An automaton is a self-moving machine made out of wood, metal, or paper. It is the perfect invitation to a crafter or maker to get down and dirty and create one of their very own! While on a paper art kick, I thought I’d try my hand at the art of automata, and in today’s video break it down and show you how to make an old school Nintendo Mario Brothers paper automaton. Click here to download the template and instructions.

Old Man and the Sea by Peter Lennertz
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This was my very first automaton and the process is a totally new concept for me. I needed a little guidance and found some in Dug North, an expert on all things Automata. He sent me this incredibly helpful diagram of all of the names of the parts involved. He also broke down the slightly confusing tenses of the actual word below.
Plural: automata or (increasingly acceptable) automatons
Singular: automaton

I loved learning about this fascinating art form and look forward to hopefully even designing my own one day.

Elmer’s started a new community Facebook page, Craft it!, for crafters like us. Check it out to keep the ideas, inspiration, and helpful info flowing! Enjoy the video!
More:

• Video Profile of Automata Artist Dug North
• Designing Automata Kit
• Owl and Mouse Automata
• Papercraft Nyan Automata