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.

At the Show - Miniature Shop, S. F. Bay Area

A dealer at Good Sam since 2006, Shellie Kazan has operated Shellie's Miniature Mania in San Carlos, CA for over thirty years. She specializes in exceptional international artisan miniatures, Bespaq furniture, dolls, accessories, lighting, building supplies, dollhouse kits, dollhouse building services, and more. Shellie has wonderful miniature Holiday gifts available for the discerning collector and to outfit a "first-time" dollhouse for that special youngster. 650-593-4921, shelliesminis@msn.com, www.shelliesminis.com

Santa by Vintage Miniatures.

Tiny Christmas scene in box with lights on table. By Taller Targioni, Spain.

Personable fox handcrafted by the talented Linda Fisher. Linda is very adept at blending fibers to create accurate coats.

Ticker Tape machine by Nantasy Fantasy.

Lovely vintage wedding gown from estate.

Handcrafted lace covered top and cap with pink ribbon trim and white rabbit in a basket by Taller Targioni, Spain.

Handcrafted tatting stand and chair by Taller Targioni, Spain.

Rare one-of-a-kind horn chair handmade by Susanne Russo.

Tiny ladies shop in a Dutch-style cupboard by Taller Targioni, Spain.

Elegant hand crocheted lacy baby afghan with matching pillow by Linda Driscoll. Tiny baby dressed in lace with hand crocheted cap by Taller Targioni, Spain.

Decorative ladies shop cabinet (or for a lady's bedroom) by Gloria Kent "Memories". 

To see more Shellie's Miniature Mania posts go here and here.

At the Show - Exhibits

This week's exhibits are two charming--very small--structures in 1:12 scale that were displayed at the 2012 Good Sam Show. They serve to remind us that sometimes the best things come in small packages. Special thanks to Connie Sauve, Good Sam Exhibit Chairman, for the photographs shown here.

"Le Boulangerie" is a small shop by Polly Morris, Oakland Hills, CA. "My three friends (Melissa, Nancy and Rhona) all made versions of this Boulangerie. And, eventually, so did I. All of the bakery items and the flock of pigeons were made by me. I tried to get a first-thing-in-the-morning feeling, when everything is set out for the day."

"The Hen House structure is the Tudor Loo that I made in a Rik Pierce workshop," says Nancy Wantiez, Hayward, CA. "I decided to turn it in a Hen House as I love chickens and animals in general. Mary Hoot made the chickens. The fox was purchased at Shellie's Miniature Mania in San Carlos, CA. I have been doing minis for about fifteen years."

This photo is courtesy of Nancy Wantiez.