New Shop
The Military Workshop has moved - three doors to the left ! (right side of shop)
The new shop is smaller but looks much better as a lot more planning went into the outside look and interior layout. These pics show the front.The signage was done by Jon from JP Signs and the painting by Emma and Jonesy from Bakers and Co, one of our neighbours. The font and colour combination style used on the text panels at the bottom of each main window and on the roof sign was designed by our good friend and supplier Andy Neilson of King & Country. Andy has considerable design experience, having operated pubs and Toy Soldier shops, and his suggested look worked extremely well with my paint scheme.
(left side - note a strip of images not put on yet due to Christmas display).
(roof sign - note we were unable to put anything on the white awning as it would involve road closure and considerable expense). The image below shows the final layout by Jon prior to approval. You will note one strip of images showing Greeks and Romans etc has not actually been put on yet as would have got in the way of the nutcrackers at the top of the Christmas display. Jon has done great work on the signage and was very helpful through the whole process and just as importantly good value. Jon is very well known in the area for his signage work. His Dad previously ran a well known motorcycle leather gear shop in our premises.
All the soldier images are from King & Country and are intended to show the great variety of figures we stock. The below Christmas display was part of a co-ordinated effort by Brisbane City Council and local shops. This was part of a publicity campaign by the Council regarding 2 million worth of improvements over next few months at the junction of Samford Rd and Pickering Street. Council assisted with my lighting and some window display tips. Special thanks to Carmel and Amy for all their effort and assistance. Special mention should also go to some of our local customers who helped in moving items and setting up some of the displays. My main assistant was Steve but also great help received from Phil, Greg, Ian and Glenn. The new shop counter was a highlight ! Steve and I would still be trying to put it up if Glenn and Ian had not come in when they did. Am glad it is over. All I have to do now is remember where everything is ! The Military Workshop Christmas Window Display, Brisbane, Australia - the nearest we will get to snow !
The images from the front taken at night and those inside taken during the day. Figures to look out for are : Many Charles Dickens figures, the captured Santa, Charlie Chaplin x 3, Laurel and Hardy, Jesus x 2 (one is very small !), Lawrence of Arabia, American Civil War leaders, the drinking German pilots (near their plane). Unfortunately criminals dont take the holidays off and it looks like Jack the Ripper, Fagin and the Artful Dodger are up to no good. However trust me when I say if they commit any crimes they will be caught ! That is because in the display are Sherlock Holmes, Watson and Hercule Poirot. Only problem is they are missing from my pics ! They are actually very close to the Christmas carol singers.
Figures above are from K&C Life of Jesus series and some of their Christmas sets.
More Christmas sets, card players from Jenkins.
Plane is from Jenkins and chosen for its colour. The drinking pilots on the other side.
I have already been asked if I sell the nutcrackers in the window display. I got most of them (apart from top middle front three) from Christmas Shackwhich in Brisbane are at Virginia, Slacks Creek, Capalaba and Sunshine Coast. They also had a few other items from Leemax which worked well with my display. My favourites were the sign saying "Charles Dickens reading this way".and 5 Christmas dogs, both pretty much right scale for my figures. Quite a few of the trees also from them. Check them out as the biggest Christmas shop and best selection I have seen. The smaller nutcrackers on either end only $14.95. You will note a blue cabinet against a wall. It currently contains WW1 planes who are waiting to take over their airfield once Christmas is over. Or will it be Zulus and Streets of Hong Kong. Who knows ?
Three K&C WW1 Christmas sets in image above and below. Britains football players also there.
K&C Dickens and Napoleonic figures above and in below four images.
Note Jack the Ripper top right. Dickens sign from Leemax.
Uh oh, Fagin and the Artful Didger lurking behind the carol singers.
Three Charlie Chaplins and Laurel and Hardy.
Daytime pics of front of display.
The majority of the figures are from King & Country with a few from Britains, John Jenkins and Thomas Gunn. Some are retired items now in my collection but quite a few are still current figures and can still be bought. Hope everybody has a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and enjoy their hard earned holidays. |
