From the Keeper of the Good Sam Blog

There will not be any new posts this week due to internet connection problems.  Look for new posts next week, May 30.

From dealer Mzia Dsamia, Small Creations, a lovely designer dress in red. Full size gown by designer John Galliano.    

Dealer Carla Gaustad: Figures & Collectibles

Carla Gaustad, Lake Forest, California, carries a world-class selection of exceptional miniatures handcrafted by the finest artisans of our day. Twice a year, Carla goes to a leading international dollhouse festival in England to buy unique craftsmen pieces from gifted artisans. Tel: 949-768-5636. Email: jgaustad1@cox.net.

Lovely vintage bride with wedding bouquet hand-sculpted by Gale Elena Bantock, U.K.

Doll in box and doll in bed by Gale Elena Bantock, U.K.

Fashionable 1940s sophisticated lady with elegant, long opera gloves and theater-length cigarette holder. Hand-sculpted by doll artist Gale Bantock, U.K.

Handmade pull toys by Amanda E. Skinner, U.S.

From Downton Abbey, figure of Dame Maggie Smith portraying the caustic Lady Violet, the Dowager Countess of Grantham. By doll artist Julie Campbell, U.K.

Toys by Veronique Lux, France and Laura Collum-Lee Silverstein, U.S. Rocking horse by Pat Kay of England.

Handcrafted dollies and standing screen. 

To see some of Carla Gaustad's prior offerings at Good Sam, go >here<.

Look for a full length Blog posting on May 23

Due to major house renovations, the writer for the Good Sam Blog has not had regular access to a computer workstation. I am moving into a new home office on Tuesday, May 19. Full length Blog postings should return May 23--if all goes as scheduled.

2014 Good Sam Show floor.

Dealer Peter Tucker, Roomboxes Etc., Canada: Furniture & Lighting

Working mainly in 1:12 scale, Peter Tucker designs lighting and modern, Art Deco and Arts & Crafts furniture. He also creates out-of-the-ordinary room boxes primarily of his own design. Peter builds to order in scales ranging from quarter-inch to 2-inch. Email: peter@roomboxes.com. Web: http://www.roomboxes.com.

Original modern design of roombox, fireplace and furniture. All lights are LED.

Art Deco design fireplace.

Small Tea House, original design. Opening doors, false drawers in cabinet.

5-Tier Ovals Chandelier.

Under lit display stand.

Art Deco style bureau. Modern or Deco dressing table with mirror. 

To see more of Peter Tucker's designs, go >here<.

Barbara Jones, Cupertino, CA: Turnings

Working in 1:12 and 1:24 scale, Barbara Jones, Cupertino, CA prefers fruitwoods such as pear, apricot, cherry and orange for her woodturnings. She also enjoys turning acrylics. Her main source of inspiration comes from those turners who turn full-size artwork. Barbara also serves as advisor to the Chairman of the Good Sam Show Committee. Email: northbaj@att.net

Brown Mallee Burl Collection. (Brown Mallee is a species of Australian eucalyptus.)

Manzanita wood floor standing vase, calabash bowl and mantel vase.

South African pink ivory wood bowl and rosewood tray.

Natural edge pear wood bowl on left. Natural edge nandina wood bowl on right.

Segmented collection of glued up slices of wood. Larger 1:12 scale turnings are cherry and walnut. Smaller 1:24 scale turnings are maple and walnut.

Oval turning in maple, with walnut base.

Green acrylic bowl, cherry red acrylic candy dish, Corian goblet with captive ring. 

Betel nut vase made from the seed of the areca palm. The betel (areca) tree is found in Guam, Pacific tropical islands, Indonesia, India and eastern Africa. 

Koa wood vase. (Koa is a rare Hawaiian hard wood.) 

Look for turnings by Barbara Jones on the table of Sarah "Sallie" Anne Evans, Strawberry Creek Designs. An IGMA Fellow, Sallie Anne specializes in handcrafted rugs and other fine needlework items.

Dealer Lauren Jorelle: Whimsies, Curiosities & Collectibles

Lauren Jorelle, Seattle, Washington sells as "Scaling Down the Past." Her "Natural History Museum of Whimsy" offers uncommon and quirky mini creations handmade with love and laughter. She says, "My miniatures are representations of things I've always been passionate about: Archaeology, Natural History, and Prehistory. Email: scalingdownthepast@gmail.com. Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/scalingdownthepast

Lauren Jorelle's line includes miniature animal rugs, heads and magnets--along with faux and real fossils. She makes whimsical dinosaurs, shrunken heads, wood carved tribal masks, spears, tiny glass dome displays, and more.

Exhibit: "Big Top - Santa Cruz"

The Santa Cruz Miniature Guild decided on a circus theme for its Exhibit.  Member Marian Allen, Aptos, California shared: "We met regularly for several months making and gathering items from members to present our Big Top-Santa Cruz exhibit. It was great sharing ideas and talents to make it happen."

In 1:12 scale, the exhibit is 20" wide, 15" deep, and 20" tall. 

Photos courtesy of Connie Sauve, Exhibit Chairman.

From 2014 Good Sam Show: Steampunk Tinkers truck/house

We are sharing one exceptional handcrafted miniature this week by IGMA Fellow Ron Gill and wife April, Wildwood Dollhouses, Michigan. (Due to major house renovation, the writer for the Good Sam Blog lost access to her computer work station this week. Look for our regular Blog postings to return next week.)

One-of-a-kind Steampunk Tinkers truck/house lit with LED lights in all rooms. It is 12" long, 9-1/2" wide, and 21" high.

"We have been making structures in all scales for over 35 years, both realistic and fantasy pieces," Ron Gill tells us. "This is our only business and we love doing it." Email: wwdhms@aol.com.