The Basic Elements

So, what do we have here? We know the movements we want to generate. The basic elements of a gourd automaton (remember, automaton is singular, automata is plural) are as follows:

a base - something to support the gourd figure
an action rod - something with which to rotate the gears or cams that interact with the figure
links - the connectors going from the gears or cams to the figure
crank - the handle that turns the action rod

Most important element? Have a solid idea of what the figure is supposed to do! If there is no clear idea of what the outcome is supposed to be, then no amount of interaction with the parts will come to fruition. It would be like doing research without asking questions -- no direction, no goal, no use bothering!  So, let's start with gourds that look like chickens, and make the chickens to the spin, the bob, and the jump.