At the Show - More Animals and Birds

This week's blog brings you more Good Sam artisans who create some 1:12 scale miniatures, with a theme celebrating animals or birds. The focus this week is on nature, wildlife, and household pets.


In addition to original 1:12 scale porcelain dolls, IGMA Fellow Sylvia Mobley sculpts cats, dogs, wildlife figures and more. She has been making miniatures for 34 years, and has been a dealer at Good Sam for the last five years. http://www.sylviamobley.com/, sylviamobley.blogspot.com

Bobcat, raccoon, and black-footed ferret.

Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Brother wolves hunting.

Barbara Stanton started taking oil painting lessons in high school (1973) and has been painting ever since. She finds inspiration in "nature and light." For more than 20 years, Barbara has been creating original miniature oil paintings of animals, birds, landscapes, seascapes, and more. http://www.barbarastanton.com/

"Focused" - 1:12 scale painting of an African cheetah, 2-1/4" x 1-5/8" and Focused II in half-inch scale, 1-1/8" x 1"

"Little Adventurer" - 2" x 1-1/2"

"Seaside Flirt" - Seagulls on the beach, 1-1/2" x 1-5/8"

A very multifaceted artist with dozens of different lines, Alice Zinn began making miniatures professionally in the late 1970s. Her animals, birds and accessories are very popular with collectors. Alice's first year at Good Sam was 2011 and she taught a workshop. iamazin@aol.com, http://community.webshots.com/user/iamazin

Ragdoll, grey and white "alley" cat and white Persian cat share a leopard print cat tree. 1:12 scale.

Peacock in full display. Over 100 hand-painted "eye" feathers. 1:12 scale.

At the Show - Exhibits

One of this week's exhibits from past Good Sam Shows makes imaginative use of stuffed toy bears. The other exhibit uses frogs (amphibian animals) in a most enchanting way.

Bears 4th of July Picnic by Karen Fraser, Santa Clara, CA from the 2009 show. All of the materials were a gift from her daughter, Kathleen Sliter, a miniaturist and member of Mini Attics (a NAME club), Redwood City, CA.1:12 scale.

"It takes a lot of Frogs" fantasy fairytale mid-1700s scene by Moonyeen Moeller, Foster City, CA. Exhibited at the 2011 Show. 1:12 scale.

New from dealers

The last Saturday of each month, we will include a special post devoted to new products from dealers at the upcoming 2012 Good Sam Show. Dealers are invited to provide information and photos to share with you. This is the first such post.

Always innovative, long-time dealer IGMA Fellow Barbara Stanton recently introduced 1:12 scale miniature dollhouse jigsaw puzzles with images of her paintings. The tiny puzzles are 1.5" x 2", have 80 pieces each and come with a matching box. Five different designs are available on her website under Art for Sale/Miniature Accessories.  Look for the puzzles on her table at our 2012 Show. http://www.barbarastanton.com/

"Longhair w/ Lupins" Puzzle

"Sunflowers w/ Tomatoes" Puzzle

"Eavesdropper" Puzzle

Shellie Kazan, Shellie's Miniature Mania in San Carlos, CA, has scheduled three 2012 workshops in 1:12 scale. Bluette Meloney is offering her Kaleidoscope Shop. The Teppers are giving a Steampunk room box class. Rik Pierce is teaching Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. The Teppers are bringing exciting one-of-a-kind Kaleidoscope and Steampunk furnishings to the 2012 Good Sam Show. Shellie and other dealers will have eye-catching pieces available to outfit miniature structures in any manner you wish. For workshop info go to http://www.shelliesminis.com/ or email shelliesminis@msn.com.

Kaleidoscope Shop. Workshop scheduled February 18-22. Photos courtesy of Keith Crowder.

Kaleidoscope Shop interior, unfurnished.

Interior with one-of-a-kind hand-painted Kaleidoscope furniture by the Teppers.

Steampunk Room Box. Workshop scheduled August 11-15.

Interior furnished with one-of-a-kind Steampunk furnishings by the Teppers.

Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. Workshop scheduled July 5-9

Interior view of this versatile two-story shop as finished in workshop.

At the Show - Animals and Birds

This week's blog highlights some Good Sam Show dealers who carry miniatures with a theme of animals and birds. In 1:12 scale, these miniatures range from endearing household pets to fanciful anthropomorphic animals.


In business for over 35 years, Maria and John Fowler, The Little Dollhouse Company, Ontario, Canada, have been Good Sam dealers the last five years. They carry an attention-grabbing selection of artisan doll houses, miniatures, kits and accessories. http://www.thelittledollhousecompany.com/

Old style dollhouse bird cage handmade of painted brass by Mini di Perluigi, Italy.

For 33 years Carla Gaustad has been collecting and selling miniatures at shows only. She carries a unique selection of one-of-a-kind pieces from talented artisans in the U.S. and abroad. She also creates the occasional holiday item. Carla has been a dealer at the Good Sam show for 30 years. jgaustad1@cox.net, 949-768-5636.

Elegantly attired Afghan lady in lilac silk and lace from Carla Gaustad.

Rooster country gentleman by David Ward of England from Carla Gaustad.

Bridget McCarty, bridgetmccarty.com, has been making miniature pets and collectibles professionally for five years. She attended Good Sam for the first time in 2011. Bridget strives to give each animal and bird a personality that makes it utterly unique.

Playful white cat with rats in garbage.

Red Macaw. Custom piece for a collector who provided feathers the real life bird had shed.

Alvaro Rodriguez and Paola Ojeda, Taller Targioni, Spain, have been handcrafting 1:12 scale miniatures for 14 years. Alvaro concentrates on unique wooden furniture, gentlemen's accoutrements, and more. Paola specializes in distinctive sewing work tables, samplers, mannequins, jewelry boxes, plus more. They have been Good Sam dealers for two years. http://www.tallertargioni.com/

Dog pulling handmade mahogany wagon loaded with handcrafted luggage by Jose Maria Gomez. The wheels are cast in metal.

At the Show - Exhibit

"Castles and Cottages" is a two-sided 1:12 scale exhibit by Mary Fish, Pleasanton, CA from the 2009 Good Sam Show. It makes use of two anthropomorphic cats in a very clever way.  The Gentleman Cat and Lady Cat were purchased at the 2008 NAME National Convention along with the Castle and Cottage walls and tables by Robin Betterley.

Side 1 of  the "Castles and Cottages" exhibit has a Gentleman Cat in a castle setting.

Side 2 of  the "Castles and Cottages" exhibit has a Lady Cat in a cottage setting.

At the Show - Flower Artisans

This week we bring you enchanting--and diverse--floral arrangements from talented artisans who attend the Good Sam Show. We also include a few contemporary floral paintings in miniature. 

These are just a few of the floral designs by Janice Kimbro of Jan's Flower Shoppe & More. Jan has been a dealer at Good Sam for the last four years and has been making florals for more than twenty years.  Tel: 916-349-1340.

Iris and hydrangeas in pots and rusted garden chair with sleeping cat surrounded by flowers, climbing ivy and roses.

Large potted hydrangea with a massive display of lovely pink flowers.

Oval wicker basket potted with a delicate flowering plant, variegated ivy and an assortment of greenery.

Pot of bright colorful red mums. Available in other colors.

Era Pearce, IGMA Fellow, has been handcrafting 1:12 scale miniature flowers and plants for more than twenty years. She has been a dealer at Good Sam for the past eight years. www.pearceminiatures.com

Tropical floral arrangement with hand-crafted Birds of Paradise and Anthuriums.

Another tropical floral arrangement--this time with red Heliconia and white ginger added to the Birds of Paradise.

 Orchids are favorite flowers for Era to create in miniature.

Each delicate water garden Era creates is one-of-a-kind, not to be duplicated.

Barbara Stanton and William Maranville have been dealers at Good Sam over 13 years. An IGMA Fellow, Barbara sells original oil paintings. Some years she offers a workshop on how to paint a miniature oil painting. An IGMA Artisan, Bill offers fine miniature turnings and hand carved masks. http://www.barbarastanton.com/

Iris Garden oil painting, 1-3/8" x 1-3/4"

"Coral Roses" - 2" x 1-3/4"

"Parrot Tulips Triptych" - 3-5/8" x 2-1/4" overall

An IGMA Artisan, Pat Stebbins makes unique 1:12 scale floral displays that catch the eye. She has been doing business as The Minikin Florist for more than twenty years. Pat has been a dealer at Good Sam the last nine years. Tel:  858-279-8026

Yellow lilies and roses centerpiece, white lilies in blue oriental vase, and garden basket of roses and daisies.

Bamboo with Chinese Lantern flowers.

Rustic centerpiece with bright vibrant flowers and fresh tropical fruit.

A sparkling one-of-a-kind holiday centerpiece. 

Laura Crain, Dollhouse Land, LauraCrain2@aol.com, has been making life-size silk flower arrangements for thirty-three years. Proprietor of a silk flower shop, Laura designs miniature florals and miniature food in her spare time. She has been a dealer at Good Sam for four years.

Wicker bench with climbing roses, birdhouse and basket with baby chicks surrounded by spring flowers,  rusted watering can and white rabbit.

European wicker cart with potted spring flowers, ornamental cabbage, Easter eggs and rabbit.

Two lovely one-of-a-kind floral arrangements in vases.

Country cottage shabby chic cupboard.

At the Show - Exhibits

This week's exhibits from the 2011 Good Sam Show have a floral theme. 

"Bumper Crop Blooms" in 1:12 scale by Connie Sauve, Stockton, CA. In addition to assembling the exhibit, Connie added rust and aged the truck. She also sculpted the proprietor and costumed both figures.

"Fleur-de-lis" flower shop in 1:12 scale by Nancy Wantiez, Hayward, CA. Nancy made the flowers and the figure. The cat is by Kerri Pajutee Miniature Animals.

At the Show - Food Artisans

This week we are featuring some of the food artisans who attend the Good Sam Show. These amazing creations look good enough to eat--but they wouldn't make much of a mouthful.

Laura Crain, Dollhouse Land, LauraCrain2@aol.com, began designing miniature foods and flowers at age 15--more than thirty years ago. She owns and works full-time in her silk flower store in San Juan Capistrano, CA. Laura has attended Good Sam the last four years.

Collection of handmade cheeses and breads on table made from 150 year old English oak.

IGMA Fellow Jan Patrie has been a dealer at Good Sam for over twelve years. She has been hand-sculpting miniature foods for 25 years. Her line includes fruits, vegetables, eggs, meats, drinks, hors d'oeuvres, French baguettes, whole pies with a cut slice, and more. www.autumnleafstudio.com

Handmade cutting board with cut fresh cantaloupe. Cast iron skillet with bacon and eggs.

Preparation of chicken soup with homemade noodles. A woodworker, Jan makes her own display pieces.

Deli Stand with meat, cheese, pickles, and box of fish on ice.

"Love at First Bite"  features a commission for two Italian dinners, one ravioli and one eggplant parmesan. Country dough table (c1820-1910) by Shaker Works West.

Lola Renner, lola-originals.com, has been creating miniature food for more than 30 years. She makes appetizers, fruit, gourmet food, Holiday candy and treats, one-of-a-kind wedding cakes, gingerbread houses, and more. She has been a dealer at Good Sam for over 30 years as well.

Chocolate raspberry cake, chocolate lover's cake, and party fruit platter.

Crown rib roast adorned with paper frills, corn on cob, and tossed salad.

Celebration cakes in all three scales--one-inch, half-inch, and quarter-inch.

Sliced watermelon in decorative melon boat, luscious berries cake, and gourmet platter of six flavors of cheese cake.