Oranges Aren’t Very Orange!

Tomatoes and strawberries are red, bananas are yellow, cabbages are green, chocolate is brown, and oranges are – well – orange, aren’t they?  One of the key things to making successful miniature food is getting the colour right.  So, put aside these stereotypical colour preconceptions, get some of the real full sized examples in front [...] [...more]

Posted: under Miniature Know-How.

Tomatoes and strawberries are red, bananas are yellow, cabbages are green, chocolate is brown, and oranges are – well – orange, aren’t they?  One of the key things to making successful miniature food is getting the colour right.  So, put aside these stereotypical colour preconceptions, get some of the real full sized examples in front of you to copy, get your clays out then prepare to experiment, and have fun!

Half close your eyes when looking at the real thing and forget for a moment that it’s an item of food.   See it in terms purely of colour then attempt to describe that colour to yourself before you start mixing your clays.

For example, study the outer leaves of a Savoy cabbage and you’ll start seeing more blue than green.  The brown in milk chocolate is more blue than red.  Strawberries vary from cream to a deep red, but by far the most common colour I’ve seen in strawberries is orange.  Unless bananas are very under-ripe in which case they are very yellow, they do contain  a high proportion of ochre and white.   And oranges are often more yellow than orange.  Tomatoes can often be the hardest colour to replicate since too much red makes them at best over-ripe, and at worst something else altogether.  The irony is that when it comes to mixing, tomatoes are actually more orange than oranges.  So from experience, I can tell you that the trick with tomatoes is to start with orange and gradually work in small flecks of red. 

You should also look at the intensity of the colour of the item that you’re copying.    Translucent clay is an absolute must when you’re making miniature food as you frequently need to soften a colour.  I probably use as much translucent clay as all the other colours put together.   

If, when looking at the item, you think that Mother Nature has merely brushed a little colour onto it (for example the mauve on a turnip or a garlic bulb), try doing the same with your miniature using some powdered chalk pastel before you bake it.   The effects can be extremely realistic.  (A bit of a digression, but a useful tip here – brown and black chalk makes brilliant dirt on potatoes)

Most of all don’t forget to have fun.  No clay needs to be wasted even if you go wildly off-colour.  It will keep.  You can use it again for something later.   I have a huge box of bits that I dig into as a first port of call when making a new miniature.   I only go to a fresh block of colour if I can’t find something to mess around with from my bit box first.

In summary, don’t assume you know the colour of something before you start, but be prepared to experiment.  As in nature, you can – and should – vary the shades of the same things for added realism.     Going back to oranges, strawberries and tomatoes – remember - some are less orange than others!

Last Posting Date for Christmas from the UK

Please note the last posting days to guarantee delivery in time for Christmas: Destination                                      Class of posting            Last posting by Catherine UK                                                       First                                  Thursday 18th December   South & Central America,                     Airmail                              Friday 5th December Caribbean, Africa, Middle East, Far East, Asia, New Zealand and Australia.   Japan, USA, Canada                             Airmail                               Wed 10th December and Eastern Europe   Western Europe                                    Airmail                              [...] [...more]

Posted: under News.

Please note the last posting days to guarantee delivery in time for Christmas:

Destination                                      Class of posting            Last posting by Catherine

UK                                                       First                                  Thursday 18^th December

South & Central America,                     Airmail                              Friday 5^th December

Caribbean, Africa, Middle East,

Far East, Asia, New Zealand

and Australia.

Japan, USA, Canada                             Airmail                               Wed 10^th December

and Eastern Europe

Western Europe                                    Airmail                              Friday 12^th December

Rugby Miniaturists - Dollshouse Fair and Exhibition - 16th November 2008

Rugby Miniaturists are holding their third Dollshouse Fair and Exhibition in aid of The Alzheimer’s Society on Sunday, 16th November 2008, at 10:30 - 16:00 at: The Holiday Inn, Crick, Northamptonshire, NN6 7XR (This is located one minute off junction 18 of the M1.) In addition to quality stallholders, there will also be a raffle, tombola and “make and [...] [...more]

Posted: under News.

Rugby Miniaturists are holding their third Dollshouse Fair and Exhibition in aid of The Alzheimer’s Society on Sunday, 16th November 2008, at 10:30 - 16:00 at:

The Holiday Inn, Crick, Northamptonshire, NN6 7XR

(This is located one minute off junction 18 of the M1.)

In addition to quality stallholders, there will also be a raffle, tombola and “make and take” workshops.

Catherine of Dollshouse Heaven will be there!

For more information on the fair itself, contact Yvonne Rollins on 01788 546405.

Limited Edition of Flowers in Carol Mann Ceramic Bowls

Look out for my new limited edition range of hand made flowers in beautiful Carol Mann ceramic bowls.   These bowls have been individually hand-thrown by Carol on a full sized potter’s wheel and each one of these artisan pieces is truly unique in design and colour.   As Carol has now ceased crafting in miniature, do not miss this opportunity to purchase these delightful [...] [...more]

Posted: under News.

Look out for my new limited edition range of hand made flowers in beautiful Carol Mann ceramic bowls.   These bowls have been individually hand-thrown by Carol on a full sized potter’s wheel and each one of these artisan pieces is truly unique in design and colour.   As Carol has now ceased crafting in miniature, do not miss this opportunity to purchase these delightful flowers and bowls.

Welcome!

Welcome everyone to my new website for individually handcrafted dollshouse miniatures. I sincerely hope you enjoy your visit and maybe find that “something special” creation for your miniature setting.  Come back often to find information on new designs and ranges! If you have any ideas for new miniatures, or would like me to craft something especially for you, [...] [...more]

Posted: under News.

Welcome everyone to my new website for individually handcrafted dollshouse miniatures.

I sincerely hope you enjoy your visit and maybe find that “something special” creation for your miniature setting.  Come back often to find information on new designs and ranges!

If you have any ideas for new miniatures, or would like me to craft something especially for you, please do not hesitate to contact me.