New Quarter-Scale Kits from Debbie Young, Young at Heart

Long-time dealer Debbie Young, Young at Heart, shares the new quarter-scale kits that she will be offering at this year's show. In addition to quarter-scale reproductions of actual houses, Debbie and her husband Jeff make quarter-scale individual room and whole house furniture kits. Some years, she offers a workshop at Good Sam. http://youngatheartminiatures.com

The Bon Appetit Kit is a little corner of the Julia Child's kitchen at the Smithsonian.

 The Fiesta Nook is a really fun and inexpensive kit which pays tribute to Fiesta dinnerware.

Collection of Fiestaware accessories available for the Fiesta Nook kit.

The new Kitchen Mixer is so tiny it fits on the tip of your finger.

The Country Cupboard Kit is a versatile three room shop or country cottage.

Interior of the Country Cupboard.

Houseparty House Kit. Each piece inside is significant and represents memories from one of NAME's houseparties or conventions over the past 40 years.

Dealer Debbie Young, Young at Heart - Quarter-scale Kits

Long-time dealer Debbie Young, Young at Heart, shares her new quarter-scale kits. Most are reproductions of actual houses. Over the years, she and her husband Jeff have created more than 100 different house kits. They also make quarter-scale individual room and whole house furniture kits. This year, Debbie is teaching a children's workshop. Web: http://youngatheartminiatures.com

The "Brick Bungalow" is a new quarter-scale kit. It is a replica of a historic house Debbie found in St. Louis, MO.

White Christmas" Putz house (Glitter House) kit. It is reminiscent of the old German Putz houses, but scaled to 1/4-inch. It opens in the back so it can be filled with furniture.

The "Little Flowered House" kit in quarter-scale. It is decorated in Mary Engelbriet-style.

The "Halloween House" is a little glitter house that Debbie Young will be teaching children on Saturday at a Good Sam Children's Workshop. 

To see more work by Debbie & Jeff Young, go >here<.

At the Show - Quarter-Scale

This week, it is with great pleasure that we share the work of two long-time Good Sam dealers who create in quarter-scale.

Grandt Line Products designs quarter-scale kits with lots of character, whimsy and detail. The company also makes mini dollhouse kits for 1-inch scale dollhouses, "pothead" mini kits, and other cool stuff. Phyllis Nishimori and her sister Liz Aduan have been dealers at Good Sam for thirteen years. www.grandtline.com

Oliver Ollywock's Place. Faerie Hill Lane Series Kit #3431.

Bernie's Banana Split is 50's style roadside architecture. Roadside America Series Kit #3471.

Hansel and Gretel exterior view. Fairytale Series Kit #3480.

Hansel and Gretel interior view.

Melon Manor exterior view. Seasonings Series Kit #3443.

Melon Manor interior view.

Cliff's Diner is based on a streetcar. Fun interior cabinetry. Napkin dispensers, mustard and ketchup bottles on outside tables. Kit #3413.

Debbie Young, Young at Heart, makes quarter-scale reproductions of actual houses. Over the years, she and her husband Jeff have created about 100 different house kits. In addition, they make quarter-scale individual room and whole house furniture kits. Debbie also offers workshops. They have attended Good Sam for more than thirty years.  youngatheartminiatures.com

The Dolls House kit inspired by "The Doll People" book by Ann Martin and Laura Godwin.

The Dolls House, interior view.

Avalon House kit. 1926 Sears Roebuck design.

Avalon House, interior view.

Caribbean Cottage kit. Small one-room vacation get-away.  

Campground Cottage kit inspired by the tiny Campmeeting Association cottages on Martha's Vineyard.

Campground Cottage, interior view.

Quarter-scale pots and pans that are just beyond amazing. Made by Grandt Line for Young at Heart.

2018 Show Preview

Dealer Peter Acquisto, Acquisto Silver

An IGMA Fellow in Silversmithing, Pete Acquisto has been making beautiful 1:12 scale silver and gold reproductions since the 1980s. Based in Arizona, Pete has attended Good Sam for more than 30 years. He is continually producing new and exciting miniature silver masterpieces. Each one is an objet d'art. Web: http://www.AcquistoSilver.com

Silver Victorian Pickle Castor, with glass by Ferenc Albert. 1:12 scale.

Dealer Fern Vasi Dolls

An IGMA Artisan, Fern Vasi creates captivating 1:12 scale porcelain character dolls of all ages and from all walks of life. Each tells a story with its distinctive costuming, body language, and varied emotions. Do stop by Fern's table. Her figures are sure to bring a smile to your face.
Email: fernvasidolls@yahoo.com

"Trying on his new look" is a humorous scene that showcases a hairdresser fitting a gorilla with a classical French white wig, complete with feathers.

Dealer Roberta Solari, Le Miniature Di Eurosia, Italy

Roberta Solari creates decorated tiles and decorated terracotta Tuscany pottery. She makes distressed wood-with-wire sideboards, tables, garden potting benches, distressed wire birdcages, and many other fabulous distressed decorative wire accessories.

Low distressed wood table with single candle and other items. Separate small tin tray. Pair of white pumpkin candles.

Dealer Sandra Wall Rubin

Sandra Wall Rubin is an IGMA Fellow and a master at creating unique miniature floral arrangements. Her inspiration often comes from 17th century Dutch masters paintings. Sandra's processes are numerous, as she uses a variety of conventional--and unconventional--materials.

Beautiful ikebana arrangements inspired by floral arrangements of 16th century Dutch masters. Note: Ikebana is the ancient Japanese art of flower arranging.

Dealer Troy Schmidt, Red Dragon Pottery

Troy Schmidt of Red Dragon Pottery is known for his creations of exceptional quality wheel-thrown porcelain artwork in 1-inch scale. Each piece is individually handcrafted on a full size potter's wheel. In detailed miniature, Troy creates replicas of historic ceramic styles as well as modern art for miniature museums and collectors.  He is known for constructing a diverse assortment of pottery shapes and styles. Web: www.reddragonpottery.com

Blue Celadon Group: A soft grey-blue celadon glaze that highlights any texture and carving on the porcelain.

White/Green Japanese Celadon Group: The formula for this recipe was given to me by Harvey Young a potter from Mashiko, Japan.  While conducting a workshop at our Santa Barbara studio in the 1990's he reformulated one of his glazes so we could use our local ingredients - this glaze was the result.

Shino Group: This is an orange American variant of a glaze group that had it origins in 16th century Japan and was at that time typically white with orange edge highlights.  Over time it has evolved to include a group of glazes that range from white to orange (sometimes with gray/black speckling).

Black and Gold Group: A metallic Semi-Matt Black glaze of my own formulation highlighted with bright gold luster in 22K

Crackle Group: A delicate Asian inspired glaze which appears ancient and timeless at the same time.

Dealer Deb Laue, Dragonfly International

Dragonfly International is where-to-go for supplies and kits to make jewelry, hats, hatboxes, purses, toys, trunks, gift boxes, and much more. Deb Laue carries a fine selection of leathers, laces, trims, fabrics and flocking. She also has mannequins, display busts and stands for the do-it-yourself miniaturist. Her first-rate crafter tools are "must have."
Web: www.dragonflyintl.com

Dealer Debbie Young, Young at Heart

Long-time dealer Debbie Young offers quarter-scale kits. Most are reproductions of actual houses. Over the years, she and her husband Jeff have created more than 100 different house kits. They also make quarter-scale individual room and whole house furniture kits.  This year, Debbie is offering a pre-registered Friday Workshop. Web: http://youngatheartminiatures.com

Oct. 12 Friday Workshop, "¼-inch Gothic Display House."

Dealer Alvin & Rose Schulz, A&R Miniatures

Alvin & Rose Schultz specialize in LED lighting and sound accents. Their line includes working Televisions, Holiday pillar candles, Caldrons (with or without sound), Christmas trees, Wizard’s Tables, Thunder and Lightning, Flickering log sets (with or without sound) and Mantels. They also do custom LED lighting and sound designs. Products include 1:12 scale, 1:24 scale, and 1:48 scale.
Web: http://www.arminiatures.com

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

We expect to have the featured workshops on our Website and Blog by May l. The featured workshop teachers this year are Debbie Young of Young at Heart (quarter-scale), Craig Roberts of The Hairy Potter, and The Guys From Texas.

We have signed contracts with the Doubletree Hotel for 2013, 2014 and 2015. Each year, the show is the second weekend of October, so there will not be a conflict with NAME Day. The dates are October 12 & 13 of 2013, October 11 & 12 of 2014, and October 10 & 11 of 2015. Pass the dates on to anyone who might want to know.

The best news is that the hotel room rates will remain at the $89 level for 1 or 2 people through 2015. The rate for the ballroom will also remain the same. Other costs will rise, like electrical, publicity and printing, but having the ballroom cost the same means any rise in dealer table fees will be slight--if at all.

Just a reminder to keep checking our Blog for updates.  New postings appear every Saturday.

At the Show - Quarter-Scale Furniture & Room Box

Barbara Greene from Canada sells as Silver Fox Creations. She carries a wide range of quarter-scale miniatures and is the exclusive distributor of Bespaq's fine line of quarter-scale miniatures. Look for her table at this year's Good Sam Show. All photos are of quarter-scale. barbara@silverfoxcreations.com, www.silverfoxcreations.com

Photo of Barbara Greene-Findall's table from the 2012 Good Sam Show.

Electrified Living Room Box. Quarter-scale Workshop for 2013 Philadelphia Miniaturia.

Half-tester bed, demi-lune table and secretary.

Country kitchen set in green with hand-painted flowers. Hall tree.

Bedroom from quarter-scale Bed and Breakfast. Structure designed by Debbie Young, Young at Heart. yngathrt@gv.net, www.youngathartminiatures.com

To see more of her quarter-scale offerings, to here.

2017 Show Previews

Preview photos of artisans and dealers attending the 2017 Good Sam Show.

Acquisto Silver. Pete Acquisto has been making beautiful miniature silver and gold works of art since 1979. An IGMA Fellow, he is well known for high quality, historically accurate, and functioning silver reproductions in 1:12 scale.

Acme Anything! Carol Carr offers unique vintage and refinished furniture and accessories that are eclectic and fun. Many of her pieces are hand-painted and aged for a nostalgic look. She also makes fantasy dressed skeletons and pumpkin people.

Natalia's Fine Needlework. Natalia Frank specializes in exquisite dollhouse needlework. She makes fine rugs, little pillows, Christmas stockings, and shoes, upholsters furniture with petit point, and offers patterns and kits. She also uses a scroll saw to cut miniature figurines, shelves and baskets.

D. Sierck Ltd.  Debbie Heard offers an exceptional array of miniatures from private collections and estates. Many of the fine artisan pieces and items she carries are no longer being produced. Everything on her table is of the highest quality.

Kummerows.  Lew & Barbara Kummerow specialize in toys, Tiffany lamps and screens, 1/144th scale houses and furniture, and holiday items. They offer 1-inch, quarter-scale, 1:144 scale, and micro-mini scale.

Williamson Walton Marble.  Nicole Walton Marble offers eye-catching furniture and furnishings range from 18th century French to modern day. The designs are exciting, innovative and always a bit outside the box.

Miyuki Miniature Porcelain, Japan.  Miyuki Nagashima, an IGMA Artisan, all of Miyuki's techniques, compositions and colorings are based on European antique porcelain from the mid-18th century to the first half of the 19th century.

Marie's Mini Shoppe.  Marie Petrik offers a wide variety of 1:12 scale flowers and plants. She uses paper and silks with some natural materials to give the plants their lifelike appearance.  Marie also makes foods, fruits, vegetables, and more.

A&R Miniatures.  Alvin & Rose Schultz specialize in LED lighting accents. The line includes Halloween pumpkins, Holiday pillar candle sets, Christmas trees, flickering log sets (with or without sound) and mantels. A&R also does custom LED lighting designs. Most products are 1:12 scale.

Young at Heart.  Debbie Young offers quarter-scale house kits. Most are reproductions of actual houses. Over the years, she and her husband Jeff have created more than 100 different house kits. They also make quarter-scale individual room and whole house furniture kits.