aim mag march 2010

Regular Features… 5 Editor’s Note: Read Bea Broadwood’s introduction &

welcome to this month’s fabulous edition of the Artisans In

Miniature FREE ‘downloadable’ magazine!

14 Aunt Anastasia: If you have a miniature dilemma, then

why not write to our very own agony aunt for her well

considered advice?

19 Blog Of The Month: This month we take a

closer look at AIM member Nicky Cooper’s

wonderful blog...

24 Diary Of An Edwardian Dollshouse: Don’t

miss the 2nd instalment of Julie Campbell’s

fascinating miniature dolls house adventure!

38 Through The Keyhole: Ever wondered what it

would be like to be able to have a closer look

at the working environments of AIM

members? This month we take a peek at the

Australian work space of Kathy Brindle.

40 Getting To Know You: Get to know more

about AIM member Jana Rowntree.

45 Fashion Gallery: AIM members showcase their miniature fashion

for the great outdoors.

50 *New Feature* Creative Cuisine: AIM’s very own, in‐house, celebrity chef Claude Petit‐Fretin invites his friends and fellow ‘artisans de cuisine’ to pick up the gauntlet of his Creative Cuisine Challenge! 52 In Season This Month: Welcome to the next instalment of this

popular ‘miniature food’ feature. This month Vicky Guile and

her fellow AIM food artisans take a closer look at humble ‘root

vegetables’.

76 Gardening With Grandma: AIM members come together to

celebrate ‘gardening in miniature’

84 Mini Aimers: A Secret Garden Project for the artisans of the

future. Written by Debie Lyons

88 The Miniature Grapevine: Catch up on all the latest news and

announcements from the international miniature world.

92 The Post Box: Why not write in and tell us what you think!? Artisans In Miniature 2

Contents…Contents… March 2010: Issue No 21, Cover Image: Kathryn Gray

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18

52

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6 Cover Story: AIM member Kathryn Gray tells us more a b o u t her very special 1:24th scale ‘Miner’s Cottage’ 15 The History Of Bee Skeps: Frances Powell shares some

interesting facts and information about this age old pastime.

16 Smaller Scale Gardens: Small scale expert Malcolm Smith

opens the gate of his tiny gardens and shows just what can be

achieved, no matter what the size or scale.

23 Garden Gnomes: AIM member Julie Campbell delves into the

potted history of this traditional miniature garden dweller.

28 A Tree House Studio: Talented artist and model maker

Simon Wilday shows Bea Broadwood around his delightful

1:24th scale bespoke tree house.

59 *New Feature* The Book Corner: Each month read Louise

Win’s reviews of ‘miniature related books’ you may want to add to your own book

shelves.

60 *New Feature* Cross Over Crafts: Ever wondered what AIM

artisans get up to in their spare time? This month Kathryn Gray

reveals her fascinating (non miniature) hobby.

68 Witches Gardening Thyme: Ever wondered what goes on in a

witch’s garden? Debie Lyons takes a (brave) closer look!

87 AIM At Thame: Read how AIM got on at the show.

Free Projects… 20 *New Feature* The Green Hedgehog: AIM member Louise Win kicks off her new regular project column with a wonderful ‘nature inspired’ tutorial. 34 1:12th Carnation Project: Our wonderful Ernesto Baldini shares his ‘easy to follow’ tutorial for making this ever popular flower. 36 Une Chaise Pliante: AIM member Léa Frisoni shares her stunningly realistic tutorial for a 1:12th classic garden chair. 44: Floral Hat Box ‘Printi’ Project: Emma Eilbeck kindly shares her delightful project to

produce a 1:12th hat box. 58 Making Carrots; Food artisan and AIM member Philippa Todd teaches her easy to follow carrot tutorial. 66 Reproducing Small Features: AIM member Cristina Diego Lifts the lid on miniature mold making. 73 1:12th Knitted Slippers: Frances Powell has just the right footwear for after a long day in the miniature garden. 74 1:12th scale Bird House: Ernesto Baldini teaches just how to create your very own bird house.

Features…

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50

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Artisans In Miniature ?

Artisans In Miniature 8

CLICK…on Artisans In Miniature

How did you find the Online Magazine??

Did you follow a link? Did a miniature friend tell you about it?

...and do you already know about the Artisans In Miniature Website, and the talented members who have all helped create this Online magazine.?

If not, copy, paste and CLICK now – www.artisansinminiatures.com and come and meet us all. Founded in 2007 by Bea (Fiona) Broadwood of Petite Properties, the website has been created in order to showcase the fantastic work of the individual professional international artisan members who create beautiful and original scale miniatures for sale to the public. Together they form the Artisans In Miniature association. Since its launch the AIM association has rapidly grown and now boasts membership of well over 200 professional artisans, including some of the most talented within the miniature world! On the website you will find further information about them and their work; however, please note new pages are constantly being added and there are many members who are not yet included on the site... If you are a professional artisan who is interested in joining the association, you will find all the information there..... If you are wondering what Fairs may be on in your area – that information is there too… We have lots of links…to Fairs and Events Organizers…Magazines…Online Miniature clubs….Historical reference sites…..Workshops…and more… it’s all there!

If you’d like to contact us, copy, paste and CLICK... we’d love to hear from you!

www.artisansinminiature.com

Editor’s Note...

The AIM Magazine’s Editorial Team:

Bea Broadwood office@petite‐[email protected]

Debie Lyons [email protected]

Janine Crocker [email protected]

Julie Campbell [email protected]

Margaret Cassidy info@mags‐nificent.co.uk

Mary Williams [email protected]

Vicky Guile [email protected]

Please note

AIM is an active association to which all AIM

members contribute ...

Dear Reader Around this time each year (without fail) I cast a woeful look around my cottage garden, which I am sad to admit looks nothing short of being ‘highly distressed’ in horticultural terms; but this comes as no real surprise.

It is true that I have spent the cold winter months curled up in front of the fire, flicking through seed catalogues and pondering my much loved collection of antiquated gardening magazines.

It is true I have made great horticultural plans, drawn up detailed sketches and hoarded enough seeds to replant an entire village.

Sadly it is also true that on the stroke of midnight back at the birth of the year, I proudly (and somewhat loudly) declared to friends and family that this was to be my ‘year of the garden’, my turn to spend quality time with nature. I even wildly predicted that by summer I would be knee deep in organic vegetables, herbs would billow from the boarders and flowers would be bursting into a riot of colour and blooms…

Oh dear…. Here comes the big ‘but’… the disappointment, the ‘however’ bit…

Despite all of my gardening resolutions, aspirations and grand designs, I am sadly yet to even pull on one wellie boot (let alone two) and venture bravely out into my quietly dishevelled little garden. So now, as I look out the window of my office, the birds seem happy enough, but I think my garden isn’t talking to me anymore… I think it is sulking and who can blame it; I have let it down.

Luckily it seems that ‘garden life’ in the miniature world is much easier to cope with, no wellie boots or heavy double digging needed there. Miniature gardens do not sprout weeds the moment you turn your back and reach for your tea cup and best of all they don’t sit outside your back door silently sulking! For this reason, this month’s issue of the AIM magazine is a celebration of the humble garden. AIM members have come together to show that they are a truly a ‘green fingered bunch’ albeit in miniature of course, where life is so much simpler.

So, just how do I tackle my own real life garden? Do I let my stoic horticultural resolutions crumble and fail? Oh no… I have a plan…! It starts with making tea and turning off my laptop,

then I’ll see if I can’t dig out a wellie boot (or two) from the back of the shoe

cupboard… then I am off outside to tend, nurture and placate my sulking

garden. I may be gone sometime! Bea

Editor (& General whip cracker)

March 2010 www.petite‐properties.com Artisans In Miniature 5

By AIM Member, Kathryn Gray.

MINER’S COTTAGE In 1:24th Scale...


AIM Artisan and professional miniaturist Kathryn Gray always wanted to make a

miniature garden and a yard. Kathryn had always felt that the inside of dolls houses are

only seen when the doors are open and so she wanted to make something that could be

seen and enjoyed at all times.

As Kathryn comes from the north of England her decision to bring a ‘mid century miner’s cottage’ to life

was a nostalgically simple one, although finding the time to work on her plans within her busy schedule

was not so easy!

Before starting work on the garden Kathryn researched her idea thoroughly and poured through many

references books about UK cottages, she also used her own personal family history to inspire her and

partially based her design on her grandparent’s garden in Derbyshire, where they lived in a small cottage.

Kathryn’s grandmother was always very proud of her garden and spent a lot of time in it and the ‘real life’

flowers and plants that grew in it invariably came from swaps with other people who lived around them.

Kathryn’s grandfather was a miner and so her

she named her dolls house Miners Cottage, he

also had a huge allotment at the back of their

garden where he used to keep ducks, hens and

geese as well as a very large vegetable patch.

Miner’s Cottage is a 1:24th scale dolls house

and Kathryn chose to work in this scale as it

is one of her favourites, preferring to work in

half scale or smaller. Professionally Kathryn

and her husband Alan design and

laser cut houses and furniture in

144th, 48th and 24th but

when it came to

bringing a miniature

garden to life Kathryn

decided to make this

project 24th as she

wanted to be

able to get the


fine details into it, including the expressions of the people’s faces

plus the details in the accessories. When Kathryn saw the cottage

and scullery for sale at a dolls house fair, she thought it was

simply crying out to her to be made into the type of scene

she remembered from her youth.

Kathryn both bought and had made many

of the elements of the scene

and then put them all

together with loads

of artistic flare! The roses,

sunflowers, grass, pebbles etc

are all from kits sold by Kathryn and

Alan and for the other areas she

used her knowledge of the period to

put everything together in a pastiche

of the period.

Kathryn bought many items over an

18 month period that she intended

to use in the scene, although until

she started to build it she

confesses that she did not

know how it would all come

together. She was also keen to

support and celebrate the

talents of her fellow

members at AIM

and her garden

features many

members beautiful

work – See end of

feature for

Kathryn’s shopping

list.


First of all to give her cottage the ‘lived in look’ Kathryn cleverly used antique lace from the period in the

windows of the house and scullery to give the windows a more homely feel, as wives were always very

insistent that their window nets be white and crisp.

Kathryn started by using a 24 x 18 piece of MDF that was covered in PVA glue to seal it, then placed the

cottage, scullery's and outside loo where she wanted them on the base. Kathryn drew around them and then

removed them (sawing off the front pavement of the cottage front, as she thought that was more appropriate

to a front facing house and this is a rear facing house.) Then roughly sketched out on the board where she

wanted the hard landscaping and the grass to be, by and large she stuck to her original plan.

Kathryn started by placing down the paths using the brick slips and to make them look old and worn and in

places put gravel and other pieces of stone to give the appearance of age. After the two main brick paths had

been put in place she placed in the cobbles for the yard, but did not mortar between the bricks or cobbles as

she wanted them to look older. Kathryn then made the outline for the pond and then in all the other areas

not to be covered by grass she put down the fleureze shingle*. She also made a very weak wash of brown and

washed over the bricks, cobbles and shingle and then in places washed over this with a weak green wash to

make it look like lichen and then in some small areas put an even weaker red wash just to bring out the colour

of the bricks, stones and shingle.

Using fleureze grass* in three shades, Kathryn put PVA glue all over the areas where she wanted grass

and then sprinkled over the fleuese grass*, leaving the glue to dry before shaking off the residue ‐

more can be put on if needed.

The pond was made by creating a ring of stones, and then heavily gluing them in place in order that

there were no cracks with PVA glue, she

also glued the base in order that it was

watertight. Kathryn used ‘scenic water’

for the water, but this was the last thing

she did when the scene was complete.

Once the landscaping was in place

Kathryn started to build up the scene,

by first placing the climbing roses

around the door and then working

forwards. The rose bushes went in next

followed by the garden section and then

she went on to the yard section.


The people were positioned and

placed and then the animals, and all

the accessories ‐ the material that the

geese and hens are pecking on is a

piece of cherry wood that she shaved

off in very, very small pieces with a

sharp blade so that they curled.

Kathryn has a wonderful eye for detail

and she has even hidden five tiny 24th

scale mice around the scene! After all

her hard work she loves how her initial

idea has finally come together and has

thoroughly enjoyed creating the

landscaping within her traditional half

scale cottage garden and then distressing it to give it a ‘worn poor’ look.

So with her garden now complete we couldn’t resist asking Kathryn what had had learnt from her garden

project?


“Even though I am a miniature artisan it is wonderful to get back to what brought me into the business in

the first place ‐ that of the sheer love and enjoyment of making a project and seeing it completed. – It was

the making and planning I enjoyed, rather than the finished item…”

The garden that Kathryn has created is very special and it has pride of place on top of a cupboard in her

dining room ‐ the cupboard is the exact size of the scene so it fits over all the top of the cupboard.

In fact it is no surprise at all that everyone who has seen it has spent a lot of time looking at it and

searching out the five mice, even Kathryn’s non miniaturist friends love it too!

Kathryn & Alan Gray Templewood Miniatures

www.templewoodminiatures.co.uk

Kathryn’s Shopping List… House & Scullery by Bea (Fiona) Broadwood of Petite Properties Ltd.

www.petite‐properties.com

Outside loo by Robin Britton of Coombe Crafts

www.coombecrafts.co.uk

All animals* by Linda Masters ‐ www.miraclechickenurns.com

All people by Kate Pinset of K designs ‐ www.kdesignsdolls.co.uk

Grass, shingle roses and sunflowers by Templewood Miniatures


(Except for white geese)*

Text & Images © Templewood Miniatures 2010


Aunt AnastasiaAunt Anastasia

Dear Aunt Anastasia, Can you help? I love making furniture from kits but it always turns out slightly wonky. I wish I could glue things straight.

Wobbly in Winnipeg

Dear Wobbly, Of course, Auntie can help! What you need, my dear, is a gluing jig. Sounds expensive and technical doesn't it? But never fear, it is neither. First thing you do is tootle over to a £/$ shop (Trotters always shudders when I confess that I adore Cheap Shops…he's such an old snob…but the cost of maintaining Miniscule Manor obliges me to be thrifty). At the £/$ shop purchase a nice tin tea/serving tray and a packet of those see‐through plastic report/presentation cover thingies (you will find them in the stationery aisle). Your next stop is DIY emporium to buy a packet of square magnets for holding cupboard doors shut. Once home, stick a sheet of graph paper on the top of the tray, cut a report cover in half and tape that over the graph paper. Let the gluing commence: align your pieces with the graph paper and hold them in place with the magnets.

Everything will be nice and straight and square and won't stick to the plastic, plus, if you bought a large tray, you

can do minis in your favourite comfy chair in front of the television. AA Dear Aunt Anastasia, I can't get acrylic paint to stick to the plastic accessories I bought. What am I doing wrong?

Perplexed in Portland

Dear Perplexed, Acrylics and plastic often need a bit of help before they will play nicely together. First, try giving the parts to be painted a good wash in soapy water, followed by a dunk in white/spirit vinegar and a rinse in clear water. This bathing regimen gets rid of any oily release agent that was possibly still clinging like grim death to the part in question. If the paint is still reluctant to grip, my second trick is to spray the parts with Artist's Matte Fixative (this is smelly stuff that comes in a tin/can from hobby emporiums and art shops… so do the spraying in a well ventilated area (I tootle down to the garage to do this). When the bits are dry, paint away to your heart's content but, to ensure that the paint does stay where you put it, once dry, coat with an acrylic based varnish. On the off‐chance that the last trick did not solve your problem, Perplexed, my only suggestion is that you use hobby paint (enamel) rather than acrylic.

Well, my dears, I mustn't tarry, Trotters is here with my mid‐afternoon libation…

Aunt Anastasia

GGreetings from Miniscule Manor! I'm Aunt Anastasia, your very distant mini relative (sixth cousin, twice removed and scaled down) and when I am not making the most fabulous minis, sipping bubbly or bossing my butler Trotters about, I just love helping miniaturists and solving problems of a miniature nature, so if your paint won't stick and your glue won't glue, get in touch:

[email protected] Looking forward to hearing from you soon….

Aunt Anastasia

The History Of…

Bee SkepsBee Skeps

By AIM Member, Frances Powell.

Bees have been kept for their honey from ancient times. Although honey was originally

collected from bees’ nests in hollow trees, people soon decided to make artificial nests (known

as beehives) for the honey bees to live in. This made collecting the honey much easier. A hive in

its most basic form is a hollow space where the bees can create their own internal structure from

honeycomb (a mass of hexagonal cells made from beeswax, excreted from glands in the female

worker bees). This honeycomb is where the honey is found along with stores of pollen and eggs,

larvae and pupae of the bees.

Early hives were made from straw and clay and mimicked the natural cavities bees would choose

in the wild. Several paintings survive showing ancient Egyptians performing various tasks

associated with beekeeping.

By Medieval times intricate straw skeps were being made. As these were not weatherproof many

were covered with thatch or a render similar to that used on house walls (a mix of mud, dung and

lime). The basic design was very similar in all cases an upturned bowl with a small hole either

part way up or at the base for the bees to enter and exit the hive. Some bee skeps were placed

in specially created niches in walls or in cottage garden often had an old earthenware pot placed

over them to keep rain out.

Because there was no internal structure in the skep the bees had to create their own using

honeycomb. This meant that to extract the honey and beeswax the honeycomb had to be

destroyed. Sometimes the beekeeper would invert the original skep and place a new skep on

top, thus allowing the bees chance to colonise the new skep before destroying the old one.

Today skeps are illegal because tests cannot be performed on bees to check for parasites etc

without destroying the colony. Modern beehives have removable frames within them, thus

allowing tests on small parts of the honeycomb.

1/12th scale kit £ 3.00 each are available from Buttercup Miniatures.

http://store.buttercupminiatures.co.uk/1-12th-and-1-24th-scale-kits/1-12th-scale-kits/Raffia

-Kits/Bee-skep-kit/prod_106.html

Text & Images © Frances Powell 2010 Artisans In Miniature 15


Gardens SMALLER SCALE SMALLER SCALE

By AIM Member, Malcolm Smith

TT he gardens illustrated in this feature are built to smaller scales than the usual ones used for doll’s houses.

In fact two of them are built to the scales used for model railways and the third is built to a very small scale that

is becoming popular with some miniaturists.

The first garden is built to 1:43 also known as 7mm:1foot

or 0 Gauge (close to the doll’s house scale of 1:48) and was

commissioned for a 7mm model railway layout. It was in

fact the stationmaster’s garden and, on the layout it is

located adjacent to the station. The garden has an

abundant display of vegetables and flowers which are

growing well although the white butterflies on the

cabbages might change that!

The second (unfinished) garden is

built to 1:76 also known as

4mm:1foot or 00 gauge.

It represents a typical small

allotment with a potting shed and a

chicken run. The drystone walls

around the allotment are made

from cardboard covered in DAS

modelling clay.

The sides were embossed while the

DAS was still soft and the stones on

the top were made by leaving a

sheet of DAS to dry and then

breaking it up to form small flat

stones which were glued on edge

on the top of the wall.

The final garden is made to 1:144 – originally made popular

with miniaturists for model dolls houses in dolls houses

(ie 1/12 of 1/12).

This scale is similar to the model railway scale of 1:148

also known as 2mm:1foot or N gauge. It represents our

own garden complete with shed, greenhouse, pond,

arches and fences.

The main materials used to create the vegetables

and flowers are painted tissue paper (preferably

good quality unbleached tissue) and the

sponge scatter materials sold for model

railways. The scatters are available in a

range of colours and textures including

coloured ones for flowers.

Leaves and petals are cut out of the tissue by folding a strip to give several layers. The layers are then either

punched or cut with a craft knife. For lettuces, cabbages, etc a disc is punched and then V cuts are made into

the disc to produce a ”flower” shape. The shape is then placed on an eraser and a blunt cocktail stick is

pressed into the centre to make a cup shape. Four or five of these shapes are nested together (reducing in

size) to produce the shape of the cabbage.

Flowers can be made by

punching small discs and

pressing the centre

on an eraser to make

a cup shape.

To see more of Malcolm’s

stunning work in miniature,

why not visit his website:

Text & Images © Malcolm Smith 2010

www.malcolmsminiatures.co.uk

Malcolm’s Miniatures

Tel 01491 6800951


By AIM Member Debie Lyons

Each month we will be looking at a particular AIM member’s Blog… This month we turn our attention to the blog of AIM

member Nicky Cooper, of Nicky’s Dolls and Critters.

http://nickycc.blogspot.com/

Nicky hasn’t been blogging very long yet, but she has managed to put together a blog that is easy on the eye that

works well along side her website. She started a blog because she wanted to keep an online diary, to keep her

customers, friends and family informed of what she is up to professionally. For Nicky her blog is a way for those who

follow her to interact, leave comments and be kept up to date regarding both Nicky and her work.

Nicky originally had a blog attached to her old website but it wasn’t very user friendly. She then discovered Blogspot

(run by google) and found that it was as easy to manage as writing an email.

When asked why she liked blogging Nicky replied, “Blogging is just a wonderful way of interacting with not only friends

and family but with others who have a similar interest, blog spot has a dashboard that lets you see recent posts on

blogs that I am following, it really helps make things more personal! When I take a coffee break I normally go browsing

to see what everyone else is up to :) I don't just follow miniature makers, there is also a wealth of people out there that

blog about so many things and I have found many of those have also helped to inspire me within my work, either by

their enthusiasm, their moods or comments or from holidays they have shared, inspiration can be found in the

strangest of places “

Nicky rarely exhibits at fairs and this year is no exception, so her blog is an additional way of keeping herself in the

public eye. She does struggle sometimes to keep everything as updated as she would like, but she does manage to

post on her blog at least every couple of days. However, Nicky finds updating her blog easier than updating her

website, which she does about once a week.

Nicky has found that she has had new customers contact her as a result of seeing and reading her blog. Having her blog

linked to Facebook has also brought new interest in her and through it people have recently discovered her work, so

she finds that having a blog is very beneficial.

‘Blogging’ also has a social aspect and Nicky has got to meet and get to know many like‐minded people; she especially

enjoys seeing her customer’s blogs , reading what they are up to and watching their individual projects come to life.

When asked about her favourite ‘blog widget’ Nicky answered “The first one I discovered was changing my background

so I would have to say that is definitely my favourite as I could give it a very personal look rather than it being the basic

templates. There are so many clever people out there writing codes and designing new things, I envy them having the

time :) I don't have a lot of widgets on my blog at the moment as I simply would rather play with the clay, hopefully

when I am bit more caught up on orders I can actually have

the time to play around with the widgets a bit more, but try to

keep things as simple as I can as I really don't like for things to

look cluttered and complicated! I find music on websites and

blogs annoying, as I like a quiet life! Nothing worse than

browsing in the wee small hours and clicking on a page and

jumping out of my skin (and waking the rest of the

household), whilst I clamour for the mute button!”

It is lovely to visit Nicky’s blog and see her most recent work

and ebay auctions. When visiting don’t forget to click the

‘older posts’ button at the bottom of each entry to see her

previous posts and her wonderful creations.

Debie Lyons Artisans In Miniature 19

Blog Of Blog Of

the Month!the Month!

NEW

FEATURE! The Green Hedgehog...The Green Hedgehog...The Green Hedgehog...

Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...

A QUIET GARDEN CORNER FOR BIRDS... This project lends itself to many different decorative options

and mediums, for example, if you had a mouse peeping

out the base of the tree stump you could do that in needle

felting. The Birds can be made in polymer

clay, air drying clay or with feathers. We will be

making the bulbul ‐ the bird in the water.

If you would like more bird tutorials, please email me.

This is a 1/12th scale project but can

easily be adapted.

You will need: Air drying clay Rolling pin/pipe Piece of polystyrene to form your tree trunk around (we will be Inserting tooth picks into the polystyrene so this substrate cannot for example be wood) PVA Glue Pencil Marking tools - marking bark on the tree Toothpicks Paint: Umber, honey brown, grey, yellow, green Tissue to wipe off some of the paint Plastic Greenery for a fish tank Fine and medium brushes

1:12th

Welcome to this new regular project column, written by AIM Member Louise Win. Louise kicks off her new series with this fantastic 2 part project, which this month teaches how to create an old tree stump, toadstools, foliage & plants





STEP 1...

Decide on the shape you want for your

stump. I have used florists foam but would

recommend polystyrene or a medium you

feel confident using. (The florists foam

becomes crumbly).

Roll out your air drying clay, glue the shape

and cover with clay. We do not want a

smooth finish. You can add cut off branches

and roots ‐ add toothpicks for strength.

Holes can be added. If you would like an

animal in those holes, you will need to leave

enough space for them to fit. We will be

adding a bird so make a hole where extra

clay can be added later for the legs to stand

in.

STEP 2...

Here are 2 other samples of stumps. Make

toadstools ‐ the heads were made on match

sticks and the stems from rolled clay. Glue

up and set aside to dry.

Paint as desired ‐ the red ones would be

gorgeous in a fairy garden. If you don't have

sand, then chop up clay as small as possible,

set aside to dry.


Don’t miss next month’s installment, which focuses on the

finishing touches: ‘Daffodils & Bird’ Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...Project...


STEP 3...

Painting the stump: I used a wash of umber (speck

of umber with 2‐3 drops of water) and let it settle

into the cracks.

Then I wiped off some of the paint (not that in the

cracks). Set aside to dry. Then highlight with a

brown of your choice ‐ I used honey brown and

then highlighted with darker (in the holes) and grey

in some cracks.

STEP 4...

I bought some greenery for an aquarium ‐ the one

on the left was the best, but so expensive!

I suppose you pay for the perfect scale! Be careful

not to buy the huge plants ‐ no matter how you cut

them, they never quite suit the scale.

We have finished part 1 of this tutorial.

Louise Win

If you would like to find out

more about AIM member

Louise Win, why not visit

her website:

Email:

[email protected]

www. louisewinminiatures.weebly.com

www. louisewinminiatures.weebly.com

Text & Images © Louise Win 2010


A Potted History Of...

THE GARDEN THE GARDEN GNOMEGNOME

Written By AIM Member, Julie Campbell

Photographs By AIM Member, Linda Masters

The garden gnome has become a quirky feature in many gardens over

the last century, but do you ever wonder where this little chap came

from? Well wonder no more…

Gnome mythology spans the centuries. Often represented as little old men with long beards or ugly dwarfs.

Dwarfs were often featured in German fairytales such as those by the Brothers Grimm and it was considered

lucky to have a dwarf figurine placed in the home or garden. The Germans often portrayed the gnome as a

miner and the pointed red hat we recognize today is based on those that German miners once wore.

Englishman, Sir Charles Isham brought about 20 small gnome figurines from Germany and placed them in a

rockery in the garden at Lamport Hall, Northamptonshire, England in 1849 and that was the start of a

miniature trend with the little fellows popping up in gardens all over England as the years went by!

The early gnomes were beautifully made and some were quite large, some were a meter tall, with superbly

sculpted features and clothes. These would be bought by affluent people to decorate their large homes and

gardens. A far cry from today’s gnomes, these early ones were gnarly old dwarfs not smiling cheeky little

characters at all.

So how did these figures evolve into the garden gnome we know and love?

Well it is mostly due to Walt Disney and the Second World War!

In 1937, Walt Disney Productions created “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, based on the Brothers Grimm

tale of “Little Snow White” who was given shelter by seven dwarfs who lived deep in the forest where they

worked as miners.

Although Walt Disney kept the dwarfs as miners, these dwarves were very cute endearing little character who

became well loved by the public. During the Second World War gnome production all but stopped but when

it resumed the gnome’s image had changed, inspired by Disney’s seven dwarfs.

In the 1960s the first plastic gnomes were made in Germany, they were weatherproof and shatter proof and

very colourful. This cheeky little character was soon known by all as the Garden Gnome and he went on to

brighten many a suburban garden.

This period was the height of popularity for the wee chap and

gnomes were produced engaging in all manner of activities, in

later years some of these were rather naughty and not

entirely suitable for the garden!

Today the Garden Gnome is as popular as ever and recognized

by everyone. Whether you love them or hate them they never

fail to raise a smile and I think they will be around for a long

time to come.

To see more of Linda’s fabulous carving why not visit her website:

www.miraclechickenurns.com Images © Linda Masters

Last month I began work on “Belle’s Toy Emporium” and

started my diary of a dolls house. A lot of progress was made

in the first week of the project. The MDF doors took many

coats of paint to cover but finally they were dry and ready for their hinges

Having sanded and sealed all parts, I was delighted

when the doors fitted like a dream.

I used the Dremel to drill pilot holes for the brass screws

which are very soft metal .

This made life so much easier and in no time at all I had

my shop doors fitted and their handles attached. Again

the Dremel came in handy for this.

The side opening door also went on beautifully and I

was feeling really confident about my door fitting

skills... until trouble struck…

You can see here what the problem was…

My door was too short and slightly

too wide !!

Now, I scoured the instruction

book and online photos of the

finished shop and the short door

wasn’t mentioned anywhere,

leaving only one explanation... it

was the wrong door !

There was no other in the kit and as

this one now had around 6 coats of

paint returning it wasn’t an option.

So after half an hour sanding it to

fit inside the opening and a bit of constructive thinking I fitted


WEEK

1

DIARY OF AN EDWARDIAN DOLLS HOUSE

By AIM Member, Julie Campbell

the door. Once the house is

assembled I will fit a step on the

inside and outside of the door

(and a small notice saying "mind

the step” ! )

I then assembled the little wall and pavement

section on the small side opening panel.

This is such a cute feature to the house and I can’t wait to get the railings up but as I plan to use real

brick slips to decorate my house I will be leaving the railings until the very end.

I stopped work for a cup of tea and another perusal of the instructions... all 19 pages...

It was finally time to construct the

house itself!

Finally this is starting to take

shape! The pieces of the house

slot together, some pieces were a

tight fit and needed a little

sanding but it was pretty

straightforward.

The plywood sides have grooves

in them and the MDF floors are

glued into those.

Mine did not want to go into the

grooves but a wee bit sanding, a

hefty dollop of wood glue and a

bit of elbow grease eventually got

the floors into the right side of the

house and, happily , the left side was

a much better fit.

The back went on perfectly and in

less than half an hour my house was

really starting to look like a house!

It is a lovely size building and already

my mind is ticking over planning how

I will decorate it inside. Artisans In Miniature 25

The internal walls simply slide in and out making this a decorators dream. The stairwells are fairly small

and would be very tricky to decorate otherwise.

The hole you can see in the bottom of the house is for the turn table

which is fitted last of all. Once the base is glued on a plug

is inserted through both holes to

receive the turntable screw.

Here you can see the house with

the base attached. I can't yet

decide whether to use paper or

actual tiles for the pavement.

Although I am using real brick

and slate for the walls and roof I

think it will be easier to either

use a paint effect or paper for the

curved pavement area at the side

of the shop.

Plenty of time to think of that

later though as it will not be done

until all those wee bricks have

been attached!

My trusty drill came in very

handy again for the roof hinges.

Within minutes I had my roof

panels hinged together and ready

to attach to the house.


To see more of Julie’s beautiful work, why not visit her website:

www.bellabelledolls.co.uk Text & Photographs © Julie Campbell 2010

The back of the roof was glued and pinned onto the back of

the house. The front of the roof lifts up for access to the attic

and 2 top rooms.

I especially love the attic section of this kit, although small it

has a sweet little trap door and I will probably use this to

store old toys :0)

Here I am fitting the trim to the roof which simply glues into

the slots provided and finishes the roof off beautifully.

This bit is a little trickier as the front of the roof is rested on the top floor

of the building with glued edges and then the roof is lowered down to fit

over it.

I did a dry run first and was surprised as what looked very tricky in the

instruction book was really quite simple. In no time at all I had a lovely

roof!

You can see here how the entire roof section lifts for access to the top

floor. Once the windows are in and the trim glued around the openings

this is going to look just perfect!

Belle's Toy Emporium is really

starting to take shape now!

A Tree A Tree HouseHouse Studio…Studio… By AIM Member, Simon Wilday Article written by Bea Broadwood

& Artist’s Hideaway...& Artist’s Hideaway...


A I M m e m b e r

Simon Wilday is an

amazingly talented

artist and model maker. For

those of you who are unfamiliar

with his work, Simon has kindly

agreed to show us around his

latest highly detailed and unique

miniature creation…. When I first met Simon a few years ago

and was introduced to his work, I was

immediately amazed, not only by his

wealth of talent, but also by his meticulous

eye for detail and scale.

Being an accomplished artist in his own

right and coming from a professional

design background, Simon manages to

draw from all of his many skills and pools

them within his stunningly life like models,

which he builds using a wide variety of

mediums and techniques.


Using his enviable artistic

talents Simon began to

commit his ideas to

paper and so the

concept of his 1:24th

scale tree house

diorama was born.

This beautiful initial

sketch of the tree house

shows Simon’s detailed

ideas take form and solidify into a frame work of

plans for his woodland retreat.

Simon started work on the tree house in 2007, but unfortunately work was

interrupted due to a family problem and Simon had to spend most of his

time in Cornwall. However, being ‘ever resourceful’ he used this time away

from home wisely and took this opportunity to sketch out and plan his

ideas for the interior and contents of the studio further; as ever using his

typically detailed approach!

The balcony, complete with laptop

computer, drawing board and

artist’s easel...

Over time Simon produced many more scale drawings,

which were also supported by meticulous notes that he

made and recorded regarding the size and

measurements of everyday objects. Throughout his

time in Cornwall Simon also collected together

materials and scale objects that he would later use in

the building process.

Although the inspiration for the tree house is rooted in

‘fantasy’, Simon was also keen that it include and

reflect many of the working and recreation activities

that he has been involved and enjoyed over the years.



‘For The Love Of Art...’ Here Simon’s own miniature art work

creates a fabulously quirky ‘out door’ display...

Both Simon’s love of art and his lifetime spent

working within a creative industry are

celebrated and reflected throughout the

model, from his paintings, to model cars, even

the dolls houses that he has designed and

built. Simon has managed to take all of these

experiences and gently incorporate them with

stunning realism and typical quiet humour.

The tree house studio has taken a long time to

complete and it is clear that Simon is a

miniature artisan who simply will not be

rushed. However, the time and attention to

detail that he has lavished upon his tree house

studio, combined with his artistic eye and

enviable modelling ability has enabled Simon

to create a truly spectacular miniature

diorama; one that reflects not only his love of

the miniature world, but also captures the life

of the very special man who made it...


Simon’s own ‘self portrait…’

If you would like to find our more about Simon’s work, why not visit his website:

www.wildayswizzardworkshop.co.uk

Photographs © Simon Wilday 2010 Text © AIM 2010

By AIM Member Ernesto Baldini

Carnations are pretty nice flowers to be displayed by themselves

or as part of a floral arrangement.

In this project I’ll try to explain how I make them and I do hope

that you will find it easy enough to make your own carnations.

Materials needed:

Cold porcelain clay in pink and green colors.

White tacky glue.

Floral wire (nº 28 is the one that I use).

Needle tool.

Procedure:



Step 1: Cut a piece of floral wire about 5 cm

long. Apply a small amount of glue to one

end and attach a little ball of pink cold

porcelain clay.

Step 2: Take a 2mm

ball of pink clay and flatten it between your

fingers as much as you can in order to

obtain a thin circle of clay.

Step 3: Use the needle tool to

fringe the circle’s borders

all the way around.

Step 4: Place some white glue over

the ball of clay on the end of the

wire. Insert the wire into the center

of the fringed circle of clay.


Step 5: Gently wrap the ball of

clay with the fringed circle.


Step 6: Take another ball of clay

2mm wide and proceed the same

way (flatten and fringe). This time fold the circle in

four (as you would do with crêpes).

Step 7: Using white glue to join,

place the folded petal on one side of

the one in the wire.

Step 8: Repeat until you have petals

all around the central one (this

requires about three to five petals

depending the size of each one).

Step 9: Take a small cone of green clay,

insert the wire into it and glue it to

the base of the flower to

form the calyx. Step 10. Make some

more carnations, add

some dried foliage,

arrange in a flower pot

and d r e s s you r

dollhouse!!!!


©2010 Ernesto Baldini – Punto Sur Miniaturas

For more information about me and my work please visit...

www.puntosurminiaturas.blogspot.com

www.puntosurminiaturas.jimdo.com

AIM member Léa Frisoni shows us

how to make a 1:12 scale

‘folding style’ chair.

You will need…

1mm thick Bristol board or cardboard.

2mm thick Lime or Basswood.

1mm thick Lime or Basswood.

A cocktail stick.

2 x 0.5mm miniature nails.

Quick grab wood or tacky glue.

Super‐glue.

Compass point.

Gesso or primer.

Sage green paint.

Light oak wood‐stain.

000 grade steel wool.

Step 1 - Imitation Metal Structure (fig.1) From the 1mm thick Bristol board cut two 2mm strips measuring 9cm long.

Then, repeating the procedure for each strip, mark at 5cm and fold back over and a

quarter turn to make the feet and back support as shown in the diagram so that the

two faces are perpendicular. The upper part of each metal structure should be 4cm

long with the flat facing forwards and the lower part measuring 5cm and with the flat

facing outwards. Make a mark 3cm from bottom end of the 5cm long section, then

make a hole with the tip of a compass point which has

been tipped with wood or tacky glue.

(fig.2) Cut another Bristol or cardboard strip measuring

0.1cm x 3.2cm. Using superglue fix this section into place between the two front feet

(the 5cm long sections) 1.5 cm from the bottom edge.

(fig.3) To make the back legs cut two strips of Bristol or cardboard measuring 0.2cm

by 5cm. Then at one end measure 0.2cm from the right

side corner and cut through from this point to the left

hand corner. Make a mark 3cm from the square end,

then make a hole with the tip of a compass point which

has been tipped with wood or tacky glue. Repeat for the

other leg.



fig.1

fig.2

fig.3

(fig.4) Cut another Bristol or cardboard strip measuring

0.1cm x 3cm. Glue this section into place between the two

back legs 2cm from the end.

Step 2 - Assembly (fig.5) Place the front legs inside the back legs aligning

the holes at each side.

(fig.6) Cut a 3cm length of cocktail stick, place a tiny drop

of superglue at each end and align with the holes in the

side of the chair frame. Apply another drop of superglue to

the tip of a mini nail and drive home through the hole into

the cocktail stick with the flat edge of a pair of tweezers,

repeat this for the opposite side of the frame. Paint the

entire structures with primer, leave to dry, then paint again

in sage green. When the sage green paint is thoroughly

dry wipe over with steel wool to create the desired

distressed finish.

(fig.7) To make the backrest cut two pieces from the 2mm

thick Lime or Basswood measuring 0.5cm x 3.6cm. Stain

with light oak wood‐stain, leave to dry and then glue into

place at the top of the frame leaving a gap of 0.5cm.

(fig.8 & 9)To make the seat cut 4 strips of 2mm thick Lime

or Basswood measuring 0.5cm x 3.6cm and 2 strips from

1mm thick Lime or Basswood measuring 0.3cm x 2.7cm. Stain with light oak wood stain

and leave to dry. On a sheet of grid paper draw a rectangle measuring 3.6cm x 2.7cm.

Using the rectangle as a template, arrange the 0.5cm x 3.6cm strips so that they are

evenly spaced. Overlay and glue into place the 0.3cm x 2.7cm strips leaving a gap of

0.3cm at each edge and leave to dry.

(fig.10) Fit the seat into position so

that the overlaid strips on the

underside are adjoining the upper

sections of the front and back feet.

Glue into place with superglue.

©2010 Léa Frisoni

www.atelier‐de‐lea.com



(fig.4) (fig.5)

(fig.6)

(fig.7)

(fig.8)

(fig.9)

(fig.10)


ThroughThrough The Keyh le...

Kathy lives in Australind, Western Australia, which is about 2 hours south of Perth and just north of the Margaret River wine growing region where some of Australia best wines are produced. Kathy’s workspace is a room added onto the side of her house and she has worked in for about 2 years. In all the other homes that Kathy has lived in there has always been a room where she could work. However, since moving into her new home, she planned to work in the games room, however it started to bother her that every time she had guests there was always a mess! After lots of looking as to where an extra room could go, Kathy decided that she would use one end of the patio by enclosing it. She got to work and now has her own studio to work in. In her studio workspace Kathy creates flowers and other miniatures. Her flowers are made from hand painted paper and punched out and she is most particular on the colour of the leaves. All of Kathy’s flowers are produced with care to resemble the flowers in real life. As well as flowers Kathy also makes luggage which ‘opens and shuts’, she also dabbles from time to time in wicker work and make vignettes.

Ever wondered what it would be like to be able to have a closer look at the working environments of AIM members? This month we take a peek at the working environment of Kathy Brindle in Western Australia...

Kathy says that the best thing about her workspace is that she can walk away and shut the door plus she has a phone and CD player to keep her busy, whilst not disrupting others in the house. As Kathy’s workspace also butts onto the kitchen in the main part of the house, I can open the adjoining window when the temperatures get really hot (over 40c) and get the benefit of the air conditioner which is a must in our summer months. Kathy is really happy with her workspace but if she could change anything about it she would like it a little bigger, however she readily confesses that if it were larger she would put more into it and therefore lose the benefit that the extra space would bring! After seeing Kathy’s studio we her if she had any storage tips? Kathy said “Ask all your friends to part with the fancy boxes they have. I use a lot of the clear plastic boxes and have in my studio a book case on my work table lying on its side. That way I have all I use all the time at my finger tips. Another thing is I keep a broom and dustpan in my studio to sweep up my mess.”

If you would like to find out more about the beautiful miniatures that Kathy creates, why not visit her website: www.kathybee.net

Text & Photographs ©

Kathy Brindle 2010


In this regular feature a brave AIM

member answers our probing questions,

helping you to get to know both them and

their work a little bit better!

This month our willing victim volunteer is

the talented fantasy artisan;

Jana Rowntree (aka ‘Grimdeva’) of Cauldron Craft Miniatures

Can you tell us a bit about your life before Miniatures? I rediscovered miniatures at a very painful point in my life. My grandmother had just passed on and my

grandfather was failing emotionally and physically. My parents were maintaining two households and two jobs

each. The economy was going down the tubes and I was finding it increasingly hard to pay for school and bills.

My mother needed her knee replaced but couldn't take time for the surgery because she was the primary care

giver to elderly family members. It was just time to move home and so I made the difficult decision to leave my

Masters program before finishing. We all felt a mixture of guilt, anxiety, and frustration.

While sorting through my grandparents' basement, I discovered my

forgotten Swiss Chalet dollhouse my grandpa had built for me when I was

4. It was still so sturdy and filled with miniatures. I carted it home and we

all just laughed at the many good memories. Things seemed to get better

and better from that point. I began repairing the miniatures and

researching how to remodel dollhouses. Then I tried to make new items,

with my first attempts indeed being clumsy. People liked them though

and kept saying I should sell them. Within a year I was online and it just

grew from there!

‘Getting ‘Getting

to know to know

you...’ you...’



As a child, what were your favourite toys? I had several Breyer horses and loved my Appaloosas, Clydesdales, and Arabians the best. I made 'forests'

for them and sewed the tack myself. I also had a large community of stuffed animals. I still have my Star

Wars guys and the ships! And oodles of art supplies. I loved the copper and periwinkle crayons the best.

What attracted you to miniatures in the first place? I have so many wonderful memories from childhood where various family members would slip me a

trinket or two for my dollhouse. I was also very aware that my dollhouse was handbuilt by Grandpa and

totally unique. As an adult, it's a very relaxing yet challenging hobby. I originally thought that because it

was 'small' it would be a more manageable medium to work in rather than my large paintings and

spinning and weaving. I now have a whole room dedicated to miniatures and it still trickles out into the

family room... my looms never took up so much space!

What was your first purchase? A Greenleaf Kit for a large Victorian dollhouse. I still need to put that together…

What miniature item do you most covet? A Bespaq apothecary cabinet and a Tudor style carved bed!

Who do you most admire in the miniature world? Anyone who is brave enough to share their work with the world! I

admire the act of creation and the joy of imagination regardless

of skill level. I follow several miniature artists in the fantasy and

spooky genres; some are well known 'superstars' while others

are very new to the mini making scene. I am a collector as well

as an artist and have been very inspired to meet other miniature

artists over the last year. Previously, I was a bit intimidated to

join a group that has the folks I see in the pages of dollhouse

magazines.

What made you decide to specialise in fantasy furniture and accessories? My work falls into the Fantasy category. Fantasy and

Spooky miniatures are a growing subgenre in the

hobby with a lot of potential for new directions. Fairy

is more than pink butterfly wings and Spooky is more

than simply Halloween decorations, although I love all of

this too. Because I collect work by other Fantasy artists, I

am aware of their particular styles and what customers are looking for. I go out of my


way to avoid overlap so remaining distinct. I've managed to develop my own niche which tends to be a

bit spooky and influenced by assemblage style art. Think dusty magic books, bubbling cauldrons, thrones

of ancient kings, cobwebs, purple mushrooms, and old forests... In person I'm frequently described as

spooky but nice and I think this comes out in my work!

Many Fantasy miniature artists focus on magical creatures. I create the environments that they would

live in! I look to my collection of picture books about medieval castles and ruined city temples. I'll open

up my wicker basket full of the many beautiful Tarot cards I've collected. I'll watch fantasy movies and

paranormal TV shows while I create. I ask myself, 'What would a wizard need in his library?' Or a dark

fairy in her pumpkin house, or the witch in her swamp cabin? I like to make one of a kind furniture

pieces with wings, claws, or twisting vines. I want tables overflowing with alchemy potions, bookcases

stuffed with manuscripts and scrolls, huge stone hearths with steaming cauldrons, and lush moss fairy

beds. When I come up with an idea, I tend to label it with a particular theme such as Vintage Halloween,

Dark Fairy, Egyptian, Gothic Vampire, Medieval Wizard, or Country Witch. I’ve also been adding

Steampunk elements to my Wizard and Victorian pieces. Think techno‐magical clocks, celestial globes,

and other mechanical oddities!

I think my fascination with the fantastical all began with a childhood love of books and movies. I spent

many hours reading the Tolkien, Narnia, and Conan books. I still have my VHS copies of Legends, The

Last Unicorn, Dark Crystal, and The Hobbit. I'm also a fan of the newer Lord of the Rings and Harry

Potter series as well. My favorite spooky movies are Sleepy Hollow, Trick or Treat, Beetlejuice, The

Adams Family, and any werewolf or vampire flick. I like the whimsical and the kooky!

Have you had any unusual commissions? Well I had someone want me to make a

whole household of vampire furniture in

the American Girl scale. That is much bigger

than what I work in or even have supplies for

so. I have recently had commissions for

Steampunk Candelabras, Coffin

Beads, and Egyptologists Desks

in 1:12 scale. When I first started

making Steampunk miniatures,

like clocks, globes, and

mechanical furniture, I wasn't

sure if people would like it

or even understand it.

Well it turned out to be

very popular and so I

must acquire more

vintage watches to

take apart!

You can see more of Jana’s beautiful work by following any of the links provided below...

Etsy shop link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CauldronCraftMinis

My Blog: http://cauldroncraftminiatures.blogspot.com

Flickr gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cauldroncraftminis

DeviantART gallery: http://grimdeva.deviantart.com

Photograph & Text (Answers) © Jana Rowntree 2010

Do you have any hobbies unrelated to miniatures? I scrapbook and make collages, altered

books, and mixed media paintings. I find

working with paper very relaxing and

regularly buy vintage books for this

purpose.

I also alter dolls and my own clothes. I

make jewelry, magic wands, and wreaths.

I love Victorian, Egyptian, Steampunk,

Gothic, and Country Primitive styles.

Any phobias? I might be an artist of spooky miniatures

but I do not like spiders.

Period.

You do not see any spiders in my work

although I often use web designs. I

recently bought a large stuffed tarantula

spider with googly eyes, hoping to see a

'cuter' side and get over this. They are

fuzzy... eek!

I used to not be scared of spiders and ac‐

tually played with them. Then I was bit by

a black widow on my leg when I was

about 12.

Fantasies? I would love to build a 1:12 scale Pyramid with an underground tomb chamber filled with treasure! I

think about it quite often.

Hat Box Kit By The Craft Pack Company

You will need: scissors, glue and ruler Begin by cutting out all of the hat box pieces, the kit makes three hat boxes in total, each box consists of four pieces and a little tag:

Hat Box Lid Hat Box Base

Hat Box Side

Hat Box Lid Side

Glue along here

Take the hat box side section, and draw a line in from the edge of one end approx 5mm from the edge, as indicated by the double ended arrow above. Apply some card adhesive to the area at the end as shown above. Gently wrap the card section around and affix end A over and stick onto the glued section marked B as shown above. Hold in place for a few seconds until the glue begins to bond. Now take the hat box side and stick it directly into the middle of the hat box base section, this should leave a narrow rim around the hat box base( see pack photo) To make the lid side section, you first need to check the fit. So take the lid side piece, and gently wrap it around the completed base and base side section, check for a good fit and mark the overlap with a pencil. Now that you have exactly the right line to fit, you can go ahead and glue the end with your own meas‐urements as before. Stick the now complete lid side, onto the underside ( plain white side) of the hat box lid, right in the middle, leaving another narrow rim. Once dry, place the lid on the box and you should have a perfect fit. Cut out and glue the little gift card onto the box, and repeat the process with the other two remaining boxes in the kit.

© The Craft Pack Company 2010 0191 581 2305 www.thecraftpackcompany.co.uk – kits, project downloads & more

A B

Set your printer to the best setting or highest DPI. Print onto 180gsm photo card or quality craft card. Follow instructions below. Strictly for personal use only, not for sale, distribution as a hand made miniature,

printed sheets, or kit. © www.thecraftpackcompany.co.uk

Gift tags




Ytá{|ÉÇ ZtÄÄxÜçAAAYtá{|ÉÇ ZtÄÄxÜçAAAYtá{|ÉÇ ZtÄÄxÜçAAA Photo 1…

Sheer elegance in a chemise

of palest rose silk with lace

trim.

Doll by

Beatrice Thierus

www.myminiatures.net

1

Photo 2…

Elegant knitted outfit for a

stroll in the garden.

Pattern by Helena Bleeker

£3.25

Venne threads £1.80

per reel

www.helena‐petitefashions.co.uk

2

Photo 3…

A selection of adorable

knitted children's garden

outfits from patterns by

Helena Bleeker www.helena‐petitefashions.co.uk

3

Photo 4… White dress with lace neckline and emerald embroidery.

Pattern 5029 from La Petite Belle www.minipatterns.com

Photo 5… Picnic, romantic interlude, quiet time? Create a hat for

coyness and fancy and a bag ( be green) to carry your plants, or picnic

goodies. Pattern 1022 by La Petite Belle www.minipatterns.com

4 5

Photo 6…

Garden Party, lay out your

perfect dress and hat to stroll

among the flowers.

Pattern 2009 by la Petite Belle. www.minipatterns.com

Photo 7…

Delightful contemporary floral

pink dress with white cardigan

and pretty pink straw hat

by Janet Harmsworth. www.minimannequins.co.uk

6

7

Photo 8…

Delicate spring blossoms adorn

this stunning floral ivory

and lilac dress.

Doll created by Mary Williams www.dollshousedolls.co.uk

8

Photo 9… The combination of winter white, pistachio, chocolate and raspberry makes

this a stunning winter outfit by Wilga

van den Wijngaart www.artisansinminiature.com/WilgavandenWijngaart.html

Photo 10… Dad wears a handsome

fisherman style jumper of burgundy,

grey and cream stripes while his son is

cosy in this cowl neck design with

geometric pattern. Dolls created by

Wilga van den Wijngaart www.artisansinminiature.com/WilgavandenWijngaart.html

Photo 11…

1940’s cream floral dress by

Miss Amelia www.missameliasminiatures.com

11

9 10

Text & Photographs © belongs to the individual artisans as credited.

Photo 12…

Fashionable hat and parasol

set in cream, mauve and

buttercup floral print.

Handmade by

Francesca Vernuccio

Photo 13…

‘Butterfly Bag’

Made in Italy

by Francesca Vernuccio

13

12

www.miniaturitalia.it/elenco_espositori.html

AIM’s very own, in‐house, celebrity chef Claude

Petit‐Fretin invites his friends and fellow ‘artisans

de cuisine’ to pick up the gauntlet of his Creative

Cuisine Challenge!

In this, Claude’s debut month, his guest artisan is

Vicky Guile of NJD Miniatures. Has she got what it

takes to impress?

Find out when chef Claude challenges Vicky to

create a Vegetable Casserole with Herby

Dumplings...

...in miniature of course!

Peel and chop 4 large carrots, 2

medium parsnips and half a

medium sized swede. Slice 2

large onions and 3 good sized

leeks and chop 4 large

mushrooms.

Heat a little olive oil in a large wok or sauté

pan and add the onions and leek. Heat until

softened then transfer to a large casserole

dish.

Add a little more oil to your wok or sauté pan and add the carrots, swede and parsnips. Cook until lightly browned then transfer to the casserole dish.

Attention à vos doigts!

Doucement, doucement!

Claude ©2010 www.sassyminidolls.com


To make the herby dumplings measure 50g of

vegetarian suet and 125g of self raising flour into a

bowl. Add a good pinch of sea salt and freshly

ground black pepper with a couple of tablespoons

of chopped fresh parsley. Bring together with

enough cold water to form a slightly sticky dough. Divide the dough into 8 and roll each piece into balls. Fifteen

minutes from the end of the cooking time remove the lid and add the dumplings. Return to the oven and turn up

the heat. Once the dumplings have risen and browned serve the casserole immediately with either fresh bread or

lots of soft buttery mashed potato.

Add the chopped mushrooms and the juice of one small lemon to

the casserole dish.

Mix well and then add to the casserole dish. Season with

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover and

place in a hot preheated oven for twenty minutes then

turn down and cook at a low temperature for two and a

half hours.

Mix together one tablespoon of corn flour with a

little cold water in a bowl. Add to that one large

glass of white wine and 400ml of vegetable stock.

PAS DE GRUMEAUX!

Et Voila!

Claude’s verdict...

C’est tres bien! Prochain challenger s’il vous plait?

©2010 Vicky Guile - NJD Miniatures - www.njdminiatures.blogspot.com Artisans In Miniature 51

Although root vegetables are available throughout

the year it is probably during the coldest winter days

and still chilly early spring when we appreciate them

most. They are the perfect addition to soups, stews

and casseroles and no roast dinner would be

complete without a serving or two of our favourite

roots.

Not only are roots amongst the most versatile of all

the vegetables they are also an easy and economic

source of essential vitamins and minerals.

Carrots for super night‐vision?

There is some truth to the old wives tale that eating

carrots can help you see in the dark. Carrots contain

more beta‐carotene (what gives them their orange

colour) than any other vegetable. Beta‐carotene is

transformed into vitamin A by our bodies and it’s this

vitamin A which is essential for maintaining good night

vision ‐ but don’t overdo the carrot munching as too

many can turn your skin orange! Carrots have been

specifically grown for food for thousands of years. The

ancient Greek word for carrot is philtron meaning ‘love

charm’ and they thought that the consumption

of carrots made both men and women behave

more amorously!

Page number here?

Vicky Guile

www.njdminiatures.blogspot.com

IN SEASON THIS MONTH...

Illustrated by AIM members and written by Vicky Guile.

Honey roasted lamb

with potatoes and carrots by

Mags Cassidy ‐ www.magsnificentminis.etsy.com

1:12 crocheted carrot

by Lydia Murphy

www.minimurph.etsy.com


In the 16th Century carrots were widely available across

Europe, Asia and Africa, and in many colours, some of the

most popular being pale yellow and red. It was then that

Dutch farmers decided to create a new carrot in honour of their royal family also known as the ‘House of Orange’.

The brand new Dutch ORANGE carrot!

By crossbreeding the red and pale yellow they came up

with a brand new breed of carrot ‐ ORANGE! The orange

carrot was taken across the North Sea to the shores of

England where it was received with enthusiasm. Before

long the English were not only eating the new orange

carrot but also wearing them as a fashion accessory.

High class carrot tops!

Aristocratic ladies were known to wear hats decorated

with fluffy carrot tops! I wonder if they had to water

them?

Basket of carrots by Debbe Mize

www.cdhm.org/user/trisscade

Preparing Carrots by Sarah Maloney

www.sarahmaloney.etsy.com

Vegetable seed packets and seed tray by Frances Powell

www.buttercupminiatures.co.uk

Carrot Cake by Amanda Speakman

www.amanspeakminiatures.com


Another root vegetable that we are familiar with is the

parsnip, a close relative of the carrot and similar in

shape but with a much stronger flavour and paler in

colour.

Parsnips and scraping skirrets!

The parsnip was commonplace in old English cookery

as a sweetening agent for cakes and preserves along

with skirrets or crummocks, another pale root

vegetable with a gathering of tasty roots.

Skirrets which originate from Asia and are

also known as Sium Sisarum, have been

cultivated across Europe for thousands of

years. One Tudor recipe for sweet parsnip

and skirret tart also lists other ingredients

such as wine, eggs, lemon juice and

rosewater. The parsnips would have been

peeled but the skirrets would instead

have been scraped to ensure maximum

usage ‐ no wastage in a Tudor kitchen!

Vicky Guile

www.njdminiatures.blogspot.com

Crate of sweet potatoes

www.c

Casserole with dumplings by Carol Smith

www.starsgemini3.etsy.com

Vegetable crate by Sarah Maloney


Vegetable Preparation Board by Debbie Wright

www.debbiestinytreasures.blogspot.com Sprou

www


The potato, now the world’s largest produced

vegetable crop, didn’t make its appearance in

Europe, when brought back to Spain, until 1536.

A potato a day keeps the doctor away?

A native crop of Peru and the Andes region,

where they have over 1000 words for the humble

spud, it was thought to have healing properties

and was often rubbed directly onto the skin of

those affected by illness.

It wasn’t until 1597 that the first potato crops were

established in Britain and Ireland. During the Industrial

Revolution the demand for potatoes boomed, the workforce

and economy demanded a cheap and sustainable food stuff

that could keep the workers going and the potato, being

high in energy providing carbohydrates, fitted those

requirements. In Ireland the potato had become so

essential to the nutrition of the poor that in the Irish Potato

Famine of 1845, caused by potato blight and outside political

factors, up to 25% of the nation’s people are thought to

have starved, with as many again emigrating across the seas

to America .

s and bucket of potatoes by Debbe Mize

cdhm.org/user/trisscade

Peeling potatoes by Debbie Wright

www.debbiestinytreasures.blogspot.com

Sack and paper bag of Potatoes

by Carol Smith


uting potatoes by Kiva Atkinson

.kivasminiatures.com


Beetroot, or beets, can be both a root and leaf vegetable. A relation to

Swiss chard, the leafy beetroot tops can be eaten raw, a colourful

addition to salads, or cooked in a similar way to spinach. The sweet and

plump roots of the beetroot can be cooked in many ways, but it’s best

to cook with the skin on and then peel before eating. Baby beetroot

can also be grated raw into salads.

Two thousand years ago beetroot was of a similar shape to carrots and

parsnips and

the roots were

only ever used

medicinally. The globe shaped

beetroot that we recognise

today evolved in the 16th

century and was widely

accepted across Europe.

Similar to beetroot, for culinary

uses, are turnips. Turnip tops

can be used raw in salads as well as grated raw baby turnips. The turnip roots can also

be boiled, roasted and steamed, or as the French prepare theirs, braised or sautéed. In

Italy the turnip is added to risottos and the Japanese have their very popular pickled

turnip.

Turnip, swede or rutabaga?

Swede, also known as neeps in Scotland, is a relative newcomer to the dinner table.

The earliest reference to them being used as a foodstuff is from the 17th century. It wasn’t until the 18th century

that it had become a main crop on farms across Europe and until the 19th century that it had been introduced to

the Americas where it is known as rutabaga which comes from its Swedish name of rotabagge.

Crate of Swedes

by Carol Smith


Pickling beetroot by Linda Cummings

http://shop.ebay.com/lindac5204/m.html

Beetroot by

Sarah Maloney


Root basket by Debbe Mize www.cdhm.org/user/trisscade

Vegetable basket w

By Kiva Atkinson Artisans In Miniature 56

Onions of all varieties can also be classed as root

vegetables in the loosest sense of the term. Although

they are not tuberous in nature they do grow their

bulbous sections underground. They have been

cultivated throughout the world for thousands and

thousands of years and have numerous medicinal

qualities. Roman gladiators would rub onion as a cure

onto aching muscles, the Ancient Greeks ate large

amounts of onion to help

balance their blood and in

medieval Europe onions were

hung in bunches on front doors

in the hope that they would

ward off the plague.

Know your onions!

There are basically two different

types of onions, ‘storage onions’

are those which are round and globe shaped, this includes Spanish and regular red,

white and brown onions. They are harvested over the spring or summer and stored

for months until the outer skin has dried. While ’green onions’ such as spring

onions or scallions and pearl onions are harvested and eaten as soon as possible.

The versatile onions of all varieties are as common in cooking, with as many

different methods and recipes as any other vegetable, but perhaps one of the most

famous onion recipes is the classic French onion soup, made from slowly caramelised onions, and rich beef stock,

delicious served piping hot and topped with a crisp crouton and just a sprinkling of melted Gruyère cheese!

Text written and ©2010 Vicky Guile ‐ www.njdminiatures.blogspot.com

All photos ©2010 by their respective artisans.

Red onions by Vicky Guile Www.njdminiatures.blogspot.com

Onion crate by Debbe Mize

www.cdhm.org/user/trisscade

with roots

www.kivasminiatures.com Artisans In Miniature 57




Step 1. Mix... Tint a ⅜” (9mm) diameter ball of

translucent clay with a tiny amount

of orange taken from a ½” (13mm)

ball of orange clay. Divide off ⅓ of

the coloured translucent clay and

mix in another tiny amount of

orange clay. Roll the remaining ⅔

translucent mix to a ⅛” (3mm)

diameter cylinder.

Step 2. Wrap... Wrap this cylinder with the

remaining ⅓ translucent mix, butting

the edges at the join; do not overlap

the clay. Wrap the cylinder with all

the remaining orange clay again

butting the edges at the join; do not

overlap the clay.

Step 3. Reduce... Reduce the diameter of the cane to

3/16” (5mm), cut in half and put one

half aside. Taper the end of the

remaining cylinder to a point and

cut off a ½” (13mm) length. Repeat

the procedure cutting more carrots

of slightly varying lengths.

AIM Member Philippa Todd shows us how to make 1:12 scale carrots from polymer clay.

You will need... Polymer clay in translucent, orange and leaf green. Liquid polymer clay. Soft artists pastel in brown. Scrap of paper. Craft knife. Small ball stylus tool. Aluminium foil.

Step 4. Details... Rub a piece of brown pastel stick

onto a piece of paper and dip a

blade into the powder. Run the

blade across the sides of the carrot.

This will cut short lines into the sides

of the carrot, and the pastel will col‐

our these lines brown. If you inad‐

vertently cut the carrot in two just

put it back together again, pushing

the cut sides against themselves.

Pick up the carrot and gently

squidge it up on itself; this not only

consolidates all the cut edges to‐

gether, but gives it an irregular in‐

dented appearance.

Step 5. Curve... Curve the edges of the top surface

of the carrot, and indent a hole in

the centre of the top with a ball

tool.

Step 6. Stalks... Tint a ¼” (6mm) diameter ball of

translucent with leaf green and roll

to a 1/16” (2mm) cylinder. Cut off a

¼ inch (6mm) length and taper one

end. Place a tiny drop of liquid poly‐

mer clay into the hole and insert the

green top. Pinch the translucent/

green clay with tweezers to divide it

into stalks.

Step 7. Bake... Bake the carrots, on crumpled foil,

for the time and at the temperature

recommended for your chosen

brand of clay. Bake the remaining

cylinder of clay and whilst it is still

warm (be careful not to burn your

fingers) cut it into slices. These can

be used as vegetables on a plated

meal or they add interest to a vege‐

table preparation scene.

Alternative... Use the same technique to make parsnips, but use white clay tinted with a

small amount of beige clay instead of orange clay.

©2010 Philippa Todd – www.toddtoysandminiatures.com Artisans In Miniature 58

"A Taste of History: 10 000 years of food in Britain"

Maggie Black English Heritage in association with The

British Museum Press ISBN: 0‐7141‐1788‐9 / 352 pages

200 clear line drawings 172mm wide x 138 mm long Available at Amazon.co.uk:

The Book The Book

Corner... Corner...

www.louisewinminiatures.weebly.com

By AIM member, Louise Win

This book is not full of color pictures of finished dishes but is packed with

information spanning food from Prehistoric Britain to 20th Century time.

"Five food historians collaborated in this book". Early recipes are based on

archaeological discoveries and later on manuscripts of the time!

In the Medieval period one of the recipes is for Grape stuffed boiled chicken.

Recipes are written in original text i.e. "Chykens in hocchee: Take chykens

and scaled them, take parsel and sawge.." and that is then translated into

current day English. Thank goodness that Dressed Swan and milk‐fed snails

no longer graces our tables, but stew has stood the test of time ‐ still being

popular after 4000 years!

I found myself trying to understand the old text before reading the modern and this made the whole

experience huge fun. I imagined what it must have been like finding those old manuscripts ‐ if you have

your Gran's recipe book I'm sure you would relate.

Each of the 7 periods are detailed in many sections:

*Basics of food eaten.

*Culinary organisation in the great households.

*The actual means.

*Tableware (very interesting).

*Recipes.

Let me give you 2 or 3 of the recipes from each era: Prehistoric: Fish soup and Hakka Muggies (fish stomach).

Roman: Boiled mussels and Prawn Rissoles.

Medieval: Flesh day dishes: Beef or mutton olives and Lenten and fish days: Hot wine.

Beverage and almond milk and real mince pie.

Tudor times is "eggs in mustard sauce" ‐ (think I'd like to make that!)

17th Century: Diet bread (oh dear!) and Dutch pudding.

Georgian: Plain pudding and Oatmeal hasty pudding.

Victorian: Poulet saute a la plomviere and Sister Nightingales Rice or Mock crab.

20th Century: Stir fried gingered beef.

I bought this book and have used it often. The information gives you an in depth understanding of the etiquette, culture and custom of the time and an accurate assessment of the food for the day. Well worth the buy for mini food addicts.


Cross OverCross Over Crafts

NEW FEATURE!


TT he world of miniatures is certainly a diverse one and it is easy to see that the hobby incorporates so many different craft areas, techniques and artistic pursuits

Here at AIM our members are a very talented bunch and despite leading the field in the world of professional miniatures, many of them also enjoy a number of ‘full size’ crafts and hobbies

So we thought it would be interesting to find out more about our member’s ‘extra curricular’ crafting activities and ask whether their hobbies are a source of inspiration for their miniature work or simply time to relax.

AIM member Kathryn Gray is well known in the miniature world for her beautiful flowers, but what isn’t so well know is that she is also an amazing ‘full size’ flower sculptor too!

What is 'cold porcelain’?

It is an air drying clay made from corn flour, PVA glue and oil, it is a lovely medium to work with and can be

rolled so thinly that you can 'read' through it and then can be used to make very delicate leaves and flowers

or in a bigger piece can be used for modelling people and animals. It shrinks when dried between 8 ‐ 12 %

and so for miniature projects is ideal.

How long have you been working with cold porcelain?

Initially I used to make full size pieces from sugar but when cold porcelain came into the country from

Argentina approx 15 years ago I realised that it was much easier to work with and you get longer lasting

results than with sugar paste ‐ altogether I

have been working with sugar and cold

porcelain in full and miniature size for over 20

years.

How did you discover this craft & get involved

in it?

I took an evening class in cake decorating ‐

really did not like all the royal icing and sugar

paste of covering cakes but loved making the

flowers and was amazed at what realistic flow‐

ers could be made. I met a fantastic artisan

Rosemary Merills, who sadly is no longer with

us, and she persuaded me that I had a talent

for making sugar and then cold porcelain

flowers to a high level, with her I went from

making easy flowers for the tops of cakes to

advanced floral creations. ‐ I can still

remember the first thing I made with her ‐ it

was a small strawberry bush and the wonder

of what I had made that to my eyes was

incredible. Artisans In Miniature 61

Why do you like this hobby?

Its a lot like the miniature world, eve‐

ryone is very giving of their time and

talents and always happy to help oth‐

ers. I have always been involved in

flower arranging since I was in my

teens and so making the flowers and

then arranging them covers both areas

that I enjoy.

What do you enjoy creating most?

Flowers and their leaves, I make in

white and then colour up once made,

using craft and sugar dusts, sometimes

leaves can have 5 colours on them to give light and shade and depth. ‐ I enjoy taking apart a real flower

and then replicating it in cold porcelain.

What is your favourite piece that your have made and why?

that's really difficult as I have many ‐ a vase of nasturtiums and a vase of catkins are probably my two

favourites although I quite like a crystal rose bowl full of full size roses that I made and won a best in show

for.

Where does your inspiration come

from?

From the actual real life flowers

themselves ‐ it is always easier to make

a flower if you have a real life example

to work with.

What are the draw backs or limitations

of creating full size flowers in this

medium?

Time, space!! ‐ no nothing really if you

have the right equipment and tools, it

makes it easier to make a good finished

product, also that your skills develop

the more you make and that when you

start its just practise in order to get the

finished result you want ‐ my first

pieces, which I thought were truly

wonderful are not but they are still

loved as they made my what I am able

to do with both large and small size

pieces. Artisans In Miniature 63

Artisans In Miniature ??

Is it hard to do?

It’s like all crafts ‐ practise makes you better, and its fun

learning.

Are there any special techniques?

Have the right equipment definitely as it makes it easier to

make a good finished product and when you start, take a class

or workshop to learn from someone as they can show you the

best ways, which make it easier for you to make a lovely result

and a good patient teacher will give you confidence and

encouragement.

How did you make the change from full size to miniature flowers?

Like a lot of miniaturists and crafters we find that our crafting hobbies range through many things and I

decided to take a class with Penny Thompson at Pat Cutforth’s, I was lucky enough to be seated next to Diane

Harefield, who is an amazing cold porcelain miniaturist, we got chatting and the rest as they say is history.

Diane and I are good friends, we use different styles of cutters, mine are like the traditional cookie cutters,

and our the end aim is the same, to make beautiful flowers and leaves in miniature scales.

Are the techniques the same, when

working in miniature?

Yes ‐ I use the same tools and equipment,

albeit smaller, but essentially the

methods used are exactly the same ‐ I still

make all my flowers and leaves in white

and then colour them up with craft and

sugar dusts.

Which scale do you prefer?

Oh that is so difficult! ‐ I love full size

flower making as you can get such detail

and realism into it, but full size flowers

take up so much room and I love

miniature flower making and that is how I

started off my business, I initially taught

and still do, cold porcelain flower making

in the UK, Europe and every year in

Chicago at the Tom Bishop spring show

but I also teach and sell paper flower kits.

Cold porcelain flowers in miniature cannot

get the realism that full size flowers can

get but especially in 12th scale you can

make very good replicas and using the

specialist cutters and equipment that I sell

you can make flowers and leaves very

easily. Artisans In Miniature 64

Do you still create full size porcelain flowers?

Not as often as I would like as I do not have as much time now that we have our miniature business ‐

Templewood Miniatures, but I teach cold porcelain miniature flowers extensively and get lots of pleasure

from that ‐ guiding new comers to its amazing properties and uses and seeing them become proficient in its

use. ‐ My youngest pupil was a six year old who made some pink (!) snowdrops and was proudly going to take

them into 'show and tell' at her school the next day and I have many people attending my workshops who are

not in their first flush of youth. ‐ I love teaching the art of cold porcelain and really enjoy it and I trust my

pupils and workshop attendees do so also.

If readers wanted to have a try at sculpting with cold porcelain ‐ how / where can they find out more?

I teach cold porcelain in miniature at classes and groups all over the UK, Europe and USA, please get in touch

for more details, I teach all abilities from beginners to advanced and on my web site there is a section with

cold porcelain paste, cutters, books and equipment ‐ www.templewoodminatures.co.uk ‐ I am always very

happy to give 'hints and tips' and have a handout which I send to everyone who buys anything from the cold

porcelain section.

There are evening school classes in most areas in cake decorating and city in guilds courses on sugar and cold

porcelain flower making if people want to go further. The British Sugarcraft Guild ‐ www.bsguk.org is a

wonderful guild to belong to if you work in either sugar or cold porcelain and they have lots of branches all

over the country who have monthly meetings, where you can watch at a demonstration and exchange hints

and tips with others.

There are several sugar craft shops ‐ Squires Kitchen is Fareham (UK) is very good and they also have a really

good range of full size sugar and cold porcelain classes for everyone, of all abilities.

Text & Photographs

© Kathryn Gray 2010 www.templewoodminiatures.co.uk



By AIM Member, Cristina Diego.

When we need to reproduce a piece of

stonework with intricate details sometimes

liquid silicone can be a bit messy and we can

turn to the polymer clays for help

Scupley has a couple of products on the

market that once baked in the normal way

will remain slightly flexible. I have used “Mold

Maker” and Sculpey Superflex. The white

piece in the photo is the mold made with

Scupley Superflex and the darker pieces are

the copies made with leftover pieces of

various colours.

Si necesitamos reproducir una pieza con relieves complicados y la silicona y demás nos parecen un enredo

(y lo son), podemos recurrir a las arcillas poliméricas:

Sculpey tiene un par de productos que una vez horneados como cualquier pieza , en lugar de endurecer

quedan algo flexibles. Yo he usado el "Mold Maker" y el Sculpey superfle La pieza blanca es el molde,

hecho con el Sculpey superflex, y las oscuras son las copias, hechas con restos de varios colores.

1.‐ This has worked well for me with all types of surfaces as you can see from the photo; but for thicker

pieces with more depth it doesn’t always work quite the same and when you remove the piece the mold can

break. As with everything it’s a matter of trial and error.

2.‐ Brush talcum powder or cornflour over the item you wish to reproduce. Tap off the excess. This is to

prevent sticking

3.‐ Soften the Scupley Superflex (Mold Maker is very soft already so be careful) and form a shape that is

larger than the original surface.

4.‐ Press the clay onto the original making sure that all the contours are filled. Use a little talc on your hands

to avoid sticking.

5.‐ Pop into the fridge or freezer for approximately one hour

6.‐Separate carefully so that the clay keeps it’s shape (you could bake together depending on the material of

the original but I prefer to lift off the mold)

7.‐ Place into the oven (not Microwave) for 15 minutes at 130ºC (keep checking to avoid burning)

8.‐ Allow to cool

REPRODUCIR PEQUEÑOS RELIEVES...

Reproducing Small Features...




9.‐Sprinkle with talcum powder over this finished piece (in my case the white) and remove the excess.

10.‐Knead a piece of normal Sculpey, leftover pieces that you may have, until soft. Apply talc to your hands

again and push the clay into the mold, removing the excess and smooth the surface. Allow to cool.

11.‐ Carefully remove the clay from the mold and pass a cutter round any rough edges. If you completed

the last step well you shouldn’t need to do much here. Repeat the mold process as many times as you

wish

12.‐ Bake the pieces in the oven (not Microwave) for 15 minutes at 130ºC. Allow to cool and there we have

our reproduction pieces

1.‐ Me ha funcionado bien con relieves del tipo que se ve en la foto; para piezas más gruesas y con volu‐

men no funciona igual, cuesta sacar la pieza, se rompe el molde...Como todo, es cuestión de ir probando, y

acierto‐error‐‐‐

2.‐ Pasar un pincel con talco o maizena por toda la superficie del original; sacudir el exceso. Es para que la

arcilla no se pegue.

3.‐Ablandar el esculpey superflex (el mold maker es muy blandito, cuidado), formar una pieza más grande

y gruesa que la superficie original.

4.‐ Presionar la pasta sobre el original y ajustarla a todos los relieves. Para evitar que la pasta se nos pegue

a los dedos podemos espolvorear un poco de talco en las manos.

5.‐ Poner a enfriar en la nevera o congelador todo el conjunto una horita (aproximado).

6.‐ Levantar con cuidado de que no se deforme la pasta de arcilla (según el material del original podría ir

todo junto al horno, pero yo prefiero levantar el molde).

7.‐ Meter en el horno casero NO EN MICROONDAS, 15 minutos a 130º (ir revisando , no vaya a quemarse).

8 .‐ Dejar enfriar.

9.‐ Espolvorear con talco la pieza que hemos conseguido ( en mi caso la blanca)y sacudir el exceso

10.‐ Amasar pasta de Sculpey normal, restos que tengamos...hasta que quede blando. Volvemos a poner‐

nos talco en las manos y apretamos la pasta amasada en el molde, retirando el exceso que pueda sobresa‐

lir y alisando la superficie. Dejamos enfriar.

11.‐ Sacamos con cuidado la pasta del molde y repasamos con una cuchilla de cutter los bordes que sobre‐

n; cuanto mejor hayas hecho el paso anterior , menos tendremos que repasar ahora.

Repetimos todas las veces que queramos o necesitemos.

12.‐ Llevamos al horno , NO MICROONDAS, 15 minutos a 130º , dejamos enfriar y ya tenemos nuestras

repproducciones.

Instrucciones...

To view Cristina of Minidecris’ fabulous miniatures, why not visit her blog; http://miniscris.blogspot.com

Text & Photographs © Cristina Diego 2010

Witches Gardening Thyme ! A Brief Introduction to Witchy Horticulture...

As any witch worth her salt knows that if you want good herbs and ingredients for your potions and

magical brews you have to grow them yourself.

A visit to a witches garden is a very eye opening experience, not only are they places of wonder, that are

awe inspiring, they are also dangerous places to go. Take the humble cabbage for instance. Most

witches grow a variety know as Cabbage Carnivora that is not only partial to the odd cabbage white

butterfly that is trying to lay eggs on its leaves, it is also partial to the odd finger. If you see a witch with

a digit missing you know what she has been growing.

Never visit a witch’s garden and think about helping

your self to the odd carrot, pumpkin or any other

plant. Often the varieties that withes grow will look at

you and shout ‘Oi thief’ and POOF before you know it

you’re a toad.

Veg of the Occulus variety are often grown in several

areas of the garden as a thief deterrent. As they are

very vocal they are easy to grow and if you are in the

vicinity of a witch’s garden you will often here ‘ Missus

I could do with a bit of water here’ or ‘Geesh these

maggot worms are really making me itch’, then its out

with the watering can and the dittany powder.

Witch By Debie Lyones Pumpkins by Nikki Rowe Remaining items by Debbie Wright

Cabbages by Debbie Wright


Vicky Guile’s ‘Audrey’...


Two of the most common plants that you are likely to

encounter that are grown by all withes are pumpkins and

mandrakes. Let us first talk about the humble (or not so

humble pumpkin).

Pumpkins come in all shapes and sizes. They are used as

stools, seats, prams, as an ingredient in a variety of potions

and some of the really rare ones talk. These talking

pumpkins have magical properties and are known to be

extremely grumpy.

The only way to perk up a cranky pumpkin is to give it a good

dose of dragon dung and maggot juice. As you can see the

pumpkin in the picture below has been very neglected.


By Kiva Atkinson By Kiva Atkinson

By Vicky Guile

By Debbie Wright

By Debie Lyons

If there is one plant that a witch

covets amongst any other it is

the mandrake.

These plants have to be the most

dangerous plant in a witches

garden or potting shed. They like

their home comforts and will not

tolerate being out of their pots

for long.

The best way to subdue a

mandrake (or so I have been

told) is to stroke its nose with a

trolls toe. It will then promptly

stop screaming; go into a deep

kind of stupor and go rigid. It is

also advisable to plug each of

your ears with a sock so you are

fully protected if this process

goes wrong.

By Debie Lyons

By Nikki Rowe

Finally no self‐respecting witch would be with out a good

potting table upon which she can tend to her most

delicate plants. Don’t let these plants fool you though.

Here you see pretty mushrooms and delicate flowers.

They are all highly poisonous and need careful handling.

What ever you do, don’t pick up a mushroom and lick

your fingers, remember what happened to Alice in

wonderland?

I hope you have all enjoyed this brief insight into magical

and mystical gardening. Next time you decided to peek

over the garden wall of the cottage at the end of the lane, take care you never know whom that garden

belongs to and what is growing there!!!

Debie Lyons – Piskies & Poppets ‐ www.piskiesandpoppets.com

Nikki Rowe – Witch and Wizard Miniatures ‐ http://nikkinikkinikki72.blogspot.com

Debbie Wright – Tiny Treasures ‐ http://debbiestinytreasures.blogspot.com

Vicky Guile ‐ NJD Miniatures ‐ http://njdminiatures.blogspot.com

Kiva Atkinson ‐ www.kivasminiatures.com

Jain Squires ‐ The Giddy Kipper ‐ www.giddykipperdolls.com

Text © Debie Lyons 2010 Photographs © By the individual

artisans credited

By Jain Squires

By Nikki Rowe


www.buttercupminiatures.co.uk Text & Photograph © Copyright F. H. Powell 2010

1/12th Scale Knitting Pattern for Ladies Slippers c.1920

By AIM Member Frances Powell

Abbreviations: st ‐ stitch; ( ) ‐ repeat instructions between brackets; k ‐ knit; p ‐ purl; inc ‐ increase by working twice into next stitch to make 2 stitches; k2tog ‐ knit next 2 stitches together to form 1 stitch; p2tog ‐ purl next 2 sts together to make 1 stitch; M ‐ Main colour; C ‐ contrast colour; sl ‐ slip next stitch without working it. Materials required: size 19 (1 mm/US 5/0) knitting needles, 15 metres each main colour and contrast colour. Optional‐thin cork or leather to make a sole.

Upper (Make 2 alike) Start at lower edge. Using M cast on 30 sts.

Rows 1‐2: k Join in contrast colour but do not break main colour. Row 3: Using C, k 1, sl 1, (k 2, sl 1) to last st, k 1. Row 4: Using C, p 1, sl 1, (p 2, sl 1) to last st, p 1. Row 5: Using M, k Row 6: Using M, k2tog, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. (28 sts) Row 7: Using C, k2tog, k 1, sl 1, (k 2, sl 1) to last 3 sts, k 1, k2tog. (26 sts) Row 8: Using C, p2tog, sl 1, (p 2, sl 1), to last 2 sts, p2tog. (24 sts) Break C, continue in M for ankle flap: Row 9: k Row 10: cast off 2 sts, k to end. (22 sts) Row 11: cast off 2 sts, k to end. (20 sts) Rows 12‐16: k Cast off loosely. Sole (Make 2 alike) NB reverse one when sewing up so the shape of foot is different on each side (giving a left and right foot)

Using M, cast on 4 sts. Rows 1‐8: k Row 9: inc in 1st st, k 3. (5 sts) Rows 10‐16: k Row 17: k2tog, k 1, k2tog. (3 sts) Row 18: k Row 19: sl 1, k2tog, psso. (1 st) Fasten off.

To make up: Join centre front seam of upper. Sew soles onto upper (remembering to reverse one.) Sew in all loose ends. Turn down ankle flaps. These may be secured with a stitch if necessary. Cut out cork or leather soles and stick to sole if required.

Rosette (Make 2 alike) Using C, cast on 12 sts. Row 1: (p2tog) to end. (6 sts) Break yarn and thread through 6 remaining sts. Pull up tight and sew ends together to form a circular rosette. Sew to front of slipper near ankle flap. © Copyright F. H. Powell 2010

This pattern is for private use only and may not be reproduced in any form for commercial gain, including selling any item knitted up from these patterns without written permission from

Buttercup Miniatures



In mid January, I took my two year old son for his first control visit to the dentists. The waiting room had a view of the balcony and there I saw a pretty birdhouse that caught my eye, so, I decided to make a miniature version. It was funny to have to ask for permission from my son’s dentist to measure the birdhouse…

Materials needed: 2mm thick Balsa wood (or the wood of your choice).

Acrylic paint in dark green, light blue and pale yellow. Thin dowel or toothpick.

All purpose glue. Pencil. Ruler.

Craft knife.

Process:

Note: Drawings are not to scale! Please redraw directly onto wood or to create your own templates!

Step 1: Cut the

pieces for the

house, and

mark the

openings for

door, window

and dowel

placing.

Step 2: For the roof cut a piece of wood 2.2 cm wide and then

cut stripes about 0.3 to 0.5 cm wide.




©2010 Ernesto Baldini – Punto Sur Miniaturas For more information about me and my work please visit...

www.puntosurminiaturas.blogspot.com www.puntosurminiaturas.jimdo.com

Step 3: Assemble the house gluing along the joints. Step 4: Paint the house base in dark green, dowel in light blue, and house in pale yellow. It’s easier to paint the roof

once placed.

Step 5: Mount the house onto the base, and

then start gluing the roof sections. Do it starting

from one side to the center and from the other

side to the center too, do not align them for it

looks better if not totally aligned.

Step 6: Paint roof in light blue, and attach the dowel with glue.

Your birdhouse is now finished and ready to be placed in your dollhouse garden!


I’m going to visit Grandma, she lives not far away.

I’ll be taking dolly with me and in the garden we will

play.

‘Gardening with Grandma’ (above) and ‘Mary, Mary Quite Contrary’ doll and trunk (below) by Debbie Dixon‐Paver.

www.cdhm.org/user/debbie

‘Looking through the Garden’ by Julia Jeffreys www.bearcabinminiatures.etsy.com


Grandma’s gardens are very grand, there’s lots to do all

day.

1:24 Garden and Gardener (above) by Malcolm’s Miniatures www.malcolmsminiatures.co.uk

1:12 Garden Scene (above) by Daisy Carpi www.miniaturasdaisy.blogspot.com

‘Bill the Gardener’ by Julie Campbell ‐ Bellabelle Dolls www.bellabelledolls.co.uk

Miniature ‘Spring in Tuscany’ (left) and ‘Tuscany Secret Gardens’ (below left and right)

By Francesca Vernuccio Email: [email protected]

They rake, they dig, they plant and sow,

‘it’s hard work’ I hear them say.

Both 1:12 Gardener dolls on this page by Malcolms Miniatures www.malcolmsminiatures.co.uk

A team of gardeners work the land, to keep weeds and pests at bay.

‘Garden Thief’ (below) by Kristy Taylor ‐ Mini Menagerie www.minimenagerie.com


1:12 ’Occupied’ Privy by Malcolm’s Miniatures www.malcolmsminiatures.co.uk

‘Bill the Gardener’ (above) by Julie Campbell ‐ Bellabelle Dolls www.bellabelledolls.co.uk

Gardener (below) by Nicky Cooper ‐ Nicky’s Dolls & Critters www.nickycc.com

Lady in Purple Sunbathing (above) by Mary Williams www.dollshousedolls.co.uk

Sometimes they do get a break, to sit down or hideaway,

(Grandma too on a sunny day!)

Orchids by Ernesto Baldini ‐ Punto Sur Miniaturas ‐ email: [email protected] ‐ www.cdhm.org/user/ernesto Plants in pots by Debbie Dixon‐Paver ‐ www.cdhm.org/user/debbie

Grandma likes to grow her flowers in many

exciting ways.

She prunes and snips and nurtures them, sharing with me her

special way.

Water Features by Ernesto Baldini ‐ Punto Sur Miniaturas ‐ email: [email protected] ‐ www.cdhm.org/user/ernesto

Flower baskets (below right) and vase (below) by Francesa Vernuccio ‐ email: [email protected]

Floral Arrangements (above) by Kathy Brindle ‐ www.kathybee.net

Pretty flowers of every colour to brighten up the

day, Some in baskets, some in vases and some in pots of

clay.

Spring Rose Arrangements (above) by The Mouse Market www.themousemarket.com

1:12 Victorian Aviary ( left) with Budgies (made with real feathers), water dish and bunches of millet by Literature in Miniature

www.literatureinminiature.co.uk

1:12 Potting Bench (above), 1:6 Flower/Garden Cart (below left), 1:6 Adirondacks (bottom left) and 1:6 Beach Chair (bottom right) ‐ All available in

other scale from Lili Goczal email: [email protected] ‐ www.weaverlili.t35.com

After a few hours gardening its time to wind down our

day, We’ll feed the birds, relax a

while and on our chairs we’ll lay.

‘Les Petits Choux’ by Béatrice Thierus ‐ Les Miniatures de Béatrice www.myminiatures.net/index.html

Medieval Gardens (above left), Gardens of Ireland (above centre) and Gardening Books set by TreeFeathers Miniatures ‐ www.treefeathers.com

Grandma reads her gardening books,

I read mine - in my own way.

I dream of babies in the cabbage patch and a garden

filled with fae!

Fairy Queen doll and Throne by Angelique Miniatures www.angeliqueminiatures.co.uk

Alphabet Flower Fairies (above left), The Story of Wicked Tin

(above right) and Orchid Journal (left) by Pat Carlson

www.PatCarslonMiniatures.com

Mini Makes!

Secret Garden A Major Make with Mini Makes…

For a long time I have always been fascinated by the story the Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

and I thought it would be fun to help you re‐create your own secret garden.

The project will be in two parts, this month I will show you how to create the effects on the walls, the fake

door and the faux/fake grass. Next month I will show you how to make the little pond, the birdhouse,

stepping‐stones and flowerbed.

This project mainly focuses on the various techniques needed to make a miniature garden.

You can make the base for your garden using whatever materials you have to hand and it can

be whatever size you would like it to be. Some of you might want to make your corner out of

foam board or you might have someone who can make a corner for you out of MDF. I used the corner of an

old cardboard box for my garden, the walls are approx 8 inches/20cm tall and the base is 8 inches/20cms by

6 inches/15cms.

If you are using the corner of a cardboard box you need to take special care to make sure that the base of

the garden doesn’t distort and I would recommend that you use a double thickness of card. All the edges of

box need covering with masking tape and the card needs to be sealed with PVA glue.

Also put some sawdust in a bowl and colour with green food colouring. Put it to one side and let it dry.

Please read all instructions carefully before you begin.

Mini Makes...

PVA Glue Scissors Pencil Brushes Ready Mixed Filler (I get mine from my local pound shop) Card, various thicknesses Green food colouring

Fine sawdust Tealeaves Used teabag Green paper Paint – cream (match pot), black, brown and green Kitchen roll

By AIM Member, Debie Lyons

Part one!

Materials needed...


.13.


Instructions – Please read carefully before you begin!

1 – Make a little cardboard door out of box card and paint brown.

Take a rectangle of card, cut some extra lengths of card and stick them

together as shown. Paint the door brown and dry brush it black.

2 – Choose where you would like your

door to go and draw around it about

1/2cm from the base (this is to allow space for the first stepping stone).

Then cover all the walls with the ready mixed filler carefully avoiding the

area for the door, let it dry. I wore gloves and used my fingers to spread

the filler around. If you have used the corner of a box the filler will set

rock hard and firm up the walls. Stick the door in place and let dry.

3 – Paint the all the walls with

cream paint and let it dry. When

dry, take a used wet

teabag and dab the

walls with it.

Lets Get Started...

.2.

.2.

.1.

.1.

4 – Thin some black paint so that it looks like ink and dab it onto some areas of the walls using some kitchen roll. Do the same with some green paint and let dry.

.3.

.4.

5 – Cover the floor of the garden

with PVA glue and sprinkle on the

green coloured sawdust all over

the base and let it dry.

The second part of this project will be in next months AIM

magazine where you will learn how to bring your secret garden

to life and finish the project.

Happy mini making and don’t forget we would love

to see your projects and what you have made.

Please send all images to Debie Lyons:

[email protected]

Coming Next Month…!

Happy Mini-ing Everyone...

Please note – although the projects in this column are

for children, adult supervision is recommended at all

times. The author cannot be held responsible for any

accidents arising from these projects and cannot

take responsibility for the final outcome of the

project.

Text & Photographs © Debie Lyons 2010

.5.

.5.

.4.


By AIM member Debie Lyons

The Thame fair was organised by Celia Thomas of KT

Miniatures. Fifty percent of the total profits from the

show are donated to the Breast Cancer Awareness

Campaign. This was my first time at the fair and I must

stay I was really impressed with the quality of the

miniatures and the stands at the show.

The AIM stand had a display of some of our members work along

with some of the projects from the magazine and samples of the

magazine. Visitors to the show were very impressed with the

work that was displayed and the quality of the magazine. We

were over whelmed with positive comments and there was a huge

amount of interest in the magazine from visitors who had not seen

it before.

Most of our

members work that

was on display had

also been donated to

the charity and was moved to the sales table at 3pm. To those

AIM members who donated pieces of your work we would like

to say a big thank

you. We would

also like to say

thank you to Mary Williams and Bethany Lyons who co‐manned

the AIM stand. Also thank you to Celia for supporting Aim and

generously allowing us to have a stand at the show.

If you would like to know how much money has been raised so

far please visit...

www.ktminiatures.com/Thame_Fair_2010.html

©2010 ‐ Debie Lyons ‐ www.piskiesandpoppets.com

For the second year in a row the Artisans in Miniature Association were lucky to have a promotional table at the Thame Dolls House

and Miniatures Fair.

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The Miniature...

New AIM Members New AIM Members

We would like to extend a warm welcome to the

following new members who have joined AIM in the

past month:

New From Barbara Brear!New From Barbara Brear!

IGMA Artisan Barbara Brear has a new book hot off the press. It is Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars. There are no illustrations, but the cover is any one of the covers from Barbaras Persian series. So you can order the book with any cover of your choice and (within reason) any colour leather. You can see the covers on the first page of the web site. This would be suitable for any school room setting, any study or any gentleman's room . Fully sewn (with super fine Invisible thread!), leather covers with Persian image impressed into the leather, fully printed for those who read Latin! Marbled end papers. A gorgeous book.

It is also available in a Collector's Edition in plain leather with tooling, ridged spine and with brass corner detail.

Visit Barbaras website to see the book

www.bbminiatures.homestead.com

Debbe Mize...Debbe Mize... Is very excited that she is to be the featured artisan on CDHM (Custom Doll House Miniatures) site for March. See more of Debbe’s lovely food at www.cdhm.org

Minimilliner...Minimilliner... Margaret Pitts of MiniMilliner is pleased to announce that some of her pretty hats have been chosen to feature in the April issue of American Miniaturist magazine. The 'Easter Bonnets' article has been

written by Martha Puff . See more of Margaret's hats at

www.minimilliner.co.uk

Templewood Templewood

Miniatures Miniatures Templewood Miniatures have a new 144th scale kit...

The Village School ‐ the lat‐est addition to the 144th

scale village of Newton St Mary's is the Village School. The UK designed and laser cut kit by Alan Gray of Templewood Miniatures, comes complete with kits to make the teachers desk and pupils benches, two easels and wall frames. The kit is suitable for all skill levels as it has full step by step instructions and photographs, it has 'glazed' windows with window sills, etched doors, a lift off beamed roof with curved engraved tiles and a base for the school yard.

The kit cost is £28 and is

available from Templewood Miniatures ‐


New Ski New Ski

Knitwear...Knitwear... Helena Bleeker has New Ski knitwear, patterns available soon. Phillip and Phillipa are for 4" (10cm) dolls. More Ski/

Sweaters knitwear available in smaller sizes as well. All patterns are £3.25 each and Venne colcoton £1.80 per reel. Helena also has a pattern in this months Dolls House and Miniature Scene magazine, Candy shown here...

Barbara Del Duco Diane Pietrocola

Shay Aaron Debbie Wright

Jean Day Adelaide Cann

Hannah Shepherd Piewen Petitgrand

NEW

GRAPEVINEGRAPEVINE


Steampunk hats!…Steampunk hats!… Miss Amelia has released a limited collection of Victorian Steampunk millinery. Beautifully handmade by Janine C r o c k e r t h e s e wonderful hats are unique combination of technology and frivolity 19th century style. More details at:

www.missameliasminiatures.com

Sally Watson...Sally Watson... Sally Watson has been trying out a new product. Sally recently experimented with self adhesive printable transparent film from Crafty computer Paper. She used it to put an art nouveau design onto an acrylic painted bare table and was very pleased with the result, which can be seen here...

Visit Sally’s website to see more of her

work:

www.sallycatminiatures.com

Linda masters…Linda masters… Linda Masters of Miracle Chicken Urns will be exhibiting at The Greater Clevelands Miniature Show, Sunday, April 25th.

Visit her website for more details

www.miraclechickenurns.com

Anne Marie Miniatures

Anro Miniatures Art Forge

Bags of Character Gale Elena Bantock

Bellabelle Dolls Jill Bennett Colin Bird

Carol Cook Miniatures Costume Cavalcade

Crumpled and Rumpled Dateman Books Ellie de Lacy

E.L.F. Fionas Miniature Workshop

The Giddy Kipper Sue Harrington The little Hatter

Magsnificent miniatures Malcolms Miniatures

Mary Myrtle Miniatures Merry Gourmet Miniatures

Miniature Dolls By Nicky Bott The Miniature Garden Centre

Mrs Tiggy winkles Dolls Nikki Nakki Nu

Olde Charm Miniatures Josephine Parnell

Petite Properties Ltd Platts Mini Packages

Georgina Ritson Simply Silk

Shephard Miniatures Carol Smith

Stokesay ware Templewood Miniatures

Willow Models

MiniaturaMiniatura

preview!preview! Spring is in the air which

means one thing… Spring Miniatura is

almost here! AIM members will be out in force at this year’s event and the following members will all be exhibiting at the show:

More information about the show, including how to book your tickets can be found on Miniatura’s website:

www.miniatura.co.uk

MiniaturaMiniatura

preview!preview! Here are just a few of the wonderful new items available from our talented AIM members to wet your appetite!

Theresa Thompson ofTheresa Thompson of

Costume Cavalcade Costume Cavalcade Amongst a good number of new dolls having their first showing on the Costume Cavalcade stand at Miniatura will be these based on the Larkrise to Candleford TV series

www.costumecavalcade.co.uk

Carol SmithCarol Smith Carol Smith will be exhibiting food and witch/wizard items. Her food ranges from a filled room box pantry, delicatessen / patisserie displays, preparation boards, sweets / candy, preserves / pickles / chutneys /conserves, cranberry glass items and more.

Carol has exhibited at Miniatura for over 20yrs and obtained her IGMA artisan certificate in 1996.

Malcolm’s Miniatures.Malcolm’s Miniatures. Malcolm’s Miniatures specialise in country cottages, shops, room boxes and the furniture and figures to populate them, inspired by the paintings of Victorian and Edwardian artists.

They also produce a range

of Impress Moulds to

produce realistic brick, stone, tile and slate finishes

using DAS.

Malcolm’s Miniatures:

01491 680951

www.malcolmsminiatures.co.uk.

Bellabelle DollsBellabelle Dolls IGMA Artisan Julie Campbell of Bellabelle Dolls will be exhibiting h e r u n i q u e miniature dolls in both 12th and 24th scale. This Spring Julie will have a wonderful display based on “The Wizard of Oz” , as well as ghosts, wizards and witches and an

array of characters from all periods of history Julie’s “Ghostly Gallery” of haunted pictures and “Petite Bella” the ever so chic tiny boxed doll will also be available.

www.bellabelledolls.co.uk. Artisans In Miniature 90

NEW TO MINIATURA


The Giddy KipperThe Giddy Kipper

Jain Squires,

The Giddy Kipper will be exhibiting at

Miniatura for the first time!!

Jain makes whimsical characters in miniature and accessories to

accompany them.

www.giddykipperdolls.com

New 1:48th scaleNew 1:48th scale

From Petite Properties... From Petite Properties...

New from New from

MagsMags--nificent Miniaturesnificent Miniatures All things fishy... Suitable for a Fisherman’s cottage, Fish & Chip Shops, Seafood Stalls and Fishmongers.

Bowls of cockles, whelks and prawns

Buckets of Fish heads Fish boards Buckets of Oysters and

Mussels

Seagull and fish mini scenes

Seagulls on fish and chips

Platter of Moules frites, Tudor Oysters and much more!

www.mags‐nificent.co.uk

And the And the

winner is…winner is…

We are delighted to announce that we have now found our ‘Lost Glove’ which we had inadvertently dropped on page 59 of last

month’s AIM magazine!

So huge congratulations to our competition winner:

Beryl Joy for helping us find it!

Beryl, you are the lucky winner of these stunning 1:12th scale gloves, knitted by AIM

artisan; Helen Woods. AIM would like to thank Helen from ‘Living In A Miniature World’ for donating her wonderful

work as our competition prize!!

Petite properties are delighted to announce the launch of their latest 1:48th scale Book & Kit package. Flower Pot Cottage is the 4th property to be released in this highly successful new DIY series…! If that was not enough excitement, Bea (Fiona Broadwood) will also be releasing the first project book in her new ‘Making Furniture In 1:48th’ series. At Miniatura the Petite Properties stand will also be filled with an array of individually crafted 1:24th

scale dolls houses, that can be purchased and taken home on the day of the show. As ever there will be only one of each design available, so once they are gone, they are gone!!

www.petite‐properties.com

The Post BoxThe Post Box Now, over to you…! At AIM, we love to hear what our readers think of our magazine and of our

member’s wonderful miniatures.

Maybe you have followed a project and are thrilled with the results ?

Maybe you have been inspired by something you've seen in the magazine ? If you would like to share your news and views with us, please email Julie at

[email protected]

(Please remember to put ‘The Post Box’ in the subject header of the email)

So whatever your thoughts, we look forward to hearing from you and will print a

selection of your letters each month in this new section of the

Miniature Grapevine page.

This month AIM member Viola Williams emailed to tell us about a miniature project she shared with her grand daughter... “When my grandaughter Samantha was born I was thrilled because I had a little baby to hug. She is now ten years

old and has given me something just as wonderful as a

hug... She continues to grow, as most children do, and

will soon be taller than I am, but I see a bit of "tiny" in

her too. In fact there's a possibility that she may one

day be a miniaturist. Or, at least a dollmaker.

She begged me for years to be able to make a doll, and

when she was nearly ten years old, I finally agreed. I

bought a doll kit rather than use one of mine, and all I

did was paint it for her. She had the job of assembling,

wigging and dressing it. I sat with her and told her

how to accomplish each step as she came to it. Her

biggest problem was cutting out the pattern because

she is left‐handed. All in all I am very proud of her

work.

So is she... she asked if I thought it would be ok if she

named the doll after herself. I thought it would be just

fine, so below and attached you will see another

Samantha... (she also added two middle names to the

doll)... hence I present: "Samantha Ria Rochelle"

Viola Williams


Are YOU a professional miniature artisan??

Do you sell quality handmade miniatures to the public??

Do you want to showcase your work and talents on a global platform??

Do you want to be part of a supportive professional association??

AND do you want it all for FREE???

If you answered 'YES' to EVERY question…

Then look no further, AIM is the professional miniaturists association for YOU!!

AIM is completely FREE to join and completely FREE to be part of.

So...if you are a professional miniature artisan and you would like to find out

more about joining the AIM Association,

please email AIM’s Membership Secretary: Mary for more information:

[email protected]

Or alternatively visit our website…


AArtisansrtisans IInn MMiniatureiniature “An association of professional artisans, dedicated to promoting a high standard

of excellence in original handcrafted scale miniatures…”

NEW www.artisansinminiature.com

artisansinminiature.blogspot.com


Don’t Miss A Thing!

LADIES’ FASHION & BOUDIOR SPECIAL!!

All FREE and fully downloadable at:


All the projects from the AIM advent calendar

combined in one bumper project supplement! Written exclusively by

AIM members!!!

Written by artisans Enjoyed by miniaturists...!Please Note:

The projects included in this publication are not suitable for children under the age of 14* The miniatures featured in this magazine are collectors items and therefore unsuitable for children under 14*.

All projects are undertaken at your own risk. AIM does not accept responsibility for any injury incurred. All articles and photographs used in this magazine are copyright of their authors.

The AIM magazine’s content is for private use only and it must not be reproduced in part or in full for commercial gain in any form.

Each artisan contributor is responsible for their own work / contribution to the AIM magazine and retain full responsibility for their published work.

The authors/self publishers cannot be held legally responsible for any consequences arising from following instructions, advice or information in this magazine.

*with the exception of the Mini AIMers feature which is written especially for children under 14.

COMING nEXT MONTH…


See you again next month…!

‘Aunt Anastasia’ Amanda Speakman

Barbara Brear Bea (Fiona) Broadwood

Beatrice Thierus Carol Smith

Cristina Diego Daisy Carpi Debbe Mize

Debbie Dixon-Paver Debbie Wright Debie Lyons

Emma Eilbeck Ernesto Baldini Frances Powell

Francesca Vernuccio Grace Griffin Helen Woods

Helena Bleeker Jain Squires

Jana Rowntree Janet Harmsworth

Janine Crocker Julia Jeffreys Julie Campbell

Kathi Mendenhall Kathryn & Alan Gray

Kathy Brindle Kiva Atkinson Kristy Taylor Léa Frisoni Lili Goczal

Linda Cummings Linda Masters

Louise Goldsborough Louise Win

Lydia Murphy Mags Cassidy

Malcolm Smith Margaret Pitts Mary Williams

Mo Tipton Nicky Cooper Pat Carlson

Pearl (Literature In Miniature)

Philippa Todd Sally Watson

Sarah Maloney Simon Wilday

Theresa Thompson Vicky Guile

Wilga van den Wijnga-art

This issue would not have been possible without the generous contributions from the following AIM members…

Many thanks therefore go to...

aim mag march 2010

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