A Busy Week Or Two...lots going on...

I rather like weeks like this when every day is different! It's been great - been to Brighton, finished a couple of Tudor peasants, did some (mini) upholstery, made some parrots and was bowled over by the latest from Dolls House and Miniature Scene.....and we still have the workshop to come on Saturday! Phew!

On Saturday Celia and I are off to our lovely venue at Bicester Avenue Garden Centre for the latest Nostalgia In Miniature Workshop - all the elements for the tiny herb gardens are packed and we're looking forward to another enjoyable day.

It was also very exciting when the Projects 2015 Magazine from Dolls House and Miniature Scene arrived in the post - not least because our joint 'Autumnal 1930s Porch' is one of the 'how to' makes included.  It's a great issue with a host of seasonal projects to tempt miniaturists of all abilities.

Also out this week is the November issue of the magazine itself with a really splendid WW1 Competition Supplement full of  terrific pictures of the entries by winners and runners up together with fascinating and often poignant stories behind the scenes.
 

I'm on a 1/24th character run at the moment....this Tudor couple are the latest and have now moved to their permanent home.  Fun to make - and nice to ring the changes around the centuries in the costuming. The next pair on the workbench are right up to date.

 
Also fun to make were a few of my scruffy parrots - I've been meaning to make some more in 1/24th scale for ages so it was a good prompt when I had a specfifc request for one.  The bodies are made from polymer clay and they are real feathers - taking a deep breath or sneezing is NOT recommended during the feathering process! Anyway I now have just a few in both 1/24th and 1/12th scales and if anyone else would like one please email me.

Thank you for looking
Robin

Back To School In 1/24th Scale

After a good deal of concentration recently on much bigger projects it's nice to get back to the rather more gentle pursuit of individual sculpts for new characters, and in this case some children.


A lovely recent commission was for a group of Victorian school children - and even the clothing is a reflection of the difference between then and now.  The costuming is really just a junior version of adult clothing - no comfy track suits or school uniforms made from easy-care materials.   Can you imagine having to go to school in heavy serge trousers, stockings and boots or a long pinafore over an even longer full and heavy skirt??

Here come the girls....

The emphasis in school seems to have been on the three Rs with some kind of physical education and practical subjects such as woodwork for the boys and cookery for the girls,  designed to equip them for adult life. An abacus helped with arithmetic (I reckon I could do with one of those) and slate and chalk or a dipping pen and ink for writing, while a globe helped with an understanding of geography. Learning was by rote and a cane was used for misdemeanors.....it doesn't sound like a very cheery atmosphere in the classroom!

....and the boys.

In other miniature news Felcity and Ron are completing the line-up of spendid artisans for The Thame Dollshouse and Miniature Fair in February 2015.  There are details and super pictures of artisans' work on the website already and their Blog is updating regularly with more news as it comes in.  We all love this very special fair so do take a look and maybe think about coming....if you've been before I'm pretty sure you'll be coming again!

I do love pottery, and a jaunt around Oxford's open air Antique and Collectible Market a couple of weeks ago saw me come home with this gorgeous platter which I understand is by Anna Crockett (1980s). I love the earthy colours and wonderful  depiction of our countryside which I think she's captured perfectly.

Thank you for looking
Robin

A Great Big Cardboard Box!

This week it was a matter of urgency to find a a big strong cardboard box.....I considered the 'Egg Man' in the market as a possible supplier.....acquired a banana box from Sainsbury's (not deep enough)....and begged another large deep box just before it went into salvage from our local Art and Craft  Shop. Phew!! Just in time.

Yards of parcel tape later, a big strong box was all ready when Lucie Roper, Editor of Dolls House and Miniature Scene arrived from Lincolnshire to collect the World War 1 Scene jointly created with my friend Celia Thomas for a three part 'how to make' for the magazine. We are delighted that it will be on the

Dolls House and Miniature Scene stand at Miniatura and hope many of you who have been following its creation, or perhaps working on your own interpretation, will find time to take a look.  Sadly neither Celia nor I are able to attend the show this time but the winners of the WW1 competion in the magazine will also be on display, and from what I hear they are truly outstanding - I'm sure it will be a great weekend.

AS you may know the original scene is now for sale, including the elderly gent standing in the poppy field proudly wearing the blazer of The Royal British Legion.  50% of the sale will be donated to this very important organization to support their work - offers in the region of £250 are welcomed and the team on the Dolls House and Miniature Scene have kindly agreed to handle any sale on the day.

We Will Remember Them.......

It was a BIG cardboard box...so Lucie left with another smaller project as well which will also be on show on the day!
We've been very secretive about our latest work so far, but can now reveal The 1930s Porch in an autumn setting - another 'how to make' that we have created once again in our Nostalgia in Miniature style which will be featured in the super Projects 2015 Magazine that will be published at the end of the month - I'm sure there will be some copies available on the stand.
So - there's lots to see and I know Lucie and her team would love to meet some of you.

We enjoyed making this project so much  and maybe the following pictures will whet your appetite and you'll be tempted create your own little porch where the lead is on the bench ready to take the dog for a walk and the geraniums and bulbs are being potted up before the frosts come.

........and if you nip over to Celia's KT Miniature's blog you can see more pictures!

With very best wishes to all standholders and visitors - Enjoy Miniatura!

Thank you for looking
 Robin

This and That...and a Bit in Miniature

Sometimes the summer weeks just seem to run away so fast! One of my own very special 'little people' has been with us for a lovely week or so -  consequently our miniatures have been rather geared in that direction as you'll see.

It's such a pleasure to be able to enjoy some creative 'work' with a youngster and I know many of you in our super miniature world encourage the next generation to enjoy exploring their own imagination and creativity.

So...we made a miniature village - cheapo 'kit' from Tesco and lots of mini cereal boxes, once the contents had been eaten.  We painted a couple of dinosaurs....they go so well with the village don't you think?

And we made a 'Seaside Scene' - with (no) apologies to my chum Celia Thomas who created a rather larger and grander version with me for Dolls House and Miniature Scene magazine last year!!

Meanwhile back in the 'proper' miniature scene.... Dolls House and Miniature Scene have published the third and final part of the WW1 scene created for them by Celia and me in the October issue.

 We are also delighted that the scene itself will be on display on the magazine's stand at Miniatura later in the month.  I hope some of you will get to see it for 'real'.  We've been very touched by the many kind comments we've received and the scene is now for sale with  a proportion of the proceeds going to support the important work of the Royal British Legion.  If any individual or organisation is interested in its purchase, offers in the region of £250 are welcomed and full details are on our Nostalgia in Miniature website.

And finally - a little gardening.  Herewith the tomato 'farm'!!

Along this narrow pathway at the side of the house my other half  has (again) grown loads of  (too many) tomatoes! We have red ones (traditional and tasty), black ones (that are taking forever to ripen), striped ones (super) and huge Pink Brandy Wine ones (the taste jury is out on this one)......

The weather being 'variable' has meant 'variable' success....... still...what fun!

Thank you for looking
Robin