Shabby French Rococo Lady's Work Table and Chair Finished

Hello friends,
Finally found time to finish up these two Bespaq pieces. Please excuse the silly little room box scene in the photos...it is in pretty poor shape but I liked the light play through the window. It's one of those DIY box kits from China. ;)

I had purchased some smaller artist brushes for the paintings on the furniture but I still think I need even smaller ones. :/ I'd like the little roses to be a bit more delicate and petite.

Kris, suggested I should try painting on fabric for the upholstery. Thank you so much , Kris! I was hesitant but it worked out well, I used textile medium mixed with acrylics for the muslin on the chair back.

This set is available; if anyone is interested, please drop me an email at daphne at courtofgypsies dot com.  I am planning on listing this in my Etsy shop but wanted to offer it here first.

I am thoroughly enjoying painting these little pieces and just got a huge shipment of miniatures to put in my shop. Just have to get the technical things worked out...bleh.

I hope I don't sound like a big advertisement here, that is not my intention but I had some questions and would really appreciate your input if you have the time.
I want to stock my web shop (not Etsy) with miniatures that are things you have been looking for or that are hard to find. Please let me know if there is something you would like to see in the shop.  My suppliers have thousands of items and I realized that there is no way I can stock or even have the time to list all of the available items - so, I was hoping you all could give me some feedback on your most desired items?  I want to be able to offer them at reasonable prices as well as offer specials and discount sales etc.
 My suppliers offer furnishings, glassware, dollhouse figures...everything, just about anything you can imagine as well as supplies for building and making minis.

Hug!
Daphne

On My Work Table...

...waiting to be finished. :)  Two Bespaq pieces.  The legs on these are so delicate.
Please be sure to visit my new website - www.courtofgypsies.com 
I have placed my first order with my supplier and will have some lovely things listed soon. I'm very excited as this has been a dream of mine for a long time. Someday, I would love to open a brick and mortar dollhouse shop but for now, it will have to be online.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Hand Painted Miniature - French Rococo Kidney Side Table

 

Hello Friends :) Thank you so much for your kind words, so much appreciated.

I've done up another little Rococo piece. Still rusty with the painting...have get smaller!  I feel like the roses are a bit too large on this piece. It is so tiny and delicate. Very well made little piece that I purchased unfinished.

Still working on the website so I will probably list my first few pieces in my Etsy shop.

Hope you are having a wonderful day...trying to stay warm around here!

Chalk Painted Rococo Bombe Chest in 1:12 scale

Hello Friends,

It's been one of those weeks..really, I should say, one of those months or years, as it's just been one thing after another around here. Trying to keep my chin up.  I try not to post personal junk but life is getting in the way a bit here and I am a bit down. It will all work out. :) I apologize, not trying to dump on you, just had to get it out.

On to the fun stuff, I promised to post about chalk paint. I should have taken pics of how I mixed up the paint but I didn't...so, I will just explain. It is very simple, anyway.  I also wanted to give credit where due. I first saw the chalk paint mentioned at about.com in an article from Lesley Sheperd.

You need:
Acrylic or Latex Paint
Plaster of Paris
Water


I used regular old acrylic craft paint, folk art brand that comes in the small bottles. The kind used for decorative and tole painting.  I had some small jars here to mix the paints in.  I poured some bottled water into the little jar - about half full - and then put in small amounts of plaster of Paris till it was the consistency of a little bit thicker than liquid hand soap. Don't make it super thick and not super runny either.

Next, add your paint. I used about equal parts paint and plaster of Paris/water mixture.

My little jars have tight fitting lids and so far, only one has set up a tiny bit in the bottom and by chance that was the one that had a little bit less acrylic paint in it.

I made this paint in small batches, about two oz. or so.

So, here is the result. I only used the chalk paint as the off white base coat for this piece. It covered really well, I used two coats. This little bombe chest had a shiny red varnish on it to start. I did run some fine sandpaper over it just to give it some tooth but honestly, I probably wouldn't have had to. I distressed this piece a little more than I meant to but I kind of like the result. :)  I'm a bit out of practice with my decorative painting, I want to do some of these little chests with some pastoral scenes.  I also learned that my gold leaf paint needs to be sealed before you put antiquing gel on top...

All in all, really really like the soft, flat look of the chalk paint for base coating and the nice coverage it gives.

Hugs and kisses for now,  I hope you will try this and hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Shabby Boxes

Going in the shop this evening.

July Giveaway Winner!!!

Hello Dear Friends!
Thank you so very much for your lovely comments and visits. I am so thrilled to have you all as mini friends and wish I could send something to all. I appreciate you and enjoy you all so very much.

I've printed and cut out all the entries and placed them in a large dish.
My lovely little assistant, Emmy, aka "The Monster" has chosen the lucky winner of this drawing. Ahem, please ignore her crazy curly hair and her dirty little fingernails and mismatched outfit...eh, she insists on 'grooming' herself. Whomever made up the the phrase "Terrible Twos" simply didn't have a three year old to compare. *grin*
AND THE WINNER IS......

Entry #90. Carolyn
Carolyn, please email me with your mailing address ^_^

Shabby Miniature Bedroom Remake

Hello Dear Friends,

I've been refinishing some old furniture. What fun! The armoire was originally a very dark brown piece with ugly thick doors. I took those off and added the open doors from a cheap Michael's hutch. I added some mesh to them, painted everything black, sanded and then painted several coats of white, sanded some more and then added some gold stencil cream.

I still need to make rugs and some more soft furnishings and find a night stand. I also need to add some artwork to the walls and a chandelier for the ceiling.

Just a gentle reminder that my giveaway ends tonight, my time, @ midnight.
So far here are the entries. Please, please if you don't see your name here and you have previously contacted me because you couldn't leave a comment, let me know so I can add you!

1. Eliana
2. Inês Paiva Raposo
3. ultsu
4. Carmen
5. Plushpussycat
6. Patty
7. Maria Ireland
8. Linda Carswell
9. anna
10. Norma
11. Jennybee
12. Rosamargarita
13. Sharon
14. babette
15. rudoo
16. Dark Squirrel Victoria
17. Susan
18. Sans!
19. Britt
20. carmen
21. Kleine Vingers
22. TINK - SONIA
23. Margriet
24. Janne
25. Linda
26. Pilar
27. Eva - tatalamaru
28. maria l.
29. NarinaNäpertää
30. M Carmen Casanova
31. ANTONIA
32. Caroline
33. PAKY
34. Mona
35. No soy Job
36. Ascension
37. Terefer
38. sorty0
39. SaMiRa73
40. Katakliptiko
41. Contrastes-Rosa Mª
42. Marian
43. LavenderDilly
44. Heather
45. Iris
46. CrisColás
47. Sassy Marsha
48. Ingrid
49. linsminis
50. malu2
51. Pity
52. Flor
53. Patrizia
54. micia
55. miniaturista
56. Ana
57. Drora's minimundo
58. El bichillo
59. Fabiola
60. Yayin
61. by Sonya
62. b_e_i_s_
63. MALUGA
64. Teruka
65. Meapuntoatodo
66. Rosella
67. MAIJA
68. Roelie
69. Susi
70. Craftland
71. Post
72. MelyMel
73. Margot Ensink
74. Marta
75. Rosa-kreattiva
76. Marver
77. Virginia Isabel
78. Ana
79. otterine
80. auzilio
81. riekie
82. monique
83. Phred
84. Arantxa
85. Lilith
86. Minteriors
87. mcddiss
88. Maru
89. sylvia
90. Carolyn
91. Mari@
92. Margaret
93. amy fletcher
94. Marja
95. Loly Rodriguez
96. OLESHA
97. Eva
98. Dees
99. Blanca
100. rocinash
101. Chris P's Minis and More
102. Daydreamer
103. Estefanía

I will print the names along with the corresponding numbers and have my daughter draw from a hat in the morning :D

Good luck!

Hugs,

Daphne

Dreaming of French Dollhouses

Hello Dear Readers!

This is our new friend :) Well, actually two new friends, this little fellow has a brother that looks very much like him. They are both very sweet but have different personalities. We need to name them. Name suggestions??

We took them both so one wouldn't end up in the pound.

I've been working on the Vermont Farmhouse... Still a work in progress. I've been playing with the French Brocante look but it really doesn't suit this house. I love this style though and will eventually have to build my dream house. I will probably change most of this out but for now, I am having fun!

I made another little chair and received my lovely desk and side table from Minis De Eva. Thank you! I love them.

The little book was made by Cockerina, it is so lovely!

I also made this little sofa a la Christine Lea Frisoni's pattern and instructions. I am going to try one in wood with sculpted legs and arm rests.

The outside of the house is farther along than this but I didn't get pictures of it yet. The windows and door are installed and the gable is finished. I think I am going to leave out the stairs and plug up the hole in the second floor - only because I want the extra space! Maybe not, haven't decided yet.

The swap gift for Cockerina's Swap is finished. I hope she likes it! It's so hard not to post photos until the appointed time ;)

My Minis Available in my New Shop

Hello Friends,

LOL, sick of the bedding yet? I have created a shop page. This set is available on that page.

The set consists of a fluffy ruffled comforter, three pillows, a bolster and square throw pillow.

The comforter and throw pillow have been embroidered by machine.

I want to apologize, for some reason, I can't post comments on my own blog and have been getting notes from other members stating that they cannot 'follow' me and some that can't comment...I don't know how to fix this...anyone know?

Frustrating....

EDIT!! THANK YOU CATERINA! :)

I have changed my settings in my blog dashboard and can now respond to comments and hopefully, those who couldn't comment earlier, can do so now.

I switched the setting for the comment box to a popup and was able to post my comments.