A Trip to London For The Kensington Dolls House Festival.....

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.