Monday, March 31, 2014

A fair-ly good haul

I did quite well at this weekend's mini show, both with selling, and with buying, and was surprised to come home with a good haul.

First up was a four-piece grey velvet sectional sofa with a chaise. I've set it up with only three of the pieces
Modern dolls house miniature three piece grey velvet sectional sofa with chaise
because adding the fourth makes it all a bit weird:
Modern dolls house miniature four piece grey velvet corner sectional sofa with chaise
But I got thinking that if I bought a second set, I could make a longer chaise sofa plus a Deco-style semi-circular sofa as well.
Modern dolls house miniature grey velvet sectional sofa corner piece
Luckily my information management skills came to the fore today and I discovered that the set is the Harrell Modular Sofa by Aztec/ Town Square (I'd suspected they were the manufacturer when I bought it), and that there are several versions available, including individual pieces. I plan to buy some more pieces to give my set flexibility depending on what sort of scene I use it in.

From the same seller I bought this book, which I wasn't sure I had, and for $10 was worth the risk:
'Making dolls' house interiors' book
(Alas I do have: let me know if you're interested in owning it and we'll talk swap or reimbursement...)

From the ACT Miniature Enthusiasts stall I bought a kitchen wall cupboard for $2,
White modern miniature kitchen wall cupboard with display shelf end
and for 50 cents each, a pink menu board and a pair of silver-coloured trays.
Pink plastic miniature menu board and bag containing two silver-coloured miniature trays. Bag is marked 'J 50c'
I was excited to discover that Wendy Benson was back for the first time in over ten years (really? Has it been that long?!) and was doing a clear out.

This dolls' house for a dolls' house was $2:
Plastic dolls' house for a dolls' house,
And a  total of $14.50 bought me six bags of vintage treasure:
Six bags of vintage dolls house miniatures and various bits that could be used in miniature
Three cushions for $6 (I was really only interested in the lace one),
Bag with three dolls' house miniature cushions, two cross stitched, one is lace. Bag is priced at $6.
a charm bracelet for $2 (the jug and wagon),
Vintage gold-coloured charm bracelet in a bag which is priced at $2.
a book of paper dolls and a box with a sketch of a Victorian doll on the front (for $4),
Miniature book of paper dolls and box with image of a Victorian doll on the front, in a bag priced at $4.
a bag of toys (racing car, hobby horse and first-aid bag) for $2,
Bag, priced at $2, with six vintage dolls' house toys inside including a hobby horse, a pair of binoculars, a toy car and a first aid bag.
twenty vintage tiles for 20 cents,
Bag, marked 'tiles 20c', containing 20 vintage dolls house miniature tiles in shades of cream, grey and yellow.
and, finally, a bag of vintage bits and bobs for 30 cents.
A5-sized bag of bits and bobs for miniature use. Bag is marked 'Bits 30c' and contains a variety of vintage earrings, containers and jewellery pieces.
I figured that the blue 'waste paper basket' and large straight silver 'vase' were worth the 30 cents alone, plus will enjoy exploring the other options contained within...
Back of A5-sized bag of bits and bobs for miniature use. Several vintage full-sized coasters are shown, including three octagonal cork coasters.
Dianne Cotterill had posies of flowers, which were supposed to be for bridal parties but suited me perfectly as it meant I can cut off the ribbons and place them in my own vases.
Two miniature posies of flowers: on the left is a bunch of daisies with a price sticker saying $29. On the right, a bunch of hydrangeas with a price sticker saying $20.
And since I was in the mood for daisies, and the club was offering tuition on making them at the 'make and take' table,  I paid one of the children to create 20 stems for me (I know: me being directly involved in child labour...)
Twenty scattered hand-made miniature daisy flowers stems.
I also bought a new Mr Nibbs, as the one I had was far too sprightly looking and I thought I might want to make a scene to mark the fact that he's cost me $2,600 this month in vet bills :-(
Dolls' house miniature black and white cat, lying down.
(I still have to finish colouring the model in to match the cat.)

And, saving the best for last...

Wendy Benson had a not-quite-mint in package Hanse dining room setting for sale, which I snapped up even before the show opened:
Hanse vintage dolls' house dining room in original packaging,
Interestingly,  it looks just like the Lisa version but is packaged as Hanse.
Side of Hanse package of vintage dolls' house dining room furniture, showing Hanse logo.
I feel I should know more about this but since it's been a few years since I was so deeply involved in the Lundby/ Lisa community the details have slipped my mind.
End of Hanse package of vintage dolls' house dining room furniture, showing Hanse logo and item number.
I shall make a point of going back and seeing what the link is. In April. When I'll have a lot more spare time.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Anne's Art Deco house

This, for me, was the highlight of the ACTME Miniatures and Dolls House Fair display: a beautifully finished Art Deco moderne dolls house, constructed by Ian Reid and furnished by his wife, Anne.
Front of an Art Deco moderne-style dolls house by Anne Reid
As Anne gave me a tour of the property she pointed out that she had made most of the interiors from scratch, excluding the master of the house and his human companion.
Entrance hall of an Art Deco moderne-style dolls house by Anne Reid
Kitchen/ dining room of an Art Deco moderne-style dolls house by Anne Reid
 I was particularly taken by the French doors leading from the lounge out to the back garden.
Lounge of an Art Deco moderne-style dolls house by Anne Reid
 Upstairs there are two bedrooms.The more spartan one, to the left, is either a guest room or used by the master of the house (I forgot to ask)
Spare room of an Art Deco moderne-style dolls house by Anne Reid
while the one to the left is in full-blown jazz-age mode.
Main bedroom of an Art Deco moderne-style dolls house by Anne Reid
 The two rooms are separated by a bathroom with all mod cons.
Bathroom of an Art Deco moderne-style dolls house by Anne Reid
 On the top floor is a third bedroom: perhaps used by the children when they're home from boarding school?
Top-floor bedroom of an Art Deco moderne-style dolls house by Anne Reid
There's also a bright hall
Upstairs hallway of an Art Deco moderne-style dolls house by Anne Reid
which leads to the outdoor roof terrace.
Roof patio of an Art Deco moderne-style dolls house by Anne Reid
 The back of the house is just as nicely finished as the front,
Rear view of an Art Deco moderne-style dolls house by Anne Reid
 And the moderne detailing is fabulous.
Side view of an Art Deco moderne-style dolls house by Anne Reid
 What you might find surprising is the whole structure is in 1/24th scale...
Close-up view of the front door or an Art Deco moderne-style dolls house by Anne Reid, with hand to show the scale of the house (1/24th)

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Totalled

There are two days of March left.

I knew it was going to be a crazy month but I didn't figure into the equation one sick car and one very sick cat (who may well be renamed 'Return flight to Europe' after what he cost me at the emergency vet's last weekend...)

Oh! Plus I had the completely insane idea to hold February's 'Fabric and Fashion' dinner part last week on top of everything else. The flat still hasn't recovered from that mad plan.

But the end  is in sight. I think my editor and I are on track to getting the next issue of The tiny Times sorted next month.The Canberra Show is done for another year.

I sold minis. I bought minis.

I made new friends. I caught up with old friends (and current friends/ workmates).

Did I mention I bought minis? Here's a sneak peek:
Miniature scene with grey velvet modern miniature chaise sofa, sleeping cat, champagne and miniature dolls house
(I discovered the advantages of chaise sofas while I was in the Blue Mountains earlier in the month and it seems to have influenced my mini-buying choices...)

Now excuse me: I need a drink. a pizza,  a sofa, and a mindless video.

All in full size.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Tomorrow...

ACT Miniature Enthusiasts 2014 miniature fair and dolls house show


10.00 am to 4.00 pm,  Weston Creek Community Centre, Parkinson Street, Weston (next to Cooleman Court).

Admission: Adults $6.00 Children under 12: $3.00.

Tonight:
Items waiting to go onto my stall at the ACTME 2014 miniature show
We were in set-up mode...

Monday, March 17, 2014

Little in the big world

As promised, March is a bit mad and I haven't had the time or brain space to create any scenes.
 
But there have been a few little things in my life recently.
 
1. I went to Canberra Barcamp* over the weekend. Attendees were encouraged to bring their own nametags and invited to make it fancy or keep it simple.
 
I went for fancy, and knocked this up in the hour before the conference (after two other disastrous versions were put aside) :
Name tag made from vintage miniature chairs sewn onto plastic canvas with vintage game letters attached to the seats,
It was quite an icebreaker and talking point.
Me wearing my mini-chair name tag at Canberra Barcamp.
(Image courtesy of Gavin Tapp)
2. The lovely Cider Teak returned to work today after a trip to Brisbane and presented me with this:
HappySweets miniature gingerbread house cutters.
She suggests I could have quite a lot of fun with it for the ACTME Miniature Show. I think she's right...

 
(*An 'unconference' where participants decide on the day what the program is going to be)

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Minis in The Mountains

I spent the Canberra Day long weekend in the Blue Mountains with a friend and really hadn't factored anything miniature-related into our stay.

Until, just before the turn off to the road where our B & B was, I spotted out of the corner of my eye a couple of dolls houses sitting outside a building that looked a lot like a dolls house itself:
The Old Tythe Barn dolls house shop at Blackheath
 After unpacking we returned to the village of Blackheath to investigate The Old Tythe Barn,
Entrance to The Old Tythe Barn dolls house shop at Blackheath
 a wee shop just by Blackheath Station that is packed to the rafters with dolls house miniatures.
Front display window of The Old Tythe Barn dolls house shop at Blackheath
The shop has been in existence since 1977, owned by the same family, and is a treasure trove of tiny things.
Browsing the miniatures for sale at The Old Tythe Barn dolls house shop at Blackheath
Interior view of The Old Tythe Barn dolls house shop at Blackheath
Corner of The Old Tythe Barn dolls house shop at Blackheath
Dolls house for sale at The Old Tythe Barn dolls house shop at Blackheath
 I was hoping to discover that they had a secret stash of vintage items, but the only thing I could dig out that was anything close to fitting the bill was this vintage three-seater sofa and matching footstool ($14 for the pair).
Vintage dolls house miniature three seater sofa and footstool from The Old Tythe Barn at Blackheath
Across and up the road a little was the Keith Rowe Gallery, and in the front window was a glass bowl with a Reac chair in it.
Handmade glass bowl with green mid century modern miniature chair in it
 And, on the shelf above, these lovely glass houses. I wanted to buy one but left it too late and they were closed when I went back.
Handmade glass houses with miniature chairs inside, sitting on fake grass
The following day my friend had business to attend to in Katoomba, so left me to browse the shops along the main street.

In Explore Retro, the first shop I went into, I discovered these vintage dolls house pieces, which I snapped up:
Selection of vintage small scale dolls house furniture
 Macarthur's Arcade had these pieces, but at prices I wasn't prepared to pay so they stayed where they were:
Selection of vintage dolls house bedroom furniture in an antique shop
Similarly, this Chad Valley tin dolls house I spotted across the road at Katoomba Vintage Emporium stayed where it was, as I already have one.
Vintage tin Chad Valley dolls house
On our final day in The Mountains we visited the village of Leura, where the only miniature-related sighting was this amazing display cabinet at With Max & Me:
Display cabinet in the shape of a large dolls house
The owner explained that the cabinet was originally constructed for her mother, who collected dolls house miniatures,
Display cabinet in the shape of a large dolls house
 and pointed out the ceilings, which are still intact from its previous life.
Ceiling of a room in the dolls house display cabinet, showing doileys stuck to it to replicate plaster moldings
And, finally, our base for the weekend looks a lot like a giant dolls house!
Exterior view of Hat Hill Cottage, a mud-brick cottage