AMN163

Orsolya Skultéti makes miniature food sculpting into an art form. November 16 Issue #163 www.americanminiaturist.com Price $7.95 CANADA $10.95 CAD. UK £ 5.25PROJECTS• Water garden• Fall wreath• Suitcase table• Knit a mini scarf• Bunk beds• Indian corn• Bacon and beans• Pillow pipingA feast for the eyes Sceneby Kathleen Holmes

122 Gallison Hill Road, Montpelier, VT 05602 Do you think I have a shot? She’s way out of your league. A collection that speaks for itself. OPEN DAILY: 10 AM – 4PM, CLOSED TUESDAYS 5235 OAK STREET K ANSAS CIT Y, MO 64112 816.235.8000 TOYANDMINIATUREMUSEUM.ORG2 American Miniaturist

Ask for Reutter Quality Miniatures www.reutterporcelain.comDollhouse Land Artistry in Miniature by Laura Crain Artisan Painted Furniture Garden & Floral Artist Creations See you in November at the Philadelphia Miniaturia Show 27134A Paseo Espada • Suite 304 • San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 (949) 496-9841 • LauraCrain2@aol.com American Miniaturist 3

Contents Orsolya Skultéti makes miniature food sculpting into an art form. November 16 Issue #163 www.americanminiaturist.com Price $7.95 CANADA $10.95 CAD. UK £ 5.25PROJECTS Regulars Features• Water garden• Fall wreath• Suitcase table• Knit a mini scarf• Bunk beds• Indian corn• Bacon and beans• Pillow pipingA feast for the eyes Sceneby 6 Mini mail 8 Georgian-style house Kathleen Holmes 80 85 We love to hear from our Janet Granger turned a kit 04NO16_p001.indd 1 9/28/16 11:45 AM 88 readers and share their into the perfect residence.American Miniaturist words on these pages.68132 250th Avenue 18 Miniature artKasson, MN 55944 Itty bits 24 Orsolya Skultéti is aPhone: (507) 634-3143 The latest news and notes miniature food sculptorToll Free: 1-866-606-6587 in the mini world, and our 28 and so much more.Email: info@americanminiaturist.com newest contest winners.UK: AM, PO Box 2258 The history of bedsPulbrough Snippets RH20 9BA Choosing a bed today isGreat Britain Cut out your very own much more difficult thanTel: 01903 884988 place mats, wine labels, 38 bygone times. photographs, and art.Publisher: Dollhouse for charityKelly Johnson Show dates Email: kelly@ashdown.co.uk Tracy Land has put her Editor: Mark your calendars 42 skills towards a dollhouse Auralea Krieger and plan to attend these made for a great cause.Email: auralea@ashdown.co.uk shows around the country. Advertising & Marketing: Cake stand bakerySara Vix On the cover: Scene by Email: sara@ashdown.co.uk Deri Terry has realized what Kathleen Holmes 47 her mini strengths are.Customer Service:Email: usoffice@ashdown.co.uk Vermont farmhouseDistribution: Hope Schwemmer Linda Day puts a modernEmail: uswarehouse@ashdown.co.uk twist on a traditionalDesigner: 52 Vermont farmhouse.Auralea KriegerAd designer: Whimsical dolls Lauren Nielsen Kathi Kuti Harding makesContributors: 56 wonderfully whimsical Kris Compas, Linda Day, Susan Freeman, Janet mini characters.Granger, Mandy Groves, Kathi Kuti Harding, Kathleen Holmes, Auralea Krieger, Tracy Land, A seasonal dollhouse Gabriele Layne, Brian Long, Kristina Merriott, Kelly Murdie, Pam North, Orsolya Skultéti, Deri Kathleen Holmes sharesTerry, Mo Tipton, Desna Tysoe, Keith Walker, 76 her seasonal dollhouse.Deb Weissler Decorating with minisIssue 163 November 2016 Susan Freeman uses her 90 background to make herPublished by Ashdown Broadcasting sweet 1:12-scale size rooms.Subscription rates: 1 Year (12 issues) $76.99 USA Doll shop Canada $121.99 CAD, UK £79.99 Gabriele Layne made a dollEurope €110.99, ROW $135.99 (US Funds) 87 shop for her collection.2 Year (24 issues) $143.99 USA Student to teacher Canada $231.99 CAD, UK £146.99 Kristina Merriott’s newEurope €211.99, ROW $260.99 (US Funds) found knowledge is transformed into art.American Miniaturist (USPS# 021-053 ISSN #14778203) is published monthly at 68132 250th Collecting minisAve., Kasson, MN 55944. Subscription price is$76.99. Periodicals postage paid at Kasson, MN, and Mandy Groves takes aadditional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address look at what’s collected incorrections to American Miniaturist, 68132 250th the world of hobbies.Ave., Kasson, MN 55944All material submitted to the magazine is accepted on the basis thatcopyright will be vested in the Publisher who assumes all rights worldwide,in all forms and media. This means American Miniaturist owns the rightsto the instructions and photographs that we publish. The work may bepublished in the magazine, our i-Mag, ebooks, CDs and bookzines as well ason Dollshouse.TV. You continue to own the copyright for the design and arefree to teach and sell your work. All that we ask is that you wait a minimumof 6 months after the publication of the issue before teaching the design orselling your own instructions. We don’t allow you to re-publish the designfeatured in other books or magazines without prior consent.

Projects Welcome13 Water garden I don’t know about you, but this is the time of16 year when I start to really get focused on my34 Running water brings life creative projects. With chilly days encroaching61 to a quiet garden corner, I do whatever it takes to be warm and cozy.62 even in miniature. Working on my minis inside with a roaring fire or67 a space heater set on high makes for the perfect70 Fall wreath environment to make miniatures82 Bring the beauty of fall to In this delicious November issue we have artists your mini entrance with this from all over the globe showing their thanks to fun autumn wreath. the miniature community by sharing their latest projects and giving some great tips on how they Antique suitcase table have achieved them. Make a shabby chic table We also have some wonderful mini food and along with Auralea Krieger. autumn decorating tutorials to get your tiny home ready for the holidays. Knit a mini scarf I would like to mention something that has come Desna Tysoe knits a cozy hat up in this issue, as well as a post I saw on Facebook. and scarf in miniature. You don’t have to be brilliant at making everything for your dollhouse for it to be successful. This hobby Bunk beds is about having fun and creating a fantasy. This space-saving bunk bed Focus on making items that bring you the most by Keith Walker will help fit joy and for any other items, take a look around everyone into the dollhouse. you. There are so many amazing artists out there who have made just the piece you are looking for Indian corn made easy to add to your scene. We can’t be expected to be accomplished with all the trades, so why not make Kelly Murdie will show you our projects a group endeavor. how to make your own 1:12-scale kernels of corn. Bacon and beans Mo Tipton shows us how to wrap up some green beans inside of bacon for dinner. Mini pillow piping Kris Compas shares how to make mini pillow piping.

minimail AM is your magazine, and we want to hear from you. Write to: MiniMail, American Miniaturist, 68132 250th Ave., Kasson, MN 55944. Or email: auralea@ ashdown.co.uk. Letters may be edited if necessary. Star letter a sewing arm Kathleen Holmes made a charming little house into a special home. This month’s star letter was for the cooking from Marylou who wrote in cauldron. September 16 Issue #161 www.americanminiaturist.com to share her favorites things 4. The value of about AM and announce her room boxes. I PROJECTS CANADA $1P0.r95icCAeD.$U7K £.95.255 return to minis. We truly love had not been to share your projects and convinced of •• Fall leaves letters with our readers, and them at • Roasted acorn it means so much to us that all until Arm chair squash you take the time to write! To reading thank Susan for her wonderful an article • Fabric sheet printing letter, we will be sending her about them. • Mini hoodie a very special mini gift. Please I guess it’s • Tray table keep your letters coming. the best way We love learning about to do many Welcoming autumn Sceneby you and your projects and projects in a Mara Garcia-Verdugo hearing your comments small amount 04SE16_p001.indd 1 and ideas. We always look of time.  forward to reading your Okay, that is just a 7/27/16 1:05 PM thoughtful letters! start. The excitement of miniatures is military in my younger days soStar letter  overwhelming me. I will my mother gave my daughter I received my be ordering a subscription a dollhouse when she was four first sample of American right after I finish this email. years old. I am planning to redo that dollhouse and dress it inMiniaturist today and how can I I would like to share how I fancy designs that my motherpossibly chose one thing for my came back to miniatures after would have liked. She’s passedfavorite part? many years. I was lying in bed for now but the love is still shared.1. I love the size easy to read a week after knee surgery andand storage will be easy. I’m a friend from South Africa had Marylou Farleyimpressed by the amount of posted something miniature she Sutton, NEphotos and how well I can see had found on Pinterest.details even better then other September Highlights winnerlarger publications. That same night I ordered an I really enjoyed this issue, as I2. America-based which means Orchid Dollhouse for $20 dollars do all of the issues. I loved theI can browse and order without on Ebay! I was hooked not only autumn leaves tutorial as I haveexorbitant shipping charges. on Pinterest, but immediatelySomeday I may be able to visit knew I was getting back into thisa shop, I live in a rural area with little world.  a ten hour drive to the closestshop either direction. When my daughter was four,3. Now I know the name of the approximately 35 years ago, she3-legged stool I built last year told the story of when she was avia the Irish Cottage feature. child she saw a dollhouse ownedAnd also that I was correct in by of a rich child in the village, she lived in the Austrian alps. The friend let her look but she could touch it. We moved a lot with the6 American Miniaturist

minimail We even have a swap group Verdugo! Mucho Bueno! And to where we pay a set amount to know she is from Spain makes cover the cost of shipping. Our me even happier. Knowing that last swap was 17 people and the there are talented miniaturists theme was Summer/Fairs. So from all over the world featured we made 17 of the same thing in your magazine is wonderful! I and sent it to our host by the can follow all over the world, try designated date and the host to emulate their ideas and have then doled out 1 for everyone a joyous time. Thank you!. and we each got 17 different minis. So much fun! Joan Chance You can also get lots of great advice from these groups on Houston, TX building your dollhouse, to item. Happy winner Everyone is very willing to help I received my October issue you figure things out and give of AM yesterday, and advice. imagine my surprisea few leaf punches. I also made Lastly, in the Printing on fabric sheets when I saw that I wonit a little easier by going to my the Cookie jar giveaway!stash and found some autumn August issue, I Mowaknepyaotuterrns Thank you all veryleaves scrapbook sheets and loved the threecolored the other side so I only JfvoeanrripneritfiyenrtoiTnfugptatoltentesfrhanabsrrefiocsrshyheoeruetretsmcthoinnciiqaretuuaerteesa.had to do half the work. Myeight-year-old granddaughter Polish artisans Fabric in small prints make a 8 ½” x 11” piece of fabric. Tools & materials: much, thanks also tois helping me make these featured in the Artist Natasja Nikolicis forleaves.  Showcase since I am oIfetowhwxrepinmlelinftniaentsbeaiiavrrcnitehcuearuyten,ossPdiunocghtawoanpermdibrcPetatouokirneefitsnd. SoiodtnNtt“nhpynpohdePIsoPoeowimiewCtpotccowhuphdclttnitwia2reluuecuorlucl:opkaelrrmpts“lepeeCiopNnhrhcor.”Plelpd-owokeeinIuiodcntntwwfolhnsikoot“tewnoB.tnedwafoythSaIlmitrentalonl.tenebnlirnhdwdOueadnytynkmeephpietobhcelc”h“DlpeaeeulooIxhtibentenaocn“txwohncHesabkceusoaeariu,oits.nclttnrseahionm.mhtnegarp”AoelgpomoTe.eyyowleopdabco”nonasbeatoubtusikceatta’.lxruereoebirdtnwiietnill l Computer with the great gift. I have Polish. Especially the PIInnokkwjjeeettrPcpoorliionnrtteprrfianbterric begun collecting mini I also liked he article on potatoes by Anna Here l cookie jars, and this willprinting my own fabric. I have Wybranowska. They your l be very nice addition.printed out my own fabric and looked good enough So thank you again, aalso wallpaper. I will definitely to eat and as every from great surprise!be making that armchair with and inkjetmy granddaughter when we computerhave a chance. Looks simple fabric. Thisenough. fabric can be found on I joined the Facebook group, Amazon andA Sister Act, when it was a fairly comes innew group so I was so happyto see their name in your list. cottonIt was not my 1st group, but I and silk.made a lot of friends on there.Then I started joining a Spapotnihrcedtooputtsorh1aese:vsreScoteathfarheifrneacfgumbhslrlGiyiicnnofootoahrrgfewwilleepaa.hlftloSepotrratumopdaelyikrrkeths ebunch (to put it lightly) ruYwupmtdophlaaePouaetblrictltcspewceputaarhtuimanctnprenut.edeeurStpsrnrtowpehostshhstriafanihoonnwtncaotwkdeopatlaeilitlwnlocihpsnPgt.feeaouintptwrhwehgeeedeesirltglrfhourPabeeefsobsepumfiranweiaacbttlduilirlyotdlipicrvlii.netnogeand made many, manymore friends. 56 American Miniaturist There are no mini 7/27/16 1:17 PMstores near me and thereare sellers and buyers, 04SE16_p056-058.indd 56like me, in these groups–people who sell or trade Pole knows…there are always Also, as I was browsingtheir extra minis for potatoes in a Polish kitchen! through the pages, I came acrossreasonable prices. I have Jessica Armstrong’s tutorial onacquired many minis Chris Miller her “mysterious” books. Shethrough these groups. Chicago, IL mentioned that she got the sheet of little book covers from Mini highlight Alpha Stamps. I discovered them My favorite articles in AM161, last winter, and they have a lot of September, was the porch scene very nice minis in addition to the in the article, Corner Spaces & paper crafting items they carry. Shop Fronts. Such a marvelous I have also purchased several miniaturist is Mara Garcia- of their collage sheets with tiny books, labels etc. The quality is super. Thank you again for the sweet cookie jar prize, can’t wait to see it in person!  Cheryl Lee  Hinsdale, NY   Facebook Twitter Blog: A Small World’s Big Buzz American Miniaturist 7

Georgian-style dollhouseGDOeLoLrHgiOaUnS-Estyle A Perfect Miniatures dollhouse is transformed into the perfect residence by talented miniaturist Janet Granger.Ihave been running my Georgian-style house. an ongoing project. miniature needlepoint kit It was made by Perfect I love copperware! In real business, Janet Granger Designs, since 1996, but I have Miniatures in 1982 and came life it’s too impractical, but in a owned my own doll’s house painted on the outside, but dollhouse I can have whatever since 1983 when I was twenty completely bare inside. The I want, so I have bought lots one. I got hooked when I saw metal balconies were a later of copperware over the years the beautiful houses displayed addition. I installed for the kitchen – much in the window of the Covent wiring for the lights of it from artisans at Garden Doll’s House Shop in and then decorated London, where I bought my each room. It’s still Top: Passionate miniaturist Janet Granger. Left and above: When this Georgian-style house was purchased it was only painted on the outside and the inside was completely bare.8 American Miniaturist

Georgian-style dollhouseAbove: The piano is one of Janet’s ginger cat in the foreground. and chairs, and knick-knacksfavorite pieces in this dollhouse. You’ll see, from the other im- on every available surface.Below: The chest was given to her ages, that I am rather partial to I bought the beautiful glass-when she left her job to start her acquiring miniature cats and ware from Glasscraft in 2004.embroidery kit business. dogs. I have far too many of The piano that the glassware them really, but I can’t resist stands upon is one of mythe Kensington Dollshouse anything so cute. favorite things in the wholeFestival. There is a small water house, crafted by an artist whoheater next to the sink, which Despite it being Georgian- used to exhibit at the Kensing-came from Sussex Crafts. My style, the parlor is Victorian ton Dollshouse Festival. Thefavorite item in this room is the with a typical buttoned sofa secretary filled with books is an early piece by David Gooch, and the pie-crust top table on the far left was a twenty-first birthday present. There is quite a lot of my stitching in this room. On the floor is a carpet called “Bella”, which is one of the many car- pet designs in my range, and which is stitched in needle- point on 18-count canvas. At American Miniaturist 9

Georgian-style dollhouseAbove: A gorgeous display of miniature copperware fills this tiny kitchen. the edge of it sits a “Kate”Below: Janet has such a love for pets such as dogs and cats that she enjoys footstool in pink. At the pianoadding cute little friends to the majority of her miniature scenes. is a “Tree of Life” rectangular stool, stitched on 32-count silk gauze. In front of the fire is a “Summer Roses” fire screen, again stitched on 32-count silk gauze. On the sofa are a “Shell Pink” handbag and a “Lil- ian” pink cushion. I couldn’t squeeze in anything else! The bedroom is dominated by a rather large four-poster bed and a linen press, which I made from a Mini Mundus kit. At the front of the room is one of my carpets called “Sophie”, with the matching cushion on the rocking chair by the door. The nursemaid is holding a tiny baby doll, which was one of the first things I bought for10 American Miniaturist

Georgian-style dollhousethe house. I dressed her in Above: The “Judith” bellpull by the rooms. Despite being in thescraps of lace, with intentions door echoes the pale beiges and mansard roof, and so wasof dressing her properly when blues of the beautiful wallpaper. decorated almost last, I hadI had time. That was about 30 Below: This bathroom is still a work been planning it since I got theyears ago! in progress. For the moment Janet dollhouse. The baby doll in the has placed her handmade carpet cot is by Mary Williams and is The bathroom at the top of titled “Alice, large (blue)” there. suitably old-fashioned looking.my dollhouse is not yet fin- There are several dolls aroundished. It’s in the mansard roof, which is actually supposed to the edges of the room – theand so has a shaped front to the be floor paper. one in red I made from a kitwalls, making it quite difficult from Tower House Dolls, andto use the space sensibly. For The nursery at the top my was very pleased with myselfnow, I have placed one of my dollhouse is one of my favorite for having managed to do it soblue carpets called “Alice” in successfully! The others are bythis room, but I’m not sure yet a South African doll maker.if it will stay there as it seems abit too large for the space. The miniature music room has a beautiful harpsichord The bathroom suite is from and harp, made to commissionLenham Pottery, and took for me by Tony Scammells,me years to decide on! I was many years ago. He made won-very tempted to get a flowery derful instruments. The printsuite, but nothing seemed in paneled wallpaper is one of myscale. This one was perfect. favorites in the whole house,I just need to plumb it in. At and the “Judith” bell pull bythe moment, the pipework is the door echoes the pale beigesheld in place with tacky wax. and blues of the wallpaper.I was very pleased with thetile-effect paper for the walls, The study has dark wood furniture set against deep em- erald green wallpaper, giving American Miniaturist 11

Georgian-style dollhouseAbove: The baby in the arms of the print room. Under the bell pull Above: Janet also offers detailednursemaid is one of the first items is a small wine chest by Es- sampler kits in 1:12 scale.Janet bought for this house. cutcheon, inside of which there are very finely divided sections doll stand, on feet which area proper masculine feel to this to hold wine bottles. The little actually to scale (very unusualroom. A rug called “Jessica” boy in the sailor suit is very for miniature dolls).picks up this heavy feel, and sweet – he’s by Jane Davies,the bell pull at the far right I and he cost a fortune! He’s Although it’s still not com-call “Berlin Woolwork” also really carefully made, stands plete after more than thirtyechoes that feeling. The small perfectly without needing a years, I love my dollhouse!chest below the bell pull is Janet, we do too! AMneatly made by Escutcheon Below: This little nursery is full ofthat I received as a departure lovely dolls, a dollhouse, and apresent when I left paid work gorgeous antique rocking horse.to start my embroi-dery kit business. The gentleman inthe tweed suit wasmade for me by Lor-na Treloar of LittleWomen. We had anagreement that shewould make him inexchange for oneof my handmadeoriental rugs inshades of deep pinkand aubergine I call“Tara”. The dining roomin my dollhouse isdecorated in thestyle of a Georgian12 American Miniaturist

Water gardenA relaxing spotin the gardenRunning water brings life to a quietgarden corner, even in miniature. Makeone for your own special mini garden.S heila Cook from Tools & materials: Basildon, England l Butler sink - Can be made sent in a photo from woodof the water feature she l Chimney pot l 2 kettleshad made in miniature. l Scenic Water l PebblesIt was a copy of the full- l Water pump l Potted plantssized one her husband, l MDF - 4 1/4” X 3 1/2” for the baseboardDavid, had built in their l Stone effect paint l Toothpickgarden. l Black enamel paint l Milliput putty or similarSheila told us David American Miniaturist 13had made the featurefrom an old butler sinkher children had usedas a sand pit. It wasthen used as a flowertrough, before beingtransformed into thereservoir for the waterfeature. Above: The full-size water featureThe base of the pump that is in Sheila Cook’s garden.was made from an oldchimney pot that had been taken down long ago. The sink and chimney“Sheila told us David had were covered in hypha- futa and an electric pumpmade the feature from fitted to push the wateran old butler sink her out of the hand pumpchildren had used as a and into the three kettles.sand pit.” We decided to make one for ourselves and

Water gardenthought you might like to see Step 6: Cover or paint the Step 10: Fill the sink withhow it was done. baseboard. pebbles and glue the kettles in their place.Step 1: For the sink, make Step 7: Use grass/paving/tiling toan oblong box from old bits achieve the finish you require. Step 11: Melt a small amountof wood. Don’t worry about of Scenic Water and using aaccurate measurements. We Step 8: Stick the sink toothpick as the water begins tomade ours approximately 3” x 2” and the chimney in set, trickle from the spout of thex 1” high. place on a board. water pump down into the first kettle and on into the second.Step 2: Now go to work on Step 9: Fix the waterthe outside of the sink with pump to the top of the Step 12: Finish with the “water”sandpaper until all the edges are chimney. trickling from the second kettleround. The rounder the edges the spout on to the stones.better the finished look. Step 13: Arrange some potted plants as required. This fun little water feature can be used in a garden or even on the corner of a courtyard. The choice is yours! AMStep 3: Fill thechimney top holewith Milliput putty,(by using Milliput thechimney does nothave to be baked inthe oven to set). Leaveuntil completely hard– about two to threehours.Step 4: Paint thechimney and the sinkwith stone effect paintand leave to dry.Step 5: Paint thewater pump withenamel paint andleave overnight to dry.14 American Miniaturist

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Fall wreathA mini wreathfor the doorBring the beauty of fall to your miniatureentrance with this fun autumn wreath.Auralea will show you how to do it.I n AM161, September’s issue, Step 2: Begin gluing your leaves Tools & materials: I shared a tutorial on how to on the circle as shown. Overlap l Craft glue make miniature leaves using them and try to only glue the l Scissors hand-painted paper and small lower parts of each leaf because l Card Stock leaf punches. In this issue we will we will be curling them up later. l Ruler put those leaves to use! l Pencil l Protractor or circle cutter I have used both oak and l Mini leaves maple leaves for this wreath l Tweezers made from punches that are 1/2” wide x 5/8” long. Gather the leaves you made or purchased and let’s get to work.Step 1: Cut a piece of card stockinto a 1 1/2” circle. Then measurein 1/4” and cut out another circle.I used black paper because I hadit on hand. Looking back an orangepiece may have been better. Step 3: Once you have gone all the way around let it dry and then tuck a few in here and there.16 American Miniaturist

Fall wreathYou will have to snip the bottoms Step 5: Onceoff the leaves to tuck them in all is dry, atbehind other leaves. least tacky dry, use tweezersStep 4: Cover the back of the to curl up thewreath as well and have them tops of all thehanging off the edges to give the leaves. Workwreath a fuller look. around in a circle and add more as needed. Step 6: If you like you can add some mini pumpkins, gourds, a bow or leave it natural. AMWhat projects have you been inspired to create?We would love to see the results of your finished mini ture projects you havemade using 2016 AM tutorials. Please send us a few pictures of your finishepiece so that we can share them with our readers. Send your photos to Inspired to Create, American Miniaturist, 68132 250thAvenue, Kasson, MN 55944. You may also send your entries via email to auralea@ashdown.co.uk. Please be sure to include your name, address, phone number, andemail address. We can’t wait to see your results! American Miniaturist 17

Miniature artTARhTeFtiOnRieMstSofFrom a country with little to offer in theway of miniatures, Orsolya Skultéti becamea food sculptor and so much more.~ By Deb Weissler ily small creative tasks to help “Growing up in a family develop fine motor skills. Her that pursued artisticNo house is complete paternal grandmother was a careers in some form without a well-filled renowned folk artist, adept or another, it was only pantry,” Orsolya states in weaving, embroidery, and natural Orsolya would with conviction. She spe- bobbin lace making, skills she gravitate towards the arts.” cialized in miniature food shared with others, eventually thirteen years ago and earned Orsolya a few years to find her IGMA Fellow status seven honored with Master of own artistic path. She becameyears later. Growing up Folk Art award, the an economist, specializing inin Hungary where highest honor a corporate finances.miniatures are folk artist canfew and far achieve inbetween, Hungary. ButOrsolya’s it would takeminiaturejourney beganby playing withher mother’s child-hood toy furniture. Growing up in a family thatpursued artistic careers insome form or another, it wasonly natural Orsolya wouldgravitate towards the arts. Herfather was an architect andher mother was a Kindergar-ten nurse who gave her fam-Top: A walnut shown with Orsolya’sversion of miniature ones.Right: This 1:12-scale table is filledwith all the realistic ingredients toprepare a delicious Banoffee pie.18 American Miniaturist

Fourteen years ago she called ‘Dentelles Miniature arthad the opportunity for an et Ribambelles’.assignment in Paris. She “Fortunately it Left: An amazingly small basket fullremembers walking the city’s was closed at the of fresh picked mulberries. Lemonsstreets one Sunday on her time, otherwise make for a colorful topiary.way to the Montmartre when I would have left Below: This layered blackberryshe spied a little miniature the shop with empty Pavlova looks good enough to eat.shop on the rue Trois Freres pockets,” Orsolya recalls. “I did return later and bought everything to build my first dollhouse.” It was not a traditional dollhouse, but formed a huge cube that served as a side table in her own home. While working on it she struggled to find quality realistic food to fill it, so she began to make her own. Within seven years she had mastered the art of food making to such a degree that she was awarded IGMA Fellow status.This assortment of fruits andvegetables shows the talentof this miniaturist artist. American Miniaturist 19

Miniature art Left: A rustic egg shelf adds country charm to any scene. Right: If you have a butcher shop then this hanging lamb meat is a great addition to your project.By then she was already mas- travel with me to festivals Her metalwork enabled hertering other miniature forms sometimes and are huge helps to expand her food line withas well. when I’m packing for a show. items associated with food We also travel together visiting such as ladles and dishes, and Orsolya is fortunate in historic cities and enjoyingthat she is able to work from gastronomy.” Left and below: A platter of rawhome, so with proper oysters, a fun “snake” sandwichtime management Orsolya finds miniature in- and carry out Chinese food are allshe can bal- spirations wherever she goes, made with great artistic skill.ance her stocking up on cook bookslife with and gastronomy magazines,all the even surfing the Internetthingsthat mat- when researching ater—exercise, specific dish. Whencareer, travel, traveling, she takescooking, a bit of DIY hundreds ofon her flat, and of course photos, captur-miniatures. ing food and architecture, inside “I made it a priority to have and out. “Even when Ia life outside of miniatures.My sister and best friend go to the cinema, I watch a film via a miniaturist’s eye.” Eight years ago she was for- tunate to win an IGMA Guild School scholarship to Castine, Maine where she studied met- alworking and upholstering.20 American Miniaturist

Miniature arthighly intricate iron- busy creating miniatures in The room is painted inwork and furniture. her Budapest condo. With a pale shades of blue, corner flat, two large win- green, and white, with Her work has dows provide loads of natural white furnishingsappeared in sunlight and inspiring views and dozens ofHungary’s only of a classical-style building orchids that cre-Dollhouse Muse- and Parisian-style roofline. ate a serene workum; she’s createda 3D food still life environment. A long tablein honor of Hungarian’s great contains dozens of sculpt-composer and conductor Iván ing tools and art supplies,Fisher; sculpted food items fora Mulvany & Rogers commis- Above: 1:12 scale bagel sandwiches.sion; and crafted wrought iron Below: These elegant chair andfurniture for the team’s Haute table sets are for the Haute CoutureCouture house. display. They are on the rooftop of Orsolya’s Patisserie Marie Antoinette. Not contentto create indi- American Miniaturist 21vidual pieces,Orsolya’sportfolio nowincludes roomboxes anddollhousesin a numberof styles andscales, garner-ing severalawards andprizes in Hun-gary over thepast decade. “What I lovemost aboutminiatures isthat we can basically createeverything in miniature,and we can own thingswe couldn’t afford in reallife (e.g. a baroque castle,a gothic cathedral). It’s soheartwarming making otherpeople smile when they seewhat I’ve made.” Between travel for busi-ness and pleasure, Orsolya is

Miniature artAbove: These are handmade leeks cause the clay to become too she sees more young peopleand onions made in 1:12 scale. hard to work with and tiny attending miniature shows, surface cracks will appear.” as both shoppers and dealers.including her most valuable “Fifteen years ago most peopletools—a pasta machine for Regardless of the challenges, regarded miniatures as chil-turning out sheets of uniform Orsolya’s work continues to dren’s toys. Now, more andclay and a Dremel stylus. improve and diversify. Careful more people are considering not to become too attached to miniatures an art form.” “As a food artist, weather her work in order to part withis my biggest enemy. In the them freely, certain items have In the future she plans toscorching summer months, become too dear and are part spend more time buildingmy hands become too warm of her own collection—a three- room boxes and creating tinyand the clay distorts, losing tiered cake decorated with tiny interiors from scratch. Herits shape. Before I had AC, I hedgehogs and a beloved Cape work can be seen at a fewused ice packs to cool down Cod-style living room. high end miniature shows amy hands. year and in her Etsy shop. AM From her perspective, In winter, cold temperatures Orsolya remains optimistic about the future as Right: A quick peek at her Cape Cod style living room, which will be featured in a future article. Below: The BBC Sherlock kitchen of 221B Baker Street also to be featured in a future issue of AM.22 American Miniaturist

Karen Aird Presents... Hey Rapunzel! 7th Annual Holiday New Kit Dollhouse Show & Sale Fairyland SeriesSunday, November 20, 2016–10am-4pm The Somerset Hills Hotel Item #3487 200 Liberty Corner Road • Warren, NJ 07059 Our 1/4” scale project kit includes all you’ll need to create (Exit 33 off Route 78) • (908) 647-6700 our fun take on the classic tale. LOADS of tiny details for decorating fun AND.....Rapunzel, her prince and his ride!To celebrate our 7th Annual Fall Show, we will be givingaway door prizes and a large dollhouse will be drawn for Grandt Line Products one lucky winner at 3 pm. Must be present to win. 1040 B Shary Court Concord, CA 94518 www.grandtline.com e-mail: grandt@pacbell.net Complimentary coffee & cookies. tel: (925) 671-0143 fax 671-0806 For more information, call: (908) 656-1435  www.KarensDollhouse.com CHELSEA LANE Handley House 670 page full color catalogueDOLLHOUSE MINIATURESPalo, Iowa | 319-851-4611 $42.00 per copy Send inquiries to: P.O. Box 262, 812 Iowa Street, Palo, IA 52324 MC and VISA acceptedGet even more miniatures apps today on your tablet & smartphone. American Miniaturist 23

The history of bedsTTHhEeBhAisStoICryBoEfD Choosing a bed today is much more difficult than in bygone times. Brian Long takes us under the covers to learn more.If you have a period doll- A ceiling of the room below. house, anything from The recess is next to the large Tudor/Stewart to Victorian, wooden lathes, a method still kitchen fireplace and was used the odds are it will have at found today. More common as a warm, dry and smoky least one four-poster bed. Yet were bed frames with holes place to hang bacon, hams, from the earliest times most for ropes interwoven to form a and herbs. beds were of the half-headed “net” supporting the mattress or open type. etc. Not all ropes were fine In the room above this enough to penetrate holes in recess is a raised platform on The working classes, some the frame, so they were passed which people slept. While this 90% of the population, slept around pegs set in the top. is the only example I have on hurdles just to keep them seen, records prove that this off the cold floor, and threw I have seen this type of bed what bedding they had on top in Ireland, Germany, and in “The working classes, of that. Hurdles were like the the New World where ropes some 90% of the ones shepherds use today at were made from bog-fir or population, slept on sheepdog trials, or by farm- bog-oak fibers. In Kennixton hurdles just to keep them ers to plug a gap in a fence Farmhouse, now at St Fagans, off the cold floor, and or hedge. They are made Wales there is a “divan” bed threw what bedding they from woven twigs or small formed by a recess in the had on top of that.” branches. Half-headed beds were much like a modern one com- plete with smart headboard. But the mattress, if there was one, was supported in one of many ways depending on social standing or class. The simplest method was to place wooden boards over a frame to form a raised bench or dais or use interspaced24 American Miniaturist

The history of beds frames of truckle beds, but theC method would hold true for any type no matter how grand; half headed, tester, four-poster or half-tester, the frame would be the same.design was not unusual in bed of down or whole feathers; Type Aother rural areas of Britain. so well were they contented, The mattress rests on planks and with such base kind of or lathes set at intervals across Tudor enthusiasts should furniture: which also is not the frame. This is only oneread William Harrison’s (1534- very much amended as yet in step from a wooden dais or93) “A Description of England” some parts of Bedfordshire, platform and was not onlywhere he talks about beds in and elsewhere further off from found at the lower end of thethe following terms: “... the our southerne parts. social scale but in some of oursecond is the great amendment finest houses.of lodging, for (they said) our Pillows (said they) wereFathers (yea) and we ourselves thought meet onelie for women Type B(also) have lien full oft upon in childbed. As for servants, The frame of the bed is drilledstraw pallets, covered onelie if they hade anie sheet above and ropes passed through thewith a sheet, under coverlets them, it was well, for seldom holes and interwoven formingmade of dagswain or hophar- had they anie under their a net so as to hold the mat-lett (I use their own terms), bodies, to keep them from the tress or other bedding secure.and a good round log under pricking straws that ran offtheir heads in stead of a bol- through the canvas of the pal- Type Cster, or pillow. let and raised their hardened The frame is drilled as in the hides …” previous example (b) but the If it were so that our Fathers ropes are now recessed in aor the good man of the house, To show at least some of groove that runs round thehad within seven years after the many ways a bed could outside of the frame. This ishis marriage purchased a be strung I have used the the most usual type foundmattress or flockebed, and today and perhaps due to itsthereto a sacke of chaffe to relatively late introduction itrest his head upon, he thought survives in greater numbers.himself to be as well lodgedas the Lord of the Towne, that Cperadventure laye seldom in a American Miniaturist 25

The history of bedsD used so this fact alone dates the type to a period at warmer houses with a date in the late 1600s. Type E This example has no holes in the frame but a series of pegs in the upper face. Coarse ropes were passed round these and interwoven as in the drilled examples. It was not so much E date, taste or fashion that dic- tated the use of this method. It would appear to be a regional trait, brought about by the use of locally made ropes that would not easily pass through the holes in a frame. on the front of the bench Type F All stringing methods can be frame but is hidden (on top varied by the introduction of (on a single bed) a stoutType D of the frame) at the ends. We board woven into the centre or in the case of a double bed,This example is perhaps the in our strange way would do two planks, one at each side. At Castell Coch just north ofmost difficult to make with the it the other way around! With Cardiff there is an exampleropes set in a groove in the top the ropes on top of the frame Fof the frame with holes drilled Burthen pins could not beat a 45 degree angle so thatthey emerge mid-waydown the inner faceof the frame. This wasonly used on beds or onsettles or other strungfurniture where it wasthought best the string-ing was out of sight.They did not thinkto conceal the stringingas we do - witness latersettles from Hoghton Above: Mattresses were filled withHall, Lancashire, where different stuffing depending onthe stringing is on view your social standing.26 American Miniaturist

The history of bedsG Below: Woodcut 1649 from Randle House. “A bed prepared for to lodge in, but having no tester... in the base of this square ly’s a Bed Staffe, or same termed a Burthen Staffe ...” Brian has never seen an original Burthen Pin Staffe, and doesn’t know of any, but knows of beds with the holes ready to receive them. Reproductions are to be found in many beds or display in museums and country houses. Drawings by Brian Longwith a stout canvas in place of the bed but most have only as the upper or head endthe board. The choice is yours been much softer than of the bed. These were to holdas both types were in use and the hazel hurdles and bog the many extra layers of quilts,the relative comfort would de- fir varieties. blankets and carpets thrownpend on the mattress or other over the bed on a cold night.bedding, than the method of On other beds in otherstringing. areas layers of heather, To further improve on this bracken or straw were great comfort, all strong beds The mattresses supported by placed over the mats or could be adjusted with thethese various techniques were direct onto the ropes. ropes being tightened fromof many types depending on Wealthy mortals had time to time, giving rise toperiod, social standing of the simple bags of feathers, down, the old saying: “Night, night,owner or geographical loca- chaff or combed wool as mat- sleep tight.” AMtion. With hazel hurdles and tresses.mats made from woven bog firropes etc., being at the lower In late Tudor and Jacobeanend of the scale. Thicker mats times, and then only in themade from straw ropes may very best of houses. Remain-have pricked the occupant of ing beds show there were only three pins per side and then Left: This drawing is from woodcuts of period beds and shows the use of Burthen pins from a mid 17th century broadsheet. Showing the only known example of a Burthen pin in use and at the foot of the bed holding the bedclothes back to air the bed. The curtains of the Great Bed are shown around the post – tie-backs as we know them were rare. The lovers sit on a truckle partly exposed from under the Great Bed (some truckles had headboards that folded down). American Miniaturist 27

Dollhouse for charityBFORuiAldCinAgUhSoEuses Woodworking hobbyist Tracy Land has put her skills towards this dollhouse which was made for a great cause. ~By Tracy LandIf you happen to find yourself in Murphy, North Carolina be sure to pay a visit to Logan’s Run Rescues’ Thrift Shop. There you will see this wonderful little house on display! This special 1:12-scale dollhouse was created to raise Above and left: Tracy has made “This special 1:12-scale a gorgeous dollhouse that will dollhouse was created to be donated to a great cause. raise funds for charities that provide low cost funds for charities that spay/neuter to low provide low cost spay/neu- income pet owners.” ter to low income pet own- ers. Pet over-population28 American Miniaturist

Dollhouse for charity Left: The bricks used on the chimney are individually hand- made from African Lacewood. spayed, please consider sup- porting charities that make low cost spay/neuter available for those pets whose owners otherwise cannot afford it. I am a veterinarian, special- izing in high volume spay/ neuter surgery who happened to stumble into dollhouses because of a my woodwork- ing hobby. Aside from it being an enjoyable, stress-relieving pastime, my hobby has now allowed me to create this won- derful dollhouse that will be donated for a great cause. We are planning on selling or raf- fling off this dollhouse during Christmas to help raise money for charities related to low cost spaying/neutering. “We are planning on selling or raffling off this dollhouse during Christmas to help raise money for charities related to low cost spaying/neutering.”Above: Beautiful details can be pounds and shelters, because My first dollhouse creationfound throughout the exterior as there aren’t enough homes to was a little log cabin, builtwell as the inside of the house. go around. from a pattern that I found in a few woodworking magazinesleads to the killing of millions I urge readers to spay and years ago. For me, it was a funof animals in our nations’ neuter their pets. If already project. Clients, Jennifer and Dan Harmon had seen the first miniature log cabin house I made and thought of me when they needed help with a shell American Miniaturist 29

Dollhouse for charity Above and below: Every room of this dollhouse has a handmade wood design in the floors and ceilings.30 American Miniaturist

Dollhouse for charityfor a house she had custom Above: The tower room has a The donated shell was cus-built some time ago. beautiful handmade inlaid wood tom made of birch plywood design on the floor. by architect Jack Hire in the Because she had never got- Below: Another example of the fine 80’s. Along with the shell,ten around to finishing it, she woodworking details Tracy has put all the doors and most of thewas kind enough to donate into this dollhouse. windows (except the turretthe shell for this big Victorian windows) were also donated,to help raise funds for my and store bought.animal welfare work. I purchased the turnings I started from a pretty (porch posts, spindles); shut-clueless beginning, with this ters; and wallpaper. All theempty shell of a dollhosue floors, ceilings, paneling, trim, stairs, mantels, shingles, etc Luckily the Harmons gave were hand-made in my shop.me some wonderful advicealong the way. The bricks in the fireplace and front stairs, for example, Thank goodness Jennifer are individually hand-madetold me not to glue the roof from African Lacewood. Theonto the turret. I didn’t know window boxes were hand-any better, and sure would carved and the finials werehave regretted it later on in turned.the process. As I continued Ivisited a local miniature store Since all the pieces are sowith questions, along with small, they were all mademany hours spent searching from scraps and left-oversfor answers online. from some of my other American Miniaturist 31

Dollhouse for charityAbove: Four more examples of the fine artistry andskill that went into finishing this dollhouse or charity.woodworking projects. This painted pine. ate patterns.house is fortunate enough to The floors and ceilings were I found the most difficultcontain a variety of woodssuch as oak, cherry, Peruvian made using a woodworking part to be figuring out howwalnut, African lacewood, technique called parquetry. to work in tiny, difficult tocurly maple, birds-eye maple, Small pieces of wood, in this reach spots. I’m sure accom-butternut, aspen, and some case 3/16” thick, were cut plished dollhouse enthusiasts into geometric shapes to cre- have some secret techniques32 American Miniaturist

Dollhouse for charityI don’t know about! Thank Above: The entrance has an inlaid Above: The windows are delicategoodness for YouTube and medallion at the front door. and have marvelous detailing.Pinterest. I really had no idea Below: The hall ceiling is just aswhat I was doing most of the wonderful as the floor. American Miniaturist 33time, but I was able to figureit out as I went along. Much of my work is soldto fund low cost spay/neuterprograms for low incomeowners. The charity I do-nated this piece to, Logan’sRun Rescue, will try to sellit in the $3500 price range.Failing that, they will raffle itoff. The first little log cabin Imade raised $2,000 in a raffle.It was far less work and farless intricate. My next project will be abit more of an undertaking.My husband and I are build-ing our retirement home. Soit’s sort of like the dollhouse,but maybe on a larger scale. AM

Antique suitcase tableA vintagecoffee tableAuralea Krieger shares a few easy stepsto make a 1:12-scale shabby chic coffeetable with some romantic antique charm.A fter seeing a photo of a Step 4: Brace the pieces together Tools & materials: fabulous coffee table that between something square to be looked like an antique sure they stay even while drying. l Mat boardsuitcase I knew I had to transform l Foam boardit into a miniature treasure. l Craft knife l Ruler It was so nice to take a break l Fine sandpaperfrom building my dollhouse and l Wood gluemake something I could finish l Card stockin a day. This is actually a quick l Scissorsbuild, but there will be some l White polymer claydrying time involved. l 4 beads l Grey and brown paintStep 1: Cut out two pieces of Americana-Zinc andmat board that are 2 1/2” square. Folk Art-Raw Umber l Small paint brushStep 2: Sand the corners so they l Very small paint brushare rounded.Step 3: Cut four pieces of foam Step 5: Then glue the top andboard at 2 3/8” square. Cut all the bottom onto the foam piecescorners away either individually so there is a lip hanging over allor after you glue them together. around.34 American Miniaturist Step 6: Cut two 11” long 7/8” wide strips of card stock. Step 7: Pull them from between the edge of the table and under your palm to get them to curve.

Antique suitcase table Step 9: When you get to the end, Step 13: Put tiny dots of glue cut it so you have at least a 1/4” along one and then run your finger across it to smear it. overlap and glue it down. Quickly wipe the glue off your finger.Step 8: Glue one of the card Step 10: Now glue the otherstock pieces on one side of the piece around that one. Put yourfoam board and let it dry a little glue on thin. This piece willbit and then put more glue on smooth out any imperfections. Step 14: Lay the strip of paper as shown keeping it even all the way around. Snip it so it butts against itself at the end. Step 11: Cut two 11” x 1/16” pieces of card stock.the other side and push the Step 12: Pinch and run thempieces so the curve of the paper between your finger andis the same shape as the top and thumbnail to give them a curve.bottom piece with a lip. Step 15: Lay down your second strip of paper a fingernail thickness away from the other piece. Keep your eye on it as you wrap it around to be sure it stays even. You only want a very tiny gap because if you butt the American Miniaturist 35

Antique suitcase tablepapers together the paint will fill mark and used that to measure. painted it with a white iridescentin and you want to see a tiny gap paint.) Roll it with your finger toin between them. get the shape then fold up the sides and cut to length. Bake it and glue on when you are finished painting all the details on the table.Suitcase latches Step 7: Put a little blob of glueStep 1: Cut a strip of card stock where the latches will go and put1/8” wide and about 6” long. those two pieces there. Be sure they are even.Step 2: Then cuts six pieces thatare 5/16” long.Step 3: Carefully cut the cornersoff so they are rounded. Step 8: Glue two of the smaller pieces on top of each other. Make two sets of these. You have cut 6, but only pick the best 4.Step 4: Then cut two pieces fromcard stock that are just a tiny bitlarger in all directions as those sixlittle pieces. This will be the backof the latch. Step 5: Determine the center of Step 9: Glue those onto the latch base pieces.one side of the table and mark3/8” from both sides. Step 6: To make this quick and Step 10: Use white polymer clay Step 11: Find 4 beads to glueeasy I just used a scrap of paper to make a handle. (I used pink to the base for feet. You couldand held it up as shown, made a because I had it handy and then I36 American Miniaturist

Antique suitcase tablealso cut the tops of off woodbanisters as well.Step 12: Mix your grey and brownpaint then add paint to the tableto make aged chipped marks.Step 13: Use a very small brushfor the strap scuffs and one just alittle bigger for the top and baseedges. Add a tiny bit at a time. Don’t repeat the same marksover and over. Mix it up and thinkabout where the table wouldtake the most damage and leavemarks. Add a little to the side ofthe feet as well.You did it! Look how beautifulyour piece is! AM American Miniaturist 37

Cake stand bakeryFMINinIdCiAnLgLyINouGrDeri Terry found freedom once sherealized what her strengths were in thiswonderful hobby of miniatures.~By Pam NorthDeri’s interest in min- including trying to stamp the that it would be the therapy I iatures began in her tile walls behind our bathtub, needed to help me cope. childhood when her with tiny footprints. father built a dollhouse for I am still working on that her and her younger sister. In 2007, my sister died at dollhouse. I keep adding to it, Complete with a red brick the age of 40. My wonderful and perhaps I will never truly exterior, a white columned memories of our times playing finish it! My lifelong passion porch, and a lawn cut from a with the dollhouse our father with tiny things has provided doormat, his creation had the had made for us inspired me me a hobby and a collection, effect of, in her own words, to start a dollhouse project. but, more importantly and “igniting a lifelong I had no idea, at the time, surprisingly, the hobby has love for dollhouses and miniatures.” Her childhood memories of her sister, and the hours they spent with their doll- house, are priceless to her. “I told her stories of tiny people play- ing in our dollhouse, and living behind our real-life house walls.” she reminisced. “I did everything I could to make her believe it,Top: The bakery shown withthe glass lid in place.Right: There are so manydelicious mini treats to fillthe display cases.38 American Miniaturist

Cake stand bakery Left: A closer look at the amazing detail in the tiny layered cake.been a therapeutic means to my hand at making my own used my talents to combinememorialize my loved ones.” little desserts, and seeing that all the components. My mes- mine didn’t measure up, I sage to other miniaturists is In middle school, Terry realized that my greatest talent that you don’t have to be alooked for possibilities of lay in bringing things together. carpenter, seamstress, lightingtransforming ordinary items The pressure I had felt that a engineer, etc. We all know ourlike toothpaste caps into cute, miniaturist had to personally own strengths and weak-decorative flower pots for tiny make almost everything had nesses. Don’t let anythingroom settings. It was the mini- held me back for years. keep you from collecting andedibles that particularly caught enjoying miniatures. Makeher fancy. Seeking more real- In real life, I was a designer, what you can, and find othersism, she turned to polymer and I created beautiful rooms. to create the items you can’t.”clay to create them, but found I didn’t make the furniture,that she wasn’t achieving that the draperies, or the art. Terry calls one of her favor-hallmark of artistic expertise. ite projects Miniature BakeryAs she explained, “After trying I then looked to artists and On Cake Stand. She had craftsmen for the items, and amassed a collection of real- istic tiny cakes and pastries from Paris Miniatures, and had displayed them on a French dessert table in her largest dollhouse until she ran out of Below: A close up of the tiny works of art in the bakery’s display case. American Miniaturist 39

Cake stand bakeryAbove: Deri has fun changing out bakery cases of goodies. from Cinderella inside anthe pieces as she collects them. I refinished the Welsh artificial pumpkin? I always have believed that if you canroom for them. She decided to dresser with a distressed look, visualize it, you can achievefeature the mini baked goods using chalk paint, and then it. Picturing something in yourin a bakery room box instead, added a glass dome, 1:12 mind, and knowing in yourand ultimately she envisioned scale bakery cases, and the heart that you can do it, isa cake stand as the perfect tiny baked goods made from 75% of the battle to me.”display. polymer clay. Everything just came together as a commemo- “Thinking outside the “Ladurée, a French luxury ration of my children’s happy box results in some of thebakery and sweets maker memories of Ladurée items most creative ideas.”house, created in 1862, from their uncle, and a memo-was part of my inspiration, rial to my son, who was killed Terry continues to comebecause when my children in a car wreck five days before up with many ideas forwere younger, their uncle, on this past Christmas. creations. “I am working onhis frequent travels to Paris, a big dollhouse, and I havewould send them chocolates Every time I look at it, I made a classroom room box,and double-decker macarons see him enjoying Christmas inspired by Harry Potter, forfrom there. I found a seller on as he sampled the macaron my daughter.Etsy who made macarons, and flavors, so for me, a specialother items similar to those memory has been preserved. I also would like to make asold at Ladurée, and I decided This project turned out just storybook castle, and a sceneto fill a Welsh dresser, behind as I imagined it would, and I inspired by Brambly Hedge hope my bakery will inspire books - both for my grandson. collectors, both old and new, I am absolutely fascinated by to enjoy the hobby. anything miniature, whether it be for a dollhouse, or scaled- The cake stand is an uncon- down furniture for children. ventional display, but it makes I always seem to be thinking perfect sense to me. Think- about the two worlds at the ing outside the box results same time. AM in some of the most creative ideas. Why not a candy shop in a gum ball stand, or a sceneRight: The small hutch is filled withFrench delicacies in 1:12-scale.40 American Miniaturist

CELEBRATING 31 YEARS Dot’s Doll House Full line shop specializing in handcrafted items Located in the Rocking Horse Mall 1542 N. Hwy 101 Lincoln City, Oregon (541) 994-4647 hotdot325@hotmail.com Open 6 days a week, Closed on Wed. 10am - 5pm teddytibmees ar Historic Mother Larke’s Miniature Collection www.TeddyBearTimes.com Pictured: One of Twelve Rooms Also on offer is a collection of miniature rooms from the renowned miniaturist Tom Roberts. Fine Art, Furniture, Decorative Arts and Jewelry Auction, December 9, 2016www.michaans.com • Ph. (800) 380-9822 • (510) 740-0220 2751 Todd Street, Alameda, CA 94501 USA Bond #71393954 All of the miniature crafting apps you could ever want, right at your fingertips.www.MyCraftAcademy.com American Miniaturist 41

Vermont farmhouseAFARMmHodOeUrnSE Tennessee miniaturist Linda Day puts a fashionable and modern twist on a traditional Vermont farmhouse.My interest in houses “Nutshell News” miniatures I can’t find some mini poten- and furnishing them magazine. The rest is mini tial, some scene that I want to began before I was history! recreate, or some object that Ieven aware of the realm of want to build a room around.dollhouses and miniatures. I fall in love with every I am constantly perusing thriftAlthough I wasn’t aware house I complete and I find shops and discount stores onof it at the time, I was first inspiration in almost every- the hunt for something thatintroduced to miniatures thing! There is very little thatin the form of what we can be adapted to fit intocalled “Government the miniature world.cheese boxes.”  Mygrandmother would I have been in minia-receive certain food tures longer than I havestaples which included been married, which isreal cheese that came in fifteen years. I was nine-these oversized boxes. I teen when I purchasedwould glue them togeth- my first dollhouse. I haveer, and make furniture had no formal trainingfrom construction paper. and since it was only relatively recently that we I was introduced to began having the luxuryminis officially when of YouTube and otherMichael’s Crafts store online videos and tutori-opened in our city. I als, most of the things Ifell in love with all the have learned have beenwonderful furniture that through simple trial andthey sold. I purchased a error. Until I discoveredfew pieces, and natu- all these wonderful socialrally, I had to purchase a media groups, I had nohouse to put them in! Itwas here that I found my Top: The charming andfirst copy of what was creative Linda Day. Left: The carpet pulls all the42 American Miniaturist colors in the room together.

Vermont farmhouseidea how widespread it was. I Left and below: The “I have been inhad never met another living, kitchen is fully stocked miniatures longer thanbreathing miniaturist. Now, I and full of warmth. I have been married,am linked to people all over which is fifteen years.the world who share this were kit-bashed or I was nineteen whenhobby with me. repainted and re- I purchased my first purposed. dollhouse.” The piece that I am fea-turing here is the Vermont My favorite get some favorable “oohs” andFarmhouse Jr., made by Real part about this “ahs” from time to time butGood Toys. I wanted to see dollhouse is that my biggest fans are my friendswith this house how much I I learned about in my social media groups.could create from recycled ma- my natural style. They truly “get it”.terials or make from scratch. I set out to do aI wasn’t ready to tackle the completely contem- My workplace at this timemajor items yet, so aside from porary house, but is my dining table, which Ithe bed, the basic furniture then I slipped in pushed to the right to makewas purchased. Other items some earthy tones. room for a small desk that I had fun recycling everyday items, American Miniaturist 43 such as candle holders and ring boxes. I am cur- rently an administra- tive assis- tant in the Employee Health department of a local hospital and I’m also a married mother of two, a ten year old daughter and an eight year old son. My family likes what I do but I don’t think they fully grasp why I am practically obsessed. I can come to them feeling like I have reinvented the wheel and gener- ally get the custom- ary answer: “That’s nice.” Nice?!? Lol! I do

Vermont farmhouseI found. Both surfaces arecurrently home to my mostrecent houses. The sad thingis, I have a perfect room thatwould be a great dedicatedcraft room, but it is home tolots of storage boxes rightnow! Aside from the occasionalscorched dish, I think thatcombining home life andminiatures is very workable.My children are very creativetoo so we often work onprojects together. I do manageto find some time every day tosqueeze in a little mini time.My favorite tool? My longtweezers! My greatest chal-lenge? The fact that everythingis so darn tiny! I hate it whenRight: The modern living room hasa television and a scented candle.44 American Miniaturist

Vermont farmhouseI drop something! What do I love most aboutminiatures? Where can I start?I love the perfection. I love“I love the fact thatminiatures are not justlimited to dollhouses andmuseums anymore.”how I can create anything, anysetting, any item that I wouldlike to have that would be im-possible to recreate in real life. The sink isn’t full of dishes;the beds aren’t in disarray,unless I want them to be. Ican eliminate staircases togain more floor space. I don’t Above and left: The renovations are required. bathroom is fresh and I love the fact that min- inviting in black and white. iatures are not just limited have to cook. Miniatures to dollhouses and museums take me to a perfect anymore. From collectors to little world that I can movie sets and television com- make all my own. I can mercials, miniatures are much get lost and rejuvenated more than just child’s play. there. And when I de- They can be very therapeutic, cide that I want to make and encouraging. The worlds a change, no costly that miniatures take you are American Miniaturist 45

Vermont farmhousejust magical, and the fact that Right: The exterior of the house I just want to keep creating,a lot of the magic was created is still a work in progress, but re-creating and having fun! Iby your own hands just adds we can only imagine how just hope that my work showsto the thrill. beautiful it will be. Especially how much of a love I have for after Linda has added her the craft! AM My hope for the future of talented touch to it.miniatures is that everyoneeven if they never actually recreate relatively close tocreate, purchase, or love the its era, and do the originalhobby at least experiences a owners proud. I wouldgreater appreciation for the also like to get back toart, because I do believe that work on my very first doll-it is a form of art. This is such house. I have had it sincea wonderful, fun, learning I was a teenager. I neverhobby, and there is room in got around to completingit for all ages, skill levels, and the exterior so there’s nodemographics. siding, shingles, or trim, but I was anxious to begin As far as what is next, I furnishing and decorating it.have a large house that was The box that contained allgiven to me that I am trying to of the components has long been lost in moving. FinallyBelow: The dollhouse bedroom isserene and has lots of style.46 American Miniaturist

Whimsical dollsLTHitItSleAbNiDtsToHf AT Miniaturist Kathi Kuti Harding makes wonderfully whimsical characters that spread joy and happiness across the land!Ilive in a rural setting, Above: The Star Gleaner is a doll to hold all the possibilities close to the artist com- who wanted her own way. She was that I have collected. Sec- munity of Elora, Ontario, supposed to be a Mad Hatter. Once ond hand stores are great Canada. Surrounded by her face was sculpted she said, places to hunt for items trees and gardens, my “I’m not a Hatter. I have stars in my and fabrics for miniatures. studio is really a converted future!” She got her way. An open mind can turn sun room with comfy salt shaker lids into hats chairs next to big win- and vintage neckties with dows, a long work surface perfect scale designs into with many drawers under- Haute Couture. neath to store essentials and lots of display cabinets Time flies and worries for works in progress and disappear as I immerse finished pieces. myself in the creation of whimsical miniatures. Because this is my full Anthropomorphic crea- time business, I have to tures, flamboyant people, make as many as forty, one their toys and accessories twelfth scale figures and develop seemingly on up to one hundred smaller their own. Contemplation items per year. I have to be of possibilities starts the very organized. Labelled, process. Another layer small plastic drawer units is added with a search organize the tiny things. through my hoarder’s stash A bookcase holds indi- of exotic fabrics, jewelry, vidual food containers that found objects and nature’s store what I need for each offerings. figure. I must admit that I have There are two methods I an additional loft storage room use to start creating a figure. filled to the rafters with all The first way is to be inspired my potential ingredients. My by either an item or piece of studio is just not big enough fabric. As I coordinate items American Miniaturist 47

Whimsical dollsfrom my stash, an idea of a Above: An old spool of Above: Belinda Bee’s outfit ascharacter starts to form. Once thread was used for a inspired by a brass bee pin Kathithe sculpting is done the items stool, a vintage thimble found and used in the hat.that were chosen may change for a hat, and anythingbecause they aren’t what the else related to sewing was the entire piece and visuallyfigure wants. The character used for this doll. pleasing negative space thatthat develops dictates what Left: A “Renaissance the body position creates. Angoes into it. The rejected items Ribbon” inspired Pepper’s unconscious metamorphosiswill be used another time. outfi . Kathi painted her occurs during the process. The shampoo bottle cap hat finished character is always a The second way is to start and her shoes to match surprise.with the sculpted face. When the ribbon. An earring wasI sculpt a face, I don’t have a used to embellish her hat. In 1995, I sculpted my firstparticular character in mind. She holds one of Kathi’s official miniature figure. It hasAs the features appear in the toy mice. been a mad frenzy of workclay I let them lead the way. since then. Once a month I getIn fact, there have been times provided me with the together with creative womenwhen I have had a photo of a background to let who share and inspire. I amperson that I wanted to turn go of the worries also working on graphics forinto a miniature figure but I a book by Gail Meyer. She iscompletely forgot to refer back of the technical part developing a book using myto the photo because of a piece. Now, I listen to figures to illustrate the differentthe character the inner voice of instinct stages of a woman’s life. As aemerging from that guides each decision: therapist, she already puts onthe clay was socaptivating. believable anatomy, bal- ance of color throughout I studiedfine arts andgraphic designat three Cana-dian art col-leges, JohnAbbott inMontreal,Quebec, andSheridan andthe OntarioCollege of Artand Design inToronto, On-tario. AlthoughI am self-taughtas a sculptor mytraining as anartist is invalu-able. This has48 American Miniaturist

Whimsical dolls by family members whose Above: Kathi loves to paint details talents range from painters, on her dolls. Leggings are a perfect photographers, wood carvers place for her to do that. and writers. The support has been unconditional. I appreciate the kind strangers who bought the artwork of a budding eight year old artist who sold her drawings for five cents each so she could pay to jump on a trampoline at a campground, and the art collectors who keep me doing what I love to do. Creating miniatures is a won- derful profession with constant rewards. I enjoy the connection with people and the ideas they Below: Acorn’s outfit is made from an old leather wallet with fringe, the finger tip of a leather glove created a satchel, and an acorn top for a hat.Above: The question of what to do provide as challenges. It is awith the fanciful fish I had mad, pleasure to share the stories oflead to a circus doll holding it. the dolls. From crazy incidents that occurred during the cre-workshops using my figures to ation, to the history the viewerprovoke introspection. assigns to the doll, all are part of the creative process. I teach sculpting through aHumpty Dumpty Workshop Inspiration is everywhere,when time permits. Since the books that are read, quirksbeginning of my art career as a that are observed. Curiositypainter in 1979, I have present- provides endlessly ideas. Righted my work at art and min- now, I will continue to con-iatures shows in Chicago and centrate on one twelfth scalePhiladelphia in the USA and figures and their toys. I fullylocally in Canada. My studio is intend to continue to dwell inopen to the public during the the openness and acceptance oflast weekend in September and the community of miniaturiststhe first weekend in October or until my glasses are too thick toby appointment. see through, my hands can no longer hold my tools and my At 60 years old, I look back mind has permanently enteredat a lifetime involved in art. I the world of my creations. AMhave always been surrounded American Miniaturist 49

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