New Dealer: Vilia Miniature, Italy

Lia Comugnero and Alma Di Andrea of Vilia Miniature offer a wide range of handmade furniture in 1:12 and 1:24 scale. This includes wood store display units, shop counters, kitchen furnishings and bedroom pieces in both a classic style and Shabby Chic style. Furniture pieces are available for you to decorate or already decorated. Other collaborators are Vitaliano (Alma's husband) and Lia's son Luigi, who will accompany her to the show. They also make an interesting selection of handcrafted accessories and some kits. Email viliaminiature@gmail.com Web http://www.viliaminiature.it

Handcrafted wood display unit with frieze at top and two drawers at bottom. Filled with fabrics, laces, ribbons and trims.

Empty handcrafted wood shelf unit with frieze at top and two drawers on bottom.

Handcrafted wood "Tea" box. The teabags are perfect 1:12 scale reproductions and are removable.

Miniature reproduction of vintage wood chest filled with colorful DMC embroidery floss.

Handcrafted white shabby chic kitchen unit with stove top and sink.

Handcrafted wood wall plate rack with storage shelf and pegs to hang items.

Handmade traditional wood tangram puzzle. Removable from storage box.

Two boxes of Christmas ornaments.

Handsome wood carrying case filled with artist supplies.

New Dealer: Rita & Horst Kruger, Tiny Ceramics, Germany

Rita and Horst Kruger of Tiny Ceramics, Germany, make beautiful ceramic hand-painted miniature tiles out of natural clay and porcelain. Their 1-inch and 1/2-inch tiles are unglazed in natural colors or glazed with mat, silk mat or shiny glaze. They offer single tiles, wall murals, custom made floors and walls. They also carry special products such as trays, tables and bathtubs. The Krugers will guide you through the process of measuring your project to get the required number of tiles needed. Email: info@tinyceramics.de  Web: http://www.tiny-ceramics.com

Elaborate hand-painted tile wall mural. It features three panels, each with a vase of colorful flowers, birds and butterflies.

Handsome terra-cotta tile floor designed for country-style kitchen.

White and blue glazed tile floor for ladies elegant bathroom.

Hand-painted tile wall mural of the "Sleeping Beauty" children's fairy tale.

Wicker chair and wicker table with hand-painted tile design on table top.

Tile table top with a lovely hand-painted design of fruit and flowers.

Large and small trays featuring hand-painted tiles with flower scenes.

Wood tray with twelve charming Delft hand-painted porcelain tiles, each one with a different bird.

Alan Hamer Metal Work

An IGMA Fellow in metalwork, Alan Hamer works in iron, copper and brass. He makes a wide range of 1:12 scale children's toys including pedal cars with working steering and pedals. He also designs gates, fireplace tools, brass beds, household accessories, wind drags, and much more. The photos below represent a sampling of Alan's work. Email: scalemetal@msn.com, Web: http://www.alanhamerminiatures.com

Child's pedal tin racer, fully functional with working steering and pedals.

Child's trike truck with trailer.

Assorted tin ware.

Child's deluxe pedal roadster with working steering and pedals.

Scroll Iron Gate and Polo Iron Gate.

Patina'd "March Wind" wind drag.

Rapiers and broadswords.

Hanging "The Ant" iron sign. 

To see previous posts for Alan Hamer, go here and here.

Shellie's Miniature Mania - 2014 Workshops

Long-time dealer Shellie Kazan, Shellie's Miniature Mania in San Carlos, CA is offering three fabulous 1:12 scale workshops in 2014. To register, contact Shellie at 650-593-4921 or email shelliesminis@msn.com. For more details, go to http://www.shelliesminis.com.

June 14-15, 2014. "Cedric, the Sleeping Chef" - Cost $395. Teacher:  Elle Piccolo-West, IGMA Fellow. Elle will teach how to hand sculpt the head and shoulders, hands and legs, with gestures and form. The body will be soft-sculptured, using batting, needle and thread, and wire armature. Once assembled, clothing and shoes will be added and the figure wigged.

Sept. 26-30, 2014. Five day workshop with Rik Pierce: "Duddingwells Tea Room" - Cost $1,000. A very popular instructor, Rik's fantasy structures are based on English medieval and Tudor buildings. Using Creative Paperclay, he teaches students how to make fanciful brickwork, chimney, fireplace, plaster, walkways, and more. Class participants will make leaded/stained glass windows, distress hand-hewn beams and timbers, make glowing embers for the fireplace, and put in wiring for lights. 

Oct. 17, 2014. Upholstery Technique Class - Cost $195. Teacher: Nancy Summers, IGMA Fellow. Students will receive a stained and finished chair to upholster. They will learn tricks and techniques to make the upholstery look nice and tight, and also how to make a nice trim. Cotton, silk, and fine velvet will be available or students may bring their own fabric.

Revisiting the 2013 Good Sam Academy

Over the next several weeks, we will be sharing the 2013 Good Sam Academy experience on the Blog. For five days immediately following the show, the new Academy offered seven advanced classes taught by five leading miniaturists in their field. This year's Academy will be held Oct. 13-17 at our facility in Morgan Hill, CA.

"The 2013 Academy was a resounding success," says Connie Sauve, Director. "We had incredible teachers, great classes to choose from, and wonderful catered food. A week of fun, miniatures and friends! What more could a miniaturist ask for?" (Photo taken in Rik Pierce's class.)

From 2013 show coverage in Miniature Collector (Feb. 2014 issue). For a magazine subscription, phone Scott Publications toll free 1-800-458-8237.

"We had a lot of fun in the class," says instructor Nancy Summers. "Students designed and upholstered their own chairs and footstool with leather and/or fabric." "Taking Nancy Summers class was such a treat," says student Ruth Heisch (far left), San Jose, CA. "Besides ending up with a wonderful upholstered chair, I felt our group became a little family."

From show coverage in the Jan-Feb 2014 issue of Dollhouse Miniatures magazine. For a magazine subscription, phone Ashdown toll free 1-866-606-6587. Email: usoffice@ashdown.co.uk 

For 2014 Good Sam Academy class information and to register, go to http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net/goodsamacademy.htm. If you have questions, contact Connie Sauve, GSAM Director. Phone 209-474-2870 or email connie@thechinadoll.com 

Announcing the 2014 Good Sam Academy Classes

The 2014 Good Sam Academy classes will take place October 13-17 immediately after the 2014 Good Sam Show. Nine classes are being offered.  See descriptions below. (Our next new Show post will be Saturday, May 24 and weekly thereafter until show time.)

GSAM class lengths range from two to five days. The participating instructors are all leaders in their selected fields and have been teaching their skills to miniaturists for many years. Why don't you come and enjoy the fun, too?

Our spacious facility in Morgan Hill, CA is 20 minutes from the Doubletree Hotel (where the Good Sam Show is held) and the San Jose Airport on Highway 101. There are open and enclosed classrooms, a full kitchen, and ample rest rooms. For class details, to register, and for hotel and meal information go to http://goodsamshowcase.miniature.net/goodsamacademy.htm

Wood fired oven pizza lunch at GSAM 2013.

Send in your GSAM registration now, before your favorite class gets filled! If you have questions, contact Connie Sauve, GSAM Director. Phone 209-474-2870 or email connie@thechinadoll.com

Geoff Wonnacott class at GSAM 2013.

Class 1: Upholstered Wingback Chair. Instructor Kari Bloom.

Students will learn upholstery techniques on a naked chair frame.  Skills include upholstering using foam, batting, cotton fabric, quilter's iron (provided), and how to make tassels. Kari will mail fabric swatches so students can mix and match up to five different fabrics. Students may also bring their own cotton fabrics.  One-inch scale. All skill levels. 3 days - Mon, Oct 13 - Wed, Oct 15, 9am - 5pm.  Projects will be completed in class. Register by Sept 1. If questions, contact Kari at 612-581-5698 or minitonmini@aol.com. Web: minitonmini.wix.com/kari-bloom 

  

Kari Bloom

Class 2: 1:144" Scale Victorian Cottage. Instructor Nell Corkin.

Charming "Carpenter Gothic" style cottage (mid to late 19th century) with ornamented bargeboards on the gable ends. Students will learn a wide variety of techniques for working in 1:144 scale with emphasis on methods developed by instructor over 30 years for achieving a high level of detail and a realistic look in 1:144 scale.  Some experience with accurate cutting and measuring in any scale is the only requirement for this class. Intermediate skill level. 4 days - Mon, Oct 13 - Thurs, Oct 16, 9am - 5pm. Likely to finish in class. Register by Sept 1. If questions, contact Nell at 517-381-1980 or miniminis@aol.com. Web: www.nellcorkin.com.  Blog: http://nell-miniminis.blogspot.com/ 

Nell Corkin, IGMA Fellow

Class 3: Ode to American Architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Instructors The Guys from Texas.

It is fun to imagine an ideal Frank Lloyd Wright room box. This one has all the unique features of his Late Prairie Style and Usonian (1950s ranch style) homes. Students will learn different techniques including how to finish a faux flagstone floor, an easy technique for stained glass, finishing hardwood, and how to apply other metallic and faux-finishes. One-inch scale. Intermediate skill level.  3 days - Mon, Oct 13 - Wed, Oct 15, 9am - 5pm.  Project will be finished in class. Register by Sept 1. Contact Jon and Larry should you have questions regarding the class. 830-624-9699 - Email: theguysworkshops@satx.rr.com

A Frank Conversation.  Ode to American Architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Jon Fish, one of the Guys from Texas

Class 4: 17th Century Still Life Oil Painting. Instructor Johannes Landman.

Students will master methods and techniques that will enable them to complete a 17th Century Still Life Painting. The painting is "A Still Life with a Pewter Flagon and Two Ming Bowls." On-inch scale. 5 days - Mon, Oct. 13 thru Friday, Oct 17, 9 am-5pm. Students should have a working familiarity with oil painting and have some experience with simple color mixing and other basic painting skills. Project will be completed in class. Register by July 31, 2014. Contact Johannes should you have questions regarding the class. Phone:  250-477-7927 or 250-580-7927. Email: jilandman@telus.net or janusflanagan@gmail.com  

"A Still Life with a Pewter Flagon and Two Ming Bowls"

Johannes Landman, IGMA Artisan

Class 5: Western Show Saddle, Saddle Tree and Bridle. Instructor Deb Mackie

To make this 1:12 scale Western Show saddle, saddle tree and bridle, students will learn leather crafting techniques. This includes tooling, stamping, embossing, simulated stitching, skiving (thinning the leather), dyeing and assembly. Intermediate skill level. The finished piece can be displayed on a stand, or will fit most 1:12 scale model horses. A choice of simple or more complex tooling designs will be available for students to choose from according to their skill level. 3 days - Mon, Oct. 13 - Wed, Oct 15, 9am - 5pm.  Project will be completed in class. Register by Sept 1, 2014. Contact Deb at 302-584-8840 or 302-584-8840 or email mare@whitehorsestudio.com with questions.

Deb Mackie, IGMA Artisan

Class 6: Cochise, an American Paint Quarter Horse and Leather Halter. Instructor Deb Mackie.

Many of us remember Cochise, Little Joe's flashy paint horse from TV's "Bonanza." Students will bring Cochise to life from a blank resin model using various painting and detailing techniques, and finish him with a silky viscose mane and tail. 1:12 scale. Finally he'll be adorned with a fine leather halter.  Skill Level: Beginner. 2 Days - Thurs-Oct 16 and Friday-Oct 17, 9am - 5pm.  Project will be completed in class. Register by Sept 1, 2014. Contact Deb at 302-584-8840 or 302-584-8840 or email mare@whitehorsestudio.com with questions.

Cochise, an American Paint Quarter Horse

Class 7: Sack-Back Windsor Chair. Instructor Mark Murphy.

Students will use woodworking skills including seat carving, steambending, shaping, and lathe turning to create a lovely New England Windsor Arm Chair. After chair parts are completed, the chair will be assembled and finished with Mark's painting and aging techniques to give it a worn, aged patina. Students should expect to become quite skilled with lathe work and seat carving. 1:12 scale. Skill level Beginner/Intermediate. 3 Days - Mon, Oct. 13-Wed, Oct. 15, 9am - 5pm. Project will be completed in class. Register by Sept 1. If questions, contact Mark at 503-325-4112 or email mmurphyor@gmail.com

New England Windsor Arm Chair

Mark Murphy, IGMA Fellow

Class 8: Silver Soldering Lights-3 Different Lamps. Instructor Jim Pounder.

Working with metals, using Silver Soldering techniques, students will learn the skills required in the fabrication of miniature lamps. Class will make two desk lamps and one floor lamp. The class goal is to accomplish small, delicate work that is strong and aesthetically "clean". One-inch scale. Beginner/Intermediate skill level. 3 days - Mon, Oct 13 - Wed, Oct 15, 9am - 5pm.  Project will be completed in class. Register by Sept 1. If questions, contact Jim at 509-758-9781 or email pounder@clarkston.com 

Jim Pounder, IGMA Artisan

Class 9: Silver Soldering Brass Bed. Instructor Jim Pounder.

Students will construct a twin-sized late 19th century "iron" bed frame with the use of silver soldering. One-inch scale. The class will orient students to the fundamental applications of a technique known as Silver Soldering. The basic elements of cleaning metal, uses of fluxes, and common denominators of all soldering will be taught. There will be a demonstration of making jigs for bending metal created from drawings and renditions. Beginner/Intermediate skill level. 2 days - Thurs, Oct 16 - Fri, Oct 17, 9am - 5pm.  Project will be completed in class. Register by Sept 1. If questions, contact Jim at 509-758-9781 or email pounder@clarkston.com 

Late 19th Century "iron" bed frame made with the use of silver soldering.