Hello to everyone From Joan

I'm Joan from Runcorn in Cheshire. I've been doing dolls houses for about 6-7 years. I've completed 3 rather large houses/shops and am in the middle of my 4th. I have a pub, Cafe', green grocers, hardware, sweet shop and pet shop set into the 3 houses, along with the usual rooms. my biggest and most favourit house has 11 rooms and 5 shops, 2 in the house and 3 in the basement. Unfortunately I ended up giving my Sister one of my shop/houses to accommodate my 4th creatation. This new house is hosting a supermarket in the basement, which Ihave made myself !!

This did however work out rather well because my sister also got into the hobby, well it is very additive isn't it? and this meant I finally had someone to rattle on to and show some of my creations !!

I particularly like butchering (sorry re-designing) my original kits and if I can make something really good from 'the bin' then I'm always delighted. I have spent quite a small fortune over the years, so anything made for free is quite enjoyable. I have a big roses tin with all the possibilities in it and when someone is throwing something away, I'm normally behind them saying, "can I have that I'm sure I could make use of it !! " I think one of the best re-cycle is the plastic covers from electric plugs, I snip them off and cover them with nail art stickers, they look really good on a window ledge etc.

None of my stuff if of an artisan level, but it's not bad and I always say I'm not ever going to sell the stuff so as long as I've enjoyed making it then its worth it, oh and the odd visitor who says ooooooh that's good !! is always welcome and makes me smile.

I have some pictures on Webshots http://community.webshots.com/user/JoanBerry2611 not very upto date at the moment, I tend to post on facebook now.

Joan.

Hello Joan,

it's nice to know that i'm not the only lady that recycles everything and won't let anyone throw things away without my approval lol. It sounds like you've been very busy with your minatures. I to try to make as much as possible for my dolls houses, but i've had terrible trouble trying to find minatures for my hardware shop. What sort of things did you put in yours? I have everything from paint pots to carpet beaters! I decided on a hardware shop as i worked in one till my bosses retired, as with most things i do, it's set in the last century. Any ideas would be most welcome

Val

Hi Joan You sound very busy I will go have a nosey at your pictures. Thankyou in advance for sharing them
I love to recycle things and like you keep anything and everything just in-case. I can't resist old buttons or brooches, I'm intrigued by the plastic plug covers

ps I used to love going over Runcorn bridge as a child. I used to go to school in Widnes

Val wrote:

Hello Joan,

it's nice to know that i'm not the only lady that recycles everything and won't let anyone throw things away without my approval lol. It sounds like you've been very busy with your minatures. I to try to make as much as possible for my dolls houses, but i've had terrible trouble trying to find minatures for my hardware shop. What sort of things did you put in yours? I have everything from paint pots to carpet beaters! I decided on a hardware shop as i worked in one till my bosses retired, as with most things i do, it's set in the last century. Any ideas would be most welcome

Val

Hi Val,

I have made little wooden seed trays, bags of grit, little plant pots, garden ornaments, Brushes and mops and I normally put anything that dosen't fit in the rest of the houses like a spare pan etc. Hope this helps

Joan

pat wrote:

Just had a lovely tour of York Place and your old houses ..Loved it
Thankyou it was magic but I couldn't spot any plug covers oh! I loved the toilet cubicles

The plastic plug covers are a pretty new invention of mine and I don't think I've taken any photos, I think in york place I used beads as my flower vases :-)

Joan

Loved all your houses and shops. I'm all for recycling and have embarassed my children on more than one occasion picking up things in the street. They really had nothing to do with me when I was scooping up broken windscreen pieces in a car park They think that their mum is mad and getting madder but that miniaturists for you, isn't it
Cheers Linda

Minilin wrote:

Loved all your houses and shops. I'm all for recycling and have embarassed my children on more than one occasion picking up things in the street. They really had nothing to do with me when I was scooping up broken windscreen pieces in a car park They think that their mum is mad and getting madder but that miniaturists for you, isn't it
Cheers Linda

Thankyou Linda. I must try and update them when I get time.

Joan

Val ,

here is an enameled pitcher for your shop :
http://les-miniatures-de-victoria.oldiblog.com/?page=lastarticle&id=844771

Here is a wooden bucket:
http://home.howstuffworks.com/craft-stick-projects6.htm

You can also make buckets out of thin cardboard and paint them metallic silver , here is how to :
http://picasaweb.google.nl/vanleeuwen.joke/WorkshopEmmertjes#

Hope this helps !
Cheers,
Elly

Hi Joan,

your miniatures are wonderful ! I had a lovely time touring your pictures.

Hugs, Rita
GSOLFOT club

www.rwgermini.de