Lunch is Served at The Leaky Cauldron.....

 I have come a long way in this marvellous hobby but I decided very soon, after many disastrous attempts at bread making, that making mini food was definitely not for me.

Just as well then that there are so many talented people selling wonderful pieces like this one from one of my absolute favourite artisans - After Dark Miniatures

When I saw it I knew it was just what I wanted for The Leaky Cauldron. I think it has all the earthy, rustic quality of a wizard's lunch and I just loved all the autumnal colours. 

The quality is simply fabulous right down to the tiny walnuts. 

After Dark's pieces are little works of art and I feel so privileged when I look at them, which is one of the many joys of collecting.

Update on the LED's.....they did NOT fall off the ceiling over night, another point in their favour as far as I am concerned, yes I know, I'm in love! 

Emporium's Exterior Part 3 ....and a local fair.

 

I have completed a little more on the exterior today working with balsa and Creative Paperclay. The shop has a clear definition between the bottom two floors and the attic floor. Instead of using the molding that came with the kit I have decided to make some long 'stone troughs'. I made a basic box like structure from long pieces of balsa with built in gaps for flowers, vines and the odd animal maybe. Very basic I know and my initial idea was to spray them with stone effect paint.

I changed my mind, however, and decided to cover them with clay 'pebbles'. I am not sure if I did this right as I stuck the 'pebbles' to the balsa using PVA glue. It seems to have worked ok.

I started with 'pebbles' that were too large but gradually got into the swing and made them less uniform. I textured them with a nail brush and will paint them in various shades of grey. Other bloggers have had a problem with the clay shrinking, this will not be too big a problem I hope as I can feel the gaps with moss etc.

At first I was a little concerned by the weight of these troughs but as the clay has dried they have lightened up quite a lot.

On Sunday morning I went to the only fair that is local to me. It was arranged by Dolly Daydreams in a village hall. I went along as I knew two of the stands were being manned by Mouse House Miniatures and Terence Stringer. Above you can see all the lovely food items I bought from Mouse House. I have long come to the conclusion that miniature food is way beyond my competence with fimo or clay and I will gladly leave it in the hands of artisans who know what they are doing.

I have a number of pieces from Mouse House from various shows and I love them. These are all for my witch's kitchen or potting area. The cabbages are simply superb.

I also bought this tiny little hand-painted cottage from Terence. It is a hand turned wooden 'box', the roof can be removed, with an elderly couple who live in the cottage. This is for my toy shop.

I couldn't resist these bits and pieces from another seller whose name I didn't catch at the time. The paint and glue will find a home in my toy shop, while all the ribbons, wool and cotton reels will be great in my emporium and Diagon Alley.

Not a bad haul for a local fair and only a 20 minute journey!