At the Show - Exhibits

This week's exhibits continue the celebration of the Christmas Season in miniature. All of these delightful Holiday creations were on display at the 2012 Good Sam Show. Members of The MiniAttics Club made charming quarter-scale teacup scenes which they exhibited at the show. "Let it Snow" is the first of some of their teacup scenes to be included on the Blog over the next several months. Photos courtesy of Connie Sauve, Good Sam Exhibit Chairman.

"Let it Snow" in quarter-scale by Gerry Silberstein, The MiniAttics Club. "The snowman was made by Chris Okubo," Gerry says. "The cup and saucer are family heirlooms which belonged to my husband's grandmother."

Original Christmas Village Hutch in 1:12 scale filled with tiny lighted houses by Cynthia Howe, Santa Maria, CA. She offered this hutch and a "Springtime Village Hutch" as online classes through Cynthia Howe Miniatures, www.cynthiahoweminiatures.com/

"Stuck in Central Park" in quarter-scale. A lighted scene by Frank Galica, San Jose, CA.

New from Shaker Works West

Starting with the Holiday Season, long-time dealer Dr. Ken Byers of Shaker Works West (www.shakerworkswest.com) is offering his first monthly email special. See below. All of Ken's handcrafted products are museum quality miniatures in 1:12 scale. Beginning in January 2013, he will be sending monthly specials and/or new product announcements via email only. If you would like to be on Ken's email list to take advantage of these offerings, contact artisan@pacbell.net.

Handcrafted Shaker Stove regularly $110.00 plus $9.00 shipping now only $89.00 including shipping within the continental US. Buy it now with Visa or MasterCard by clicking here: http://www.shakerworkswest.com/MiniatureDollhouseStove.htm  You must notify Ken by separate email to artisan@pacbell.net to get the special pricing.  Just say "monthly special ordered." This offer is Web only and good through December 31, 2012.

Previous Shaker Works West post here.

At the Show - Holiday Decor

For the holiday season, Gloria Bogulas of Arizona handcrafts a large number of delightful Christmas wreaths. Other offerings include Native American pottery, Day of the Dead items, fairies, and more. Shows only. Photo taken on the floor at the 2012 Good Sam Show.

Previous Gloria Bogulas post here.

At the Show - Holiday Figures

For the last seven years, doll maker Gayle Clausen (GayleDolls) has been a dealer at Good Sam. Popular seasonal sellers are her Santas, children celebrating the holidays, and Christmas carolers. She specializes in ordinary folks with attitude. Gayle works in both one-inch and quarter-scale. All of her figures are very reasonably priced. gayledolls@cox.net, www.gayledolls.com

Santa with several tiny elves on a handmade wood go-cart.

Christmas Carolers singing holiday songs.

See more GayleDolls here and here.

At the Show - Decorating for Christmas

For the last five years, Laura Crain (Dollhouse Land) has been a dealer at Good Sam. Her imaginative floral arrangements and garlands for the Holiday Season reflect a great flair for color and design. Laura also makes delightful 1:12 scale miniature food.  LauraCrain2@aol.com

Photo taken on showroom floor.

Fireplace with magnificent garland in whites and creams with winter greenery, pine cones and ivy.

Holiday poinsettias accented with pine cones, winter greenery and ivy.

Holiday floral arrangement of yellow poinsettias, white/gold tulips and cream hydrangeas.

Red poinsettias, white tulips touched with red, winter greenery and ivy in urn.

Lovely garland of white poinsettias, pink tulips, pink hydrangeas and more, with winter greenery and ivy on handsome green faux marble fireplace.

Toy Shop with snow covered branches and red poinsettias.

Floral arrangement with Christmas mouse.

Poinsettia, hydrangea and tulip floral arrangement.

At the Show - Christmas Collectibles and Kits

For the Holiday Season, Carol and Tomas Kubrican (True2Scale Dollhouse Miniatures) design out-of-the-ordinary kits in 1:12 and 1:48 scale. They also make tiny glitter houses in 1:144th scale. For all of their lines, True2Scale will be offering lots of new and unique designs in 2013. LED lights are available for some of their products.  www.true2scale.com, www.true2scale.blogspot.com

Photo on showroom floor with Windmill display and Snow Village set of five buildings in 1:12 and 1:24 scale. LED lights available for both scales.

All is Bright Village set of three houses, 1:12 scale. LED lights are available.

Windmill, 1:12 scale. Available in gold or copper color. Coordinates with 1:12 scale Snow Village. LED light included.

Christmas Hutch.

Christmas Hutch top shelf: 1:24 scale Snow Village, Holly Decals and Dishes.  Bottom shelf: 1:12 scale Red Toile Decals and Dishes, Snow Village Church, and Reindeer.

Vintage Style Pine Cone Figures Kit to make a snowman and gnome using real pine cones.

Chicago Workshop: This tiny glitter house, sleigh and Santa made from a pine cone will be taught at the Chicago International Show in April 2013.

Carol and Tomas Kubrican.

To see previous post for True2Scale Dollhouse Miniatures, go here.

At the Show - Holiday Foods & More

For the holidays, Ruth Stewart (Stewart Dollhouse Creations) creates a eclectic array of festive cakes, cupcakes, pastries, tea sets (1:48 scale), kits, and more. Her offerings are most assuredly filled with Christmas Cheer! While Ruth works mainly in 1:12 and 1:48 scale, in 2013 she will be expanding her line to include more 1:24 scale. ruth@stewartdollhousecreations.com, stewartdollhousecreations.com

Christmas wonky cake

Vase made from candy canes. Roses fill the vase and a red silk ribbon finishes it off.

Christmas cupcake platter with poinsettia on the top.

Santa Christmas cupcake display.

Red Christmas holiday doily.

Christmas tea sets in 1:48 scale.

Two-tiered Christmas cake decorated with red ribbon and poinsettias.

Candy cane sprinkles cake with red rose.

Christmas cake with 3 layers of cake and 3 layers of frosting on a glass cake stand. Decorated with candy cane chunks and red gum drops.

Two slices of red cake, 2 red roses, 2 Santa cupcakes, and 2 red candy canes on a nice metal platter.

Flower cake with red candy canes.

Twiggy armed snowman cake. He wears a red and green striped scarf and cute little black top hat.

Christmas gingerbread wonky cake.

To see previous post for Stewart Dollhouse Creations, go here and here.

At the Show - Exhibits

This week's exhibits are two charming Christmas scenes that were displayed at the 2012 Good Sam Show. Miniature holiday-themed vignettes add festive flair and cheer to any home. They also make unique gifts. Photos courtesy of Connie Sauve, Good Sam Exhibit Chairman.

"Mrs. Claus" is busy preparing a Holiday feast. Her pet pig in a Santa hat adds a humorous touch. Mrs. Claus was made by Jenny Edwards of Jendlewick Dolls in the U.K. This 1:12 scale Christmas scene is by Ruth Alves, Auburn, CA. 

Mini Winter Cabin in quarter-scale by Judy Meyer, San Dimas, CA. "This was a class taught by Debbie Young (Young at Heart) at the Portland Small Scale Convention," Judy says. "I used some of the round table gifts and souvenirs from the convention to complete and furnish it."  The exhibit is 5" wide by 5" deep, and 8" tall.

From the Chairman

In 2013, Good Sam will offer some "Fun with Power Tools" days to teach Bay Area miniaturists how to use power tools. Classes will be small, and very low cost. Depending on the interest level, the classes will be held at the Good Sam Academy in Morgan Hill or Cupertino (or both).

Special thanks to Luci and Dick Hanson (Cascade Miniatures) for their recent donation of a sizeable amount of pine scraps and rolls of veneer. The pine is perfect for teaching miniaturists how to use small power tools. The veneer may surface at our free Tools and Techniques program on Sunday morning for the 2013 show. 

At the Show - Miniature Shop Holiday Offerings

The Good Sam Show dealers in this week's blog have "brick and mortar" stores. They specialize in the retail sale of dollhouses and fine miniatures from international artisans and craftsmen. Their offerings include a less expensive line appropriate for a child's "first time" dollhouse. It is a wonderful way to give a beloved little one something to cherish for a long time to come. At this Holiday time of the year, we are reminded that the beauty of this hobby is that it truly can be for everyone. No special skills required. When doing your "mini" Christmas shopping, take a look at these stores.

The Princess Anne makes a perfect gift for a child. About $250. (Less expensive dollhouses are also available.) From Shellie's Miniatures Mania, 650-593-4921, shelliesminis@msn.com

At the Show - Miniature Shop, Canada

Dealers at Good Sam, Maria and John Fowler offer a fine selection of Canadian and international handmade artisan pieces. For the last 37 years, they have owned the Little Dollhouse Company in Toronto, Canada. They also build dollhouses and normally keep about 200 dollhouse kits on hand. Local 416-489-7180. Toll free 888-763-8966.  info@thelittledollhousecompany.com,  www.thelittledollhousecompany.com

Shabby chic desk, chairs and overflowing bookcase by Twyla Charles. Exclusive.

Assorted liquor bottles. Photo taken on showroom floor.

Tufted leather club chair and sofa by Judith Blondell. Cute miniature puppy on leash.  Handmade saddle shoes by Judith Blondell.

Selection of chandeliers and lighting fixtures.  Photo taken on showroom floor.

Previous Little Dollhouse Company posts here.

At the Show - Miniature Shop, Southern California

Larrianne Hilditch has operated Larrianne's Small Wonders in Ventura, CA for more than thirty years. It has been described by shoppers as "a museum in a store" and "so much fun and one-of-a-kind." She is the exclusive retailer for Lori Ann Potts entire line of women's and men's finery. They share a table at Good Sam. Go to Larrianne's website to see some of her Holiday offerings. Tel: 805-289-1508, larriannes@sbcglobal.net, larriannessmallwonders.com

Selection of miniatures available at 2012 Good Sam Show. Photo taken on showroom floor.

Gold-leafed chair finished in deep red silk and Christmas pillow with love birds by Maritza Moran.

Christmas tree decorated with a variety of beautiful decorations. Porcelain doll dressed in pink silk by Pat Boldt. Handcrafted white bear with angel wings.

Suzy with her hat and cute checked dress. Suzy's baby doll dressed in white. White wicker doll bed. Scooter and Christmas gifts.

Exquisite miniature Christmas "Santa" collection by sculptor Randall Zadar.

Draped table and tea with Christmas cupcakes on silver tray.

From the Nutcracker Ballet (as told by the Sugar Plum fairy), a Chinese Tea performer costume and a Spanish Hot Chocolate performer costume.

Lovely hand-painted parlor screen, fanciful wicker table, and two handcrafted Siamese cats.

Selection of gentleman's attire by Lori Ann Potts. Photo taken on 2012 Good Sam showroom floor.

Smoking jackets and trench coat by Carol Shalstrand.

To see more miniatures from Larrianne's Small Wonders, go here.