Walnut Shell Gypsy Caravan

Having lost their caterpillar to his own agenda of spinning a cocoon, the travelers are going to have to camp for a few days while they look for an obliging beetle (or some other creepy crawler) to pull their caravan. It's no easy task to convince an insect to wear a harness or go in the direction you want him to for that matter. They tend to want to stop all the time to chew on a leaf or a berry.

When the walnut gypsy wagon occurred to me, I knew I was going to have to try it. As usual as soon as it started to come together I had several other designs pop into my mind. I am sure I will have to try another one eventually.

I am still waiting for clear 3 mm round beads to arrive for the front lanterns. Those fixtures may change entirely before I am finished, they are just waxed in place for the present.

I had intended for this one to have a polymer clay insect hitched up to the wagon. While I was working on it I realized that it would have to be mounted on a base or the poles that extend from the wagon to the bug would surely get broken over time. Anyway... I really prefer the houses not mounted. The wheels do turn so gluing them down to a base would have been a shame. 

Disappearing Artisans

A blog friend in England was kind enough to ask me if there was anything I wanted when she went to London to the Kensington Dollshouse Festival. I told her collected Terry Curran's blue pieces. She didn't find these at the festival though. She found them in a shop. I was thrilled when she found so many.

 I have noticed Terry's work is slowly disappearing. Occasionally, I find a piece for sale online. The pieces I see on Ebay are going for as much as much four times the original value. Depending on the piece of course. So when I find something for the original price I buy it. No matter what the color. I know will be able sell those someday if I want to.

We are loosing so many artisans either to retirement or sadly they have passed away. I no longer hesitate to collect something, thinking I will get it later when my mad money jar fills up.

Who's work do you collect that has vanished?

Giant Bubbles

 

My new neighbors have four children. They are the nicest kids I have ever met. Polite, thoughtful and truly sweet.

I had to devise a way to spend some time playing with them. They are always outside jumping on the trampoline or shooting basketball. They have great toys so I wasn't sure what I could come up with. I decided on giant bubbles. There are lots of soap solution recipes on the Internet and wand designs to make.

It was a perfect day for it. Not too hot and no wind. We had a great time. We went through two gallons of soap. Some of those bubbles were nine feet long!

Then a couple of them disappeared while I was talking to their mother. They returned 40 minutes later with a plate of brownies they baked for me and three hand written thank you notes for the bubbles.