Wednesday 31 March 2010

April AIM Magazine may be slightly late

Due to the majority of the Editorial Team being away at shows last weekend, and the preparation in the run up to the shows the April edition of the magazine may be slightly late, we are hoping to publish it late on Thursday evening but it may go over to Friday.
We know you can't wait to see it but please, please don't email asking where it is as this only holds it's publication up even more.

Monday 29 March 2010

Meet our Members ~ Debie Lyons of Piskies and Poppets



Handcrafted Dolls and Accessories by Debie Lyons – Doll Artist, sculptor and miniaturist.


I have been interested making and creating ever since I can remember. After trying out all sorts of art and crafts I decided to have a go at working with polymer clay. So, a few years ago I brought a block of polymer clay for making dolls, I had a go with it and hated using it. It stayed in a drawer for a long time, then, one day when I was bored so I decided to try and have another go. After hours of practice, trial and error I finally made a little fantasy head and I haven’t looked back since.

Initially I made lots of little fairies and elves not even realising that I was making miniatures. It wasn’t until I joined my first group that I realised that I was. I then discovered 1/12th and 1/24th scale and found that I preferred working in these scales and continue to do so.

I am completely self-taught and an avid experimentalist. All of my dolls/figures are handcrafted and hand-sculpted; I do not use moulds. All of my work is made to a high standard and it is always unique.

Although I make lots of different types and styles of doll and accessories I often find myself drawn to witches, wizards and settings including them. However, I still do, from time to time make the occasional art and fantasy piece.


I prefer to sell my dolls and accessories on -line they can be found on ebay, seller id - huffy2141 and I also have an Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/Debie123

As well as AIM, I am also a member of CDHM and the British Polymer Clay Guild.

My website is http://www.piskiesandpoppets.com/   I am also a blogger, this is where I post news about my work and sometimes tips/techniques and methods of working,

http://piskies-and-poppets.blogspot.com/

If you have any questions or queries please email me, hufflepuffed1048@aol.com

Wednesday 24 March 2010

3 International Shows this weekend!

Well this weekend is going to be a very busy time for AIM Members, they've all been working very hard  preparing for the busiest weekend of the year so far.
Be sure to stop and say hello if you are there.
If you are a professional Miniature Artisan and would like more details on how to join AIM please email marysdolls@gmail.com requesting further info.






The following AIM members are exhibiting at Arnhem in Holland
Ann High
Artforge
Dateman Books
Little People - Hazel Dowd
Sue & Alan's Little Treasures
 
 
The following AIM members are exhibiting at the 2 day, Miniature Enthusiasts of Montreal Show: Martha McLean of Martha McLean MIniatures, Glenn & Nancy Anderson of Keendersons Miniatures, 
Westwinds Miniatures
 
 
 
 
The following members will be found at Miniatura, at the NEC Birmingham UK
(stand numbers shown beside names)
A1 The Miniature Garden Centre
B5 Bags Of Character
B9 Ellie De Lacey
C9 Colin Bird
D3 Costume Cavalcade
E5 Carol Smith
E6 Olde Charm Miniatures
F2a Mrs Tiggy Winkles Dolls
F2b Miniature Dolls By Nicky Bott
F5 Carol Cook Miniatures
G2 Petite Properties Ltd
G3 Datemans Books
G4 Sue Harrington
G9 Shepherd Miniatures
H8 Josephine Parnell
H11 Mini Munchies
K13 Willow Models
K14 Mary Myrtle Miniatures
L3 Deb Jackson Designs
L6 Malcolm's Miniatures
L8 Jill Bennett
N1 Platt's Mini Packages
N2 Nikki Nakki Nu
N9 The Giddy Kipper
N10 Bellabelle Dolls
P1 Templewood Miniatures
P3 Mags-nificent Miniatures
P4a Crumpled & Rumpled
P4b The Little Hatter
P9 Grandad's Miniatures
P11 Simply Silk Miniatures
Q10 Fiona's Miniature Workshop
R2 Anro Miniatures
W2 Stokesay Ware
W5 Merry Gormet Miniatures
W31 Anne Marie Miniatures
W32 Artforge


Thursday 18 March 2010

Meet our members ~ Mary Williams Dollshouse Dolls

Mary is a moderator and helps run the AIM blog and Facebook pages.


Mary Williams

I started making dolls about 7 years ago as a hobby and was lucky enough to find people who wanted to buy them.  I have always had a love of history and in particular historical costume. I exhibit my dolls at Autumn Miniatura, at other times dolls are available via my website. My dolls are made of porcelain and are unsuitable for children. The dolls are dressed in finest silks and antique laces and are in 1/12th scale. Some of the dolls can take weeks to dress and I try to offer a range of historical periods, in particular 1920s styles. All dolls come complete with stands if the doll requires one. I am happy to undertake commissions.

Tuesday 16 March 2010

The Mad Hatter by Bellabelle Dolls



The Mad Hatter will be available to buy at Spring Miniatura. Based on the character from Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland this doll is poseable and costumed in hand sewn clothing and a handmade hat.

Saturday 13 March 2010

Late Victorian Summer Bride by Angelique Miniatures

Late Victorian Summer Bride.
Beautiful bride in Victorian bustle gown by Angelique Miniatures.


Thursday 11 March 2010

Meet our Members ~ Julie Campbell


Julie is another member of Editorial Team 
BELLABELLE DOLLS

Handcrafted miniature 1/12th scale dolls by Julie Campbell. I have been delighted by all things miniature for as long as I can remember and have always been very creative. When I put together my first dolls house kit I became hooked on the hobby and loved to make things to go inside my dolls house. So when I couldn’t find a doll I liked to live in the house, it seemed only natural to make one myself. I was so thrilled when I discovered polymer clay and soon made my first doll -- a strange looking baby whom I thought was absolutely beautiful!
SALES AND CONTACT DETAILS

My dolls are available via my website, through Ebay , Etsy and fairs. I exhibit regularly at Miniatura, Scottish Miniatura, Kensington Festival and Pudsey fair in Leeds.. I am always happy to accept commissions. Just contact me to discuss your ideas for a doll and I can make them a reality.
Keep up to date with my news and see new dolls at my blog

www.bellabelledolls.blogspot.com

A self - taught artist I learned from my mistakes! Each doll was better than the last and soon friends were encouraging me to sell my little characters. I sold my first doll on Ebay and was thrilled at the response. Now I make 1/12th scale character dolls and one of a kind fantasy sculptures and fairies.

Each doll is unique and created without moulds and I aim for as much realism as possible with very detailed features. I do take great care painting the dolls and the large expressive eyes have become my trademark. The clothing is hand sewn and I can create a doll from any period. I love to work from photographs to make portrait dolls. Most of the dolls are fully poseable, but I also create fully sculpted babies and fantasy dolls complete with settings.


I am proud to be an Artisan member of I.G.M.A. and am also a member of the British Toymakers Guild



Wednesday 10 March 2010

Maud Mandragora 12th Scale Witch



Maud Mandragora 12th scale Witch by Debie Lyons of Piskies and Poppets
available here

Friday 5 March 2010

Thursday 4 March 2010

Meet our Members ~ Vicky Guile







Vicky is another very busy lady behind the scenes of the magazine.






NJD Miniatures...
I have had a love of all things mini since childhood. After receiving my first dollhouse, a gift from my grandparents when I was a child, I was completely hooked by the mini-making bug.
As a young adult I trained in Art, Design and Photography, at the time it seemed that photography was my forte. It wasn’t until my mid twenties that I discovered polymer clay and its many uses. In my spare time I would make miniatures for my own dollhouse. This continued as a hobby for a few more years, I practised and discovered the foundation of my own style, I say foundation as my work is constantly evolving. I realised what I was good at creating and also what I was not so good at creating (I still don’t make many pretty cakes!).


Working mainly in 1:12 Scale, I create highly detailed food miniatures and weird and wonderful fantasy, mythical and magical pieces for dollhouse and miniature collectors. My work is available to buy via my Etsy store (please see my blog for details), but if you prefer I am always delighted to work on a commission basis. Please contact me to discuss your requirements. My website has a link to my gallery where you can view past creations, or to keep up to date with what new work I have available please visit my blog, where you can subscribe to receive any new information that I post.
Website: http://www.njdminiatures.com/ and http://www.njdminiatures.blogspot.com/
Email: vicky@njdminiatures.com

Tuesday 2 March 2010

Dolls House Wedding Kit

by Emma Eilbeck - The Craft Pack Company

A special edition bumper kit with lots of items to make for your miniature bridal shop or wedding day setting. This kit will keep you busy for hours of miniature making fun. The lovely cut outs in this kit create a set of three bow top bridal hat boxes, a set of bridal gift bags, bridal gown box, two smaller bridal gift boxes, luxury wedding day fan, small round veil box, bridal tissue box and perfume boxes.

This kit comes complete with full instructions, printed card items, metal fan handle, luxury gold cords, luxury silk ribbon and tissue paper for lining your boxes.

Available here from The Craft Pack Company website!

Monday 1 March 2010

New March issue of the AIM Magazine out now!!


The March issue of the best FREE online magazine is available now!

click on the picture to be taken to the magaizine