Chicago Part one...

We were already going to visit Chicago for two weeks before we found out we had a space at the show so here is the post of our first week and a half there. In some ways it was disastrous lol as everything that could go wrong did  from a taxi driver in a bad mood when he saw our luggage (we had six cases), lack of visa for mum which had been paid for so we had to pay again at the airport, 3 searches on mum at the airport ( and seeing she is disabled and not in the best of health at all  it was no fun), terrible in flight food lol mum had an almost frozen ham sandwich at one point - one perk of being a veggie we didn't get one!  Being evacuated from the hotel (at this point we didn't know why) and as nobody came to get mum out Aidy risked taking her in the lift  - I took the stairs and had no choice but to leave the hotel as I was ushered outside so we got split up and my friend was on the 20th floor so I had to worry about them all- eventually Aidy and mum managed to find me after about 20m so we were all relieved to say the least. We eventually caught up with Dru who had been interviewed for the local news lol.  We arrived at the wrong terminal on the way home and having to get all bags to the correct one (we now had 9 lol)  and as we had to take a train with no luggage trolley, I was almost trapped and sent to yet another terminal!!! Excess baggage costs, mum being given a ridiculous seat right at the back of the plane which she had a very difficult time getting to and a very bumpy flight finished the trip... But we made the most of it and all in all had fun!

On the plus side I got to meet one of the nicest people I have the pleasure of knowing so a huge thank you to Dru for showing us around and driving us all over the place :) and the show itself thankfully was the only good luck we had!

A first View of the city

 A picture taken round the corner from our first hotel downtown

 Me realising I have been caught by the camera!

 Aidy delighted to have a decent cup of coffee

 Not too sure what is on offer here...

 By night...

 A day out at the Zoo 

 Aidy wanting to take part... was tempted to leave him there.

 I adore Polar Bears

 I guess I almost measure up lol

 This guy knew he looked good - he kept on striking a pose!

 We had a gas leak right outside our hotel so we were all evacuated - and it was the coldest day - no fun at all but on the plus note my best friend made the news lol

 We went out for a medieval show - was lots of fun even if our knight didn't win :(

http://www.medievaltimes.com/

More to follow...

Late post...Arnhem

Leaving Newcastle

Me trying to decide if I could manage to sit down on a chair this large!

A view of the church the fair was being held in

Meeting Kate and Peter for a drink the afternoon before the workshops

Aidy being his usual self outside our hotel lol

Aidy's sculpting workshop in full swing

The finished faces - they all turned out with such different characters!

Me attempting to give a quick master class on wig making - Not sure how helpful this was as I was covered in glue and hair by the end of it lol

A view from our stand at the show

Another view from behind our stand ;)

We were lucky to be standing next to Penny Tomson. She is a lovely lady whom we almost forced to join us for the meal that happens after the first night of the show for exhibitors - I think she was glad we did in the end! Please take time to look at her wonderful work and as with all things miniature they are even better in real life - such detail and oh so tiny!  http://www.penny-thomson.co.uk/index.php

The Dream in Miniature stand always makes me smile and this time Lisa had lots of fantastic new dolls for us to look at - she really knows how to have fun with miniatures! 

 http://www.dreaminminiature.com/ 

Kate and Peter with their one of a kind special commission for the show - a 1:24th scale mouse house! It was stunning and I wanted to move in! The tree was sculpted by Peter and it was so good that when he told me it was carved from oak I believed him!! The tree grows right inside the house and part of it forms little steps for the lucky inhabitants - needless to say their customer was delighted with it. Check out more pictures of this wonderful piece on their website - 

 http://www.herdwicklandscapes.co.uk/html/house_projects.htm#MouseHouse

Roberta is a lovely lady from Italy who makes the most realistic miniature tiles and pottery - I was lucky enough to be given a set as a gift - thank you again for your kindness! 

 http://www.miniaturedieurosia.it/index_eng.htm

 Serge is a delightful character from France who we have been lucky enough to meet before at the last Arnhem show - I will try to find his contact details as he makes such detailed pieces.

Pat Kay and Jamie Carrington. Poor Pat had to put up with Jamie and I having a good old laugh at her expense but it was all done with much love and she took it all with grace and good humour! There were tears at some points - not sure what the customers thought of the rowdy English bunch lol

Pat again holding one of her dolls, she has such a good eye for all things miniature and her stand really is a treat to look at, she has work by artists from all over the world and the high quality shines through. Pat does not have a website for sales but she does run the well known Brentwood fairs and she attends York, Kensington, Arnhem and Chicago to name a few others.

 http://www.brentwoodfairs.com/Dolls%20House%20Fairs.html

Jamie looking fabulous! We have been making dolls for almost 10 years now and this was the first time our paths crossed and all I am left thinking is why did we have to wait so long? Jamie really is a wonderful, friendly and very supportive member of the miniature community and I am sure those of you who have had the pleasure will agree his company is a delight - he certainly brightened my weekend no end! I am also thinking of moving in with him so I can discover his costume secrets - if he was not so nice I would be green!

 http://www.jamescarringtondolls.com/

Aidy with his sales face...no wonder all the customers have disappeared!

We had a great time, we had good company and once again the customers responded well to our work. We look forward to doing it all again in October!

Miniatura...

 Andy Hopwood :)

 Lois  (Mollies Exclusive Designs) eating crisps lol

 Peter (Herdwick Landscapes)

 Jenny (Kastle Kelm Miniatures)

 Jenny's stand - looked great as always!

 Andy Hopwood (organiser) and Mark (The Dolls House Builder)

 Helena (Solway Miniatures) who had the stand next to us

 Another picture of Herdwick Landscapes stand :)

 Annie Willis (Fine Designs) I wanted ALL the cats! Fabulous work and lovely people who we were lucky enough to be next to all weekend.

Our new dolls

 Falconer

 Mariachi Automata

 Steampunk moving contraption

 Gretel & Poppy our newest witches

 Vanessa & Maisy

 Something a little naughty!

We have just got back from Miniatura and as usual we had a fun filled weekend although I was in a lot of pain for most of it :( Aidy went on a painkiller hunt though so all was well in the end!

Although sales were down compared to last time (understandable with all the doom and gloom we are facing these days) we still had a great time and our new work got a fantastic response from stand holders and customers - think everyone found something to make them smile ;)

Now we just need to get ready for Arnhem this weekend - nothing like a bit of pressure lol, Hope you like our new work!

Some Good News...and mass panic!

Well, we have just had it confirmed that we have a table at the Tom Bishop Chicago show! We were told they may have a space for us but no promises (we are delighted as when we first asked about this show a few years ago there was a huge waiting list) - Thank you to Tom and Leni for fitting us in!

Now, we were already heading to Chicago to go to the show and to meet some very special friends who live there so this is a nice bonus although we are a tad bit panicky as we have two huge shows before we even make it to Chicago!! I have informed one friend that we may have to take over their oven to make dolls lol

On the plus side it has got me feeling all creative and inspired and a huge list of dolls to make has been devised - although I have to say Aidy did go pale when I thrust the list in his direction!

So, to those of you who had not yet figured it out...yes we are totally insane - Miniatura, Arnhem, Chicago, Edinburgh and Madrid  all within 2 months lol! I will try to find the time to show you our new dolls!