Julia and I went to our first miniatures show today, since it was quite close to home. I don't know whether it was big or small compared to the average show, but there were nearly fifty vendors over sixty-some tables, so that it took us a good hour of exploring to look at everything before deciding what to spend our wodge of cash on. (I had an envelope with me, on the strict admonition that that was all of the budget!) I bought this charming basket and filled it with mushrooms from Twin Heart, and the Provence-style plate from Hemy & Laura's Miniatures. The blue-and-white plate was from a "grab bag" bin at a vendor who didn't put a name on her receipts. Hemy & Laura unfortunately do not have a website, but they have a range of really lovely decorated porcelain plates.
Two copper pans -- inadvertently similar shapes, but the one on the left was from the dollar bins! (“it’s only a dollar! get it, it’s only a dollar!” I kept hearing Julia murmur to herself as she poked through the bins) -- and a mismatched pair of copper tankards, also from the dollar bin. The pan on the right is from Lilliput Land.
A mash-up from the dollar bin, a tall brass pedestal with the original white plastic bowl discarded and replaced with a clear-blue glass globe also from the dollar bin. It's about as long as my little finger, so rather tall for a mantel tchotchke but amusing, and a lovely color.
A set of glass jars from Vegas Airs, to be filled with preserves or some such later, and two tiny crocheted dishcloths from an Italian lady at Vilia Miniature (who also has an Etsy shop). These are only about the size of my thumbnail! they must be made from sewing thread!
The big blue jug in the back is from Rhea Strange, and the two brown ones from Itty Bitty Builder/Betty and Larry Herman. There was surprisingly little at the show that was not the usual general-Victorian-era, but these I think will work well for my Elizabethan house-to-be.
A charming hand-woven "rag" rug from Jane Graber, and a pair of (non-working) embroidery scissors from the dollar bin, with Julia's pair of full-sized ones for scale. The rugs were lovely, lots of different colors available, and I could have happily bought more -- this was the smallest one. Graber also does really lovely hand-thrown stoneware and redware, but apparently sells directly only at shows and by post -- so I will start saving up for next year!
Wonderful finds. I'm so jealous, even though I am sticking mostly to quarter inch scale now.
Elizabethan House? Do tell...
Posted by: Susan D | January 27, 2016 at 09:47 AM
Great buys. You will find that in general the overwhelming majority of things for sale at fairs seems to be the Victorian era, and you might have to depend on specialist makers for an Elizabethan house if you want to set it in the period as opposed to an Elizabethan house inhabited at a later time. Do keep an inventory of your buys, and your makes too - it is surprising how quickly the value of our miniatures adds up!
Posted by: Sandie in Sydney | February 20, 2016 at 04:27 AM