Learning at the 2013 Academy

Last year, instructors and students alike left with a sense of having been part of something much more rewarding than the organizers had hoped to achieve. For your enjoyment, here are some photos from the 2013 Good Sam Academy.

"Teaching at the 2013 Academy was a great experience for both the students and the teachers," says instructor Rik Pierce. "Students learned a lot and laughed a lot."

Instructor Rik Pierce gives a demonstration in his 2013 Medieval Folly workshop. All of the instructors were passionate about sharing their knowledge with students.

"To observe all of the individual talent and skills being learned in Rik Pierce's class and the other classes was remarkable," says student Carolynn Walden. "It is a memory that will always stay with me."

"The 2013 Academy was well organized with wonderful students eager to learn, making teaching a pleasure," said Stained Glass instructor Barbara Sabia.

Student Betty Hodges enjoyed learning the basic techniques of lead cutting, lead usage and glazing for stained glass. "The experience was so much fun that I am already signed up for the 2014 Good Sam Academy."

Student Larrell Howell says of Geoff Wonnacott's 2013 furniture workshop: "I learned techniques and methods that can be applied to many different miniature projects. I am very proud of the piece I completed."

Bluette Meloney taught faux finishing techniques in her 2013 Le Bon Marché workshop. Student Ruth Block said, "I enjoyed the class immensely and have a beautiful display box for my efforts." 

At lunchtime, students and instructors enjoyed the unique ambiance of hot pizza straight from a wood-burning oven. 

The 2013 Good Sam Academy was a truly serendipitous experience for all. It brings to mind the old adage, "The whole is greater than the sum of the parts." Don't miss the opportunity to attend this year's Academy.

Revisiting the 2013 Good Sam Academy

Over the next several weeks, we will be sharing the 2013 Good Sam Academy experience on the Blog. For five days immediately following the show, the new Academy offered seven advanced classes taught by five leading miniaturists in their field. This year's Academy will be held Oct. 13-17 at our facility in Morgan Hill, CA.

"The 2013 Academy was a resounding success," says Connie Sauve, Director. "We had incredible teachers, great classes to choose from, and wonderful catered food. A week of fun, miniatures and friends! What more could a miniaturist ask for?" (Photo taken in Rik Pierce's class.)

From 2013 show coverage in Miniature Collector (Feb. 2014 issue). For a magazine subscription, phone Scott Publications toll free 1-800-458-8237.

"We had a lot of fun in the class," says instructor Nancy Summers. "Students designed and upholstered their own chairs and footstool with leather and/or fabric." "Taking Nancy Summers class was such a treat," says student Ruth Heisch (far left), San Jose, CA. "Besides ending up with a wonderful upholstered chair, I felt our group became a little family."

From show coverage in the Jan-Feb 2014 issue of Dollhouse Miniatures magazine. For a magazine subscription, phone Ashdown toll free 1-866-606-6587. Email: usoffice@ashdown.co.uk 

For 2014 Good Sam Academy class information and to register, go to http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net/goodsamacademy.htm. If you have questions, contact Connie Sauve, GSAM Director. Phone 209-474-2870 or email connie@thechinadoll.com 

GSAM: Sharing "Bon Marché Workshop" Floral Prototype

For her GSAM "Bon Marché Workshop" (Oct 14-18, 2013) Bluette Meloney is offering students the option of Art Deco or Floral ornamentation on the interior. She has now completed a delightful prototype with the Floral ornamentation. We are sharing this most recent design with you. Do stop by Bluette table at the show to see more of her work. jack.meloney@gmail.com, http://bluettemeloney.com/

For information on all of the Good Sam Academy workshops go to: http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net/goodsamacademy.htm

From the Chairman: 2013 Good Sam Show Ad

We would like to share this Ad for the first Good Sam Academy of Miniatures being held Oct 14-18, 2013 at our Morgan Hill, CA facility. It appears on page 9 of the August 2013 American Miniaturist (Issue #124).

For available classes, go here: http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net/goodsamacademy.htm. Send in your GSAM registrations now, before your favorite class gets filled.

Update: Good Sam Academy Class Openings

Class registration for the 1st annual Good Sam Academy of Miniatures is going well. Connie Sauve, GSAM Director shares: "We still have a few spots available in 5 of the classes. Rik Pierce's Hunter's Folly with Conservatory class is FULL. Barbara Sabia's Stained Glass Window class is FULL. Carol Wagner's Plant class has been cancelled."

Bluette Meloney's "Le Bon Marche" class has 2 spots left.

Bluette recently added this beautiful alternative floral design for her project. Check it out!

Barbara Sabia's Stained Glass Fireplace Screen class has spots available.

Nancy Summer's Tufted Chair class has 3 spots left.

Geoff Wonnacott has a few spots available in both of his classes.

You can check out the classes here:
http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net/goodsamacademy.htm
Send in your GSAM registrations now, before your favorite class gets filled.

Two Openings: "Le Bon Marché" GSAM Workshop

There are two additional openings in Bluette Meloney's "Le Bon Marché" Workshop (Oct 14-18, 2013) at the Good Sam Show Academy. She was able to obtain the materials needed to complete two more structures. Bluette will teach students faux finishes and trompe l'oeil painting techniques.

"Le Bon Marché" prototype as outfitted by Bluette Meloney.

Go to the Good Sam Show Academy website for a detailed class description, information about attending the Academy, and the Registration Form. http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net/goodsamacademy.htm

Article on the Good Sam Academy (GSAM)

There is an excellent article in American Miniaturist introducing the six outstanding teachers at this year's Good Sam Academy (GSAM). See the July 2013 issue #123, pages 56-64. It provides background information on each instructor and includes photos of additional work. The write-up also speaks to the techniques the artisans will be teaching in their classes. All were asked "What do you find to be the most rewarding aspects of offering workshops?" Clearly, they all love to share their knowledge and skills with students. 

Exterior of Le Bon Marché as detailed by instructor IGMA Artisan Bluette Meloney. Five day workshop, Oct. 14-18, 2013.

Interior of Le Bon Marché with Art Deco faux finishes.

Interior detail of Bon Marché with alternate Floral faux finishes. Students will have a choice of which interior detail they wish to use.

Instructor Barbara Sabia "Stained Glass Window" one-day workshop, Oct. 14, 2013. She also offers a "Stained Glass Fireplace Screen" one-day workshop on Oct. 15, 2013.

Exterior of Medieval Folly as detailed by instructor Rik Pierce. Five day workshop, Oct. 14-18, 2013.

Tufted  Leather or Fabric Chair and Foot Stool. 3-day  workshop, Oct. 14-16, 2013. Instructor IGMA Fellow Nancy Summers.

Learn to make a rhododendron, clump of bamboo, and pot of petunias from IGMA Fellow Carol Wagner. Four day workshop, Oct. 14-17, 2013.

French Transitional Louis XV-XVI Bureau c1774. Three-day workshop, Oct. 14-16, 2013  by IGMA Fellow Geoff Wonnacott. He also offers a two-day workshop, Oct. 17-18, 2013 to make a George III Chippendale Silver Table.

To order a copy of American Miniaturist magazine, email usoffice@ashdown.co.uk or go to http://www.craft-club.com/usa. Downloadable issues and overseas shipping available.

For Good Sam Academy registration information go to: http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net/goodsamacademy.htm

From the Chairman - Magazine Cover for Good Sam Academy

There is an excellent article introducing the new Good Sam Academy (GSAM) in the July/August 2013 issue of Dollhouse Miniatures magazine. It provides details on the Academy, including notes on the first year instructors and examples of their workshops.

The prototype for Bluette Meloney's "Le Bon Marché" workshop is featured on the cover.

To order a copy of the magazine, email usoffice@ashdown.co.uk or go to http://www.craft-club.com/usa. Downloadable issues and overseas shipping available. For Good Sam Academy registration information go to: http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net/goodsamacademy.htm

GSAM Workshop: Photos for Le Bon Marché

Bluette Meloney is teaching  "Le Bon Marché " workshop at the Good Sam Academy of Miniatures on October 14-18, 2013.  Photos are now available to share. An IGMA Artisan in Faux Finishes, Bluette will be teaching a wide range of faux finishes and trompe-l'oeil effects. 

This versatile shop can be adapted to many different uses.  It is in La Belle Époque (1890-1914) style with ornamental Art Nouveau and Art Deco elements. Students will have an option of Art Deco or Floral ornamentation on the interior. The shop is 21-inches wide, 14-1/2 inches high, and 14-1/2 inches deep. The measurement for depth includes the sidewalk

For Good Sam Academy registration information go to: http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net/goodsamacademy.htm

From the Chairman - Tools Needed for the Good Sam Academy

We continue to seek donations of tools for the new Good Sam Academy of Miniatures. If you live in the Bay Area and would like to donate any of the tools listed below, we would be delighted to have them. All such donations are tax deductible.

Tools needed for the Academy:
1.  Small table saws by Dremel, Preac, Proxxon, Jarmac or Microlux.
2.  Scroll or jig saws by Dremel, Microlux, Hegner or others.
3.  Drill presses by Cameron, Proxxon, Microlux, Anker, Dremel #210 drill presses
     and other overhead shapers.
4.  Dremel Moto-tools, the ones you hold in your hand, of any age.
5.  Lathes by Taig, Sherline, Unimat, Anker or Klein, and duplicators to fit where
     available.
6.  Belt sanders and disc sanders by Jarmac, Dremel and others.
7.  Magnetic gluing jigs, sharp drill bits (sizes 61-80 in boxed sets), pin vises, various
     clamps, tweezers, cutters and nippers, small pliers, squares, rulers, depth and angle
     gauges, needle files, small screw drivers (slotted and Phillips).

If you have tools to donate or would like to be put on the Academy's mailing list, email Barbara Jones, Chairman, at northbaj@att.net

From the Chairman - Ad for 2013 Good Sam Academy Workshops

We want to share the 2013 Good Sam Academy of Miniatures ad in the May 2013 issue of Miniature Collector, page 6. 

IGMA Fellow Geoff Wonnacott is offering a workshop to construct the French Transitional Louis XV-XVI Bureau (c1774) shown in the Ad. The Good Sam Academy class is scheduled Monday, October 14 through Wednesday, October 16.

On Thursday and Friday, October 17 and 18, Geoff will offer a two-day workshop to construct a George III Chippendale Silver Table. For more information on both workshops, go to http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net and click on the Academy.

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/

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.