Parcel from Lorraine - yippee!!

Recently I asked Lorraine over at Dollhouse Miniatures by Dfly Creations to make me some minis. Lorraine's polymer clay work is outstanding - quirky and fun, extremely finely detailed, and so beautifully crafted :)
I had sent Lorraine a parcel recently, and we also included some swaps, both minis and 1:1 items.

When I got this parcel, I was gobsmacked by the contents!!
My first request was for dribbly candles - perfect in all settings!!- and here they are in a lovely beeswax colour, lots of splendid shapes and sizes :)
Next I asked for some barn owl eggs, and these are just unbelievable - they're exquisite, with incredibly subtle colour variations, and are sooo tactile! Lovely!!
And some mistletoe - I realised after I requested this that it was a big ask, being very intricate to make, but again Lorraine worked her magic, and sent these sprigs - they're just so lifelike I can't believe it. I hope she didn't tear her hair out doing this!! :))))
Dragon scrolls - just especially for my future dragon-keeper's room - great detail and wonderfully well made!
I purchased two wands from Lorraine's Etsy shop to include in the order - a curly one and a rustic one - she is the Wand Queen!! I can guarantee that if you buy one you will want more!!! They are very fine!!
But the surprise - Lorraine included her new skull wand in its box!! When I picked myself up from the floor it was still there, I hadn't imagined it! It is just so amazing - my photo doesn't do it justice - the colour is blended from 'bone' to charcoal, and the tiny skull has a character all of its own. The box is a work of art, too - a black velvet lined box with a top to perfectly match the wand. I absolutely love it to bits, and it now has pride of place in my mini collection of very special pieces! :)))))
Not only but also!! As part of the swap, Lorraine (knowing that I like ceramics) generously included a large collection of pots - ceramic, wood and cloisonne - and a watering can and a sweet birdhouse! :))
You can find Lorraine's fabulous work for sale at Etsy here. her work is of the highest quality, and the prices are very friendly!

I am so very pleased with everything you sent me, Lorraine - I can't thank you enough!!! From an extremely happy Glenda :)))

Bird skulls

Mini bird skulls are one of my favourite things - they're not easy to find, so when I recently saw a post on Debbie's blog, Tiny Treasures, about Julie Lawton (aka Cottage Kitty)'s work, I decided to treat myself. I bought these, and wasn't disappointed - they are beautifully made and presented!!
Julie's work is well worth a look :)

Oh my!

I've been shopping and found treasure! This beautiful little lidded box painted in pokerwork style, with a touch of gold, is from Terence Stringer Miniatures (here - click on the miniatures index box). Terence makes woodwares and silverware, and Heather does the exquisite painting.

You have to see to believe - it is so finely made! It is well worth a visit to their site to see the extremely high quality minis! In woodware they have Russian nesting dolls, boxes, dummy boards, dolls, eggs, acorns (I love the one with the sleeping fairy), little buildings with tiny people, and more. As for the silver - wow! Lots!! And all amazing. I love the pens!!
They also have Deco figurines and paintings.

Heavenly creatures

These lovely beasts are handcrafted by Teresa at Northern Lites Miniatures on eBay.

I have had the barn owl for a while, and just bought the little dragon and bat recently for the vampire and dragon themes. They are made with real feathers, fur and leather, and the bat is posable.

A gem in my chaos!!

I took a little time out from packing up our house - we're at the super-messy-we'll-never-get-this-done stage - and checked the mail. Look what the postman brought today - these exquisite turned pieces are from Tom Saunders' Etsy shop Turnings in Miniature. I love them!!

So finely turned and finished in birdseye maple, so nice to the touch.

It's made my day!