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SMALL DETAILS C O N T E PROJECTS American Miniaturist Issue 212 6 Up-cycling bottles Give your average wine bottles a American Miniaturist is classy French look with Elize van Es published 12 times per year by Ashdown, Inc. 16 A little bench Make a little bench for any room in To reach us: (507) 634-3143 the dollhouse with Kris Compas Toll Free: 1-866-606-6587 23 Ball of yarn Or write to: PO Box 219 Set the scene with these small balls Kasson, MN 55944 of yarn by Karen Hritz Email: 24 Easy toilet paper [email protected] Make mini toilet paper for your mini folks by Randall Castle Website: www.americanminiaturist.com 32 Winter sleigh Make a skeleton chandelier and wall Editor: Auralea Krieger sconce Brian Long [email protected] 50 Mini slippers Publisher: Kelly Johnson Add some fuzzy slippers to your mini [email protected] scene with Sadie Brown Advertising Sales Team 53 Hanging signs [email protected] Express your mini persons personal- ity with word signs by Karen Hritz Design: Auralea Krieger Ad Design: Wendy Crosthwaite 54 Let’s get baking Make some mini orange ginger On the cover: June Sprigg Tooley honey cake with Gina Thees eld Subscription rates: 63 Keeping warm 1 Year (12 issues) $104.99 USA Make a wood rack and replace Canada $160.99 CAD, UK £103.99 toolset along with Elize van Es Europe € 125.99, ROW $144.99 (US Funds) 76 Potting bench Skip winter and make a spring pot- American Miniaturist (USPS# 021-053 ISSN # ting bench with Belinda McWilliams 14778203) is published monthly at PO Box 219, Kasson, MN 55944. Subscription price is $104.99. 80 Fun welly planters Periodicals postage paid at Kasson, MN, and Turn a pair of rain boots into planters additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address with Sadie Brown corrections to American Miniaturist, PO Box 219, Kasson, MN 55944 82 Mini strawberries Tanja Jensen shares how to make All material submitted to the magazine is accepted on the basis miniature fresh cut strawberries that the author grants the Publisher a non-exclusive worldwide license to distribute and sell the article in print and/or digital form. Copyright remains with the author. 4
E N T S WELCOME PROJECTS T here is something about American 84 Faux wood Miniaturist that makes me giddy. Turn paper or mat board into stained Even as editor, when I start a new wood with Auralea Krieger issue I am lled with excitement to make it fun and informative. I have even mentioned 88 Scenery workshop before how fast I would walk home after Join Jeff Winkel in this ongoing retrieving AM from my mailbox when I was diorama workshop a subscriber. Things have been bumpy while dealing with the epidemic but now AM FEATURES is back on track! To those of you that were supportive and understanding over the past 10 Little wooden wonders few months, thank you! 26 Miniaturist Sara Dernulc makes a pull A new year is here and I think it will be a toy for any interest in one-inch scale very creative one. So many people have used the down time from last year to discover this The ballroom dining room amazing art form and those that have already been enjoying it, rolled up their sleeves and Debbie Walker turns a Christmas gift dove into un nished or new projects. into an amazing project I was prompted to start a 1:12 cabin build. 35 An anthology of Ideas This issue has lots of winter themed Discover a world of style and projects, but also a few that will stir up design with Glen Anderson some spring/summer ideas. I tend to create summer projects in winter to feel warmer 42 A holly jolly cottage and winter projects in the summer to cool Caroline Dupuis’ latest commission down. Then I discovered lots of other makers oozes holiday charm do the same. If you have a creative mind then there’s no doubt you like to stir things up 56 Saving space while creating. June Sprigg Tooley and Jackie Benham ll room boxes with lots of detail Let’s make this a great year no matter what is going on around us. Keep a positive 66 The art of life outlook on life and it will be a much more fun World history brings a big miniature adventure. Have a blast creating and send me future for doll artisan Georgina Ritson those nished photos! REGULARS Auralea Krieger, Editor [email protected] 8 Mini Mail 78 Mini Scoop 85 Snippets OCTOBER AM 5
PROJECT Up-cycling bottles Give your average wine bottles a classy French look I just love it when minia- BY ELIZE VAN ES NEEDwe all tures have an authentic, realistic and almost 2 Next, paint your wine moreXminis classic look. When it comes bottles. Hold the top and to wine bottles it doesn’t paint the entire bottle. The 3 Let the paint dry for matter witch style you like. paint is sticky so you need at least 2 hours. After A French wine bottle gives to paint the entire bottle at 1 hour you can paint the every miniature scene – one time. Later you can do bottom of the bottles if from modern to Victorian – the bottom. necessary. an extra touch of elegance. TOPTIP: 4 In the meantime, down- Making these ‘fancy’ wine load the wine labels of bottles is fun and an easy Don’t mix to much! Glass your choice. Adjust them to DIY project. The most time paint gets sticky in a short size, print and cut out. will be spent searching the time. So if you like the internet for the wine labels color just keep adding the 5 Glue the labels to the of your choice to print. mix of colors when you bottles (make sure they almost run out of the paint are straight! It’s all in the 1 Mix the glass paint to you are using. details) and let dry. match the color of a wine bottle. I personally like a rich dark red Bordeaux color.You get this by mixing red, blue, yellow and a drop of black. Scale = 1:12 Materials: n Cheap/average 1:12 wine bottles (remove any labels) n Glass paint - red, blue, yellow, black n Wine labels n Paintbrush n Glue stick or Tacky Glue 6
PROJECT 2 Mini tutorials needed 5 We hope you have been TOPTIP: enjoying all of the wonderful tutorials featured in American I don’t like it when the edges of the labels stick out. So I use a Miniaturist. The e are so small piece of wet cloth to pad the labels down once there are many impressive creative ideas glued on. It creates an authentic look after they dry. and new techniques in the miniature community. We try our best to find p ojects we think our readers will enjoy, but we know there are more that we can find out the e. If you would like to be a part of this fun publication, please consider being one of our valued contributors. We have great opportunities for miniaturists who submit tutorials such as credit towards subscriptions and individual issues. And, if you are in business, your tutorials might actually help promote what you are selling. We’ll furnish you with these details after your submission has been approved. Imagine how much joy your mini project could give others who share your passion for this art form! Send your step-by-step instructions and photos to Tutorial Submission, American Miniaturist, PO Box 219, 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, and email address. We can’t wait to see your projects! 7
MINI MAIL n AM is your magazine, and we want to hear from you. Write to: MiniMail, American Miniaturist, PO Box 219, Kasson, MN 55944. Or email: [email protected]. Letters may be edited if necessary. Star letter and I chose the dining area My name is Anachic Jay Ar with a Moroccan style. Gregori Acopiado, just turned Aside from being a student, 20 last Aug 16 and now on my during my free time or school 3rd year at the Negros Oriental break I was also a tour guide State University (Norsu) here in for local or Asian group tours. Dumaguete City, Philippines Since I am lined into travel as Architecture student. and tour activities, it is one of We were tasked to make a my hopes to reach Morocco. miniature model on any area I am fascinated with their of the house that we would like architectural design that is to create. This is for our final why I chose it for my project. project in interior design class 8
Holiday cheer some photos. Thank you for bringing us so many amazing Denise Morales made the works in miniature! most beautiful shabby chic Christmas room box that Shellie from Tampa, FL was shown in American As an architecture student, Miniaturist 211. Thank you to be featured in a magazine for sharing this cheerful (hopefully) especially abroad piece with us. It made me so would be a great achievement happy in the moment and has and would add up to my inspired me too make a room portfolio for my future box based on something I profession. hold dear. Please find herewith attached my pictures. Hope you like it. I love how she packed that small box with so many Anachic from the Philippines tiny items. Every time I look through the pages I see new things. Once I narrow down my ideas I will get started and will be sure to send over 9
FEATURE Little wooden wonders M iniaturist S ara D ernulc mak es a pull toy for any interest in one- inch scale When I first saw Sara BY STEPHANIE D. WATT windows opened and closed. Dernulc’s push and pull They also looked exactly as toys I became obsessed. of her incredible precision the structures he was replicat- I wasn’t sure why I loved them in how she cuts these little so until I had purchased a few wooden wonders. Below left: Miniature artist Sara and then suddenly realized Dernulc. Below: A collection why I couldn’t get enough of Sara grew up on a farm of handmade bird themed pull them. Her hand-crafted toys in Wisconsin along with six toys. Right: Sara makes pull toys call out to you because they other siblings. Two of her in so many themes, each more want you to play with them! eldest brothers (who were wonderful than the next. The whimsical faces and several years older than her) themes make you smile from really enjoyed making min- ear to ear. Their simplistic iatures. Her brother Lowell charm makes you want to liked making model airplanes hold them, partly because of and the other brother LaMarr the lovely way Sara carefully liked to make miniature paints them but also because replicas of their barns and sheds. LaMarr was so good at making these miniature build- ings that even the doors and 10
FEATURE 11
FEATURE Above: The circus has come to town! What a fun variety. ing. This was the spark that truly inspired Sara and she too wanted to make her very own little things. Sara did not grow up with dollhouses that came from toy stores, the market place or department stores. Instead, she liked to go into her Dad’s workshop and use his saws, drills and sanders to make her own little wooden dollhouses for her tiny plastic people. She also loved to create all kinds of different scenes with her creations by using sand to create the roads, rocks to represent the hills and tree branches to help complete 12
FEATURE her miniature vignette. Since dollhouses, furniture, animals, Above: Farm animals are a fun she was the youngest of seven, people and many other types theme for pull toys as well as a Sara was often left to her own of miniatures currently, she is tropical theme with palm trees devises and soon realized that enjoying making miniature and pink flamingos. she really liked to create and pull and push toys. She loves make little miniature items to working with wood and uses and brightly dyed laminated play with. her most valuable tool, a Mi- woods. She sometimes embel- crolux band saw to make her lishes the wheels with colored Retired for the past five mini toys. She also enjoys us- eyelets for the rim and adds years, Sara has been spending ing her lathe, Microlux table tiny colored brads as hub caps lots of time making 1:12 scale saw and mini bench drill. in the center of the wheel. She miniatures on a regular basis. also likes to add a tiny poly- She never had any formal Sara works with acrylic mer clay heart or star to her training but did take art classes paint and lots of jewelry wagons and other miniatures in high school because she findings for her creations and loved to draw. She also took likes to use maple wood to 13 several hobby classes in ceram- make her animals and people. ics, quilt making, decoupage, For the wagons, she loves to needlework and macramé and use different types of wood feels that these classes have such as yellow heart, ma- helped her to make her own hogany, cheery wood, purple miniatures look more realistic. heart, brightly dyed woods Though Sara has made
FEATURE as an added decoration that ‘Sara makes a large the traditional style push and gives a special touch. pull toys. thematic variety of When everything is finally When you see all of Sara’s put together, Sara revels in ’push and pull toys. wonderful hand-crafted toys the pleasure of doing the you can’t help but be over- final procedure of applying African animals, dinosaurs, come with wonderment and the paint sealer. During this ducks and geese, woodland the excitement of a child! moment she can watch the animals, tropical birds and color of the wood ‘pop’ and palm trees, seabirds and sea GETINTOUCH: anxiously see the beauty of the creatures, fish, circus animals wood come alive. and clowns, farm animals, Sara Dernulc dogs and cats, Halloween Email: [email protected] Sara makes a large the- creatures, bunnies and all of Ebay: sadiesattic3 matic variety of push and pull toys. You will see an array of Below: Holidays are also a fun theme for these special toys with endless ideas. 14
miniature art dolls american miniaturist quarter page 02-21.qxp 12/15/20 10:32 A b Aurale Krieger Your one-stop source for unique MINI tools, supplies, and more! Wondercutter breezes through an amazing array of materials with ease! heigh 7” heigh 6” heigh 4” #88195 Follow me on instagram: @auraleakrieger 15% OFF! Email: [email protected] when you place ANY order online at www.micromark.com & Enter Promo Code 4548* *Offer ends 3/31/21. Pre-Order items, egift certificates, 3D printers and accessories, Super Buys and other items excluded. Offer cannot be combined. Children’s Picture Book by Shannon Beers Available Now! Explore this cozy miniature realm with your children or grandchildren GMreaaktesGiaft! Plan to Shop with Us • Miniature “finds” at all price points Schuler may be a humble little possum, but he doesn’t always act very humble. He • Many pieces hand-crafted and signed scrambles to be the best and fastest amongst his friends. • Visit our eBay store: CarmelMiniatureMuseum That is until he learns of an extraordinary power which he possesses — the superhero power of altruism. By learning to put the feelings of others before his own, this unex- Upholstered pected hero discovers he can make the world a better place by making his friend happy. Bespaq Chair Awesome Possum Powers: Altruism is a picture book that imparts a character trait in the form of a superhero-sounding word. Photography enriches the story of these fuzzy, Price is $50 felted characters who inhabit this cozy miniature realm. “Fuzzy characters with character” 111 East Main St. Carmel, IN 46032 • 317-575-9466 Friday & Saturday 11-4 and Sunday 1-4. Available now online on Amazon and Barnes & Noble info@museumof miniatures.org w w w. m u s e u m o f m i n i a t u r e s . o r g 15
PROJECT A little bench Make a little bench for any room in the dollhouse Ihave a notebook that I BY KRIS COMPAS Materials: Scale = 1:12 keep catalog pictures of furniture for inspiration. the leg/arms. Don’t do this n Mat board They are on my mini wish by adding to the long sides, n Ruler list to make from mat board cut the pattern in half and n Paper/pencil and card stock. add in the middle, length- n Glue stick wise. Keep the seat base to n Knife I have used 3 layers of 3 layers. n Yellow carpenter’s glue mat board for the leg/arms. n Scroll saw This makes a ne and 1 Copy the leg/arm n Tacky Glue sturdy bench.You could use pattern onto paper 12 n T-pin 2 layers of mat board and times. Use glue stick to n Toothpicks it would still make a sturdy glue the paper to a piece of n 5/64” bit, bench.You would have to mat board. Cut out the leg/ n Drill widen out the seat base by arm patterns with your craft n Fine sandpaper 3/32” to compensate for the knife. This uses the least n Bamboo skewer loss of the 2 pieces of mat amount of mat board de- n 1/4” dowel board (one for each side) in pending on how close you n Foam core have put the patterns. n Thermolam batting n Material n Scissors Or copy the pattern 4 times onto paper and glue to 3 layers of mat board, (that’s been glued together with wood glue rst) and cut out the leg/ arm pattern using a scroll saw. When gluing the mat board together don’t use too much glue or the mat board warps. Smear the mat board around a bit on the glue and then line up the pieces. Or copy your pattern 16
PROJECT Pattern: 13 Cut on dashed line and 34 spread apart to 3/32” to make larger when using 2 layers of mat board for leg/arms. 5 26 Leg/Arm once onto card stock for a 4 I am using my scroll 17 pattern to trace from. Cut saw to cut the stacked 4 12 pieces of mat board, 3 legs out all at once. Please, pieces for each leg/arm. don’t let having to cut Glue these stacks together individual 8 to 12 leg/arm using wood glue. patterns out deter you from making this bench. Just put 2 Trace the leg/arm pat- a new blade in your craft tern onto one of the mat knife and spend a little time, board stacks. take a couple breaks and you’ll have the leg/arms cut 3 Glue the stacks togeth- out before you know it. er using Tacky Glue. ONLY GLUE ALONG THE 5 Place the legs out like EDGES, AWAY FROM YOUR mine, 2 facing left and 2 PATTERN. facing right.
PROJECT 689 11 12 13 14 15 17 6 Place the pattern onto and glue the pieces togeth- am going to subtract 1/8” the legs and mark using er. Or you can glue the mat because my holes aren’t a T-pin for the holes. board together rst and cut drilled through. I still might the seat base out all at once have to trim, depending on 7 Use toothpicks for the like I did with the legs. how deep I have drilled my rungs. Use a 5/64” bit. holes. That’s what dry tting Test the size on a scrap 9 Glue two legs into the is for. stack of mat board to see if notches of the seat this works for you. Cut the base. Set this off to the side 11I am cutting my tapered end off the tooth- to dry. toothpicks at 1 1/2” pick, sand and insert in the and marking the centers at hole. I drilled holes where 10I’m holding the bench 3/4”. Sand the ends of the marked. Don’t drill through. with a leg temporar- toothpicks just to take the ily set into a notch and raggedness off and insert 8 Trace the seat base measuring from outside them into the holes on the onto 3 pieces of mat edge to outside edge of the legs. Trim the toothpick if board, cut out with a knife legs. I measured 1 5/8”. I needed. Dry t both sides. 18
PROJECT 19 22 24 25 27 12 16While you have the I am using a T-pin to 20Glue the other short toothpicks and loose mark a hole in the rung, (toothpick) onto the long rung, (bam- legs temporarily on the center of my toothpick boo skewer). bench, measure between rung. Don’t push too hard, the toothpicks for the length just enough for a small drill 21Glue the rung assem- bly into the legs on of the long rung. I measured bit to t into. the bench. about 3 5/8” to 3 11/16”. 17I am going to use my 22I’m going to make the trusty little drill bit upper section and 13You can fancy your set to drill these holes. The I’m measuring between the bench a bit by using sides, (leg/arm), it’s 1 1/4”. triangular les and sand- easiest way I have found to paper to create beads and drill something like this is other shapes. to start out with a smaller 14I am using a bamboo bit than what you need and 23The rst part of this skewer for the long graduate up to the bit that section is made from will t. mat board. Cut a strip of mat board 3/16” wide and rung that connects to the 18I drilled a hole in one at least 5 1/2” long. Measure two toothpicks on the legs. rung and glued the and mark 1 1/4” four times I buy these at the grocery on this strip. Used a square to draw and cut the lines. store. I’ve sanded it just a bit skewer in. so that it ts into the 1/16” 19Temporarily t the 24I’ve glued one on top hole in my circle template. bench together and of the other, now I check the length of the cen- have two pieces. 15I’ve used my craft ter rung. Trim if needed. knife to whittle the ends down. 19
PROJECT 28 29 30 30 31 32 37 5/64” bit for the toothpick 38 that will be glued in. 25I am using a piece of T-pin to mark the centers of 1/4” dowel for the top 27Glue bits of tooth- each end. of the section. Measure and picks into the holes mark for 2 pieces at 1 1/4”. leaving about 3/32” out. 29Drill holes for the You can cut the 1/4” dowel We are going to ‘dowel’ toothpicks to go into. with a craft knife by rolling this section into the bench Grip the ends of the mat the knife and dowel until for sturdiness.Yes, that’s board tightly when drill- you can snap the dowel Digger’s paw. He likes to ing or the mat board will apart. Or use a little mitre lay between me and the spread apart. saw. keyboard on my arms while I type. 30Measure and mark 26Mark the center of the dowels into 1/4” the ends of the dow- 28Remember the 2 sections. Use a T-pin to els with a T-pin. I’ve drilled pieces of mat board mark the holes. It is im- the holes starting out with you just made up? Use a portant that these are in a a smaller bit than I needed straight line. I used my Dre- and graduated up to the mel to drill these holes but 20
PROJECT 41 42 43 it could have been done onto the bench to see if you 39Sand the bench, then with the little drill set. need to trim the toothpicks. paint and sanded 3-4 times for a smooth nish. 31Transfer the mark- 36The section t after ings from the dowel trimming so I glued 40I gave it the and to the mat board piece. it in. The next thing to do a coat of Krylon Mark with a T-pin. is to glue the leg/arm on. clear gloss outside. Then Put some glue in the notch brushed on and wiped off 32Drill out matching so the leg is glued to the a coat of grey paint and holes. bench. mixed some dark brown with the grey and painted 33Put the dowel and I did not dowel the leg that on in spots. I did not di- mat board piece into into the bench. I thought the lute the paint with anything. a loose side and measure notch gave me enough sur- I used a scrap of T-shirt between the two. Measure face to glue. If you wanted fabric to buff the whole about 11/16” between. I to dowel it, drill into the at thing when it was dry. am going to add a bit to area between the upper top and bottom for the and lower sections on the Bench upholstery toothpicks to be inserted. side where you can see the Total 15/16” is what I’ll cut layers of mat board. We will 41Make a pattern for 8 toothpicks. cover this edge with a layer the seat cushion us- of card stock. ing the seat base pattern. 34Glue the toothpicks Trace the seat base pat- into the mat board 37Measure the width of tern onto card stock. When piece, because the mat the leg/arms. I like to you cut it out leave the line board is more exible that cut the strips of card stock on the scrap. Set the new the 1/4” dowel and you just short of the width that pattern on the bench, do might need the exibility is measured. you have about a 1/32” all to move the toothpicks around? slightly to get them into the 38Glue the card stock 1/4” dowel. strips on covering 42Trace your new pat- the layers of mat board tern onto foam core 35Dry t the 1/4” dowel on the leg/arms and the and cut out. Dry t the on. Dry t the section edges of the seat base. foam core onto the bench. Trim if needed. 21
PROJECT 44 45 46 46 46 47 47 46Cut into the corners. secure. Trim off the trian- Apply glue into the gles. Glue the seat cushion 43Cut two pieces of notch and onto the fabric. to the seat base. Thermolam batting. 47Press the fabric into 48Add some piping if 44Glue the small piece the notch and pull you wish. on rst, then the the fabric down and create larger one. The next piece a triangle. Squeeze tightly http://1inchminisbykris. is cut to t the top, don’t go on the triangle of fabric to blogspot.com/ over the sides. The fourth piece is cut to be glued to the sides with Tacky Glue. Cut out the notches. 45Glue the Thermolam onto the sides and trim off the extra. Glue onto your fabric. 22
PROJECT Ball of yarn Set the scene with these small balls of yarn BY KAREN HRITZ M aking a knitters display is easier than you think. Follow the directions and use whatever colors make you happy. 1 Tape the four toothpicks together and then insert into pony bead. Spread white glue on the pony bead and attach the end of the cord/thread. 2 To wind the cord on the bead, you will turn the toothpicks clockwise while wrapping the cord around the bead. The cord needs to cross the bead at an angle. This will keep it from sliding off the bead. 3 Each time you wrap the 2 4 cord, you place it over the pass before it. If the cord begins to slip, add a colors of ‘yarn’ into a small little dab of glue. basket to display! Materials: Scale = 1:12 4 Continue to wrap the TOPTIP: n Pony beads cord on the bead until n Thin twine, cord, crochet your ball of twine or yarn is You could even use two the size you want. To nish, trimmed head pins for thread, floss, etc secure the end of the cord knitting needles if you like. n White glue with glue. Put your different n 4 toothpicks n Scissors 23
PROJECT Easy toilet paper Mini toilet paper for your mini folks BY RANDALL CASTLE M y human has been hoard- ing toilet paper big time these days. Not sure what that’s all about, but then they decided we needed some too. So here‘s how they made it. 1 Cut your plastic coffee stir sticks to the width you want. 2 I started the rst roll 4 I unfolded mine just a wrapping one long little then put double piece around the tape sided tape on the ends covered stir stick for a long (which became staggered time then discovered a once they rolled over). Then shortcut. rolled it around as a thick clump and taped it again 3 Fold a thin napkin (mine when it was around.You is from a to-go order want the end to stagger from a burger joint) over naturally so you don’t have and over keeping it straight. a clumpy roll. Then mark your TP core roll width and make a straight 5 Do this over and over cut with scissors. until it’s the thickness you want. Then use a one- Materials: Scale = 1:12 ply piece to nish it off. Secure the double sided n Plastic coffee stir sticks tape under the end and n Napkin press on the roll. n Double sided taoe n Pencil n Scissors 24
PROJECT Gina’s picks from Instagram 1 Hello! I’m Gina Theesfield, a proud part of the Social Media team for AM. Like all of you, I am a miniature lover, so I’m thrilled to be highlighting some of the spectacular Instagram pages that catch my eye. You will be sure to be inspired by their miniature art. 2 Littledayminiatures All the miniature things they make are fabulously detailed. 3 Wildwood_miniatures Expertly put together You could always just use a dollhouse scale rooms thick paper towel if your not that will make you going for realism. swoon. My human hooked you Cute things place up, right? Come on over to Amazing Miniature @randall_castle on fruits and vegetables Instagram and get to know in 1:12 scale me and my crew. We would dig it if you joined in on our daily adventures. Looking forward to seeing you there. Peace out! Visit Gina on Instagram at calico_garden 25
ROOM BOX The ballroom dining room A Christmas gift of miniature wallpaper turned into an amazing project Miniature projects often BY DEBBIE WALKER Glenn Johnson, a colleague take us on journeys; we at my workplace, enlisted the don’t expect. This was ing. It was too beautiful for help of his friend Ken Kols- definitely the case for me with me to cut so I knew I wanted tad, and together they cut the my original, custom room to build around it. pieces for me. box The Ballroom Dining Room. This journey began ‘I drew up the plans I began with all the on Christmas Day in 2016 prep work, including the and would ultimately take and then searched for windows, doors, wallpaper, me two provinces away to the someone to cut the furniture and construction Miniature World Museum in MDF pieces I would began in August 2017. By Victoria, British Columbia. need to make the September it was time to That Christmas my ’room box. Below left: Miniaturist Debbie fiancée gifted me a variety of Walker and Glenn Johnson who miniatures including a beau- I drew up the plans and came to see the project in person tiful 13” x 17” laminated then searched for someone to before she took it to Victoria. paper sheet of ‘marble’ floor- cut the MDF pieces I would Below: The flooring that started need to make the room box. this project along with the wallpaper, windows and doors. 26
ROOM BOX decide on the artwork and I show in April 2014. Then Leiner (also purchased at the settled on four pieces. The I got an original floral oil Chicago International) and first was a framed work of art painting by an 88-year old then two original watercolors of a lady, which I purchased woman from Stuttgart, by local artist, Helen Friesen, at the Chicago International Germany named Gabriele which I framed myself. The 27
ROOM BOX Above: The dining table with the candelabra on creates romance. last part of this project was the installation of the lights, the accessories and food. It took 11 months to complete this project – it is the highest end piece I have ever done and it far exceeded my expectations. If anyone is wondering why I called it The Ballroom Dining Room it is because once the supper is finished the furniture can be moved away revealing the marble floor and everyone can return for the ball. But this isn’t the end of the story. In July 2018 my fiancée and I took a trip to Victoria, B.C. (two provinces 28
ROOM BOX west of Saskatchewan, a 3 day with no club or store nearby) Above: A view of the entrance drive). I had never been to having a piece of mine on with the ‘stained glass’ window Victoria so we spent two days public display in a museum and embellished painting. touring around and one of is the ultimate honor and I the places we visited was the couldn’t pass up the opportu- gan, Grady, the Exhibits Miniature World museum in nity to see it through. Manager, and three other downtown Victoria located women were all there to see at The Empress Hotel. I was We made a vacation of it it and they were seriously very impressed with their and drove through the USA excited for its arrival! I don’t collection! to Port Angeles and took the know who was more excited Coho Ferry to Victoria. On – them or me! I hadn’t an- They had miniature scenes June 25, 2019 I entered the ticipated such an enthusiastic depicting moments through- museum with The Ballroom reception, in fact, I hadn’t out history, room boxes, doll- Dining Room. I introduced even thought about what to houses and even King Arthur myself to the lady at the expect when we got there. and his sword, Excalibur. counter and she immediately So that was extra special and Before we left I made a point called to the ladies in the something I will never forget. of getting their business card, back, “Debbie is here!” Me- which I took home and put I unpacked the room on my desk where it sat until April 2019. On April 22 I decided to take the plunge to see if the museum would be interested in The Ballroom Dining Room for their collection. After all, the worst they could say is “No,” but if I never asked the question I would never know the answer. I sent an email to the Office Manager, Megan Kellar, ask- ing that question. It was not long before I heard back from Megan and the answer was a resounding, “Yes”! We emailed back and forth on the details and ultimately my fiancée and I decided to drive it out there and deliver it personally. For a lone ranger miniaturist such as myself (in Saskatchewan 29
ROOM BOX box and set it all up for them. happy to have it and I am so Above: The Reutter soup set with One of the reasons I wanted happy that others will get to an original water color by Helen to deliver it personally was see it. I think we’ll just have Friesen of Regina, SK. to ensure that it arrived in to go back for a visit and I Below: On display at the perfect condition, which it did. can’t wait to see it! Miniature World Museum in Megan showed me where it Victoria, British Columbia. would be put on display in the museum. They would order the pedestal and Plexiglas case and would need to set it up in the museum with special lighting. It took about eight months for everything to come together, but it went on public display in the museum in February 2020 and it looks absolutely smashing! When we got home and I walked by where it had sat in my house I couldn’t believe I had given it away as it was my most high end piece. But, you know, what? It’s in Victoria so it’s too late for that and the museum is so 30
ETSY Real Good Toys SHOP DIRECTORY Heirloom Quality Dollhouses EnEgningeineerienrginthgethweorwldo'srlbde’sstbmeisntiamtuinreiahtuormees hofomreosvfeorr4407yyeeaarsr!s! EDTIRSEYCSTHOORPY AHAllallynyssdoocnnrassfMMteiindnisiIsn.eTtshyr.eceomScales AMeltimsnyia.actAoumrrte/issOthrOoyApK/AdlmolalsArtistryStudio AUwunwriqweua.eerttsheya.Mncodinmpiaa/itsnuhtreoedps/mAuinreiaatrutrees BHBiaizznzzdyycLLriiattttfllteeeSdSeMewwiannaiadntSduerSewe.Swewtsimy.cwoemar HQeatusraytl.isctyDommesi/nisriheatoMupri/neHsisaarttrseDaessoinraebMleinpirsices EDTIRSEYCSTHOORPYFTfllhooerraalalldDregececosortrmdMoiinlnlihi.eotussye.cflomower shop. DBDaeansndpdoyylkLieoionHnMManiinndiimaattauudrreeessM.eintsiay.tcuormes L1loo:1rrr2raamiinneinebiBraitrduiadrlea.elctsroy.cchoemt clothes MHetaisnnyid.acmtoumared/seMBfionyoEiadmturyruegssBpylEamntys & more Many Choices! Sizes! Price levels! Years of Joy!GUertnseiyqe.ucnoeGmmy/pisnshiieohpso/mGreedeencGoyrppsiieecses In8s01p22-i22r6aG2t-a6ilo0li1sn8onfooHnritllhtRehoweaedmb, :Miwonwniatwpte.uRlieeraer,lGVeoTon0dt5Th6o0uys2s.cioamst98 AMeltimsnyia.actAoumrrte/issOthrOoyApK/AdlmolalsArtistryStudio MSeutisnpyei.Ccro-omcuus/tseinh,osepaM/sMyin,iniinaiCetxuopureesnisnssive Kits know C1e:at1sr2yo.tlch’soSmMc/ianulekia/ptsuehrroeiopsd/CfaurronlissMhiinngiastures AUwunwriqweua.eerttsheya.Mncodinmpiaa/itsnuhtreoedps/mAuinreiaatrutrees TPTooiloololleewyysssTaTinnindyyPsPielliaoltlwionwsg.sefutsryn.citoumre GUertnseiyqe.ucnoeGmmy/pisnshiieohpso/mGreedeencGoyrppsiieecses CHJe1eDlt:atos4snavy8ydy.e.ccLMmrooamiDamsndoe/i/esslrclh&ahco/uospvutih/nkscoteliaptosgMv/,jeedlirnaaddciyooaemlltllhu&hinoroeui1usss:s1ee2mmkiiinntsiiss Please let these Etsy shops you HfQeoatusulaylls.nictMoydmiitnte/ihumaktesu/msrfhoeroChptlh/eoHecrakaelsvl!sidMcionlilPercotdourcts FAeitrnstyef.coAorrmttah/nuekdH/Msohimnopiea/FtauinnredeAstrhteanMdMiniinaitautureres AM I OCTOBER LMeititsntylia.ectuoTrmhei/dnsoghlslohpoo/ufLsIinetttlbeeoTroeHkssItN&GaScicnetessreorsites HQeatusraytl.isctyDommesi/nisriheatoMupri/neHsisaarttrseDaessoinraebMleinpirsices 23/11/2020 ...at your fingertips.98-99_AM211.indd 98 15:43 J1eD:t4sa8yy.cLMoaimsnei/srcac/usthkoipts/,jdlaacyem&ini1s:12 kits IVesitlnsetyaO.cgfoeSmap/nasddheoGspe/rImsleaOnfMSpinaidaetusres RCetaoslgyle.gcceotidmbyl/esDhh’aosnp/drcargagfteeddyddosmllhionuiasteurmesinis MDetoaslrylh.scohoumasle/l’ssAhMcocpie/nmsisaaotrrusierhesasHllsamndinmiaatduereins/KY For more miniatures from greatCHeataspnye.dcmoCmoadd/seMh&oinppi/caCsta.upfrreeoCmSoodocMuireintciyoatlluercetsions onliEntesyshDoipresc, tsoereyourELTISSTYYSOHUORP Flciesaetlell:idn1gh(e5ler0ef7t?)o9Cu9ot3?n-tN8a4ec1te6doufmorroSaraellleitnshfeToerdmaemtaatiailost:[email protected] 2:04 Search on pages 98-99.98 AMIOCTOBER Ammeirnicaian turist9/30/19 4:56PM ISSUE 211,2020 $9.95 USD 04ND19_p098-099.indd 98 INSPIRING MINIATURE ENTHUSIASTS TO CREATE www.americanminiaturist.com If you have your own Etsy shop ISSUE 211 PMRIODJ-ECCETNST:UR YSLCELDOCTAKBL ECAB SIANNETTA M AURGM CHBAAISRKET AWNEDAMV11IO/N24R/2G0E2:33 PM and would like to be included in AM new front.indd 1 the directory, please contact the Find us on Facebook advertising team: @AmericanMiniaturist [email protected] or by phone at 507-993-8416 31
PROJECT Winter sleigh Make a winter sleigh for a festive winter scene P ark this outside your BY BRIAN LONG thickness of wood are for dollhouse and ll guidance only and not it with Christmas 1 Cut the sections for the carved in stone. cheer then you’ll know sleigh using the tem- Santa has arrived. With no plate. Use any scraps of 2 Piece the sleigh to- working parts it is relatively wood you have on hand. gether starting with the easy to make and can be The dimensions for the gondola section with the customized to t your re- seat inside. quirements, being a stately like sleigh. 3 Mount the musher’s bench onto its legs and For those not familiar glue in space. Both of these with a sleigh as a form of are mounted onto the plat- transport, it consists of vari- form (made from thin ply or ous sections. The gondola good quality card). is the rst class compart- ment with a seat in it for the passengers, behind that is a bench for the musher. Both of these sit on a main deck or platform, which is on a pair of runners to glide over the snow and has running boards to help you get in. Materials: Scale = 1:12 n Wood n Wood glue n 3/8” dowel n Clamps n Knife or saw n Thin veneer n String or elastic bands n Cornice molding n Paint n Paintbrush 32
PROJECT Pattern: 4 Place the length of dowel towards the front of the sleigh platform, fold the ply round the dowel and glue it. Clamp it in position and leave it for 24 hours. 5 Glue the two front brackets onto the plat- 33
PROJECT Pattern: 9 Fix the eight small brackets, which I cut form but don’t bend or glue from a length of cornice, to the front curve yet. the side of the frame and then mount the running 6 Assemble the runners boards on top of them. and frames and allow glue to dry. 10Decorate the backrest to be as ornate as you 7 Glue the frame in wish. The actual bench can position on the main be painted, polished or platform. Make sure this is even upholstered. secure and set before you bend the front upwards. 11Add a good coat of paint, be it seasonal 8 Apply plenty of glue or more sedate, and any to the underside of the decoration of your choice front brackets and gently and you will have a sleigh to curve the front of the plat- be proud of. form upwards. Use string or elastic bands to hold the curved front against them and allow plenty of time for the glue to set. 34
MINI FURNITURE An anthology of Ideas D iscov ering a world of sty le and design with G len Anderson Glen Anderson has roots BY SADIE BROWN was one of those pieces that firmly steeped in artistic made my wife roll her eyes.” talent, and some of his After hundreds of models, I he concedes, adding that it first childhood memories was ready for a new challenge. was a piece he just simply had center on the fascination I came across a book in a used to build, much to the delight found in watching his father bookstore that intrigued me, of the person who succeeded hard at work, creating models The Art of Making Furniture in snapping it up at last year’s in his workshop. “My mother in Miniature by Harry Smith. Chicago International show. was also an artist, a renowned Since I only had a 4’ x 4’ “I’d love to see what she’s professional weaver, tinsmith, bathroom space to use as my done with it!” seamstress she could do pretty workshop, it seemed like a much anything she tried,” perfect fit.” Glen’s model of the 1928 says Glen, who began honing Art Deco daybed belonging to his own creative skills as a Inspired by a single photo- the eminent pianist and com- boy. “I started building my graph, Glen’s Viking Dragon poser, George Gershwin is a own models when I was 10 or Longboat table is a thrilling 11, and really never stopped. piece which introduces us Below left: Miniature artist Glen to the wonderfully varied Anderson. Below: Glen’s Viking and often complex pieces he Longboat Table and Chairs. brings to 1:12 scale. “This 35
MINI FURNITURE phenomenal piece, perfectly me. I contacted the designer Above: Magnificent Art Deco. echoing the fine design and and got permission to build it. Glen’s replica of George craftsmanship of the era, but It helped me see furniture in a Gershwin’s 1928 daybed. there is one piece in particular new way, as a piece of art.” which Glen references as be- Fimo, wood, resin, metal, ing especially pivotal for him, It is the variety in that paper and stone. I’ve made a replica of a writing desk by art which Glen believes has everything from Gothic the Canadian designer and held his unwavering inter- gateleg tables to Gene Sim- craftsman, Peter Fleming. “It est in small scale. “I love the mons axe bass guitar.” was one of the first pieces I miniature world because it had ever seen in person that I is, paradoxically, so large,” Another eye-catching knew I had to recreate in min- he says. “Some artisans find design is delivered courtesy of iature,” he recalls. “It was in a a niche and become masters Glen’s Japanese step cabi- museum, and I took as many in that genre. Others, like nets, pieces which hold not pictures and measurements as me, thrive on the incredible only the distinction of being the security guards would let range of options in the min- extremely popular amongst iature world. I’ve worked in fans of his work but is also 36 one of the very few pieces he
MINI FURNITURE Above: Displaying style. Japanese it in our basement.” young man, Glen generously display cabinet. Right: An original This beautiful miniature gifted her looms to a nearby design. Glen’s butterfly desk. weaving guild, ensuring they floor loom is not only a testa- would continue to be used has made more than once. ment to Dorothy’s skill and and cared for by those who “The Step Cabinet was built all she achieved in her work adored the craft, but this was from a photo, for a specific with its full-size counterpart, far from the end of the story. customer. She agreed to let me but also to that of her son Almost two decades later, keep it on my table until the as an exceptionally talented Glen was able to trace the end of the show. By the end, artisan. Following his mother’s loom which held so many I had orders for nine more! It death when he was just a is the only piece I have built more than three times, and so I have tried to find ways to make each one a little differ- ent. I still build one every year or so, because it’s a design I find fascinating.” However, no single piece has more significance for Glen himself than the intricately made 1:12 scale replica he has crafted of his late mother, Dorothy’s weaving loom. “My mom’s loom is definitely the most personal piece I’ve ever built. Growing up, I spent hours watching her weave on Right: Glen’s incredible 1:12 scale replica of his mother’s weaving loom. 37
MINI FURNITURE happy memories of all those and have found some beauti- Above: Glen’s miniature replica hours he had spent alongside ful pieces that I have been of the cabinet and writing desk his mother as she brought it able to design around. More by Canadian designer and to life, and finally build the recently, I’ve developed an craftsman, Peter Fleming. exquisite miniature replica he interest in integrating brass Below left: 18th century magic, had longed to create. and metal into my pieces Glen’s Hepplewhite desk. and have been researching Below: Glen delves into the High end auction sites casting techniques.” Napoleonic era with this intricate provide a wonderful stream 1:12 scale desk. of inspiration for Glen, who as we have already discov- ered, rarely makes a piece more than once. “Even styles I really like, I will try to find ways to change the design in small ways or improve the building process. I love working with hard woods 38
MINI FURNITURE But it isn’t only excep- simply end up keeping you Above: Japanese step cabinet. tional miniature replicas in the winter. “I will say, for Glen is known for, he’s also every experiment in my port- knack for uncovering those finding himself recognized folio, there are at least twenty extra special pieces which for the excellence of his own that ended up in the fire- have the wow factor and designs, which include a place. I’m still struggling with bring them down to size in fabulous veneered butterfly a globe shaped desk!” The miniature. His back-catalog shaped desk made from rejects pile isn’t Glen’s only documents some of the cherry and walnut. “This experience with burnt wood, finest furniture makers, and is a newer area for me. I’ve describing his experience with his ambition to build done some variations on a with a French serving table as a Gamble House in 1:12 crank box design that were an exercise in finishing, the scale yet to be accomplished fun puzzles to figure out. part of the process he favors much remains on his to do My wife likes my ‘Butterfly least. “I had a new soldering list. Once he’s finessed that Desk’, which came out of an torch, and I was interested in globe shaped desk of course! experiment in texture and the effect of burning a piece! “Inspiration is everywhere,” shade. Many of my own de- I learned that dry cherry says Glen as we end our signs come from a single idea burns very quickly.” chat. “There is always some- or challenge, like my Fold- thing new in front of you, ing Cherry Table; I wanted With his work drawn asking to be reimagined in a different way to make an from a variety of styles and the miniature world.” extendable dining table.” eras, Glen has an amazing ‘There is always something new in front of you, asking to be reimagined in the ’miniature world. It’s all too easy to see Glen’s finished work and believe that when you reach his level of ability, your work- shop becomes a conveyor belt of polished perfection, but as he admits himself not every new idea reaches the top miniature shows and some 39
PROJECT DIY gumball machine Taking you back to happy childhood memories BY ELIZE VAN ES Materials: Scale = 1:12 D o you remember n An old Christmas light the joy of look- n Metal or plastic cap or ring ing at a gumball n Miniature door knob or an machine lled with tasty, yummy sweets? All you earring or tiny nail needed was a coin to insert n A tea light holder in the slot and with one turn n Cake sprinkles of the handle out came a n Red paint sweet treat. n Clear nail polish MEET THE MAKER: Making your own 1:12 3 Glue the lid to the cap. vintage gumball machine Cut the door knob, ear- Elize van Es is a fun and easy DIY ring or nail to t and glue it (recycle) project. All you to the cap. I use instant glue Elize van Es, from the need is some ordinary stuff for this. Let dry! Netherlands, loves making that’s just laying around miniatures using different your house along with a few 4 Sand the cap and gently techniques. Experimenting purchased items. So let’s glue on the elements. with recycled art and making get started! Paint the rst layer. Let dry something out of nothing, and nish painting. makes her happy. Elize is a 1 Cut a straight strip from strong enthusiast of DIY mini the tea light holder that’s recycle projects. There is so max 0.5cm (0.195”) wide much you can make with little and about 1.5 x the height means, and items you will of the cap. Use a small scis- usually find in your own home. sor to round the corners on “I just love learning from others, one side of the strip. and sharing tips and tricks.” 2 Fold the strip (using a 40 piece of cardboard to ensure a space between the two sides). Measure the height in comparisons to the cap. The total height should be about 2/3 of the height of the cap.
PROJECT 12 4 6 5 TOPTIP: Paint, sandpaper and patience are your best friends for this project. So paint, let dry, sand and paint, let dry, sand and paint again. Don’t rush. Give the paint time to dry! 5 Depending on the paint you used (acrylic or enamel) you might want ex- tra gloss. Clear nail polish gives a lovely realistic gloss 6 After everything is completely dry, ll 3/4 of the light bulb with cake sprinkles and glue to the painted bottom. Place in your mini general store or street scene. 41
DOLLHOUSE TOUR A holly jolly Christmas cottage Caroline D upuis’ latest commission oozes holiday charm from ev ery b oard and shingle Adeparture from her BY DEB WEISSLER Above: A front view of the 1:12 quintessential white-on- scale Christmas cottage lovingly white cottage palette, interior design. made by Caroline Dupuis. Caroline Dupuis has created Born in France, and later a red and green color palette design and Caroline remem- swathed in snowy white for living in Germany and then bers a home always filled one excited client. It was the US, she saw the very with dozens of design maga- quite the task for this talent- best of local and regional zines she and mum devoured ed artist, who confesses she architecture. Her mother loves all white interiors and was very much into interior exteriors, allowing her clients to add their own pops of color to her vintage-inspired shabby chic cottages. “Using these traditional Christmas colors was a task for me,” she confesses, “but since it was a request from a customer, I knew I had to create the perfect cozy Christmas theme.” Caroline understands cottage styles well, capturing all the charm and delight of tiny vintage dwellings that invite you to step inside to explore every nook and cranny. It’s the stuff that dreams are made of and is a passion born from decades of love for 42
DOLLHOUSE TOUR 43
DOLLHOUSE TOUR cardboard structures would never hold the weight of furnishings, she declined. But after several requests she decided to give it a try, transforming an out-of- the-box kit into something quite unique that became a Cinderella moment. She kit bashed the tiny structure and sold it on Etsy in twelve hours. To prove her success wasn’t just a one-off, she tried another and that sold in less than a day. More kits followed, each one af- fording Caroline the chance to experiment and learn. Before long she was ready to build a cottage from scratch. Caroline’s style is vintage- inspired European and American cottage, weath- ered to a soft patina that includes cracked plaster, worn floorboards, torn and faded wallpaper, shabby chic Above: The Christmas cottage shown from the back. cover to cover. She became obsessed with houses! These obsessions eventually lead her to construct and sell miniature architectural models of real homes made entirely of cardboard. Oc- casionally, a prospective customer would ask if she could leave off the back so they could place dollhouse furniture inside. Fearing her 44
DOLLHOUSE TOUR Above: It is all the finishing are mostly handmade as she fashioned from papers found touches that make Caroline’s dislikes the overly formal in the scrapbooking section, creations one-of-a-kind. and brand new look of store where 3D papers provide bought dollhouse furniture. textured ceilings and wain- furnishings, and a profusion scoting. Then it’s off to the of flowering vines that enfold In fact she loves strolling floral department for vines the cottage from foundation the isles of big box home and flowers. Last stop is the to eaves. Her windows and stores and large hobby jewelry making aisle where doors are all handmade and outlets, searching for wood, it’s always a thrill to find the mismatched, invoking an era veneers, craft sticks, premix perfect embellishment. What when cottages were put to- concrete, paints, and plaster. she can’t find retail she makes gether by hand and not with Cottage wallpapers are often pre-made components. The exteriors are finished with diluted paint that allows the wood grain to show through. The results are positively charming. Regardless of its architec- tural style, Caroline’s cot- tages imbue a similar theme: a romantic, girly, dreamy hideaway. Her furnishings 45
herself or orders on-line. DOLLHOUSE TOUR A self taught artist, “This dollhouse was all Caroline loves figuring things made from scratch. The only out in her head and then things I did not make by translating it onto paper like hand was the wooden side a complex puzzle. “I went chair, Christmas tree, snow- from doing all the things I do man and the sleigh out front in real life – painting rooms, and I purchased the pine furniture, re upholstery, and garland and wreaths. Every- decorating to doing it in thing else was made from miniature.” While doing a scratch.” The mantle above commission, Caroline often the fireplace Caroline finds gets to know her client well, particularly cozy and the from design concept and dur- theme allowed her to play ing the construction process, with snow, something she discussing wants and needs. doesn’t incorporate often. By the time the cottage is complete, both artist and cli- Shipping her structures ent are emotionally attached creates the biggest headache. to the finished product. Such “I always worry about the was the case with Holly Jolly houses getting to their new Christmas Cottage. 46
DOLLHOUSE TOUR owner in perfect condition. Everything else I can control or find solutions. But ship- ping is out of my hands.” It’s all worth it in the end however when the cottage arrives at its new home and its owner embraces its simplicity of form, casual elegance, and vintage-style décor. It’s truly a fantasy come to life. As an interior designer, Caroline believes miniatures are a forever thing. Even if you’re not into dolls and furnishings, you can always decorate your home with a mini house, adding a touch of whimsy to almost any room. “Making dollhouses has been the perfect way to try out all my design dreams,” Caroline says. “Not only do I have a dream job, but I’ve met the nicest people in the world who are truly magical – min- iaturists! Reflecting on the future, Caroline says “My next cre- ation is whatever attracts my eye. I love finding new designs and trying out new things. I think I will also write another instruction book. This one will be a simple design for the absolute beginner. I come across a lot of comments from people who are scared to get started. I want to help those people out and show them that they can do it.” 47
ROADTRIP DIRECTORY STAR BUSINESS • THE MINI TIME MACHINE MUSEUM OF MINIATURES • ARIZONA • USA The Mini Time Machine Museum of Min- The Mini Time Machine iatures’ collection of fine-scale artifacts includes over 500 antique and contem- Museum of Miniatures porary dollhouses and roomboxes, while 4455 E. Camp Lowell Drive special exhibitions highlight the breadth and diversity of the art of miniatures. Tucson, AZ 85712 Celebrating it’s 10th year, the museum (520) 881-0606 has recently refreshed its gallery spaces and installed new exhibits. Ten exhibi- Open Tuesday–Saturday 9am–4pm tions, ranging from a hand-carved circus www.theminitimemachine.org to mid-century modern miniatures, are scheduled for 2020. For more information visit www.theminitimeamchine.org FLORIDA • USA ILLINOIS • USA INDIANA • USA The Toy Box Tom Thumb Hobby & Crafts Museum of Miniature Houses 419 Brevard Ave, 6001 W. Gross Point Rd. and Other Collections, Inc. Historical Cocoa Village, FL Niles, IL 60714 111 East Main Street Phone: 321-632-2411 Phone: 847-869-9575 Carmel, IN 46032 Email: toybox@cfl.rr.com Phone: 317-575-9466 Hours: Tue-Sat 10-5 Email: [email protected] www.thetoyboxstore.com www.tomthumbcrafts.com Hours: Wed-Sat 11-4, Sun 1-4 www.museumofminiatures.org MARYLAND • USA MINNESOTA • USA NEW HAMPSHIRE • USA Forever Friends American Miniaturist Earth and Tree Miniatures Dollhouses and Miniatures PO BOX 219 276 State Route 101 2105 Bishops Castle Drive Kasson, MN 55944 Amherst NH 03031 Phone: 866-606-6587 Olney, MD 20832 Email: usoffi[email protected] 603-673-8707 Phone: 301-774-3037 Hours: M-F 9-5 CT Mon - Sat 10 -5 Sun 12 -5 Open 7 days Hours: Call first for hours. www.americanminiaturist.com www.foreverfriendsminis.com www.earthntree.com
RIP ROADTRIP ORY DIRECTORY IFORNIA • USA OHIO • USA OHIO • USA s ie’s uchable. m and MMss. .PPeeggggieie’s’sPPlalaccee The Miniature Cellar Take a step in the right direction. nd easy 55006633CCaassssSStrtreeeet,t, This very affordable spot could be yours! ts. SSaannDDieieggoo, ,CCAA9922110099 12652 West Geauga Plaza s the PPhhoonnee: :885588--448833--22662211 Chesterland, OH 44024 Contact us: find HHoouurrss: :WWeedd1122--77ppmm/T/Thh--FFrr1122--55ppmm Phone: 440-729-6464 Phone: 866-606-6587 d and SSaatt1100aamm--55ppmm/S/Suunn1122--55ppmm Email: usoffi[email protected] dreams. wwwwww.m.mssppeeggggieiesspplalaccee.c.coomm Email: [email protected] Hours: Tue-Sat 10-5 www.miniaturecellar.com ILLINOIS • USA Get your Museum on the Map! Make arrangements now to add your miniature museum to our Road Trip Directory. • affordable • easy–we’ll walk you through the steps • great exposure Tom Thu•mbpHeorbfbeyc&t Ctirmaftisng to capture summer travelers 6001 W. Gross Point Rd. EaEdmmsaaaiilll:ePtooshmro@Nntciaehlea:uss8mlh,4lIb7dLo6-o860u600wr971n-1@A94gm5dm7v5aaeiglr.actoizmsininegs.Tceoamm today–only 3 spots available. (507) 993-8416 om www.tomthumbcrafts.com MINNESOTA • USA Join in on the roadtrip! Now you can list your museum or business in our state-to-state directory! American Miniaturist C al l 1 - 507- 99e0t m o- 1t aoa8i dl1aad 7d d d y os ryau oleeru m s r@ uab si l ai nss s Ceiahn sradeas los l@ 1 -nat 5ot msh0hte7had -emg 9o am9aw z p3 nian- .tp8 eco 4osdt o1..acud6 y o ka. om y r PO BOX 219 u tws o . o b Kasson, MN 55944 Phone: 866-606-6587 Email: usoffi[email protected] Hours: M-F 9-5 CT www.americanminiaturist.com
PROJECT Mini slippers Add some fuzzy slippers to your mini scene BY SADIE BROWN S tart your projects off on the right foot this month with a selec- tion of his and hers slippers. Ladies slippers 2 Roll eight very tiny balls bright pink acrylic paint. of white clay and eight Once dry, use a cutting 1 Take two balls of light light pink, attening them knife to lightly and carefully pink polymer clay and with a ngernail to create score diagonal lines all the two white, roll into tubes individual ower petals. way down the length of the with rounded ends and use Lever them carefully from soles, creating a pattern either a small styles ball your work surface with a and revealing the original tool or the end of a small needle tool, an action which color beneath. paint brush to mold into reveals a natural petal slipper shapes. shape in the process. Add a dotty pattern to the inside of the slippers with Materials: Scale = 1:12 Create four owers, two a Fuchsia ne permanent white and two pink, each marker pen. n Polymer clay - white, Ecru, with four petals. Add a little light pink, black, Sunflower ball of black clay to the cen- 4 Cut some dark blue yellow ter of the white owers, but plush from an old nothing to the pink as we’ll soft toy into small pieces, n Acrylic paint - metallic gold, do this later using diamanté creating enough material to Burnt Umber, Fuchsia stones. Bake the owers cover one pair of slippers. alongside the slipper bases Don’t be afraid to take your n Fine permanent marker and let cool. time over this step. pens - black, red, fuchsia 3 Coat the soles of the 5 Use Super Glue to stick n Small brushes pink slippers us- the nely cut material to n Small ball tool ing either a Fuchsia ne the top of the slippers and n Needle tool or sewing pin permanent marker pen or all the way around the sides. n Cutting knife n Scissors n Sculpey Bake & Bond n Super Glue n Glue stick n Old soft toys in dark blue, dark green and tan n Glittery black craft sand n Small diamanté stones 50
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