Eileen Sedgwick

Miss Havisham

2012-02-07T09:56:00.000-08:00

Lay Lady Lay

2012-01-31T07:30:00.000-08:00

The Veil of Isis

2012-01-27T13:52:00.000-08:00

The Watch-Maker

2012-01-12T03:00:00.001-08:00

Wild Thing

2011-12-05T06:09:00.000-08:00

90cmx90cm mixed media on paper

Swan

2011-11-01T08:42:00.000-07:00

2011-10-20T03:40:00.000-07:00

Rosie Lee

2011-10-06T06:13:00.000-07:00

Rosie Lee applies the finishing touches to his make up before taking to the stage!
A 12th scale commission figure for a pantomime dame/drag queen putting on make up.
He was great fun to make and is now 'on tour' demonstrating wares at a doll-fair near you ;))

Cri de Coeur

2011-10-05T14:25:00.000-07:00

....beyond hope and fear standing in the wasteland of her life, war burned bitter and acrid in her throat...from the very depths of her soul she uttered a cry which seemed to fill the whole world...

War

2011-09-13T07:40:00.000-07:00

Have started a new piece based on recent events and books read...it's a standing figure with a gesture of anguish or rage

Mad Girls Love Song

2011-08-02T01:46:00.000-07:00

I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead

I think I made you up inside my head

Sylvia Plath

The Golden Child

2011-06-28T03:03:00.000-07:00

...I was in a long line that had no beginning and no end...I saw behind me those who had gone, and before me those who were to come...I looked back and saw my mother, and her mother, and all our mothers, and infront to see my daughter, and her daughter, and the daughters upon daughters beyond....and their eyes were my eyes.....

( inspired by Richard Llewellin's 'How Green was my Valley' )

The Golden Child

2011-06-28T02:45:00.001-07:00

I'm Back!! A new drawing 'The Golden Child' to mark a special moment in my family...this is a drawing about Alchemy...change, regeneration, transformation...about what is really important and precious in your life ;)

Retreat

2011-05-12T03:49:00.000-07:00

I've not posted much lately I know, and I'm sad to say due to recent events that I have stopped creating any art at the moment. I hope this may change, and if it does I will be back, but until that happens I will be spending a lot less time on the internet. I'm not cutting myself off completely, but please expect delays if you ask me anything ;) I'm very grateful to all my friends who have been so kind with their encouragement and support.

'when you lose one blessing, another is often unexpectedly given in it's place' C.S.Lewis

If you need to contact me I can be reached through the 'contact' page of my website:

www.eileensedgwick.com

TTFN :)

The Swan Maiden

2011-02-20T12:24:00.000-08:00

Caer Ibormeith...the swan maiden

2011-02-20T12:18:00.000-08:00

Caer Ibormeith...the Swan Maiden

Celtic Irish princess....

White Lady costuming...

2011-02-14T10:45:00.000-08:00

Working on the costume for the white lady today

White Lady

2011-02-11T04:58:00.001-08:00

A new figure, a lady dressed in white. She will be one of my mixed media, textural ones I think :)

Rumplestiltskin

2011-02-01T10:00:00.000-08:00

Rumplstiltskin comes to collect the Queen's child

Chief Bromden

2011-01-17T09:22:00.000-08:00

The glass splashed out like bright cold water baptizing the sleeping earth. 'Geese up there white man. You know it. Geese this year...and last year...and the year before and the year before...and I knew this time I had them beat.'
Chief Bromden
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey

Male Study

2011-01-07T05:29:00.000-08:00

A3 study in pencil

Christmas Edition of AIM magazine

2010-12-03T09:50:00.001-08:00

The Christmas edition of the Artisans in Miniature

magazine is now available to read here:

http://www.artisansinminiature.com/issue10.html

I know I seem to say this every time...but it's the biggest one yet! 148 pages of brilliant miniatures with something for everyone and all absolutely free as ever!

Artisans in Miniature Advent Calendar

2010-12-01T06:07:00.000-08:00

http://www.artisansinminiature.com/

The AIM Advent calendar is available from today...

...each door will reveal a different miniature project

as usual it's totally free of charge!!

'Who is this Harlequin?' said the Ticktockman

2010-11-30T04:04:00.000-08:00

"And so it goes. And so it goes. And so it goes goes goes goes goes tick tock tick tocktick tock and one day we no longer let time serve us, we serve time and we are slaves of the schedule, bound into a life predicated on restrictions because the system will not function if we don't keep the schedule tight."
('repent Harlequin!' said the ticktockman by Harlan Ellison)

Inspired partly by that story ... a celebration of civil disobedience!

Harlequin further details

2010-11-30T03:52:00.000-08:00

The Harlequin laughed and laughed, and apologised profusely....everyone was dumped thisway and thataway in a jackstraw tumble, still laughing, popping little jellybeans of childish colour into their mouths...it was a holiday, a jollity, an absolute insanity, a giggle, but.....

Standing at the Crossroads

2010-11-22T10:38:00.000-08:00

12th scale figure of Baron Samedi, Vodan Loa of death and resurrection, keeper of the eternal crossroads.

Baron Samedi

2010-11-22T06:10:00.000-08:00

I standin' here waitin' baby
With my heart right in my hand
Been thinking 'bout my baby
But she's out with another man

Wuthering Heights

2010-11-06T12:23:00.000-07:00

Cathy and Heathcliff from Emily Bronte's novel Wuthering Heights.

"I was going to the Grange one evening...a dark evening threatening thunder

...and just at the turn to the Heights I encountered a little boy with sheep and two lambs crying terribly....'There's Heathcliff and a woman yonder, and I daren't pass them!"

'I know that ghosts have wandered on earth.....'

Wuthering Heights

2010-11-03T09:40:00.001-07:00

I first read Wuthering Heights in about 1976 and it has been my favourite book ever since...Heathcliff has always been the love of my life...carved 'in a wild workshop...the crag took human shape...dark and frowning, terrible and beautiful...the moorland moss clothes him and heath with blooming bells and balmy fragrance grows faithfully close to the giant's foot' .

( currer bell)

I have dared to try to create him at last....

November AIM magazine

2010-11-02T10:02:00.000-07:00

November's Artisans in Miniature magazine is out again!

As usual packed with wonderful things including an article on my friend Jain 'the Giddy Kipper' and dolls by Julie of Bellabelle Dolls :0)

I also loved the miniature potter feature...114 pages of amazing stuff, and all completely FREE as ever to download from here:

http://www.scribd.com/full/40665430?access_key=key-67pda06urjyqo04jdk2

Jimi Hendrix

2010-11-01T08:17:00.000-07:00

I think I've completed the study of Jimi...

there are some words in the background taken from 'love or confusion' which relate to the story of Icarus... as does the verse :0)

Drawing Jimi

2010-10-30T16:20:00.000-07:00

I started a drawing of Jimi Hendrix about a week ago... and I took him on holiday this week and have been working on the face...this is another wip as a few folks have asked me how he was going ;0) It's really quite a simple pencil study...about 90cm square...to make me really look carefully at his face...he's another figure I am just aching to make soon :0)

Voodoo Chile...the Demon Lover

2010-10-20T14:16:00.001-07:00

A 'seasonal' theme for Samhain and All Soul's towards the end of the month...'the demon lover'. ...it's a muse about what constitutes 'reality', the power of the mind, about taboos, and a few other things...

It's linked to the voodoo chile song...and I also found a poem by Sylvia Plath which is wonderful too 'On Looking into the Eyes of a Demon Lover'

Eliza

2010-10-13T15:07:00.000-07:00

A young woman c1896 ...
...perhaps off to work in a flower shop.

"I want to be a lady...
I'm a good girl I am!"

Venus in Furs

2010-10-12T15:41:00.000-07:00

A drawing using the song by the velvet underground 'Venus in Furs' as a starting point...although this is not Severin and Wanda...this is perhaps more likely the Unknown Man from the original book... I wanted the image to say something about strength in vulnerability, trust and intimate love....amongst other things...

Dionysus...the Green Man

2010-10-03T11:03:00.000-07:00

I love stories about the green man...found in so many myths legends and other beliefs...here he is as Dionysus the god of wine and grapes...

...he is the dying and returning god...of fertility, sensuous abandon and the freeing of the mind through ecstacy....part of the eternal cycle of life death and rebirth....

" ...I am born in the dark...

...I shine with the sun...

....I burn with desire...

...I have paid for your pleasure"

( william anderson 'the green man')

October AIM Magazine

2010-10-01T04:51:00.000-07:00

The October Artisans in Miniature magazine is available here:

http://www.artisansinminiature.com/

I have an article about one of my recent figures...Old Mother Shipton on pages 104-107

the magazine is free as always...please pass on the link to anyone you know who enjoys miniatures :0)

Reflection

2010-09-30T09:35:00.000-07:00

I feel the need to do some drawing again...

Found this to finish off from 2004...

I've been doing some reflecting recently so it fits!

Gold and rose,

the colour of the dream I had,

not too long ago,

misty blue and lilac too,

never to grow old.

...you smiled...and stole my heart away.

( jimi hendrix)

Who will Buy my Sweet Red Roses...

2010-09-28T07:16:00.001-07:00

A little more done today...

Now all she needs are all those fiddly touches!! :0)

Victorian figure

2010-09-24T03:48:00.000-07:00

Started a new figure ...finally back to doing something after the school holidays. This is a lady roughly 1895, not too wealthy perhaps...still not set in stone at this stage :0)

Aside from this I've been planning lots of new things, so been doing a lot of thinking, but have little to show for it yet! I've been drawing and collecting images for several new directions, so we'll see what comes out of it. I have a fancy for doing some larger 2D things again.

2010-09-02T09:18:00.000-07:00

The latest issue of the Artisans in Miniature magazine is available online! The theme we have this month is 'Childhood Nostalgia' and I'm delighted to have an article in it about my own childhood dollhouse!

Click on the link...it's free as usual :0)http://www.artisansinminiature.com/

Closer details

2010-07-21T09:01:00.000-07:00

I've been asked for some closer views!

Lobster Quadrille

2010-07-19T04:08:00.001-07:00

See how eagerly the lobsters

and the turtles all advance...

They are waiting on the shingle...

...Will you come and join the dance.

Will you, won't you...

Will you won't you join the dance?

Lobster Quadrille...a bit more!

2010-06-17T10:06:00.000-07:00

I can see how she will look now...

...although haven't done a lot more this week...and I'm really liking her facial expression! Her claws are very heavy despite being hollow, so I may have to weight her dress a bit at the bottom/back to stop her toppling over....I'm quite excited now as I think I'm going to really enjoy making this costume! :0)

The Lobster Quadrille

2010-06-12T08:03:00.000-07:00

"You may not have lived much under the sea- and perhaps you were never introduced to a lobster, so you can have no idea what a delightful thing a Lobster Quadrille is!" ...said the Mock Turtle.

Started a new fantasy creature :0)

Old Mother Shipton

2010-05-21T06:37:00.000-07:00

Old Mother Shipton was a famous English Soothsayer....born Ursula Sontheil...many myths and legends have grown up about her in the 500 years since she actually lived. She was said to be hideously ugly with the hooked nose and chin we think of as being witch-like today. She was famous for her prophesies in her own lifetime.

Witch/Seer/Crone

2010-05-13T10:42:00.000-07:00

I've been working on this seated lady today...

I've assembled her roughly to show how she is going so far...

She might be Old Mother Shipton...with a bit of artistic license...

She's a bit fantasy so has quite dramatic features :0)

3 New Figures

2010-05-11T09:18:00.000-07:00

I have made a start on 3 new figures with these new heads. I'm so excited about the man especially as I think he might be handsome enough ( at long last!) for me to make my Heathcliffe and Cathy!!
I made 2 more yesterday, and today some hands for one of them and some more to their bodies...quite pleased with one who is an older woman, possibly will be a witch or an old lady likely to have been accused of being one probably...determined to get darker.....
...she's more fantasy, less realistic...warts and all...

Miniature Painting

2010-05-09T08:47:00.000-07:00

I have started a few new figures this week...but have had a little diversion into miniature painting today..... and have found I enjoyed it very much...so you may see another now and then! As you probably know I trained as a painter so it's not too much of a departure...except you could fit 315 of these into one of my old landscapes hanging at the top of our stairs :0)

Now on Etsy!

2010-04-27T08:20:00.000-07:00

I've finally worked out how to open a shop on Etsy. This is what to look for and here's the link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/EileenSedgwick

At the moment there's not much in it but it's a start!!

BlackAdder

2010-04-06T06:46:00.000-07:00

Lord BlackAdder from series 2

( my favourite!)

There are a few bits still to finish...his sword etc, but he's more or less done, so here are the three of them together at last. I might still do some of the others from the cast, but maybe later as I'm thinking of other things next...

April AIM Magazine

2010-04-03T02:44:00.000-07:00

The new AIM magazine is out again...
... completely free as usual!

Read it here online:

www.artisansinminiature.com/issue10.html

Nomad

2010-04-01T11:27:00.000-07:00

A wandering Brownie...a little person, about life sized at 14 cm...which is why the feathers are big...he has found bits of skins, string , fibres and scraps of fabric and has dressed himself for a cold journey

Baldrick

2010-03-30T04:48:00.000-07:00

Just finished off this old figure...I did Queenie a while ago, and have Nursie and BlackAdder the second on the go as well, but have lost his hands...it will be good to get them all together as a group.

Lady in Red

2010-03-27T02:17:00.000-07:00

Completed the costume for the older lady
seated at a dressing table.
She has very big hair!
She's perhaps going out for the evening...
...or maybe not...
...is she remembering former glory...
...perhaps she's a bit crazy...
I like the uncertainty.

New heads and other WIPs

2010-03-25T06:29:00.000-07:00

I have been working on a number of new figures recently including 4 new heads finished this morning. The portly gentleman was originally meant to be seated at a table making toys, but I've been having other thoughts perhaps for him now. The lady in the huge knickers is wearing the Victorian boots I will feature in a 'how to make boots' post soon. I like to have a few things on the go at any one time. :0)

Lady at a dressing table

2010-03-25T06:20:00.000-07:00

An older lady, who will be wearing a corset, at her dressing table.
She is a seated figure, and I've been trying to really get her to sit with some 'weight' on her chair. She is either applying powder or lipstick so has pursed up her lips.

Cinders and Prince Charming

2010-03-12T06:15:00.000-08:00

Cinderella and Prince Charming arriving at the Grand Ball... these traditional pantomime characters are wearing cream silk costumes styled roughly mid 1700s and have white elaborate wigs

2010-03-11T09:51:00.000-08:00

Thank you Julie from http://jakdawsattic.blogspot.com/

who is herself a wonderfully creative person XXX

The rules of the award are:

1 Thank the person who gave it to you

2 Copy the logo to your blog

3 Link to the person who nominated you

4 Name 7 things about yourself that nobody knows

5 Nominate 7 Kreative bloggers

6 Post Links to the 7 blogs you nominate

7 Leave a comment on each of those blogs letting them know you've nominated them.

Well here are my 7 things you might not know about me.....

1 I am related to Sir Ian Botham (rofl)

2 I love Warthogs

3 I have a scar on my forehead but not quite as good as Harry's.

4 I used to do a lot of ballroom dancing BEFORE it was trendy!

5 I was once a member of MENSA

6 I am a Coeliac :0(

7 I love making compost

and here are my 7 nominated lovely blogs:

1 http://a-faerietale-of-inspiration.blogspot.com/

2 http://mollamari.blogspot.com/

3 http://artisansinminiature.blogspot.com/

4 http://willowshimmer.blogspot.com/

5 http://allthingsdoll.blogspot.com/

6 http://wwwmarilynradzat.blogspot.com/

7 http://5preciousthings.blogspot.com/

Spring is coming

2010-03-02T10:38:00.000-08:00

5 Figures dancing with a garland

Some older figures which have been sitting looking at me for long enough. I have tidied them into a little vignette and they look quite merry...maybe I've been inspired watching Lark Rise, or perhaps it's the birds singing and the frogs returning to the pond, but spring seems finally to be in the air after a long cold winter.

Greetings!

2009-12-27T01:54:00.000-08:00

Bit quiet from me for a little while as computor has fried itself and I'm popping by from laptops etc. Hopefully I will be up and running again with new drives in the new year again ...meanwhile wishing everyone all the best for the new year! XXX

Pet Feeds and stock for Peacock's Pet Shop!

2009-12-18T09:49:00.000-08:00

I have had great fun today creating some 'stock' for my daughter's little pet shop to go with the figures. I'm pleased with the dog leads, the hay bales and the fish holiday feeding blocks made from bits of eraser! I have been making some shelving and wall hanging 'hooks' etc to put it all on display so she can just stick them to the walls of the shop. I'm hoping this will inspire her to make some more things herself...those lovely little bone shaped chews in fimo for example I might just mention, and see what happens....

'Real' toys for a change!

2009-12-17T04:19:00.000-08:00

A couple of figures...Mr and Mrs Peacock who will live above the shop and run Peacock's Pets...my daughter's doll house creation! They have (mostly) removable clothing which has been a new challenge, and so have got to be a bit broad about their middles with all that spare material in the extra seams, elastic etc...but never mind ;0)

They have aprons for the kitchen and shop, and some of their clothes come off so they look like they have nightwear for bedtime...just looking at him now his head looks a bit chilly so I think I will make him a nightcap too LOL

Well they are for Christmas so shhhhh!!

Happy Christmas everyone! XXXXX

Making an Exhibition of myself !

2009-12-01T06:56:00.000-08:00

Hello....today 2 lovely things to announce!

Firstly the new AIM magazine for december is out, and I am thrilled to say that I have a doll on the cover, my Scrooge, and there is a feature on me inside and lots more pictures of my figures. I'm extremely honoured, and grateful to all the magazine team for this wonderful opportunity!

Link to the magazine: http://www.artisansinminiature.com/

AIM also have joined blogland so to follow there: http://artisansinminiature.blogspot.com/

The second thing is a little exhibition of my work in Brackley Library. This will be open throughout december, with closures around christmas, so if by some strange coincidence you happen to find yourself in South Northamptonshire this month, you could see some figures 'in the flesh' LOL

Old faces New settings

2009-11-18T09:43:00.000-08:00

I have been resetting some of my older figures into new settings, today I've done the cluedo characters and my Red version of Marilyn Monroe into a couple of wooden box frames which I have collaged with images inside and out. I'm doing a little show in the town next month and I need some things which will hang on the wall spaces as well as things to fill the cabinets...no problem there LOL.

Remembrance

2009-11-06T01:37:00.000-08:00

Almost complete, but posting anyway in time for Poppy Day

Other News: the new AIM magazine is out and can be read online here www.artisansinminiature.com it is the biggest we have had so far!

I also noticed one of my pictures on this beautiful site:

http://a-faerietale-of-inspiration.blogspot.com

Thanks very much for featuring me Ruthie!

It's a lovely place for ideas and inspiration and has a link to the 5 Beautiful things blog also!

Queenie

2009-10-20T08:44:00.001-07:00

Queenie...

2009-10-20T08:42:00.000-07:00

More work on the wreath...still need to do more on the medals

Harry is coming along....

2009-10-15T04:57:00.000-07:00

Harry is sculpted and now I am trying to dress him...agh another shirt and tie and mansuit!! My favourite...NOT! Then there will be a wheelchair....oh my!

I have done the basic structure to build my wreath around and support the figure...collaged the backing and have found some red fabrics to start work on the poppies.

Costuming the Tudor characters

2009-10-14T06:45:00.000-07:00

More to the Tudor Characters Group...I was pleased with the waistline fit on this lady figure...although now I've obscured it a bit with more strings of beads round her neck!! Silly me ;0) Temporarily ran out of beads yesterday, so started on the leading male figure...he will have mainly black clothing.

Several New Pieces Begun

2009-10-13T06:15:00.000-07:00

Remembrance Wreath

As it comes closer to Poppy Day I've been thinking a lot about the piece I wanted to make last year. I was very sad when Harry Patch died as I started planning when he was still with us, and this week we have had some very sad family events as well, and it has just tipped me into making a start on my tribute. It will be a very simple idea really, and I have been working so far on the supporting work which will frame my central figure.

2009-10-13T05:41:00.000-07:00

This week I have been mostly sculpting heads :0)

...the top 4 characters are to be part of a group, with possibly 2 other figures I've yet to model...the rather mournful face top left in the next picture is to be another version of the moustachioed guy...under mournful man is my first try at really mastering 24th scale...wow it's very small!! Not sure if it's right for me yet. The other 3 females in that line are destined to be historical characters I think, the middle one's another Elizabeth 1st, and maybe one might be another art-doll. The bottom ones are another witch who still needs finishing, and a lady with a gentle face with her hands who I have some ideas for but still not completely fixed yet.

2009-10-08T06:52:00.000-07:00

The October Magazine is out here:

http://www.artisansinminiature.com/

This is a Halloween Special with things to make, things to amuse....and beautiful things just to look at...or inspire!

2009-09-20T04:56:00.000-07:00

I have been resetting these figures too into a box frame this week. I made the Addams family in early 2008...they are based on the original TV series I loved when I was a little girl. They will also be on display at Miniatura at the NEC on the 3rd and 4th of October as part of a 'Spooky' themed display on the doll artists and miniature enthusiasts stand. They cannot be sold at the show but if anyone's interested they are available!

2009-09-20T04:48:00.000-07:00

Back to work after the school summer break!
Getting back into it with firstly another pedlar doll similar to one I made a while ago, and then a traditional dollhouse figure from about 1907 in pink silk.
These two will be amongst some on display by me at the NEC at Miniatura this year, these are for sale on the British Toymaker's Guild stand...maybe with some others but I've not quite decided which yet!
Eileen

2009-08-02T02:22:00.000-07:00

The new AIM magazine is out! Please click on the link below to go and read...it's our biggest ever and one of the best...lots of miniatures projects and features...I've managed to get in it twice...so very pleased! :0)
http://www.artisansinminiature.com/

Emilie Floge

2009-07-01T08:20:00.000-07:00

Emilie Floge is finished! I haven't made the backdrop for the time being, going to think about that later maybe if I feel she still needs it. The dress has some long draping pieces at the back which I thought might add something extra to the rear view, and also help link her to the base, which is covered in the same material I made up for her dress. In the original painting she is so very tall, and the base helps give her more height and slenderness, and I've twisted the pose a little more to give a bit more movement.

Emilie Floge again now!

2009-06-30T06:40:00.001-07:00

Been working on Emilie Floge again this week, although very short on free time at the moment so progress painfully slow! Really only the hair to go now and little final things like getting her to stand on the base. There was just enough material to cover the box in the bit I didn't need for the dress......I should have made more as it was literally cutting it fine. LOL.
In the original painting she is extremely tall and thin, so this will help create that effect whilst still having her have natural proportions underneath. I wasn't going to show her feet at all when I started but got a bit carried away with the shoes, so now there will be a little peep hole where you can look under the hem and see them with some twinkly bits too on the underskirt as a little hidden suprise :0)

2009-06-19T12:08:00.000-07:00

Finally finished today...the rather irritated looking Waspies!

2009-06-16T06:48:00.000-07:00

Made black underskirts, and now working on the backs of the dresses which will be their wasp bottoms! Doing 2 different techniques but still basically the same colour/shape. First one is using reverse applique which seemed like a good idea at the time, but has taken ages!! Embroidered round the openings and beaded here and there. Next one is a collage of mixed materials again embroidered and a few beads just up the middle line.

2009-06-07T07:30:00.002-07:00

Red knickers now, and a bit more trim!

Working on underskirts next which will be black.

Waspies

2009-06-07T07:30:00.001-07:00

Started some other figures based on drawings of wasps...they're half human half wasp and their faces have turned out a bit more scarey than I originally imagined but I'm still quite happy with the way they are looking so far...they will have big skirts based on the lovely waspish pattern of course which I'm looking forward to making.

Started some new pieces

2009-06-07T07:30:00.000-07:00

Made a start of 3 new pieces...

2 fantasy creations based on wasps (!)

and another based on the work of Klimt...oh I love him!!

This is based on the one of Emilie Floge with the gorgeous blue swirling fabric which I've started to recreate on some pale blue silk. I also have the head and upper body sculpted this time as the dress is a bit cut away at the front. There's a huge patterned disc behind her in the painting which I think is part of the background rather than a bizarre collar! You can never be too sure...lol...so may have to do some sort of backdrop??

2009-06-05T07:51:00.000-07:00

I have had this award a few times ( blush!)

Thank you VERY much to those who gave it to me!

I would like to say thankyou to some of the people who have inspired/supported and encouraged me over the last 6 years or so of doll-making by nominating them too, even if they're had one before, a big THANKYOU!! to my lovely dolly friends! All their websites are well worth a visit. EileenXXX

Julie at http://www.bellabelledolls.co.uk/

Debie at http://www.piskiesandpoppets.com/

Jacqui at http://www.ebrennelves.co.uk/

Jain at http://www.giddykipperdolls.com/

Julie at http://www.freewebs.com/jakdaws/

Margaret at http://www.treasuredpossessions.co.uk/

Roz at http://www.lilyelf.com/

Jane at http://www.freewebs.com/willowshimmer/

Joy at http://www.adora-bella-minis.co.uk/

Wendie at http://www.wendiesminiworld.webs.com//

and last but not least if she ever finds her way here to see it...JuneXXX

Henry VIII

2009-06-04T08:01:00.001-07:00

Well he is 99% completed now...still want to work a little more on his necklace thing as it's not splendid enough, and looks a bit like a row of tiny jam tarts to me now!! Been really struggling with the faux fur...very bulky...it's been off twice as it was too bulky but I shaved the pile a bit and so he's not so bad now.

I wonder if maybe now his codpiece is too small...but with it being white it's already eye catching so will leave it. ;0)

Pleased with the gloves and sword and the way the hands are working, and his hat...it has the decorations but they're not showing too much in this picture.

EileenXXX

Henry VIII ....Start on the Costuming

2009-05-22T09:51:00.000-07:00

Have made a start on the basic costuming for Henry VIII....

All is going quite well except for the alarmingly large codpiece which will need further attention...don't know how that happened LOL ;0)

Been trying out some other materials for the upper garments too. Bought a toy yesterday which I've chopped up as I liked the fur, although it's a little pale so may need to try to darken it if I can. Found some rather nice crispy gold silk which should go well for his big sleeves. Still a lot of jewellery to add too on the costume itself and the regalia/sword etc.

As it's half term next week don't expect any more for a while!

EileenXXX

Henry VIII

2009-05-19T06:01:00.001-07:00

I've started a few different figures all at once this week as I was in a sculpting mood, but this one is furthest along. Henry VIII ...such a lot of programmes about him about at the moment, but he's been on my to do list for a long while as the costumes are so beautiful. I would love to do the wives too, but we'll see how I get on with Henry first....

Have done his basics...the legs now have kneecaps and are less wonky!...and he has shoes. I've also decided to sculpt the gloves he is holding in the portrait rather than try to make them in leather...trying to imagine how stiff they would have been had they been fabric, and so have gone with the textured clay...is it cheating?? They had to be quite small to get his hand to grip round them too so I squidged them underneath. Have added the rings too. Enjoyed working on the hands and quite pleased with them so far. There's quite a bit of jewellery on the costume itself...may make some of the beads...somewhere I've some gold clay I think....

2009-05-12T05:46:00.000-07:00

The Kiss

Inspired by the beautiful painting by Gustav Klimt this has been a long time coming, but finally finished it this morning. It's twelfth scale, and completely one-of-a-kind, with hand painted silk fabric costumes, embroidered and beaded, and a base painted to compliment the costume of the man. I have chosen to have my figures stand, although I know they were kneeling before, but I liked the extra height, with the base too, which this gave as they are freestanding...unlike the original with the advantage of a background!

I have loved making this as it's been on my to do list for ages! EileenXXX

2009-05-12T05:44:00.000-07:00

Details of The Kiss

Costumes for the new one

2009-05-06T06:31:00.000-07:00

Started working on the costumes for my new figures...no prizes for guessing who this is based on now then LOL...lovely shiney things mmme!! Think I will just go with the painted surface on the man's costume as the lady has a lot of beads and stitches. There's a third design in the painting too, although not quite sure who is wearing that bit!

2009-04-29T10:26:00.000-07:00

Started another new piece today with 2 figures in an embrace...no more clues as to what it's going to be yet! LOL...really looking forward to the costuming though ;o)

All my things arrived today from the British Toymaker's Guild...it's so exciting...got a special certificate and everything!! :o)

2009-04-22T10:23:00.000-07:00

I have sent off my forms to join the British Toymaker's Guild today! I was able to be assessed at the Spring Miniatura and was delighted to be accepted. I'm looking forward to being part of the Guild, and to be alongside some wonderfully talented makers.

2009-04-20T06:20:00.000-07:00

This is Bruce Wayne from Batman Begins...I've shown him at the end of the film standing in the ashes of his house with the stethascope at his feet which he is about to discover. He was made specially for a commission. I liked this part of the film, a little sad thinking of what had gone, yet hopeful too, planning a new future.

2009-04-02T04:54:00.000-07:00

One of the figures I was asked to make was another one of Harry Hill from the award winning TV series TV Burp! I'd originally made him for my daughter who is his biggest fan....so I tried this time to have him in a slightly different pose to the first one...here he's doing the "FIGHT!" moment from the middle of the programme when he invites two unlikely characters to wrestle it out infront of the cameras as they go into the break. It's a point which always gets peels of giggles in our house and I hoped it would also amuse his new owner!

A bit of catching up with this year's news so far...

2009-04-02T04:35:00.000-07:00

A little bit of looking back over my shoulder to get up to date!
Last year I joined AIM (artisans in miniature) and IGMA ( international guild of miniature artisans) and DAME ( doll artists and miniature enthusiasts) and also made pages on MySpace and Facebook and updated my own website. I am still also in several other miniature groups and forums.

Earlier this year I had my first figures published in the doll magazines, and had a few figures on display at smaller fairs, and then Dame Edna and the cast of Fawlty Towers at the spring Miniatura show at the NEC. I had an article on one of my Fine Art-inspired dolls in the February AIM magazine too.

At the NEC the British Toymaker's Guild had a stand and I asked to be assessed to join and was delighted to be accepted!

I also accepted my first commissioned figures from someone who wasn't 'friends and family' which was exciting and worrying in equal measure, and I was anxious to do my best!

New venture into blogging....

2009-04-02T04:30:00.001-07:00

I've been persuaded by friends that it would be a good idea to start a blog...
My family already suspect I'm crazy as they think I sometimes talk to myself...
....well now with the written proof they will be left in no doubt!
A big "Helloooo!" to anyone who's listening!

EileenXXX