The Gifts For Debbie Have Arrived - Gifts for me too!

Yesterday i posted the gifts for Debbie at http://debbiestinytreasures.blogspot.com/ which arrived with her today. I phoned earlier to check if the parcel arrived which it had, but she was waiting for the boys to come home from school so they could all open everything together.
Here are the pictures with all the gifts from the second parcel.





Thank you to everyone for joining in with all of your beautiful gifts. I never expected so many of you to take part and once again i'm shocked at just how many kind and wonderful people there are in blogland.

I am sure later today or tomorrow Ben will put some more pictures on Debbies blog.

Sadly Marlies at http://marliesminies.blogspot.com sent a gift which has not arrived. It must have been lost in the post which is such a shame. Marlies has now sent a new gift and will forward it onto Debbie. Thank you Marlies.

I know when Debbie is able to she will thank all of your herself. I know she really appreciates this too!

Gifts for me too!

I have waited to send the last of the gifts to take photos of the gifts i also received. These gifts were a lovely surprise and i never expected anything for myself.

Kim from http://flowerkim.blogspot.com/ sent me a box of chocolates. I love chocolate and these were delicious. I have a very sweet tooth and ate them all straight away. Thank you Kim.


Katie at http://katiesclaycorner.blogspot.com/ sent me a cabinet/hutch, two lovely little bowls, some glass potion bottles and some clock faces.
I love everything and plan on turning the hutch into a spooky cabinet with faces on each door. The clock faces i will make some nice clocks with, the bowls are for my witches house and the bottles i will make potions in. I love the bowls and they are amazing! Thank you Katie.



Debie at Piskies and poppets sent me some fab glass bottles and two tables which her husband Steve made. The table i have turned into a potion table was like the one behind and quite happy with what i've done so far. I have a few more bits to finish for the table.
The tables Steve makes are brilliant and really strong which has been perfect for the amount of bashing i did to it. Thank you Debie and Steve!



Kat at http://minikatslittlethoughts.blogspot.com/ Sent me a beautiful little pumpkin teapot which will go in my witches kitchen. The witches house is on hold and hoping i can work on it soon. Thank you Kat for thinking of me too!


Susan at http://tabithacorsica.blogspot.com/ Sent me this fabulous telescope which will go in my witches bedroom for star gazing. It's beatiful and she is ever so clever to have made this in such detail. Thank you ever so much Susan.




Thank you to everybody for all these beautiful mini's. They were all a lovely surprise!

Pictures of almost complete sink

Just a few pictures of the almost complete sink. I need to fit the taps still and somehow make a plug that looks right.
It's been fun making this sink but ever so time consuming. Well worth the effort though. I won't mention how many hours he took, lol.

Wooden sink in the making and wash tubs!

I thought i would give you a preview of what i'm busy making.

I decided this just as it was getting dark so excuse the bad photos.

First off there is the table with faces on the legs. Ignore the string which is just there to pull the legs back into place. I need to make them straight because they warped slightly during baking. I need to pop the table back in the oven with the string, heat up, remove and let them set again in the right position.
Not ure if i will continue to make this into a washing table or just leave as it is.




Here's the little wash tubs made to look like tree stumps. I need to fill these with dirty rags, bubbles and resin and push the prodding sticks in. I'm quite pleased with them. Hoping my ideas of the bubbles and rags works. Its all trial and error at the moment. Perhaps i should practise first.


Because i was happy with the tubs and table i decided to make a sink. Its only the base at the moment and need to make a face for this and then add the bark. If it works and i'm happy i'll make a bath and toilet to match with a beauty cabinet too.
I shall post pictures of these when they are made.


On Monday or Tuesday i will be taking all my photos and listing some new items on etsy Thursday evening. I will list them around 8pm UK Time.


I have a few things on the go at the moment which is why i'm a bit slow actually selling anything. Hopefuly if my plans work there will be no more gaps in my selling like there has been

Gifts are ready to send!

Just to let you all know the gifts are now ready to send to Debbie http://debbiestinytreasures.blogspot.com/. I plan to send on Monday. They should be with her on Tuesday/Wednesday.
Sadly the gift from Marlies at http://marliesminies.blogspot.com/ has either been lost in the post or is still on its way. Keeping my fingers crossed it comes Monday morning and i can quickly pop it in with the other gifts.
Once the gifts have arrived with Debbie i will put some pictures of the gifts here.
I've taken the photos but won't put them here incase Debbies gets to have a peep.
I will put the pictures here on wednesday/thursday.

Here are all the names of everyone involved in the second parcel:

1. *Ana Anselmo at http://miniaturesforever.blogspot.com/
2. * Eva at http://prunellascreation.blogspot.com/
3. * Linda at http://une-petite-folie.blogspot.com/
4. * Jonna at http://rudoo-buggaboos.blogspot.com/
5. * April Wright at http://everylittlethingakw.blogspot.com/
6. * Kathi at http://beautifulminiblessings.blogspot.com/
7 * Shannon Conway at http://shannonsminiblog.blogspot.com/
8. * Savannah Kelb at http://minimumbler.blogspot.com/
9. * Debie at http://piskies-and-poppets.blogspot.com/
10. * Mercedes at http://libertybiberty.blogspot.com/
11. * Kathleen Denny at http://minikatslittlethoughts.blogspot.com/
12. * Katie at http://katiesclaycorner.blogspot.com/
13. * Sabiha at http://sabsminiinteriors.blogspot.com/
14. * Stephanie kilglast at http://petitplatbysk.blogspot.com/
15. Marlies at http://marliesminies.blogspot.com - AWAITING THE GIFT TO ARRIVE AND HOPING IT IS NOT LOST IN THE POST.

If anyone else has sent a gift and your name is not here could you let me know. From what i can tell all the gifts are now here.
I know a few of you are sending directly to Debbie yourself and so far i know this is

Casey at http://caseymini.blogspot.com/
and
Jodi and Richard at http://creagerstudios.blogspot.com/

Thank you to everyone for being so kind and all your best wishes for Debbie.

Also quite a few of you have emailed me to ask how Debbie is because you have not seen any news on her blog recently.
I have spoken to her this week and she is doing well, she is in good spirits and where she should be at this stage of her recovery.
I will phone Debbie tomorrow to say i am posting all of your gifts. Its going to be a lovely surprise and wish i could show you whats in the box.
All the gifts are beautiful and looking forward to knowing they arrive safely.

Nikki xxx

New shops on ebay and etsy

I thought i would put some links today for friends that have just opened new shops in the last month on etsy and ebay.

First of there is Julia and Hywell from http://bearcabinminiatures.blogspot.com/
Julia has some lovely witch mini's in her new ebay shop. Here is the link
http://shop.ebay.com/bearcabinminiatures/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=




Here is a link to their etsy shop too: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6814727


Also, Jody from http://minileapsandbounds.blogspot.com/ opened her etsy shop a few weeks ago.
Here is the link to her shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7945829

Making Books And Paper Mini's.

For quite a long time i have tried many times to make mini books and failed. I've looked at tutorials online, asked other mini makers, but never found the answer to making what i wanted.
So yestereday and today i've been really giving books a good go and quite happy with what i've achieved so far. Quite a lot of them have hit the bin but the last 3 stacks have worked and more than happy now.
Now i have the basics i can start thinking up covers more suitable for witches and wizards. The only thing is, good book covering at this scale takes time with all the tiny folds and creases.

Next i moved onto making some halloween gifts and although fiddly they dont take too long. I totally love them and happy with the look.

Then i moved onto making scrolls. Sabiha from http://sabsminiinteriors.blogspot.com/ recently send a parcel of gifts for Debbie. Inside was a beautiful mini which inspired me to make these.
Included are botanical, anatomy, potion and spell scrolls and quite happy with these too.
Since this time yesterday i've been chopping and sticking like a child, but happy at last i'm mastering working with paper minus the rips and tears that normally happen.

Witchy cupboard and a little behind, lol!

Did this title and then laughed. Nope, don't have a little one of those!

I've been busy working all weekend, yesterday and today to catch up. Last week i had a combination of things making me feel ill and so was rather sluggish with making mini's.
I think i had a very slight sickness bug but mixed in with my sore neck, and migraines every day i didn't actually manage to achieve much.
I just hate it when so much time is lost!

I have quite a lot on the go but thought i would share with you the progress on the witchy flying out cupboard. The picture is not great because it's now dusk.
It's not finished yet. I need to make the hanging rack on the side for the witches broom or even brooms and put little objects like keys and anything witches leave in their hall cupboards, Lol. I'm trying to make it look like the witch has dressed it for Halloween cheer and is in the meantime busy preparing elsewhere for Halloween fun! Can you see the little parcels at the bottom. These are presents she has wrapped for friends she will soon be off to visit. Oh lol, you have to try and think what a witch would think like!

I've also been making some potion tables and a witches washing day table. I've made the washing table with faces on the legs like miserable old wooden legs. I will show pics when they are a little further along.

Hopefully now i'm back on track after last week will soon have some items for sale.

Back in a few days with new pics.

Nikki xxx

Update on Gifts

As you all know Debbie received her gifts from all of you last week. It was lovely to see her opening them through her blog.
I have the second parcel here to send still and just waiting on a few more gifts to arrive before i send.
Debbie knows there is a second parcel arriving so it will not be a surprsie like with the last parcel. But she doesn't know whats inside the box.
I'm hoping to send next week if everyones gifts arrive in time.
If you have sent a gift could you check your name is below. If your name is not there could you email me please? This will help me to know when the last one arrives.

Thank you all ever so much for joining in. I know Debbie is blown away by everyones generosity and get well wishes.

Here's the second gift box. I will post photos when all are sent to Debbie and they have arrived with her.

Here is the list of gifts which arrived this week.

1. *Ana Anselmo at http://miniaturesforever.blogspot.com/
2. * Eva at http://prunellascreation.blogspot.com/
3. * Linda at http://une-petite-folie.blogspot.com/
4. * Jonna at http://rudoo-buggaboos.blogspot.com/
5. * April Wright at http://everylittlethingakw.blogspot.com/
6. * Kathi at http://beautifulminiblessings.blogspot.com/
7 * Shannon Conway at http://shannonsminiblog.blogspot.com/
8. * Savannah Kelb at http://minimumbler.blogspot.com/
9. * Debie at http://piskies-and-poppets.blogspot.com/
10. * Mercedes at http://libertybiberty.blogspot.com/
11. * Kathleen Denny at http://minikatslittlethoughts.blogspot.com/
12. * Katie at http://katiesclaycorner.blogspot.com/
13. * Sabiha at http://sabsminiinteriors.blogspot.com/
14. * Stephanie Lilgast at http://petitplatbysk.blogspot.com/

My Friends Witchy Mini's On Etsy

This evening, my friend Debie Lyons from Piskies and Poppets listed some new witch and wizard miniatures on etsy. Everything is fantastic!

Here is Debies blog link: http://piskies-and-poppets.blogspot.com/

And here is Debies etsy link: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5968276

There is a mandrake table, a witch with her pumpkin and tonic, a food table, a pumpkin pram with dolly and a child witch, and a potion table.
All are beautiful and fully sculpted. All are One Of A Kind too!

New Paperclay Alternative - Witches Brooms and Wizard Staff

My friend Debbie from Piskies and poppets sent me some Papier Mache to try out a few weeks ago. It was a different brand to what is showing here but all of them are the exactly the same.
If you remember i posted all about paperclay a little while back which is a mix of paper and real clay, plus glues and other ingredients. I also blogged about which was my favourite and the difference in prices and also its uses.
I've been struggling to get hold of my favourite and by accident i found papier mache an equally good alternative. This is not the type of papier mache we did at school but a ready made powder you just need to add water to and mould and shape as desired. Its also known as celluclay or instant papier mache.
My intention was to make some large unicorn horns with it for my full scale potion jars but this didn't go to plan. Annoyed it didn't work i stored it in an air tight plastic bag for about a week.
Yesterday i thought I'd best check it was still ok and found that in the space of a week its consistency and feel was exactly the same as paperclay. Then i jumped about as happy as punch at my discovery, lol.

Here is what the bags come like - look on the net for various brands and location.
Some brands as white while other makes have a natural creamy colour. The type Debbie sent me was a cream colour. But if you're paintint it the colour doesnt really matter.



All you do is mix with water in a bowl until its like dough or soft clay.
Once made its quite rough and far too lumpy for miniatures, but if you put it in a bag and seal for a week or two its consistency is a lot better, its smoother and brilliant for making stone floors and walls etc.

Here is a quick example: It picks up texture well by stippling and also by scoring patterns. It can be rolled with a rolling pin and treated in much the same way as other clays. If you wanted to apply it to floors and walls you would first need to pva the wall/floor surface, and apply the papier mache already rolled out. It would really work in much the same way as paperclay and could be used exactly how rik pierce makes his miniature houses. Look to your left for some rik pierce tutorials for more ideas. He uses creative paperclay but culluclay will be a much cheaper alternative and probably easier to buy at your local craft shop.




I've found it doesn't crack on surfaces such as walls and floors because the papier mache is quite thin, but on items like this pot I've covered below it can crack at the thick areas. Once this pot is fully dry i can fill the cracks in with more of the ready made papier mache.
I'm going to turn this into a pot with a face and dress with a cloth top for my full scale potions (not minis).


Here is some more info and places to buy from:
Link to product.

http://www.homecrafts.co.uk/products-Celluclay-Instant-Papier-mache_M327.htm

http://www.shopwiki.co.uk/Celluclay+Instant+Papier-Mache.


Witches brooms and Wizard Staff.

This morning i started to make two witches brooms and one wizards staff. I've made them with prosculpt and then painted. They are not fully complete and the brooms need the bristles. Thought i would share with you.

Debbie's Surprise Gifts and Thank You Everyone

Before i tell you about the surprise just wanted to say i have got myself in a bit of a pickle with names and email adress's. I think i have now emailed you all to say thank you but if i havn missed any of you then i send my apologies. I thought i was keeping good notes, but even my notes are confusing me.


Yesterday i sent Debbie's from Tiny Treasures surprise gifts from all of us. I sent them special next day delivery to make sure they got there quick.
As you all know Debbie has just had a QUADRUPLE Heart Bypass and amazingly she came home on Tuesday much to my shock.
This morning i have been waiting all morning to find out if they arrived on time and at lunch time Debbie phoned. She knew i was sending a parcel but didn't know it was a surprise from all of us. She thought it was just a gift from me arriving.
Before i show you the photos and type some more i just want to say A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR TAKING PART. Many of you i still need to email and thank personally. I was so tired last night i didn't manage all of you and apologise for being so late doing this.
Everyone has been wonderful with their get well wishes and gifts and i know this will be very special for Debbie.
Debbie truly is shocked by all your special gifts and how kind and generous all of you have been. I know she was a little upset because of the gifts but in a good way.
Her husband Mick I'm told kept passing the tissues and Ben was snapping photos of the happy event. She will show these later on her blog.
I have put all your names here and blogs to help Debbie when she is able to thank you all herself. At the moment she is unable to use the computer and is relying on Ben to help out. These will also let you know your parcel is safe with Debbie.
Ben is going to do a blog post for Debbie later with some more photos.
Can you believe that there are still more gifts to arrive from far and wide? I have told Debbie this and when they all arrive i will post the last gifts to her. I am hoping this will happen next week.
Here are the gifts which i wanted to send like a hamper all on display, but because they were all so delicate i wrapped them all up and put in small boxes inside the big box. I am amazed through all the travelling each has done they are all perfect and intact apart from just two. One is a little tiny snail which i am going to fix as good as new for Debbie. It is just a tiny repair and have kept it here to fix. Also Susans Orrery came loose and needs a tiny repair. I have sent this to Debbie so she can fix and she will get in touch with your susan to find out how when she can.

Here is the list so you know your parcel arrived. All of these are with Debbie:

1. Marja at http://marjabalvers.blogspot.com/
2. Kat the Hat at http://katthehatlady.blogspot.com/
3. Kate and John Whittaker at http://whittakersminis.blogspot.com/
4. Julie and hywell at http://bearcabinminiatures.blogspot.com/
5 Julie at http://bellabelledolls.blogspot.com/
6. Nikki Rowe
7. Ara Bentley at http://afminimansion.blogspot.com/ http://murderatbentleymanor.blogspot.com/
8. Marsha at http://sassyminidolls.blogspot.com/
9. Susan Wener at http://tabithacorsica.blogspot.com/
10. Kim Saulter at http://kimsminiatures.blogspot.com/
11. Deana Tritch at http://delightfulminis.blogspot.com/
12. Kim Rousseau at http://flowerkim.blogspot.com/
13. Julie at http://jakdawsattic.blogspot.com/
14. Christine Verstaete at http://candidcanine.blogspot.com/
15. Kerry at http://ella-roseminis.blogspot.com/
16. Cate and David at http://soletluna.blogspot.com/
17. Mags cassidy at http://mags-nificentminiatures.blogspot.com/
18. Eva at http://mini-escenas.blogspot.com/
19. Karin Casper at http://kc-design-kc.blogspot.com/
20. Sylvia at http://lotjesdollshouse.blogspot.com/
21. Laurina at http://bigger-trolle.blogspot.com/

All of the above gifts have been sent to Debbie.

These are the gifts which have arrived and i will send next week. Once sent and with Debbie I will take photos and post here. It's a shame Debbie knows about the second parcel but they will still be s nice surprise and i know she will look forward to them.

Note to me: * means i have emailed (i have a bad memory even with my note taking, lol).

1. *Ana Anselmo at http://miniaturesforever.blogspot.com/
2. * Eva at http://prunellascreation.blogspot.com/
3. * Linda at http://une-petite-folie.blogspot.com/
4. * Jonna at http://rudoo-buggaboos.blogspot.com/
5. * April Wright at http://everylittlethingakw.blogspot.com/
6. * Kathi at http://beautifulminiblessings.blogspot.com/
7 * Shannon Conway at http://shannonsminiblog.blogspot.com/
8. * Savannah Kelb at http://minimumbler.blogspot.com/
9. * Debie at http://piskies-and-poppets.blogspot.com/
10. * Mercedes at http://libertybiberty.blogspot.com/
11. * Kathleen Denny at http://minikatslittlethoughts.blogspot.com/

Please do not worry if your gift has not yet arrived. We had a postal strike here in the UK last week and i think the post is still a little behind. I know they will arrive soon.

Nikki xxx

New work and blogs of interest!

Mandrake potting table. I still have a little bit of work to do. I'm hoping the biggest mandrake looks like he is sleeping and this is what people see. I love the other little one just peeping out!


Witches flying out cupboard for storing her best hats, shoes, maps, broom and floo powder.


Potion cabinet - not sure if i like this. I shall see once all the bottle and jars are filled.



Some potion shelves - bad photo!




My work areas. Not sure if i'm messy or not?


Lots of large potion bottle and jars for the halloween props i have planned.


Salt dough moon cookies for the spooky large witches bottles. I need to paint them so they look baked then pop in a nice kilner jar with spooky tags and tatty cloth.


3 little witches potion shopping baskets on the go.


The Summer holidays are over and all the children have gone back to school. While the holidays are a lovely time and you get to have a lie in most days they are not ideal for working from home.
They actually went back last Thursday and i spent that entire day clearing up after the summer and having a good spring clean. Then Friday it was my birthday and the weekend i chose not to work. Friday was wonderful and had the best of days.
So on Monday i cracked on with working again and this is what i have so far have on the go.
Lots of little shelves with botanical potions, and some with weird items like fingers, bones, blood, tapeworm etc. They are not finished as yet but only need a little work.
I also started a witches potion cabinet which i'm not too sure about. I bought it as a wardrobe, removed the doors and aged it up. I'm sure it will be lovely when complete but at the moment it just doesnt look right. I plan on filling it with a variety of items like dragon scales, olde bones, blood, venom and all the nasty things. If it doesn't feel right i will use the contents on a shelf i make from my own designs. This is probably going to happen!
My favourite though is the witches flying out closet for storing her broom, hat, scrolls with maps, floo powder, her best shoes and items like that. I'm trying to make it have a halloween theme and so the pumpkins will be on the top. I'm sure witches dress the house for halloween! The broom will have a little face and be dressed upto match her hat and shoes. I think a little sign and a bag hanging will also set the scene. I made the cabinet myself and love it to bits.
There is also a mandrake table which i made myself. I like this table because it lends itself well to a potting scene. Its not finished either, lol. Just a little bit more to to. Its not all secured yet so can still play around with the arrangement.
I'm one of these people that seems to be getting nowhere then all of a sudden i have more than i can cope with. I can't seem to make a few items and put them on etsy a few at a time. It just doesnt work for me. It either nothing or everything with me. So i shall just keep working at all that i've started. I'm sure i will be somewhere by Sunday or Monday.
If you look around my room there are also lots of other minis on the go. They are all tucked in trays and pots for safe keeping. I forget half of what i've started and on my many a big tidy up stumble upon them and work on again. Quite often people ask me what i'm working on and most of the time i'm undecided because i've started much more than i can handle all on my own.
The boxes with everything shoved in are holding some lovely large bottles i've been collecting for my new large potions. I really need to get on with those before Halloween. But by the rate i move along i reckon this time next year i'll finally get there.
I thought i was an organised person but making miniatures is not something i feel in anyway organised about.
For some reason i claim to be tidy but from the state of all my shoving things in boxes looks like i'm anything but. I tidied all of this only one week ago and it gleamed with everything having a place and everything where it should be. In just seven days its been turned upside down again and for the life of me i can't figure out why. I feel a trip to Ikea is needed for extra storage.
Apart from all of this i'm more than happy in my room plodding along at a snails pace.
Hoping i get somewhere soon but not bad so far for a few days work!

Nikki xxx




Blogs, ebay, etsy and other great finds!

Here are a few fab blogs i have found recently, some great items currently available on ebay/etsy/other auction sites.

http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/sdk-miniatures-LLC - superb ebay shops with fantastic kits in various scales.

http://miniaturesonly.kaqoo.com/index.php? The ebay alternative for dolls house minis only.
Check out these great room boxes on the site:
http://miniaturesonly.kaqoo.com/index.php?act=list&item=1103825983&old_item=
http://miniaturesonly.kaqoo.com/index.php?act=list&item=1103827304&old_item=
The site is quite small but its good to know theres an auction site purely for mini's.

Check out this fabulous shop on etsy that sells handmade miniature rustic furniture. Its good value and very well made: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7326603

Check out this absolutely super blog. I was so happy to stumble upon this.
http://mondodifavola.blogspot.com/
I wish upon wish i could make such beautiful furniture.

This is another great blog with some beautiful art work happening and the couple are living the dream: http://intothehermitage.blogspot.com/
Debbie sent me the link for this site a long time ago and its amazing how they both live. I lack the skills to live like this but truelly admire them a great deal!