New Designs: Brian (Rainbow Hand) & Kathy Tepper

Brian (Rainbow Hand) and Kathy Tepper are always reinventing their line of furniture and accessories. They have designed two new rooms to show off their most recent new work. "I was watching House Hunters International on TV," Kathy says. "I was wondering what on earth you could do with some of the tiny apartments they showed in big cities. I wanted something interesting that might appeal to a wide range of people. And, at the same time, I wanted it to be a little different from what's out there now.  Hence the "Urban Elementz" line came into being.

Here is an Urban Elementz room in brown tones.

Here is an Urban Elementz room in black and white, with shades of gray.

The Teppers will be introducing "The Grand Luxe" and "Urban Elementz" lines at the upcoming Tom Bishop Chicago International Show. briantep@verizon.net, http://www.rainbowhandandkathy.com/

To see more of Teppers work go here, here, and here

At the Show - Exhibits

This week's exhibits from the 2012 Good Sam Show are by Susan Osze (Boingdragon Miniatures) of Pacifica, California. Susan is a long-time exhibitor at Good Sam and always brings delightful pieces to share.

"1920's Studio Starlet in Waiting" in 1:12 scale is a fun study in black and white. It is 10-inches wide, 6-1/2 inches deep, and 9-1/2 inches high.

"Time out in Tortuga" is a dual-sided vignette in 1:12 scale. One cannot help but fantasize when looking at this charming little scene. Tortuga is a beautiful island in the Caribbean Sea. It is famous for its white sands and is described as one of the most beautiful islands in the world. The scene is 7-inches wide by 7-inches deep, and 12-1/2 inches tall.

Registration is open: 2013 Good Sam Academy of Miniatures Classes

Registration is now open for the 2013 Good Sam Academy of Miniatures ("GSAM") classes. Eight outstanding workshops are being offered at our Morgan Hill facility from October 14 through 18, immediately following the Good Sam Miniatures Show. The classes range in length from 1-day to 5-days. Our intent is to give students an opportunity to learn how to make high quality miniatures from some of the leading miniaturists in their fields. Offerings include:

Bluette Meloney - Faux Finishing
Rik Pierce - Creative Paperclay and more
Barbara Sabia - Stained Glass
Nancy Summers - Upholstering
Carol Wagner - Making Plants
Geoff Wonnacott from England - Furniture Construction

Detailed class descriptions, information about attending the Academy, and the Registration Form are available on the Good Sam Academy website.
http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net/goodsamacademy.htm
You can also access the Academy through the Good Sam Miniatures Show website: http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net/

If you have any questions, contact Connie Sauve, our Academy Director: Connie@thechinadoll.com 

Bluette Meloney: "Le Bon Marché" GSAM Workshop

October 14 through 18, IGMA Artisan Bluette Meloney is offering a five day workshop, Le Bon Marché (The Good Market) at the Good Sam Academy. It is a versatile 1:12 scale shop in La Belle Époque (1890-1914) style with ornamental Art Nouveau and Art Deco elements. Affectionately called the "Queen of Faux" by her many fans, Bluette will teach incredibly simple and unique faux finishes and trompe l'oeil painting techniques.

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

Le Bon Marché (The Good Market). The prototype was displayed at the 2012 Good Sam Show. Additional photos will be posted on the Academy website and this blog in the near future.

Instructor Bluette Meloney, IGMA Artisan in Faux Finishes

Rik Pierce: "Medieval Hunting Folly" GSAM Workshop

October 14 through 18, Rik Pierce of Frogmorton Studios will be teaching a five day workshop at the Good Sam Academy. It is a "Medieval Hunting Folly with Conservatory" in 1:12 scale and represents a 18th-19th century Folly built on an estate in England.

Filled with architectural details, the structure has two floors with a conservatory (greenhouse) attached. Medieval mythical beasts and gargoyles are incorporated into the exterior.

Medieval Hunting Folly and Conservatory exterior.

 Conservatory as seen from the side.

View of the Interior from the back.

In his workshop, Rik will teach students how to use Creative Paperclay to make cut stone and bricks, roof tiles, plaster and chimney. Class participants will make leaded windows/roof for the conservatory and smaller leaded/stained glass windows for the structure.

Students will make a faux stone floor, fireplace with glowing embers, and frieze. Rik will teach techniques to distress beams and timbers, make a plank wood floor, age the structure, and put in wiring.

Instructor Rik Pierce, Frogmorton Studios

Go to the Good Sam Show Academy website for a detailed class description and to see more photos. You will also find information about attending the Academy and the Registration Form.  http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net/goodsamacademy.htm

Barbara Sabia: Two "Stained Glass" GSAM Workshops

On Monday, October 14, Barbara Sabia of Melbourne, Florida will be offering a one-day workshop at the Good Sam Academy. She will teach students how to create a 1:12 scale Stained Glass Window. All skill levels are welcome. This is an exciting opportunity to learn the basic techniques of lead cutting, lead usage and glazing.

Stained Glass Window in 1:12 scale.

On Tuesday, October 15, Barbara Sabia will be offering a second one-day workshop. She will teach students how to make a 1:12 scale Stained Glass Fireplace Screen. All skill levels are welcome. This is a wonderful chance to learn the basic techniques of lead cutting, lead usage and glazing.

Stained Glass Fireplace Screen in 1:12 scale.

Instructor Barbara Sabia of Stained Glass by Barbara Sabia

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

Nancy Summers: GSAM "Furniture Workshop"

On Monday, October 14 through Wednesday, October 16, IGMA Fellow Nancy Summers will be offering a three-day workshop at the Good Sam Academy. Students will learn how to make a 1:12 scale tufted leather chair with foot stool. Class participants can also use a combination of fabric and leather, or choose an all fabric chair and foot stool.

There will be two different arms and different footstools from which to choose. There will be several ways in which the chairs can be upholstered and tufted. All skill levels are welcome.

Instructor Nancy Summers, IGMA Fellow in Furniture.

Go to the Good Sam Show Academy website for a detailed class description and to see more photos. You will also find information about attending the Academy and the Registration Form.  http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net/goodsamacademy.htm

Carol Wagner: GSAM "Plants Workshop"

On Monday, October 14 through Thursday, October 17, IGMA Fellow Carol Wagner will be offering a four-day "Plants Workshop" at the Good Sam Academy. Students will learn how to make a rhododendron, a clump of evergreen bamboo, and a pot of petunias.

Not all plants will be finished in class, but all will be started. Students should pick one to take home completed. There will be plenty of hands-on experience to be able to complete the projects at home. The class is labor intensive, not hard. All skill levels are welcome.

Instructor Carol Wagner, IGMA Fellow in Plants

Go to the Good Sam Show Academy website for a detailed class description and to see more photos. You will also find information about attending the Academy and the Registration Form.  http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net/goodsamacademy.htm

Geoff Wonnacott: Two GSAM "Furniture Workshops"

On Monday, October 14 through Wednesday, October 16, IGMA Fellow Geoff Wonnacott will offer a workshop to construct a French Transitional Louis XV-XVI Bureau (c1774). Workshop participants will learn how to build the desk from a prepared cutting list of timbers and veneers. They will be taught how to cut and shape the cabriole legs, assemble and fit the drawers, apply parquetry, and do cross banding. Students will also prepare and fit fine brass gallery, add brass mounts and authentic hardware.

French Transitional Louis XV-XVI Bureau (c1774).

On Thursday and Friday, October 17 and 18,  Geoff Wonnacott will offer a two-day workshop to construct a George III Chippendale Silver Table.

Class participants will learn how to construct the table from a prepared cutting list of timber. They will cut the pierced gallery and brackets on a fretsaw or scroll saw. Students will be taught how to reed the legs (a series of rounded ridges or groves cut vertically). They will learn how to do mitre beading around the rail and apply the finish.

George III Chippendale Silver Table

Instructor Geoff Wonnacott of England, IGMA Fellow in Furniture

Go to the Good Sam Show Academy website for a detailed class description and to see more photos. You will also find information about attending the Academy and the Registration Form.  http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net/goodsamacademy.htm

Upcoming Workshops: Fun With Power Tools

On June 1, Barbara Jones, Chairman of Good Sam, is offering classes in the use of the table top circular saw and the use of the table top scroll saw. Classes will be 3 hours long, maximum 6 students per class. You will learn a variety of techniques that are suited to each tool. You may take one class or both.

Cost:  $15.00 apiece for 3 hours of teaching. This covers the insurance, with the rest of the money to be used to build up the Good Sam Academy of Miniatures (GSAM) tool pool. Barbara has offered to teach for free.

Place:  Karen Laisure's Morgan Hill class site
Address: 315 Digital, Morgan Hill, CA
June l schedule:
9:00 a.m. to noon -  Making a Table Saw Dance
1:30 p.m. to 4:30 pm - Grooving With a Scroll Saw
Bring any food or drink you'll need, and a pair of safety goggles from any hardware store.

Barbara hopes to send you home with something you cut out yourself. Register with her at northbaj@att.net or 408-257-9385 for a fun time.

One of the circular saws students will be using.

One of the scroll saws students will be using.

At the Show - Books

Ellen Braby has been a dealer at Good Sam for about five years. She sells as Ellen Braby Books and carries a marvelous selection of books to aid miniaturists in their creations. Subject matter includes architecture, decorating, room settings, making miniatures, and periods such as Victorian, Tudor, Tiffany and Art Deco to name a few. Be sure to look for her table at this year's show. ebraby@gmail.com

At the Show - Metalwork

Alan Hamer is an IGMA Fellow in metalwork. He makes a wide range of 1:12 scale fully functional pedal cars with working steering and pedals.  He also designs gates, fireplace tools, children's toys and more. "In 2013 we will move to Europe," Alan tells us. "I look forward to making minis of the things I see in rural France." scalemetal@msn.com

Vintage white convertible pedal car with working steering and pedals. Fully functional.

Fully functional black hearse with working steering and pedals.

Collection of fully functional pedal cars with working steering and pedals.

Items on Alan Hamer's table. Photo taken on the floor of the 2012 Show.

New for the 2013 Show, a metal Steampunk bird cage.

To see more of Alan Hamer's metalwork, go here.

At the Show - Accessories

Judy Kincaid of Brooke Tucker Originals has attended the Good Sam Show since 2005. With Brooke's retirement, it was then that she took over the Brooke Tucker miniature line. Judy continues to feature the popular accessories and put-abouts that miniaturists have come to know and love. You can contact Judy at 2005@brooketucker.com and/or order from the available line on her website, http://www.brooketucker.com/.

Judy Kincaid's table on the floor of the 2012 Good Sam Show.

At the Show - Anthro Animals and Toys

Paulette Svec has been a dealer at Good Sam for the last 17 years. She makes delightful anthropomorphic (anthro) jointed animals ranging from about 5/8-inch to 6-inches. She also makes doll trunks, filled toy boxes and holiday accessories, to name a few. Look for Paulette's table at this year's show. You are sure to be delighted.  psvecmini@yahoo.com

A wee pig family all dressed up for an outing.

Young lady kitten dressed for an outing with her toy dog.

Paulette's table on Sunday morning at the 2012 Show. This is all that remained.

To see more of Paulette Svec's toys and collectibles go here and here.