NEC Miniatura, Brimingham 30 Sept/1Oct 2017

Here is an extra post this week so that it is current.... I went to the NEC show at the weekend and thought some of you might like to see what I bought.

If you want to read my thoughts about the show they can be found over in my Dollshouse Trips and Shows blog.

Masters Miniatures

The card table was bought for more than one reason.  I thought it might be nice in the music room as this is the room for social gatherings and after dinner 'entertainment'.  Also, I so much wanted a piece from Masters Miniatures and this was something I could afford to buy.  In order of cost my top three furniture makers that I see at shows are:  Beith Miniatures,(most expensive) then Escutcheon and then Masters Miniatures.  Do go and take a look at Beith and Escutcheon's work you'll love it.

Ellie de Lacy

I am trying to find pictures for various rooms and it is much harder than you would think when you see how many pictures there are out there.  To be honest I have really just been looking at inexpensive pictures to use their frames, intending to make my own actual picture.  That said, I thought these, from Ellie de Lacy, were nicely made and would do a few jobs.  The top pair are for the music room, the centre pair are for the dining room, the bottom picture was bought because I hoped it would be the right size and proportion to balance my nice Jim Coates mirror in the hall.

The resident of my house would not be so naff as to have reproductions of such famous paintings so I am not sure how to square that away..... maybe she likes copying paintings?????

Ellie de Lacy

I know I have just made a gazillion books but I really liked these, they are so nicely made and will be lovely for leaving around the place.

I liked the neat and informative backs on the paintings

Mini McGregor

 I need to collect a lot of bits and pieces for dressing various spaces and Mini McGregor is a great source for such things.  Here I have some shoes in a box for my French student, cards ready for the card table, some shells in a box (one of the children collects shells) and a lovely packed magazine box to leave out on a desk.

Amanda Speakman

 Amanda Speakman doesn't have an online presence any more - hence no click available here.  This means you can only find her work at various shows.  I met her at one of her earliest shows (maybe her first) and fell in love with her work - the scale and detail is just perfect and at a price I can afford.  I wish I had bought up a lot of her things at this show for future use but sadly I didn't have the presence of mind to do that.

The Ironworks and Black Country Miniatures

 I need a modern silver-coloured escutcheon for the flat door as a deadlock.  One of these will be dandy after it is painted.  The Ironworks and Black Country Miniatures is a fantastic source for anything you can think of in metal.

Delph Miniatures

 Any show Delph Miniatures is at I am compelled to buy something.

also from Delph

Magpies Dolls House Miniatures

 We don't seem to get many practical stalls at shows - I overheard more than one person asking for paint and wood etc so it is always useful when you find a vendor with a few helpful bits and pieces on their stand.  Magpies Dolls House Miniatures was just such a find and just at the very moment I wanted some more Deluxe Glue.  I have used their Rocket Glue and Craft Glue and I love them and wouldn't use anything else but I have wanted to try their Glue 'n' Glaze as it claims to stick pretty much any material to any other and better still will glue painted surfaces together.

Blue Riband Fabrics

 Blue Riband Fabrics is a very large (lots of tables) stand with a huge variety of fabrics and trims etc.  I always feel compelled to stop buy and I never leave empty handed and generally with a maybe-that-will come-in useful-someday purchase.  This show was no exception.  I have no idea why I might want batting but I know I would be very frustrated if I couldn't do something because I didn't have any????  Again, no online presence, so you need to get to the shows.

Halls Miniature Clocks

Malcolm Hall of Halls Miniature Clocks makes the most exquisite miniatures that are real collectors pieces but, luckily for folk like me he also makes accessible (cost-wise) pieces that are still pretty appealing.  The little radio matches my own DAB radio that sometimes comes into my Hive when working so i decided I needed one for the mini Hive.  Sadly I wanted a white one but got home and discovered it was pink.... my lucky student will get it for her bedroom.  The simple green clock is for my Hive and will make it into there.

Heidi Ott

I know I keep saying this but the fact remains I can never find the lights I want.  This time was even more annoying.  I thought I might buy a light with fan like I have in the Rec Room for the bedroom in the loft as it can get pretty warm up there in summer.  Heidi Ott's stall had two but I saw them right at the beginning of the room so I decided I would have a look round first in case I saw something else.  You guessed it, I returned and they had gone!  So this is it for now.....

Pride of Plaice

 I am surprised this is the first time I have bought from Pride of Plaice.  What caught my eye this time was the very nicely made fruit and veg that they sell for ten pieces for two pounds.  I bought the dishes because they were a thin finish but am pretty sure I have some the same in my 'dressings'.  As for the fruit bowl and small knife....I just liked them.

Bindels Ornaments

 Bindels Ornaments from the Netherlands was new to the show and new to me.  Not an exciting photo but it serves two purposes.  The first to encourage you to go and check out their site, they have some of the best findings I have seen, they have things made from them and a ton of ideas for you to go at.  The second reason is to prove I never go to a show without buying something I have absolutely no use for when I get home.  These were my 'why?' purchase for this show.  My theory with these was that one size would fit the ends of the future (sixteen) blinds' rollers to finish them off nicely when I come to make the binds.  I didn't know what size I would need, so went barmy and bought two lots.  I got home, looked at my RL roller blinds and realised they are finished in a different way and in white!  These would make good tops for 'bead' bottles....????

Maria's Fabrics

Yet another always-have-to-have-something from them purchase is this lovely cotton (£1.10 each) from Maria's Fabrics she has the best, fabrics, best prices and best service, bar none.

So there we go folks, another show done and dusted.  We have just booked a winter break in Florida and happily it coincides with a show - so that will be my next one.