Online Miniatures Show - 13th-18th March 2013

The popular online miniatures fair is on next week (13th-18th March 2013).

There will be tables from miniaturists from all over the world, including some big names and with the focus on handmade and artisan pieces it's a great opportunity to shop for some exquisite minis from the comfort of your sofa!

I will have a table there again too and will have my new lights for sale.

If you would like to visit the show you can find the website here:  A mini miniature show online

Tables will be available to view once the show is open.

Hope to see you there!

Jennifer,

News, Updates and New Products!

Time is flying past! Blogging seems to be one of those things that keeps getting left for another day when I'm less busy and then suddenly I realise it's been over a month and I haven't updated you all on what's happening!   I will try to do better!

In my defense it's been a very busy start to 2013 for me.  I have been running an online workshop for Minis4All during February on using LEDs in miniature projects which has been very successful and I have also had an interview with Kirsten Miller of UK Handmade for her "Inspire: The Road Less Travelled" series.  You can read more about both of these events below.

I also have some very exciting news!  After a successful trial in the LED workshop I have been working hard on improving my lighting kits for smaller scale houses - 1/48th & 1/144th.  I am hoping to have the new prototype kit ready this week with the kits available for sale very soon!  If you would like more information please contact me: jsminiatures @ gmail.com (please remove space before and after the '@').

Workshop: Using LEDs for Dolls House Projects

Modern Tube Light

I spent most of January designing suitable kits for the online workshop.  I wanted all the projects to be simple to make and tailored for those who have never used an LED before in their life.  

I also wrote a "Beginners Guide to LEDs" with all the basics so that the ladies could understand how LEDs worked.  

The workshop is very much aimed at those who usually get their husbands to do the electrics but would very much like to have a go themselves.  It's really not that complicated, it just seems scary!  I'm not an electronics expert so there's no complicated mumbo jumbo!

Projects included:

Modern Table Lamp

• Modern Tube Light
• Modern Table Lamp
• Flickering Fire Kit
• 1/48th Scale House Lighting Kit
• 1/144th Scale House Lighting Kit

I will be offering the workshop through my website shortly so if you are interested and would like to take part please contact me for details.  jsminiatures @ gmail.com (please remove space before and after the '@').

The lights shown will be available for sale at the online miniature show next week.  More on that tomorrow!

Inspire: The Road Less Travelled.... Interview

Kirsten Miller of Quernus Crafts started doing a series of interviews 2 years ago with people, like her, who have given up their day job (whether through choice or circumstance) and who want to share their story.  The series is called: "The Road Less Travelled".

You can read my interview here: http://www.ukhandmade.co.uk/content/inspire-road-less-travelledjennifer-smith

Hope you enjoyed reading this post,

Jennifer, 

Jazzi's Birthday Giveaway

Jazzi in Australia is celebrating her 50th birthday on the 12th of February and is having a giveaway to celebrate.

If you're a member of her blog and would like to join in then head on over to Birthday Giveaway

Congratulations Jazzi.  Hope you have a wonderful birthday.

Christmas Giveaway - The Result!!

Thank you so much to everyone that entered the giveaway.  I'm really sorry that you couldn't all get a prize!

All the names in the bowl, mixed up nicely...

And the winner is.........

Congratulations Kyle.   I'll contact you to arrange posting your prize.

Thank you again to all who entered.  

Jennifer, 

Christmas Giveaway

Hi everyone,

I promised a giveaway for christmas and thought I'd better arrange it now so it can be shipped before the last posting dates.

On offer is one of my new laser cut decorated christmas tree kits.

Decorated christmas tree kit

To be in with a chance to win this fantastic prize please:

• Be a member of this blog &
• Leave a comment on this post 
• If you promote this giveaway on your own blog or Facebook you get an extra chance to win
• If you like my Facebook page or subscribe to my monthly newsletter you will get a third chance to win (link at the top right of this blog)

Please make sure you let me know that you have done so with your comment, so I can add your name into the draw more than once.

Names will be put in a hat and a name drawn at random.  Please make sure I can contact you to arrange shipment.

Kit comes in a choice of colours:
Red & Gold (as pictured)
Blue & Silver
All Gold
All Silver

Tree is 6" tall.

Closing date for entries is: Monday 3rd December 

I will ship Internationally via airmail.

Merry Christmas,

Jennifer,

Christmas Newsletter

I have published the Christmas newsletter this morning. You can see it here: Christmas Newsletter

If you would like to sign up to receive future newsletters you can either sign up here through my blog - see box top right, or you can sign up through my website.

Website signup

Newsletters contain information on new products, special offers and I am planning to include some tips and techniques in future editions.

They are published no more than once a month so you won't get spammed.

Hope you enjoy reading the current newsletter.

Jennifer,

Christmas already???

Hi everyone,

I realise it's been ages since I updated my blog.  Time seems to pass so quickly.  One minute I'm wondering what happened to summer in the UK and the next thing I know it's November, the clocks have gone back and the shops are full of christmas products!

I have been busy behind the scenes and I have a new product I've been working on that is almost finished. A little hint is that it's something to do with a jam jar.  Anyone want to take a guess?

I have also got a few christmas products available in my Etsy shop.  I realise I might be a bit slow getting my act together here but I'm sure that's a common problem.  Who wants to think about Christmas when you feel cheated out of summer?!

I have designed three 3D Christmas products - Rudolph the reindeer, Santa's Sleigh and a christmas tree.  They're designed to be both ornaments and 1/12th scale miniatures for a Christmas scene.

They are laser cut from 3mm laser ply and slot easily together.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Santa's Sleigh

Christmas Tree

I have also been asked to supply tiny battery powered chip LEDs by members of the Minis4All online group and these will also be on my website soon.  These are currently available from Evan's Designs in the USA but by the time you pay for customs charges and import duty it gets pretty expensive so I now have a supply in the UK, and can supply most of what is available in their shop.  If you are interested then please contact me as I have these in stock.

These tiny chip LEDs are perfect for 1/144th scale or 1/48th scale houses and are often used in model train layouts and model cars.  I also have bigger LEDs suitable for 1/24 & 1/12th scale projects. All come pre-wired ready for installation.

At just 3mm long they can fit in tiny spaces but give out a surprising amount of light for their size.

I will be doing an online workshop on using LEDs and there will be a choice of projects to try through Minis4All  so if anyone is interested please let me know.  I would be happy to offer it through my website too.

LEDs are really easy to use and the ability to power up to 10 LEDs off 1 coin cell battery makes them a great way to light your dolls house, room box or mini scene.  If you admire the work of Peter Tucker and want to have a go at recreating some of his lights and effects then this is the ideal opportunity!

Learn how they work, what they can be used for and choose a project(s) to try.  Possible projects depending on interest include:

Lighting a 1/144th or 1/48th scale house
Flickering fire effect
Table lamp
Ceiling spotlights
Strip lights for general dolls house lighting effects

I will be posting more information soon but if you are interested or would like a specific project then please don't hesitate to leave a comment or contact me as I'd love to know what you would like.

I will also be offering a christmas giveaway so keep a look out if you would like to participate.

Best wishes,

Jennifer,