I made a very special trip to London this weekend not only to visit the Kensington Festival but to meet up with lots of ladies whose work I have admired and collected for a number of years. We spent a fun evening at a nearby hotel before attending the fair yesterday.
I was also very delighted to receive these wonderful gifts from Nikki Rowe a handmade gift box containing amongst other thing this sweet door hanger....
......and this marvellous pendant made from Fimo. Thank you Nikki, as ever full of life and generous to a fault.
This was also the first time I had met Debbie Wright whose blog has long been a resource for both information and inspiration. Debbie is incredibly generous with her support and advice to new miniaturists so it was lovely to be able to thank her in person. All the way from Wales Debbie bought me a red Welsh dragon for my Magical Menagerie. I hope you enjoy your mini break in Kent with your friends Debbie.
We were also joined by a young miniaturist Michael Robbins who is always dropping by my blog with helpful advice and really valuable suggestions. His enthusiasm for miniatures is boundless and he has an incredible eye for the small details. I was so surprised and pleased to receive this fabulous stack of tottering books that Michael has made with my Flourish and Blotts project in mind. Thank you Michael for your super gift.
Michael has just started selling some of his items on Ebay please check out his items here.
All these gifts meant I arrived at the fair with a full bag!! I did, however, manage to buy a few essentials including these fabulous items.
This water heater in brass and copper is by Jeff Mewies and I am intending to put this above the sink of the workroom in Slug and Jiggers. Jeff does not have a website.
Of course I had to visit the stand of my absolute favourite miniature potter Elizabeth Causeret where I picked up a few pieces again for the work room of Slug and Jiggers.
I have a beach hut sitting on the side of my workshop waiting for me to turn into a shabby chic shop so I was really interested in a new seller from Italy, Cinen, who had a lovely display of shabby chic items.
I was also really pleased to discover that Lidi Stroud was attending the fair all the way from Australia with her fabulous handmade baskets and these amazing gumnuts. How cute are these!! Perfect for Slug and Jiggers of course.
Janice!!! Thankyou so much for mentioning me :D
ReplyDeleteLovely purchases!! I was also looking at those gumnut baskets for my diagon alley, how strange... Didn't buy any but maybe next time!
Love the copper, I noticed downstairs in mullpepers on the extra DVD tour that there's something similar to a copper tea urn in it with some sort of potion in it I guess..
The beach hut items are lovely! And now you and nikki have both introduced me to the wonderful work of Elizabeth causeret, I'm going to have to keep an eye out for those next time!!
It was lovely to meet you yesterday and I only wish I'd have had chance to talk more.. I really would have loved to have had a diagon alley chat .. Maybe next time??
Next time Michael we can sit and have a good chat. I am so glad that the shpw did not disappoint. Now you will have to start saving for the next one or maybe visit the Birmingham show?
DeleteYes, I don't think I'll be visiting kdf at Christmas, I shall probably go to miniatura in September instead and then kdf next year :)
DeletePerfect we can meet at Birmingham which is much more relaxed and grab a coffee.
DeleteCongratulations on all your wonderful new miniatures! I could begin to decide what is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteAhhhh the Kensington show. I would LOVE to go to that. It sounds like you had a great time. :-))
It is a great show Catherine, you really can't beat seeing all the wonderful work in person despite the wonders of internet shopping.
DeleteI really want to do a European show next year......Paris maybe?
Hello Janice,
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to get to meet such great artisans. Your purchases are superb. I love all of them. Big hug,
Giac
Giac, it was lovely to chat with so many talented people who were so generous with their advice and praise.
DeleteMini Hugs,
Janice
Pleased to hear that you enjoyed the show, and had a great time with your friends! It was a great show wasn't it, so busy!!! Love the miniatures you purchased, I am a fan of Elizabeth Causeret's work too!
ReplyDeleteHi Andy, it was very busy at the beginning and people seemed to be buying very quickly this time so I missed out on a couple of items. Never mind. I adore Elizabeth's work and am planning a small shop box to display her work alone, I think it deserves it.
DeleteWonderful purchases.
ReplyDeleteBye, Faby
Thank you Faby, I had a fabulous time.
DeleteI love the dragons! so cute =) Hannah
ReplyDeleteI am so lucky to have received such a great gift.
DeleteWas brilliant to finally meet up with you Janice. Sorry I didn't get to say Goodbye.Glad you like your little Dragon. Did you try out that clay?
ReplyDeleteNot yet Debbie, I am being a very good girl this week and having a complete spring clean of my house so that I can then have a couple of weeks of serious mini work. This means I am only going to spend time on jobs that are already lying around, like finishing off the furniture for the workroom of Slug and Jiggers.
ReplyDeleteIt was really great to meet up in person after 'stalking' you for the past few years!!
Don't forget to decorate your little Chest, Janice. Can't wait to see what you do with yours. Nikki's already done hers, super speedy...LOL xxx
DeleteOh my goodness - your new treasures are perfect. Each and every one a miniature work of art. You chose well. Can't wait to see Slug and Jiggers. I especially like the water heater and Lidi's gumnuts. Lucky you!!! Best wishes, Carol :) x
ReplyDeleteHi Carol, the gum nuts are so gorgeous and are obviously very unusual here in the UK but I am told that in Australia they are as common as conkers.
DeleteHi Janice! Oh what delightful minis you have! Everyone of them is a real treasure and how nice that so many of them came attached with a friend! Your projects will now not only have beautiful new accessories but also fabulous memories of the people that made them just for you and also the experience of attending a world famous Miniature Fair!
ReplyDeleteelizabeth
Hi Elizabeth, I love going to KDF it is so inspiring and the sellers are always so friendly and helpful. I always come back and feel it is possible to improve and create lots of things myself but I think I am a buyer at heart!
Deletesuperbes achats
ReplyDeleteMerci Catherine.
Delete