Just a little update on the potion tables. As you can see they are still not finished, although i plan to add the finishing touches this evening.
The potting table is just at the beginning stages so will not get that finished this evening.
They have all taken quite some time to make. On two of the tables i've aged all the jars and all of those with corks have been extra work with sanding down all the corks to scale and ageing. Nearly all of the contents in the jars are handmade or bought items which i've adapted.
Then all the scrolls and jars labels have been burned... ouch! Can get to your poor fingers when too many.
I've also been getting together lots of new potion bottles and other things although as usual they have gone into my started and then thought up something new box. I have to learn to see things through to the end and not get distracted.
Poor Debbie from Tiny Treasures has lost her internet connection and is quite frustrated trying to figure out why and get it going again. I too keep losing my own. Has anyone else been having this problem recently? I think its because of all the thunder and lightening over the last few days.

Fairy Garden To Grow At Home.

Fairy Garden Link




Whilst searching around today for potting shed ideas i found this great little fairy garden Kit. Here's the link: Fairy Garden
The kit contains real soil, planting box, wooden base, flagstone, arbor, bench, birdhouse and fairy dust. Its selling for $62.
I think it would make a great present for any child (adult to) interested in miniatures. Plus they will be learning about plants as they do so.
When i was a beaver scout leader i spent weeks collecting lots of different materials, and even longer potting together 28 kits.
We grew the gardens in wooden bases similar to this and the children thoroughly loved doing so. No two were the same and they each chose their own theme. The boys tended to go for typical boy themes like a football based garden or a pirates den etc, while most of the girls went for fairy gardens.
What was fun about the gardens was when they each child brought them back to show how they had grown and what they had done as little extras at home.
Most of the girls were covered in glitter with neatly cut lawns, while the boys had all let theres grow wild. They really enjoyed making these, watching them grow and tending them as they did so.
I suppose you could pinch this idea and put together your own themed box.

Here's a link to some great 1:12 garden miniatures alongside nice paving and brick surfaces. Garden Center

From America with Love! Kats Magazine Tutorial and My Tree Tutorial on Sale!

A few days ago a suprise parcel arrived from my friend Lisa in Utah. I was hoovering at the time and luckily the postman waited at the door until i was finished. He could hear me doing so! Most would just sling a parcel back in the van, put a note through your door and drive off at lightening speed.
I first met Lisa through ebay as one of my customers. For quite some time she has been unable to work due to having an operation on her arm and having to rest. It's all better now and she is back to making again.
Lisa follows my blog but as yet doesn't have one herself. I'm hoping she does soon so we can all see her fabulous work. For those of you that have not seen some of lisa's work i'll put a picture here at the end of this post. Its a man and lady she sculpted with her husband.
I know Lisa is busy sculpting a wicth at the moment and so looking forward to seeing her. Can't wait to see what else she makes now she has full use of her arm.



I know several people around me and have had friends come and go but none of which have gone out of their way to do something especially for me. That is apart from miniature friends i've met through ebay and blogging. Everyone is so generous with their time and friendship and it really does mean the world to me.
Not expecting a parcel it was such a treat to open not knowing what was inside. I'm ever so soppy at times and there were tears in my eyes as i unwrapped everything that had been so lovingly made.
I can't get over how kind people i have never met can be.
A little while back Lisa asked what colour scheme my house was and in the parcel was a beautiful table runner in autumn tones. I love it to bits and once i get a new table i'll be able to dress it all up. I've seen the table of my dreams and saving up for it.
Tucked inside the runner was a fabulous cappachino maker for my witches kitchen. The details are fantastic and love it to bits too. I'll have to make or find some copper cups to match.
Lisa also sent some smoothing lotion for sculpting, 2 armatures, some patterns for doll dressing, 2 sets of beautiful fairy wings, a cape and some reeds for my witches garden pond.
I feel ever so lucky to have all of these and can't thank Lisa enough or put into words how lovely she is. Its so easy to nip to the shops and wrap what you buy as a present, but when we go out of our way to sit for hours upon hours sewing and sculpting it truly is a gift of love and friendship.

My friend Kat the Hats tutorial is now on sale in dolls house world magazine. Here's a preview. Looks like a pretty magical project.


Also heres a preview of my tree project in Dolls hosue and Miniature Scene magazine, Issue 182 and the august edition. Its on sale from today.
Being me i only ever see faults with my work and dreading actually going to the shops to buy a copy. I do however really love the layout and the way the magazine has put it all together.
Kate and John from whittakers miniatures have more details over on their blog. Thank you for taking the pictures and the write up.
I managed to read some of the print here and it looks like the project will be in two parts. So it must also be going in issue 183 which is the september edition.

Nikki Witch Returns!

Yey, i'm back! Can't believe i've not been blogging for well over an entire week... lol.
My Mum and step Dad have now gone home. Had a lovely time while they were both here.

Can't believe what everyone has managed to make and get upto in just one week. Its been nice reading them all today.

So, today i started on mini's again and put together this table. Not quite finished because a few little bits are baking but determined to actually finish something for once.
I've also put together the basics for another table and dresser.

Being me and having to have my fingers in everything i started making some gift tags. These are witch, wizard, spooky, fairy, princess and everything along those lines, oh yes and a gardening one too about mandrakes. This is for when my etsy shop is fully up and running and plan to have a gift wrapping section. The gift tags and what not will be similar to my work and include little potions, tags and labels etc.
Love this idea but will have to see how well they sell. I've seen some beautiful gift tags on etsy which of course being me had to have a go too.
Quite a lot of people buy from me to give to others as presents and i think gift tags to match will be a great idea. Mind you, dont think i have enough room or a clean enough table to go into making cards to match.
I've also been having a good nose at journals over there and thinking i may put a few of those together too.

Heres a link to my shop: Witch and Wizard Miniatures
I found a great banner for the shop so of course bought it. The lady played around and put the shop name on it for me and happy with the look. I wish i could do such things myself.



My little Niall is ill today and off school with a throat infection. He's now having a nice long late afternoon nap (wish i could too). I don't think it's as bad as he makes out. I think he has enjoyed his time off school and having me fuss around him.
I quite often make out i'm ill so hubs fusses around me while i finish i book i'm really into... lol.

Miniature Keepsake Box!

Yesterday i found some lovely paper in hobbycraft to cover a small wooden box i want to use for storing a few miniatures. Rather than storing them in horrid boxes i thought it would be nice to have something different.
Woke this morning with an urge to get it made and here's the result. It's not quite how i imagined but ok for a first attmept at something new.
Here's a few photos of further beautiful papers i found yesterday. If you are into fairies and magic then these papers may be of use.
I think they could be used on walls for dolls houses.
The stack of paper is called The Once Upon a Time Stack by Premium Stacks DCWV. It's the paper used for scrapbooking. Altogether there are 48 sheets (2 of each) and i think the cost was £12.99

Lots of Bottles.

Finished these bottles last night and quite pleased they are now all ready.

If you look to the sidebar on your right you will see a link to my etsy shop.
In a couple of weeks i will have this fully up and running. I'm just working for a few weeks in an attempt to build up a little stock, plus i have my mum and step dad coming in a few days for a full week so thought i would wait until after that too.
I won't be selling on ebay from now on, so if you would like to continue purchasing my witch and wizard mini's you will need to sign up for an etsy account.
Etsy is a site purely for handcrafted items and i think it has a nicer feel to it.
If you want to nose around the site then make sure you check out the dolls house miniature section. There are some fab items over there and in particular some super fairy furniture. They also have a great section for jewellery making.

Yesterday i came accross a great blog for doll wigging and here's the link crowingaboutprimitivewool
I was quite pleased to find this lady had paypal buttons on her blog. I've been thinking of using a blog in this way for quite some time and now feel i can due to this discovery.
The lady has also been ever so helpful in advising how this is done. People are so nice in blogland!


Also found this great site today. The lady has put some lovely tutorial together to suit most varied tastes in miniatures. Plus there's lots of great projects to view.
http://wannainelpaso.com/tutorials/working_with_michaels_hutches.shtml

Stain and wax result.

Following the previous post the stain and wax arrived today and here is the result.
I'm not sure if this is a good picture or not because i cant get the screen colour setting right on my comp. I'll cross refernce it later from the laptop that i know has perfect colour settings.
The actual colour has come out like a medium oak, but i really wanted darker. I'll try adding dark shoe polish to the next attempt.
I've been busy around the house the last few days, tidying the garage and going to the rubbish dump. Saw loads of great things there being chucked out but you're not allowed to take them home. Could have cried.
Also been pottering around doing other jobs outside of the house like staining fences and finishing off paint jobs i left a few weeks ago. So not had any time for minis really.
The potting corner has a few new additions and some others i wont show yet. I need to put soil in all the pots and age some so please ignore the fimo soil for the moment.
I've also secured the creeping vine in place but still need to make the leaves and stick them on. I've been playing around with paper and wire in my first attempts at making realistic plants, plus making some rootings in glass jars of mucky water.
Just a few more bits to go and then the potting corner is ready.
Last night i watched The Reader and made 30 of the wonky potion bottles again. Spent most of the time crying because it's ever such a sad film. Couldnt see my work lol.
I cry at everything.

Wax and stain in one.

For all of us unsure what to buy to stain and wax our miniature furniture i thought this could be the ideal product. I think it will be what quite a few of us are looking for.
Heres the link - Stain and wax
I've just bought some and will let you all know what its like during the week.

Plus while there check out all the lovely furniture and stained glass etc. Although not miniature its great for ideas and the wood carvings are beautiful. The have a fab eagle lectern too.

Things not speaking to me.

I reckon its the moon or something but nothing is speaking to me. I just can't finish anything and spending forever and a day just pondering at the moment.
The potting scene is not really any further along apart from the one new addition of a plant and even thats not finished. I made it from paper and thought i'd put curly coils going upwards in the middle. But i just dont have a clue what to add to the ends.
So i've taken out all my unfinished work and still they just sit and leave me wondering. I hate it when this happens because i want to finish things but my brain doesnt think. Its not as if i'm tired, i've slept like a baby all week.
The silver birch broom is driving me mad. I've tried all things with him but i'm never happy. I so badly want him to hold something but everything just look wrong. I wish he was a girl because a baby broom wrapped in a cloth would look great. Maybe he can be the daddyy holding the baby, but then i feel there should also be a mum... lol.
I'm off to ponder some more and probably not really get anywhere!

New furniture!

Yesterday some furniture i ordered arrived. Altogether i orderd 5 tables, 8 wall shelves, 6 sheving units, and 2 dressers for my work. Plus a little rustic bench for my witches house.
I now have quite a bit of furniture to fill and plan on them all being for witches and wizards.
The shelving units cames as they are and have been made from old cedar wood and waxed. They smell lovely... lol.
The others came as bare wood. Because i didn't have any stains or wax i dyed them with ink and although funny i buffed them up with baby oil. These smell lovely too!
They look similar to the shelving units that have been waxed.
Sometimes it's hard to know what people want so if anyone has ideas what type of tables or shelves i should make it would be most welcome.
I'm thinking a botanical table for one, but past that my mind has gone blank.
Also in the past i've used acrylic paint for my furniture but i'd like to start waxing them so they look like the shelving units. I really don't know what product to use or how to go about this. If anyone knows it would be great to find out how this is done.
I've left the other tables, shelves and dressers bare until i find what product to use.
I'm quite pleased today. No longer do i have to use the laptop which i hate. My husband took my comp to work yesterday and his work friends sorted it all out. It's as good as new and loving a bigger screen. A big screen is essential when your as blind as a bat.
Then i also noticed my blog is so different to everyone elses because all the text and stuff are massive. I think i'll have to go and sort this out and bring it back down in size. So apologies everything has been so big while i was using the tiny laptop.

Potting corner again.

Won't be long now until complete. I've taken much longer than i imagined, mostly because i have been learnng as i've gone along. I've never made leaves before nor ever got this far with completion on a build. I know its only a little build but it will be the first i'll finish so its all been a learning experience.
Where the sunflower was showing in my previous post i decided it didnt look right and so have moved it.
I made the stem for the sunflower and all the leaves. But the sunflower head i cant get right using paper or the cold porcelain. I will need to order a cutter for the petals and will make good use of it for further sunflowers.
So for now i have pinched the sunflower head off my bought one and attached to the stem i fnished today. Once my cutter arrives i can make a replacment head for the old one. Sounds daft i know but i prefer the leaves on mine.
I'll also add the face to the sunflower later.
So, where the sunflower was i'm now going to put creeping ivy and then lots of pots with plants infront at various heights. I think it will look better.
At the moment the wire is just there as a tester and still ned to paint it and add leaves and a bit more wire.
Now i've worked this out i can get on with adding all the witchy twists and strange items dotted here and there, some mice, maybe a cat and everything else thats needed.

My news. Next time i have some miniatures for sale i'm going to be selling from Etsy.
When i'm organised with this i'll put a link to my new sales page.
I like the look and feel of etsy over ebay and the fees and listing rules and regs are a lot better than ebay. It just seems a nicer place to sell from.
I've fully set up the account and will sort the link out later.

Paper Leaves or Cold Porcelain Leaves?

Recently i bought some cold porcelain from dianeharfieldminiatures I bought it because i thought i could make leaves for sunflowers. Anyway, last night i sat and cut out the leaves (well more squished them into shape). I used the leaf veiner from Angie Scarr to give them a nice texture. Once made and almost dry i decided they didn't look quite right and decided to make some from paper also.
So i cut out loads of leaves, and with quite a lot of patience wet each one and pressed between the leaf veiner. Each came out easily with the use of a pin.
So after all the cold porcelain i'm much happier with the paper one.
If anyone is interested in the cold porcelain then the link above will take you to the site to buy some. I've tried a few brands and this ladies recipe gives the best results, plus when dry its more flexible and stronger than other brands. You can colour it before or after shaping, cutting, whatever you want to do with it. It also can be rolled ever so thin and is still quite strong when dry.
Heres a picture of the leaf veiner i used with both the paper and porcelain.


Heres a picture of the leaves done with paper and porcelain.

Here's a picture of the potting corner with a sunflower. I've not made this sunflower (bought it at Miniatura) and keeping it for my witches house. Its just to show you what i have planned from the ones i'm making today. Hoping they look as nice as this one. I'm thinking i'll make make these ones with happy sunshine faces.

Potting corner.

Not got a great lot done to the potting scene today. I started making the three pumpkins and then decided i'd make about another ten. So kind of side tracked making a pumpkin patch now.
Also made a mandrake, although i don't love him if i'm honest. He just doesn't look right.
I can never get pumpkins to look quite right and i'm never totally happy with the colour. Plus i wanted leaves and thought i'd be forever and a day cutting them out. Then i remembered i had some vine leaves and so attached them to wire.
Here's a link to the leaves i used. Kendall leaves
The seller also stocks other great leaves such as Geranium and ivy. And if you want to make a prickly bush there are also some lovely holly leaves.
The kits are easy to use and you just paint them and attach to wire.
I'd like to make a tree for in the corner with winding branches that run accross the top of the roof tiles. Really not sure what this tree should be and if i should add a spooky twist or not. Think i'll leave it until last. Sometimes you can add too much spooky and then it can just end up looking over the top.

The birdhouse needs to be made alongside lots of plants, mushrooms, sacks of soil and shingle, pots of seeds, broken pots and anything else i can think of.
Ideas are always welcome!

Thank you also to everyone from my previous post for all the links and advice. It really is appreciated.
I'll get to work on some fairy furniture when i've finished the potting corner, the pumpkin patch, made the eggs for the chicken coup, finished the silver birch broom (the one with the little bum thats been waiting forever), and a few other little things. Oh yes and the frog pots... lol