At the Show - Miniature Shops

For 32 years Larrianne Hilditch has been doing business as Larrianne's Small Wonders. Her shop in Ventura, CA offers top quality handcrafted artisan dollhouse miniatures for discerning collectors in all price ranges. Many pieces are designed exclusively for her store. Larrianne also hosts workshops by well known miniature artisans. She and Lori Ann Potts share a table at Good Sam. Tel: 805-643-4042. larriannes@sbcglobal.net, larriannessmallwonders.com

Larrianne's Small Wonders, Ventura, CA.

Mad Hatter by Kathi Kuti. Hand-painted black tilt table and yellow silk day bed by Maritza Moran. Embellished yellow hat box by Laurie Estes.

Stunning 1920's Dresser items.

Lovely gold-leaf table with charming collectible and artisan floral arrangement.

One-of-a-kind Maritza Moran sideboard with stunning artisan floral arrangement.

Lovely pink daybed by Maritza Moran.

One-of-a-kind Christmas Tree.

Collection of artisan miniature dollies.

Men's fine haberdashery items.

Lovely Ballet costume and headdress.

At the Show - Exhibits

 This week's exhibits are from the 2008 and 2009 Good Sam Shows. Photos are courtesy of Michael Puff, the Good Sam Show photographer, or Connie Sauve.

Jewelry shop in 1:12 scale by Moonyeen Moller, Foster City, in San Mateo, CA. Exhibited at the 2009 Good Sam Show. Photos courtesy of Connie Sauve. Shop designed, wired, and shipped by Cynthia Howe. Tutorial included how to make the jewelry and came with additional kits. cynthiahoweminiatures.com. Cop by Marcia Backstrom (deceased). Other dolls by Sharon Cariola, Dolls Mine Miniatures, San Diego, CA. http://stores.ebay.com/doll-mine-miniatures.

Joanne's Gift Shop by Joanne LeMay, San Mateo, CA was exhibited at the 2009 Good Sam Show. She has been creating in miniature for more than forty years and is a member of the Mini Friends Miniature Club in San Mateo, CA. Photos by Michael Puff.

Joanne's Gift Shop with charming Dutch door and blooming flowers. 1:12 scale.

Interior of Gift Shop with Joanne's collection of gift items.

The Avid Reader in 1:12 scale is also by Moonyeen Moller. She made all of the books. The kitties are by Brad Deville (deceased). Exhibited at the 2008 Show, the photo is courtesy of Connie Sauve.

"The Avid Reader" exhibit.

At the Show - Christmas Floral, Wreaths & Della Robbia

In this week's blog, we continue the theme of "Christmas in July."  You will find exceptional handcrafted Holiday florals, wreaths, and a designer Christmas tree. There are mouth-watering treats, Elf shoes, and toys--marvelous toys. All of the dealers whose work is shown here are scheduled to be at this year's Good Sam Show.

IGMA Fellow Michele Carter, PepperWood Miniatures, makes a brilliant array of 1:12 scale floral arrangements. Shown here are examples of some of her Christmas items. Michele and her equally creative husband Dan Worsham moved to New Hampshire in 2010. We are delighted to have PepperWood Miniatures return for this year's show.  michele@pepperwoodminiatures.com, www.pepperwoodminiatures.com

Christmas arrangement with white lilies, red carnations, berries and evergreens. Vase by Vince Stapleton.

Holiday Wreath - Traditional holiday wreath with red bow.

Authentic Williamsburg Christmas decorations: Formal fruit centerpiece on a silver platter with apples, holly, punched aucuba leaves, topped with a pineapple. Traditional "della robia" wreath with hand-sculpted fruits, natural seeds, punched aucuba leaves, on a base of amaranthus.

At the Show - Designer Christmas Tree

Brian (Rainbow Hand) and Kathy Tepper offer exciting and eclectic 1:12 scale furniture and accessories guaranteed to grab your attention. This one-of-a-kind Christmas tree is from their Kaleidoscope Collection inspired by MacKenzie-Childs furniture and accessories. Brian and Kathy will be introducing "The Grand Lux Gallery" at this years show. You will not want to miss it. briantep@verizon.net, www.rainbowhandandkathy.com

Christmas Tree with 169 handcrafted MacKenzie-Childs style ornaments including 69 hand-painted fish, plates, cups, and teapots.

At the Show - Christmas Florals

Pat Stebbins, The Minikin Florist, always has delightful one-of-a-kind floral arrangements for the Christmas holidays on her table. An IGMA Artisan, Pat offers a wide variety of eye-catching floral designs at reasonable prices. Stop by her table to take pleasure in the simple joy of flowers. Tel: 858-279-8026

Unique Christmas holiday display.

Poinsettias, white spider mums and scotch pine with red berries. Hand cut, hand-painted petals and foliage..

At the Show - Holiday Wreaths & Swags

Laura Montgomery of Milestone Miniatures makes a variety of Christmas trees, wreaths, swags, garlands, and more for the holiday season. Look for her table at this year's show. hobbyqueen@mail.com,  www.milestoneminiatures.com

At the Show - Holiday Treats

A long-time dealer at Good Sam, Lola Renner, Lola's Originals, makes a delightful selection of Christmas treats. Her line of miniature foods is extensive and includes selections for other holidays as well as fabulous wedding cakes. Do stop by Lola's table to feast your eyes on fabulous miniature foods and desserts.
http://lola-originals.com

One of Lola's spectacular Gingerbread houses.

Glass tree filled with colorful ribbon candy.

Ribbon candy and Christmas cake with red ribbon, holly berries and leaves.

Tray of assorted chocolates. Candy wreath of fruit-sliced candy. Box of gingerbread boys.

At the Show - Christmas Elf Shoes

IGMA Fellow Sylvia Rountree, The Dolls' Cobbler, makes eye-catching leather shoes for Santa's elves. She designs fashionable women's shoes in wonderful colors and fabrics to capture your imagination. Her line of men's footwear is extensive and the children's shoes are adorable. There are always fun surprises. Be sure to stop by her table and take a look. dollscobbler.com

At the Show - Christmas Nutcrackers

Tom Lee, Lee's Microcosm, makes an extensive line of miniature Nutcrackers with working jaws about 1-1/4-inches tall. An IGMA Artisan, he also makes a large number of toys perfect for holiday scenes. Tom and his wife Linda will be dealers at this year's show. glenlee5@sbcglobal.net

At the Show - Christmas Bear with Trunk

Deb Laue, Dragonfly International, is a very long-time dealer at Good Sam. She offers an extensive line of kits, supplies, and crafter tools for the do-it-yourself miniaturist. This adorable 1-3/4" Christmas-themed doll trunk with tiny dressed teddy bear is one of Deb's most recent kits. She is also offering the kit as a Friday workshop at this year's Good Sam Show. www.dragonflyintl.com

At the Show - More Christmas Toys and Collectibles

Shellie Kazan owns Shellie's Miniature Mania, a local miniature store in San Carlos, CA. In addition to a fine line of artisan-made dollhouse miniatures, she offers workshops and classes. To see more offerings, visit Shellie's on-line store, www.shelliesminis.com. Be sure to stop by her table at this year's show.

Enchanting elf delivers Christmas presents on her pet unicorn. By doll artist Cindi Cannon,  Wee Beings.

Handmade dolls for dollhouse children dressed to perfection by Almudene Ferrandez, Spain.

Bow rocker with horse to ride and baskets for toys. Doll's pram with standing horse. Child's push horse toy. All handcrafted by David Daws, England.

At the Show - Christmas Exhibits

This week's exhibits from past Good Sam shows continue the celebration of Christmas in July.  Each scene is unique and brings special joy to the Holiday Season. Photos by Connie Sauve.

Santa's Workshop set in lighted Holiday wreath. From the 2008 Good Sam Show. Exhibitor's name unknown.

Hansel & Gretel Gingerbread House decorated for the Holidays. From the 2008 Good Sam Show. Exhibitor's name unknown.

Gingerbread themed Christmas display features Mrs. Claus baking for the Holidays. From the 2007 Good Sam Show. Exhibitor's name unknown.

At the Show - Christmas in July

This week and next, we will be celebrating "Christmas in July." It is with great pleasure that we share some of the enchanting holiday miniatures created by artisans attending Good Sam the last few years. All of the dealers featured here (except for one) are scheduled to be at the 2012 show.

Erik Goddard's "Christmas Past" in 1:12 scale portrays the streets of a London square in a bygone era. The bookshop has an upstairs apartment lit by a Christmas tree. The bakery/wine shop displays items through its windows. At the fall show, stop by Erik's table to see more of his fine miniature architecture. www.erikgoddard.com

"Christmas Past." Long-ago London square at holiday time.

Playful elves in front of the Christmas Past bookstore. New and different elves are created by Fern Vasi every holiday season. fernvasidolls@yahoo.com

At the Show - Holiday Elves and Santa

Holiday Christmas elves from a popular series created by doll artist Fern Vasi for more than twenty years. While their clothing is made from the same fabrics and they resemble one other, each one is doing something different. This enables miniaturists to add delightful new elves to their collection each year. Do stop by Fern's table to enjoy her full line of character dolls. You will surely be enchanted. fernvasidolls@yahoo.com

Four little Christmas elves, all doing something fun and interesting.

Resting Santa and Christmas elf playing with puppy. Sold separately.

At the Show - Christmas figures, One-inch and Quarter-Scale

Gayle Clausen of GayleDolls likes her 1:12 scale dolls to tell a story without words. They all have armature, flexible arms, and are poseable. She works in both one-inch and quarter-scale. You will be amazing at Gayle's wide variety of reasonably priced character dolls. Stop by her table and take a look. www.gayledolls.com

Singing Holiday Chefs.

Little boy waiting for Santa in one-inch scale. Quarter-scale holiday figures decorate the fireplace mantle.

Sleeping Santa surrounded by toys, gifts and goodies.

Quarter-scale scene with Christmas carolers.

At the Show, Santa with Friends & wee Christmas Village

IGMA Fellow Sylvia Mobley created a very naturalistic Santa in a woodland setting. He is accompanied by a very realistic reindeer and other North American wildlife. Stop by Sylvia's table to see her fine line of porcelain dolls ranging from ballet dancers to fantasy figures. Not to be missed are her figures of cats and dogs,  rabbits and hares, raccoons and ferrets, wild cats and dogs, and baby animalss. pinerose@dishmail.net, www.sylviamobley.com

Santa and friends.

Santa in 1:12 scale

Tiny Christmas Village with buildings 1/2” to 1-1/8” high. Sold separately or as display.