Sydney miniature show #1

Hello all. I had a great weekend in Sydney, attending the miniature fair for the first time. I did pretty well with my sales, enough to cover my costs and buy a few goodies, plus got lots and lots of oohs and ahhs, which is always positive! Had the chance to meet some people I hadn't met but had been in contact with over the years, which was really great (hello Linda!! It was so nice to chat!). I hear that numbers were down though, and some traders didn't do so well. It's such a shame and also quite hard for me to believe - the standard was so high with some really amazing things for sale. Here is what I purchased:

Some tiny paper clips (squeee!):

Some ladies toiletries and two fans by Di (no website unfortunately; her stuff was so beautiful and well-priced):

And a tiny sweet little teddy (made by Di's friend), a tiny teapot and a beautiful Margaret Crosswell bust: 

Had I had more money, I would've bought many more items. I didn't look around too much at the tables as there were just so many beautiful things, it was too heart-breaking!! I ogled Kim's Miniatures table, which again was really reasonably priced (and needless to say stunning) but given my money shortage, no purchases. However....... My husband, unbeknownst to me, also was very impressed by her dolls and bought me this as a surprise!

Being behind perspex in a little box, she is quite hard to photograph, but she is really exquisite. I feel extremely spoilt! Next time, I hope to bring her home a little Kim's Miniatures friend. I took some photos of the exhibits so will post those shortly. Have a great day everyone!

Little chairs finished

Hello everyone. Wanted to post some photos of my little chairs now that they're finished. I upholstered the seats and added a frill.

I have also, at long last, finished the other cabinets for the doll shop! I made the front panel of the cabinet so that it pops off for interior access, and the whole inside of the counter pulls out. I meant to photograph this but forgot. Anyways, they need a few more accessories, but otherwise I am quite happy with the way they turned out.

Might need to try making a 1/24 cash register....

Last pic - a sweet little lidded jar by Elizabeth Causeret that I purchased at Kensington a few years ago. Such amazing detail, what a clever lady.

One last thing: I finally got my husband to figure out how to switch on the reply to comments function, so can now reply to individual comments! Have a great week everyone.

Exceptions to architectural rules?

Hello folks! I am up early today, as our daylight saving finished last night, and it's a lovely sunny morning worth getting up for. 

So the reason for this blog post is Australian homes. I generally think Australian architecture is very different to most American (and other) architecture. We do have a lot of California bungalows, which I absolutely adore. Also some of the Tudor style homes built in the 1920s are very similar. Other than that, there aren't a lot of other similarities. Last night, I was looking through some internet photos of Australian Federation homes, and found this Gothic revival home:

I think it is in Tasmania. Anyway, I was struck by how similar it is to the American Gothic architecture. It's really not something you see much of here. It lead me to think that there are always exceptions to rules. And cross-overs with architecture.

I have put together my Sid Cooke Coxwolds kit and paperclayed the exterior. I was going for a Cotswolds stone, but then at the time I was doing this, I saw a lot of photos of old stone houses in Tasmania, and thought it could be Australian instead. Yet to decide.

On that note, I will sign off. Hope your weekend has been good so far. Take care everyone.

A mini break-through

Hello all. Happy hump day. I had a minor break-through over the last 24 hours. I finally got a little carver chair finished. This is one I have been working on from the start, one that I just couldn't get right. It's not 100% how I want it to be (it is in my eyes a tiny little bit too tall) but it is as good as it's going to get! I then altered the design to make a side chair (no arms) and a settee/bench seat. Now that I have this design done, I will be able to use it as a basis for other styles of chair without too many worries. I hope!

 

I can't wait to see the settee painted with a pretty seat cushion on it!

My plan between now and Sydney is to get the other kits I have up for sale in my Etsy store and finish off the almost ready designs (such as more furniture for the doll shop, the French canopy bed, an armoire and a few other pieces). 

Thanks to all those who have posted comments over the last month or so. Your encouragement has been gratefully recieved and appreciated. I feel like I am starting to get somewhere! 

Happy Easter

Hello everyone. I hope wherever you are, you are enjoying your weekend, whether you celebrate Easter or not. We are not religious and therefore don't really celebrate it, but I do make sure that in the lead-up to Easter, I've stocked up a year's worth of Cadbury Creme Eggs!

Here are some pictures of my little chocolate shop, (partially) filled with Easter items. Stuff I've either made or metal minis I painted. I need lots more bits yet. I had a heap of tiny eggs but can't find those. 

I took the photos at night, so they're kinda crappy, but you can see the gold embossing on the windows.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone.

ACT show

Hi all. Happy midweek! Some photos of my table at last weekend's miniature show in Canberra:

The food they provided was amazing. This was my delicious chocolate cupcake with white chocolate frosting:

It was only a small show, and not a lot of people through, but it was a fun day and I sold a few things. Also got a lot of encouragement and positive feedback. I should be attending the Sydney show too, at the end of next month so lots of prep work ahead for that one! I hope to have more of my kits listed within the next week, including my new cottage kit.

Hope you are all well. Enjoy the rest of the week and have a safe and happy Easter, if you celebrate it.

I would use the term 'progress' in this blog post, but.....

I feel like I am going in circles. Today is the first time I've seriously questioned my career change. I threw a piece of laser cut ply across the room, and because it didn't break up enough to satisfy my anger, I had to pick it up and scrunch it into tiny pieces. Next time I will throw a bigger piece with more weight to make it more efficient. The upside - I must be learning something at least......

I have about a week until the Caberra miniatures show, and not too much to sell there. I just can't seem to get the cutter working at it's most efficient. Add into the mix slightly bendy ply and an inexperienced user with high standards and you have a fight a-coming. I keep buying ply and I am lucky if I get 50% success rate. Oh well, I guess everyone starting out has these teething problems. The cutter really needs a good service and some parts replaced too, which doesn't help. I will be working all day and night between now and next weekend! 

Anyway, a couple of pictures to show that at least some of the kits are working out. 

One of my shadow boxes landscaped and in need of some accessories:

The cottage stove all painted up:

All that's left to say is I hope that your week has been more successful than mine. Bring on the weekend!