Hat Stands

Well we had a reasonable fair at Stourport on Severn last weekend, a very nice venue and a fair few people through the door.

To those of you who visited and may be reading this, it was nice to meet you and all being well we shall see you again next year.

Now getting ready for our next fair which is in Hinckley in three weeks time, have had a few days rest but today I returned to the workshop, turned a few new hat stands with shelves, the shelves are ideal for displaying gloves, handbags or shoes.

Lots more new items planned for the next few fairs, but need the workshop to cool down a bit, it's so hot in there at the moment.

Well you may wonder what else I am making, well I have said for years I don't make Dolls Houses, well that may just be about to change, okay I am not getting into 1/12th houses, but on a smaller scale, so far so good and all being well my first one or two will be available at Hinckley.

Also had a delivery of some really nice woods from America, so there will be plenty of new turnings in those woods as well, one wood that really stands out from the rest is a Brazilian rosewood burl.

pop bottles

Finally restocked my stand just in time for this Sunday's Fair, it's at Stourport Manor Hotel, it's a lovely venue and set in the lovely Stourport-On-Severn on Sunday May 20th, opening at 10.30.

If it's as good as last year I shall be happy..

As well as restocking I have also managed to finish part of my new range of vintage style pop bottles, 6 of which can be seen above.

Also been working on a range of beer bottles and two of these will also be on sale.

This makes a total of more than 50 bottles which are now on my stand, spirits, beer, medicine and pop, lot more yet to come and all are hand turned and labelled.

Well what a lovely setting for the fair yesterday, was in Crickhowell down by the Brecon Beacons, we had a great day and was nice to see so many people through the door, everyone was very friendly and we shall definitely be back next year.

Got a few new ideas from a couple of customers so will be working on those when I get the time.

For now I am busy restocking in time for Stourport, only two weeks to go for that one!

Well we did Sutton Coldfield, but it wasn't the best of fairs, mainly down to the weather, but we still managed to sell a fair bit, been busy replacing stock this week.

Our next fair is this Saturday May 5th, we are down at Crickhowell which is in Wales, our fingers are crossed for the weather.

Surely there can't be much more rain left up there, this must be the wettest drought we have ever had!

Will be busy getting ready for Stourport when we get back, hopefully add a few pics as I make new stock.

My favourite miniature

My favourite miniature is, wait for it, is our first grandchild, 'Martha Belle Baker', three months old this Sunday, but she isn't for sale, not enough money in the world for this one I'm afraid.

Hopefully she will help on our stand in a few years time.

Back to business now though, been turning and making many new things in time for this Sunday's Dollshouse and Miniature fair which is at the Penn's Hall Hotel in Sutton Coldfield.

Two on show here are a honey pot with dipper in Red Malleee Burl and a Mortar & pestle in Cocobolo, many more like this will be available at very reasonable prices.

Then it's three weeks till our next fair which will be at Stourport on Severn, lots of new miniatures on the way for that one as well, I just can't sit still, have to keep making, at this rate we shall have to have an extension on the house!

Kings Lynn went that well that we have now booked more fairs with Dolly's Daydreams, they do run their fairs very professionally.

Crick, Hinckley and Thame still to come with them, possibly more toward the end of the year.

The HARVINGTON MINIATURES roadshow is fully under way again.

Well it's been a week or more since my last post, we exhibited at the Kings Lynn Fair last sunday, had a great day, plenty of customers through the door and was nice to meet many new people.

What a great venue.

The fair was very well organised by Dolly's Daydreams and we shall definitely be exhibiting at more of their fairs in the future.

We then spent several days over in East Anglia, the weather was quite pleasant as well, so all in all a good week.

Not had much time to work on new minis, been busy the last few days replenishing stock ready for next week.

We spent a day at Ely, a wonderful town and the cathedral is just magnificent, spotted a lovely view on the way in to the town, just had to get the watercolours out for this one, see the result below.

And before anyone asks, yes it is a miniature, although I could be tempted into doing a full size painting of this scene.

Next Sunday the 29th April we shall be on the road again, this time at Sutton Coldfiled, hope to see some of you there.

new work

Okay am now finished making for a week or so, our next fair is at King's Lynn on Sunday April 15th, the fireplace above is now ready for selling, am producing these in a ceramic type of plaster, they feel heavy and authentic, they measure 3" high and will be on sale at £12 each.

The bottles  I have turned in a clear acryilc, all in one piece, the candles have just been painted, not real ones.

Not the best photo, but now added 3 more mirrors to my range and will only be £5 each, am quite pleased with these, lots of detail in the frames, took a while to get these just right.

If you are in Kings Lynn next Sunday then please stop by and say hello.

Just hope now that the weather improves as we shall be spending a few days by the sea.

Happy Easter everyone.