Saturday, February 23, 2013

At the Show -Fine Furniture from Japan

Miniature artist Isako Furuhashi of Atelier 2cv, Japan, attended Good Sam in 2011 and 2012. For more than ten years, she has been designing 1:12 scale Japanese and Chinese style furniture and more. From antique to modern pieces, Isako's unique handcrafted furniture collection is constantly evolving. Don't miss her newest work at this year's show. http://www.dollhouse-isako.com

From the showroom floor, Isako Furuhashi's table at the 2012 Good Sam Show.
Japanese tansu chest.
Japanese paper lamp.
Antique wood book case with books.
Small antique wood file box with 20 pull-out drawers with brass drawer pulls/ID plates.

To see more of Isako's work, go here.

At the Show - Hand-painted China from Japan

An IGMA Artisan in China Painting, Miyuki Nagashima from Japan makes exquisitely detailed 1:12 scale porcelain wall plates, vases and dinnerware, among other pieces. She attended Good Sam in 2011 and 2012, and will be returning for this year's show. mail@miyuki-miniature-porcelain.com


From the 2012 show, dinner set with blue flowers and gold leaves. Silver by IGMA Fellow Peter Acquisto. http://www.acquistosilver.com


Vase inspired by 18th century Sèvres porcelain, France. From the 2012 show.



To see more of Miyuki’s work, go here.

At the Show - Animal Figures from Japan

Last year, Takumi Takanashi from Japan was a dealer at Good Sam for the first time. Her one-of-a-kind 1:12 scale furred animal figures are exceptional. In 2013, expect to see exciting new dogs, cats, wildlife figures and more on Takumi's table. Her work is splendid and she sells out quickly. Email: Takumi@minimalxanimal.com. Web: http://www.minimalxanimal.com

A handsome Cheetah. One of Takumi's big jungle cats.
Furred Siberian Husky dog with blue eyes.
An adorable furred Corgi.
Takumi holding two different furred rabbits at the 2012 show.
Siamese cat and squirrel from the 2012 show.

To see more of Takumi's furred animal figures, go here.

At the Show - Exhibits

This week we are featuring more of the delightful quarter-scale teacup exhibits that were on display at the 2012 Good Sam Show. These imaginative and inventive scenes were created as part of a club project by members of The MiniAttics Club. Photos courtesy of Connie Sauve, Good Sam Exhibit Chairman.

Cherry Blossom Festival in quarter-scale by Marjorie Milani, Redwood City, CA.. This teacup scene is 6-inches wide by 6 inches deep, and 5-inches tall.

Chinese Apothecary in quarter-scale by Jasmin Schwarz, Burlingame, CA. "Growing up in Hong Kong 30 years ago, I would often walk through crowded alleyways and come across an open doorway that would immediately invite me to take a closer look," Jasmin says. "This scene is of a tiny Chinese apothecary and contains many of the things I remember from those childhood days." This teacup scene is 6-inches wide by 6-inches deep, and 5-inches tall.

Japanese Rock Garden in quarter-scale by Hong McKinsey, San Jose, CA. This teacup scene is 6-inches wide by 6-inches deep, and 5-inches tall.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

At the Show - Celebrating Chinese New Year

This week's blog is devoted to the "Chinatown's Green Dragon Restaurant" exhibit from the 2012 Good Sam Show. We picked this exhibit to honor Chinese New Year, which was celebrated this year on February 10. Also known as the "Spring Festival," it is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. Special thanks to Connie Sauve, Exhibit Chairman, for sharing her photographs. We wish you Gung Hay Fat Choy! (Happy New Year!) 

This amazing 1:12 scale miniature structure is filled with a wealth of detail. It is 25-inches wide, 26-inches deep, and 35-inches tall.

"The Green Dragon Restaurant took well over a year to complete," says MeShelle Keel, San Pablo, CA. "I envision this restaurant sitting in the fog in San Francisco. I made all of the appliances, fixtures and most of the food by hand. It has a dining room upstairs, a full running kitchen on the main floor, and dim sum take away below in the basement. (Dim Sum, anyone?)"

See the Green Dragon Restaurant (far right) on the Exhibits showroom floor.
















Saturday, February 9, 2013

At the Show - Valentine Accessories & Collectibles

This week, we continue our celebration of Valentine's Day with more offerings from dealers who attend the Good Sam Show. You will find button cards, lacing cards, a charming Victorian lady time traveler, and gifts for a special lady. There are also mouth-watering Valentine's Day sweets and desserts.

From Hesta House and LEAFpdx, Ilisha Helfman shares some special accessories and collectibles with Valentine's Day in mind. An extraordinarily talented artisan, Ilisha's line includes dollhouses, accessories, delightful rugs, pop-up theaters, tramp art, and much more. You will love the intricate detail of her creations. Look for Ilisha's table at this year's show. ilisha@leafpdx.com, www.hestiahouse.com, www.leafpdx.com

Miniature Butterfly Lacing Cards in Heart Box.
Time traveling paper doll comes with flat pack rocket.
Sample of button cards.

Sample of button cards.

Sample of button cards.

To see more of Ilisha's work, go here.

At the Show - Valentine Gifts for Milady

Lori Ann Potts of Canada shares some of her fashionable women's apparel and accessories suitable for Valentine's Day. She also handcrafts gentleman's attire, exceptional jewelry, accessories, shop displays and cupboards with an emphasis on late 1800s and early 1900s fashions. Lori Ann works in 1:12 scale, quarter-scale, and offers some kits. Don't miss her table at the 2013 Show. mustardseed@uniserve.com, http://stores.ebay.com/Lori-Ann-Potts-Miniature-Arts

Bust with black lace corset trimmed with red ribbons and pearls, lace shawl, and jeweled choker.
Shop display of ladies soaps, bath and spa products.
Pretty chemise in vintage box.
From 1940s-1950s, cocktail dress with burgundy velvet bodice and silk crepe de chine skirt.
Edwardian frock in pink silk and lace.

To see more of Lori Ann's creations, go here.

At the Show - Valentine's Day Desserts

In celebration of Valentine's Day, Ruth Stewart (Stewart Dollhouse Creations) shares some of her 1:12 scale offerings. Ruth makes cakes, cupcakes, pastries and more for all of the major holidays. She also creates a wide variety of laser cut antique doilies, rugs, and lots of kits in 1:12 and 1:48 scale. Her line is always evolving so be sure to stop by her table at this year's show to see what's new. ruth@stewartdollhousecreations.com, stewartdollhousecreations.com

Large heart cake with red roses and the word Love on it, 1:12 scale. Special order, not on website.
Red Valentine Cupcakes on a plate, 1:12 scale. http://stewartdollhousecreations.com/mcupcake07
Four Valentine's Day cupcakes on 1" plate. http://stewartdollhousecreations.com/mcupcake54
Candy Heart Cake, 1:12 scale.  http://stewartdollhousecreations.com/mscak36
Glass Candy Jar full of Heart Candies, 1" tall by 1/2" wide.
Heart Candies in a laser Candy Dish (the size of a cupcake), 1:12 scale. http://stewartdollhousecreations.com/candy05
Pink Valentines Day Petit Fours, 1:12 scale. http://stewartdollhousecreations.com/petit04
Valentines Day Heart Cookies with Pink Sprinkles and Candies, 1:12 scale.  http://stewartdollhousecreations.com/pastry03

To see more of Ruth's work, go here, here and here.