It's been a few years since I last went to a dollhouse show so this one in Kensington was a great way to get back into it all. Last time I was at the show I bought 5 felt mice and ever since, I've been looking out for a house for them all. I was beginning to think I'd have to actually MAKE :::gasp::: something myself from scratch, but on Friday I found the perfect house from a seller called Shoebutton Bears. The moment I saw it, I knew it had to come home with me. I need to find the other 5 mice to join 2 new ones who also followed me home.
The mice are made by a lovely lady called Elles of Elles Miniaturen. I couldn't help but also bring home a little lamb and a bunny. They can go in the little girl's room in my big Victorian house. Clearly it was a toy buying kind of show for me as I also picked up a bunch of these cute Beatrix Potter characters, along with the elephant in a tutu from Sally Reader's table.
This item was bought simply because I thought it was adorable. I have no clue where it will go but it had to be mine. It was my first purchase of the show within about 5 minutes of entering the hall. It's from someone new to me, Le Coffre d'Emilie. Perhaps it'll go in the nursery or something as decoration. Who knows.
I have a soft spot for all things Beatrix Potter as it's the books I had read to me as a child. I used to read it to Noemie when she was younger as well though she hasn't taken to it like I did. These books have actual print in them of the entire story for each character, totally readable. I bought the entire set that the seller, Dateman Books, carried. I think I have a theme for the little girl's bedroom in the Victorian house as I have previously bought BP furniture as well which is in that room.
A few more random bits to go in my Victorian house. A barometer from Sussex Crafts. Fruit display from Mouse House Miniatures. Bird cage with bird from le mini di Pierluigi. The last seller again is new to me.
I made my usual stop with Veronique Cornish from who I have bought loads of stuff over the years. We had a lovely chat and she said she had one teapot but that it had sold moments before. I bought 3 items from her, the pelican jardiniere isn't quite suited to any project I have but it reminded me of the night I met K and how there were flamingoes at the roof top bar we went to and how he didn't believe me until I showed him proof. The little mouse with the kids also reminded me how amazing he is with N and C so that had to come home too. The bird jardiniere again was just something pretty that needed to reside at my house. The teapots are from Sally Meekins and though she had several others that I don't yet own, I figured I needed to leave myself something else to buy at the next show I go to! She's done a whole theme of them from various kids stories and then some cute London ones as well so I've got a few more to buy yet!
Kensington is mainly an artisan show so they don't sell too many kit type items but I did manage to get a few bits from those who did sell them. I stopped by Nicola Mascall's table despite the fact I found at least 25 unopened kits from her that I have safely stashed away at home. I still opted to bring home 2 new ones though as one can never have too much stash right? It was great catching up with her as well. I also purchased some flower making kits as I wanted to have a little flower scene around the mouse house. I have a lot of the tools to make my own flowers but sometimes it's just easier when it's all packaged for you and you just need to make rather than make the supplies first. Totally lazy but so much easier!
Next up is my halloween stuff I found in plentiful supply at this show. The nice thing about taking a few years off has been that people have made things I hadn't seen before. It made a nice change from seeing the same old stuff in the past. I bought the furry black kitty from Fine Design along with the fake puke. The fake puke may well end up outside my pub scene but for now, we'll say the cat had major hairball issues. The furniture is from Thimblemins who are new to me. Really inexpensive stuff that'll work well in whatever future scene I create for my gorgeous witch doll I bought several years ago. Then some more halloween house stuff rom KastleKelm Miniatures. I love the pictures with the 3d effect (reminds me of the haunted house at Disneyland). The raven has real feathers and will go on top of whatever scene I create. I might have to try to get this done for this halloween as Noemie has been asking about it each year ever since she saw the witch doll I bought.
Last but not least, a butterfly collectors stuff from Country Treasures. I think this will most likely have to in the Mouse House... I'm not entirely sure yet but I think that's where it will look the best. It was yet again a really successful outing. I never lack things to buy at this particular show though it was weird not seeing a lot of the other vendors who used to be at the show every year. I guess people retire, pass away and move on to other stuff. Now I'm looking forward to the next show in Birmingham in October. Better start saving up my pennies.
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