A little while ago I stumbled on an auction promoted by Chiqui Cueto via Facebook. Several miniaturists donated miniatures for auction. The proceeds will benefit the ... de Asturias. It is a shelter for dogs. As you have read in my post on...... I have a hound (a Chart polski), named Tara as a pet, together with a Malinois Sheperd. But once I had two dogs, Pita & Lorca who were saved in spain by a shelter like this one and adopted.
So you understand that the cause for this action directly apealed to me and I wanted to do my bit. That the lots that were to be auctoned comprise of miniatures only made it harder to say no (to myself). So I said yes. :-)
On the moment that the auction closed I had won 3 lots. The first is a lot of artisanal breads in different shapes and sizes. I love these. And they will look the part in different rooms of huis ter Swinnendael. most will go into the kitchen and the store room, but one or two may find their way into other rooms.
The second lot were these two miniatures. A bergere and a side table you will recognise as Alison Davies pieces. The were decorated and upholstered. I love the finish with the subtle gold details. I will change the upholstery on the bergere because these two pieces are destined for the dressingroom. I want to use the mustard yellow cotton I have already used on the cushion for the windowseat. And which I will use for the curtains for this room.
The third and last lot I had won was this beautiful gilded mirror made by David Iriarte. I love his work! I will have no trouble finding a place for this miniature.
I feel lucky having won these lots. And the money is well spent. Shelters like the... can use every amount to help rescue and relocate animals in need. I am very happy to have helped in a small way. I have learned since that this auction is repeated each year. I will be there next year!
Prying the upholsterd seat and bach of the chair frame away from the painted resin was a bit nerve wrecking. An excelent glue was used. But due to sticking a thin hobby knife patiently and carfully between the different pieces finaly seperated the two with only some minor damage to the paint.
The seat upholstery is a bit too large in my opinion. I like it to have a little setback form the edge of the chair frame. The upholsery was fixed unto resin inserts. After I removed all remnants of glue and fabric I sanded them a little smaller, Just a half millimeter around. This way I did not have to cut a new template out of cardboard.
The new fabric is the same mustardy yellow cotton I used on the cushion for the windowseat. You may recall that it is reclaimed from a waistcoat I have grown out of. I started with the back panel. First I glued the piece on the back. Fixing it on the thin sides of the panel with fabric glue. Taking care that the glue is applied thinly so it will not bleed though the fabric.
Next, I glues a piece of cotton on the front. Making sure it is a tight fit. Again glueing it on the sides of the card. When all was dry I glued it onto the backrest.
The seat was done in a similar way. with the exception that the underside is not covered because it is hidden from view. When the glue had dried I glued it down on the seat of the chair. It is finished for now. I am still debating with myself if I should add a little trim around the edges. I think I will, but I am not sure yet.
The problem with altering a miniature is that it leads to new ideas. Although I love the paint job on it, I will retouch the gold paint here and there to make some rubbed places and lines more crisp again. And, as if that is not enough, I might add some upholstery to the armrests as well. What do you think?
Huibrecht
