Dealer Beth Freeman-Kane, So. Africa - Animals & Birds in Nature

From a semi-rural area in South Africa, IGMA Fellow Beth Freeman-Kane is a wildlife miniaturist. A professional artist, she specializes in sculptures of birds and small wildlife in natural settings. Her studio in their log cabin home looks out onto a lush green valley with an abundance of birds and small animal wildlife. Email: info@bethfreeman-kane.co.za  Web: http://www.bethfreeman-kane.co.za

Photos courtesy of Connie Sauve, Good Sam Exhibit Chairman. To see more of Beth Freeman-Kane's work, go here.

Deb Mackie, 2014 Academy Instructor

Deb Mackie of Maryland (White Horse Studio) is our Academy instructor of the week. Deb is an I.G.M.A. Artisan and will be among our 8 Academy instructors in 2014. Formally trained as a graphic designer and illustrator, Deb Mackie also brings to the world of miniatures a background in theatrical set and costume design. The journey into sculpting and customizing began with her desire to include realistic figures and animals in her 1:12 scale dioramas. We do not yet know what Deb will be teaching, but we believe it will involve a saddle and possibly a horse in some way. You are sure to have a great class with Deb. These pictures are samples of her work, not necessarily what she will be teaching.
http://www.whitehorsestudio.com

Desert Tan Western Basketweave Saddle

King of the Wind:
The Godolphin Arabian

Ethnic & Nature Arts from XYZZX Creations

Bill and Joan Beiriger of Livermore, CA sell as XYZZX Creations. They carry a nice selection of ethnic and nature arts in 1:12 scale. Their decorative arts range across African, Oceana (Pacific Islands), Northwest, Southwest, and Egyptian. They also have some Mexican wood carvings, pottery, sea life and mineral art objects. The Beirigers always have some new and interesting decorative items to offer. xyzzx@xyzzx.com, http://www.xyzzx.com

African cloth design and figure plus two masks modeled after those from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 1:12 scale.

Delightful selection of different species of cacti in various sizes and shapes. 1:12 scale.

To see more of the Beirigers offerings, go here.

From the Show - Quarter Scale

Mel Yost, Mel's Miniatures, Sunriver, Oregon, handcrafts unique quarter-scale structures using all natural materials including local Oregon woods, cones, lava rocks, stones, etc. Each small building is placed on a natural base such as walnut burl or birds-eye maple. All structures are open at the back. He also makes 1/4" scale furniture from the same manzanita and bitterbrush wood used for his structures. Along with his wife Janet, Mel has attended Good Sam for most of the last ten years. MelvinJanet@aol.com

Lighted lighthouse photographed on showroom floor.

Stone lighthouse with whimsical stove pipe chimney, copper trimmed windows, and water feature.

Tiny tree house made with all natural materials, quarter-scale. Open at back.

Some of Mel's handcrafted cottages photographed at his table.

Tiny thatched roof cottage on birds-eye maple base, quarter-scale. Open at back.

Whimsical tree house on natural wood landscaped base, quarter-scale. Open at back. Quarter-scale.

Lighted cottage will loads of natural trims, copper windows, and stone chimney, 1/4" scale. From the 2007 Show. Photo courtesy of Connie Sauve.

Fabulous tree house made with all natural Oregon woods and other materials, 1/4" scale. From the 2007 Show. Photo courtesy of Connie Sauve.

At the Show - Fantasy and Wee Folks

Margie and John Wall have been in the miniature business for more than twenty years. They have been making The Stick People vignettes since the early 1990s. The furniture and habitats are made from natural materials--bark, twigs, pods, shells, etc. They have been dealers at Good Sam for more than fifteen years. stickpeople@peak.org

Waddit Oman and Biggo play checkers.

Rural Potting Shed.

Garden of Weeden.

Waddit Yome on forest throne.

"Hacienda" facade.

At the Show - Ethnic and Nature Arts

Bill and Joan Beiriger of XYZZX Creations have been attending Good Sam as dealers for over fifteen years. They carry a variety of 1:12 scale ethnic and nature arts in miniature. http://www.xyzzx.com

Bill both makes and carries a nice selection of miniature African, Oceana (Pacific Islands), Northwest, Southwest and Egyptian decorative art. He also has some Mexican wood carvings and pottery as well as seashell art and mineral art objects.

African masks top row L-R are 'We' People-Cote d'Ivoir, 'Grebo' People-Liberia, 'Lwalwa' People-Congo. Bottom row L-R is unknown and Zimbabwe.

African skinny ebony wood and bone person. Framed African board masks. Indian storytellers. Northwest totem pole.

Northwest totem pole and Sisiutl moon art. Three tiny Oaxacan wood carvings. African shadow box print.

Brilliantly colored hand-carved and painted Oaxacan wood figures and miniature black Oaxacan clay pot.