Coombe Crafts Miniature Blog

Spring ..... Furniture Sale

2012-02-23T21:41:00.004Z

Let's start with Spring - anything to banish the gloom of the recent soggy days - and then move on to a HALF PRICE Sale of 1/12th furniture!

Here's the Spring bit...... today was sunny and the Hellebores are coming out in my garden - I have loads - I love them. They're really not happy indoors in water, but I always pick one or two and pop them up to their necks in a little pot. This one is photographed in front of an old and much loved oil painting of indeterminent age that sits frameless on a shelf.

Now to the furniture. I think I've said before that as we concentrate more these days on smaller scales, we could do with freeing up some space. We shall always be happy to make both dolls and furniture in 1/12th scale if you let us know what you're looking for, and enjoy working to specific commissions, but we shall carry less in stock.
So...bargain time. All the pieces are individually and beautifully hand crafted - many in an Arts and Crafts or Mackintosh style.

Here are a couple of really arty-crafty chairs - although barrel chairs have been around much longer. The square Mackintosh style 'throne' chair is only £5 now and the barrel £7.50.

Two lovely tables - the bigger one, 'Mackintosh Altar Table' has a tiny drawer that runs all the way through and opens on both sides. This piece is now £14.
The side table is a an original design and would look at home in both a modern and period setting. This one is now only £10.

The Tudor style chest - a timeless chest with simple decoration on the panels - just £12.50.

The Mackintosh 'Argyle' chair is a familiar and well loved piece of furniture. This pair are now reduced to £10 each.
The pretty long-case clock is a 'Grandmother Clock' - it too is £10. Nope - it doesn't work!

If you you'd like more details or are interested in purchasing any of the above pieces please email me. I will put up a few more next week, but in the meantime if you email, I'm happy to let you know what else will be going in the sale.

Thanks for looking.
Robin

Coombe Crafts - Estate Agent!!

2012-02-20T23:47:00.004Z

Alright - that is a bit of a joke.....each Thame Fair we try to showcase some new items, apart from the ever-changing character dolls who are never, ever the same. This time it was mostly 1/48th scale and I previewed some in the last week or so on the Blog.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if everything sold?? It can't of course, although we had a very successful and lovely day.Over the next Blog or two I'll feature items now on sale.

Two tiny 1/48th cottages are now available - Talskiddy and Harlyn.
Both are on an MDF base measuring 6" wide and 5 1/4" deep. Each cottage is just under 4" diameter and is approximately 5 1/2" high (including the base) without the roof. The little thatched roof pops on like a lid giving easy access to the upper floor, and brings the total height (to the top of the peak) to approximately 8".
Inspired by the 19th century thatched round houses in the village of Veryan in Cornwall, each is hand-built and unique.

The interior design is the same in each: a tiny curved staircase, flagstone ground floor and floorboarded upper floor. Each cottage is surrounded by a narrow garden and has a cat that lives in!

Harlyn - the exterior is a natural stone effect and clinging to the front wall is a beautiful yellow Laburnum (Golden Chain) climbing shrub. Harlyn is priced at £80

Talskiddy - the outside of this little cottage features the traditional 'whitewash' finish and has 5 traditional curved topped windows. Purple Wisteria is the climbing shrub that clads the front wall. Talskiddy is priced at £85

If you'd like more details or are considering purchase please email me.
By the way - legend has it that the houses were round so the Devil had no corners to hide in!!

Thank you for looking.
Robin

Super Day - Thank You!!

2012-02-20T22:16:00.002Z

AS we live in Thame itself we're remarkable lucky that our travel to the venue for the Thame Dolls House and Miniatures Fair on Saturday takes around 5 minutes - so no crack of sparrow start for us unlike many traders and visitors who came from all over and miles away!!
It was SUCH a lovely and successful day - many thanks to Felicity and Ron for carrying on the tradition of a superlative artisan fair that attracts us all, as much for the happy friendly atmosphere, as for the acknowledged level of high quality miniatures of such wide variety.

It was a wonderful opportunity to grab a few minutes with old friends, both side of the trade stands and make new ones - lovely!! I just wish there had been proper time to have a really good browse around the fair myself.
We all look forward to the final tally of fundraising for Breast Cancer Campaign but to judge by the fact that the raffle was superb and the ladies manning the Sales Table and Tombola etc.were inundated with even more donations on the day, and rushed off their feet - it should be good!!
The Market Town Miniatures ( the Thame Club) put on a wonderful display, celebrating 10 years and demonstrating what a talented group they are. They're also a friendly and informal bunch happy to welcome new members.

It can't have escaped your notice, if you've been reading my Blog - or Celia's -
(KT Miniatures) that our 1/12th vignette 'On a Cold and Frosty Morning.....' was being auctioned in aid of the charity. The Sealed Bids were opened and an amazing bid of £300 won the project. ' Thank you' doesn't seem adequate, but we all know that this generous amount will be put to good use.

And finally....thank you to everyone who came along to say 'hello' - it all makes for a very special day.
Robin

New for THAME in 1/48th Scale

2012-02-15T21:26:00.004Z

Thame Fair is a great place for 'new' launches and I know a number of colleagues have some exciting new items to unveil, which I'm looking forward to seeing in the pre-opening whizz-round (any later and they'll probably be sold) with the bacon butty and vital caffeine we grab if we can before the doors open!!

So amongst our 'new launches' are......

Little 1/48th ladies in long frocks - granted that doesn't sound very radical or exciting - but long frocks, bodices and sleeves are even MORE fiddly and take more time!
We'll still have a selection of little ladies and gents in rather more up-to-date costumes - a witch and little girl have slipped in there along with Gran going shopping. Any not sold at the fair will be on general sale afterwards, as we don't work to commission for dolls in this scale.
Please do get in touch if you'd like to be advised when we do have them available.

To add to our 'furniture and accessories' we have a breakfast tray with tea pot, cup and saucer and plate and a REALLY teeny-weeny tiny set of shelves with a selection of ornaments, designed to hang on a wall.

A couple of the 'long frocks' amongst other new characters appearing at this fair!!

Apologies - I find 1/48th scale difficult to photgraph successfully! Please bear in mind as you enhance the size, that the dolls are hardly 1 1/2" high and the little shelves and trays just over 1/2" wide.

You will have noticed (because we both continue to bang on about it) that Celia Thomas (KT Miniatures) and I, wearing our Nostalgia in Miniatures Workshops hats have donated our 1/12th scale project called 'A Frosty Morning...after the night before' for a Sealed Bid Auction to raise funds for Breast Cancer Campaign, a charity close to our hearts - and of course, many others too.
If you are coming to the fair and have seen the project in Dolls House and Miniature Scene Magazine, who originally commissioned it as a 'How To' project this year, do take a look. If you're inspired to own it, you can bid on the day at the fair. If you're not in our area but are still interested or are considering making a bid take a look at all the details on Nostalgia in Miniatures under our Charity slot, or on the official Thame Dolls House and Miniatures Fair website.

Coombe Crafts (that's us) is Stand Number 36 and KT Miniatures (Celia) Stand 29 - in the same group of stands - and we'll both be happy to tell you more about our Workshops.

Finally Market Town Miniatures (MTM), the local Thame Dolls House and Miniature Club is TEN YEARS old!!!!
Congratulations to those who have kept an enthusiastic and inspiring club going. New members are WELCOME and there are ladies wearing MTM badges and/or pink T-shirts, running the (now famous) Tombola, Sales Table, Artisan Raffle - ALL in Aid of Breast Cancer Campaign - at the fair.
If you are interested in joining MTM or just would like to know more...say 'Hello'...... or ask for Jill on the Breast Cancer Campaign Sales Table - she'll be happy to give you all the (very friendly and informal) details. And...before you go...the Club has a stunning display of vignettes and room boxes, including the most recent 'The Attic', completed over the years - worth a visit!!!

FINALLY - if you're coming, do come and say 'hello' to us on Coombe Crafts, it will be lovely to meet you. If you're NOT coming and are fed up with reading about it.......we shall all be back to normal next week...Promise!

Thank you for looking and welcome to the Followers who've joined in the last week or so.
Robin

Talskiddy...Harlyn.....Worlds End

2012-02-10T23:41:00.004Z

A decade or so ago we lived in the beautiful county of Cornwall where the wonderfully quirky old cottages - which seem to grow out of the landscape itself - inspired me to create my own whenever I could spare time from doll making.

The distinctive and unique round houses of Veryan are very special and I've created a number of my own round cottages in 1/24th scale over the years, inspired by them. Last year I finally got around to a 'Veryan cottage' in 1/48th scale - my little people have to have somewhere to live - and was delighted that it actually found a new home back in the South West.

So in between dolls and Workshops and life in general I've built three more little 1/48th cottages in the same style, which will be on sale first at The Thame Dolls House and Miniatures Fair next Saturday - 18th February.

Talskiddy is whitewashed and more traditional, while Harlyn and Worlds End, with a pretty thatched porch, have a natural stone effect finish - all are whitewashed inside and have a curvy set of old stone stairs to the upper floor. I enjoy adding just a little in the way of a garden and of course pretty climbers on the front walls. Naturally they all come with a resident cat!

All my cottages have open backs, and the little thatched roofs lift off. If you'd like to see bigger pictures - just click on the image.
Now all I have to do is finish making some 1/48th people this weekend to live in them. These too will be on sale at the fair along with their bigger cousins in other scales.

Thank you for looking.
Robin

Hapless Harry And The District Nurse

2012-02-06T22:14:00.003Z

I should apologise for the 'exciting' Blog header - but 'More 1/24th characters' sounds a bit boring after a few times!

Creating new characters isn't boring though, and although I like to have old favourites - Fag Ash Lil, the shopkeeper and gentle old ladies and gents - ‌ it's fun to bring a new character forward. Hapless Harry has clearly had some kind of serious tumble to break an arm and a leg so it's as well the District Nurse is on hand.

The characters in these two photographs, together with others, will be on sale first at Thame Dolls House and Miniatures Fair on February 18th. Details of all standholders can be found on the Thame Fair website.
Coming up with a new tiny personality really is part of the enthusiasm for creating characters, so if you have a special character in mind I'm always happy to hear from you - but in any case no two shopkeepers ever look the same!!!

Several new Followers have come along recently - welcome aboard - I hope you'll in enjoy my (mostly miniature) ramblings.
Thank you for looking.
Robin

Panicking Nicely....

2012-01-30T22:01:00.003Z

UNDER three weeks to go to Thame Dolls House & Miniatures Fair....so yes, along with a few other standholders no doubt, I'm panicking....

It's always the same - has been for years....X number of days/weeks to go and not enough hours in the day... the list of stock needed is unrealistically long....real life hiccups happen ....we should set it to music!!
SO a bit of calming down required here!

Another commissioned order managed to make it out before reluctantly I had to say to lovely people 'I need stock for the fair...sorry,can you wait?'...here she is. A 1/24th French Floozy just about to leave my muddley workbench for more salubrious surroundings.

Meanwhile...the bench is full of heads 'n hands and stuffing as this week I work on more 1/24th characters for the fair. These three (and a dog) are finished.....ummmm.... more to do.....

If you click and go to Thame Dolls House & Miniature Fair, not only will you find details of all 45 top flight artisans attending the fair, but details of workshops on the following day (Sunday) in Thame.
Details too of fundraising - a hugely popular Sales Table and (now famous) Tombola run by Market Town Miniaturists ( our local Dolls House Club), - Raffle of Artisan Donations coordinated by Celia Thomas of KT Miniatures (check her website too, for fantastic vintage and handmade items) - a fabulous Chinese Gatehouse to be won and the Sealed Bid Auction for
'A Frosty Morning...after the night before', made and donated by Celia and myself. ALL IN AID of BREAST CANCER CAMPAIGN.
.....not forgetting a terrific exhibition by the Club members which always attracts attention - this year ATTICS!

'Frosty......' which was commissioned by Dolls House and Miniature Scene Magazine as a How-To Project features the third and last part in the March issue out now. Incidentally if any of you make this project, Celia and I, wearing our 'Nostalgia in Miniature' hats would love to see pictures.
I think the word is 'phew'!

Thank you for looking.
Robin

Royal Tudor

2012-01-18T22:50:00.003Z

With the Falconer off flying his falcon somewhere (previous blog), I turned my attention to royalty - and changed scales to 1/24th!

It's always fun to be given the opportunity to indulge in some lavish costuming and a few jewels, and Henry VIII and his second wife Anne Boleyn gave me just that!!
Henry was in his forties when he married Anne - thought to be a lady-in-waiting to his first wife Catherine of Aragon - attracted by her dark hair and striking looks.

A physically big man with a personality to match, I've tried to reflect this in the doll itself and his lavish costume. Poor Anne came to an unhappy end, charged with adultery, incest and the suggestion of witchcraft, she was beheaded as Henry - with only daughters to succeed him - found himself another wife who might give him a son.

Anne is supposed to have started the fashion for ribbon 'choker' necklaces to cover a mole on her neck and extra long flowing sleeves to hide a sixth finger on her hands. Probably one of the most fascinating reigns in English History, the marriage of this King and his Queen completely reshaped religion, politics and the rules of royal succession.
It's been fun to brush up my history and remember the old rhyme from school - 'divorced, beheaded, died - divorced, beheaded, survived'!

To finish, I can't resist sharing this photo of my Bilbergia nutans that has just come out in my conservatory. Its otherworldly flower spikes wouldn't look out of place on a tudor tapestry - and its common name is Queen's Tears!! Seems appropriate!

Incidentally, the background in the photo is very old thin tin plate printed with an exotic picture of parrots, butterflies, bamboo and cherry blossom. It's approx 20" x 24" and is hinged down the centre - the back is really rusty. It cost me next to nothing at a car boot sale a few years ago and reminds me a little of a vintage Sharp's Toffees tin. Maybe it's an advertising display piece. If anyone knows I'd love to hear.

Thank you for looking.
Robin

The Tudor Falconer

2012-01-12T22:23:00.004Z

I've been enjoying the 'building' work but it's lovely to get back to some 1/12th doll sculpting.
While I love 1/24th scale which seems to occupy me the most at the moment, and 1/48th scale is fascinating and challenging, 1/12th does allow the opportunity for more detail on both sculpt and costuming - very satisfying!!

The most recent commission is this Tudor Falconer and I've enjoyed making him so - and getting back to some period costuming. His new owner loves birds so I hope the little 'falcon' comes up to scratch. It's properly hooded and the handler is carrying bait and jesses in the leather pouch slung around his waist. I've more dolls to make, which I'll show you 'anon' and meanwhile of course like the other standholders at The Thame Dolls House and Miniature Fair on 18th February, there's lots of work to be done for that. I know some wonderful Raffle Donations are coming in to raise funds once again for Breast Cancer Campaign, so for all the details do take a look at the website.

I'd like to tell you about another super fair! We're not able to attend this year, but would like to wish the tireless organisers and everyone else involved, great success. All the profits go to The Hostel at Doubletrees Special School.

EAST CORNWALL DOLLS HOUSE and MINIATURE FAIR is on Sunday 22nd January in the lovely and ancient Cornish Town of Lostwithiel.
11.00am - 4.00pm in Lostwithiel Community Centre. Further details from Jenny 01726 - 815626 or Cathy 01726 - 882830

Thank you for looking.
Robin

We're Building Again!

2012-01-07T22:23:00.003Z

Over the Fence, Down the Path, a Christmas Washing Line...now the Shed!!

Celia (KT Miniatures) and I had such an exciting and busy 2011 as we launched our Nostalgia in Miniature Workshops...and the website...and the Blog!! We introduced our imaginary little old cottage garden and met some lovely, enthusiastic and talented ladies along the way at four workshops, as we encouraged and assisted them to create their own unique gardens in 1/12th and 1/24th scales, learning some new skills and techniques along the way.

Now, a little later than promised, we're delighted to be able to give you a peep at 'The Little Old Garden Shed' (in 1/12th scale) which is the last in the series of workshops set in our faded cottage garden somewhere in rural England. This is a full day workshop on March 25th, at the superb venue, Waterperry Gardens in Oxfordshire. We're looking forward to this very much and have enjoyed creating and 'building' another unique project to share with our participants, introducing them to more techniques and new ways to use very ordinary materials to produce realistic effects and accessories.

Celia and I both love vintage and evocative nostalgic miniature scenes, so the old partly brick-built shed has been patched up over the years and has a comfortable patina of age and neglect; it's still very much in use but the wooden panels are a little rotten and moss has grown luxuriantly on the old, rusty tin roof - even the contents are well used and ancient and a number of these are included in the kits accompanied by full instructions.

The Little Old Garden Shed Workshop is fully booked, but on April 29th we shall begin a new and quite different series of workshops which features 'The Little Vintage Hall' sharing some quite different styles and techniques not used in the other workshops. It'll be fun!
We still have places on this workshop so do take a look - all the details for this half-day workshop in Thame, Oxfordshire and a downloadable booking form are on our Nostalgia in Miniature Website.

Meanwhile - wearing my Coombe Crafts hat - back to the day job!!
Thanks for looking!
Robin

Happy New Year...and a Miniature Christmas

2012-01-02T17:11:00.003Z

I had a lovely, lovely Christmas and I hope you all did too. I did take time off for the festivities and family and also spent time relocating all my craft materials to a new shelved, storage area. NO - I don't know where anything is - that's the New Year Resolution - SORT IT OUT!!

I also had a really lovely indulgent time completing a 1/24th attic room box - which is just for me!!!! It'll be the only thing I've made and kept. It's full of bits and pieces that are sentimental for one reason or another and I've so enjoyed doing it. The outside is covered in a copy of 1936 newspaper, and basically it's my Granny's attic!
This and a whole host of other attics in various scales will be on display on the Market Town Miniatures (the local Thame Club) stand at The Thame Dolls House Fair on February 18th. You will of course be hearing more about the fair itself as the weeks tick down.....I hope you'll enjoy looking at the attic and the cats running amok. Without more ado I'd like to wish you all a Happy New Year and hope you'll enjoy reading my (mostly) miniature ramblings for another year.

Thank you for looking - back to work - some nice doll commisions in the pipeline....
Robin

Merry Christmas...something old, something new...

2011-12-19T22:26:00.003Z

Am I ready??? Are you ready????

The tree is up - lovingly decorated by young family members in the 'more is more and then some more' tradition!!!!! I do hanker after silver simplicity ... but would rather have my young helpers.....

There are some bashed and elderly trinkets that make an appearance every year, because Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without them. The star was a gift from a special friend. My warmest Christmas wishes, with affection, to special friends.

I'm sure other doll maker friends are also asked which is their favourite commission - it's difficult to choose, but mine is usually the last one. Another day, another year it may be a different character, but for now this is my favourite! I hope you like him too.

The 1/12th scale REME Major in Regimental Mess uniform was a special commission and both a challenge and joy to make - he's also a timely reminder that many will be a long way from home and those they love this year.

May I wish you all a Very Happy Christmas and a Lovely and Peaceful New Year and thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings in 2011.
Robin

These are a Few of My Favourite Things

2011-12-11T21:43:00.005Z

Finishing last pre-Christmas orders...clearing up after some major redecoration....realising how soon Christmas is....more miniatures can wait until next year and I'll share a few of my favourite things instead....

Lots of pictures - so I've kept them small - click on the image if you'd like the bigger version. I hope you'll enjoy them.

Wonderful miniatures, of course, and too many talented artisans I admire to choose from, so I include this simple, tiny nativity scene, only 1 1/2 "x 1 1/2". I bought it many years ago; it cost very little and don't remember who made it, but it isn't just for Christmas and I see it every day.

....and pieces of glass from tiny sea-washed fragments collected from the beach to old domestic and artisan glass.

Birds and butterflies - I paint both and collect old butterfly brooches.

This beautiful old piece of embroidered silk panel and a doll I've had for years.....the book is Larkrise to Candleford.

Pots - I wish I could throw a pot! As all efforts failed I enjoy the work of skilled potters - both 'ancient' and modern. I love this one although I know nothing about it at all.

I could just list flowers and plants and fill a dozen blogs, but will limit myself to this 'arty' close up of Strelitzia (Bird of Paradise) petals for their form and sheer intensity of colour. The plant's about 25 years old and was grown from a seed.

Beads - I LOVE beads. My Granny was a skilled bead-worker in 1920s and 30s and I've inherited lots of bits and pieces.Her beads were stored in cotton bags. Sadly I haven't inherited her skill.

Stone jars - I have far too many - these old ones are from my home town and a nearby village.

Scavenging interesting plant material from the garden all year long. I also love these glittery feather butterflies - they went up one Christmas and stayed !!

Sky......glorious skies.....even our very ordinary street is touched with magic!

...and this tiny china doll with a wobbly head given to me by my father.

Of course I could go on and on (as you know only too well) so I'll just thank you all for looking again and extend a very warm welcome to recent new Followers.
Robin

Bring a Bird into Your Garden

2011-11-29T10:56:00.003Z

I've really enjoyed making my garden birds and chickens again this year and I know that they've been fun to add to some of your gardens. I love real birds - I can spend far too long watching them in the garden instead of working on them in miniature! In Thame we have Red Kites on their flight paths though the Chilterns - now this is real magic!!

One way or another I've painted birds as long as I can remember so sculpting them in miniature adds a further dimension of movement and fun. Feathering birds is a whole different experience - practice holding your breath and not sneezing - but really brings the bigger birds and poultry to life.

Now we've completed our last Nostalgia in Miniatures Workshops for this year I have a few birds for sale which I'll list here - as there are only a few - and I'm not clever enough to twiddle with my website unsupervised!!
If you'd like to make a purchase please email me first - I'll give you any further information, payment and postage details. Click here for email.

1/12th The tree which is approx. 3" tall is made of natural plant material, and you can just see the Robin perched near the top. £7.95

1/12th Robin on a Watering Can - all the elements on this piece are handmade by me. £12.95

1/12th Blue tit on Flower pots - again I've made the pots too. £7.50
1/12th Robin on Spade - the spade, which is constructed from polymer clay with a wood shaft is leaning drunkenly against an odd pile of bricks. The bricks are terracotta. £8.95

Finally - Just one little 1/24th scale Blue tit feeding on a half coconut - £6
When I've unpacked properly there may be three or four more birds ....in a day or two.

I can't finish this Blog without telling you all what a super Workshop we had this last Sunday. 'The Little Old Washing Line' was really festive, from Santa's longjohns on the line to the mince pies, mulled wine and lovely friendly atmosphere! Everyone got happily covered in paint as the aged coal bunkers were constructed and textured - lovely!!

AS you can see a quirky Santa has crept into this 1/24th scene.....but there will be lots of pictures on Nostalgia In Miniatures Workshops in a day or two - some are on the Blog now - you can also see details of our exciting new themed workshops for next year.....
.....coming up...... The Little Vintage Hall.

Thank you for looking.
Robin

Take a Look in Our Festive Dustbin!!

2011-11-24T16:13:00.003Z

Sometimes the postman brings bills and chuck-away advertising - and sometimes there's a bonus!!

This was the bonus - my copy of Dolls House and Miniature Scene - Issue 211 January - which includes Part 1 of the 'How-To' diorama - On a Cold and Frosty Morning....after the night before - which Celia Thomas and I have created wearing our Nostalgia in Miniature Workshops hats. The dustbin in my title features heavily, full as it is of festive rubbish after a super Christmas!!

The actual 1/12th diorama itself is now available to buy in a Sealed Bid Auction with the proceeds donated to Breast Cancer Campaign and you can find all the details on our website, just click Here. We know that this is a charity supported by many people and are delighted that our smaller efforts at the individual Workshops throughout the year are so kindly and generously supported by those attending.

The magazine itself is also a terrific issue, full as it is of great projects and features!! Enjoy!

It's been a funny week......some work being done on the house has rather interrupted my miniature work and I'm conscious that Christmas is coming far too fast....meanwhile our last Workshop of the year is on Sunday, so I'm back to obsessively counting miniature long-johns, bags of sand and santa hats. Still - I'm promised Mulled wine! Hey ho!

Thanks for Looking.
Robin

Reporting on Lots of Fun!!

2011-11-16T08:31:00.003Z

As everyone who has a stand at a Miniature Fair knows - it's hard work and sometimes stressful but hopefully good too!

So....the very best news is that it was a successful day, a happy atmosphere and SUCH FUN at Haddenham Dolls House Exhibition and Fair last Saturday!!

Even better - £670 was raised for the two charities - a great sum from a small event. Huge thanks to Freda and George Dorrell who make it all possible.

I'm sorry these aren't the best pictures in the world - but I hope it'll convey some of the day. I do wish I'd been able to take more as there were some really super exhibits in the Club Exhibitions by very talented members - we spotted some 'Little Old Gardens...' from our Nostalgia in Miniature Workshops too - which was LOVELY - thank you ladies!

Celia and I had a 'Nostalgia in Miniatures Workshop' table as well as our individual stands and it was an opportunity to chat to some of the participants who'd come along - we should have a badge....it like a mini club meeting - and tell others about the workshops and plans for next year. We also had 'A Frosty Morning.....After the Night Before' on display, along with the Sealed Bid Auction box! Lots of details on our website - please take a look.

I did manage to finish some 1/48th characters and I will get in touch with you if you're on my little list as there are now some for sale. I can only make these a few at a time so if anyone else would like to be contacted please email me.

Thank you for looking.
Robin

1/48th characters ...and Remembering....

2011-11-09T17:59:00.003Z

This is really a quick reminder - it's that sort of weekend!

I hope you can see from this really quick reminder that if you're in the area, Haddenham Dolls House Exhibition and Fair on Saturday will be a lovely day!! I'm still wigging 1/48th characters, but there'll be some on my stand. Click on the picture of the flyer - you'll be able to read it then!!
As we are now focussing more on the smaller scales we are reducing prices on 1/12th character dolls and furniture at this fair only. We shall always be happy to take commissions in this scale for both dolls and furniture - but will carry less stock at future fairs.

The Poppy Field

I thought I'd share with you this old photograph, which I love. It was taken in the summer of 1942 in an ordinary poppy field outside a small English town. Developed and printed in a makeshift home dark-room, it was coloured by hand later.
Two young women take their little nephew to pick poppies. By the middle of WW2 the little boy's father had already died; the young woman with him knew her husband was missing - in fact he was a Prisoner of War.
It is a good time to remember the great personal loss of so many people through war and conflict, and those that suffered and continue to suffer.

Robin

Take a Seat.....watch the birds!

2011-11-04T23:19:00.003Z

My 1/48th carpenter has been busy again - clearly influenced by my miniature gardening, he's made a little old garden seat!

In all my gardens - real, imagined or miniature - I need a seat to sit on to watch the flowers grow and the birds performing their aerobatics. I really didn't believe a 1/48th scale replica of my old, weathered wooden garden seat was possible so I was so thrilled to see this delighful little folding chair when appeared.

It's old, and bashed and weathered so I've had fun with my paints and sandpaper - the only difficulty was deciding if it had once been white, or green or both......

Our garden is home to a couple of pairs of beautiful blackbirds, who seem to get on with each other and join forces to screetch at my cat if it oversteps the mark and comes too close. I thought I'd create a little scruffy corner of the garden in 1/12th scale where we stack old bricks and pots, weeds go unnoticed and the blackbirds reign supreme.

The blackbird along with robins and blue tits perching on ancient garden bits and pieces will be on sale, as will new 1/48th items, at Haddenham Dolls House Exhibition and Fair next Saturday, November 12th. Hopefully by then there will be new character dolls too.

This popular event is held every two years at Haddenham Village Hall, Bucks. HP17 8EE to raise funds for Hearing dogs for Deaf People & Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, from 10.00am - 4.00pm. The exhibitions by local clubs are always impressive and I'm told the model lego railway on display is splendid!! Apart from us (Coombe Crafts) other artisans attending are Tony Knott, KT Miniatures, Sally's Little People and Ronfel Miniatures and there will be sales stands of private collections too.

If you're coming along - do come and say 'hello'.
Thanks for looking.
Robin

Scruffy Feathers...Lovely Ladies....

2011-10-27T22:19:00.004+01:00

If you've see the feathered birds I make from time to time - you'll know I do scruffy feathered friends...not preened and posh.

As a change from parrots and seagulls I've been making a few domestic birds again in both scales. So - herewith - a 1/12th rooster and his wife and chick, and a 1/24th rooster and his duck chum....I love doing these, even though they take a time.

I'm delighted to say that most of the robins and blue tits pictured earlier and on sale at our workshop last Sunday have flown off to new gardens - so I must make some more.

The Workshop was a super, hardworking, friendly afternoon and some lovely gardens emerged from the pieces of wood and packets of 'bits' in the kits. It was especially nice that several participants brought along their personalised gardens from the previous workshop so that they could tie them in with the new one. The comments afterwards have all been enthusiatic and generous. I'd also like to say a big 'thank you' to the lovely ladies for the generous contributions to our Breast Cancer Campaign fundraising on the day.

We have some pictures on our Nostalgia in Miniature Workshops blog if you'd like to see more, or check the workshop places still available - but I can't resist this one!
Janine brought her previous project along - lovely - and Celia is away in the background wearing her workshop 'halo'!!

I have some lovely commissions and some dolls to stock up on - so it's a couple of weeks of sculpting before the Haddenham Exhibition and Fair on November 12th - I do love scupting new characters!!

Thanks for looking
Robin

A Little Gardening...A Little Washing....

2011-10-21T17:08:00.004+01:00

This Sunday we are back in the Workshop in Thame for a last reprise of earlier workshops for those who missed them first time around - I'm sure the Girl Guide H.Q. here in Thame, which is our venue, will again be full of enthusiasm and fun!

So I've been back making a few more items for miniature gardens, which will go on sale first this weekend. Just for a change I've been making a few more little birds - blue tits and robins in both 1/12th and 1/24th scales - to perch on the dilapidated watering cans and old plant pots I've made.

These are in 1/12th scale

I couldn't resist potting up a few 1/24th pansies made from Georgina Steeds' amazing kits - we use them in our workshop projects and they always look beautiful. Apologies for the less than perfect pictures

1/24th scale

This week Celia and I have put the finishing touches to the 1/12th 'Little Old Washing Line' project - our Christmas Special Workshop - this has been such fun! I'm in charge of Santa's washing (he wears red longjohns you know), and Celia the old pebbled-dashed coal bunker and concrete posts for the old clothes line itself. These give the whole scene a nostalgic pre-war look I think! We shall have some snow too, so if someone would like a really Christmassy scene that will be even more fun!

You can see more pictures on our blog and website - which is where you'll find details if you'd like to take up a place - but it's almost full so you need to be quick.

First frost of the season this week - I might have to dig out some real size longjohns!!

Thanks for Looking.
Robin

Soldiers, Sailor...and Seedheads......

2011-10-08T22:38:00.005+01:00

I was going to add.....and wheelbarrow....to the title, but it doesn't quite have that poetic ring does it???

So - it seems only fair to start with the wheelbarrow and I'm delighted to be able to show you the latest 1/48th piece to emerge from the workshop. We have just a few completed for sale so if you would like more details just email me....... and the wheel goes round!!

It was a week of 1/12th chaps in uniform for a change. The retired seaman was a very special commission - always something of a challenge when the character is a representation of a much loved person. Peeping over his shoulder on my muddley workbench is one of the soldiers.

The two soldiers in 1940s uniform are for sale, so again, if you'd like details get in touch. I've created quite young men, as so many were in those perilous wartime years.

I can't resist putting up a photo taken just a day or two ago at Waterperry Gardens - the venue for our workshop in March 2012 - what fantastic seedheads!!! Autumn is here!

Last, but not least, welcome to new Followers - thank you for looking.
Robin

On a Cold and Frosty Morning.....

2011-10-01T21:02:00.006+01:00

For the last few weeks Celia ( KT Miniatures), and my partner in our Nostalgia in Miniatures Workshops) and I have been working on a very special 'How To' project for Dolls House and Miniature Scene Magazine. Now it's been 'delivered' and will be in the January and February 2012 issues.

Please do take a look at our little video - which we hope you'll enjoy - and share our picture of this little scene, Sometime in the 1950s after the festive season, with frost on the ground, the last vestiges of the festive season were crammed into the dustbin and spilled out of the old boxes. The tree has almost no leaves left hanging, and the puddles in the old crazy paving are frozen - the New Year is about to begin.....at least someone remembered to feed the birds...

A unique creation of a little old back-garden - this scene is an extension of our workshops being held in Thame, Oxfordshire, this year. What is very special for us, is deciding to donate the 1/12th scale completed scene to raise funds for Breast Cancer Campaign by means of a sealed bid auction.
It's a charity important to us both, and many others, of course.
If you would like to own the original, you can bid online now by going to our website, or in person at Haddenham Dolls House Exhibition and Fair on November 12th - (details in my previous blog) or at the prestigious Thame Dolls House and Miniature Fair on February 19th 2012 - the bids will be opened there, and the successful bid announced at the end of the fair by the Thame Town Crier.

We've had enormous pleasure in the creation of this little scene - and I hope it shows - and are delighted that it will be featured in the magazine so that other enthusiasts can make it their own, and that hopefully it will also raise much needed funds for this important charity.

Thank you for looking
Robin

Of Poppies and Special People.....

2011-09-29T15:04:00.003+01:00

My garden is full of autumn lovliness and of course I've been taking photos - some plants seem unsure what month it is! Miniatura, for me as a visitor was another autumnal treat - catching up with friends and seeing excellent miniatures - but it's time to look ahead......

I took this photograph of a late and lovely poppy, just as the purple pollen was dropping and a hover-fly was hovering, so I thought I'd share it with other flower-lovers in the blogosphere.

It also reminded me that this time of year is often poignant for many people...so with that also in mind, can I make a plea that even though there are super, large Dolls House Fairs around before Christmas, there are little ones....ones run by volunteers raising much needed funds up and down the country, for important and sometimes small or local charities...please support these too if you can.
If you haven't been to one you may be surprised to see that they are attended by top quality artisans who support year after year, and often have wonderful displays put on by local clubs - it's a real chance to 'meet the makers' and the friendly members of clubs.....the coffee cake too is always amazing!!

One such fair that we (Coombe Crafts) always support and will be attending, is the Haddenham Dolls House Exhibition and Fair, near Thame in Oxfordshire, and I'll give full details below. It's a LOVELY, Lovely fair!! If you can, do come - if you don't drive but live in the Oxon/Bucks area, the 280 bus between Oxford and Aylesbury will even drop you outside the Hall door!!

HADDENHAM DOLLS HOUSE EXHIBITION AND FAIR
12th NOVEMBER 2011

To be held in HADDENHAM VILLAGE HALL, HADDENHAM, BUCKS. HP17 8EE

In Aid of HEARING DOGS FOR DEAF PEOPLE and LEUKAEMIA AND LYMPHOMA RESEARCH

Nearer the time I promise to give you even more details - and if you come, do come and say 'hello'.

We shall have our usual complement of 1/24th characters, 1/12th and (hopefully) a new selection of characters in 1/48th scale and brand new furniture items in that scale too.
The following pictures illustrate some of the 1/24th characters bound for Haddenham....

A warm welcome to new Followers....thanks to you all for looking....I promise to catch up properly with other blogs soon.....
Robin

Catch up with ...Workshop....Miniatura...Brian!!

2011-09-20T20:03:00.003+01:00

After a really busy week...this week is time off for good behaviour...sort of!

Last Sunday Celia, my Nostalgia in Miniature Workshops partner, and I spent a really super afternoon with a great group of ladies at our 'Down the Little Garden Path Workshop' here in Thame. It's so rewarding to see such friendly, enthusiasts enjoying themselves, happily covered in glue, paint and bits of plants, creating truly special projects of their own that they can embellish to their hearts content.

As often as possible we try and combine a little fundraising for Breast Cancer Campaign into our various mini-enterprises. On Sunday it was a mini-raffle. Thank you ladies!!! To see pictures of the day and workshop news - click here.

...which brings me on to Brian! We are 'presently engaged on another joint project', as they say in all the best miniature publications...... For no good reason really, we thought it would be nice to give the blue tit I'd made a name. So meet Brian, perching for a good feed of mashed up pickling spice (yes really) on a beautifully aged 'home-made' feeder.

Actually I think it's an antique saucer kindly donated from Celia's stock and rusted up in her inimitable fashion. You'll see more of him later in the year.

......which brings me on to Miniatura this coming weekend and a bit of time off for good behaviour, to visit on Sunday. Once again Model Village Miniatures have chosen some of my little 1/24th people to accompany their wonderful furniture kits. The range in both 1/12th and 1/24th made by Louise grows and grows and remains very affordable, and the exquisite tiny toys created by Marlene are favourites of mine. So I thought I'd illustrate both with this photo - in 1/24th scale - one of the tables, made up, painted and aged by me for a club project and my sweet little rabbit.

Miniatura is a high spot of the miniature year so I'd like to wish everyone attending a great success, and look forward to catching up with many friends.
Thank you for looking.
Robin

The Giveaway Winner...........and other news!

2011-09-11T17:30:00.003+01:00

And the winner of my Giveaway...is....Jean Tuthill!!!

If you'd like to email me with your address Jean, I'll pop the little lad and the chair in the post to you. I know he'll be going to a good home!!
Jean has a lovely blog......A Romantic Country Home.....and clearly loves gardening as well as miniatures as much as me - do visit!

It's been a busy week (when isn't it??) - having promised to let you know if I still had any 1/48th characters still for sale, I'm personally pleased of course to report that they've all been sold. I'm more than happy to hear from anyone who would like me to contact them when I have another group made. Just email me. Meanwile a 1/48th witch is on her broom stick heading across the Atlantic to her new home!

Next Sunday (18th September) is the second Nostalgia in Miniature Workshop which Celia and I are running, so we've both been busy on last minute jobs - in my case making miniature compost...it has lavender in it so smells nice for a change - and checking that everything is REALLY ready!!

One of the nicest things said to me recently, was by a participant in the previous workshop who had made her very first 1/24th scene of any sort, and was thrilled with it. She brought along her little 'Over the Little Garden Fence' to show me with the finishing touches all done, at a recent fair and it was super! Our workshops are for all abilities, very friendly and lots of fun.
We have a couple of places left for 'Down the Little Garden Path' next Sunday, so if you're tempted, whizz over to our website and see more, or catch up with the latest news on our blog.

Down the Little Garden Path

In non-miniature news - a visit to a Car Boot sale this morning saw me buy a bargain box of wonderful old Queen's Green china - cups and LOTS of saucers! Love it!!! I even love the ancient wooden Canary Island Tomato box they were packed in!
I have plans for this........

Thank you for reading the blog - joining in the Giveaway - and deciding to be a new Follower!

Robin

A Giveaway.....100 Followers....Wow!!

2011-09-03T23:24:00.003+01:00

As promised, it's time for a Giveaway...and I hope you'll like what I've chosen...

I really didn't think just over a year ago when I started this blog that one day 100 people would read it!! Amazing!!

So thank you to all my friendly, and encouraging Followers - it's been just brilliant to have you along regularly while I struggled with the finer points of this blogging lark!

I wanted to choose a Giveaway gift that represented both sides of Coombe Crafts ..... it takes two to keep this boat afloat after all .... so a cheeky young boy and a hand-crafted barrel chair - both in 1/24th scale seems to do it. I hope you'll like them.

To participate you must be a Follower, and leave a Comment please to let me know you'd like to be entered in the madly random and hugely unscientific but scrupulously fair draw which will take place in about a week's time.

As always ...Thank you SO much for looking.
Robin

In Praise of the Ironing Board.......

2011-08-25T18:37:00.003+01:00

It's not often you'll find a blog just about an ironing board.........

If you read regularly you'll know I ramble on and fit in as much as possible, so this is a bit of a first!!

My other half emerged from the shed (sorry, workshop) where he was supposed to be making 1/24th wheelbarrows, with an ironing board in his hand. I already think his 1/24th ironing boards are great and to judge by the number we sell, so do other people - so when he opened his hand and showed me the 1/48th version I was speechless!

Here it is - I think it's lovely - it even folds down. At present we just have three...I shall be very nice and we may have more....

A warm welcome to my most recent Followers - I see I've just passed the magic number so I'll have a think about a Giveaway in a few days, when I've recovered and cleared up after the fair on Bank Holiday Monday, and can put thoughts together in coherent order!!

Thank you for looking
Robin

The Little People.......at last

2011-08-19T23:03:00.003+01:00

It's been a while, but at last I've another group of 1/48th characters finished - not a moment too soon as I've been promising to have them on the stand at the Dollys Daydreams Fair in Thame on Bank Holiday Monday - 29th August! Phew!

These are always something of a challenge - the size being the obvious one. I also want them to be fully poseable and have characterful faces ....so by the time 20 odd dolls are done, boy are my eyes are tired! Anyway here are a few for you to see.

After the fair any remaining will go on general sale and as usual I'll first email those who have been waiting. If anyone else would like to be contacted, please email to let me know. I'm sorry but I still don't feel that I can commit to making characters in this tiny scale to commission, so for now at least it is a case of choosing from the ones available. At the moment we are managing to keep the other 1/48th items in stock and we again have sets of sofas and easy chairs!

And now for something a little bigger. My very tiny tea pots pop up on many of our items, and here they are on some 1/24th scale breakfast trays.....still working in a muddle I'm afraid!

.........and some Teeny Tiny shelves in the same scale. These are designed to be 'hung' on a wall and only measure approx. 3/4ins high and 1in. wide.

Today's challenge has been photographing these really tiny items - I wish they were better.

Welcome to new Followers, it's lovely to have you along and I'll enjoy catching up with your blogs soon.

Thank you for looking
Robin

......When a Plan comes Together.....

2011-08-10T21:53:00.005+01:00

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together............

Back in May I was lucky enough to win a super Flower Kit by Georgina Steeds (The Miniature Garden Centre), from the raffle at our local Dolls House Club here in Thame. I've used lots of her kits in the past for myself and I love them...but this was a 1/12th Marrow kit...mmm...daunting! It meant making marrows and I haven't made those for years!!!! I kept thinking about combining it with one of my old gardeners in a vignette of some sort.....I kept thinking......

Come early July and Celia (KT Miniatures) my friend and partner in our Nostalgia in Miniature Workshops, had made a wonderfully aged 1930s cold frame with sliding lid, as a prototype for our 'Down the Little Garden Path Workshop'. I ordered one immediately and a plan was beginning to form.....
Then my lovely Savoy cabbages arrived from Mouse House Miniatures and my flower-pot making efforts proved 'passable'....the plan was nearly possible....

I spent a long time looking at the marrow plants (well courgettes actually, but it's close) in my own garden and took photos - how sad it that - before actually digging out the polymer clay to attempt the all-important marrows!!

Marrows and dolls heads are very different.....

Anyway - it's been fun - I've enjoyed putting it all together and I do hope the other artisans feel I've done justice to their talents and expertise. Of course my old gardener should have planted his marrow out from the cold frame onto a nice big composty heap when it was young......but he was busy and forgot.... so it remained in the frame and in its lush exuberance, grew and grew and pushed and tumbled out of the frame!! It looks as if he should start picking!!
I popped the lovely Savoy in an old garden seive, along with a few basic carrots and onions as the final touch.

The Marrow that started it all........

The Marrow in the Cold Frame piece is for sale, definitely one only - email me if you'd like details - or it will be on our stand at the Dollys Daydreams Dolls House and Miniatures Fair at Thame Leisure Centre, Thame, Oxon. on Bank Holiday Monday 29th August. If you're attending this busy fair, do come and say 'hello'.

Thank you for looking.
Robin

The Royal Navy and Wild Carrots.......

2011-08-08T10:23:00.009+01:00

A lot of my dolls find their way over the Atlantic to U.S.A. and these are the latest to go over....by airmail not ship!

As a rule my little old sailors - you've probably guessed these are 1/24th scale again - are pretty ancient, bearded, scruffy and definitely retired. However the call went out for two smart, distinguished R.N.Captains and here they are....you may even see them at a fair near you!

In other news, Celia and I have just put up pictures of our latest old cottage garden in 1/24th scale, prepared for the next workshop on September 18th. 'Down the Little Garden Path' features a super 1930s-style aged cold frame, compost heap and hostas....with slugs. The slugs were a bit of a challenge is this scale!! If you'd like to see more pictures and up-to-date news just go to our workshops blog.

In garden news...because I KNOW I'm not the only blogger who loves flowers and gardening.....

Our Magnolia Grandiflora Exmouth is flowering as magnificently as its grand name and wafting a delicious lemony scent across the garden - and the bees love it!

A couple of years ago I bought some Giant Lily bulbs...and wondered if they would survive year on year and grow taller and taller until an eventual height of around 8-9ft as promised in the glossy catalogue. But WoW! This year they are fabulous again and have now reached around 6ft. Exciting!!

And finally a rather beautiful mistake - or at least I think so. I couldn't quite remember which plant I'd put in at the back of the border, but its ferny foliage got taller and taller so I decided to wait. That plant IS showing every sign of being 8ft tall.... And turns out to be a Wild Carrot! Whoops!
But the flowers are fantastic and curl inwards as they begin to set seed in an amazing and intricate arrangement. So although it's a bit of a gardening bloomer it's also a very happy accident......

Thank you all for looking
Robin

A Blogging Year!!!

2011-07-26T08:58:00.003+01:00

A year ago I tip-toed hesitantly into Blogland....with much encouragement from friends who assured me that I could do it!!

Twelve months on and I'm no longer hesitant about filling my blog with ramblings about our miniatures - and the garden when I can find an excuse - although the exciting technological add-odds, side bars and other twiddly bits do still faze me.
SO - thank you ALL!!!!!

I'm bemused that 95 friendly folk have chosen to Follow, reading on a regular basis and leaving such lovely comments too!
It's been such a great learning curve - and the enjoyment and inspiration from reading and following other blogs has been enormous. To be able to enjoy the creative talents of others who are so ready to share - and encourage - is a terrific privilege I think.

One of my favourite roses - Striped Tiger - fabulous heavily scented flowers, much deeper in colour than the photograph shows.....to say.... 'Thank You'.

Berkaya - a mad , fun, bright spikey plant in my gravel garden .... for like-minded bloggers.

Thank you for the fun and the humour - from daft small dogs (and cats) to mini-disasters recounted with a chuckle - from around the world.

Coombe Crafts (me and 'im in the shed...sorry...workshop) endeavour to create original handcrafted work to a high standard and it has also been such a bonus to take these to a wider audience, acquiring new friends and customers along the way and meeting some new creative challenges. It's a fact that the 'customer' often has the best idea and translating that is such fun!!! I'm also grateful to those who've been kind enough to allow me to share their photographs on my blog.

Finally - it's a miniature blog - so here comes the promised early 1900s 1/24th scale racing driver all kitted out with his leather helmet, boots and goggles to take a turn round Brands Hatch with his lady watching from the stands.

See...I said I've learned a lot....the scarf or covering, right up over his face is to prevent injuries from flying stones and gravel as he hurtles around. Truly, there is a proper sculpted face under there!!

Thank you for looking!!!!!
Robin

Posh Hats and Cabbages.....

2011-07-19T13:38:00.004+01:00

It's a given that I like gardening.....and gardeners....so you won't be surprised to see another little gardener on this blog.

I do enjoy adding the little details that I hope bring my characters to life so the gardeners, whichever scale, usually wear a warm scarf, scruffy trousers and generally have some raffia tucked under a belt, ready for tieing up the tomatoes.
As a rule they are proudly showing off some produce from the garden......as a rule its a cauliflower or carrots that I've made. Now - a top quality food maker I ain't.......'adequate' about covers it....and I greatly admire those that make wonderful fruit and veg.

I thought my little gent deserved a fabulous cabbage and I've been looking for a good excuse to buy some of the amazing Savoy Cabbages made by Mouse House Miniatures who make some of the very best food I've seen. Although they don't have a website, you can contact them by email or see their wonderful work at one of the major fairs.

And now for someone completely different - wind back to the early 1900s and the first cars. As a lady passenger a new outfit was clearly required - and a rather important part would have been the hat. The car not being quite as sedate as a pony and trap, the huge and elegant hat needed to be secured very firmly with a enveloping and beautiful scarf!
A pair of new-fangled driving goggles would have completed the outfit and as racing cars became a new and fashionable sport Brooklands racing car circuit and aerodrome was certainly the place to be seen.

She's really waiting for someone to drive her....he's waiting for a helmet..... but when that's done I'll bring him to the blog.

Thanks for looking.
Robin

......on Peeling Paint, Pansies and Slugs......

2011-07-14T15:38:00.005+01:00

If you've been following the exploits of Celia and I as we've embarked on our Nostalgia in Miniature Workshops.....the 'individual' details may appeal to you.....

I wonder ..... should I worry about her?? How does she sleep with those great big 1930s 'Woodworking Handyman" books, under her pillow??
For our new workshop on September 18th - "Down the Little Garden Path" - we decided upon an authentic cold frame - every garden had one! This meant much research - Celia loves that - she's besotted with the period.

After producing a beautiful cold frame with sliding glass cover, authentic rusty handle and peeling white paint...I think I disappointed her when I remarked airily "Oh yes - Uncle Norman had one like that." Well...I knew she'd produce something fabulous!

She got her own back and demanded Hostas! Not any old hostas, but authentic hostas....hostas with nibbles and holes......and slugs! And weeds. That, I was informed, was my department!!
To be fair the research for this was terribly easy!!

So...we've got peeling paint, slug-eaten hostas, weeds and a crazy-paved path....we need a bit of beauty in here.
In need of beautiful flowers we headed for Georgina Steeds at The Miniature Garden Centre and ordered purple pansies. Lovely!!!! I just hope I did her justice in making them up.

If you want pansies and other wonderful flower kits, just take a look at Georgina's blog for contact details as well. If you'd like see see pictures of the whole of the new garden in "Down the Little Garden Path Workshop" click here and go to the 2nd Garden Project. Booking details are all on the website as well.

Thank you for looking.
Robin

Let's Look at Some Furniture for a Change!!

2011-07-08T22:57:00.004+01:00

Pretty obviously anyone reading my blog regularly can see I'm hooked on character dolls and anything to do with a garden...my real one or the miniature version......

You're probably bored rigid reading that Coombe Crafts has been around for decades...sadly I'm grey haired so it's true. However it's never quite been just about just the characters, although they are top of my personal list and I never get tired of creating new characters whether they be 1/12th, 1/24th or the ultimate challenge 1/48th - we also make the 'interesting things to go with them'. (That's the phrase in the advertising folks!!)

I'm fortunate in having an 'other half' who can translate my seemingly random ideas involving 'wood' into something really super and who creates amazingly detailed small things without any help from me whatsoever!!! Sometimes I get to titivate a few of them.....

So in the interests of fairness and equality and all that jazz - this week it's about the furniture - 1/24th this time. Most of it is featured on the website and if you email me I can give additional details or prices as required.

Here goes.....oh...yes I've sneaked in a little maid to dust the Edwardian-deco-Macintosh inspired furniture and 'interesting things'.....and a couple of plants......

And finally - as they say in the build up to important announcements - I'm thrilled to be able to announce that Celia Thomas and I, who in collaboration make up Nostalgia in Miniature Workshops, are to hold our first Full-day workshop next March at the truly inspirational venue of Waterperry Gardens in Oxfordshire. This is one of my dream world-famous gardens and wonderful places, so you can imagine how excited we are - for full details and also for those of the half-day workshops this year click HERE!
Our next one is "Down the Little Garden Path" - it'll be different - and a fun day if the last one is anything to go by.

Can't resist it......picture of one of Waterperry's glorious, seemingly endless perennial flower borders coming up......

Thank you for looking.
Robin

Three Real Little Characters......

2011-07-04T19:53:00.003+01:00

I can just imagine these three ladies holding their own in any situation - and it's been such fun bringing their individual characters to life and sending them off to their new homes.....

In the 1950s this lady ran a pub - and while she looks a friendly soul - I think 'last order please' probably meant just that!!

The gossips, Nora and Pearl were commissioned by Jennie to have a natter over the garden fence in the little old garden she was making - they're clearly putting the world to rights in a break from the housework. If you'd like to see where they're having their gossip just click here and go to Gallery 2.

Meanwhile my own garden is bursting with colour...and weeds...although it's great that at this time of year the weeds are mostly hidden by the flowers!!

I did intend to put up a sales page of my garden items but as you can see I haven't got there yet. If anyone has seen an item on the blog recently and would like to know if it's still available do feel free to email me and I'll let you know.

Thanks for looking.
Robin

Our Workshop Sunday ....and a Little Video!

2011-06-27T21:26:00.005+01:00

It was SUCH a hot day on Sunday.....and though we all sweltered in the heat, and the paints and glues practically dried as we squirted them from the tubes...it was a super day!!

Twenty lovely, enthusiastic and creative ladies joined us for our first workshop, 'Over the Little Garden Fence' and - to judge by the kind remarks and the feed-back they left - enjoyed it as much as we did.
It would be fair to say Celia and I felt a little nervous and rusty - it's been a while since workshops on this scale for either of us - but Hey - we're looking forward to the next one now!

So thanks to our 'students', and help on the day from some special people, and for the contributions that raised over £44 for Breast Cancer Campaign.

We hope you'll enjoy our little video - details here for future workshops - or go to our website if you'd like to see pictures from the workshop itself as well.

In a day or two I'll post details of some of the new garden items pictured here in recent weeks that are for sale.
Thank you for looking.
Robin

Morris Men ....and a Bit of Gardening....

2011-06-23T22:31:00.004+01:00

In my last blog I mentioned that I'd been working on some fun 1/24th characters...and a bit more miniature gardening....

We think it must have been around 10 years ago that a lovely lady asked if I could make her a couple of 1/24th Morris Dancers to go on the Village Green outside her 1/24th cottages......
I said 'yes' because she's a lovely lady and customer - coming from Oxfordshire I love Morris dancing and the whole tradition anyway - and it was a bit of a different challenge!

The original old boys have been dancing for a good few years now so recently she asked me to create another couple of team members and here they are - now dancing their way around the West Country! Since the first ones - my little Morris men have moved to all parts of U.K. and the Commonwealth wearing a variety of different waistcoats and trims and have also put on a bit of weight and increased to 1/12th scale as well.

In the last few weeks, in between making new dolls, I've managed to get some more miniature gardening projects completed. I've planted some lavender, made some more varieties of the garden succulents that we call houseleeks in these parts, to plant on rockery stones and chased a cockerel down to the bottom of the little garden path.
These will all be at the workshop this Sunday.

Lovely lavender in 1/12th and 1/24th scale 'planted' in terracotta pots.

These are Cobweb Houseleeks (Sempervivum arachnoideum)...there's a clue in the Latin here... they're also known as Spider Houseleeks. I do have fun looking for the pebbles - this one has a pool of 'water' too.

This garden arrangement is in 1/12th scale as well - the feathered cockerel has found a spot at the bottom of this rather overgrown garden. I loved making this one!

Welcome to new Followers - I do hope you'll enjoy my ramblings.
Thank you all for looking.
Robin

Emigrating to Australia...in 1/12th Scale

2011-06-18T21:50:00.004+01:00

Many of us have family or friendship ties to other countries......and some more of my little people have emigrated to Australia.....

A blog or two ago I featured super pictures from Hazel who was creating her miniature 'family' in a truly stunning house and I was thrilled to see how at home my characters looked. Now she is stepping back in time to the mid 19th Century and her latest characters have arrived in their new home. Technically the combined Post Offices of U.K. and Australia made this possible but in real life this lady and gentleman sailed on " Branken Moor" in 1849 to begin their new life.
She went on to manage a rather smart tea shop and he ran the general store.

Hazel's photo (thank you Hazel) pictures them outside the second storey of her lovely house, but I do believe they're destined to have their own establishments one day. The second photo shows them before they set off on their great adventure - amazing to think of the courage of this generation and just what they achieved!

Meanwhile - elsewhere in sunny Australia, Susan is settling in Hilda Grace and James George, a cheery, comfortable couple if ever I saw one - again photographed before they left these shores..... I'm told they're doing just fine!

I've been busy this week working on some fun 1/24th characters and another spot of miniature gardening - and our first workshop is only a week away so I've been checking I've bought the coffee as well as enough paint! If you'd like to see what Celia (KT Miniatures) and I have been up to in Nostaglia in Miniature Workshops click here and catch up with our joint blog.

Thanks for looking.
Robin

P.S. June 19th. Susan has put up a lovely post on her blog -minicrochetmad - with the real life history of Hilda and James and great pictures of them in their new Australian home. Many Thanks Susan.

STOP PRESS - NOSTALGIA IN MINIATURE WORKSHOPS !!!

2011-06-11T22:32:00.004+01:00

This really is a STOP PRESS moment .... NOSTALGIA IN MINIATURE WORKSHOPS is a completely new venture between KT Miniatures and Coombe Crafts.....SOooo exciting!

Celia Thomas of KT Miniatures and I are great friends of course - but not only that, when it comes to miniatures we share the same passion that our work reflects both realism and nostalgia. Although our individual skills are quite different they are complementary.....and it seems to work!

Over the last few years we have often collaborated on special projects and commissions, but we wanted to extend that collaboration in an on-going and regular basis and this year planned and arranged a series of workshops. You may have seen in recent weeks the advertising on both our blogs for our first Workshops - "Over the Little Garden Fence" to be held in Thame in Oxfordshire, this June and October.

Our respective blogs and websites were getting crowded with the Workshop news, so was time to give NOSTALGIA IN MINIATURE WORKSHOPS it's very own space!!!

If you'd like regular updates and news - our new blog is http://miniatureworkshops.blogspot.com/

Our new NOSTALGIA IN MINIATURE WORKSHOPS website with all the details and Booking Information is - www.miniatureworkshops.com

We should really love it if you'd take a look.

Finally, a personal 'thank you' to Celia. It's well known that technology is not my forte (I can hear the chuckles from friends as I type) - so - thanks for the techie stuff mate!
Robin

OCTOBER in the Little Old Garden....

2011-06-05T20:24:00.003+01:00

When we advertised our workshop - "Over the Little Garden Fence Workshop" - to be held on June 26th In Thame, Oxfordshire...we were hopeful, a little nervous but very optimistic........

Celia Thomas of KT Miniatures and I were (in the modern idiom) gobsmacked when all 20 twenty places were filled so very quickly - and realised that June wasn't a great month for a number of folk who would have otherwise joined us.

So........we are delighted to confirm that we shall run "Over the Little Garden Fence Workshop" again on Sunday 23rd October at the Girl Guide H.Q. in Thame.
This is a 3 hour workshop, in an informal but friendly and productive atmosphere where a unique corner of an old, slightly dilapidated cottage garden will be created, and the advice, and encouragement will enable you to take away some new skills and be inspired to do even more in the garden of your own small houses.

You can choose to create your garden in either 1/12th or 1/24th scale, build a wobbly, aged fence and force your early rhubarb in a rusty old bottomless bucket - and tackle the weeds too! Or you could just sit on that nice old bench.....

We are limited to 20 places so if you are interested, please get in touch soon ..... click here and, as if by magic - and the skill of my partner in crime Celia - find out all about it and see more pictures too.

Thank you for looking - and welcome to my newest followers.
Robin

Let's Take a Look at Flowers....

2011-05-30T18:43:00.002+01:00

A little 1/24th scale Flower Lady opens the flower show today.....and my the garden is full of flowers!

If I'm not pottering in the garden I'm working with a view of it and keep popping out for another peep as it changes hour to hour - never mind day to day!
I could indulge myself and just fill this blog with photos of flowers because I know many of you love them as much as me...but I do like to show I'm working! So may I introduce you to Flo......she's just a little lady, 1/24th scale to be precise, getting on a bit as you can see.....and still working!
Around the turn of the century she walked through the local markets selling her flowers, which she grew at the back of her little old cottage. She puts on her smartest 'every-day' frock and wraps a warm shawl aound her shoulders; her hat has seen better days too but she re-trims it now and again - with flowers of course.

Like Flo I love the cottage garden style of planting - the slightly disheveled, overblown, stuffed-full variety - with old terracotta pots and ancient watering cans strategically placed...... grassy paths.......old bricks...scarlet runner beans up hazel poles.....

....So I've squeezed in just a couple pictures of my flower border - fabulous oriental poppies, and a wonderful black bearded iris - which was cut down by the wind just after I took this photo!
Not that I'd have picked it otherwise, but it does look exceedingly grand in a vase!

Back to work! Fifty years or so after Flo, these 'young people' wearing the height of 1950s fashion are on their way out for the evening. I'm not actually sure that 'fashion' was an 'in' word then - my Mother talked about particular styles being 'all the go'! The comparison between these frocks and and the current crop is pretty dramatic - today's clothes are so much more fun!!!

I hope you've enjoyed looking at both the characters and the flowers...Morris Dancers are on the work bench at the moment, more flower-trimmed hats!
Thanks for looking.
Robin

Home Thoughts from Abroad.......

2011-05-22T20:05:00.003+01:00

Somehow, when I received these photographs, this so-familiar, well-known phrase seemed the obvious title for this blog......but I didn't know where it came from. In the end I Googled it - so to save you wondering too, it's a poem by Robert Browning and I think it's particularly lovely - especially when I look out on my garden......go on....look it up!!!

I am immensely grateful that Hazel and Steve from Western Australia were patient last year to wait until I eventually recreated them (or more accurately, semi-portraits of them both) in 1/12th scale. They were trusting enough and apparently pleased with the results, so this year I have recently made their grandchildren too......our respective Post Offices put us through all sorts of agonies as the parcel was 'lost' and finally about six weeks later 'found'. Great jubilation on both sides of the 'pond'!!

Hazel originally hails from Cheshire and between them, she and husband Steve have recreated a version of her old home and as you can see the result is simply stunning and the family do look so at home there. I was thrilled to get the pictures and with permission and thanks to Hazel I can share some of them here.

Steve built the house, wallpapered it, installed the lighting and stairs and laid all the carpets. He also fitted the kitchen stove, all the skirting and cornices and hand made all of the books. Hazel did the painting, made all the curtains and a lot of the soft furnishings, pictures, toys and the bathroom accessories and most of the small kitchen items like the tea towels, filled jars, biscuits, flowers for vases and the super frames for miniatuarised family photos.
What a team!!

I've made other characters for them, and I see Fag Ash Lil' has been installed as the cleaner; I love the hall stand and the flying ducks on the wall!

I know lots of collectors recreate a favourite home - or even the dream home - and especially with 'family homes', it's a particularly effective and evocative way of preserving a little bit of real life history for future generations as well as being a wonderful hobby.

My visit to Kensington Dolls House Festival last weekend was really inspiring and I do pay tribute to the many artisans of such exceptional talent. My spending was modest I'm afraid....but when I win the lottery, the list is ready!!

My thanks to you all for continuing to look at the blog and a welcome to those new Followers who have recently joined us.
Robin

A Victorian Dockyard......and other bits and pieces

2011-05-13T22:02:00.003+01:00

Sometimes my lovely customers are kind enough to send photos of my characters in their new homes.....looking so much better than on my muddled workbench......

Last year Jennie did a course to create a corner of a Victorian Dockyard, and asked me to make a figure for her.... and some little bits and pieces like seagulls and old filled sacks to add to the atmosphere.
She's a very talented lady and to prove it here's a fantastic photo she's taken of her super completed scene - don't you just love it!

I'm delighted to say she's coming along to our Over the Little Garden Fence Workshop in June and I know she'll produce a wonderful little garden. Incidentally one space has become unexpectedly available, so if anyone would like to take it up please do contact me or Celia at
KT Miniatures - or simply click the Workshop panel in the right column where you can find out all about it and see some pictures too. We've been thrilled that there has been so much enthusiasm for it, but sorry that the date (inevitably) didn't work for everyone......if enough folk were interested we could perhaps run it again in the autumn - do let us know.

The day job is doll making and I'm working on 1/12th commissions at present, but I do like fiddling with other things, especially when they fit on a tray in front of the T.V. in the evening. As well as the characters and the handcrafted furniture it's nice to have the odd chicken or pot of geraniums about on the website (still not updated....) and the stand at fairs. So here's another little 1/12th stone sink, planted up with 'house leeks' and other rock plants and some really tiny ones in 1/24th scale on natural pebbles.

This weekend is The Kensington Dolls House Fair so I'm off on Sunday to be inspired by hugely talented colleagues and friends and hope they all have great success.

Robin

Another Old Sailor...and some Miniature Gardening!!

2011-05-06T20:17:00.003+01:00

I've finally stopped coughing (nearly), dragged myself in from the garden and got back to work on some nice 1/12th commissions....and discovered I can make miniature Houseleeks while watching T.V.!!

But first - for the Aquilegia fans - I picked a bunch from the garden for you!!

Another retired old sailor - he's heading off to the Wirral - I'm sure he'll be happy in his new home. He's in 1/12th scale.

Just sometimes things come together don't they?? I had been punching out some mini paper shapes for geraniums - I picked up a couple of nice holey pebbles from my gravel garden - and BINGO! Sempervivum - Houseleeks - Ice Plants..(and other local names) ...used in the old days with lard to make a soothing ointment for burns. When I was a child old Mr Arlott had them all over his one storey cottage roof and made ointment for the whole street.
Anyway....I can make these little plants while watching T.V........ lets face it sculpting a doll and T.V. don't work at the end of a busy day!!

,
Here's a close-up of another.

Then I got really cocky! I love my own rock garden, with its stone sinks, so the temptation to recreate one was too tempting to resist. They aren't on the website - yes I know I need to update it urgently - but if you are intersted, please email me. These are all in 1/12th scale.

Finally, welcome to my recent followers - thank you for joining us. Thank you all for continuing to look!!
Robin

Beautiful Nottingham Lace...Aquilegias...Cottages...and an old chap!!

2011-04-30T20:49:00.007+01:00

Wasn't she a beautiful bride!!! I suppose we were all looking forward to seeing the dress - that wonderful handmade lace and exquisite bouquet!

I've been croaking and coughing so admit to slacking on the work front - so I'm very happy to tell you about the work of lovely friends, and picture another beautiful flower from my garden......I know...any excuse!!

Inspired by seeing the wonderful lace on Catherine's wedding dress, I'd like to show you a fabulous Easter card we were thrilled to receive. With apologies to Jayne for the less than perfect photograph (it's Gran's blanket in the background Jayne) - if you love old lace or beautiful fabrics brought back to enchant us in the 21st Century, whizz over to www.jcmiddlebrook.co.uk
where you will be delighted with the treats in store. Based in Nottingham the home of lace textiles for centuries, these delights are based on old designs but use up-to-date techniques.
The website is fabulous......I love it! I know that they're off to Germany any minute now to showcase their work - so huge best wishes.

O.K. guys - here comes the Aquilegia - also called Granny Night-caps and Grannies Bonnets. One of our favourite flowers, we encourage them to cross promiscuously in our garden and have a lovely selection of colours and flower shapes....... but this one in pure white come close to perfect - like the dress!!

Julie Bennet makes fantastic and original houses ! She has three recent blogs showcasing her new builds - a super Old Boathouse, French style, and two super little 1/24th cottages. Do take a look - she can be found if you click here . I have to say I also love the garden backgrounds she uses in her great pics.!

On the home front, and just before the lugy hit me I managed to get this little 1/24th old retired sailor finished...yes I'm still in a muddle.

If you've been reading recently you'll have seen that Celia Thomas of KT Miniatures and I are running a workshop called 'Over the Little Garden Fence' in June - we have only two places left - so if you're able to get to the lovely market town of Thame in Oxfordshire on June 26th and are tempted, click on the box on the right - 'Over the Little Garden Fence' to find out all about it and see the pictures.

Thank you for looking.
Robin

Saying It with Flowers....

2011-04-22T10:09:00.000+01:00

I can see that other bloggers are finding it hard to stay inside and at the workbench in this glorious weather.... .....so like them I drift off into the garden...pull up a few weeds...have a little sit and just admire the wonderful flowers coming out now. I have so enjoyed the superb pictures on other blogs - thank you all.

My camera isn't usually far away and I have had to resist the tempation to fill this Easter-time blog with nothing but lots of photos of glorious flowers and plants.

Fabulous vibrant Oriental Poppy

Beautiful Bluebells - I so wish these were the native Bluebells, but they're the Spanish Bluebells, which lovely as they are, hybridize with the natives in our woodlands...not good. I shall try and pick off all the flowers as they die and before they set seed. A good excuse for picking a huge bunch now and bringing them in for Easter - they have a delicate perfume too.

No, you can see these aren't real!! All this gardening lately, in full size and miniature, inspired me to fill a couple of old stone planters with geraniums. I must do some more - such fun, and a mini-change from doll making.

A cheeky 1/24th scale mechanic did manage to fight his way off the order pad at last and has now headed off to repair a motorbike somewhere in Devon!!

Wishing you all lovely days ahead!
Robin

Another Peep Over the Little Garden Fence.......

2011-04-20T20:34:00.004+01:00

For those of you who are followers of this blog, you will have already seen that I am running a workshop for the very first time in partnership with Celia Thomas of KT Miniatures. We only started advertising it 2 weeks ago and have already filled nearly all twenty spaces!

The workshop is taking place on Sunday June 26th here in Thame, Oxfordshire at the Thame Guide HQ. We have just 4 more spaces now currently available (at the time of posting this) so do get in touch asap if you wish to join us for an afternoon of creativity!

Above is a picture of the 1/24th garden...and if I can make the sliding box work...here are some more!

If you sign up for our workshop you will have the opportunity to make this scene in either 1/12th or 1/24th scale. We will be using a combination of natural & synthetic materials along with various techniques/skills to create an overall nostalgic and old fashioned garden.The finished item can be used to butt up against an existing dolls house or stand alone. In fact we are already planning the second workshop project to take place in September (hopefully). This second project will complement the little garden scene and also be used with an existing dolls house or would be able to stand alone..... but more about that another day!

Meanwhile, if you would like further information about how to book for one of the last few remaining spaces, then please click on the following link to see the official page:

http://www.ktminiatures.com/workshop.html

NB. Special notice for any UK dolls house clubs

If your club would like to spend an afternoon in July, making the little garden project from our Over The Little Garden Fence Workshop, then please get in touch with either me or Celia. We would consider running an additional workshop on a Sunday afternoon in July, as long as there are 10 people or more - if your club wished to block book.

Meanwhile - we have noticed that many UK dolls house clubs contact information on the internet as a general rule, is old and no longer applicable. Information doesn't appear to have been updated over a number of years in some cases. So, if someone from any UK dolls house club would like to forward their info to either me Celia, then we will set up a general list with up-to- date dolls house club info at a glance that everyone can share. Often local clubs running exhibitions or small/charity fairs seek to contact the folk within their area as well as makers ...and it is often difficult to keep up with changes.

Thanks for looking - Happy Easter!!

Getting back to the little ones.........

2011-04-17T21:19:00.003+01:00

Like everyone else, I'm sure...I've been busy. The garden calls very loudly, especially in this lovely weather - so I've done a bit....and gone back to the work-bench.....

This 1/24th family are a version of 1950s Railway Children......well sort of.....'Dad' works on the railways, and this is a special nostalgic commission.

The children here are also 1/24th scale - but little'uns!

Still in the 1/24th scale - these ladies are just about to stop off for a cuppa, and possibly a scone, before they go shopping........

As you can see, I've been working in the smaller scale for a few weeks (although 1/12th characters are shouting from the sidelines 'make me!!'). For those of you who read my blog and are waiting for 1/48th characters........they're on the list, I promise!

....... but Easter is coming so I've sneaked in a picture of one of the loveliest spring flowers in my garden - The Dogs Tooth Violet.

Have a lovely Easter everyone - and once again - thanks for looking.
Robin

Take a Look Over the Little Garden Fence.....

2011-04-08T20:15:00.004+01:00

Today we've managed to get our photographs taken....so here's the little old garden.....

These pictures are of the 1/12th garden that will be created at the workshop Celia and I are running in June. There is the choice to make a 1/24th version , which will be very similar. It should be fun and a opportunity to learn some new skills in friendly company.

We've worked together in the past and it's always a very enjoyable experience and we hope the workshop will be just that too, and that folks go away eager to build on the day and create even more themselves. There are lots more pictures which are on the website, along with all the relevant details for the workshop itself. Places are limited, so if you are tempted please don't leave it too late. The link for pictures and details comes straight after the 'ad'!!

For full details of the workshop and a Booking form click here:

www.ktminiatures.com/workshop.html

Thanks for looking.....
Robin

Over the Little Garden Fence Workshop - A New Joint Venture for COOMBE CRAFTS

2011-04-05T09:30:00.003+01:00

Coombe Crafts in Partnership with KTMiniatures

ONLY A LIMITED AMOUNT OF PLACES - BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT

Please click here for more info: http://www.ktminiatures.com/workshop.html

The New Kids on the Blog and Magical Snakes Heads

2011-03-30T22:06:00.004+01:00

I seem to be in a children phase - so here they are in both 1/12th and 1/24th scale.

This brother and sister will be joining their grandparents - who were sculpted last year. It's always slightly daunting to work from photographs of real people, and while I don't offer 'portrait' sculpts, the idea is to catch the 'essence' and general characteristics. These dolls are in 1/12th scale.

This little Victorian miss is in 1/24th scale and will eventually be part of an outdoor scene I believe.

Congratulations to Celia Thomas of KT Miniatures who has topped 100 Followers on her blog - she has a fab. giveaway of some her lovely vintage books. Do take a look and while you're there, her website is a trip back in time - pure nostalgia!!

And in my garden (sorry can't resist it) I'm thrilled that the Snakes Head Fritillaries are beginning to naturalise in my wild patch!! They're just coming out and are beautiful. If you're in the south, a very special place around this time of year is North Meadow, Cricklade, Wiltshire, which I think I'm right, has the largest population of wild fritillaries in this country - acres of this magical wild flower in ancient water meadows. I took this photograph there a couple of years ago.

Thank you for looking.
Robin

A Visit to Spring Miniatura

2011-03-21T23:22:00.004Z

Having been spoiled for choice over which wonderful miniature artisans to visit first on Sunday I thought I'd put up a photograph of..... flowers......

.... my beautiful hellebore flowers float on a terracotta pan of water.....makes a change from a miniature! The pretty little blue flower is the exquisite spring-flowering Hepatica.

This visit is always a treat for me...so I treated myself to a sweet little Shoebutton Bear, and a tiny toy 'Anne of Green Gables' from Sally Reader Miniatures. This was the first time I'd seen Sally Reader's lovely toys and I wanted them all!

As a doll maker I tend to gravitate towards other doll makers - so many super makers to choose from - but I love Julie Campbell's (Bellabelle) dolls so much and she just has even more exciting and beautiful dolls each time I see her. I'm sure she will be a huge hit in Chicago next month.

I so enjoyed catching up with old friends and colleagues at the show, also (almost literally) bumping into some of my lovely customers - leaving Model Village Miniatures with bags of their superb miniature furniture, kits and toys and some Coombe Crafts 1/24th characters that had been spending the weekend on their stand. Their range of furniture and kits gets bigger all the time. While they don't have a website, they can be contacted on 01926 817183 and have a very comprehensive catalogue.

I was delighted to get a guided tour around the beautifully authentic Herdwick Landscape cottages in 1/24th scale - the workmanship and detail is superb - and yes, we share customers too, and I met some more there!
I hear so much about these lovely cottages but have never actually been able to get up close and inside before - now I can picture where so many of my little people 'live'!

To the many brilliant artists and artisans - Thank you!

Robin

Blokes on the Blog!

2011-03-16T15:11:00.003Z

It seems only fair, having featured the 1/24th ladies on the last blog, to give the blokes an outing.

Well, as you can see I'm still working in a muddle; it was a last minute thought to give the errand boy a basket instead of his usual bike. He's 1/24th scale.

I was so pleased to have an order from my chums at Model Village Miniatures for a group of 1/24th characters to accompany their fabulous furniture and furniture kits at Miniatura this weekend. So, their shop fittings will have a little shopkeeper and a customer to bring them to life and there will be a chap in the pub, not to mention a gardener checking out the gardening range.
Of course they also have a full range of their brilliant, easy-to-make and reasonably priced kits in 1/12th scale as well and I believe there will be some super new things for the kitchens. Last time we met I bought one of their beautiful teeny-weeny knitted white rabbits and there are other gorgeous toys.....and wish I'd bought a lovely comfy, shabby chinz sofa in 1/24th scale.
If you're visiting the show do take a look at their stand which is K6

Mags Cassidy - Mags-nificent Miniatures is well known for her splendid range of authentic, researched period food and her basins of windfall apples and blackberries are becoming legendary .....I've sent along Fag Ash Lil' to make sure her wartime kitchen is cleared up properly and check out the laden tables.
Mags is on H12

Very best wishes to everyone exhibiting this weekend - I look forward to visiting.
Robin

.

Here Come the Girls........

2011-03-09T21:32:00.003Z

Actually, first of all...here comes a dragon!

I was pottering in my garden, camera in hand, and thought my old terracotta dragon who's now about 30 years old with moss growing over his head and a frost-damaged tail, made an interesting picture. He isn't much more than 1/12th scale and was made by a wonderful Oxfordshire studio potter...he lives in this beautifully overgrown miniature garden in a large ceramic bowl.

When I first discovered Fimo *&@~ years ago, I made dragons and mermaids sitting on interesting rocks or in shells - then I moved from tradional Apple-head dolls (which I made in a very questionable 1/12th scale, now I look back), to sculpting my dolls in polymer clay and the mystical creatures were abandoned! I love looking at everyone else's now!

So...here come the (rather old) girls....again in 1/24th scale.

They have got a few chaps to go with them and they'll be along another day.

I'd like to welcome the new Followers - thank you so much for your interest. I try and look at everyone's blogs and do enjoy them all, even if I don't always leave a comment.
Robin

Back to the Workbench.....Sculpting Again

2011-03-01T23:34:00.006Z

It's probably as well that the rain has come and kept on...and on..and on. The workbench as well as the garden needs attention.

After a massive clear up - so that I could at least see my workspace and find my clay and tools - I'm back to scuplting 1/24th characters as I have quite a list to complete. In the meantime I thought I'd show you three very different pieces that have been made recently.

I quite often make 1/12th gardeners but I found a nice trowel at a fair last year and used these lovely tulips which I've had for ages and were made by a maker (sorry, forgotten just who) in Cornwall. I added a little paint to the petals and muddied up the pot - makes a change from cauliflowers. And...I worked out how to make an oval on my 'puter at last!

I was ridiculously pleased to complete this little 1/24th scale feathered hen and her fluffy chicks scratching about in the grass. I shall add it to my exceedingly short repertoire of feathered and furry creatures - the real experts in this field have nothing to fear! They've now flown the U.K. to live in Europe in one of our 1/24th vegetable gardens.

The 1/24th rocking horse takes both of us to complete - I get to do the 'pretty bits' - as I don't have the first idea about constructing either the wooden horse or the rocking (it does) mechanism. I'm happy with a bit of sandpaper and paint brush, although it is slightly strange to be squirting a horse with hairspray!!

THIS little bird is a tiny Long-tailed Tit that spent the whole afternoon bobbing about in our silver birch just outside the window. Eventually I crept out with the camera and managed to catch a picture of the little thing, all fluffed up against the biting wind - it is so small, with a tail as long as the body. I thought I'd share the magic.

Thanks for looking.
Robin

Absolutely NOT Miniatures......

2011-02-25T21:58:00.004Z

Like I said...Thame Fair..absolutely lovely, but need time off to recover....

Iris reticulata

So.... for those of you who know me well, it'll be no surprise that I've grabbed two or three days in the garden between the rainy days this week. If you have no interest in gardening.... it's O.K .....you can skip all this and I'll get back to miniatures very soon, I promise!!

I. Kathleen Hodgkins

It's VERY soggy, but there's loads to be done - today I reduced a large hazel by about half ! Weilding hefty loppers or pruning and bushman saws is very therapeutic!! The lawn is full of hazel branches, but I shall use a lot of the twiggy stuff for staking plants and bring the catkins indoors to look spring-like in a vase with some forsythia.

The spring flowers are almost the best of the year I think, because they are the very first....the helebores are beginning to open, each one subtley different - quietly looking downwards so I have to scrabble about and lift their faces to see them properly. The early spring dwarf iris are the most striking;Iris reticulata, and I. Kathleen Hodgkins, which is my favourite.

Viburnum bodnantense

I could go on...but this is supposed to be a 'miniature' blog, so the last pic. is the flower that breaks the winter, on bare twig with wonderful almond scent - Viburnum bodnantense.

I hope you've enjoyed the pictures and a tiny diversion...let me take the opportunity to warmly welcome new Followers who have joined us recently.

Thanks for looking.
Robin

Thame Fair...Some Thank-yous

2011-02-21T09:55:00.002Z

We were looking forward to the Thame Dolls House Fair that was held on Saturday...and it was a lovely, lovely day!

Thanks, first and foremost to Felicity and Ron Holland who organized the fair for the first time - and what a great job they did too! They brought together over forty outstanding artisans from many varied areas of expertise and the smiling faces from 7.30am till after close at 4.00pm, showed how much their effort and hard work was appreciated by the standholders as well as the customers.

Thanks to the lovely customers who flooded through the halls and, especially in such difficult times supported us all, made kind and appreciative comments about our work and went home laden having spent out! We were astonished at how far many had travelled to come to the fair and told us all how highly it is regarded in the miniature world.

The Thame Dolls House Club, Market Town Miniaturists, put on a fabulous display of Seaside Stalls made by the members - as a newish member I confess my contribution was limited to painting a bit of the backdrop - and also raised funds for Breast Cancer Campaign with their now famous, Tombola. The Breast Cancer Campaign Sales Table groaned under the weight of contributions and the Raffle was wonderful. Frankly there isn't enough praise for the team that organized and ran both!!

On a personal note, it was lovely for us to catch up with old friends - both sides of the stand - and be inspired by the fantastic work around us on all sides. We have lots of work to do now to fill our gaps and new orders - 1/24th and 1/48th scales in particular- and we both appreciated the many kind comments.
For those of you who liked the 1/48th scale round Veryan cottage (pictured a blog or two ago).....it's gone down to the west country to a lovely new home...couldn't be nicer!

I did manage to treat myself to some treasures: beautiful snowdrops and primroses from Jan Southerton, windfall apples and blackberries in an 'old' enamel bowl from chum Margaret Cassidy of Mags-nificent Miniatures, a teeny weeny white knitted rabbit by another chum Marlene Cooper of Model Town Miniatures and the miniature version of Memories of Bygone Oxford Shops by Hazel Bleay (a club member) from Dateman Books. I also purchased a wonderful Shoebutton Bear - sadly as a present, not for me......but next time....

I'm going to treat myself to a couple of days in the garden when it stops raining, so the next pictures may well be flowers not miniatures!
Thanks for continuing to read or follow my blog.
Robin

1/48th Scale Update and Some Ponies

2011-02-15T22:10:00.004Z

If you are reading some of the same blogs as me, you'll know over 40 individuals, are getting ready for The Thame Dolls House and Miniatures Fair on Saturday. Apart from last minute panic, we're looking forward to a super day.

So - I've painted these commercially produced 1/24th scale ponies to within an inch of their lives, trimmed off manes and tails and made them saddles and tack...if you're an expert on saddlery, please don't look too closely!! The lady rider is quite a robust character I think and I've decided the chap is a farmer.

Also in 1/24th scale, another little lady doing her shopping, but more 1940s style. The lovely little basket is by Mouse House Miniatures.

Finally I had to face upholstering the latest offerings from the 'furniture workshop'....another 1/48th challenge....phew!
I've included two pictures here of the 1/48th settee and two easy chairs, the second also shows one of our 1/24th chairs in the same style to give a better sense of scale. They will be on our stand on Saturday.
These haven't yet been included on the 1/48th Illustrated List (in the left hand column), but it has been updated and the new dolls pictured there are some that will also be on the stand.

I still need to finish off a couple of 1/24th rocking horses, then it really is sort out the chaos and start price labelling and packing. If you are visiting the Fair, do come and say hello.
Thanks for looking.
Robin

The Town Crier....and other dolls

2011-02-12T09:00:00.000Z

I thought I might be forgiven for putting up a picture of my 1/12th Town Crier once again, as I was flattered that it is one of the photographs illustrating the official advertisements for The Thame Dolls House and Miniatures Fair to be held on Saturday 19th February.

It's only a week away now - so it's a busy, busy time for me, all the other standholders and of course Felicity and Ron Holland who are organizing the fair itself. Another person who will be really busy on the day, promoting the fair all over town, and at the Leisure Centre itself, as well drawing the winning raffle tickets, is our lovely Thame Town Crier himself - Anthony Church - who has become a big part of the proceedings over the years and a friend to many of us. You may have guessed that the 1/12th doll is based on Anthony himself.

I said I'd been busy - so these are four of the 1/24th scale characters that will be going to the fair. They're all very different: a rather dishevelled tudor man, a smart little policeman, a cheery old monk with his staff to help him along and bare feet pushed into leather sandals. The final chap is a scot - complete with bagpipes - and there are ladies coming along too in the following days.

For full details of the fair and the great line-up of exhibitors.....visit www.thamedollshousefair.co.uk
Thanks for looking.
Robin

We Go Borrowing....

2011-02-10T20:17:00.004Z

Apart from the little people, we also make furniture for them...in this case for their 1/24th shop....which needs stocking with goods!

So apart from making the odd cabbage and loaf of bread and a few other 1/24th bits, necessary to accessorise our dolls, I know where to go for something special. For food I generally visit my chum Mags Cassidy of Mags-nificent Miniatures but this little shopkeeper really needed goods to sell, so first stop was another friend, Celia Thomas of KT Miniatures who has launched a new range of fantastic aged grocery goods and packaging in 1/24th scale alonside the 1/12th.
I borrowed some for this photo and I think you'll agree they look brilliant on the shelves and counter from our small range of shop items, although strictly speaking this little lady is rather too modern for the supplies, which are 1930s/40s.
Thanks Celia.

The errand boy is off to the villages with a basket of groceries.

We shall all be at The Thame Dolls House and Miniature Fair - do come and say 'hello' if you visit.
Thanks for looking.
Robin

Looking at Little Cottages......

2011-02-06T21:19:00.005Z

Living in Cornwall for several years was really inspirational - and apart from the wonderful skies, moors and coast (and the clotted cream ......) - I fell in love with the cottages.

Principally a doll maker, I began to build 1/24th scale cottages, fitting them in between sculpting. It became something of a 'treat' for me as I created and continue to, just three or four each year depending how busy life is.

Veryan is a beautiful village, famous for its five round houses, built in the early nineteenth century by the Trist family of builders, apparently at the instigation of the local vicar, to provide work for the local men in hard-pressed times. They're white painted, all a little different, but each with an impressive Cross on the top of the pointed roof. The story goes that they are round so that the devil has nowhere to hide!

Inspired by these cottages I've just completed a little 1/48th scale one, and hope you'll enjoy seeing it. It will be on our stand at the Thame Dollshouse and Miniature Fair on 19th February.

Detail to show scale

The back of the cottage - with and without the removable roof

You'll see from the following pictures, that I've made other round houses - both are 1/24th scale. The white one is the most 'authentic', with traditional flint-bordered windows - one of the earliest ones and called 'Roundabout'. It was well before my digital camera, so the picture quality isn't great.
The other one, 'Blackberry Bottom' was commissioned for a family of mice, and has a blackberry bush growing around the back. The 1/24th scale houses all have open backs. Another day I'll put up pictures of ones that aren't round.

I must just say a quick 'Welcome' to new followers - sorry that I've not properly visited your blogs yet - and a special one to old friend Dave Williams of Harvington Miniatures, a great miniature painter (amongst other talents) who has just started a new blog - do take a look.

Thanks for looking.
Robin

Some more little 1/48th bits........

2011-02-01T14:38:00.002Z

This is where I start looking at the calendar....and counting......

It can't have escaped your notice if you've been popping into this blog, that we have a stand at
The Thame Dollshouse and Miniature Fair....in 19 days time!!!
If it has escaped your notice, bear with me - it will be the only thing on my mind until then.

I have just finished these 1/48th scale chests and think they'll make a pretty addition to a bedroom or nursery. I'm most pleased with the little nursery chest painted in blue with the three little rabbits under the tree.....'challenging'. I've used this 'scene' before on the 1/24th furniture featured a blog or three ago - and this time the picture here is more or less actual size.
The trunks are approx. 3/4 inch long and 3/8 wide and high, hinged to open and will be on sale first at The Thame Fair.
Many pieces like these have multiple uses, and of course the flowery ones would make lovely jewellery or work boxes in a larger scaled setting.
There will be more new things shortly - I'll be back when they're ready!

Thanks for looking.
Robin

The Website is Back

2011-01-30T17:01:00.003Z

Just a quickie to say that the Coombe Crafts website - which had temporarily floated off - is back up and running!
Phew...that's alright then.

For those of you that love flowers too - this is my latest Cymbidium Orchid to open - gorgeous!!
Thanks for continuing to look.
Robin

Tall ships and Dolls

2011-01-25T21:49:00.003Z

The ships look wonderful tied up in Charlestown harbour don't they? The largest, 'Kaskelot', was used as ' The Charlotte Rhodes' in The Onedin Line, I think.

A mini-jaunt for a whiff of ozone was on our list - although it was a little cold for paddling - before we returned home after the lovely Lostwithiel Fair on Sunday.
Huge thanks to Jenny and her helpers - wonderful food as well - for another well organized, well attended and very special fair with a great atmosphere. It was super to meet up again with old friends and we thoroughly enjoyed ourseves.

The little shepherd was one of the new 1/24th characters who made the trip to Cornwall and stayed - so a lovely new home for him and his animals!

Celia Thomas, KT Miniatures, has created another wonderful 1930s shop, full-to-bursting with goods and the atmosphere of the period. The 1/12th shopkeeper and his customer pictured next were created especially for this and once again it was a great commission from a special friend. As she has mentioned on her blog, this is a second shop....and so a second couple. The beauty of handcrafted miniatures is that every single one is unique, and often we are able to work with friends and colleagues to create something very special, so our customers never have a copy always an original piece.

I think the shopkeeper looks a little unsteady on his feet in my picture - must have been at the cooking sherry! He looks great in his shop on Celia's blog though!!

It will be a few days yet I think before my website resurfaces..... and it sounds as if I'm not the only one with gremlins - let's hope they all sort out soon. Meanwhile it's back to the workshop - The Thame Fair isn't far off.

Thanks for looking
Robin

Catching up.....

2011-01-25T10:54:00.002Z

The Gremlins have grabbed my website........so at the moment Coombe Crafts website is floating around the ether until it is restored, by a kind soul with 'ability' - not me, of course.

Apologies to anyone who was planning to have a browse, it will be back asap, which probably means a few days. In the meantime, do email me if you have queries or would like more information.

Huge thanks to lovely Celia Thomas, KT Miniatures who flagged up the demise of said site on our return yesterday from Cornwall. I'll tell you all about that later on, when I'm a little more alert. In the meantime for a special treat go to her blog and see the wonderful 1930s shop she has created.

Thanks for looking
Robin

Newsy Blog Time

2011-01-14T21:29:00.005Z

I've had some super photographs from lovely friends....

As a maker, I pop dolls in the post to their new owners and get some lovely responses - but to get photographs of them in situ, in imaginative settings or beautifully created houses is a treat.

The following were kindly sent to me from the West Country and you may remember the 1/24th dolls that are featured.
My thanks for being able to reproduce the pictures to share here

Jasper's Miniature Fair held in November in Tiverton also fund-raised for Devon Air Ambulance Trust and this super little shop with its young proprietor was one of the fabulous donations created especially for that.

Exeter Dolls House and Miniatures Club held a Christmas competition for the members and the following are two stunning entries!!

I happen to know that the fisherman, who seems to have hooked a disappointing catch, has another life in a beautiful Gamekeeper's cottage created by his owner.....a great new fishing rod, and an atmospheric stream...anything is possible!

The little carpenter now has a workshop, which is a darn sight tidier than the one hereabouts... and a tiny mouse clearly has his own home in the skirting board as well.

And talking of the West Country - only a week to go to The East Cornwall Dolls House and Miniatures Fair at Lostwithiel on Sunday 23rd January - we're so looking forward to it, and catching up with old friends as well...including the Devon contingent! Tony Knott, Simply Silver and Victoria Fasken will be there too, as well as other top flight makers from 'down south'.

I know Julie Bennett may be a familiar name to some of you, but now I've finally tracked her down and seen pictures of her lovely hand-built houses in 1/12th and 1/24th scale - what a treat! Although she has been making and selling her delightful houses for some time she is just starting to attend fairs as well - rush over and have a look.

Congratulations to KT Miniatures who celebrate their 15th year of trading - it is fast becoming THE place to go for 1930s and 1940s dolls house miniatures both vintage and original, unique handcrafted items. Celia has created an incredible Recommended Resource for the period, which she has just made available on her website - a huge thank you for that Celia!

Thanks for looking.
Robin

Witch was an indulgence....

2011-01-04T23:43:00.005Z

Sorry about the blog's title...I just couldn't resist it!

You know how a little idea sits somewhere at the back of your mind, and gradually evolves and grows...and then JUST the right bits and pieces begin to appear as if by magic......well it was a bit like that.

I should really have been finishing an order or concentrating on 1/24th dolls needed for the two upcoming fairs - but I thought a bit of New Year's indulgence could be excused before I really got going again, so decided to let my little witch out!

It all started back in the autumn when I pulled up an old poppy root in the garden, and it just shouted 'TREE' at me. It happily dried out and just looked better and better. Some great grass mat which has a super woven backing instead of the paper variety was bought at a November fair and looked as if it would mold beautifully over lumps and bumps - which it does - and a woodland garden of some sort was beginning to 'emerge'.

Finally a less than perfect 1/48th sculpt looked more like a witch than a cheery old lady....and so the witch was born and all the pieces came together!
I have to admit that dressing her was a 'challenge' to say the least - and the crooked pointed hat a nightmare - but worth it. So at last I could begin, and for the last few days I've been happily putting it all together, creating a 'landscape' and equiping her cave home with drying herbs and pots and potions and of course her broom - it's taken far too long, but I've enjoyed every minute!

The photographs present the usual problem - 1/48th scale is tricky to capture well. Please try to imagine that she's about as tall as a matchstick to the top of her hat - and that the inside of her cave looks better in real life. I just need to price her now and I think she deserves a name, then perhaps she'll find a new home with someone who will enjoy her as much as I have.

Thank you for looking - and a warm welcome to new followers.
Robin

New Beginnings

2011-01-02T21:31:00.003Z

First things first......A VERY Happy New Year to you all...here's to a creative 2011!

It's a new year so it is tempting to consider making a few New Year's Resolutions......but I know that it would be self deluding.......I won't.

I took an early Christmas break so a combination of orders still on the table and really missing working on the miniatures saw me back 'working' in a leisurely fashion a few days ago. However, this leisurely pace has to stop as we have The Lostwithiel Fair down in Cornwall in only three weeks, followed far too quickly by The Thame Fair!!

I hope very much that you'll enjoy the blog in 2011 and thank you for joining me again.
Robin

A Miniature Display for Christmas

2010-12-19T13:00:00.001Z

It's time to wish everyone who has taken the time to pop in, or follow or leave me lovely comments, A MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

I'd also like to say a very big THANK YOU for just reading the blog and hope you've found it interesting.
Another big THANK YOU to very special chums, who encouraged and dragged me kicking and screaming into blogland and helped when I got stuck.
I've enjoyed so much of my 5 months or so of blogging; learned a lot from so many talented bloggers and been inspired by them too.

I'm a miniaturist without a dolls house - which usually surprises people, who know that I do collect the work of other makers. So....... I thought you might like to see how I display them, mostly in the old typesetting trays I love.

You'll see that there are also pretty antique brooches, buttons and badges as well as tiny toys, shells and the little keepsakes that we all have squirrelled away.
I 'bashed' a small but tatty cabinet for a few more, and another for my collection of butterfly brooches - I love butterflies!

It was tricky hanging over the bannisters trying in vain to get all of this one in the picture!

I hope you've enjoyed the pictures...... and as always......thanks for looking.
Robin

A Friendly Plug or Two

2010-12-17T22:09:00.004Z

We all meet - or know - special people. I'd like you to meet two friends of mine......

I've known Carole for twenty years...maybe more ......since our craft days, when she'd temporarily put her artist's pencils to one side to grow wonderful plants and herbs which she distilled into fabulous lotions, potions and candles etc. before 'green' and 'organic' were invented. Oh...and she ran marathons in her spare time ....... this was when we were fighting the government of the time to convince them that Miniatures were NOT toys, and should not be subject to the new regulations. Good job we all won.......

I'm delighted to hear that she's picked up her artist's tools again and has launched ORIGINAL ART. For a very reasonable rate she can turn that favourite photograph of a very special person (or pet) into a beautiful pencil portrait ready to frame.

With apologies, because my scanner is playing up and doesn't do it justice, but what a great drawing of Bono......however, my favourite is a sketch of sweet little pooch, next to me as I write this post.
For further details you can contact her - Carole Alison Foord Ollis - on Wildflowers@live.co.uk
or phone her - 01249 816566

Jenny is another special friend............ for a good few years too. Along with her friend Cathy - both incredibly talented miniature artisans - she organizes the fantastic East Cornwall Dolls House and Miniatures Fair at Lostwithiel. We have been fortunate enough to have had a stand regularly and love it. Everyone loves it! It has an amazing reputation for a small/medium fair and attracts artisans from all over the U.K. alongside the talented makers of the south west, who often don't receive the acclaim they deserve, and draws visitors from all over Cornwall, Devon and beyond.
It's a very special fair which raises funds for The Doubletrees Special School - come if you can!!

The Fair is at Lostwithiel Community Centre (A390 Liskeard - Truro) on Sunday 23rd January
from 11.00 - 4.00 - Enquiries to Jenny 01726 815626 or Cathy 01726 882830

........10 days to Santa....are you ready???

Robin
p.s. Cornwall in January is SUPER!

1/12th, 1/24th and 1/48th - the Christmas Rush

2010-12-10T22:39:00.005Z

Granted they're not a festive bunch.....but now to write the Christmas cards.

It's always busy around this time of year isn't it? ...........and with a lot of little people all bound for new homes this week, there was a sense of relief to have got there! It's also rather nice that my last 'batch' are on their way to lovely, established customers. So, thank you folks, have a lovely Christmas!

We're in the 1930's, and another dashing racing driver, with his elegant companion - glamorous and exciting days! These characters are in 1/24th scale.

Back up the scales to 1/12th. He's an old fashioned carter, a little on the scruffy and weather-beaten side, but then he's got a bit of a trek to the frozen north where his horse and cart are waiting.

And finally...it's those little tiny folks again...1/48th scale......heading west!

I have some catching up to do - but welcome to recent new followers - thank you all for looking.
Robin

Best Wishes...and commiserations

2010-12-03T22:10:00.002Z

Huge best wishes for anyone attending KDF this weekend - I hope you travel safely and have a great show. To those who are snow-bound and can't make it - buckets of sympathy.

Everyone works so hard to prepare for an event like KDF and the disappointment in having to cancel is immense........talking of an 'event'...what are the weather men on about.....we are apparently having a 'severe weather event'!! It's SNOW people!!!

Sandra Morris is one of those stuck in a deep drift, so with true grit she has transported her KDF stand to her website. If you hoped to see her in London - or just love her dolls dolls, pullalongs and other amazing miniatures, (or haven't seen them yet) whizz over to her blog and read all about it. There are fantastic new items, special offers, weekend only bargains and giveaways - phew busy, busy!

I just spotted Mary Williams' incredibly beautiful Edwardian lady dressed in an exquisite green and black silk creation, and envy the lady who finds her under the Christmas tree.

It's been a hectic week, and although we've had less snow than most, it's just as slippery, and the pavements just as hard as I found out to my cost yesterday. I have been doing my best to fulfill all Christmas orders and finish the promised Breast Cancer Campaign Raffle donation for The Thame Fair in February. You may remember the tiny 1/48th little girl I pictured a few blogs ago. She does now have a Mum and Grandad and I've handed them over to Celia Thomas of KT Miniatures who is coordinating the raffle. You can see them if you visit Celia - she's already showing a good number of the donated items on her website (just follow the links) and they really are fantastic. Apart from having her usual super items for sale over there, she has some truly lovely giveaway printies of really old Christmas cards.
Talking of The Thame Fair.......Sandra is running a great workshop in conjunction with it - all the details are on the Fair website.......and our Town Crier has a posh new outfit!

And finally, as they say, I have now got a technical thingy back so I can play with photos again, and hope to get some up here again in a day or two, when 'it' and I are compatible!!

1/12th Comfy Granny

2010-11-28T16:59:00.004Z

First things first....I have a new posh pink laptop....but 'bits' are still being sorted.....

Obviously I can't sort toffee....so I rely on someone else. As I post this, I appear to have 'lost ' my photoshop facility, upon which I depend, to chop off bits of rubbish pictures etc.
However I did promise I'd post a picture of my latest 1/12th character, who is a nice cheery comfortable Granny or Nana, depending which part of the country you live in....
So here she is, waiting to get posted off to her new home ' abroad' - very scary for a rather retiring lady!

There's rather too much background - and not enough Granny - but you get the idea.

She's a Sensible Lady.........

2010-11-17T19:52:00.003Z

I've just completed this sensible lady......I wonder who she'll be?

Do you ever wonder who your latest creation/commission is going to be?
This 1/12th scale character is now in the post on the way to her new home - and I wonder, with her smart suit, plain jumper, discreet brooch and sensible shoes, whether she's destined to be a member of the WI or a Magistrate in a small town, or perhaps just in her best outfit for a trip to the shops??
I love the creative process, that's why I make miniatures; then I hand them on for someone else to create their own story.

It would have been better to take time, and not stick her on the sofa quickly, with a sheet of A4 behind her, to take this pic.......but the reason for posting is mostly to welcome new followers, and thank them for their interest in this blog.

So a warm welcome to Nuria
and Beatrice
and Sylvia
and Julie - who many of you know as Cottage Kitty

The next 1/12th lady on the work-bench is an altogether more comfy lady - everyone's Gran - I promise to take a better picture, when I show her to you!

1/48th Illustrated List .....working, I hope

2010-11-13T23:06:00.003Z

Well I've consulted........and some tweaking has taken place, so I'm hoping that the link for the 1/48th list is now working.

My fingers are crossed - so I'd be hugely grateful if some kind person could click on it and see?

Thanks - Robin

1/48th Scale Price List Update...and go to a fair

2010-11-13T17:18:00.002Z

For anyone who has been interested enough to keep up with our sortie into 1/48th scale miniatures.... thank you.

I've updated the 1/48th scale illustrated price list, with a few more items and pictures - you'll find it in the right hand column.....over there......>>>>>>

It occurs to me that there are many folks who attend regional fairs as well as the BIG ones; not behind a conventional sales stand, but one raising funds for many worthwhile charities. Miniaturists are a generous bunch, I've found, so can I plug a fair in Devon on Sunday 21st November, at the Moorhayes Community Centre, Tiverton?
I'm sure it will be a super fair anyway, but all the proceeds from the Refreshments and Raffle will be in aid of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust........a worthy cause! Although it's not a fair we shall be attending, my fingers crossed for everyone!! If you're in the area, I'm sure you'll have a warm welcome.

Fair......weather for gardening

2010-11-08T15:06:00.007Z

I'd promised myself a period of 'recovery' and 'time off for good behaviour' in the garden this week - after a fair yesterday and the flat-out period in the weeks before.

WELL - it's chucking it down...no gardening then, the bulbs will have to wait .....I shall have to clear up instead!
Outside the back door is a lovely autumn setting - trees and shrubs in my own garden (the one at the front is a Cotinus or Smoke Bush, for those like me who like the proper name) - and the ones at the back 'borrowed' from next door and the park a street away. MAGIC!!.

The pretty blue and white flower is another from my conservatory - Streptocarpus, Crystal Ice - as a thank-you to the ladies who came specially to the fair yesterday to see the new 1/48th dolls and furniture . Stocks dented - and lovely to meet them and get some feedback, which is always helpful and encouraging.

This well-established fair is always very well organised and advertised and fairly busy.
Less traders than previous years though....less artisans i.e. makers who actually make quality miniatures....more 'commericial' items on sale ........... less sales for artisans and more serious conversations about 'the future'... .and some disappointed visitors who said they'd expected more. Yes I KNOW there's room for every quality and price range - I also truly believe that - but .......
Each day it seems, I hear of another talented colleague who has decided, at the very least, to finish attending fairs, and the likelihood is that we shall only attend around three next year ourselves. Worrying.

Hey ho - if it stops raining I can get my bulbs in and get muddy, finish some orders and not panic so much about 'stock'. Not so bad.

What some lovely comments on my last blog - thanks to you all. I'm really chuffed that you liked the 1/24 painted furniture, so here's the other lot......and yes, we do 1/12th as well Sandra, and I'll shout when we have more than the one solitary chest looking lonely in the stock box!

Robin
p.s. If you haven't...Sandra's dolls' dolls....do look!

Furniture Having Fun........in 3 scales

2010-11-05T11:29:00.006Z

I hesitate to say this, because it's probably heresy as I don't have a dolls house (although I promise I DO have lots of miniature treasures)........but I do like the furniture in them to do more than just stand there............

'Exquisite', 'quirky', 'statement' pieces ...they all 'do' something by being special! But I also like the ones that you can fiddle about with, load up with 'bits', experiment with or re-imagine!
My other half is the one who actually makes our furniture - I'm the one who fiddles about with some of it from time to time, when I take time-off from doll making.

A blog or two ago I was moaning that I needed to increase our stock of 1/24th dolls, especially with a fair coming up this Sunday (7th) at The Plinston Hall, Letchworth, Herts. Well I did manage it and these are the latest - the vicar is spoken for, but the others are all for sale, as are a few more in 1/48th scale.

So - time for a little painting - I love painting! These are all simple pieces in 1/24th scale - doors and drawers don't open - but great fun!

Furniture in this demanding 1/48th scale, keeps emerging from the workshop. The promised shop counter has arrived, and a super veg/fruit display bin - both of which go beautifully with the shop shelves/dresser I showed you earlier. It seemed reasonable to fill one of the bins with cabbages, spuds and carrots......fear not food makers, I won't be going into production!
On the basis that the shop might be of the 'Open All Hours' variety, brooms and buckets for sale are crammed into an old tea-chest.
Another tea chest does a turn as a packing case full of china and 'removal' items. We have empty ones too!

Having sold the earlier 'vintage' trunks, another mini-batch has been crafted and I've enjoyed the challenge of turning one into an old sailor's chest
I'm not sure how well this photo works, but there is a sea-chart, spyglass and ship's log in the lid, and his hat, uniform, treasures from travels and a shawl for his lady are inside.

Finally, the much loved 1/12th scale. I've taken this Edwardian Revolving Bookcase out of stock, together with a Macintosh chair, to show off some of my collection of exquisite dummy books made by my friend Celia Thomas of KT Miniatures. She has a lovely, unique selection of vintage books, and wartime paper memorabilia like ration books, which are also used in her fabulous settings and smaller pieces. They're beautifully proportioned, crafted and aged and these are really special to me because she borrowed some of our real old books to miniaturise, so 'our' books sit on 'Aunty Lola's bookcase', alongside the real one in our sitting room!! Nice - very nice!

If you'd like more details, or prices for any of the items on this blog - please do email me and I'll be happy to help..... and have a look at Celia's books too.

Thanks for looking - Robin

The Railway Children

2010-10-31T12:22:00.007Z

I've said it before...and I'll say it again...I have some LOVELY customers!!

One of my favourite books, T.V. serials and films is The Railway Children - personally I like the one with Dinah Sheridan as Mum and Jenny Agutter as Bobbie - but that's probably showing my age!
A while ago one of my favourite customers asked me to make her the children and Mother from The Railway Children, in 1/24th scale - what a treat!! Recently she very kindly she sent me a picture of the family in situ, and as you can see she has created a lovely authentic garden and picket fence in front of the cottage, where they can wave at the trains. I love it. She's a talented lady, is Pat!

So, with HUGE thanks to Pat for allowing me to reproduce her photograph ..........
here are The Railway Children.

And now, as they say, for something completely different.........
one of my favourite family of flowers, is the orchid...and this Cymbidium has just opened in my conservatory!
O.K. - this picture is one of self indulgence and has absolutely nothing to do with miniatures!

A kind soul pointed out that finding my website or email address, meant digging through 'About me'...... hopefully both are now more visible and obvious in the right column. Thank you - hope that helps.
R.

I Need to Make Some More Dolls......

2010-10-25T23:02:00.007+01:00

We have a fair coming up at Letchworth on November 7th - and the stock of 1/24th dolls is looking somewhat slim ..... and I've been trying to make a 1/48th child.

As other makers know, there's this balancing act of working on commissions without keeping people waiting too long, trying to maintain some kind of reasonable stock and still finding time to try out new ideas and create new characters. At the moment I'm having trouble keeping all the balls in the air.......... but I have made a batch of 1/24th scale heads and hands today, so hope springs eternal, and all that!
In theory the stand should have a group rather like this picture, which was taken before the last show.

I've been having a fiddle to see how I fared making a 1/48th child doll, that was also poseable. This is the result - I'm not sure I shall be making any more! She was 'a fiddle'!!

I'm going to put her away now and make a Mum and Grandad to go with her later, which will be my donation to the Breast Cancer Campaign Raffle at The Thame Fair in February. I know there are some super prizes already donated and you can see them if you go to KT Miniatures where Celia Thomas is coordinating the Raffle. For details of the fair itself go to
www.thamedollshousefair.co.uk

And....if you have fallen for 1/48th scale, do nip over to Louise Win's blog and website and see her wonderful work! The detail is superb! At this point 'thank you' Louise for your kind mention.

As always - thanks for looking!

p.s. As a novice blogger this is my first attempt at making links that work! If they do, it's entirely due to Celia's kind lesson today!

1/48th Illustrated List........or 'Eureka'!

2010-10-17T17:09:00.004+01:00

This is a bit of eureka moment for me.......

Well - O.K. that is a bit OTT - but a couple of very good friends of mine (you know who you are), not to mention one son and a DIL, will appreciate just what I mean.

In the right hand column - yippee - I've got a download - click there and I hope, I really hope, that up will come an Illustrated Price List of our 1/48th offerings!!

This has come about with a great deal of sweat and hand-holding, because as you will all have probably realised, I can do dolls, but technology is a whole different and scary ball-game for me!! I can't manage to update my own website - so this is my effort to keep Coombe Crafts up-to-date!

Having been dragged kicking and screaming into Blogland - I find I really enjoy it! I appreciate the 'following' of talented people, the comments, and the fun and wonder of looking at the work of others. So - thanks folks.

P.S. If there's a typo, I suppose I do want to know.....

The Little Carpenter.....and a 1/48th Dresser

2010-10-13T23:15:00.003+01:00

I believe that this little chap - in 1/24th scale - is part of a secret project, so I won't give the game away too much.

One of our lovely customers knew just the carpenter she wanted and I was delighted to bring him to life for her; he has his pencils, ruler and polishing rag in his pockets and carries a chisel ready to get some work done. Clearly he needed a bench so the carpenter half of our team set to and built him a bench with vice and half-made furniture.

I thought you might like to see what the miniature carpenter is making ....when it's finished it will be one of these beautiful Macintosh chairs!

More tiny 1/48th pieces of furniture are coming out of our workshop and this set of shop shelves looks great as a dresser with dining room furniture which I'll picture another time. We (well not actually me, of course) make a 1/24th version and a shop counter and till, and there will be a 1/48th counter in due course.....or so I'm told!

It is lovely to see some more followers - a warm welcome to you all.

Yes it's a plug...well, two actually!

2010-10-09T09:10:00.000+01:00

No apologies for an unashamed plug for The Thame Dolls House and Miniatures Fair......

The flyers are out already for this fabulous and prestigious fair held just once a year in Thame, and I'm totally thrilled that it features a picture of my Town Crier - you know the one - the one in the right hand column...in a muddle. He isn't just any Town Crier, in fact, but Anthony Church, Thame's real life Town Crier who will promote the fair throughout the day.
The flyer also illustrates the wonderful work of artisans Victoria Fasken, Mags Cassidy and Mary Williams - just three of over 40 of U.K.'s finest miniaturists who will have stands on February 19th 2011 at Thame Leisure Centre - and the Grand Raffle and sales table which will raise funds for Breast Cancer Campaign.
Ron and Felicity Holland are now organizing The Thame Dollshouse and Miniatures Fair, and the website, which they update regularly, is packed full of information about all the miniaturists attending and details of the four fantastic workshops. See www.thamedollshousefair.co.uk
We're looking forward to being at the fair once again...as everyone who attends says....it has such a buzz!

Here's the next plug folks.....
As a pretty regular visitor, I think Nottingham is a great city with a buzz too! So, if you are living in that neck of the woods or heading that way this weekend, I'm sure as creative people you'll be interested in a series of events called 'Creative October', which celebrate the work of so many designers, artists and makers based there. It's no surprise - and so appropriate - that it is launched this Sunday with a tea party - and the theme...Lace! Sounds super.
To find out all about this one and much more, go to
www.jcmiddlebrook.wordpress.com

And a 'thank you' for a superplug to - Jean Tuthill at A Romantic Country Home - wow Jean!! And four new followers....will catch up with you all later as I'm having 'one of those days'!
In answer to the question - 'do I sell my dolls?' - Oh yes. The website details and my email address is in the Contact box over there. Needless to say no website is up-to-date...do email me with any queries, using the bt email addy which is there.

A 1940s Nurse and her patient

2010-10-07T09:56:00.004+01:00

Every so often I get a phone call from Celia Thomas of KT Miniatures to ask me to create a character for one of her inspirational room boxes.......very exciting!

This 1940s nurse and patient will form a small part of her wonderful new room box, which is a 1940s wartime hospital ward at Christmas time. Celia is showing her work in progress on her blog, and it's already amazingly detailed as the scene is being authentically recreated. It's a privilege to be a small part of this and I urge you to rush over to KT Miniatures, see the work so far and then enjoy the progress until Christmas day comes to the ward.

From 1/12th down to 1/24th scale again .....my real miniature garden in a big planter out in the garden forms a lovely backdrop, I think, for these little children. Many moons ago I combined my love of plants, miniatures and photography and made greeting cards - this fun picture makes me think I might have a look and see if I've got any card blanks left.

Before I forget - a warm welcome and thanks for following to Maria Jose and Lara - I've had a quick peep at your blogs - wow, super work - will be back, as they say..anon

Miniatura - and a very special present

2010-10-04T22:25:00.004+01:00

As a visitor on Sunday - I had a lovely time!

Oh my word it did rain didn't it, although I'm not sure that was the reason for the down turn in visitor numbers. Usually I am on the other side of a stand so I did feel for my friends and colleagues who had the very highest standard of artistry and originality. I shall be sad, but very understanding if some do not continue to attend this show and it will be diminished if the number of high quality stands does reduce.

Too many fabulous things to mention individually...... I brought home some real treasures, and it was really super to catch up with so many friends.

This particular treasure was a gift from Mags Cassidy - Mags-nificent Miniatures - and is very special. Some years ago I also filled baskets with fruit and flowers, until others became so very much more expert than me and I decided to stick to dolls! My lovely and now, sadly late Mum, made my baskets for me. I passed some on the my chum Mags and happily she has been able to use them for her lovely work. This one she kept for me. Thanks Mags.

My two little 1/24th people in their night attire were on the Model Village Miniatures stand - trying out their beds and other furniture! I'm delighted to say that they went off to a new home with a smart new bed kit - thank you ladies.

Best Wishes

2010-09-29T21:20:00.002+01:00

Just before you all rush off - I'd like to send very best wishes to friends and stand-holders at Miniatura this coming weekend. I hope you all have a terrific show...and enjoy yourselves!

I'm really looking forward to being a visitor on Sunday - I'm sure there won't be enough hours .......

Can I also say a belated welcome and 'thank you' for following my blog, to everyone who is sticking with me... or come along in the last week or two .....it is so much appreciated. The big bonus for me is seeing the wealth of talent in the miniature world that I hadn't yet come across and 'meeting' more lovely people.

Off to the Pub....via Miniatura

2010-09-26T22:19:00.003+01:00

These 1/24th drinking pals are on their way to Miniatura .... and trying out the super pub furniture on the Model Village Miniatures stand.

If you're off to the great show at N.E.C. next weekend, do stop by and see the drinking pals - and a few of their chums - on the Model Village Miniatures stand where Louise and Marlene have extended their range of 1/12th and 1/24th accessories and furniture even more. As well as wonderful items for the house, shop and pub they now have now moved into the garden!
If you enjoy building your own furniture, there are over 100 different kits to choose from .... and not forgetting adorable tiny knitted toys and comfy, squashy cottagey sofas.

Now I have to finish the Tudor servants, or they won't be ready help with the furniture in the Tudor kitchen .......

A 1940's Couple in 1/16th ...... for change

2010-09-21T22:02:00.004+01:00

In the last week or so I've been in danger of seriously scrambling my poor little brain, because unusually, I've been sculpting dolls in four different scales: 1/12th, 1/16th. 1/24th and 1/48th.

As a rule I do try and concentrate on only one scale for several days at least, before moving on to another, because the brain, eyes and hands can begin to play tricks ..... I thought it might be interesting to show you what I mean.

The most familiar scales are probably 1/12th and 1/24th, and the very tiny 1/48th scale is gaining in popularity as more tiny little houses become available.

This elderly 1940s couple are in 1/16th scale and their likely home will be a vintage/antique house.

If you are over 50 like me, this is probably the scale of the dolls house you had as a child, so dressing the dolls in the forties style, or sometimes 1930s is often very appropriate. Anyway I must admit to being fascinated by the styles of clothing, furniture and accessories of the 1930s to 1950s.... and of course it gives me the opportunity to cover the wartime period and make chaps from the three services, or the odd air-raid warden or evaccuee.

Celia Thomas of KTMiniatures also loves this period and sells vintage/antique houses, furniture and accessories, consequently we often know the same collectors, and I know where to go for a gas mask! She also specialises in making the most original and authentic miniatures and accessories of the 1930s and 1940s in various scales and shows just how well vintage items and handcrafted 'new' creations can mix and match. It's an inspiring website, if you don't know it already, do take a look!

Tudor to the Twenties.....1/24th again

2010-09-17T22:36:00.005+01:00

About four hundred years separate my new 1/24th characters - and I know which century sounds the more comfortable!

Wearing coarse, woven fabric clothing and long days spent serving the master or mistress - sweeping and lugging heavy wooden buckets about - can't have much appeal for these Tudor servants.

On the other hand, Sir 'Tim' Birkin was not only wealthy and distinguished but A British Racing Car Driver of the 1920s - one of the famous "Bentley Boys".

I am making a series of racing car drivers of the early 1900s for a special customer; Sir "Tim" Birkin is the latest character and in this case was a real person. I was provided with a photograph of a super painting of the gentleman, to help in reproducing him, and I am most grateful to the owner of both the photograph and the orginal painting for kindly allowing me to use it in this picture.
The miniature Sir "Tim" is now displayed standing alongside an equally miniature version of his original Bentley car in a private collection.

Here come the witches.....

2010-09-10T22:04:00.003+01:00

Any minute now Blog-land will be full of witches...it's that time of year very soon.

I love making witches - and these are my latest 1/24th offerings - characters that allow doll makers to really run riot with their imagination! Lots of fun!

You'll guess that this isn't a miniature - it's a real life Magnolia 'Exmouth' - almost 10 inches across fully open. Gardening and plants fight miniatures for first place with me, so I couldn't resist showing this to you. It is SO beautiful with the scent of lemons. A year ago, when we moved to this house and garden, the small tree was almost buried in the undergrowth with one fabulous flower. This year, having been given space and light, it has rewarded us with ten. Magic!

If you love gardening and plants like me, check out Jayne's blog - she's mad about them too.
http://compostingchilds.blogspot.com/
Tomorrow I shall be torn between the weeding and the witches - the weather will probably decide it! Enjoy the weekend everyone.....whatever the weather.

Fag Ash Lil' .......... went to the Fair

2010-09-01T21:25:00.006+01:00

Fag Ash Lil', the last 1/12th doll I was trying to finish prior to the fair on Monday, did go to the fair - and liked it so much she came back home so that she could go to the next one!!

The moral of this story - that all makers will recognise - is that you NEVER sell the last thing you stayed up late to finish!!

We had a good fair on Monday - and have lots of gaps, so 'must work hard'. It was lovely to catch up with old friends amongst the other stallholders, and the visitors too.
I thought in an effort to demonstrate that I am still making 1/12th characters, even though 1/24th has rather taken over lately, I'd picture this old retired sea captain in his fetching yellow wellies, who is off to a new home after a visit to the fair.
As a rule, when shadows are cast, I abandon all attempts to take pictures of my work - but this was such a great shadow......

If you have read the last couple of posts, you will have seen that 1/48th was temporarily taking me over. The response to the dolls and furniture on Monday was just terrific, and all the dolls have found new tiny homes. Thank you for all the lovely comments on that last post - yes my eyesight is being challenged....thank you son!

Finally, just to squeeze in 1/24th - these ponies with their riders. I'd like to say I made the ponies too - but I have changed them quite a lot from their original 'look' (as you do) and the leather tack is all mine.

I hope everyone else at a Fair over last weekend had a great time.

Another 1/48th Challenge.....and a fair on Monday!

2010-08-26T23:15:00.010+01:00

Over the last week or so I had planned (hoped) to make about four 1/12th dolls, feather some more scruffy parrots, paint a pony, make a saddle and complete orders that would be collected at the fair at Thame on Monday.....

....well I feathered the parrots, completed the order for a little old 1/24th sailor and even made and feathered a couple of seagulls to go with him. I did paint the pony but he still needs a rider and the 1/12th dolls are still only heads and hands. You may see them anon, as they say....

Close-up of the 1/12th parrots

Then.........

......my other half presented me with further 1/48th challenges from the depths of his shed (sorry - workshop). The tiny little trunk needed trimming with leather bindings and 'brass studs', and the unbelievable, folding deckchairs needed canvas seats - VERY fiddly - but I could hardly complain, could I?

A Victorian 'Whatnot' in 1/48th scale did stop me in my tracks though. Between us we have made and filled our Whatnots in 1/12th and 1/24th scales for years, and I enjoy making tiny teapots, and turning beads and odds and bits into ornaments and using real miniature shells and stones to decorate them - but this was something else! I admit I considered it an impossible undertaking - then over several hours it slowly turned into something special. Just for once I don't even mind if I don't sell it!

This is horribly long - so, thanks for looking - and thanks for the encouragement in following my blog.

1/24th Witch's Cottage and Dickensian Scene

2010-08-20T23:04:00.003+01:00

Today a lovely lady called Jennie absolutely made my day! She sent me these photographs of two fabulous 1/24th projects she has created - The Witch's Cottage and York Street, a Dickensian Street Scene - which include four characters I made for her.

I think everyone will agree that here is one very talented lady and I'm thrilled to see my work in such stunning settings, and do thank her for allowing me to share the pictures with you all.Although I also had fun bashing and aging the witch's furniture and creating the hanging cauldron filled with gruesome goodies, I'm pretty sure that Mags Cassidy of Mags-nificent Miniatures is responsible for some of the great accessories in the street scene.

I happen to know that she has another project in mind.....I can't wait!

NEW - 1/48th characters and furniture

2010-08-13T23:58:00.003+01:00

I've been messing about with 'prototype' 1/48th characters for some months now, mostly in response to some lovely collectors of my 1/24th little people, who have been seduced by the super 1/48th houses that are becoming more available. 1/24th scale is challenging but fun - whereas 1/48th is challenging - so I kept abandoning the idea.

I haven't reached the 'fun' bit yet but I am pleased to have finally created the first ones.

Apart from creating enough detail in both sculpture and costuming, I wanted them to be as poseable as the two larger scales characters I make. My hand was rather forced by my other half - the furniture-maker of the team - when he presented me with a chest of drawers, bureau, tallboy/wardrobe and bed in 1/48th scale!!
So after much huffing and puffing I have made them and they can sit up and down and wave their arms about!!

They measure just under 1 1/2" tall, and being so tiny are a little hard to 'stage' and photograph as well as I would like - so apologies for the blutak. Anyway I hope you'll be interested to see both the new little characters and the furniture. Both will be on sale from 30th August - first of all at our next fair. This is the Dolly's Daydreams Dollhouse Fair at Thame Leisure Centre, Thame, Oxon. on Bank Holiday Monday - 30th August.
Thanks for looking folks!

Girl Guides, Brownies, Cubs.....and deckchairs !

2010-08-06T13:31:00.006+01:00

So...in this post I shall try and get my text and pictures in the right place....bear with me, I'm new to this lark!

When I opened my copy of the September issue of The Dolls House Magazine this week I was chuffed to see my 1/24th Brownie and Guide used to illustrate the mini feature on the Girlguiding movement which is 100 years old this year...even more chuffed when orders for them followed. I now have to get my head down and work!

It seems a shame to leave out the Cubs, so my picture includes them too.

Feeling a little smug, I was returned to earth a bit sharpish when my husband came in from his workshop and presented me with a dozen 1/24th deckchairs that all needed their stripey 'canvas' attached.
I've done that, so earned a brownie point or two.

In the same issue of the mag., in the Georgian dining room feature, my chum Mags Cassidy of Mags-nificent Miniatures is showing her quite fabulous new Georgian dishes which she is launching at autumn Miniatura - her food is mini-mouthwatering, do take a look. www.mags-nificent.co.uk
Julie Campbell, of Bella Belle Dolls, another lovely and talented friend, has her superb footman positioned to serve these dishes - not only that she's giving him away on the competition page!! www.bellabelledolls.co.uk

Phew!

New 1/24th scale characters

2010-08-02T13:40:00.003+01:00

With thanks to everyone who is encouraging me in blogland.....here is a little old lady, ready for her bed, a racing car driver and his pal from around 1917, all commissions that have now gone to their new 'homes'.

Following them.............Often a commission will lead to including a similar character in the list of regular ones that I make - the fisherman and gamekeeper are two of these, so they are heading for 'stock', together with the poacher. I do really enjoy making the accessories that 'add' something - so the pheasants, rabbits and sheepdog have real feathers or fur.

2010-07-31T16:02:00.010+01:00

O.K. Folks – this is my first proper blog, so can I kindly ask you to remember that I am a doll maker and not the least bit technical....I'll probably make mistakes.......I promise I will do my best to get better........

Although I create character dolls in other scales, 1/24th scale has been occupying my work time for several weeks, so I thought I'd share a few of my recent commissions and the ones I am working on for 'stock', over the next few postings.

These chatty little ladies, off to do their shopping, are old favourites; because each doll is quite different - sculpted and dressed as a 'one-off' - no-one gets the same little person. And....yes ... it is an acorn cup turned into one of the baskets!

It's a few years since I was asked to create Japanese ladies, so this was fun. The photo was taken before carefully packing and sending two off to their new home in an exquisite tea garden. As I reckon it might be a while before I'm challenged again, and have to dig out the research notes and pictures, I made a third to go into stock.

The last little group are for an Edwardian funeral! I promise that the vicar adjusted his cross before taking up residence in the 1/24th church somewhere in the home counties.

Catching up...........

2010-07-29T15:58:00.001+01:00

Welcome to my COOMBE CRAFTS catch-up-blog.......which will, I hope enable me to show you the new miniature characters I'm creating, that don't manage to feature on our website, and also introduce some of the new “interesting things to go with them”.