Scots in 1/16th Scale - just for a change!

For the last few days I've been shifting scale - depending on where you come from on this....down to 1/16th scale...or up to it! I also had to decide to give the Scotsman pants - and yes I know that's not authentic, but he looked better that way!

I also worried about whether his sporran should be under or over his jumper.......oh the decisions a dollmake has to make!!!!
Anyway this is a modern couple so I'm sure his lovely wife will sort it all out.

This next group are down in scale again to 1/24th and are heading for the West Country where I believe they will be joining their friends at the local market.

I find it interesting that so many of us, both collectors and makers, work and collect across the scales, commission new work and collect vintage and antique.  It's a very diverse and fascinating hobby.
As a scale comparison, the next picture might be of interest - 1/12th, 1/16th, 1/24th, 1/48th scales.

I had some lovely comments on the pictures of my flowers in the last blog (thank you all), and wasn't going to include any this time - BUT - I couldn't resist photographing the 'Blue For You' rose when the rain finally stopped today.

Thank you for looking.
Robin

...And Another Family Moves On....

One of the most exciting (terrifying) commissions for a doll maker is the one that starts with a photograph...or series of photographs..........

It is quite a leap of faith for a customer to entrust a commission which aims for a likeness of their family so that a miniature family home can be inhabited by (one hopes) 'the family'. To be very (VERY) clear I don't 'do' portraiture ... others do and I'm in awe of their  artistry....but I'm always happy to have a bash at a 'likeness' - which usually works and is seriously less scary!

So here is the latest 1/12th family who have just taken up residence in their new home  - it's to be a post war house and as you can see Dad is wearing his de-mob suit and the boys are all in their regulation, below-knee grey short trousers worn for decades in this country.

With friends, I had a lovely time as a visitor to KDF last Sunday. It was a really outstanding show so there is no way I can even begin to list favourites among the many artisans.  It was also great to catch up with old friends, see new-to-me artists from outside the U.K, and have a modest spend on some special miniature treats.

One old friend I did catch up with, not having seen her for ages, was Deb Jackson whose superb miniature work is absolutely unique! Dolls with heads the size of a pin head.....micro everything from chairs to microscopes. Attendance at fairs is rare so take a look at her website - www.debjacksondesigns.com and be enthralled!

A couple of blogs back I featured our WW1 scene commissioned by Dolls House and Miniature Scene magazine as a 'how to' project - August Issue (out on June 26th). The scene is now on display in the Thame Museum,  Oxfordshire, as part of the fascinating WW1 exhibition, which is well worth a visit if you're in the area. 
The scene will be returned to Celia and me after the exhibition closes towards the end of August. Thereafter the diorama will be offered for sale with 50% donated to The Royal British Legion in support of their valuable work. Full details for any interested individuals or organisations are on our Nostalgia in Miniature website and we welcome enquiries.

The sun is out - the garden is blooming!!! You know me....have to squeeze in a few flowers......

Thank you for looking.
Robin

Here She Comes Again.....

While I've had a lovely little garden 'spend' in my local market to tell you about - I have been working too so it might not come as a great surprise to see yet another Fag Ash Lil' - she has to be the favourite character!

I really should find a few more names for this lady.....although they're all cheery characters wearing all their 'slap' and trinkets for the early morning cleaning shift at the bank.......each one is individually sculpted and of course dressed in a variety of wrap-round pinnies and fluffy slippers so they all have different personalities!

I think this little 1/12th lady could have a go at my work bench with her bucket and mop before she sets off for the bank, then moves on to her new home.

Two special buys in the market recently - the first, a very unusual double cowslip, which is just lovely, and has now been planted in my 'wild patch' where I'm trying to persuade my lovely cat not to sleep quite on top of it when she's sunbathing!

...and I bought an owl!!

As I rule I can walk past the stall selling garden 'ornaments' without much of a second glance - but the large snowy owl, all very rustic and fashionably rusty took my eye. Two circuits of the market and back....for thinking time.... and he came home with me.  Since I took the photo he's taken up residence on a chunky log and looks more at home.  The local birds took a day or so to be sure he wasn't going to chase them but now they happily ignore him.

Thanks for looking.
Robin