The CastIron Carousel

The CastIron Carousel is a Portland-local marionette troupe with a dark flavor and a twisted sense of style. Our focus is adult audiences, but our plays are suitable for families. The CastIron Carousel tells stories about things that clang, steam, whistle and go bump in the night. Tales to horrify and fascinate with beauty, tragedy and a wry sense of humor.

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So I NEEDED a mill for a project but have no money. I had to use only materials I already had on hand. 1 - Makita trim router 10’ x 1” x 1/8” angle iron 1 - Harbor Freight cross-slide vice 1 - 20” piece of aluminum jig track 4 - 1/4-20 clamping knobs It’ll do I think. 😆 #minimill #diymill #minimillingmachine #scrapyard #scrapchallenge #millingmachine #harborfreight #makita #benchtopmill https://instagr.am/p/CduNLiuLGUn/

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I needed a respite to work on a personal project for a few days so I played hookie. This is ANDi, a robot character I’ve been writing a story about since 2005. I put him aside for a long time while I did other things but he’s back and I’m excited to bring his story out into the light finally. I will definitely be building a marionette of this character and probably a whole show, or possibly a film. It’s gonna be a lot of work but I have reason to focus on it now. I’ll be posting more on this going forward as I shift most of my energy to small-scale marionette film projects like this one. #marionette #puppet #stringedpuppet #marionatas #notaman #andi #robot #steampunk #puppetshow #puppetfilm https://instagr.am/p/CdWQFdAPZm7/

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A very quick series of drawings about how I attach a shoulder on my marionettes. (This is for puppets wearing a shirt—nude puppets get a different shoulder joint) I leave just a bit of room between the parts for mobility. #marionettebuilding #puppetmaking #didactic #instructions #howto #woodcarving #woodworking #marionettes #carving #shoulder https://instagr.am/p/CbwEv63L9CB/

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I’m making a batch of 25 marionette carving kits and it’s an enormous amount of work. I have to hand-make over 3,000 parts! This is just one part, a wooden tube which is part of the control. I’ll have more videos of my process soon. For now I’m working like crazy since these ship on the 15th of April. Thanks to my Patrons, many of whom will be getting one of these kits in the mail. by Geahk Burchill

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I’ve been working on a template system to help me use a router to cut out marionette parts for my kits. After three iterations I’m pretty happy with this final design. It allows me to use spaced inserts to hold pieces of basswood, of different dimensions, in to correct orientation for the router to cut away the excess. A bungee clamp holds different lengths of basswood tight. I can rapidly change wood and inserts. I even have a vacuum port to suck away the chips! Anyway, there’s still one kit left in my shop for whomever wants to buy it. https://ift.tt/STRPcKr These kits help me pay my rent this month and feedback from you will make future kits better. #marionettekit #marionette #woodcarving #diykit #diymarionette #puppetmaking #stringedpuppet #puppetcarving https://instagr.am/p/CbRuvWzuleo/

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Just a quick handheld video showing the new studio space and plans for the near future. by Geahk Burchill

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I drove up to Tumwater Washington, from Portland, to try and help a woman living in her van get it running again after she was caught in some flooding. I thought it was the Starter Motor and we had just enough money put together to buy a replacement and some Jack stands. I managed to get the new starter in but the van still won’t start and now there is no money for a second try. I also think I may have come to the limit of my skills in electrical problems. BUT, I’m reluctant to leave. I could Go back, 2-hours to Portland, but I would feel terrible leaving her in a situation no better than when I found her so I’m spending tonight in my car and we’ll figure something else out in the morning. I think the ideal situation would be to pass it off to an experienced pro. Call a tow truck and let a professional mechanic diagnose and repair the electrical problems. I won’t feel comfortable going home until something like that happens. If you feel so inclined, would you send her some money on the apps below? I’ll feel much better if we can see one less person have to downgrade to a tent. PayPal: PayPal.me/keriwirth CashApp: $CovidKeri Thank you. by Geahk Burchill

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I have a new website. Geahk.art https://instagr.am/p/CUg-XT7rdlt/

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Someone in my feed asked if I had ever made a Dino puppet and, at the time, I didn’t remember I had! In fact, I did make a Dino for my nephew years ago and I recently found a few photos! Here ya go @paleopuppeteerproductions https://instagr.am/p/CUGQYHmhVQH/

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Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Geahk_Burchill Visit my website: geahkburchilldesigns.com Like gb Designs on Facebook: https://ift.tt/3bSjK4i by Geahk Burchill

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Folks, I am REALLY close to finally finishing Don Quixote after roughly 115 hours work! I’m doing final paint, assembly and stringing in the next couple days. I’ve shot more than 20 hours of video to be edited for a series on YouTube. #donquixote #marionette #puppet #woodcarving #woodworking #marionettebuilding #puppetmaking #woodendoll #lamancha #marionettemaking #puppetry #marionetas https://instagr.am/p/COuHjXRjkIW/

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I managed to remain unmurdered! by Geahk Burchill

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Update video for my Patrons and viewers regarding the derth of content lately by Geahk Burchill

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Special thanks to Patron John Carlson who asked advice on this and inspired this video. by Geahk Burchill

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My contribution to the #berniesmittens meme includes #medicareforall #bernie #berniesanders #mittens #healthcare #berniememes https://instagr.am/p/CKTUo7ijI1V/

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Sneak peek at my next project. I had been struggling with some design language for the Marionette book and suddenly realized, “Oh yeah! I used to draw comics and comics are a way to organize sequential information!” I feel a bit Dumb for not thinking of it before. #marionettemaking #marionettes #didactic #tutorial #WIP #instructions #comingsoon #puppetmaking #woodworking #design #comics https://instagr.am/p/CJ9-cmfDkbm/

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Sneak peek at my next project. I had been struggling with some design language for the Marionette book and suddenly realized, “Oh yeah! I used to draw comics and comics are a way to organize sequential information!” I feel a bit Dumb for not thinking of it before. #marionettemaking #marionettes #didactic #tutorial #WIP #instructions #comingsoon #puppetmaking #woodworking #design #comics https://instagr.am/p/CJ8r-RZD6cL/