It Was All About The Research

I think I've said before that I really rather relish a spot of research, whether it's for costuming a character or getting the details just right for an accessory. This last week or so, I've been immersed in uinforms of World War 1.

It's always a privilege to be asked to make a character in uniform, and vital to get the details right, be they badges or buckles and belts. So here is  my version of a  1914-18 soldier. I've chosen to picture him with some family items from The Great War - a set of binoculars are in the case, alongside Princess Mary's 1914 Christmas Tobacco tin and a medal.

I spent 'forever' dyeing and redyeing the fabric to get as close as possible to the authentic colour and appropriate material for the belt and puttees....and of course different fabrics dye differently.....
All strands of the media are giving World War 1 important and respectful coverage which I'm finding very interesting and very poignant, including the miniature publications. Dolls House and Miniature Scene have some great projects and an inspiring competition that is well worth checking out.

More research for the main items in the next picture - a Victorian Water Carrier.  It was taken in a bit of a rush on top of a pile of CDs where I'd popped some poppies to dry - but as you can see it's in both 1/12th and 1/24th scales.

 
The water carrier is one of the accessories in our latest Nostalgia in Miniatures Workshop on April 26th and it's important to us both - Celia Thomas is my partner in the enterprise - that we create entirely original and accurate pieces. The research for this wasn't quite as hard as you might imagine, as many moons ago we owned one. So wish I still had it!!
The poppies needed no research at all!

Thank you for looking
Robin

The Couch Potato!

If you pop into my blog regularly you might have noted the distinct absence of new dolls lately - at last I can put that right and show you the latest character to saunter off the workbench.

My workshop partner Celia and I have been juggling like mad the last week or three - working together on another new and very exciting magazine project, trying at the same time to keep ahead on the work for our new workshop in April - Round the Back of the Old Gardener's  Cottage - and keeping abreast of our individual work too! Phew!

The magazine project has involved lots of research, which actually we both love, and we're inclined to wallow and enjoy that part of it for far too long.......still it's done and delivered so it's cake and coffee to celebrate! We're both looking forward to revealing what we've been up to in a few weeks.

So.....back to sculpting then and hoping to create just the right character to bring to life someone's idea of exactly the right miniature 'person' for their house or setting.

Which is where the 'Couch Potato' comes in......

I wouldn't mind betting that this cuddly chap in 1/12th scale would fit on many a comfy sofa with a can of beer, packet of crisps and a nice gooey pizza  - watching footie on the T.V.!

That shirt is stretching a little snugly around that tum and clearly the old jogging bottoms and scruffy trainers haven't actually seen any sport-type exercise lately. Never mind - he's happy - and in his dreams he could get the ball past Best and Beckham!!

I've really enjoyed creating this chap and got carried away a bit with the photos (bench is still a muddle)  and I miss him now he's gone to his new home as he was such fun to create. Another interesting chap is nearly finished on the workbench though - he's very different and I hope to show him next time.

Thank you for looking
Robin

A Spring Market...and other things...

I love it that here in the historic market town of Thame in Oxfordshire, we still have proper market days. On Tuesdays the Upper High Street is a cheery, colourful bussle with stalls selling everything from fruit, flowers and eggs to pairs of shoes and mobility scooters. Once a month the Farmer's Market comes too. Anyway - this Tuesday I found it hard to resist the flower and plant stalls....

...so I bought some lovely cheery daffodils 'cum up from Cornwall' which I popped into a jug with Forsythia from the garden.  The fabulous quirky Red Cat, Yellow Cat  limited edition print that's sitting just behind was a super duper Christmas present.  If you'd like to see more of this talented Nottingham artist and illustrator's work click on Corrina Rothwell's website www.corrinarothwell.co.uk and I promise you'll love her work and have a giggle at the same time....paintings, printings, cards.... what's not to love!

Hard to pass a plant stall, as I said - so I came home with this beautiful Polyanthus tucked into a basket.  I just love the colour of the flower, which reminds me of a velvet Tudor frock, against dark leaves. It will go into the garden later.

Thanks to all of you who have browsed Coombe Crafts Shopping on the side bar, and also purchased.  I meant to include this little 1/24th scale nursery chair with the cuddly teddy bear and other toys - it's the only one left with a teddy bear and £14...... I will update in a bit...

The 1/12th scale Whatnot on the 'shopping list' has now been sold but here's another, this time with two tiny cottage teapots and also greatly reduced to £15....I'll update in a bit...

If you'd like to purchase or need more details of the nursery chair or Whatnot just email me.

Thank you for looking
Robin
P.S. And have you seen that postal cost are going up again at the end of the month?  I feel a rant coming on!

In Which I Attempt a Shopping List....

It's a well-known fact that technology and I are not friends - techno-mates and relatives do their best to instruct me but I fall short of their expectations....by several miles. Still I thought I'd have a bash at putting some kind of list on the side bar of this Blog, just to show some of the items in stock and available for sale.

I reckoned it couldn't be that hard....read the destructions and HELP....and called in reinforcements!!!  For heavens sake I've only just figured out how to create a table in a document - this was hard!
I was/am (let's be positive here) after something simple that I could update myself....the reinforcements had a bit of a chuckle as I made notes (on a bit of paper) and figured I'd be calling him back when I needed to update!

Anyway I've changed the order around on the sidebar a bit and now if you look at Downloads you'll see Coombe Crafts Shopping.  It's all a bit 'informal' but I hope you'll enjoy browsing and contact me if you'd like to make a purchase, get more details or enquire about what else might be available.
 
Thank you for looking
Robin

.....And Some Thank You's

Well - that's it until 2015!! I can't believe I'm talking a year ahead, but this is now the only fair we attend! The Thame Fair kicked off to a sunshiney start on Saturday (amazing) so it's another year before I can look forward to doing it all again. I admit to being a tad weary.......

I forgot to take my camera so sadly no pictures of the fair or our stand - so I thought I'd picture the miniature version of our old friend Anthony Church the Town Crier.  For the first time in 'forever' our lovely, lovely Town Crier was unable to attend and we so missed his cheery presence both at the fair itself where he always calls the magnificent raffle draw, and around local towns where he plays an active part in drumming up custom reminding everyone about The Thame Miniature and Dollshouse Fair and Breast Cancer Campaign fundraising.  Hope you're soon feeling better Anthony!

As always it was a lovely fair and we'd like to thank those of you who came along to say 'hello' as well as those buying from us of course.  So many folk remarked again on the friendly atmosphere and the very high standard of the artisans present - an oportunity to choose original work and meet the maker too.  I'm sure that Felicity and Ron, the organizers, will announce the amount raised for the charity when counting is complete  - all due to the hard working volunteers and the many people who donated so generously.

Perhaps the awful weather recently and the impression (wrongly) that the whole of Oxfordshire was under flood water was responsible for a somewhat reduced attendance this year.....must try  harder next year to make sure everyone knows in plenty of time to plan visiting if the weather throws another wobbly!!!

Some items shown on recent blogs are still available, so do email if you would like details of something specific. I'm hoping to create a 'Shopping List' as part of the blog shortly - I'll let you know when it's ready.

Thank you for looking
Robin

Looking Forward to the Fair...nearly ready!

I hope that even though you might not be visiting Thame Dolls House and Miniature Fair this Saturday, you've enjoyed seeing some of the  items that we shall be taking with us......and here are the last ones I've photographed this week.
We're all very conscious that many of you are having a dreadful time with floods and other damage to homes and land at the moment and hope that things will improve for you before too long. In Thame we are very lucky that the flood plain is working well and the roads and of course the Leisure Centre, the venue for the fair, are clear.

If you are coming along, we are on  stand 35 at the end of the hall nearest the main double doors, do come and say 'hello'.
The full list of exhibitors and a floor plan are now up on the Thame Dolls House and Miniature Fair website together with details of the venue and travel suggestions.  It's going to be a super fair!!

O.K. - now for the last few pictures folks.
Mini-water features are such fun to make - just the right containers make the difference too.

1/12th scale, with the duck and the smaller 1/24th scale in the half barrel

I have to fit in some gardening accessories....and birds.

1/12th and 1/24th scale robins (how can I leave them out!) and the blue tit

Just a few examples of our very varied stock of original hand-crafted 1/24th furniture.

Photgraphs don't do justice to detail of these tiny 1/24th pieces.  We work together on these - both the furniture and tiny teapots are all individually crafted so we only make a few.

Victorian style 'glass' domes are all quite different, either containing tiny feathered birds, butterflies or shells.

Finally our scruffy parrots!

1/12th scale feathered scruffy parrots

We've made big reductions on remaining stocks of 1/12th furniture (although we still make on commission), so there are bargains.  If you've spotted something that appealed to you in the recent blogs I'm happy to let you know whether it, or something similar, is still available, if you email me after the fair.

Thank you for looking
Robin

More Small Characters - not forgetting 1/12th scale!

I have rather been concentrating on the smaller scales on these last few blogs - so many of you are 'downsizing' these days - but 1/12th scale characters haven't been forgotten and I've just finished a friendly old gardener to take up his place with the others. There are also some brand new accessories.

First up are this 1/24th trio all dressed in navy blue!  The policeman is in traditional uniform complete with wooden  truncheon and handcuffs and is pictured with the district nurse and the workman, who must be a carpenter I think to judge by the saws and chunks of wood in his bag.

We do have children too - this is a picture I have used before but I'm in the process of filling a sack of presents for a similar Father Christmas to take with him to The Thame Dolls House and Miniatures Fair on 22nd February....nothing like getting ready early for Christmas!

I've also been enjoying creating some little nursery pieces in this smaller scale, using some of the toys I occasionally make.As I'm generally known for 'shabby' it's been fun go 'chic' for a change and paint pretty flowers on pastel coloured chairs with delicate antique lace, silk ribbons and dainty patchwork rugs to show off the the wooden dolls and cuddly teddies. I'm hoping the gollies will be finished by the end of the week!

...and here's my old 1/12th scale gardener - I think he looks like an 'Arthur'. He's wearing an old fairisle pullover and has tucked a skein of raffia into his pocket for tying up his beans - he's pretty proud of those carrots!

Talking of gardening, I'm delighted that Celia Thomas is going to squeeze our new Nostalgia in Miniature Workshops prototype of the 'Round the Back of the Old Gardener's Cottage' scene onto her KT Miniatures stand at the fair - our stands are next to each other - and we're happy to tell you about the workshops. We shall have Booking Forms with us and if you're tempted to join us at our next workshop in Oxfordshire on April 26th there are only a few places left. Full details are on the website.  If you are one of the ladies coming in April - come and take a look at what you'll be making!
 
We are also hoping to find space for the 'Seaside Scene' which we created last year for The Victorian Seaside feature in Dolls House and Miniature Scene Magazine - this is for sale with 50% donated to Breast Cancer Campaign.  All reasonable offers will be considered...it must go...we're both running out of storage space!!

Thank you for looking
Robin

The Little People!

Having concentrated on showing my little dwellings in the last two blogs, it's time to focus on the little people I've been creating in both 1/24th and 1/48th scales.  As well as some familiar ladies and gents I make regularly, there are some brand new characters that I hope you'll like and some that are putting in an appearance after a time away.

First of all a few of the new tiny 1/48th people, perhaps to live in one of the three houses or run the shop - and of course a little witch to cast a happy spell on the fair coming up soon...very soon!

Both a monk and a pedlar lady have appeared on the Coombe Crafts stand before, but not for a year or two, so it's been fun to make them again.  I filled her basket - which is a lovely one by Mouse House Miniatures, who are on the stand next to me at The Thame Fair - with lovely silk ribbons, old lace and pretty bottles and jars.

This little lady is off to do her shopping pushing her new shopping trolley - it's obviously going to rain as she's
wearing her 'mac' and tied a headscarf over her new perm.

The last two for this blog are the Scotsman and Morris dancer - I can't honestly tell you what clan the Scot belongs to but the Morris Dancer has the Uffington White Horse on the back of his jacket so he must belong to the Ickneild Way Morris!

In a day or two I'll put up some pictures of some of the others - but 1/12th need a top up! 

There are some of the finest miniaturists in the U.K. at the upcoming fair - THAME DOLLSHOUSE AND MINIATURE FAIR on Saturday 22nd February at Thame Leisure Centre, Oxford Road, Thame OX9 2BB  and you can find all the details by going to the website, www.thamedollshousefair.co.uk  As well as the fantastic standholders, there is a splendid Sales Table, now famous Tombola and Raffle organised by the Thame club - Market Town Miniatures. The proceeds from these raise funds for BREAST CANCER CAMPAIGN.  Once again the club will have a splendid display of members' original miniature projects, which is always very popular.

If you're able to come along you'll have a lovely day in a friendly atmosphere  - do come and say 'hello'.  By the way, if you are hoping to come you might like to be reassured that as Thame is on a flood plain, which is working wonderfully well, the main roads are all fine, the 280 Oxford/Aylesbury bus service is running every 20 minutes or so and stops outside the Leisure Centre and Chiltern Railways train service to Haddenham and Thame Parkway (just two miles away and on the bus route) is unaffected by flooding too.

Thank you for looking .
Robin

Penny Farthing Stores and a Water Garden

Penny Farthing Stores - in 1/48th Scale  is the second little building I've managed to get finished so far this year....in my dreams there were (are) to be more....
The little old shop had a name before I even started building and it just remains for a new owner to decide just what it might sell.


A year or more ago I bought some tiny penny farthing bicycles - bound to be useful I thought - and the idea for the shop was born and been 'in planning' in my head ever since. The old stone-built one storey building has been around for a long time, but the owner gives it a fresh lick of whitewash inside and out every few years.

The generous window would be perfect for displaying anything from general stores to antiques- or would show off a lovely tea shop inside.  The mossy old thatched roof on this tiny building is permanently fixed down.

The door, which is half glazed is slightly ajar just waiting for the first customer, and of course the Penny Farthing hangs in place at the end of the building.  This is another little rural building so there's a grass path at the front and an old overgrown climbing shrub has begun to scramble across the roof at one end, while at the other a pretty tree is covered in palest pink blossom.
Of course we need a shopkeeper and someone to buy his goods.......two of the new tiny characters.
 Penny Farthing Stores stands on a base 5 1/2" x 3 1/14" and is approx 4" high. It will be on sale first on our stand at The Thame Fair on 22nd February.

If you follow or dip into this blog, you'll have noticed in recent weeks a bit of an emphasis on miniature gardens of one sort (and scale) or another - this one has a pond in it!

Ever since Celia Thomas and I developed a new way of creating both still and moving water for our Nostalgia in Miniature Workshops 1/12th scale project, The Victorian Seaside, for Dolls House and Miniature Scene Magazine, I've been wanting to do it again.

This is on a much smaller scale - 1/48th - and is a little pond filled by a stream rushing through a grassy, hummocky wild garden.  A small bush hangs over the pond which has a water lily floating on the surface and iris planted at its margin. The bright yellow flowers on the edge of the pond are as close as I could get to marsh marigolds in such a small scale, but I hope it works. 
After working on the cottage  (in the previous blog) and shop, I  have to admit it was pure indugence and I loved making this little scene.  As a free standing garden, which measures 2 1/4" x 1 3/4" and is approx 2 1/4 inches high to the tip of the bush, it would look lovely butted up against an existing 1/48th scale house or pretty on its own. It too will be first offered for sale at The Thame Dolls House and Miniature Fair.


Thank you for looking
Robin

1/48th SCALE - A COTTAGE IN THE HILLS

I imagined Spring Cottage as a tiny one-up-one down dwelling built into the hillside, in a small village in rural Wiltshire.  I have lovely memories of living in just such a village and my Spring Cottage has almost certainly been influenced by that...certainly the lush bright green colours  of early spring...and the name of the cottage itself.

Whoops - shame I didn't put the removable roof back on straight!

I wanted the cottage to look rooted in the landscape so I wrapped the hill around one corner, liberally sprinkled  it with primroses, ferns and clumps of grass and added a gnarled tree, just coming into leaf. The beauty (and fun) of hand building  from scratch without plans and pre-cut pieces is that it can (and does) grow and develop as the mood and inspiration takes me.....sometimes it's quite hard to stop!

The hill and tree were lovely to create

Stone walls are aged, marked by the weather and growing moss and lichen while the doors and widows are patched and creaky so the building has a well-loved and lived in feel about it I hope. I thought an old thatched roof would be appropriate in this setting, and this too is mossy, pretty ancient and probably in need of rethatching!

Sprays of Winter Jasmine cling to the corner

As you can see in the last picture, Spring Cottage has a simple interior with the door invitingly ajar and a roof  that lifts off so that full sized hands can easily arrange and rearrange the furnishings.
Overall the cottage is just under 7 inches high to the top of the roof and stands on a base 6 x 4 inches, and will be for sale first on our stand at The Thame Dolls House and Miniature Fair on 22nd February.

Interior of Spring Cottage with the roof removed

 

 

 

Penny Farthing Stores is finished too - I'll put pictures up in my next blog - Thanks for looking

Robin