A Few Tips for Using the Blog

It has been a year since we started the Good Sam Show Blog. Here are a few tricks we've learned and which you might find useful to search the Blog.

Tip 1:  If you click on any photo, it will enlarge.

Tip 2:  At the top of the screen, on the left-hand side, you will see the Blog symbol below. (It it small and has a orange/red background.) Next to it is a white bar. Type the first or last name of an artisan into the white bar. Then click on the symbol in the bar which is used to "search this blog." You will be taken to any post which has that artisan's work in it.

Tip 3:  At the end of most posts, you will see a version of "To see more of this person's work, go here." If you click on the word "here" it will take you to an earlier post to see more photos of the artisan's work. (This only applies if the individual has been previously featured on the Blog.)

At the Show - Fantasy Figures & More

At the age of 16, Todd Krueger of T. K. Designs began selling his miniature figures at major shows in the U.S. He has more than thirty years of experience as a doll maker. Todd favors fantasy character dolls, costumed primates, and interestingly attired figures. He uses all natural fabrics and is a master at finishing details and draping garments. The 2013 show will be Todd's sixth year as a dealer at Good Sam. tkdsgns99@charter.net, www.bytkd.com

Photos courtesy of Sylvia Mobley, Michael Puff and Ericka Van Horn.

Todd at his sales table. Note Todd's hand-sculpted resting dragon on top of Castle Room by Sylvia Mobley. (Photo from 2012 Chicago International Show.)

Dwarf and table design by Todd in Castle Room. Books and orrery by Ericka Van Horn (www.evminiatures.com). Look for Ericka's work on Todd's table.

Fantasy creature #1 and Forest Elf.

Fantasy creature #1.

Forest Elf.

Forest Elf with tiny Sappling boy (left) and Seedling boy (right).

Left to right: Seedling boy, Sappling boy, Sappling girl.

Male Keeper with Vampire skull, Demon skull, Devil skull.

Fashionable Lady Chimp.

Little old lady with basket of flowers.

Lovely Medieval (Tudor) lady in white silk and lace embellished with pearls and crystals. Porcelain head and hands by Sylvia Mobley.

Beautifully costumed Japanese couple.

Photo taken on showroom floor.

Merman, Mermaids and Merbaby in collaboration with Sylvia Mobley. She does the porcelain torsos. Todd does the finishing work from tails and wigs to the lovely trimmings of shells, pearls, and other bling. Photos taken on showroom floor.

To see more of Todd Krueger's work, go here.

At the Show - Fairy Tale Figures

An IGMA Fellow, Sylvia Mobley makes 1:12 scale porcelain dolls, cats, dogs, and wild animals. She also makes a line of resin figures, a wee Haunted Village and a Christmas Village (both are about one-inch tall). You can see more of Sylvia's work on her website and blog.  pinerose@dishmail.net,  www.sylviamobley.com, sylviamobley.blogspot.com

Photos courtesy of Sylvia Mobley.

Little Red Riding Hood wears red leather shoes and a wool cape.

The wolf's nightie and cap were made from an old hanky.

The carved bed was made by Nicole Marble and dressed by Judee Williamson of Williamson Walton Marble.

To see more of Sylvia's work go here, here and here.

At the Show - Captivating Furniture

Doing business as Williamson Walton Marble, IGMA Artisans Judee Williamson and Nicole Walton Marble handcraft exceptional furniture and furnishings. From Art Nouveau to modern, their stylish and innovative designs are sure to please. Dealers at Good Sam for the past four years, Nicole is a furniture maker and Judee is a fabric expert. williamson-walton-marble.com

Stylish wasp-waisted Georgia armchairs by Nicole upholstered in Judee's unique mirror image antique petit point fabric.

Unusual Tusk Table by Nicole.

Whimsical steps to help your miniature dog or cat climb onto the bed at night by Nicole. Painted by IGMA Fellow Sylvia Mobley.

Library Steps in a modern design by Nicole.

Agatha Christie Chair. So named because the original full-sized Georgian Chair belonged to Agatha Christie.

Photo taken on the showroom floor.

Photo taken on the showroom floor.

To see more Williamson Walton Marble unique designs, go here.

At the Show - Exhibits

The two exhibits for this week are room boxes filled with nostalgia. Both convey a sense of personal history and memories from an earlier time. Photos courtesy of Connie Sauve, Exhibit Chairman.

"The Captain's Study" by Barbara Adams, San Jose, CA is an exhibit from the 2012 show. She is a member of the "Through the Looking Glass" miniature club. "The shelf and window seat unit is the "Alcove" NAME Day Project 2012," Barbara wrote on her Exhibit Entry Form. "The room contains many mementos and miniatures collected by my Aunt. This room will be her 80th birthday present in November."

From the 2011 Good Sam Show, this exhibit takes a step back in time. It delivers a sharp vivid image of an earlier era when frontiersmen and immigrants settled the American West. It has Old West and cowboy relics, as well as vintage collectibles. Each item is unique and clearly has a story-to-tell if it could only speak. The exhibitor's name is unknown.

At the Show - Steampunk

This week's Blog opts to ring in the new year on a theatrical note. What better way than to create a fictional (make-believe) Victorian universe. The artisans whose Steampunk creations are shown here imagine an innovative world that never was. They offer us an amazing mix of creative curiosities in miniature.

Victorian Steampunk figure by doll artist Fern Vasi.  See original March 24, 2012 post here.

At the Show - Steampunk Footwear and More

For the last thirty years, IGMA Fellow Sylvia Rountree, The Dolls Cobbler, has been a regular at the Good Sam Show. Known for her innovative footwear, Sylvia has created a line of seriously fancy shoes, boots and accessories to go with Steampunk inspired ensembles. www.dollscobbler.com

Steampunk display on Sylvia Rountree's table at the 2012 Good Sam Show.

Steampunk shoes, boots and accessories. Top hats by Nancy Wantiez.

See more of Sylvia's footwear and accessories here.

At the Show - Steampunk Furniture & Accessories

Along with furniture and accessories from their other lines, Brian (Rainbow Hand) and Kathy Tepper brought some delightful Steampunk pieces to the 2012 Show. Imaginative and playful, at first glance these pieces look Victorian. When examined a bit closer, however, each one is unique with a touch of fantasy and magic added in. This year, the Teppers plan to offer a Steampunk workshop. Also, look for their new "Grand Lux Gallery" at the 2013 Show. (Photos courtesy of Connie Sauve, Good Sam Exhibit Chairman.)  briantep@verizon.net, http://www.rainbowhandandkathy.com/

Antique Steampunk Hall Tree with hand made wooden box, hat, canes and radiator to keep the you warm and comfy on frosty nights.

Painted Steampunk table with antique tintype hand made wooden box and vintage beer stein from Milwaukee. The dome holds a feathered pheasant.

Steampunk "Extreme Espresso Experience" (machine by Mike Barber).

Steampunk Door by Kathy.

Execution chair and "defendant's portrait from Dr. Benderhout's Elektro - Annihilator Machine.

Steampunk Hall Tree with binoculars and antique floral arrangement in dome.

Leather Hat box with vintage binoculars.

Steampunk Paperboy's Portrait Chair.

To see more Steampunk miniatures by the Teppers, go here.

At the Show - Steampunk Fairies

Sara Risley, Red Bow, was a new dealer at Good Sam in 2012. She carries an ever-changing and diverse selection of miniatures. Her table is enchanting and great fun. Sara had a few off-beat Steampunk fairies sculpted by Sandi McAslan of the McAslan Doll Company. Unique and one-of-a-kind, the fairies are about 6" tall. srisley@mcn.org

At the Show - Fantastical Steampunk

Ericka Van Horn, EV Miniatures, makes fantasy gear books, orrerys and celestial instruments which work well with Victorian Steampunk. In addition, she creates wizardry items, Vampire, Voodoo, reliquaries, some food stuffs, and more. Look for her work on Todd Krueger's table. Ericka is also a member of the Good Sam Show Photographer and Publicist team. evminiatures@msn.com, www.evminiatures.com, evminiatures.blogspot.com

Collection of handmade leather bound books with a Steampunk or wizard's theme.

Handmade Steampunk or fantasy book lens with old writing.

Handmade dark brown leather bound Steampunk book. Blue stone in the center of the gears.

Handmade dark red leather Steampunk book with gold embossed sun.

Handmade dark blue leather bound Victorian Steampunk book. Lots of gears and brass with blue stone in the center.

Collection of orrerys, rotating lens, and celestial telescopes with a Steampunk theme.

See more of Ericka's work here.