Friday, 29 March 2013

Ooh, Hello Dollie!

My Dollie brooches have all been made using broken, discarded bisque heads. These were the "industrial waste" from the German dollmaking industry in the late 19th and early 2oth century.
 
 
Whilst browsing on Etsy today it was nice to see a completed original bisque doll from the face that I call Greta.....
 
Left - Original Bisque Doll
 
Bottom Right - My Broken Bisque Head

My Greta Dollie Brooches
 
I didn't imagine she would be so short in "real life".........
 


Monday, 25 March 2013

Busy, busy Monday....

I've been a bit poorly over the weekend....we had plans to go to London to catch up with friends, and to my cousin's 30th fancy dress party, but the 'flu kept me confined to base camp, without much energy to do a lot.....
 
Today I'm back painting brooches....
 

 
And organising some other bits and pieces, ready for The Secret Vintage Fair which I'll be trading at this Saturday...
 
 
Available for sale for the first time will be my new cotton tote bags...
 
Johnny & Joan - Grace Drayton
 
Sailor Girl - Dottie Dollie Original

Mabel Lucie Attwell Collage
 
If you come along, you may well need one or two to put all of your new found treasures in!!
 


Wednesday, 13 March 2013

Vintage Silver Charms

We have a vast number of vintage silver charms now in stock, so if you are a collector, or if you are looking for an unusual gift for a special someone we should be able to help you out.....
 
There are too many to list on Etsy very quickly, so I will be putting some on Facebook where you can buy them via Paypal Invoice.
 
Vintage Silver Animal Charms

Vintage Silver Charms -  Slippers, Cars & Boats

 Vintage Silver Charms
 
Vintage Silver Charms - Shoes

Vintage Silver Charms

 
Vintage Silver Charms
 
All of the above charms pictured above would be £8.00 each, or any 3 for £20.00 +p&p
 
I'm pretty sure we have something for every occasion, and every taste.....they make great pendants as well as bracelet charms.
 
We have moving charms, opening charms, crystal and enamel charms. Some of the opening charms would be ideal for hiding secret love notes in.........
 
 
Please let me know if you are searching for something specific and I will see what I have in stock.

Monday, 11 March 2013

Brooches Galore

Finished painting my new batch of brooches.....
 
Greta & Edith

Cutie Clown

Cutie Bunny

Elise

Cutie Kittie

Cutie

Matilda

Molly

Dollie Brooches


Saturday, 9 March 2013

Ron Sims - Visual Genetics

We went along to The Minories Art Gallery this morning as Ron Sims was giving a talk on the last day of his exhibition, Visual Genetics.
 
Ron's work has been filling almost the whole gallery since January, including the cafe, corridors and the upstairs ballroom.
 
 
It was great to walk the entire exhibition this morning with Ron, who explained how his work has developed over time, starting with works produced during the 1960's when he attended Colchester School of Art.
 
Ron Sims - 1965/66
 
Work from this period was figurative, but beginning to head toward the hard edged, dark and light images.
 
As time progressed, the pictures became far more "cubist", with the structure of the inside and outside of the subject being visible, in an almost architectural style.
 
Ron Sims - Colour Studies
 
The colours in Ron's work are beautiful, a mixture of harmonious colours, contrasting colours, and even simple tonal blends.
 
 
Some images are easy to "decipher", but others only become apparent after reading the title, and taking a few steps back!
 
Ron Sims - Cat with Whiskers  & Vicarage Dog
 
Ron Sims - Yawning Dog & Dog Howling at The Moon
 
Although there are lots of dogs, cats, horses and even a hamster on show Ron revealed that he doesn't have a pet himself.
 
Ron Sims - Long Thin Cowboy
 
Although I have to say that the paintings are my favourite, there were also a number of printworks in the exhibition, and Ron teaches printmaking at Gainsborough's House in Sudbury.
 
Ron Sims
 
Although the exhibition is closing today, there will be another chance to see some of Ron's work later in the month. A selection of work from the exhibition will be shown at the Art Workers Guild in Bloomsbury from the 18th - 23rd March 2013.