Magical Menagerie Interior Preparation.....

I am planning to have lots of wall cages in the Menagerie and inspired by the work of Peter Clark I am going to try and build them using crates. 

 I have been playing with various layouts and am not quite sure how I will stack them yet. I need to put in a false door on the back wall but the 19 crates still don't look enough while the side wall looks very bare with the smaller pile.

 I will stain them and then fill them with all sorts of magical animals.......eventually! I am intending to use netting and cocktail sticks as ways to make the animal crates safe for customers. Lots of cats of course but I want it to look very chaotic plus all the pet supplies needed to look after you magical pet!

I am hoping to get a few ideas from my studio tour, if the Menagerie is on show.

 I also added to my cage collection when I visited Miniatura this Spring. This is a lobster cage made by C & D Crafts but it looked so unusual I knew it could find a home in the Menagerie. Do have a look at their website, they make lots of marvellous pieces including a pet carrier that I have shown in a previous blog. They even have an eco-friendly cane coffin!

I started tiling the roof of Flourish and Blotts today and have completed the two small sides. Lots more to apply but with the weather as awful as it is at the moment I am wiling away the time.

Have a dry weekend everyone.

Feeling a Bit Caged?.......

With a big project on the go I am always on the look out for all those little pieces that are needed but never to hand when you actually want them.

With this in mind I recently discovered these fabulous brass cages on Etsy. 

 This seller is based in China and sells a whole range of beads and charms. The delivery was a little slow but as I am not in any hurry this did not bother me at all.

 The sizes are perfect for 1/12th scale and I decided to order them all in the antique finish. I especially liked the fact that most of them can be opened up for the addition of magical birds.......eventually!!

 These are the best range I have seen too. Lots of interesting shapes and wire work. They will definitely look right in Diagon Alley's Magical Menagerie.

 I also liked the look of these smaller charms which seem pretty useful too. In fact once I remove the ring on the top they will look quite cute as a little curio.

 They could hold a special potion, or jewel, or magic dust? I am sure they will find a home.

Lastly are these tiny cages perhaps for candles? Or a single very dangerous flower? They will need rusting and distressing before they find their home I think.

Have had a great day today despite the non-stop rain, 'Flaming June' indeed!! I spent the whole day at home pottering about and spending lots of time with Lily and my two sons. No rushing about all over the place, no frantic phone calls........Just a day at home. Ahhhhhh, that's better!!

A Few of My Favourite Things..........Part 2, Lidi Stroud

During a visit to Miniatura a couple of years ago I came across the amazing work of Australian artisan Lidi Stroud. Lidi's basket and wicker work cages were just what I was looking for and I have been adding to my collection a couple of times a year.

It was also a pleasure to meet Lidi at the Kensington Festival this year. Lidi has been travelling with her charming husband, Peter, and incorporated the show into their plans. 

 These are my two latest additions. The basket will be filled with lots of wizarding shopping and the bird house will find a place in the Magical Menagerie.

 While shopping at another stand I caught up with the Stroud's doing their own browsing and much to her husband's concern I told Lidi of my passion for Sarah Hendry's work. Needless to say Lidi could not resist and one of Sarah's Pocket People is off to Australia!

 These three cages, all hand-made in wicker, are all destined for the Magical Menagerie where I hope to hang them from the rafters. 

 Each little door opens so I should be able to place a small bird or animal inside.

I just loved the shapes of the smaller cages too. I hope to add to my collection a piece at a time especially now Lidi has an Etsy shop AbsoluteBasketcase.

You can see more of Lidi's marvellous work on her CDHM profile page.

Oh and here are a couple of pictures of Lily helping in the garden!

A puppy plant!

Now where's that hose?!