Tom Bishop Show Chicago 2012

I didn't buy very much at the show in Chicago this year. I did order several things, it may be six months before I see them though.

I brought home a candlestick made by Scott Hughes. I asked Scott if he would custom make two lamps for two beautiful glass shades Frank Whittemore blew for me many years ago. I still have 12 or more of Frank's shades I want to do something with.

From Gerd Felka some more wine glasses and another decanter.

I fell in love with a Blue Jay sitting on a ('chipped, rusting, metal') bowl of peaches made by Mary McGrath. I thought it would be fun to have it sitting on an open window in the kitchen over the sink. You may not be able to see that the Blue Jay has pecked into one of the peaches. I tried very hard to photograph it with very little success I'm afraid. It is just one of those pieces you have to see in person.



I also got a gorgeous working clock for the kitchen made by Malcolm Hall. I love his work.




I was very pleased to find lots of supplies I needed. Several tools and paper thin leather.

New Copper Teapot and Brass Bucket For...

I am not sure if I will be using this in the house I am designing but the stove did need a few things. I made another brass bucket for the coal it uses and a much smaller copper teapot to go on the back burner today. Now I must make a coal shovel for it.

This was once the plastic the Chrysnbon parlor stove. It was in my very first post. I thought it was sort of sad looking in plastic. The kit it had lots of bright silvery "nickel" parts. I thought about casting those pieces in nickel silver for a duller look but decided against it.

I also wasn't very happy about the fact the stove was so plain. I wanted to add a lot of decorative embellishment to it. That was done by pulling molds off of tiny brass findings and injecting wax into the molds I made. Then... Those waxes had to be welded (with a hot needle) to the plastic kit pieces, before I cast them all in bronze. Some plastics burn out very well just like casting wax does.

The kit came with a sheet of acetate for the glass inside the stove. I use mica sheets instead which make the stove look like it has been used.

THE EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF....

This story is about a woman (in England) who single handedly dismantled her 15th -century cottage to save it from being demolished.

What a amazing labor of love and hardship. You can see all the photos and read this magnificent story here....

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/property/article-1185210/Moving-house-How-little-old-lady-spent-23-years-single-handedly-dismantling-cottage-brick-brick-rebuilding-100-miles-away.html

In case the link does not translate...

Moving house: How a little old lady spent 23 years single-handedly dismantling her cottage brick by brick and rebuilding it 100 miles away

Another 'Master' Piece!!!

Look who just waddled his way to my house. I am just so thrilled with this gorgeous pintail duck decoy! He looks like he might let out a quack and wiggle his tail any minute. I just adore him!

This is just how I want to use him, as a decorative 'antique decoy'. Either on a table or on a mantel piece.


I have said it before... Linda Master's talent is simply astonishing. http://miraclechicken.blogspot.com/ It is evident in everything she does. She can carve, draw or paint anything you can dream of and in smaller scales too.

Linda is about to start some very exciting antique European accessory pieces in 1: 12 scale. I can't wait because they are things I have never seen in miniature before. No, I am not going to tell you what is coming. I'll let that be her surprise.

Thank you so much Linda!!!!!


New sterling silver tray and goblet recently made by me. ;-)

How To Disable New Double Word Verification In Blogger

I don't know about you but I am having the worst time correctly typing in those two very distorted words to leave someone a comment. I HATE IT, it's driving me crazy! Especially when there is a black and white background behind the letters. Sometimes it takes me two or three times to get it right. Sometimes I give up.

What is the point of having to type in two long words suddenly? Try as I might I never found an explanation for this when I researched it. What I found was this post by a fellow blogger. THANK YOU Michelle!!! I forgot I had choices! www.michelemademe.com/2012/02/how-to-disable-new-two-word.html

Walnut Nutshell House 'Sparrow Hop Cottage'

Welcome new Followers! You might want to start this story at the beginning. First here.... http://kilmouskiandme.blogspot.com/2011/03/every-village-needs-shop.html Then here... http://kilmouskiandme.blogspot.com/2011/04/nuttycrest.html


Some of you may remember that last year there was a meeting at Twigs & Berries. The residents were very upset because their new neighbor had built a house (Nuttycrest Cottage) which violated the strict building codes in their beloved tree. Sadly, despite the overwhelming number of votes, the homeowners were unsuccessful at having the cottage destroyed or relocated. Everyone suspected there were pay offs involved to the powers that be.

So... It was no surprise when this monstrosity (Sparrow Hop Cottage) appeared in the tree this week. Even Nuttycrest didn't go this far! It was only two stories. This cottage appears to be three, or is it four stories? Naturally the residents are once again, very upset! Everyone suspects the new neighbors may be outlanders.

The construction of this house took a lot longer. I used the the same materials, a walnut, acorn caps and twigs. Because the brittle twigs were going to need to conform to round shapes, I boiled some in water and clamped them over something round to dry. On the second story of the house all the "timbers" are twigs but the "daub" is opaque embossing powder used over glue. I had to fill those (daubed areas) several times to get them up to level with the twigs. Taking care not to get glue or powder on the timbers.
The second story roof with the four back to back dormers was a challenge. Partly because finished it is only 3/4 of an inch wide and because they all angle to the center. The shingles are made of paper. I tried several different ways to form the tower roof. In the end polymer clay proved to be the best result.

Thank You!!!

A wonderful gift from Linda une-petite-folie.blogspot.com/ arrived this week. A beautiful sandwich and orange drink. I was totally amazed by the realism of Amanda Speakman's work. The added plus is that it can be used on one of my own plates. Linda also sent a gorgeous book that has a beautiful antique cover 'The Language Of Flowers', completely readable. It was made made by Maria ilcucchiainomagico.blogspot.com/ Thank you so much Linda!!!

This beautiful food board also arrived this week from a (nameless) Follower. Though I am not sure, I suspect it was also made by Amanda Speakman!

Thank you both so much ladies I am thrilled to bits!

COMING SOON!!!
Another nut house. The most challenging one I have made. I suspect the villagers are not going to be happy about their new neighbors.