Rob Tukham

Third in our list of 8 instructors for the 2014 Good Sam Academy of Miniatures is Rob Tukham. Rob lives in Ladysmith, B.C., just outside of Victoria. Rob is a master at turning, an IGMA Fellow, and teaches at the Guild School in Maine.

Rob will be teaching faceplate turning. You will come away delighted with what you have actually made yourself on a lathe. Below are some examples of turnings Rob has done recently. Rob's email is rtukham@telus.net and web site is http://www.rjtminiatures.com


Art Glass




Palm Nuts



Spalted Wood




Beautiful Use of Gold Leaf





More of Rob's Turnings



Ken Byers New Product

Ken Byers has come up with another inovative miniature for us to enjoy. Ken is a long time dealer at the show whose products go from authentic copies of Shaker furniture to typewriters to this interesting new item. Here is what Ken says about it.



“With daily bathing becoming more accepted by the 1880s, many attempted to develop innovative ways to heat bath water and to incorporate the portable bathtub within a room setting. The folding tub (or Murphy tub as it is sometimes called) was made by The Mosely Folding Bath Company and advertised in the 1895 Montgomery Ward Catalog and 1902 Sears catalog. This tub, disguised as a mirrored wardrobe, folded down and out of its wood casing into the room, revealing the gas fired heater above.

The bathtub was not connected to drainage plumbing, so it had to be scooped out after use which may have contributed to its demise.”

With that explanation, here is this new delight. Ken's email is artisan@pacbell.net and web site is http://www.shakerworkswest.com









  


Here the bathtub is open





 







Here the bathtub is closed



Exhibits

Greg Anton has been exhibiting his miniature masterpieces at the Good Sam Show since he was 9 years old in 1978. He is known for the elegance of his work. We are delighted to show his latest offering, "Watteau In The Grotto". Greg says, "This setting is in the style of a French eighteenth century grotto folly. The painter Antoine Watteau, was inspired by settings like this. All plants and flowers were made by Pat Richmond."

The Guys from Texas, Academy Instructors

Last week we introduced Nell Corkin to start featuring our 2014 Good Sam Academy instructors. This week we want to introduce The Guys from Texas, another of our 2014 Academy instructors.

The Guys from Texas are Jon Fish and Larry Osborn. They have taught classes in the San Jose area for a number of years, and always have a number of students in class. Jon and Larry make some of the finest structures in the country, in 1:12, 1:24 and 1:48 inch scales. Their cutting is such that everything fits perfectly. They frequently do the cutting for the structures for other artists' classes due to the quality of their work.

Jon and Larry are also experts at lighting and at finishing interiors and exteriors in most any period there is. They generously share their techniques when they teach. We don't know what they are teaching in 2014 as yet, but it is sure to be exciting. We hope we are showing their versatility below. Their email is theguysworkshops@satx.rr.com, and go to www.picturetrail.com/theguysfromtexas to see more examples of their work and some tutorials.

Cypress and Fog, taught in 2010, captures the feel of the Monterey Peninsula here in California. Notice how the lighting enhances the scene. 1:12 (one inch scale)

"Teahouse of the Paper Moon" taught in 2012, is a delightful structure that accurately portrays the tea ceremonies of Asia. 1:12 (one inch scale)

Here are two views of "Fill 'Er Up", a 1:24 (half inch scale) building, part of their series of half scale village buildings, a delightful gas station of old.

"King Midas" is a fanciful depiction of the King in his castle. "Be Careful What You Wish For" is the alternate title. James Carrington made the King for Jon and Larry for this delightful scene. Again, the lighting effects are so special.

"Retail Therapy" is The Guys first of the 1:24 (half inch scale) shops for their Street of Shops. It features a square bay window with a slanted top, which provides additional viewing through the glass above. I just feel sorry for the shop owner who will have to clean the glass up there. This class emphasized the finishing of the exterior, but all of the inner walls were removeable for easy completion of the interior at home.



Closeup of the "Grand" Movie Theater wih
curved glass ticket booth. Remember when
movies were 10 cents?



Front of the "Grand" Movie Theater, a miniature
in 1:48 (quarter scale) that is a tour de force
in concept, lighting, and execution.

Exhibit

The Good Sam Show had Exhibits before there were sales. The first two years were only exhibits. There were 83 exhibits at the 2013 Good Sam Show, with something to please most anyone.

Rhona Lee's exhibit this year was a delightful little shop. Here is what Rhona says about it: "Poupee at des Amis (Dolls and Friends), was an empty roombox originally purchased from Larrianne's Small Wonders in Ventura, CA. Most of the dolls were purchased over the years from Carla Gaustad at the Good Sam Show. Artisans represented include: Gale Elena-Bantock, Amanda Skinner, Cynthia Howe, Lee Silverstien, Laura Collum, Kathi Kuti and Almudene Fernandez."

Sadly, a small expensive bear sitting on the chair outside was stolen some time Saturday morning at the show. Please look at the picture of the bear after you enjoy Rhona's shop.

The bear is sitting in the chair in this picture. If you see him, let us know.

Stolen Bear up close

From The Chairman

As we say goodbye to the 2013 Good Sam Show and start to welcome in the holidays and the New Year, I want to thank Martha Puff for two years of weekly blog posts that have received over 100,000 hits from our audience. Martha is retiring from our publicity team as the year winds down, but we count on her continued advice and ideas to keep the blog fresh. Michael Puff, Connie Sauve and others will continue to offer pictures for our use on the blog.

We will resume the blog as we have time. We are currently looking for someone to take over the blog and post on a regular basis. In the meantime, feel free to look at former posts for wonderful pictures from our dealers and our exhibitors.

Nell Corkin, Academy Instructor

By the time our first annual Good Sam Academy of Miniatures was history, we had lined up eight fine instructors for the second annual Academy. In the next 8 weeks we will introduce each of them and some of their work. By March we should have pictures of what they will teach in 2014 from Oct. 13-17, immediately after the Good Sam Show. We will have some pictures of the 2013 Academy soon.

Our first instructor is Nell Corkin, an IGMA Fellow who resides in Michigan. Nell specializes in 1:144 size miniatures, which is the size a dollhouse would be that was inside a 1:12 size dollhouse. Her first picture truly demonstrates that. Nell's email is miniminis@aol.com, website is www.nellcorkin.com

Mini copy of The Thomas' La Fenetre in Progress, Table by Mark Murphy, OOAK<br>

A 1:1 hand holding a 1:12 table holding a 1:144 structure<br>

 

Mallory Fine Art

Half Timber Art Gallery

Table by David Hurley

Another OOAK by Nell

Pargeted House

Decorative Plaster Work

Known as Pargeting

in 16th & 17th Centuries

OOAK by Nell

Front & Back Views

Oreo Was Bored With the Cat Tree
Cat by Sylvia Mobley, Shelf by Marcia Gardner







From the Chairman: It's Showtime! On Holiday until Saturday, Nov. 2

Please join us this weekend for the 38th Annual Good Sam Show!

We are now on holiday and will resume our weekly Saturday postings on Saturday, November 2nd. In 2014, our 39th Annual Good Sam Show is scheduled for Saturday, Oct 11, 10 am-5 pm. Sunday, Oct. 12, 11 am-4 pm at the Doubletree Hotel, San Jose, CA. Please join us. Follow our Blog throughout the year to keep yourself informed.

The show provides key funding for the PlaneTree Health Library's free community services, http://www.planetree-sccl.org

Barbara Jones, General Chairman and Phyllis Hedman, Dealer Chairman, Finance. From the 2007 Good Sam Show with a Circus theme.

From Chairman: Join Us at the 38th Good Sam Show

This is our last blog post before the 38th Annual Good Sam Show, Saturday, Oct 12, 10 am-5 pm. Sunday, Oct. 13, 11 am-4 pm. We are very excited about the show, and take great pride in our selection of talented artisans. Everyone is excellent! We hope you can join us. There are 116 sales tables, including 16 international dealers.

The Friday Workshops vary, but start as early as 8 am and end at 5 pm. Some of them will have room for students that very day. The Children's Free Workshops are 12 noon to 3 pm, both days. The Children's Pre-Registered Workshops on Saturday are full. The Girl Scout Workshops on Sunday are also full.

At the Show: Ashdown Publications

American Miniaturist Editor/Dollhouse Miniatures Sub Editor, Traci Nigon will be making the rounds at the Good Sam Show this year. She, along with Advertising Sales Manager, Sara Vix are looking forward to meeting the show's attendees, vendors and artisans. "It will be a great show and we can hardly wait for this year's event!" says Traci Nigon. traci@ashdown.co.uk, sara@ashdown.co.uk

At Show: Camille Minichino "Miniatures Mysteries" Author

Look for author Camille Minichino's table in the Lobby near the entrance to the show. Camille has published 17 novels and many short stories and nonfiction articles. As Margaret Grace, she has published 6 novels in the Miniature Mysteries series. The books feature miniaturist Geraldine Porter and her 11-year-old granddaughter, Maddie. The latest is "Mix-Up in Miniature." In April 2014, "Madness in Miniature" will be released. camille@minichino.com, http://www.minichino.com/

Camille Minichino with a background of her book covers.

Camille Minichino with Phyllis Hedman, Good Sam Dealer Committee & Finance Chairman.

At the Show: White Elephant Sale

Each year, Good Sam has a White Elephant Sale. Look for the table in the Lobby outside the Showroom. The hours are Friday Evening: 6 pm to 9:30 pm.  Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm.  Sunday: 11 an to 4 pm.  It is always great fun.You will find everything from dollhouses to past issues of miniature magazines. Everything is priced to sell. There are bargains galore.

At the Show: Saturday Silent Auction

Again this year, we are delighted to offer special miniatures in a Saturday Silent Auction. In addition to a selection of donated miniatures, there will be some room boxes and other items from a large estate we received. The auction opens at 10 am and closes at 2 pm.

Ye Olde Sweet Shoppe room box, 1:12 scale.

Small shop with nice gingerbread trim and wood shingle roof.

Four lots of Bespaq Emporium Shop Furniture in white. Bespaq labels on bottom.

West African rosewood Fireplace signed by Phyllis Turner, the Artful Hand. Mirror handcrafted by IGMA Artisan Steve Goode, S.H. Goode & Sons Workshop. Delicate silver candelabra.

Little Pot Bellied Piglet handcrafted by Teresa Summers, IGMA Artisan in Animal Figures.   

Formal rectangle dining room table with two arm chairs and two straight back chairs. Centerpiece and pretty dining service for four.

Lot of metal hand-painted Toy Soldiers.

At Show: Free Sunday Tools & Techniques Program

Sunday morning from 9:30 am to 10:50 am there is a free Tools & Techniques program with miniaturists demonstrating various techniques. Come join us for the following demonstrations:

1. "Using Cookie Molds" (a make it take it). By Ruth Stewart, Stewart Dollhouse Creations.
2. "Peel and Stick Wallpaper" (a make it take it). By Carol Kubrican, true2scale.
3. "Halloween Shelf" (a make it take it). By Deb Laue, Dragonfly International.
4. "LED lights: Soldering and Wiring" demo. By Luci & Dick Hanson, Cascade Miniatures.
    They will also have a DVD showing on wiring.
5. "Overhead Routing Techniques" demo. By Carol & Dick Hardy, IGMA Guild Office.
6. "Using a Lathe" demo. By Rob Tukham, RJT Miniatures.
7. "Braided Rugs" demo. By Sallie Evans, Strawberry Creek Design.
8. "How to Set Crystals in Mini-Jewelry" demo. By Lynn O’Shaughnessy, Jewelry and More.
9. "Making Art Glass" demo by Keshae Hedman.

Luci Hanson of Cascade Miniatures explains the use of LED lighting for miniature scenes. (Photo from the 2012 Show.)

Last year, Deb Laue of Dragonfly International taught attendees how to make a cloth baby book (see photo). This year, participants will make a Halloween Shelf.

At the 2012 Show, Carol Kubrican of true2scale taught how to work with decals to enhance plastic dishes (see photo). This year, participants will make "Peel and Stick Wallpaper."

At the Show: Sunday Drawings for Dealer Donations

Each year, Good Sam has a Sunday Drawing of donations provided by Dealers at Good Sam. Look for the Dealer Donations Table in the Lobby outside the Showroom. Buy lots of tickets, and win Sunday afternoon at 3:15 p.m. You do not have to be present to win. Below are the donations of a few of the dealers.

Hand-painted chair by Maritza Moran, Maritza Miniatures. 1:12 scale. http://www.maritzaminiatures.com. Puzzle from IGMA Fellow Barbara Stanton, painter. Her 1:12 scale miniature jigsaw puzzles have images of her paintings. http://www.barbarastanton.com/

To the left, 1:12 scale porcelain doll from Debra Hammond from Charleston, South Carolina. debraisland@gmail.com. Center: Hand-painted upholstered chair by Maritza Moran, Maritza's Miniatures, 1:12 scale. To the right, white Wisteria Vine from IGMA Fellow Era Pearce, http://www.pearceminiatures.com    

Steampunk chair from Rainbow Hand and Kathy Tepper. briantep@verizon.net,

http://www.rainbowhandandkathy.com/. On the right is a handmade teddy bear by Paulette Svec from Texas. psvecmini@yahoo.com