You start with a plan and/or a budget, or both........then it all goes out the window!!
So - 'best mate' and I went to Miniatura last weekend, by a series of trains and a bus, with a bus driver who wasn't sure where he was going.......you don't want to know! Neither of us needed ANYTHING - but went with open minds to be tempted, as you do.
In the very back of my mind, bearing in that mind that my focus in these last few weeks of good weather is hacking back the garden and not miniatures, was a 1/12th dresser I'd painted and distressed several years ago. I would like to finish it with lovely pieces....sometime.
Going with 'best mate' is probably not a good idea, as despite determination to stick to the premise that we don't need ANYTHING and have fixed budgets - we are inclined to lead each other astray!
It's two or three years since I last went to the Birmingham show and it did seem smaller, but it was good to see some top class artisans whose work is a joy. All the following are in 1/12th scale.
I treated myself to another couple of pieces of cabbage ware by Sally Meakin which are destined for the aforesaid dresser. Fabulous!
I can't pass Elisabeth Causeret's stand, and spend so much time looking, drooling and deciding. I chose a lovely pot and an exquisite shallow dish with beautiful tracery, which the photo doesn't do justice to.
Al'turnative have such a range of turnings and lamps now it is always a difficult choice. The burl wood shallow dish was an instant 'must have'. I look forward to seeing them again at The Thame Dolls House and Miniature Fair in February next year.
Jan Southerton, The Flower Lady will be at Thame as well so I can have another look at the delightful pot of mixed cacti I wish I'd bought......I bought a little one though, isn't it brilliant? Sorry the photo isn't as brilliant as her work.
With so many wonderful artisans leaving the 'business' for a variety of reasons I feel it's important to indulge while I can.
Thank you for looking
Robin
4 comments:
Hi Robin!
Whenever I go to a Miniature show with with my best friends, it is both a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing because we are all looking for items for each other, things that each of us might have otherwise passed by. Of course the curse is that we usually go over-board no matter how 'GOOD' we are trying to be, so I can perfectly understand what you went through at the Birmingham Show with your best mate. ;P
You came away with some REALLY LOVELY minis though- LOVE THE POTTERY! and so it appears to me, that it was worth EVERY extra Precious Pound you spent! :D
elizabeth
I can just emagine it must have been hard to not buy...nowonder your budget went out the window. Beautiful pieces, amazing workmanship. Pam in Norway
Ah, Best Mate, eh? Well, the said Best Mate helped you to find some real treasures for the dresser, which I hope we will be able to see one day?
I can't say which I like best, because all your purchases are wonderful.
The D/H bought me a fabulous birthday gift - quite possibly from your Best Mate (?)- and I now need to source about a thousand miniature plants, dibbers, trowels, plant pots, waterig cans.....
Arthur-the-Gardener is in raptures and may even drop his bunch of carrots in his excitement. Can't disappoint him and his own new Best Mate, must start serching!
I KNEW you'd all love my purchases....it's giving me great pleasure at the moment just looking at them!
Mmmm - yes I know what your birthday present was - Best Mate did divulge. Nice that Arthur has his own best mate too - I think it's time to prize those carrots out of his hand and take them to the kitchen. Have fun Jenni.
Rx
Post a Comment