Craig Belon Gallery

Probably about 10 years ago now, I visited Ireland from the US with my family and happened across your shop. There I purchased two sets for hobby casting: the Staunton chess set and the 54mm Crusades: Richard the Lionheart vs Saladin Chess set. I immediately casted and painted the Staunton set and it has seen heavy rotation on my home board since. The black side a simple gloss black spray-can job and the white side an antique pewter finish. Simple, good looking, and durable.

At that time, I also casted all of the Richard the Lionheart side of the other set, and they sat unpainted for years and years. They were so nice and detailed they deserved to be painted well and I didn't have the time or patience to do it right.

Well, I finally got around to it. Here is a photo of "everybody." I'd like to thank you for making such a high-quality product- the modeling was great and made the men (and Queen!) much easier to paint. Maybe sometime in next ten years I'll complete the opposing forces!

I very much enjoyed your shop in Ireland; I have been a life-long hobbyist and it was great to see the process involved in mould (or as we in the US say, "mold") making process as well as seeing your finely painted miniatures to inspire me. When I purchased the set, there was no box label but one of your kind staff rummaged around for some time to locate a label, in French, with a photo of the completed set so I could have something to guide my painting. Should I ever travel to your country again I'll be sure to stop by.