Het Kerstkraampje......or the Christmas Stall

A few people have asked for details of the fabulous kit I purchased from the Apeldoorn fair. This is how the kit comes, it is very light and would not be too costly to post. The cost even includes three packs of clay but I would forgo this if you want it to be posted as that would add a lot of weight.

 It is made by Ria Odijk who was absolutely delightful but her English was as good as my Dutch! If you wanted to email her I would suggest using Google translate if you are not a Dutch speaker. 

The instructions are all included but there is not an English, or any other, translation there are, however, plenty of photographs so I am sure it will go together quite easily. 

I am going to attempt this beautiful design but obviously you can make the kit in whatever design you like. My 'het kerstkraampje' will be selling all things Father Christmas.....maybe it will be ready to open next Christmas!

I have mentioned the amount of kits available at this fair and I purchased two from sellers whose range and quality I was really impressed with. The first is from a UK seller whose website I have looked at quite a few times with great interest so I was really pleased to meet her at the show. This birdcage kit is by Jane Harrop and even comes with full finishing instructions. Jane is just attending KDF for the first time this year and her items cover all three of the most popular scales. 

Her stand looked very professional and everything was beautifully packaged. I hope you will have a look at her website as she was so friendly and obviously has a real passion for all the items she makes.

I will definitely be visiting her stand later in the month at KDF

 Another stand that was amazing and very difficult to get near all day long was that of The Art of Mini. I have purchased a couple of their items on line before but wanted to see their furniture range as it has some very nice pieces.

I was not disappointed by the range and presentation, lovely packaging again! The furniture is quite different to other kits I have seen with matching pieces that look very well made. By the way the stand was mobbed by customers from start to finish I would suggest that their products are very sought after.

I only bought two small pieces to see if I am up to the challenge of these type of kits but if they go well I will be adding a range of her furniture to my collection next year without doubt.

I couldn't resist this dolls house shelving unit which was shown as both a bookcase and a 1/144th display. Not sure where it will go but I will have fun playing with it.

That was another good thing about the stand all the kits were displayed fully made in the most gorgeous room box displays using all their own products, so chic and inspirational I could have bought the whole stand!! 

 With the last of my euros burning a hole in my purse and the husband off sitting in the car listening to the football I decided to finish off by buying a few pieces for one of the Christmas market stalls from a seller whose card I have unfortunately misplaced.

 These very fine little ornaments are very popular in all sizes on the continent and having looked at them online I have decided to dedicate one stall to these tiny little scenes.

 They do come as kits for slightly cheaper prices but I bought mine ready made as the kits quite frankly frightened the life out of me! I will try the bigger pieces first I think.

I am so pleased that I had the opportunity to visit this show and I will return one day but next year I really want to do Paris which I am told is smaller but well worth a visit and either a German show or Madrid depending on when they are held. 

So I had better start saving the pennies and hope my children will look after me when I am old!!