Tuesday, May 15, 2012

NURSERY TOYS



I have been trying to come up with some accessories for the Nursery,Children's Toy shop, etc. and wanted to share this sweet little stroller that I have made. It is perfect for a small toddler to push some of her favorite toys around! I have had this idea in my head for awhile and was so pleased that it came out the way that I had wanted it to. I always seem to build things in my mind for about a week before I sit down and actually start it. It is always a treat if it comes out as planned! The little wheels work too!

Saturday, May 12, 2012

part 3.......CAROL HARDY items





Well, I am continuing to share some of the wonderful items that I bought at an Estate sale. I found a plastic tub in the back room with all of the miniatures and this is what was inside of it. Seven sleighs made by Carol Hardy(IGMA).(one was giifted to my friend Annemarie Kiwikkel for her exquisite dolls) They are signed and dated. Her work is stunning!!! She made these in the early 80's. There was also a popcorn machine and a older male vendor who was made by Sylvia Lyons. There are two small sleighs for children in the group. I hope I am not boring you with all of these postings about the dream sale that I was lucky enough to go to!! I still can't believe what was sold there!!  I could continue posting photos for about 4 months....LOL

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

ESTATE SALE...........part 2

This is a continuation from the Music conservatory post. Not the best pictures to share but here is a wonderful hand carved Chippendale desk. The ball feet are hand carved and also the interior slots. This piece is so smooth. All of the little drawers open too.  I have also sent a photo of a few of the toys that I purchased. I bought two large hat boxes and inside they were filled with little plastic bags loaded with wonderful little items. The little Pinocchio and Nutcracker are hand carved and painted. The Nutcrackers mouth moves too.

The collector who had died was a widow. Her husband was a plastic surgeon and she used to own an all year Christmas shop in the town of Los Gatos where I lived for almost 30 years. Her son told me that when she bought things she would buy in bulk. She also made Teddy Bears. She owned many Museum quality items and for this reason the family decided to have it be an invite only Estate Sale. My Mother and I used to sell antiques in a co-op so we knew the woman that was going to be putting the Estate sale on and we were invited in. Such a wonderful experience...............more photos will be coming. I am going to take some of the Carol hardy sleighs that I have today.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

MUSIC CONSERVATORY




I was going through one of my folders and looking at photos that I have been saving and ran across pictures of this wonderful Music Conservatory I was lucky enough to purchase at a dream estate sale! The woman who owned this had passed away and her two adult children were selling off all of her craft items and collections. I lucked out because no one that came to the private sale were interested in any of the miniature items and the prices for the items were at giveaway levels!. I was left alone in the back of the house in a room full of the most wonderful items. This building is one of the things I purchased and it came completely full of wonderful musical instruments. All of the pieces are artisan made and signed. The building also has a wonderful set of stone steps that lead to the front door. I have them in the roof at the moment because there wasn't room for them on the small table this is sitting on. The roof of this building is lifted off and then you can remove the front wall for access.The instruments are a harp,flute in a leather case,piano and also hand carved music stand and stool. The little round table is hand carved too. There was also an overstuffed velvet covered wing back and a brass telescope that was included. I still daydream about that sale! I have so much more that I should photograph and share with you too. I  also ended up with 7 sleighs made by Carol Hardy.....also a popcorn making cart and a wonderful circus car/cage made by Carol too.  I didn't know who she was at first and the pieces are signed C. Hardy. I had shown one of them to a miniature shop keeper and she flipped out and told me who Carol was......LOL....still a novice at that point. The list is endless. My Mother,sister and I went back three days in a row to purchase things!!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

MINI BROOM SET

I am involved in a wonderful Birthday swap that Kaisa has put together and am having fun trying out some new items. It is always so great to go out of your comfort zone and experiment! I wanted to share a little broom set that I have made. It was something I saw in a catalog that I get and i thought it would look so sweet in miniature! Here is a photo of the broom and dust pan.I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!!!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

THINGS TO SHARE




I thought I would show all of you the sweet little items that my sister Liz gave me for Christmas. Aren't the mice(rats) hysterical!!! I really love them and can just see them on a kitchen shelf ready to eat. They are made by Bridget MCcarty She makes the most adorable animals. The little cat is hand sewn. I need to find the name of the artist that made that........I think it is Paulette Svec......will find out and add it to the post. She also bought me a very tiny sign that says "ROSE COTTAGE". I purchased a kit for a 1/4" scale house from Petite Properties and the sign should be perfect for that. I love when someone in the family gives me minis for the holiday's. I hope everyone is having a wonderful week.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

More items to share


I was so excited about this next purchase. I had seen these statues of cherubs a couple of years ago in some photos someone posted from the Miniature show that they have in Madrid and LOVED them. I didn't think I would ever have a chance to buy some unless I found someone that attends that show to purchase them for me!!! Taller Targioni was at the GOOD SAM show this year and had work by Victoria Heredia. I was jumping for joy when I saw these!!!!!
Genevieve, That is where I bought the rabbit that is dressed that you inquired about. I also purchased the baby from my previous post from the same booth. I think she is also made by Victoria. I am not sure who made the rabbit. Maybe one of our bloggers from Spain know the artist's name. Sorry about the picture. It didn't come out so good. The details on these little figurines is so incredible. I don't know how she did them! They are so incredible and tiny. A take off on Meissen or Dresden cherubs. They have delicate applied flowers all over the back of them at the base.
I also bought three sizes of Japanese floral wire and some rice paper so I can experiment this year making flowers. I am really looking forward to that!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

MORE PURCHASES

I really enjoy owning other artist's work. This little baby is so sweet.



I love this little doll. She is only about 1/2". The little rabbit is perfect for a nursery or a toy store.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

A Good Sam purchase



How are all of you? I cannot believe that it is almost the end of January!! Time is flying by and this month has been really busy already for me! I finally took a picture of one of my purchases from the Good Sam show that I attended in October. I will share more soon too. One of the other photos I took didn't come out that great so I will need to retake it. I bought these wonderful utensils from "Cinderella". It is hard to believe that they are 1:12 scale in this photo! They are made so well.
Of course I need to add a photo of a baby that I made awhile ago too. Baby Christopher! He is 1 3/4" and all hand sculpted from polymer. I hope all of you are having a wonderful start to this new year! I am Loving everything that you are posting and working on!!! Such great talent out here in the miniature world!!!!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!


Wishing you all of the best this year!