Errhmmph….
I was at Tom Bishop's Chicago International and was delighted to give you an audience when you visited us.
( Had a little trouble getting my Earl Grey tea in a china cup but I managed to get by )
Bags of Character
back in 2019
please do call in again to see us
Earl Grey
Thank you all for making it a brilliant trip for me. Looking, talking, laughing, buying and generally being the fantastic lot that you were last year, you are very much appreciated : )
..
Well, I wasn't expecting that..sold out. Great reception and feedback from USA collectors who made my luggage a lot lighter on my journey home. Had a very busy time and met some lovely people, thank you : D
And to Karen, a very special thank you for such impromptu kindness and generosity when you placed the goodie bag on my stand with bottles of water and freshly chopped fruit salad and said 'Welcome to the USA'…
I'd have cried if I hadn't have been so dehydrated.
And to Karen, a very special thank you for such impromptu kindness and generosity when you placed the goodie bag on my stand with bottles of water and freshly chopped fruit salad and said 'Welcome to the USA'…
I'd have cried if I hadn't have been so dehydrated.
Hey, we went to Barcelona...
Bags of Character - Barcelona Miniaturas 2016
We were all very excited, she'd not attended an exhibition abroad before and we'd be going.
(If we hadn't been bought before then)
We'd got the sunglasses sorted, got the passports, sun cream and bought the suitcases.
Matching luggage of course, and flew first class.
The other lot were in economy with their bargain baggage…and that dreadful drunken chappie from the pub, we wondered if they'd let him on the plane.
(They did…we're saying nothing)….
Bags of Character - Barcelona Miniaturas 2016
We were all very excited, she'd not attended an exhibition abroad before and we'd be going.
(If we hadn't been bought before then)
We'd got the sunglasses sorted, got the passports, sun cream and bought the suitcases.
Matching luggage of course, and flew first class.
The other lot were in economy with their bargain baggage…and that dreadful drunken chappie from the pub, we wondered if they'd let him on the plane.
(They did…we're saying nothing)….
21 years since
My first exhibition (25 now)
And I couldn't have done it without you
Thousands of Bags of Character people made and sold. I can't believe where the time's gone.
I started sculpting in 1992 and have not looked back since...not had time to really.
Raising a family, running a home and business, including enjoying the wonderful world of grandchildren : )
Think it's time to celebrate and look forward to the next 21 years of Bags of Character : )
I've recently had a few emails from people saying they'd Just discovered me' ....
It's either a good sign that there's many new people entering the world of collecting miniatures, or I need to re-think my advertising and PR (must speak to Bert & Eadie)
25 years and counting.... Still making for you since 1992
It's either a good sign that there's many new people entering the world of collecting miniatures, or I need to re-think my advertising and PR (must speak to Bert & Eadie)
25 years and counting.... Still making for you since 1992
And if you've ever wondered where I do my work.....
And the next party...
See Bags of Character again to look, buy or commission at …
Chicago International April
Kensington Dollshouse Festival in May
Miniatura at the NEC September
Chicago International April
Kensington Dollshouse Festival in May
Miniatura at the NEC September
It's hard work being a customer...
I went as a visitor to Miniatura to wander round, relax, see things only glimpsed at whilst nipping to the loo. Enjoy a coffee, I'll be done all by lunch time. Ha.
10am. Bought ticket, sauntered in, piece of cake. (needed one later with coffee to re-energise me!)
Surveyed the scene before me.....which way to go?
Left,right? Straight ahead? Everyone focused, lists in hand, seeking their chosen 'go to first stand'.
I headed for the loos! Well, it's a start. Time to formulate my modus operandii. Recalling customers methods, I chose systematic, one aisle at a time, no zigzagging. Easy peasy. 1 stand, 2 stands, 3...ooh, what's that over there? Just have a look. Hmm now, where was I… what are those... just look at these first.. I'm in the next aisle and I've only looked at half the first one. Go back? Continue, return? 2.30pm only half done but got some lovely things.
So this is what it's like the other side of the stands? Squeeze in, someone's moved, turn sideways take up less space, someone jostles into the space just created. A dance I get the hang of after a while.
And snippets overheard...'I want a man in the garden and one upstairs..' ...'I had a go at making one but I let my daughter have it so I'm buying this one instead..' ... I've gone 24th as I've got no more room..' ...'Do you think I can put....' ? ....Blimey, I better put more effort in, this is serious stuff.
Parched, it's time for a well earned coffee, review purchases then crack on if I'm to get round all the stands before it closes. Flippin heck, I don't work at this pace at home.
Done it! 5.25pm. Mission completed. Or is it? Look at that? Too late... I'll just have to return tomorrow.
So, to the dedicated, tireless, organised & enthusiastic who make the 'minature marathon', thank you.
10am. Bought ticket, sauntered in, piece of cake. (needed one later with coffee to re-energise me!)
Surveyed the scene before me.....which way to go?
Left,right? Straight ahead? Everyone focused, lists in hand, seeking their chosen 'go to first stand'.
I headed for the loos! Well, it's a start. Time to formulate my modus operandii. Recalling customers methods, I chose systematic, one aisle at a time, no zigzagging. Easy peasy. 1 stand, 2 stands, 3...ooh, what's that over there? Just have a look. Hmm now, where was I… what are those... just look at these first.. I'm in the next aisle and I've only looked at half the first one. Go back? Continue, return? 2.30pm only half done but got some lovely things.
So this is what it's like the other side of the stands? Squeeze in, someone's moved, turn sideways take up less space, someone jostles into the space just created. A dance I get the hang of after a while.
And snippets overheard...'I want a man in the garden and one upstairs..' ...'I had a go at making one but I let my daughter have it so I'm buying this one instead..' ... I've gone 24th as I've got no more room..' ...'Do you think I can put....' ? ....Blimey, I better put more effort in, this is serious stuff.
Parched, it's time for a well earned coffee, review purchases then crack on if I'm to get round all the stands before it closes. Flippin heck, I don't work at this pace at home.
Done it! 5.25pm. Mission completed. Or is it? Look at that? Too late... I'll just have to return tomorrow.
So, to the dedicated, tireless, organised & enthusiastic who make the 'minature marathon', thank you.
Did you make the dog?
Oh for £1 every time I've been asked that! It started with a cheap dog I displayed to add fun with my characters. With 40 figures on my stand, people look, smile, nod then and ask me...
'Did you make the dog?'
Well I thought, I better make one and I can say yes! So I made one, then lots more, I was having great fun.
My 'Bags of Character dog' is a cheeky archetypal puppy who adds fun to the scenes. Keep an eye out for him, he'll to be somewhere!
Oh for £1 every time I've been asked that! It started with a cheap dog I displayed to add fun with my characters. With 40 figures on my stand, people look, smile, nod then and ask me...
'Did you make the dog?'
Well I thought, I better make one and I can say yes! So I made one, then lots more, I was having great fun.
My 'Bags of Character dog' is a cheeky archetypal puppy who adds fun to the scenes. Keep an eye out for him, he'll to be somewhere!
Page four girl...
What a surprise on the Monday after Spring Miniatura to receive a call from the news photographer who had been taking photos of a variety of work at the show to tell me that in addition to my work been included in Mail online,
I was also in the Financial Times...on page 4.That put a spring to my step : )
It's a small world Carol Bull, from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, displays some of the figures she made to exhibit at the Miniatura international dolls' house show at the NEC, Birmingham, at the weekend.
I was also in the Financial Times...on page 4.That put a spring to my step : )
It's a small world Carol Bull, from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, displays some of the figures she made to exhibit at the Miniatura international dolls' house show at the NEC, Birmingham, at the weekend.
We're looking forward to seeing you soon...
We'll be at Kensington in May, Miniatura September and back to Chicago for a second time April 2018, where you'll get the chance to buy us and give us a new home if we like the look of you. : ) We'll look forward to seeing you there.
Carol Bull - Bags of Character featured in the AIM May 2010 Imag
I was very kindly asked by the very industrious Bea, of Petite Properties, and her team, who between them produce the excellent and informative free on line magazine, to supply some photos of my work and information about myself and Bags of Character for the
May edition of the AIM Artisans in Miniature digital Imag.
Go to www.artisansinminiature.com
I hope you enjoy the article and find it interesting, along with all the other 112 pages, yes 112, of superb articles, photos and projects.
Thank you AIM, I'm glad someone can conquer the digital minefield and have the time and energy to supply us all with such a great mag and an easy read. Now, time for a cuppa.....
May edition of the AIM Artisans in Miniature digital Imag.
Go to www.artisansinminiature.com
I hope you enjoy the article and find it interesting, along with all the other 112 pages, yes 112, of superb articles, photos and projects.
Thank you AIM, I'm glad someone can conquer the digital minefield and have the time and energy to supply us all with such a great mag and an easy read. Now, time for a cuppa.....