2014 Good Sam Academy Ad

We would like to share this Ad for the Good Sam Academy of Miniatures being held October 13-17 at our Morgan Hill, CA facility. It appears on the inside back cover of the July/August 2014 Dollhouse Miniatures magazine (Issue 40). It is also on the inside back cover of the July 2014 issue of American Miniaturist magazine (Issue 135). 

Click on any photo on Blog to enlarge.

For information go to:

http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net/goodsamacademy.htm. Send in your GSAM registration now, before your favorite class gets filled.  If you have questions, contact Connie Sauve, GSAM Director. Phone 209-474-2870. Email connie@thechinadoll.com

Beth Freeman-Kane, South Africa: Dealer & Friday Workshop

New to Good Sam in 2013, IGMA Fellow Beth Freeman-Kane will be a dealer and offer a workshop at this year's show. Beth specializes in sculptures of birds and small wildlife in natural settings. Her studio is in the family's log cabin home in South Africa. The house looks out onto a lush green valley in semi-rural Assagay, KwaZula-Natal. Email: info@bethfreeman-kane.co.za  Web:  http://www.bethfreeman-kane.co.za

"Moments in Time" a wooden clock case with eight compartments. Each contains birds or small wildlife from South Africa.

"Meerkat Manners" is a framed wildlife composition featuring a female meerkat with baby.

Chickadee perched on a watering can observing a dragonfly made with real bee wings. 

Photo of workshop - Beth is offering a Friday workshop to create a 1:12 scale "Lazuli Bunting" bird vignette. To register, go to http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net 

New Dealer: A&R Miniatures - Fireplaces & More

Alvin & Rose Schulz, A&R Miniatures are new to Good Sam this year. "We started with flickering log sets and mantels and have expanded to pillar candles, Christmas trees and pumpkins," Alvin says. "We do custom LED lighting designs as well." Most products are 1:12th scale. They expect to have some quarter-scale products available for the show. Flickering fireplaces are available with and without sound. See examples with sound on website. Email: alvin@arminiatures.com. Web: http://www.arminiatures.com  

Flickering fireplace.

Flickering fireplace video.

Flickering white fireplace.

Flickering white fireplace video with crackling sound.

New Product: Book of Bluette Meloney's Miniature Designs

A nationally acclaimed IGMA Artisan in Faux Finishes, Bluette Meloney is a dealer at Good Sam. Last year, she taught one of the first Good Sam Academy Classes. Her new book "The Miniature Renderings of Bluette Meloney" was initially published in the fall of 2013, right before last year's Show. Authored by Rhona T. Lee, it is a 102 page photographic full-color portfolio of the majority of the structures and settings designed by Bluette. Below is a sampling of the book. Click on photos to enlarge.

To obtain a hardback copy, go to Bluette Meloney's website for details or contact jack.meloney@gmail.com. Web: http://bluettemeloney.com.  She will also have the book available for purchase at this year's Show.

Exhibit #1 - "Take My Advice..."

"Take my Advice..." in 1:12 scale is presented by Ruth Heisch, San Jose, CA. "I won the Marcia Backstrom doll at a convention," Ruth tells us. "She's the old showgirl, giving advice to the younger one. I made the screen and mirror/vanity to show off my Ferd Sobol stool." Ruth is also Chairman of this year's Good Sam Show. Photo courtesy of Connie Sauve, Exhibit Chairman.

Click on photos to enlarge.

The display case is by Cortland Doan, Cortland Enterprises. He has been selling his extensive line of display cases at Good Sam since 1996. http://courtlandcases.com

Exhibit #2 - "Provence Kitchen"

Larry and Betty Herman of Walnut Creek, CA have exhibited their miniature scenes at Good Sam for many years. They have been dealers at the Show since 1991. Selling as Itty Bitty Builder, they carry a fine selection of vintage dolls, toys, Windsor furniture, and country accessories. Here is the first one of their two exhibits from last year's show.

"Provence Kitchen" in 1:12 scale. "Several years ago we decided we wanted a European kitchen and starting collecting and making things for it,” Larry says. "An oil painting of the Provence area and a river cruise through southern France provided more inspiration. The final impetus was seeing a miniature French country kitchen designed by Bluette Meloney."

The Provence Kitchen was included in the Good Sam Show coverage (Jan-Feb 2014 issue of Dollhouse Miniatures magazine). Photo courtesy of Michael Puff, Good Sam Show Photographer.

Additional photos showing more views of the Provence Kitchen. Courtesy of Connie Sauve, Exhibit Chairman.  Click on photos to enlarge.

Exhibit #3 - "Send in the Clowns"

"Send in the Clowns" in 1:12 scale. This exhibit from the 2013 Good Sam Show is also by Larry and Betty Herman of Walnut Creek, CA. The Hermans have been dealers at Good Sam since 1998. They sell as Itty-Bitty Builder. The plexiglas room box is 12-inches wide, by 12-inches deep, and 12-inches tall. All of the clowns are by Maureen Thomas. A retired Art teacher, Maureen Thomas makes delightful poseable miniature dolls with hand-sewn clothes. All of her figures are loaded with personality.

Photos courtesy of Connie Sauve, Exhibit Chairman. Click on photos to enlarge.

Announcing 2014 Friday Workshops

We are excited to announce that the 2014 Friday Workshops are now posted on our Website. Eight classes will be held on Oct. 10, 2014 at the Doubletree Hotel, 2050 Gateway Place, San Jose, CA, where the Show takes place. Pre-registration is required. Workshops are 1:12th scale, unless otherwise stated.

Classrooms are on the lower level, below the Lobby area. All instructors are highly skilled artisans and experienced teachers. You will have an opportunity to learn basic skills or new techniques while completing a miniature project. There's sure to be at least one class that you'll really want to try. Sign up early. Many fill up fast. To register, go to our website http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net 

Look for our next new Blog to be posted on Saturday, June 28.

IGMA Artisan Tine Krijnen from the Netherlands with students in her 2013 Friday Workshop.

Class #1: Sliceable Pumpkin Cakes with Ruth Stewart

Join Ruth for a morning of fun making 1:12 scale Sliceable Pumpkin Cakes. You will make pumpkin vines, leaves and learn some basic cake decorating. All skill levels welcome. Class duration: 9 am to 1 pm.  For more class details, cost, tools to bring, registration deadline, and Registration Form, go to: http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net

Class #2: Painting a Cat with Sue Veeder, IGMA Fellow

Each student will receive a 1:12 scale hand-sculpted Super Sculpey cat. A variety of poses will be available. Students will learn fine painting details and a technique for adding a longer fur look to the cat. A fun class with an experienced teacher and cat lover. All skill levels welcome. Class duration: 9 am to 12 noon. For more class details, cost, tools to bring, registration deadline, and Registration Form, go to: http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net