Friday, 7 September 2012

Some Lovely Old Miniatures!

At last I have managed to get my act together and today have been able to begin listing some antique/vintage miniatures onto KT Miniatures website. A mixed bag of items of various eras and types but equally rather lovely, some of which I have shown below.
 

First up is a Victorian leather and metal framed photograph under glass- the inner metal frame part can be removed from the outer stitched leather frame which makes this quite versatile. Although the photograph has almost completely faded, if held at an angle to the light one can just make out the ghostly image of two ladies in rather splendid hats in front of a building. Even though at first glance the photo kind of appears black, this would look great hanging on an old dolls house wall.

 There is also a gorgeous Victorian soft metal frame which gives someone a wonderful opportunity to frame one's own painting or family photo.These frames simply do not come along very often.

Next is this wonderful 1930s German bakelite wireless that was originally a pencil sharpener, so evocative of the era and highly sought after. Isn't it fabulous?! The tiny metal control knob turns the little dial.


Although this started life as a pencil sharpener, if you unclip the metal backplate you will find that the inner sharpening mechanism is long gone. But I don't think the inhabitants of an old dolls house would mind...do you?

And how about this pair of c1930s metal napkin rings (& napkins)? The napkins are simply bits of very old material rolled and insignificant on their own, as it is the napkin rings themselves that are the stars! Just imagine how many of these would be lost in young hands.....they are so teeny, one sneeze and they could disappear in seconds!

 From an entirely different era altogether is this rarey seen metal tv aerial. In fact I have to admit that I have not handled one quite like this before and at first glance, assumed that it was homemade but now on close inspection feel that it could actually have been manufactured. Has anyone every seen a dolls house aerial like this before.....if so, do get in touch, would love to hear your comments?
All the above can be found on the Antique 1/12th Living & Dining Room Page.


Then there is this wonderful c1915 metal bed with bedding including a mattress. What is really sweet about this bed is that it has embossed cherbubs at each end of the bed ends.
This can be found on the Antique 1/12th Bedroom Page.

Moving onto some miniature delights with a difference. This lead farm set is undoubtedly old however, quite old I am not sure but there is a price of 3/6 written in pencil on the backing card.....so maybe about the 1930s? What is really whacky though is that the scale is wonderfully all over the place. The lady is the same height as the hen, the chicken is the same height as the pig etc......!! So, whoever takes this on will have to be of the mindset where scale does not matter. It appears that these pieces have never been played with as they are still fixed to the backing card...although saying that, one or two pieces do appear to have some slight wear to the paintwork.
This can be found on the Antique 1/32 Lead Page.

And finally......I have listed a whole section of wonderful c1930s Taylor & Barrett metal items, most of which have come from a lovely lady who had these from childhood and were much cherished. It is time for them to go to a good home. So, here are just a few of the items below...
 
 
 
Gas cooker with opening door and plate rack plus a wonderful fridge with both of those very elusive metal interior shelves.
 
A complete metal fireplace with fender and more importantly a rare fire fret......these tiny frets are fragile so broke easily in young hands as well as small enough to be mislaid quickly.
 
A companion set with tools.......including real bristles in the brush. Plus there is a coal box and lid - very rarely do them come along these days all intact.
 
Then there is this gas fire. Could look good with both 1/12th and 1/16th fireplaces.
 
These and more can be found on the Vintage 1/16th Barrett Page.

It is good to be back!!!!!
Celia

Tuesday, 28 August 2012

The Creaky Doors On KT Miniatures Open Once More!


Well....it's been a while hasn't it?
 Plans of opening before the end of July rapidly disintegrated into total disarray as recovery from surgery went utterly pear shaped.  I have spent almost all of the summer largely in a prone position unable to do a damn thing which means that KT Miniatures has been at a complete standstill for more than eight weeks now. So it's imperative that I at least endeavor to get going again somehow, even if only in a small way (no pun intended- honest)!  Unfortunately I'm limited on what I can do but my first task is to reply to a backlog of emails that have come in during the past 2 months. Then I hope to turn my attention to the website.

As I am unable to perch at my work bench, creating for the moment is completely out of the question - therefore sorry but I am currently unable to take on any commissions. Plus sitting at my desk with the main computer is impossible for longer than 5 mins at a time (even when gloriously tanked up on painkillers). 

But the good news is that I now have a spanking new laptop from which I can sit in comfort with so at  the very least should be able to deal with emails/enquiries. Shortly I hope to start listing some vintage stock to various sections on KT Miniatures website.  New recent additions will be listed on the scrolling news box found on the left hand sidebar of my website pages, as they go live. I will be easing in gradually so please don't expect a huge amount immediately.

A QUICK NOTE ABOUT OUR WORKSHOPS
You will have seen in an earlier posting on KT Miniatures Journal that our September workshop has been postponed but I can confirm that a new date has been set for October 28th. Everyone who would have been affected were contacted by my workshop colleague Robin Britton. Apologies again for any inconvenience but sadly this could not be avoided. Booking has closed on this workshop but booking is now open for our wonderful all day Christmas Special workshop that is taking place in Thame on Saturday November 24th....this will be very different indeed!!!!
Part of the little scene will be a unique Edwardian style fireplace with our own mock tiles based on real tiles from the era.

So....please CLICK HERE to view details of
As always, places are limited so please do get in touch asap if you would like to come. There is a downloadable booking form on the above link.

AND FINALLY.......
I just have to say thank you once more to everyone who emailed and posted such wonderful messages of support and cards over the past few weeks. There were literally dozens and dozens both online and coming through my letterbox from all over the world..... no I'm not kidding! I've been totally overwhelmed at times.

Just a few of the lovely cards that came through my letterbox.
Unfortunately I was not able to reply to any of you so please take this message as one very massive collective THANK YOU  for your kindness!  Plus my apologies  to anyone who may have been inconvenienced in any way from my temporary closure and am grateful for your continued patience.

So..... I guess I can say that the creaky doors of KT Miniatures have been cautiously opened and I look forward to hearing from you all once more. I may not be able to reply immediately but will get back to you as soon as I can.

Celia

Wednesday, 1 August 2012

KT Miniatures Remains Closed For The Moment

Dear Customers
KT Miniatures remains closed for the moment due to a setback in recovery from surgery.  Sorry but I am not able to reply to emails or answer phone enquiries whilst I remain closed.
Please note that it has been necessary to postpone our September workshop and an alternative date is being arranged for October. Robin Britton will contact all those who have already booked and will be affected.  Plus it has been necessary to cancel the advertised October workshop. As you can appreciate this decision has not been made lightly and we apologise for any inconvenience. For further information concerning these changes, please see our workshop website: www.miniatureworkshops.com

Thank you for your continued patience.

Celia 

Saturday, 30 June 2012

Back Again In A Short While But It's Goodbye From Me For Now!

As I close the little creaky doors on KT Miniatures for a short while, I must first of all thank EVERYONE for all the wonderful messages sent over the past few days. What a lovely lot you are! Even though I wasn't able to reply to every single one, they cheered me up no end.  Have particularly enjoyed your very helpful tips on various tonics, relaxation techniques and how to cope with the boredom of convalescence. I shall certainly be giving one or two of these a go!
Have been feeling so rotten lately that am more than ready for the surgery next week now but am confident that I will be back very soon.

QUICK WORD ABOUT OUR WORKSHOPS
Before I go....can I please draw your attention to our Nostalgia In Miniature Workshops which now  have a full calendar of  autumn/winter workshops organised.  Booking has literally just opened on our November Christmas Special too....

This all day Christmas workshop will take place in Thame (Oxfordshire) based on that old time music hall song "When Father Papered The Parlour" (c1910) but we have given it a bit of a Christmas twist! Please contact Robin Britton for all workshop enquiries whilst I'm offline - her contact details and full information on all workshops including downloadable booking forms,  can be found on our
Nostalgia In Miniature Workshops website.

To get you in the mood, here is Billy Williams singing that wonderful song...guaranteed to make you smile!

Well that's it folks....
KT Miniatures is now temporarily closed for business.
I hope to be open again by the beginning of August, if not before. Look out for the "open for business again" announcement on here, on the Home Page of KT Miniatures website plus KT Miniature's emailed newsletter (you can subscribe by clicking on the link found on the left hand sidebar of my web pages). Sorry but I will not be able to respond to emails, comments on this blog or phone calls now that I'm closed but feel free to carry on perusing KT Miniatures website in my absence and enjoy!
Bye For Now
Celia

Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Advance Warning - KT Miniatures Closing For A While!

Dear Customers
This is an advance warning to let you know that KT Miniatures will be closing for business temporarily on 30th June 2012 for probably most of July, whilst I undergo some surgery.   


During that time I will not be able to deal with enquiries or accept orders either by phone or online, sorry. However, the website will remain visible and you can continue to enjoy perusing all the pages of KT Miniatures.  I have already begun winding down so no more new stock will be listed now or at any time whilst I am closed. All outstanding transactions  will need to be concluded before I close on the 30th so I will be in touch if this affects you.

But hey don't worry.......I shall be back open for business before you know it, fighting fit and raring to go with lots more lovely goodies for sale. It is my intention to open again as soon as possible but at the moment, not sure when that will be. Look out for an "open again announcement" via newsletter, KT Miniatures Journal and of course on KT Miniatures Home Page.

 Thank you for your patience and understanding meanwhile.
Regards
Celia