And Some More In 1/48th Scale....

I fetched out the tripod for my camera and took pictures of more 1/48th dolls - should have done that before - and also Farthing Stores a little village shop in the same scale.

I thought I should take at least one photograph with the famous match stick to give an idea of scale - but to be very exact she's just 1 3/8" tall. All the dolls are fully poseable.

This little old lady is even shorter and wears a tiny ribbon-trimmed cap and shawl in vintage lace.

If you follow the blog or have seen these little people at a fair, you'll know that most have been costumed very simply - chaps in jumpers and trousers and ladies in short knee-length skirts, cardigans or jumpers. In response to many requests, and when I have a little more time to work on a group I am making some more detailed costumes. This little group shows some of these, including a rare child.  All will go on sale first at the fair on 27th August here in Thame.

Also being shown at the fair for the first time is Farthing Stores a tiny one-roomed village shop in 1/48th scale. As you can see in the last photograph the thatched roof just lifts off and the back is open to allow easy access. The bow-fronted window is just ready to be laid out with goods and there's room for a counter and shop shelves which we also make.  You can see these if you click on the 1/48th scale List in the side bar here.

The old stone walls support an old fashoned rambler rose and the thatched roof is mossy with age. Adding depth and tone to the walls, the moss and lichen to the thatch and the plants, is almost the best bit for me and it's always hard to actually stop fiddling.

An old brass bell hangs on a spring on the door and I'm sure all the shoppers get a warm welcome when they push it open. I've really enjoyed working on the shop - just wish there was time to finish another before the fair.

Thank you for looking.

Robin  

New For The Nursery In 1/48th Scale

After some time working in other scales at our respective work benches, we've been concentrating on new items in 1/48th scale and I'm delighted to able to show you our first nursery pieces.

With a 'Thanks to Jen' who inspired us to make the first one, first is a tiny rocking cradle which is simple enough to fit into a variety of settings through the centuries. 
The wooden rocking horse is my favourite even though my heart sank when I first saw it in it's basic form ready to be painted and titivated. Fiendishly fiddly!!
Well a nursery does need children and although these don't really feature on my 'list' of characters in this scale I've made a couple of little girls.  Sorry about the quality of the photograph - you get the general idea -click on the image for a larger version.

The items pictured, along with some more little characters and a tiny shop will go on sale first at our next fair which is a Dolly's Daydreams Fair held on August Bank Holiday Monday - 27th - at Thame Leisure Centre.
we're looking forward to it very much and also catching up with old friends.
After the fair, the remaining new items and dolls will go into stock for sale.

When I've taken some more photographs of other pieces  (hopefully better than this one) I'll put them up on the blog.

Last week we had some sun and I had a happy day in the garden digging up a bit more lawn....less lawn, more flowers!! Now of course it's raining again which has at least ensured I finished the dolls.
One photograph in the blog doesn't seem much -  so there has to be room for a flower!!

This is a Cleome - fabulously pink and whirly. Love it! I grew them from seed so I'm very chuffed - I do just wish I'd planted them out in the borders instead of big pots but if you remember it rained and rained and rained so there was no chance at the right time.

Thank you for looking.

Robin  

There's No Comfort Zone....

If you're a maker of original, individually sculpted dolls, who enjoys working to commission in more than one scale, actually there's not really such thing as a comfort zone...the different challenges are part of the fun.

This little group of 1/24th characters are all completely different - different challenges, even different centuries!

First up is a Scotsman - a character you may have seen before as he's one of my most poular. I've photographed him alongside a sweet little laddie I fell in love with in a charity shop recently. I'll guess he's a 1950s/60s 'Present From Scotland'  - but it's unusual to see a proper boy's face in dolls like this and although his kilt is threadbare and he's lost his bagpipes I don't mind a bit. Which reminds me - my Scot needs some bagpipes.

This little lady has gone to U.S.A to run an Olde Tea Shoppe.

 

I like to think this this rather down at heel old boy probably knew Charles Dickens.

 

She's a Vampire! I'd love to see what final setting she's destined for.....

...but then there's a Mummy too!

I can't wait to see what I'll be asked to make next!

Thanks for Looking
Robin

Let's Go Dutch!

I thought this was a quirky and appropriate title for this blog....then realised that it is a very 'English' expression.  For those of you who mightn't know - it just means a couple each paying their own share when going out for a meal or date. Ummm - maybe I should have thought of another!

Anyway...........here they are a 1/24th scale couple in traditional costume - or at least my interpretation of it. I admit to being slightly anxious that someone will point out a glaring error.

It was a fun commission from long-time customers and friends and made a nice change. I Googled like mad and found so many fabulous examples of the various regional costumes. Just lovely!!

I'm just back from a week away - yes it rained!! Our lawn looks like a field...with lovely daisies and clover flowers......the borders resemble a colourful jungle with everything twice as tall as it should be and falling on it's neighbour.  At least you can't see the weeds!!

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

What's Going On.....?

Well - that seems a fairly appropriate question ask about our summer for a start!!!
I really didn't need to be told that we've now had the 'longest day'....that it's only so many days to Christmas....that I'm not as up-to-date as I'd hoped with outstanding commissions (sorry folks). ....that I haven't welcomed New Followers - (sorry folks), you're really welcome.

                                              Patty's Plum - Oriental Poppy   


However - on the bright side - if you ignore the fact that the wet (soaking wet) and warm weather has created lush weed growth in the garden, it looks really lovely!! I think the flowering plants and shrubs are just about beating the weeds and I love it. I'll resist the temptation to fill this blog with pictures of flowers...

 The rose is 'Blue For You' - it's supposed to be about 4ft tall - as you can see it's heading for 6ft!! Behind is a Cotinus - The Smoke Bush - the combination is lovely.

What's going on on the workbench.....it's WW2 characters at the moment....but only half made, so no pictures yet.....and a new 1/48th item being developed...
Another flower or two I think....

What's Going On in the  Nostalgia in Miniature Workshops! ....  Ah!!
What's On in the Little Vintage Hall?  - that's the title of our newest half day workshop - to be held on October 21st, here in Thame.
We know this will be lots of fun - a workshop devoted to creating a selection of 'vintage' and quirky items that can be used to 'dress' The Little Vintage Hall or The Little Vintage Hall - The Other Room - but are just as applicable if you have created your own individual scene or would like to add interesting items to an exisitng scene or house.
So - it's all about having a bit of a 'do'!

If you click on our Nostalgia in Miniature workshops link above,  all the details are there and a Booking Form - plus advance notice and dates for our Super All Day Christmas Special in Thame on November 24th and REALLY advance provisional notice of another exciting All-Day workshop at the very beautiful and popular Waterperry Gardens in Oxfordshire next April 7th.  That's 2013 - can't believe we're even thinking about next year!!
You are welcome to register your interest in this one now - there's already a list so if you are interested in this or any of the others you can also email me direct as soon as you like! My chum Celia - is taking a little time out to sample the delights of NHS - she'll be back soon and meanwhile her website KT Miniatures is still lovely to peruse.
 
By the way - we just have two places remaining on The Little Vintage Hall - The Other Room Workshop on  September 9th - details on the website.

Let's dig out the bunting and blow the rain!

Thank you for looking.
Robin

Work in Progress.....living in Australia

I blogged a week or two ago that I was working on a 1/12th family - seven individual characters which included children - to accompany grandparents I'd made for my customer some while back........

I really enjoyed creating the family - in truth very much a joint effort between me and 'the customer'. First time I've made a VERY pregnant lady, so that was fun, although I kind of know from experience the shape....
So - here's Janet - as a work in progress, 8 months pregnant, on my work bench.

And here she is again properly installed in her lovely new home in Australia, with some of her family around her on the porch. At this point I would normally thank my anonymous customer for allowing me to use her photo of Janet in situ.
However, Susan Monroe -  a genius in mini/micro knitting and crochet and with a wicked sense of humour (Do check her out) - has put up lots of super pictures of 'the family' in situ on her blog and some lovely family history, the story behind the pictures. So do take a look........... and Thanks Sus!!  Click  here for Susan

I've spent days trying to tie in and stake bushes and plants as we've had rain/winds/storms.....but these lovely pansies just waved in the winds and came up smiling.

The Jubilee weekend has been all about commemorating 60 years of service by our Queen...it rained on her too.....so local shops have pulled out the stops to create spendidly appropriate displays. I spotted this super King Edward VIIIth egg cup amongst a display of commemorative Coronation ware in a local charity shop. I thought it was lovely so I bought it!

Thank you for looking.
Robin  

A Proper Mixed Bag Blog!

Can I first wish everyone a lovely weekend - and if you're in the U.K. or Commonwealth we're celebrating our Queen's Diamond Jubilee. 60 years - what changes there have been, wherever we live.  Happy Days!

While we were on holiday in Yorkshire we saw this small ship Regal Lady moored in Scarborough - still taking visitors out to sea for day trips. In 1940 Regal Lady was one of the 'small ships' that went to the rescue of our soldiers from the beaches around Dunkirk. My father was one of those soldiers.
I don't know if Regal Lady will be one taking part in the Jubilee flotilla on the Thames this weekend - but I'll look out for her and the many others who will be there with pride.
Click on the image to enlarge and read the notice.

As this blog is supposed to be about miniatures, I should show you at least a couple!

A 1/12th commission of this sturdy old tea-trolley for a war time setting....

In 1/48th scale - this tiny wooden cradle has been added to our list....and I will update the 1/48th list in the Left column on this blog before much longer I promise...

Four 1/48th characters who are for sale - please contact me by email if you'd like more details of them, the cradle or of course anything else....

My lovely, and somewhat dim, cat is called Sam. He posed so beautifully I had to include him!
We have a tiny pond, and I mean TINY! However, the frogs have found it and I do believe we  have three in residence. Ony Fred popped up to say 'hello' when I was lurking with the camera - but he's sweet isn't he??
Finally I'm delighted to present the Nostalgia in Miniature video - very much courtesy of my ' Nostalgia' partner Celia Thomas, who's the techno-brains behind such modern whizzy stuff. This brings together (with lovely music so switch your sound on) all four projects in our Little Old Garden Series of Workshops - fences to sheds and and all the fun in between.
I hope you'll enjoy it.

Thank you for looking
Robin

More Happy Snaps

I am back at 'work', wigging the 'family' is finished and will be off to their new home any moment, and the list of  'to do' is being studied seriously.....but in the meantime, just the last few snaps!!

Like many miniaturists I'm a sucker for interesting (full sized) old buildings - my files are full of pictures of them - not to mention corners of walls, bits of roof and the like.  The following are two seen on our Yorkshire trip.

This is The Grand Hotel in Scarborough - or at least a corner of it. It was built in 1863, one of the first purpose built hotels in Europe  and at one time the largest. What is fascinating is that it was designed on the principles of Time - so the sculptures on each of the four corners represents a different season (not sure which this one is), the twelve floors represent the months, 52 chimneys - the weeks...and so on. I loved the sculptures and gothic architecture. Sadly we weren't staying there.

Whitby was full of treasures when it came to buildings tucked away up little streets and bolts and this is one - maybe it was a merchant's house once upon a time. It would be wonderful in miniature....in my dreams.....

Captain Cook served his merchant seaman apprenticeship in Whitby and he is honoured by this rather fabulous statue high on the cliff looking out to sea. I do like a good statue too....not to mention the fact that I've a vested interest in this brave and interesting man and was comissioned two or three years ago to recreate him in 1/12th scale.

I'm sorry that I've forgotten who this stunning memorial tablet in York Minster commemorates - but the scale of this Tudor momument, the design, sculpture and colours was quite wonderful. Many Blogs could be devoted to the magnificent Minster so if you get the chance to go to York - a wonderful City anyway - do go to see it.
Thank you for looking
Robin

Happy Snapping!!

I love taking photographs almost as much as making miniatures and gardening - so now that Spring has arrived, and I'm just back from a lovely visit to family and a holiday in Yorkshire - there have been lots of opportunities to snap away....

Given that there's a whole family of dolls that need wigging, our latest 1/48th piece hasn't been photographed yet, and I'm still tackling the holiday washing  - no pics of miniatures this time!

The Cowslips in my 'wild meadow' (a really tiny patch, to be honest) look wonderful and are spreading. I planted some when we moved here less than three years ago, but find to my delight that they are popping up all over the garden so they must have grown here once before. I love the way that surprise seedlings and plants just appear when you inherit an old garden.

Nostalgia is part of my garden as well - this is quirky corner by our ancient cast iron garden bench. The Auriculas are in old clay pots and the odd collections in the terracotta pans are mostly shells and stones.The table is actually a piece of marine plywood sitting on an old green glass carboy. I've just planted an old fashioned Pink in the leaky watering can...in my mind's eye it will look wonderful. I'll let you know!

Here's quirky!! Spotted in a relative's garden - nasturtiums planted in old baked bean tins which have been punched with holes and hung in the pear tree. I think they'll look super when the plants have grown and spill over in full fabulous flower.....am saving my cans!!

 

I have always thought that there's no better sight at this time of year than a bluebell wood - but I think you'll have to agree that this bank in Scarborough with a drift of bluebells and wild garlic (Ransoms) comes pretty close.
Finally - between Filey and Bridlington on A165 - the life sized Dotterel Shepherd and his sheep march across a roundabout!!! Amazing!! Fabulous I thought, although I gather the sculpture by Ronald Falck gets a mixed reaction. My husband kindly went round twice and parked in a layby so I could take pictures - I'm sure I'm not the only one. I'd have loved to get closer - if you're interested, Google it for more pictures and info.

 

 Thank you for looking.
Robin

Check Out the Shopkeepers

There must be SO many different kinds of shops - and it's fascinating how they've evolved over the centuries and decades. Equally fascinating are shops in miniature. For now I'm sticking to shopkeepers!

Let me introduce you to a couple of  1/24th scale Corner Shopkeepers from the 1960s - 70s......they do look pretty much alike....which at least demonstrates that no two Coombe Crafts characters are ever identical, even if the share the same clothes!

                                            

I loved those shops - my aunt owned little one which was crammed full from floor to ceiling and she sold everything from Cream Crackers (loose in a tin) to shoelaces, sherbet and writing paper. Magic!!

The next shopkeeper - in 1/12th scale - is actually a famous one, certainly in Nottingham where he founded the famous Boots chain of chemist shops and was a generous Victorian benefactor.  Please meet Jesse Boot!  

 

You might like this old photograph of a baker's shop taken around 1920 I think - the pony drawn cart has been loaded up with loaves of bread for delivery around the small market town and surrounding villages. Shops like this were very often at the heart of the community, and the baker here would cook neighbour's Christmas dinners for them in his big oven if their own were too small.

Finally a photograph taken very recently here in Thame - just a lovely reminder of an old shop now long gone, but not forgotten.

Last Sunday Celia Thomas (KT Miniatures) and I held the first in our new series of Nostalgia in Miniature Workshops, also here in Thame. The weather was WET - so thanks to the ladies who braved horrible journeys to attend - but we had a very enjoyable and enthusiastic afternoon and a whole number of accomplished Little Vintage Halls emerged from detailed instructions and prepared kits comprising little more than MDF, pieces of wood and  card, paint and glue! Magic!

For pictures of the workshop and details of the next one do take a look at our Blog.

Thank you for looking
Robin