Emily's perfect puppets promote Cockermouth

These hand-crafted puppets have been created by talented young artist Emily Bailey.

Visitors will spot Stephen Kidd at the Moon & Sixpence coffee shop, Manon Plouffe at Wild Zucchinis cafe and bistro, Holly Baker at the Goodness and Grain refill shop, Karen Cottier of Percy House gallery and Bryoni Meighan of the Little Lotus Yoga company, as well as Emily herself.

They will feature in the window of Strolling4Shoes through the half-term holidays, before taking up residence in the individual businesses. There’s a competition for young visitors – those who can find the subjects of the puppets will be entered into a prize draw to win a bag full of goodies. Entry forms can be picked up from the shoe shop.

Emily, 24, is originally from Maryport but now lives in Cockermouth. She has a fascination with animation and

graduates with a degree in illustration from the University of Cumbria this summer. The puppets are her final-year project and she’s made them alongside a magazine promoting the town, which will be available in all the featured shops.

“I wanted to promote the small businesses here in the town, knowing that I’m going to be in the same situation as soon as I leave university,” said Emily.

Some of her inspiration came from the talented amateur artists in her family – particularly her grandfather. “My Granda was a big influence on me growing up,” she adds.

“He used to make mouse figurines out of shells from the beach and miniature houses out of stone – he was a bricklayer. They were really intricate and he’s been a major inspiration for me hand-making so many things.”

It takes Emily up to 20 hours to create each puppet, using a combination of wire, putty, foam and clay.

She received sponsorship from Cockermouth & District Chamber of Trade, the town’s Round Table and Rotary Clubs, Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, Strolling4 Shoes and The Moon & Sixpence.

Emily is taking commissions. For more details, go to: www.embaileyillustration.grillust.uk