Adora Bella Minis

I love Pinterest :)

2012-02-15T00:37:00.000-08:00

What a fantastic idea Pinterest is. No more book marking for me & forgotten tutorials, saved and never to be looked at again.

I've discovered a new love. Embroidering on felt. I've just finished a glasses case for a present for my Aunt and I'm totally hooked. I've brought quite a lot of wool mix felt scraps off ebay at a bargin price yesterday. I'm now on the look out for threads & tiny beads. I think I'll be able to add my own felting, ribbons charms etc too ...... Endless possibilities :)

The pattern for the glass case & my inspiration for the design is also pinned to my. Pinterest board.

Here is my glass case. The colours are a little dull but that's all the felt I had at the time.

Wizard to go with the little Helper

2012-02-07T10:19:00.000-08:00

Just got this wizard finished to go with the helper I made a few days ago.

Both the wizard and his helpers shoes are made from leather, it's not something I've done before I usually make all my shoes from clay.

Cook and Scullery Maid in 12th Scale

2012-02-06T12:37:00.000-08:00

The clay would not do as I asked for a couple of days and I could not get a little Wizards head how ever hard I tried so I changed tactic and made two little female faces instead :)

These two are commission pieces and I'm just waiting to see if my customer likes them.

I've now managed to get a little wizards face sculpted & I've got the fabric chosen to start putting him together and dressing him tomorrow.

I think I'm going to have to start hunting on ebay for some more suitable Wizards fabric, off to enjoy my kind of retail therapy :)

12th Scale Wizards Helper

2012-02-02T07:19:00.000-08:00

Just got this little fellow finished for a customer. Fingers crossed she likes him. In fact fingers crossed I've emailed the RIGHT customer ;) I wish I was more organized.

I'm quite pleased with his face and feet, but boy do i struggle with hands. I think I might invest in one of those wooden Artists hands. I think one of those hands would look quite good in photo's too better than my own!

Do you recognize this Character?

2012-01-17T12:17:00.000-08:00

Well I started to make a Mad Scientist for a commission but after getting this chap started and wigged I then looked at my orders.....No Scientist but two wizards had been ordered!

As I had already wigged him I decided to dress him in a suit because he was inspired by a certain character. Can you see who?

SOLD

Two Undress 12th Scale Dolls for Sale

2012-01-14T12:17:00.000-08:00

I'm trying soooo hard to get my commissions done. Well I've got one done :) I keep picking off the single ones :)

I've also got to undressed dolls finished. Both Old Dears & they are up for sale on my Groovy Cart Store

I hope someone will like them xxxxx

Vi - 12th Scale Old Dear

2012-01-09T05:40:00.000-08:00

Vi - 12th Scale Old Dear ~ SOLD

Well I'm still not getting on with my commissions. Faces just appear out of the clay & I don't seem to have any say in the matter.

This is Vi (short for Violet) I made her jacket using the felting machine I brought before Christmas. I still need a lot of practice to get the felt a even thickness, but I was quite pleased with the finished jacket.

12th Scale 1940's Girl in Pyjamas

2012-01-07T12:33:00.000-08:00

12th Scale 1940's Girl with Teddy ~ SOLD

I made the miniature teddy which is a replica of the one I had as a child. He even has the leather paw pads.

I decided teddy needed a new home, he can't live here tucked away in a box so his old fashion companion was made :) I've not made a child in that era before & really enjoyed making her.

She took me a couple of days to make & dressed & I'm please to say her a teddy have found a lovely home.

Trying Out A New Shopping Cart

2011-12-30T21:05:00.000-08:00

I've finished a few Undressed dolls off and put them up on a new shopping cart. Groovy Cart

The version I'm trying out is free. You can sell so many items a month free (can't remember how many) I like it very much as it shows items once they have been sold as not available. For quite a reasonable price you can sell up to 500 items and the adverts are removed. No added fee's are taken :O)

The only problem I've had so far is the postage. It does not seem to charge just the one amount if a customer buys more than one doll :(

All but one of the undressed Characters have already sold. More to come in the New Year. I would love it if you would take a look at my new cart & see what you think.

Happy New Year to you all lots of love.........joy x

12th Scale Mr & Mrs Santa

2011-11-30T23:12:00.000-08:00

Just got these two finished and they will be on there way to the US today so long as my customer is happy with them that is.

I brought myself a needle felting machine, Margaret (Murphy's) fault LOL & Santa waistcoat & both their slippers I have been made from the felt I made on it.

No more orders can be taken until after Christmas now & I only have a small window open before I'm busy at work after Chrismas with Valentines Day :( then there's Mothers Day then Easter..........grrrrrrr

Here I Am Again Advertising My New Dolls :)

2011-11-27T11:51:00.000-08:00

This is defiantly the last Dolls to be offered for Sale before Christmas! As I'm soon going to have to work full time at my proper job :( They are in my Creative Store Shop.

All Now ~ SOLD

12th Scale Salvation Army Lady

2011-11-26T09:53:00.000-08:00

I've just got this commission lady finished. I've taken the bonnet from the older style uniform because I liked it . The rest of the uniform I think is more up to date. I think it's what folks call artist license :)

Unfortunately I didn't have any black ribbon in the correct width. I've used some very fine netting. It looks a little frayed in the photo but in real life I don't think it does. Well I hope it doesn't.

Commission Witch

2011-11-19T12:40:00.000-08:00

This little witch is to eventually to have a little pet dragon in her pocket :)

Four New Undress 12th Scale Characters

2011-11-17T04:34:00.000-08:00

My Latest Undressed Dolls

All ~ SOLD

http://www.creativestores.co.uk/Dolls-House-Miniature/
I'm beginning to feel so guilty that I'm just using my Blog to advertise my work :(

New 12th Scale Character Doll - Peggy

2011-11-13T09:55:00.000-08:00

I won some fancy yarn off eBay & I could not resist making a hat, scarf and jacket for this Old Dear.

I've listed her in my Creativestore Shop.

SOLD

12th Scale pumpkin Witch ~ For Sale

2011-10-30T12:15:00.000-07:00

This is my last little doll for sale for a while as I have quite a number of commissions I need to get done.

This little one I think looks a bit better in the hand she is a sweet little Witch with a toothy smile. She is for sale in my Creative Store Shop........joy x

Now ~ SOLD

12th Scale Old Dear ~ Hilda

2011-10-22T10:02:00.000-07:00

I got Hilda finished today the first dressed lady for quite a long while. I made some pretty blue eyes during the week & I was so pleased with them I decided to make a new character.

This is Hilda I'm pleased to say she has already found a new home :)

My First Undressed 12th Scale Children for Sale

2011-10-10T22:06:00.000-07:00

I started off with the idea of making some undressed 24th Scale Dolls but I ended up with a 12th scale Girl & Boy.

I'm going to have to make some teeny eyes before I have another go. The 12th scale ones are way to big but didn't think of that before I set out!

Here are my 12th Scale little girl & Boy. I'm afraid the little girl is already spoken for.

Both ~SOLD now.

Eight New Undressed Dolls For Sale

2011-10-09T12:13:00.000-07:00

Well I've been struggling to work out a solution for selling from my website. I could not get paypal to remove a item for sale once it was sold. Which has lead to a few double sales of some dolls :(

I came across Creative Stores and it's ideal. I'm not to sure how the lady is managing to run it on her own. The cost to list is so low just £1.00 for 5 items a month. £2.50 for up to 50 & for £5 it's unlimited. No commission is taken from your sales either! Why not give the site a try too.

Well here is my new undressed dolls. I hope someone will take a fancy to one or two x

My Website Adora Bella Minis

Four New Undressed 12th Scale Dolls Up For Sale

2011-09-13T00:59:00.000-07:00

Four new one's just finished this morning :) They are all up for sale on my website www.adora-bella-minis.com

All Sold

Two Undressed Old Fella's Available on My Website

2011-09-04T10:12:00.000-07:00

I don't make as many old men as old ladies but I got these two finished a while ago and have just got around to taking their photo's :)

They are both available on my website.

12th Scale Black Mongrel ~ commission piece

2011-09-04T07:17:00.000-07:00

Well this little one has taken me for ever to finish. I'm so pleased she's done. I really don't like working in black as the detail does not stand out well enough. I tried several times to add some curls to her coat but 12th Scale is just to small to take that sort of detail :(

Just waiting to find out if my customer likes her. Here is the photo I had to go by. The lady wanted her laid in a chair with her head resting on the arm.

The Free September Issue of the AIM magazine is out now :O)

2011-09-01T22:18:00.001-07:00

Aim Imag Issue 37 September 2011

Amazing Little Gadget

2011-08-30T23:11:00.000-07:00

My faithful Kodak Easyshare camera final gave up & died. To say I was upset was a understatement it was a very cheap second hand buy off Ebay a number of years ago & it was brilliant for close up shots of my miniature work.

I have another Camera a Canon Powershot A480 a very basic point and shot camera. It takes very good general photo's but it seemed hopeless for close up macro shots. I tried my husbands camera a Pentax Optio E75. Three/four days I wasted trying every setting there was on both camera's and I was not happy at all :(

I read lots of tutorials on how to take a good macro photo and the one thing that seemed to keep cropping up was to use a tripod.

I came across this little tripod on Amazon. It was so cheap at £3.49 that I thought I'd nothing to lose. Free postage too!

Well it's brilliant I love it. I think it will fit most digital camera's that have have a screw in fitting for a tripod. I set the timer and stand back. I don't think the photo's are as good as my Kodak yet but if I keep playing around with the settings i think I'll get there :)

These are photo's taken with my perfect little tripod :O)))))))))) I would recommend this little gadget to everyone.

I'm not too happy with this shot but I think the others are OK.

Office & Workroom is Finished :)

2011-08-18T01:35:00.000-07:00

We have had a sort out & tried to make room in our tiny second bedroom to houses our computers & a work area for me :)

A few years ago we put in the kitchen cupboards and worktop, but I made a big mistake a brought two large desks that took up all of the spare space. So I was working in the kitchen, bedroom, spare bedroom even the hallway in short all the house was a tip!

It was Paul's idea to take out the large desks & I brought two small ones, which gave me the space for a worktable. we put a ariel point in and brought some tiny boxes and I organized all of my trims. No more tipping boxes upside down on the bed searching for items :)

I had even some space for a doll house which Julia's husband made for me & I'm thrilled with it.

Here is my tidy computer desk :)

Here is Paul's untidy area LOL. Books to jack his monitor up & he won't hang the notice board up I brought for him! Men! I've removed quite a bit of junk to take the photo ;)

Our shared worktable very handy for tea and cake :O)

All the cupboards are full of my craft bits.

Fabrics have spilled over to the bedroom wardrobe. I've had a tidy up so I can show you.

I don't think for one minute things will stay as neat as this. Now no more excuses time to get the clay out :O)))))))))

My First Little Dolls House Shop :)

2011-08-14T11:17:00.000-07:00

Julia over at Bearcabinminiatures husband Hywel has made me a beautiful little shop. Isn't it lovely & just perfect for me. I'm hoping to have a little shop one side and maybe a tiny sitting room on the left.

When finished (ha ha) It is quite possible that it will take me several years as I really have not got the foggiest what I'm doing. It will be a back drop for the photo's of my old folk :)

I plan to do a regular blog to show you how it's progressing. Any way this is the beginning :)

PS I've got one new undressed doll up for sale on my website. She's got the giggles about something :O)

2011-08-03T10:59:00.000-07:00

AIM Imag Issue 36 AUGUST 2011

Picture Tutorial For A Felted Bear

2011-08-03T10:15:00.000-07:00

At Long Last Some New Undressed Dolls for Sale

2011-07-26T07:07:00.000-07:00

I've managed at last to get some undressed dolls finished :)

I've got these three little old ladies up for sale on my website

A Family of Mice

2011-06-27T00:14:00.000-07:00

Well these took me for ever to make.

The largest one is 4" tall and was my trial run which was altered many times on the way. I'm now happy with her and I'm going to give her too my Step Mum as a Birthday presents. That why shes holding a basket of flowers & balloons. I felted the balloons in the end after trying different things. As the mouse is mainly felted they don't look too odd.

Her legs and arms are wired and her feet and paws are made fom clay. The only thing I've not made is the flowers but I did make the basket. The flowers are made by Helena of Solway Miniatures and were a gift from my friend Bev. Thank you Bev xxxxx

The family of four undressed mice are for a commission and the customer is going to dress them herself. They are 2" & 3" tall.

Part 2 ~ How to Wet Felt a 12th Scale Hat

2011-06-14T23:24:00.000-07:00

Part Two
I'm sorry I forgot to take enough photo's of this next part.

The Brim ~

First of all I you need to wet felt a flat piece of felt using tiny amounts of Merino wool roving. Using the same method as Part one, laying the wool in different directions.

Soap the fibres then roll it up in your netting and bubble wrap to matte the fibers exactly as you did in Part One. Then leave the felt to dry. I made a piece twice the size of what I need so it allows for errors :)

Sorry I forgot to take photo's here. Try the crown of your hat on to a doll and cut it to the depth you want to fit her head. Make a paper cut out similar to the one below. Place the brim around the crown so they overlap a little & glue into place. the crown should be inside the brim. I use Magna-Tac.

I then dry felted over the join so it becomes almost invisible join. You can add a very small amount of wool roving here and dry felt it in.

You are now ready to decorate it just as you want. There are lots of free crochet flower patterns on the Internet. Unfortunately I could not get my crochet flower small enough, but you get the drift.

I think a very easy wet felted hat to do would be a beret. Just cut out a circular 'hat form' (see part one) cover with cling film & wet felt over it on both sides when it's dry cut out a small circle on one side only large enough to fit over your dolls head.

I will give this a try next and show you the results.......joy x

I'm so pleased I gave wet felting a try as I think it's going to come in very handy for future miniature projects. I've got some wet felted mice's tails to make today :O)

Tutorial on How to Wet Felt a 12th Scale Hat

2011-06-12T09:40:00.000-07:00

First things first I would like to welcome my new followers. Thank you I've now reached a 150 :O)))))

I'm still experimenting with felting 12th Scale hats so this is just part one ~ The Crown. Part two is to follow. I think I might try dry felt the brim on this one but we will have to see.

Items you need ~
Merino wool roving, fine wool is best for wet felting.
Towel.
Length of bubble wrap ~ long enough to fold over its self.
Fine netting similar length to the bubble wrap.
Cling film.
Jug.
Good Soap. I use washing up liquid but when I've read up about felting it's not recommended but it's work OK for me.
14mm wood dowel
A 'hat form'

I padded the top of the dowel with a bit of wadding to form a dome shape, secured it with some thread then wrapped it in cling film.

Put some boiling water in a jug with a squirt of soap. By the time you need it it will have cooled enough for your fingers.

Next I made a shape as below. I've use a thin piece of packing material you could use a thin piece of card if you want. I'm going to call this the 'hat form' It needs to be larger than the finished size you require for the crown as the felt will shrink. Cover it with cling film.

Lay out a towel. On top place the bubble wrap bubbles upwards then the net on top. Next place your hat form on the netting. Make sure you have enough bubble wrap and net to one side so you can fold it over your work again.

Pull off very fine pieces of your Merino roving and place it thinly across your hat form making sure there is extra wool to all sides.

Next lay another thin layer of wool roving in the opposite direction (top to bottom)

Then another thin layer going across the hat form. I did five very thin layers in total for this hat. Each time laying the wool in the opposite direction.

Next use the extra length of net you had to one side and put it over you roving covered hat form so it's sandwiched between the netting.

Next wet the wool with the hot soapy water rubbing it gently in.

Remove the netting carefully and rub a little more in circular movements

Carefully turn your work over.

Next fold the excess wool over

Doing the same in the other direction & the wool should now be coating the whole of the hat form. Gentle rub the soap in that is already on the wool. You will see the wool is already matting together.

Next fold the netting back over the hat form then the bubble wrap. The bubbles should be facing each other.

Now roll up the netting and bubble wrap with the hat form inside and roll the whole thing vigorously back wards and forwards on the towel. Undo the wrap and turn the hat form around. Wrap back up and roll again. Do this several times.

Your wool is now matted together and you will see the card/packing material is now buckled slightly where the wool has shrunk

If your piece is not small enough I dunk it in the hot water again. Don't add any more soap!

Rinse really well. I've read folks now throw the piece at the sink to tighten the fibers even more :)

Next Snip of the bottom of the hat form leaving the rounded top in tacked & remove the cardboard/ packing material you used from inside.

Slip it over the padded top wooden dowel. Stand it up right & place it some where warm to dry

End of part one.

My little felted crown is drying in the airing cupboard. Tomorrow I'll show you the brim.

I hope everyones is still awake ♥

New Button Jointed Bears on Etsy

2011-06-07T23:53:00.000-07:00

I've listed four new Needle Felted Bears in my Etsy Store. They are all Button Jointed Bears the largest is 2 1/4" tall.

Back to Felting Bears

2011-06-04T21:13:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my new followers. Thank you so much for take a interest in my work ♥ I'm afraid I'm not a very good blogger. There is usually a lot more photo's than words :)

I've had a go at wet felting & like everything I try I was hopeless to start off with. In the end I managed to make a few wet felted hats. Lily is wearing one of them :)

I really need to make a little needle dog for a customer she's been waiting for months. Unfortunately when folks want a copy of something I've made in the past my hearts never in it :(

To get me back into the felting mood I thought I'd make some little bears. I've used 4mm buttons to secure their arms and legs so I've called them 'Button Jointed Bears'. Most of them are just under 2" which is quite large for 12th scale but they still look good on a 12th scale chair.

SOLD

Next up is Lily wearing her rather fetching wet felted hat :)

Aim's Summer imag out now

2011-06-01T21:09:00.000-07:00

A bumper packed addition. Beautiful work by fantastic artists. I've not had a chance to have a read yet, just a quick flick through but I will today :):):)

Thank you to everyone that puts so much work, time and effort into the magazine for us all for free ♥

Aim iMagazine

Changed my mind :)

2011-05-25T05:19:00.000-07:00

Well both the dolls I started the other day have had a change of Identity.

The little one with the hat over her eyes is now Auntie Win :)

The Friendly Witch now has a hat & shawl.

I might just keep this one when she's finished :)

2011-05-22T12:06:00.000-07:00

One little undressed doll had me giggling I added a hat and scarf to her bald head. I'm not to sure how I'm going to finish her yet but think she might have a huge shopping bag that is dragging on the floor :) I don't keep any of my dolls but just maybe.......

I have managed to finish this little country Witch she will be available on my website.

Big Bertha & New Website

2011-05-08T20:59:00.000-07:00

I was really gutted to find that by the end of the summer Windows Live are going to be closing all of their free small business websites. I really loved that little website. It was so easy to use and it had served me very well for the last couple of years.

What a headache finding & choosing a suitable new one. I've settled for a Mr Site website. I'm pleased with the basic package I've brought. At a cost of £25 it has 5 web pages, a great pop up photo gallery & a paypal cart. Which (fingers crossed) will not sell single items twice.

The downsides were it was not compatible to edit using Opera & Google Chrome. I downloaded Firefox 4 & struggled for a day. There is fantastic on line support. A live chat and I was told to download Firefox 3. Hay presto I was up and running in a couple of hours.

Another huge downside was I didn't like any of the templates. My website is growing on me and there is plenty of positives.

Please take a look and let me know what you think www.adora-bella-minis.com & be honest ♥

I've tried many website and I would like to give a word of warning don't try out the trial version from HOMESTEAD. I've got to ring the US today to cancel it or they will automatically be taking a monthly subscription from me. You can't cancel on line. I think this is very bad practice!!!!

My latest doll is Big Bertha. I think she lives up to her name.

New Pumpkin Witch

2011-05-01T03:33:00.000-07:00

A lady asked me to make her some pumpkins to go with a little Pumpkin Seller I made her. I thought I'd make a couple more to go with my latest little Witch.

Most of my dolls have a touch of grey so I'm pleased with my slightly younger Witch.

SOLD

Miss Evie Barkworth ~ Out Shopping

2011-04-28T04:03:00.000-07:00

Evie is a lovely character that has a smile for all. Her teeth are a little crooked, her hair a little wiry but she always has a twinkle in her eye. She's very smart and never leaves the house without a hat :) She comes with her shopping bag and basket on wheels.

For Sale

New eyes for my dolls

2011-04-27T07:09:00.000-07:00

I treated myself to a wonderful little eye tutorial http://niastinywonders.perso.neuf.fr/NiasTinyWonders/making_tiny_eyes_IRIS_ONLY.html

I am really pleased with the tutorial but my efforts have not been that successful. I manage to get a couple of pairs that are usable in the two colours I tried so far.

I now have to wait for a really sunny day so I can get the resin to cure outside. The UV lamp I brought off ebay must be faulty as how ever long I leave the eyes under the light for they still seem tacky :(

The next batch I make I'm going to build the resin up into more of a dome shape but here is my efforts so far..... better go suns out :D

To Be Dressed

One Tooth & a bit of a comb over :)

2011-04-19T10:26:00.000-07:00

I've just finished this old chat. He only has one bottom molar and not quite enough hair for a full comb over :)

SOLD

He will sit as well as stand and will be on sale on my website with a couple of lady friends.

Two Felted Jack-O-Lanterns

2011-04-17T04:36:00.000-07:00

A customer has been asking for a couple of pumpkins. Well I've tried several times to make them from clay but they have been disastrous. So I decided to see what some felted ones would look like.

I do think they look a little better in the hand then the photo but I'm still not sure..... they were quite fun to make tho

Completed Some New Undressed Dolls

2011-04-16T00:11:00.000-07:00

Everything seems to be taking me ages to complete. After Easter I must buckle down and get some of my commissions done.

I had a couple of dolls on Etsy and I gave two of them a slightly new look. The little witch got a new hat and shawl and the old lady had her hair dyed :) and comes with her laundry basket.

SOLD

My computer is running so slow this morning and all my photo's look blurred. I hope they don't appear that way to anyone else.

I've got four undressed ladies done. They will be for sale on my website. If anyone is interested please could you email me or leave a message as I can't put the 'Buy it Now' buttons on straight away as Paypal will sell them twice if it can :(

Undressed Lady 1 ~ SOLD

Undressed Lady 2 ~ SOLD

Undressed Lady 3

Undressed Lady 4 ~ SOLD

Goofy 12th Scale Character with Dimples ~ For Sale

2011-03-25T05:55:00.000-07:00

Last little undressed person for a while as I've got to work :( Also I still have one other looking for a lovely home.

SOLD

Two More Undressed Dolls Finished

2011-03-21T09:24:00.000-07:00

I've been playing about with my website over the last week. I've added a link to a free weebly.com website. Where I'm now set up to sell from. It has a paypal cart which I'm hoping is for single items (fingers crossed)

I had added a paypal cart using the HTML from the paypal main site but it allowed the item to be sold twice!!!!

I've been searching around for a answer I'm just hoping this will work. The free weebly website is quite easy to use and it does not have any adverting which a lot of free websites have.

These are two more undressed ladies that I've just finished.

SOLD

New Undressed 12th Scale Dolls for Sale

2011-03-20T05:31:00.000-07:00

At present I've got four new undressed dolls finished.

I have had a huge problems when I've put them up on my website as I've managed to sell the same dolls twice on two occasions so I've decided to advertise them here and on facebook for a short while before I put them up for sale in my Etsy shop so my regular customers can see them first.

The price for my undressed dolls is £20 plus £3 postage to any where in the world. UK parcels are sent recorded delivery and Non UK by standard airmail.

If anyone is interested in any off the dolls I have for sale please email me.

SOLD

To go with previous post.........

2011-03-19T06:44:00.000-07:00

One of my customer brought a number of my undressed dolls and too my delight through the post this morning arrived a CD with some photo's of the dolls she has dressed so far.

What a wonderful job she has done. All the costumes are beautifully finished with lots of extra detail added. All the shoes she has made from leather (something I can't do) The baby the nurse maid is holding she made herself and she is wearing a beautiful knitted gown & bonnet.

She also sent photo's of my dolls in their settings and was kind enough to say I could use her photos to advertise my work.

My favorite photo is the scrawny house maid clearing up the broken egg that cook has dropped. Take a look at her apron. I think it is just perfect for her. I can't you how chuffed I am to receive these photo's it's so lovely to see where my dolls end up. These ones have found a lovely home :):)

I'm wondering if this will work better than my previous post......

Some Photo's of My Dolls Dressed By a Customer

2011-03-19T06:05:00.000-07:00

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

My Ipad arrived this morning :)

2011-03-14T10:07:00.000-07:00

So far so good at least I've got it connected to my wireless connection which was more than can be said about that blooming netbook we brought at Christmas. Mind you I had to set it to Airport mode to make it happen.

The keyboard is going to take a lot of getting use to but I think I'm going to really love it in time.

I started to assemble some dolls just before the postman arrived but I can see it will be weeks before I can get back to them now I have a new toy LOL.

Mrs Muriel Beckett

2011-03-05T09:55:00.000-08:00

Muriel Beckett is my first doll finished for March. She has taken a bit doing because the little face I want just don't seem to be appearing out of the clay at the moment.

March Issue of the AIM Magazine Out Now

2011-03-01T21:26:00.000-08:00

The Free online AIM Magazine March addition is out now. It is packed to the rafters with wonderful miniature works, tutorials and articles. The theme this Month is Tudor times. A brilliant magazine!!!!!

http://www.artisansinminiature.com/

New Witch On Etsy

2011-03-01T03:40:00.000-08:00

This little witch I made last week but I just knew she was not quite right after taking photo's. So I was up early putting her right. She now has lighter hair, a new hat and a little hand made basket. My husband thinks she looks a little better now :)

12th Scale Wizard ~ Finished

2011-02-25T06:47:00.000-08:00

Three days off work and all I've managed to do is wreak the house and make this little wizard and a witch ready to dress. Which will have to wait now as it's back to work tomorrow :(

The rest of the day will be spent clearing up the mess I've made!

A Couple of Dolls for Sale

2011-02-19T03:02:00.000-08:00

I'm working hard and getting my orders done, but I miss not having anything for sale. So I've got another Witch done for Etsy. That keeps me amused as I love it when someone hearts my work :O I'm getting the hang of Etsy now & I like the circle thing you can join. It makes it easier to find interesting 12th scale artists.

I even managed to get one undressed doll made for my website.

I'm working on a old man in his PJ's at the moment and the customer wants a faithful needle felted dog by his side. I do like felting but it's always a struggle to put my doll making down.

Sold

Gwyneth :)

2011-02-15T11:20:00.000-08:00

This little old lady I've made to go in a Welsh cottage. The request was for a kindly retired school teacher who was very happy in her cottage cooking & cleaning & would often be found by the fire with a black and white cat on her lap :)

Thank you Julia for passing one of your customers my way ♥♥♥ She's taken me ages to make as the right little face would not appear out of the clay.

12th Scale Granddaughter

2011-02-14T07:58:00.000-08:00

A huge welcome to my new followers ♥

I've just got this little girl finished. She is hopefully going along with her grandmother to be customers in a little cafe.

Under her arm she has tucked a felted elephant & when she gets tired of carrying it Grandma can pop it in her shopping bag :)

This is the first child I've made for a long while, I've got a feeling I might be making some more :)

My Dolls for the Week-End :)

2011-02-12T01:07:00.000-08:00

These two are for an order. The gentleman wanted a cafe owner/chef and a lady customer who will eventually have a little grandchild. I've posted off photo's just waiting now to see if I am on the right track. Fingers crossed.

I quite fancy making a little girl. I've not made any children since I first started doll making a couple of years ago.

I've got a couple of faces that don't match any of my orders so I'm going to offer them undress on my website www.adora-bella-minis.co.uk

Little Witch ~ SOLD

Another Old Man ~ SOLD

A Little Face That Just Appeared :)

2011-02-07T23:10:00.000-08:00

This little Witches face was not suitable for any of my ordered so I thought I'd make her for Esty. Just for a bit of advertising.

She is off shopping or maybe foraging in woods for some wild herbs & mushrooms. Her little black cat has decided to tag along & has made himself quiet comfortable in one of her large smock pockets. She has her comfy shoes on and is carrying her basket ready to fill with what ever delicacies she can find.

I needle felted the little cat and my friend Bev Read made the basket :)

Been Busy :)

2011-02-03T12:53:00.000-08:00

I've got another two orders finished. Undressed dolls this time. A jolly butler, jolly cook and a miserable young house maid.

This order was for a elderly couple the lady plump and the man with a beard. Now could I get a beard to look right. First he was grey then I tried him with a brown one. I'm afraid he ended up with just large side boards :) NOT what the customer asked for. Fingers crossed he will change her mind :)

Aim's February's Imag is out NOW!!

2011-02-01T22:00:00.000-08:00

Aim - Artisans in Miniature February's Imag is out NOW!! 140 pages all for free! A huge thank you to everyone that spends a huge amount of their time putting this fabulous magazine together each month for us all xxxxxxxxx

Happy, happy HAPPY :O

2011-02-01T10:17:00.000-08:00

My Jester has just sold..........to the same lady. I'm so pleased he was not so bad after all, a few tweaks that all he seemed to have needed. Thank you everyone for all your encouragement xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

12th Scale Jester ~ Version Two :)

2011-02-01T00:20:00.000-08:00

I must say I was a little upset that my customer didn't like my Jester, but I dusted my self down very quickly and took some of her comments on board & gave him a bit of a makeover.

Luckily I had just decided to double wire all my dolls limbs and the Jester was the first doll I tried it on. Paul is very good at removing limbs and sometimes heads off my work, while I keep my eyes firmly closed O) and his legs and offending boots came away with out too much damage.

I made him some pointed shoes and added a couple of felted balls. His head is staying as I don't think the customer really wanted him at all.

I've decided to pop him on Etsy at a higher price than I usually charge. He can stay as long as he wants advertising my work :) because I like him :):):)

A 12th Scale Jester

2011-01-30T02:56:00.000-08:00

A huge welcome to all my new followers ♥

This was one of my latest request and the draw was too much. I down tools and left all my other dolls half finished to do this little Jester.

Paul suggested using coloured pin heads for his shoes, after I had felted lots of little balls and I think they work quite well :)

Right back to what I should be doing........

The Reverand and Old Lady

2011-01-24T11:14:00.000-08:00

These two where commissions for look a likes of dolls I've made in the past. Not so enjoyable to make but both of these characters are different in there own way.

So long as my customer likes them they will be heading to Tasmania. It's lovely when I get orders from countries I've never sold to before :)

Little Witch

2011-01-22T11:44:00.000-08:00

I've really worked hard (for a change) and managed to get the last little Witch done. Shes a happy little country Witch :)

Another Little Shopkeeper Finished

2011-01-22T01:13:00.000-08:00

I hope you like her. I've just got a little Witch left to do for this lady and my order is complete :)

The Little Pumpkin Seller

2011-01-19T11:35:00.000-08:00

I've been working hard over the last couple of weeks trying to catch up. This is a commission from way back in November for a Pumpkin Seller. She reminds me a bit now I've finished her of Elisa Dolittle but of course a Witchy version :)

12th Scale Rounded Shopkeeper

2011-01-19T03:26:00.000-08:00

I'm slowly but surely catching up a bit with my back orders. This is a plump shop keeper. Hats are always such a challenge for me and I usually waste so much straw but this one only took me two goes :)

Mad Scientist

2011-01-17T05:11:00.000-08:00

I've just got this Mad Scientist finished. His coat took me 6 hours! & it's not as good as I was hoping for. The fabric was quite thick and I used a interfacing down the front which it didn't need in hindsight.

I'm not to sure if his hair is a little over the top, but could be calmed down a bit.

Old Lady in Her Furs

2011-01-15T04:45:00.001-08:00

Well the Witch got put on the back burner because I fancied doing something with some fur fabric a friend sent me. Thank you ♥ The skirt fabric was also a gift from Margaret Murphy from Treasured Possessions ♥

I must get on with the Witches soon, perhaps after the Mad Scientists that’s in the oven :) I’ve got a few ideas for him & seeing as I’ve never done one before its sort of drawing me………

12th Scale Wizard Dressed

2011-01-14T02:50:00.001-08:00

Well at long last he’s done. I’m quite pleased because he is quite simply dressed but still looks the part :) I followed Kat’s tutorial for his hat. Next I’m going to dress a Witch & make a hat with a brim.

Five Undressed Dolls Finished

2011-01-10T07:16:00.001-08:00

At long last I’ve managed to get a few dolls done. A wizard, witch two old gents and a old lady. I’m not to sure wither to sell them undress or dress them all yet.
Tomorrow I’m going to make a start on the wizard. I’m quite pleased with his face & I’m going to make a little crumpled wizards hat using Kat’s tutorial.

View Full Album

I’ve also brought myself a little dolls house shop off ebay. It’s not arrive yet but this is the photo from ebay. Does anyone recognize what make it is? I’m quite excited and can’t wait for it to arrive :)

Still no miniature work started :(

2011-01-02T11:47:00.000-08:00

I'm getting a bit panicky. Will I every get back to doll making? I feel such a lack of confidence in my work at the moment, because for over a month now I've made nothing :(

We spent our Christmas money on a small Digital TV for the Kitchen. We purchase a stand alone Ariel and spent one full day trying to tune it in. Not one channel could we get on it. The very nice man at Curry's gave us our money back with out any hesitation. Only one day wasted.....

Next day it was the turn of the netbook. (Christmas present from each other) Five lengthy phone calls to BT & 2 to PC World technical lads over a period of three days and we where told to return it to PC World as neither could get it to stay connected to the internet. 5 minutes to closing time we where told it was up and running. What was wrong with it? errrrr nothing!

I'm at work tomorrow & I've got this horrible feeling this is going to drag on for days and still I can't get back to my dolls :(

Am I feeling down - yes thats worrying me too because I'm usually so happy but I don't seem to settle unless everything is in order and running smoothly.

Happy Christmas to All ♥ ♥ ♥

2010-12-25T01:39:00.000-08:00

Happy Christmas to all in Blogland.

I'm sorry I've been a bad bloger and follower, but hopefully 2011 I'll do better :)

Have a love Christmas time everyone and all the very best for 2011 xxxxxxxxxxxx

A lovely standard lamp & basket of flowers handmade by Kris

2010-12-14T05:39:00.000-08:00

Kris from 1 inch Minis has made me this beautiful lamp to go with the chair & settee she made me a while ago.

She also sent me a gift a little handmade basket filled with beautiful handmade flowers. It is exquisite & was such a lovely surprise. Thank you so much Kris ♥

Kris has a tutorial on her blog on how to make the lamp shade. All her tutorials are brilliant and so easy to follow.

Isn't my lamp and basket of flowers gorgeous.

This is a chair that I brought from Kris. The lamp looks lovely with it. Her work can be seen and purchased from her CDHM gallery. The little bear and elephant are a couple of my needle felts.

I saw a vintage knitting pattern on ebay for a knitted settee. I fell in love with it but the lady was selling duplicate patterns for a little more than I wanted to pay so I set to and made up my own pattern. It took me a little longer as I had to pull it down a few times but I'm quite pleased with the result :)

Today I received a huge parcel from Julia of Bearcabinminiatures full of fabric and trims. Julia won the swap for one of my dolls. I've already used some of the fabric and made the two rugs in the photo's. Thank you Julia I'm thrilled with the swap xxx

Does anyone want to do a Swap?

2010-11-25T07:46:00.000-08:00

This little lady has taken me ages to make as I've not been feeling too well over the last couple of weeks. She looks a little fragile & bit sad much the same as I've been feeling.

I was wondering if anyone would be interested in doing a swap with her for some materials for dressing a doll. We don't have any fabric or haberdashery shops in our area & the craft sections in the garden centers are closing one by one :( The sort of things I'm after would be plain or tweedy fabric for skirts, jackets or a coat or any tiny trims, beads etc something a little different to decorate hats and bags or teeny buttons and fine laces. I mainly make old folks and witches. I like fabrics with a bit of texture that I can't seem to find on the Internet.

If anyone is interested would you email with a photo of the items you would like to swap her for. The offer will close no later than the 15th of December but sooner if I get any offers.

This little lady comes with a none opening handbag, a shopping bag you can fill. Her little waistcoat is removable but her hat is not. She is soft bodied and will sit or stand.

I'm so sorry to my customers who are waiting for dolls they have commissioned. I'm getting pulled round now and I'm not spending quite so many hours fast asleep on the settee so will be getting on with my orders.

If you are interested in a swap please drop me a email.

Joy @ Adora Bella Minis

Being Idle :(

2010-11-15T08:19:00.000-08:00

I'm afraid I can't seem to settle to my dolls at the moment so nothing new to show :(

A lovely Internet friend and fellow needle felter Jean of Miniartwork has just started blogging. She makes the most adorable 12th scale needle felts and paints stunning 12th scale paintings. Jean's Blog

Julia over at Bearcabinminiatures has this sweet little chenille bear & Christmas chair up for auction on eBay. 100% of the final bid will go to the BBC Children in Need appeal.

Two Plain Little Faces.....

2010-11-04T07:02:00.000-07:00

I added some wild hair and curls and I think they are now quite sweet looking characters. I don't think curlers will ever tame that hair tho :O

My Etsy shop has been empty for too long. I've got a few needle felts that just need some finishing touches before I put them up. Then it time to get on with my orders.

November Edition of the AIM Magazine is out NOW!

2010-11-01T22:03:00.000-07:00

The November edition of the free AIM miniature magazine is mow available to enjoy on line :)

http://www.artisansinminiature.com/

One More Finished ~ Undressed Wizard

2010-11-01T12:14:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like a work day looming to make me get on and finish a few things. This is my second Wizard. I thought I would offer one undressed this time.

Three Dolls to Dress

2010-11-01T09:01:00.000-07:00

I have just finished three undressed dolls. A Witch and a couple of oldies. The old chap has eyebrows and mustache made from fimo.

It's the first time I've tied this method & I'm quite happy with the results so maybe a few more of my creations will turn up with facial hair from now onwards :)

My First 12th Scale Wizard :)

2010-10-26T23:47:00.000-07:00

Welcome to all my new Followers. I've now reached 100!!!!! I can't believe in :) I will be doing a giveaway to celebrate a little later on. I'm going to have to make something a little special before I hold a giveaway.

My first every Wizard is all finished and packed up ready to go to his new home. I enjoyed making him but will have scourer the Internet for some more suitable fabric if I'm to make another.

His little scarf is made from some very special fabric which came from a scarf once owned by Paul's Great Grandfather. I felt so guilty when I first cut into it........

Julia of Beacabinminiatue has a fantastic giveaway :)

2010-10-26T21:43:00.000-07:00

Julia over at Bearcabinminiatures is celebrating 250 followers with a giveaway.

Be sure to visit her blog and leave a comment to be in with a chance to win one of her beautiful cat samplers, handmade by Julia.

More of her work can also be viewed in her Etsy shop.

New Friendly Witch

2010-10-18T06:40:00.000-07:00

A huge welcome to my new follows :)

I've just got a new Witch finished, my goofy dolls sold so this is a new character. I used Julia's idea of a witch collecting mushrooms. So she has ditch her pointy hat for something a little warmer.

The mushrooms are of the magical variety and are a lovely shade of pink :)

Three More Undress Dolls Finished

2010-10-13T02:38:00.000-07:00

I told you I was on a roll :) Now the first one IS goofy. Paul describes her as different LOL. I have someone asked for ladies and if she is too much for her I will dress her as a Goofy Witch :) Off to get the clay out again......

Two undressed 12th Scale Ladies Finished

2010-10-12T04:27:00.000-07:00

Two ladies finished this morning. I'm on a roll at the moment and got another couple started :)

Three Undressed Men Up For Sale on My Website.....

2010-10-10T09:21:00.000-07:00

LOL hopefully that title will get folks to take a peek.

www.adora-bella-minis.co.uk

They are up for sale for £20 each plus £3 post & packing. I've got a couple of ladies finished which will be listed on Tuesday

Started Early ~ Mrs Claus

2010-10-10T02:21:00.000-07:00

I've got quite a bit done this week after a very lazy couple of weeks. This Mrs Claus is a commission peice for a friend.

After getting her finished her cheeks looked a little pale so I've painted them again using acrylic paint. Last time I tried that it was a disaster so I was very nervous but I'm quite happy with the result & I think she looks the part with her rosy cheeks :)

I've got a number of undress dolls very nearly finished that just need wigging and the ladies need bloomers. I'll be putting them up for sale on my website this afternoon.

AIM’s October Magazine Out now

2010-10-03T23:23:00.001-07:00

The October Artisans in Miniature magazine is available online now. It’s a free magazine that's packed to the rafters with brilliant articles, photo’s & tutorials.

So much work goes into producing this magazine each month. One of my friendly witches even makes a tiny appearance :)

The October Artisans in Miniature Magazine

A Wife for Wilf ~ 12th Scale Doll

2010-09-24T21:14:00.000-07:00

My beautiful settee and chair arrived from Kris over at 1 Inch Minis last week and this is the first doll that I've made since then.

So she gets to try the settee out for size first. I'm so pleased with both my little items from Kris they are perfect. Kris has a gallery on CDHM where you can view and purchase some of her work.

I think I'm becoming a stalker of Kris's blog :) as she does some wonderful tutorials. Her latest one was for some shabby-chic curtains which I've use to make the frill on the apron. I'll have ago at the flowers on the next one I make :) Thank you Kris ♥

12th Scale Dad Dressed up as Santa

2010-09-15T07:35:00.000-07:00

Just got this one finished :) He is a young Dad dressed as Santa & is just about to leave the presents under the tree for his small children. His wife, not yet made :) is perhaps with her head around the door telling him to shush. Or it could be Christmas Morning and Dad is about to share out the gifts to his children.

His hat is removable as I'm not sure wither he looks better with his brown hair showing or not. Dad has his PJ bottoms and slippers on under his Santa's outfit.

Dad Dressed as Santa is for Sale on my website Adora-Bella-Minis Priced £40 plus £3 P+P.

Better Photo

2010-09-10T12:35:00.000-07:00

I think now his character stands out more against the darker background & he is ready for work with his pinny on :)

A Slightly Eccentic Old Chap

2010-09-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

This old chap was meant to be a Father Christmas but as soon as I added the sagging skin above his eyes I just knew he was destined to be a old chap in a fair isle slip over and a spotted bow tie LOL

The photo shows him to be a confident chap but in really life he looks very nervous & is very eager to please.

He has white curly hair that is not showing up to well and his hand knitted slip over is more of a dull lilac than blue.

I think he would look perfect with a apron on :)

September's Issue of AIM online magazine ........OUT NOW

2010-09-03T22:42:00.000-07:00

September Issue

Needle Felted 12th Scale Yorkshire

2010-08-30T05:35:00.000-07:00

Welcome to all my new followers. Thank you so much for taking a interest in my work ♥

This little fellow is my first Yorkshire Terrier. He measures just 1 1/2" to his ears.

I got in a bit of a panic half way through because he looked more like a billy goat LOL. His little coat is a lot shinier than it appears in the photo.

How Pleased Am I :)

2010-08-29T19:19:00.000-07:00

Kris over at 1 Inch Minis has made me a beautiful settee.

Her work is outstanding and I'm so pleased I'm going to be the proud owner of these two pieces. They are for my old folks to relax in while they have their photo's taken :)

The Queen Anne Chair I purchased from Kris's CDHM gallery where she show cases her work There are some beautiful designs on 'Buy it Now' or if like me you see a design but you want a different fabric Kris will help you by sending you lots of photo's of fabrics to choose from.

I can't wait for them to arrive :)

At Long Last....

2010-08-27T08:03:00.000-07:00

I've got a large order for 9 undressed dolls finished. :) At long last!

Well I say finished one of them I'm going to take to peices as she was not tall enough for the size of her head. I'm going to have to remake her hands as they had been glued on, but I should be able to get her put back together today. So I'm saying there done :)

Which is your favorite?

12th Scale Doll ~ Violet ~ Another Old Dear

2010-08-23T08:55:00.000-07:00

Dear old Violet seem to take ages to get finished. She really has got dressed up in her finery. Her cardigan and scarf she has hand knitted herself (thats why she took so long!)

She has cream bloomers trimmed with lace. Has a little silver brooch with a tiny pink stone in the middle that secures her scarf over her ample bosom.

Violet will never be seen without a hat or her lipstick.

Fund Raising Auction Finishes in Just Over One Hour

2010-08-22T11:09:00.000-07:00

Ooak 12th Scale Character Doll ~ Old Wilf Snoring

Wilf's eBay Auction