions and lines of action. I must stress strongly that this is not meant to be definitive. One thing which has come over very clearly in the ensuing years is that creative beast- makers are constantly producing new ideas. I can therefore only try to lay out a ground plan hoping that this will enable people to devote a greater proportion of their energy to producing better and more imaginative creatures.
Here and there I have made assertions as to what is 'good' or 'bad'. These are generalisations only, and you may have the talent to prove them wrong. For example, I state that 'mast' mountings are better than hat mountings, and that a moving jaw is essential for expression. It is also held that animals do not have arms. Ripley Morris Men's Unicorn which matches the modeller's skill to the inspired interpretation of the builder, has ignored all these recommendations with triumphant success.
Until now, I have printed off my disc to order, thus able to update with new developments and ideas. Now I have an 'offer I can't refuse to produce a booklet.
Even though some of this may not apply to your situation I do urge you to read it all, as advice given under one heading - mast tourney, etc, - may apply to others also. At the end, you may decide that you are going to do something entirely different - This is fine, because you will be working from a basis of careful thought and conscious decision and the result is therefore likely to reflect credit on all concerned.
This paper is dedicated to Phil Underwood of the Morris Ring Beast Archive and to all those other innovative and creative Beast-Makers who so kindly shared their ideas with me, and whose input has so advanced the understanding of our craft.
R. K. S.