From the Chairman - 2013 Good Sam Academy Ad

We want to share the 2013 Good Sam Academy of Miniatures ad in the May/June 2013 Dollhouse Miniatures magazine, page 9.  It is also in the May 2013 American Miniaturist on page 15.

IGMA Fellow Nancy Summers is offering a 3-day workshop to make the tufted chair shown in the Ad. There is also a foot stool. Students can make the chair and foot stool in leather, fabric, or a combination of both. The class is scheduled  Monday, October 14 through Wednesday, Oct 16. All skill levels are welcome.

For detailed class descriptions, info about attending the Academy, and Registration Form, go to:
http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net and click on the Academy. With questions, contact Connie Sauve, Academy Director: Connie@thechinadoll.com or 209-474-2870

At the Show - "The Perfect Pair" Exhibit

This week's blog is devoted to "The Perfect Pair" exhibit from the 2012 Good Sam Show. Created by the ever-so-talented Moonyeen Moller, Foster City, California, the scene is loaded with detail. In 1:12 scale, the room box is 27-inches wide, 17-inches deep, and 18-inches tall. Photos by Michael Puff, the Good Sam Show photographer, and Connie Sauve, the Good Sam Exhibit Chairman.

"This Whitledge Burgess room box was made specifically to house a collection of 1-inch scale porcelain china pairs," Moonyeen Moller tells us. "The original collection belonged to my mother, Martha Sullivan. After her death, the collection was slowly expanded to its present size."

The greatest part of the new porcelain pieces were created by Rachel Williams, V. R. Miniatures in the U.K. info@vrminiatures.co.uk, http://www.vrminiatures.co.uk/

The pair of identical twin store owners were created by doll artist Nancy Cronin. nancysdoll@comcast.net, http://www.picturetrail.com/photos/nancyc1938

The crystal chandeliers are the work of J. Getzan Dollhouse Miniatures. He is well-known for exceptional handcrafted chandeliers and sconces, copperware, wrought iron baker's racks, and more.  jgminis@yahoo.com, http://jgetzan.com/

Whitledge & Burgess offer a similar Georgian-inspired Shop as a kit on their website. The third in their series of Georgian inspired shops, "The Shop at Kensington Plaza," is being offered as a workshop this June in Milwaukee. Details for this workshop and additional upcoming workshops can be found on their website. http://whitledgeburgess.com/studio/. You might also enjoy their blog, http://modernminiatures-whitledge-burgess.blogspot.com/.

From the Chairman: 2012 Show Coverage - Dolls House World, U.K.

The 2012 Good Sam Show received six pages of fabulous show coverage in the March 2013 issue of Dollshouse World in the U.K. From the article, here are a few photos of exquisite 1:12 scale miniatures offered at the 2012 Show. All of these talented artisans are returning to this year's October show. We give special thanks to Richard Jennings, Editor, for including Good Sam in his beautiful magazine. For Dollshouse World subscription information, email: support@ashdown.co.uk.

Ladies trunk by Valerie Anne Casson, France. valcasson@gmail.com, www.valeriecasson.com

Bountiful fall harvest country table and autumn cart by Laura Crain, Dollhouse Land. lauracrain2@aol.com

Delightful collection of children's toys from Carla Gaustad. She carries a unique selection of one-of-a-kind miniatures from talented artisans in the U.S. and abroad. jgaustad1@cox.net

Three hand-painted signs from Phyllis Hawkes Studio. phyllis.hawkes@comcast.net, www.phyllis hawdesstudio.com

Victorian housekeeper and the lady of the house with a nightcap of tea before retiring by Silvia Leiner, Cinderella of Germany. SBLeiner@aol.com, www.cinderellaminiaturen.com

Flowers in teapot by Pat Stebbins, The Minikin Florist, San Diego, CA. Pat's seasonal and holiday centerpieces and festive florals are always a big hit at the show. Pat Stebbins, Tel: 858-279-8026 (no email).

Art Deco piano by Peter Tucker, Roomboxes Etc, Canada. peter@roomboxes.com,

www.roomboxes.com

Beautifully detailed bookcase wall unit with Old World richness and elegance by Cabinetmaker Geoff Wonnacott, U.K. gffwon@aol.com, www.geoffrey.wonnacott.org.  

Porcelain plates: Miyuki Nagashima, Miyuki Miniature Porcelain, Japan. mail@miyuki-miniature-porcelain.com. Hand-bound miniature leather books:  Tine Krijnen, Miniatuuren Boekbinden, Netherlands. info@miniatuurboekbinden.nl, www.miniatuurboekbinden.nl

GSAM Instructor Carol Wagner

Since 1997, Carol Wagner has been handcrafting realistic flowering plants and vines. An IGMA Fellow in Plants, Carol is teaching a four day workshop at the Good Sam Academy (GSAM) in October. Students will make a rhododendron, clump of evergreen bamboo, and pot of petunias. Participants will hand-cut and glue leaves and blooms, make realistic branches and canes, and apply painted detail and washes. You can apply this method to almost any miniature plant, bush or vine to create a unique piece. All skill levels are welcome.  For registration information, go to: http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net/goodsamacademy.htm

GSAM workshop in October 2013 to make a rhododendron, clump of evergreen bamboo, and pot of petunias.

Photo of the rhododendron bush - October 2013 GSAM workshop.

Photo of the clump of evergreen bamboo and pot of petunias - October 2013  GSAM workshop.

Shown below are a variety of Carol's fabulous flower creations. Don't miss her table at this year's Good Sam Show.

Blue rose bush in gothic pot. Window box with miniature rose bush, petunias, geraniums, violets and lobelia designed for Rik Pierce, Frogmorton Studios.

Bonsai fuchsia  planted in a free form raku bowl that Carol made in a Jon Almeda class. All of her bonsai are planted with moss and boulders to provide a look of age.

Tree fuchsia with red calyx and purple corolla. Yellow climbing rose. Coral rose bush. Well known for her exceptional roses, devoted fans affectionately call her "the Queen of Roses."

Handmade gathering basket of cut lavender and ivory roses, fern, and wildflowers.

Lovely little scene with bench and Morning Glory vine climbing a tree trunk.

Ikebana arrangement of California magnolia blossoms in Jon Almeda pottery. The tree trunk is a knot from a dead branch that Carol found in the desert. Photo by Bob Wagner.

You can contact Carol at Bobncar1254@gmail.com or visit her website to see more designs, http://carol-wagner.com/miniatures/

Update on MiniCals Workshop Series

Here are the upcoming MiniCals Workshops through June 2013. Also, see the new October 5 NAME day project added below. All classes are 1-inch scale and are held at 315 Digital Drive, Morgan Hill, CA.

April 27:  We will build and tile a sink/cabinet/wine rack and paint wine bottles.  This could be a sink/cabinet without a wine rack if that is your choice.  This will furnish the March workshop vignette. $20

May 18:  Regular solder vs. liquid solder.  Experiment with both and you will complete a simple metal project in 1 inch scale. $17

June 22:  Learn how to create decals and decorate plates. $15

A basic toolbox and gluing jig is all that is needed.
Shoebox sales will be offered.  Bring a sack lunch. Hot and cold beverages will be provided.

NEW - October 5: 
MiniCals and Through the Looking Glass are doing a NAME day project on October 5. It is a Christmas Cart. The official name for the NAME day project is "A Cart of all Reasons." Our NAME day event is called "Christmas is the Reason."  Cost $40. We will display the carts at the 2013 Good Sam on October 12-13, 2013.

Reservations are now being taken. Make checks payable to Ruth Heisch, 7197 Wooded Lake Dive, San Jose, CA 95120.

If you have questions, contact:
Ruth Heisch at 408-997-1004, gouchybeartoo@aol.com or Karen Laisure@408-436-3955, cell 408-688-4799, klaisure@aol.com

At the Show - Exhibit

This week's exhibit "The Tuck Box" draws inspiration from the Storybook Cottages in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Carmel boasts several of these whimsical "Once upon a time" cottages designed by Hugh Comstock in the 1920s. One of Comstock's fanciful structures "The Tuck Box Tea Room" has been a Carmel tradition since 1940.

Recreated in 1:12 scale by Don Silva, Modesto, California, it was exhibited at the 2012 Good Sam Show. "It is an exact replica of the 1927 Tuck Box in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA," Don says. "It is currently an English tea room. I built the building from scratch using measurements from the actual building." Don's miniature replica is 30-inches wide, 30-inches deep, and 24-inches high.  Photos courtesy of Connie Sauve, Exhibit Chairman.

To see more of Hugh Comstock's enchanting fairytale cottages, go here:  http://talesfromcarmel.com/2011/04/06/hugh-comstocks-fairytale-cottages-by-the-sea/

From the Chairman: 2013 Good Sam Ad in Miniaturas, Spain

Special thanks to our good friend Madelva Fernandez, Director and Editor of Miniaturas magazine in Spain. She designed the wonderful 2013 Good Sam Show full-page ad shown here. It is a most generous gift to Good Sam and ran as the final page in the February 2013 issue of Miniaturas. We are deeply grateful to Madelva for sharing information about the Good Sam Show with the miniature community in Spain. The 2012 Show also received four fabulous pages of coverage in the January 2013 issue of Miniaturas.

For subscription information to this very beautiful Spanish language miniature magazine, go to: http://www.miniaturasrevista.com or contact Madelva Fernandez, email miniat@arrakis.es

GSAM Instructor Barbara Sabia

For about fifteen years, Barbara Sabia of Melbourne, Florida has been creating a wide range of intricate stained glass pieces. This includes stained glass windows, door and ceiling panels, fireplace and floor-standing screens, and more. She is teaching two workshops at the Good Sam Academy of Miniatures. Students will learn the basic techniques of lead cutting, lead usage and glazing. To see more of her designs, go to Stained Glass by Barbara Sabia, minis@barbarasabia.com,  http://www.barbarasabia.com

Here are the two 1:12 scale Workshops that Barbara will be offering at the Good Sam Academy in October 2013. All skill levels are welcome. For registration information, go to: http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net/goodsamacademy.htm

Workshop 1 - Oct 14: Stained Glass Window.

Workshop 2 - Oct 15: Stained Glass Fireplace Screen.

Shown below are several out-of-the-ordinary Stained Glass creations by Barbara.

Margaret's Wreath Window.

Peacock Sidelights.

Dancing lady, a collaboration between Barbara Sabia and Nicole Walton Marble.

Mother Goose window in children's room.

Custom stained glass panels from a Whitledge & Burgess class.

Art Deco Fan Screen.

Birds of South Carolina.

To see more of Barbara Sabia's work, go here.

At the Show - Ceramics

Troy Schmidt of Red Dragon Pottery has been a dealer at Good Sam for about 15 years. He is an IGMA Fellow in Ceramics. Using a full-sized potter's wheel, Troy individually handcrafts each piece of his 1:12 scale hand-thrown pottery from fine English porcelain. Constantly exploring and experimenting, his work is highly imaginative and his glazes are exceptional. Be sure to stop by Troy's table at this year's show. And, check his Facebook page for news and updates. RedDragonPottery@gmail.com, http://www.RedDragonPottery.com,  https://www.facebook.com/RedDragonPottery

Three hand-thrown Asian inspired vessels with traditional celadon glaze. Two have bamboo handles.

Stunning hand-thrown Asian teapot, pitcher and vase.

Handcrafted potter's wheel with bold red-rimmed bowls off to the side. Photo taken on showroom floor.

1:12 scale and full size pottery bowls with the same three-dimensional reticulated glaze. From the 2010 Good Sam Show.

Hand-thrown pottery with a lovely blue glaze from the 2009 Good Sam Show.

To see more of Troy Schmidt's pottery, go here.

Upcoming Male Figure Sculpting Workshop at Shellie's Miniatures

Long-time dealer Shellie Kazan has posted her new 2013 workshop offerings on the Shellie's Miniature Mania website. All classes are held at her shop in San Carlos, CA.

The next scheduled workshop is by the remarkable doll artist Elle Piccolo-West. In 2003, Elle attained the status of IGMA Fellow. It is a two-day workshop on May 18 and 19, 2013 to create an Adult Male Figure. Cost $395.00. To register, contact Shellie Kazan. Tel 650-593-4921, shelliesminis@msn.com, shelliesminis.com

Elle will teach you how to make one male character doll using polymer clays. You will sculpt the head and shoulders, along with the legs. The hands will be taught also, but for those who prefer a pair of hands, they will be available. You will then make the soft body sculpture, and attach the legs using an armature. Once done, you will dress your figure. You can do this!

Here are some samples and ideas that each student can work from to create their own unique male figure. 

Shellie has additional photos posted with her Classes & Workshops, http://shelliesminis.com/shop/index.php?main_page=page&id=.  More ideas can be found on Elle's website, http://www.ellepiccolodolls.com.  If you have questions, email Elle at epartdol@hotmail.com

This is the first of two classes Elle is scheduled to teach at Shellie's. The second class is an Adult Female Figure. Dates to be determined. Everything will be supplied for each student with the exception of a pair scissors, strong reading glasses and lighting, if needed.