Sunday 18 March 2012

Birmingham Spring Miniatura Purchases


Had a good time at the Miniatura show in Birmingham this weekend. It seemed very busy, and there were plenty of traders there, though perhaps not as many as there have been in previous years. I don't that mattered, it still took a long time to get around the whole exhibition, and I was exhausted by the end!

Pictured above is a selection of things I purchased for my Georgian dolls house. The exception being the Chinese vase by Muriel Hopwood, which I actually purchase a little while ago, not in Birmingham, but it is Muriel who organises the Miniatura shows.


The mahogany tilt-top table is by David Booth, and will replace the table currently in the drawing room, which will move to the attic space between the two bedrooms. The gentleman's shaving stand with mirror is also by David Booth.


On the table are a little trinket box and a pair of scissors, which open and close!! Both made of Stirling Silver, by Simply Silver. The large comport is not silver, it was purchase from Karen Kirby of Karen's Miniatures (www.karensminiatures.co.uk). She had one of these comports filled with a pyramid of oranges, which looked fantastic, but I thought I would like to use the comport to create some sort of floral display in the hall, we shall see!!


The books are by Ellie de Lacy. Only the one with the marbled cover is an actual book, the other four stacked up are dummy books, which I hope might fill my shelves in the library a little quicker!! As I mentioned before, I didn't actually buy the vase at Miniatura, but I wanted to show you it anyway. It's a Ming style design by Muriel Hopwood, and is one of two vases I bought recently, made by her.


 I went to the Minitura show with a clear idea of what I wanted to buy for the pub; tables, chairs, stools, glasses, etc etc. As you can see I cam home with completely different things!! I think the beauty of dolls house fairs is that you see things that you wouldn't normally see, made by specialist craftspeople. I know I can get chairs and tables anywhere, and have seen glasses available online, so it's perhaps not so surprising that I came home with more unusual items! I did buy plenty of pub related stuff, you might just be able to see the three barrels behind the bar, which I bought from Sussex Crafts, and also the beer taps to go with them! I bought some more stock too, which is now also stored behind the bar. The Chest of drawers is great, just the right size for the pub bedroom, so the owners at least have somewhere to store their clothes now, even if they haven't got a bed to sleep in yet! I saw the garden fork and had to have it, its been given just the right finish to make it look weathered and used, and goes perfectly with those muddy wellies, which I thought were great fun! Both made by Pride of Plaice.


Thees a basket of fresh garden produce too, although it does seem a little too clean to have just been dug up in the garden! The half barrels will be used as planters outside the pub, on either side of the porch, and there's also a little photo of a child to fix to a wall somewhere upstairs.


A few other little bits for the pub owners, a pair of silver (not sterling) candle sticks, a delightful fair of green Delft style candle sticks for the bedroom and a lovely cheerful jug, to go on the dresser in the kitchen. All made by Cornish craftspeople and available from Meadowcroft Miniatures (www.meadowcroft-min.co.uk).
The dominoes box will go in the pub. it has a sliding lid, but alas no dominoes at present, I shall make some from black card to go inside.

That's about it, I bought one or two other little bits, and some fabric to make future bed covers. One other thing I did buy was a second hand book from the charity stall.


It's a great book, filled with some really good miniature projects that I am determined to try! These include a tapestry rug, bed clothes, two fire screen designs, a cushion, a needlework sampler and much more!! For someone scared of a needle and thread this book comes as something of a revelation!!!

Wish me luck!! ;o)

35 comments:

  1. It took me five laps to see everything at the show. I probably passed you each time =0)

    Good luck with the needle work (rather you than me ha-ha)

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  2. FIVE LAPS!! Wow Pepper, you certainly have more stamina than me!! I was going to stop for coffee halfway through, but thought I might forget where I had been before!! I hope you had a good time and found plenty of miniatures! ;o)

    regards
    Andy xx

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  3. Absolutely beautiful items you have purchased.
    The small scissor, the books, everything is so complete and fits so nicely together.

    Fine to read that you've had so much fun.

    Greetings, alexandra

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  4. Andy, you chose soooo beautiful things!
    Magda

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  5. Hello Alexandra,

    good to hear from you. I didn't believe that the scissors could possible work in 1/12th scale, so when they demonstarted them to me, I had to have them!! I'm pleased that you like what I bought, there was so much to choose from!!

    I hope you get a chance to go there one day!

    Regards
    Andy xx

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  6. Hello Magda,

    Thank you very much! I'm pleased you like them ;o)

    Andy xx

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  7. Some wonderful buys there! I love the tilt table and the books!

    I'm familiar with some of the named artisan's but not all. I have some silver by Simply Silver too. I've never been to Miniatura...just too far. :o( KDF is nearer...now I have been there. :o))

    Looks like you had a fabulous day!
    Michelle :o))

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    1. Hi Michelle,

      I admire the silver work of Jens Torp, Mike Sparrow and Aquisto , but it tends to be more than I can really afford, Simply Silver make some great pieces and are generally a fair price, and the owners are very friendly too!!

      Miniatura is OK, I'm not a huge fan of the NEC, but it is easy to get to by train. It's always worth popping up to see what's available, some of the craftspeople who go to Miniatura don't show at Kensington. Some exhibitors say that they find the Autumn Miniatura better than the spring one, as there are a lot of shows around the world in the spring months, but I find both spring and autumn shows are good. It does get tiring though, and people in the crowd can be a bit pushy/shovey!!

      I try and get to Kensington every year too, I missed the one last year, but did go to their one day Christmas show in December.

      Hope that you enjoy the Kensington Show in May!! ;o)

      Andy xx

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  8. Hi Andy
    they look great well done. Are those oval mirrors either side ofthe fireplace recent additions? I totally LOVE the Georgian room, especially that pale blue. Perfect!
    Im glad you had good time and managed to pick up some wonderful pieces.
    Hugs
    Simon -x-

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    1. Hi Simon, good to hear from you!!

      The oval mirrors aren't new, they've been in place for a while, I got them from Phoenix Model Developments, They have a fancy french name, which escapes me at the moment, begins with 'G'!! something like girandoles??!

      Thanks, I'm am pleased you like the drawing room, it's one of my favourite rooms in the house. Looking forward to seeing more of Clarence Place when you feel ready to start again. ;o)

      Big hugs
      Andy xx

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  9. OOOH La LA! Andy, you bought some AWESOME bits and pieces!!!! I am positively Drooling! Those tiny scissors... the Georgian washstand... the silver... the china... Books!!! And A Garden fork!!! (I have been in my garden today...)
    What Fun you must have had! I am sure you will show us the new furniture in place real soon????
    Someday I will go to a Miniatures Fair... but I will need to budget VERY Carefully..... I am the type to buy first and worry later...!

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  10. (AAARGH! My comment disappeared.... I will try again.... )
    Ooooh La LA!!! Andy, you have bought some AWESOME bits and pieces!!! I am positively Drooling!! Those Scissors.... the silver... the Georgian washstand... those books!!! I LOVE everything! AND a Garden fork!!!! (I have been in my garden today...)
    What fun you must have had! I hope you are going to show us the furnishings in their homes soon! You certainly have chosen some Treasures!
    Someday I will go to a miniatures fair.... but I will have to exercise Restraint.... I tend to buy first and worry about the budget later...!

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    1. Hi Daydreamer,

      I am moderating comments now, as I removed the two gibberish word varification thingy that was driving me mad! (up the revolution!) So your comments won't show straight away (and in the case of my last post, not for several days until I had figured out exactly how I should moderate the comments!!!)

      I did spend a fair amount of money, I have been saving up over the past few months. I am always careful about what I spend though, I would love to really splash out of some very fine miniatures, but for now I'm happy buying lots of little bits that will add character to my houses and improve the detail, rather than going for one statement piece for £500+

      The great thing about these sort of shows is that you find unusual things not available anywhere else, and get to meet the people who made them too.

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  11. Andy, you certainly got quite a lot of very lovely things. Enjoy the book, it is a really nice one, BTW, there is Petit Pointer group on Yahoo that always welcome new stitchers and the members are always ready and willing to help newbee's.

    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Petitpointers/

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    1. Hi Elga, I will take a look at the Yahoo group, thanks. The book certainly has some great ideas, I think I shall have a go at the French rug this year, but will try a sampler, or fire screen first to get back into the swing. It will be something to do whist out in the garden over the summer months!

      I've taken a picture of your little gifts and will be posting them here soon!! ;0)

      Andy xx

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  12. Las cosas que has comprado son todas preciosas. Tu casa y tus miniaturas son un lujo. Besos y feliz semana

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    1. ¡Hola Sionchi

      Es bueno saber de ti otra vez, Gracias, me alegra que te gustan las pequeñas cosas que he comprado. ¿Has visto dentro de mi casa georgiana antes? Hay algunas fotos antiguas de la misma que he publicado en mi último año de blog.

      abrazos, tener una semana feliz!

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  13. Hi Andy,

    Glad you had a great time - am very jealous! And I love the David Booth table, what a good find.

    Don't be scared of the needle and thread, just keep your threads short and your scissors sharp! Good luck, I can't wait to ee what you make!

    Jonquil

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    1. Hello Jonquil,

      I am having a little trouble finding the right threads for the projects in the book, at least in town. There is a little needle work an wool shop, but it doesn't do 48 count gauze and stocks a different brand of threads, so the colours have different numbers! Still I am sure I will find what I need on the internet, then I can get started.

      Do they have many dolls house fairs in France?

      Andy xx

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  14. Hi Andy,

    Just love,love ,love your GLT's......sooo many things to drool over. I adore the silver ware the scissors are gorgeous and the shaving mirror especially with the reflection of your finger and camera strap in it.......hehe! I particularly love the wellies and the pitch fork although David might get the urge to clean them up. It sounds like you had so much fun, I got all excited about our miniature fair in Sydeny this year but found out it was on Pauls Birthday and some how I don't see him fancying 5 laps of a miniature fair......:(

    I like the look of the book too Andy, lots of ideas in there I bet. I made my little curtain for my cabinet the other day using Linda's technique and i must say I'm quite happy with it.

    I see your little four legged friend in the background and if you haven't already come up with a name I thought continuing with the magic round about theme....... Dougal would be perfect???

    ML Fi xx

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    1. Hi Fi,

      Dougal sounds like a good name, I think we will call him that!!

      I'll have to wait a little while before I can start on the book projects (see above) Your curtain sounds good, The book mentions using a Pretty Pleater to make curtains too, so you may well see some in the dolls houses here soon, but like everything else, I have to try and get hold of one first, and that isn't always easy in small town England! I hate buying everything off the internet, it's killing the high street, but how else do you get what you need these days?

      What a shame you are busy when the Sydney dolls house show is on, mind you, that's a bit of a trek for you isn't it?

      As for the wellies, let's just say that I had to sneak them in past David, or they would have had to stay out in the garden with the RL dirty wellies!! ;o)

      Looking forward to seeing more of your kitchen soon!!

      love Andy xxx

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  15. Hello Andy,

    It looks like you had a great day on Saturday. There's some lovely choice items in your little stash. I especially like the shaving stand - that's a lovely piece. You're so right about finding things you would never have thought of for the list and that makes it doubly exciting.

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    1. Hi Irene, yes I had a good time, hope you had a great weekend too!! I look forward to seeing what little goodies you bought yourself on Sunday!

      I shall be buying more from David Booth in the future I think, there were some lovely pieces on his stand! I don't think he's at the Kensington show in May though.

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  16. Hello andy,
    I'm glad you had a good time at the show. You chose some wonderful pieces. I think everything looks great and will work really well with the pub....but that comport and the muddy wellies are fabulous!
    Thank you for the book suggestion.
    Have a wonderful week and keep up your amazing work.
    Hugs,
    Giac

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  17. Hi Giac, many thanks, pleased you liked the things I chose. The comport is an unusual piece, and I think will look great with flowers in, though I realise that floral arrangements are't really a Georgian thing, I want something impressive in the hall.

    If you can get hold of that book, it's worth it, I'm sure there are some other good miniature needlework books around too. I bet you'd be great at needlework, you do everything else so well!!

    regards
    Andy xx

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  18. Huh! it's all very well you going off, having fun and spending money. meanwhile here I am, half starved and neglected; it's CRIMINAL!!!

    Being the most beautiful bear in the world takes time and money, so next time, spend the bucks on ME ME ME!!!!

    That's all I have to say!

    Snowy x

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    1. I am SO sorry Snowy!

      but from what I read, you were actually relaxing in a luxury spa over the whole weekend, not starving or neglected!

      I can think of many other things to spend my hard earned money on than a spoilt little bear!!! ;)

      Andy xx

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  19. Hi Andy, it seems you havd a great time on the fair, also I am a bit jealous ;)! You have purchased some really nice things! Enjoy it!
    Greetings, Ilona

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    1. Hello Ilona,

      thank you, please don't be jealous! ;o)

      I am pleased you like the things I purchased. I hear that there is a very good fair in the Nederlands too, is that correct?

      Andy xx

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  20. Wonderful purchases! I had to look more than once to see all these treasures. I am sure you'll have fun installing them in your rooms.
    Enjoy!
    Hugs

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  21. Thank you Drora,

    I have been having lots of fun arranging and re-arranging things!!

    ;o)

    hugs
    Andy x

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  22. Look at all your pretties! Andy, I forgot how gorg your Georgian house is...your new GLTs will have a happy new home. I can't wait till my very first dollhouse show next month in Chicago!

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  23. Hey John,

    good to hear from you!! I saw some AMAZINGLY gorg little bits, but not enough dirty cash to bring it all home, so chose carefully! glad you approve ;)!!

    I hope you have a great time in Chicago, I have seen an advert for it here in the UK (really? why rub it in!? honestly!! not like I can get there!!!) Take plenty of cash, sell things, minor organs, tricks, whatever, but enjoy seeing what's available, it will blow you away!!!! ;oD

    Bear hugs
    Andy xx

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  24. Hi Andy,
    You've got some lovely pieces from the Miniatura Show.
    Although the show was smaller we still liked it and I got some nice additions myself. This weekend we will be visiting the Arnhem Fair really looking forward to that as well.

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  25. Hi Jeffry,

    thanks for following my blog! It did seem like a smaller show, but still took a long time to get around!! Lots of great stuff there too!

    hope you have a good time at Arnhem!!

    regards
    Andy

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