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KARIN EDDINS-LAMBERT SHARES HER MINI-MASTERPIECE November / December 15 ISSUE 48 dhminiatures.comTHE WORLD OF MINIATURES IN A NUTSHELL Price US $7.95 Canada $10.95 Mercedes Spencer celebrates by PROJECTSDwietchocrhaeteinr g Chest of drawers Stylish mini dessert Christmas stocking Holiday centerpiece Festive rug and pillows A bag for traveling Yule log sled

The Miniature Show A Celebration of Artisans of Miniatures April 14th–16th, 2016 Chicago, ILThursday 3pm-8pm (Preview) l Friday 10am-5pm l Saturday 10am to 3pmWlGiokotedaoullethttlhaoedewldebeyebrtoeas?iitulesa. forHyatt Regency Schaumburg, 1800 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173 The work of over 600 artists will be exhibited Dealers from around the worldwww.theminiatureshow.com l [email protected] Greg Madl l PO Box 187 l West Olive, MI 49460Probably the only French partof Basle. Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel | Museum, Shop and Restaurant, Toy Worlds daily from 10 until 18 | Steinenvorstadt 1, CH-4051 Basle Museum Basle The building is accessible by wheelchair | www.swmb.museum D O L L H O U S E M I0N5I.0A1T.1U5R E10S:46832 SDWOMLBL_HAOnzU_DS oEllhMouI NseIMAiTniUatRurEeSs_Frankreich_181x118mm_E.indd 1

T T   R D Original literary works created in 1\" scale for the most famous dollhouse in the world are now available in exact replica. Each beautiful booklet comes in a 5 7/8\" x 6 7/8\" case. How Watson J. SmithLearned the TrickAvailable wherever books are sold 11/2\" tall Dollhouse Land Artistry in Miniatures See you at Philadelphia Miniaturia, Southern California & Chicago International Show (949) 496-9841 [email protected] Visit Us on Facebook 27134A Paseo Espada, Suite 304 San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 DOLLHOUSE MINIATURES 3

Dollhouse Miniatures contents68132 250th Avenue PROJECTSKasson, MN 55944Phone: (507) 634-3143 A chest of drawersFax: (507) 634-7691Toll Free: 1-866-606-6587 This three-drawer bathroom unit will make a pleasingE-mail: [email protected] 20 addition to your miniature room. By Julie Warren.UK: PO Box 2258 Make a stylish mini dessertPulbrough Entertain your guests with this delicious CherriesRH20 9BAGreat Britain 38 Jubilee cake. By Mags Cassidy.Tel: 01903 884988 A Christmas stocking Let’s get ready for Santa by making a miniaturePublisher: Kelly JohnsonEmail: [email protected] 40 stocking to hang with care. By Auralea Krieger. Holiday centerpieceEditor: Auralea Krieger A Christmas centerpiece is the perfect miniatureEmail: [email protected] 47 project for your little world. By Jo Bevilacqua.Advertising Manager: Sara Vix Festive house decorEmail: [email protected] 66 Felicity Price uses the classic symbol of the goose toCustomer Service: 68 make a 1:12-scale traditional carpet and cushion.Email: [email protected] A bag for travelingDistribution: Alex SchwemmerEmail: [email protected] Add a classic 1:12-scale carpet bag to your miniatureDesigner: Auralea Krieger 76 collection with Lisa Drew. It’s fun and simple! Traditional miniaturesAd Designer: Lauren Nielsen Cherish old traditions and keep them alive by making a mini Yule log. By Alison White.Cover Photo: Scene by Mercedes Spencer FEATURES Mzia Dsamia’s little familyContributors: BJ Anthony, Jo Bevilacqua, Mags Mzia has turned her passion for Victorian andCassidy, Lisa Drew, Mzia Dsamia, Karin Eddins- 8 European royalty into miniature works of art.Lambert, Jon Fish, Lena Jangren, Auralea Krieger, Counting down the daysRebecca Micallef, Conal Oakes, Larry Osborn, Jon Fish and Larry Osborn have designed a quarter-Felicity Price, Fanni Sandor, Suzanne Landshof,Laurent Seigle-Dias, Mercedes Spencer, Julie 12 scale village as an advent calendar.Warren, Deb Weissler, Alison White The smallest of the small The country of Hungary is introduced to the amazingIssue 48November/December 2015 16 world of miniatures by Fanni Sandor.Published by Ashdown Broadcasting SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 1 year (6 issues): $45.99 Canada $65.99 CAD; UK £43.99; Europe €74.99; Rest of World $75.99 USD 2 year (12 issues): $86.99 Canada $123.99 CAD; UK £74.99 GBP Europe €111.99 EUR; Rest of World $156.99 USDDollhouse Miniatures (ISSN 1094-1916 (USPS957-440) is published bi-monthly at 68132 250thAvenue, Kasson, MN 55944. Subscription price$39.95. Periodicals postage paid at Kasson MNand additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Sendaddress corrections to Dollhouse Miniatures, 68132250th Avenue, Kasson, MN 55944.All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or partwithout the written permission of the publisher isprohibited. All material submitted to the magazine forpublication in whatever form is accepted solely onthe basis that copyright in the work will be vested inthe publisher who assumes all rights worldwide, inall forms and in all media. Submitted materials can-not be returned unless accompanied by a stampedaddressed envelope. In any event the publisher canaccept no responsibility for loss or damage to contri-butions. Material is accepted solely on the basis thatthe author accepts the assessment of the Publisheras to its commercial value. All material submitted tothe magazine is subject to editing.

welcome The best part of the winter As I have gotten older shoveling isseason for me is most definitely not as much fun as just waiting forthe snow! Even my dog gets the snow to melt. Thank goodnessexcited when the door opens for my neighbor and his love forand he is greeted with a fresh pushing around his snowblower!blanket of soft white fluff! Now a clear path, the length of my driveway, will appear magically when When you walk outside on a least expected.snowy night it is quieter than youcould ever imagine possible. In If you happen to be snowed in thisfact, this used to be my favorite winter, have no fear because you willtime to shovel my driveway. I now have this issue at hand and canremember I would always hear enjoy getting lost in one or more ofthe far echoes of one other the many projects we have for you.late night lone-shoveler in the Hopefully you can choose to createneighborhood. minis instead of shoveling snow!22 A small world in each bauble REGULARS Industrious Conal Oakes is busy making the next Your letters26 miniature globe to hang on the Christmas tree. A shanty by the sea See what your fellow readers and miniaturists are Karin Eddins-Lambert creates absolute beauty by 6 learning, discovering, thinking, and discussing.34 combining a rough edge and a delicate touch. The big buzz A little shop with chic style Hear what’s buzzing in our mini world! These pages Swedish miniature artist, Lena Jangren, makes 64 are filled with news updates, events, and contests.42 a stylish miniature room box shop scene. Mini cutouts Christmas showcase Cut out your very own miniature book covers, Some very talented miniature artists have shared 77 holiday inspired cards and boxes, and Santa stand.49 their love of the season in their beautiful creations. Show calendar The triumph of Saphira Pull out your mini pens and mark your mini calendars With a love for dragons, mythology, and fantasy Jo 71 so you don’t miss any of these upcoming shows.52 Bevilacqua created a romantic scene in a small space. In a Nutshell A holly jolly little dollhouse BJ Anthony combines her three passions; Mercedes Spencer has just finished adding joy and 81 miniatures, sailing, and photography.58 love to her Shabby Christmas Cottage! 5 Fashion is in all things DOLLHOUSE MINIATURES Laurent Seigle-Dias has been busy creating another62 masterpiece and we are fortunate to have a peek. The future of miniatures Suzanne Landshof has a love for miniature art and72 she preserves them for future generations. A stroll down Regent Street Miniaturist Rebecca Micallef has been busy creating a small street lined with fabulous shops.

yourLETTERS Write to DHM, 68132 250th Avenue, Kasson, MN 55944 or email [email protected]. Letters may be edited, if necessary.Star letter winner However upon reading the miniatures have been in storage article I noticed that there is for eight months as we houseThis month, our Star Letter no mention of the store or hunt and I have bee almostwinner is Kathy Flanigan, who is new its owner, Alex Zohar, who desperate for a mini-fix asto this hobby and looks to Dollhouse designed the room box. I there is “no room at the inn”!Miniatures magazine for inspiration in was disappointment by this Your package containing mycreating her masterpieces. and believe some credit is prize of the fireplace mantel due to the beautiful design arrived in yesterday’s mail Keep those letters coming, readers. of this room box. I hope and lit up my life! It is stand-We appreciate your comments, ideas, this can be addressed in ing on the coffee/dinnerand suggestions, and your kind letters some way. table, inspiring dreamswarm our hearts every day. of rooms in which to use Anonymous it! It has also inspired New miniaturist many ways of decorat- A thank you ing—flowers for sum-This is my first time to email you about mer, leaves for the fall,finding Snickers. He is on page 45, the Just received my Christmas stocking, andupper left picture, standing next to a latest issue; thank youbarrel wearing his Halloween witch’s all so much for including my then fun snowmen and somehat. I just love receiving my DHM mag- hand mirror tutorial and setting it up snowflakes for the winter! So nowazine. I am relatively new to minis and so well! It is a marvelous issue. I it’s on to construct the accoutre-can’t think of anything more enjoyable especially love the cover story and ments! Thanks you so much forto occupy my spare time with. Thanks the glowing ghost dolls; they do have drawing my name and lifting my heart!so much for a great magazine! a touching, tragic look. It is always so Mini thanks! exciting to receive a new issue and Kathy Flanigan you all manage to always surprise and Joann Conaway Oklahoma City, OK inform. Thanks so much! Seaford, DEDesigner credit T.A. Gozeski Happy reader Greenfield, MA I am happy to inform you that II recently read issue DHM47 of yourmagazine and noticed an article on JULIE CAMPBELL’S MINI GHOST DOLLS GLOW IN THE NIGHT found Snickers on page 45 in thepage 34 “Inspired by divine elegance”.I was surprised and pleased to discov- September / October 15 ISSUE 47 September/ PROJECTer the Empress, sold by a local store in October issueVictoria, featured in one of the article. dhminiatures.com of Dollhouse HswALeLaOteWrsEEfoNr Miniatures. He THE WORLD OF MINIATURES IN A NUTSHELL Price US $7.95 Canada $10.95 is in the top mmNaiicnkoiealatausSremadictehus’dsigdcnlyusttaeorypeuohmraarpdketivnoearnensadissctwhweeaaentketyirn.gghtoost picture stand- By Nicola Smith Inspired by theAlcázar ing next to the By Ron Hubble and Judy Taylor barrel; looking D need7p2kF2a2FNFoR4n4oR(De1rdro(Wrs2oxOos3PgwRttp7w2RitoLs:nRlhnsRasRueBRLorrR4cysoaRtoocket3opmoNHoswRote:nCsaoewfpo:iswefwOnoapueoptipwrm)ecabwkam3ersxeUt5j2fkeans42ttbuhk2m0toaoS,2io9tmtb:e1,8iermns7:tntEo:rt:)xroar:i:rrgo.:eifwopgirefwtjpp,bckn1koCu,e7aMCw:.fa2ks.ep.3swtmedk*a13wdIatsttrs4Nt5c,itipos:as012sHinshmproon.w.r3Itregltt9gietAue*aig1rssssebso,ke.oaaTslrettaclssfoykcasosfhtnUrftnof.nhiaeo,.nhnvwdtR2ten2dathaeaidtoonEexearler4ersy.ts3ycteaSnt2lta:srtsNl0fanns4difsritstrrnan,odti,efotcaslhro(noemp3pkomnown2horot3ewehooltaltateydlsoaoxheretnvsosaithettmgrefeestueteterisresrhn6s,.nronatsr)trt1ok.d,dswkositk7nt22ieprmm1orsw(i(tibts2fo3,gotiueelmii19o1emtphgins9thfkft1.e.tsuse,ey,sm,sttnsatssrss.!sa)i)bc..,yte.cfonhonReiRrRn2RsFoRoagReRRaekwRtwojNoiosRo2s(tmRoR2owuRbwttiCewtR4onwR4iore9woRroteeooxiR2nwcRogop1nw4wogs4eoytwfN4s:ih4onhw::uR4on4.w.an3wkmot23ep1twtR33mrk0gsw:roh:43,fe:x5nc:233f2)4fo:3opwo2,rk2.tppptp:o2,k1:ot::2tp0ow2lt29:ro2ekid2m2k8ok:rpfmep7:.1tt:e,ipag4e2r2ont:oak2:.1p8teppok6kt,1rttog2Cdgt.cC7s:s2ooe2jg5lorkueg.t,ihstot(:aagpngt,.ao2pgstm(,otkatws(eo,pg,5sskg,.c1pgrotrdm(pft,2k,stookkcml.,2foe.weo,r2w(maoht3ek.(mmffrfookktfsotta)fsa4om:i2tmo2ofror2dmlis)g1kafttt.atn)eiooi,7,isnpsfsfonfptrg,ttttpgtntlotdisaauo1sfu,ip2lefm,nac,r)c.tnt43el,ndoapceukhst.5dksiemrr21tal1lin1sltageaar8ne,(,(ts2h.plnklenktkaftos3rxt2mm2n2otttt3ootsohtmoooos5)fte,rhlgtttgoemrisiksleff..efw)))2ttr,,,ofs,tts4kptokit5f2gho2ti.f.m.a4ovrleasesRisRtnR.sRStReRoRonNopsWolwCowoeetwFeewR,wRrawxCoMaaerx2tss2iiostsiornestsontkn5Avk24tw:1usYwc3=ts=m5rug:=cue:etoor:buOf,=4a,,iikn4rbpncwn=k4srSb9nU=7m=cro.S=r4iA..k3io1d,oosrbgi,72l’onsa:mz:Lnetafm1nw31rhf2sltaBopptetsLk.evi5oitoo1,tsa4ttlnt21asgllrrims,r,yc1stalaattoa,siekes,alnhso1tpcn9ktlnski.adytne.itag3iedndoki2dhtoadire=nk.mcnne1oltaaenr2yoro(ng2,w,i2nnipor1ansnbgrsi5Np,5dcstu:sru.gato1tny:roontitrs1innc,eweabrpinlmt,rt7c,txkppsi2.riygcbCsc,t)nam5i.,heno1=skon,it,nt9fitnm1t,enr=stsnie=arecoottitmbnecptsdronspiedxoenl7nta=ae,tamag2tistsknnrst3sttam,dest:ttco,s,irketotin.cninln,chocgeres, dapper in his Halloween hat. 049_SO15_p072-073.indd 72 7/28/15 10:33 AM I enjoy your 049_SO15_cover.indd 1 magazine very much. 7/28/15 1:34 PM Inspired winner I am looking forward to knitting the Good morning, editorial Halloween sweater by Nicola Smith. staff! I have read many of your complimentary letters, Thank you for a fantastic Miniature but please accept this one as your top accolade! My Magazine.   Pat Stewart   Pittsboro, NC6 DOLLHOUSE MINIATURES

Ready, Set, Fire! 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.ORG Molly Cromwell Presents... TRAVEL EUROPE WITH KINDRED SPIRITS CHRISTMAS MARKETS ALONG THE DANUBE DECEMBER 1 ~ 9 Cruising Nuremberg to Vienna ~ Lots of Miniatures! Plus, onboard mini miniatures show. * Regensburg * Passau * Melk * Make your deposit with Grand Circle Lines: 800-597-2452 Press Extension 2 to reserve your trip with code G5 20068 for Molly’s Group ENGLAND MAY 8 ~ 16, 2016 London ~ The Cotswolds ~ 2 Days at Kensington Dolls House Festival Please send name and address for a printed brochure. Deposit required with balance due by March 1, 2016. Contact Molly: 703.978.5353 or [email protected] THE RIVIERAS: FRANCE * ITALY & THE ISLES JULY ~ AUGUST 14, 2016 Optional Pre Cruise Trip to Aix en Provence Cannes * Nice * Portofino * Cinque Terre Santa Margherita * Florence & more Call Grand Circle Number above Press Ext 2 ~ Group Code G6 20068 CALIFORNIA TOUR OCTOBER ~ 2016 Private Collections ~ Miniature Shops ~ 2 Days at The Good Sam Show The 2015 trip SOLD OUT so reserve your spot early! Contact Molly: 703.978.5353 or [email protected] For more information: [email protected] (703) 978-5353 www.mollycromwell.com DOLLHOUSE MINIATURES 7

FEATUREMzia Dsamia’slittle familyWith a passion for Victorian and Europeanroyalty, Mzia has turned her inspiration intominiature works of art that are adored. By Deb Weissler PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL PUFF UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTEDWhat Mzia Dsamia’s Manhat- trimmings, and her own hand-painted and metal tassels for my drapes. Silk tan apartment lacks in size, fabrics and furnishings. chiffons, taffetas, wool, and leather are this talented artist makes regularly incorporated into my de- up for in her work that From her desk by a window, her signs. It is so much fun to take a piecespans continents and generations. From world is quite literally at her fingertips; of silk fabric and adorn it with paintsbeautifully costumed dolls to re-pur- her precious dental tools and drawers to transform it into a miniature scaleposed furniture, Mzia’s work encom- filled with fabrics, paints, and trim- Victorian design.”passes a broad range of offerings that mings all within reach and, outside herhighlight the very best of 17th through window, a world of inspiration. With While many miniature artists choosethe 19th century designs. Her love for New York’s storied garment district just to concentrate on a singleVictorian and European royalty shines minutes away, her workspace is filled genre, Mzia’s line keeps ex-through in every piece with her use of with designer fabrics she buys panding: historicallylush fabrics, glittering jewels, opulent from vendors who supply New accurate dolls, York’s fashion industry. When clothing, hats, she can’t find exactly what she’s scarves, handbags, looking for, she doesn’t hesitate jewelry, lamps to alter her fabrics with paints and chandeliers, and dyes. That’s what crea- perfume sets, tivity is all about. “I use trimmings such as vintage lace for the dresses and some of my beds,” Mzia says. “Silk TOP: 1:12 scale Madam de Pompadour, based upon a 1756 painting by Francois Boucher. LEFT: A hand-crafted candlestick sits atop this table. RIGHT: Queen Elizabeth I. Photo by Kote Murvanidze8 DOLLHOUSE MINIATURES

FEATUREcandleholders, china, dogs, and re- Under Soviet rule, Georgia lacked ABOVE LEFT: Regency-inspired lady andpurposed classic furniture. many of the goods and services they gentleman. ABOVE: These lovely Victorian girls are wearing hand-painted dresses. “Inspiration comes from every- ‘I’m very lucky to bewhere,” Mzia says, “a glamorous party living in this vibrant certainly more challenging.”in the city; a film setting; a book or it hi h o e s Mzia and her family often summeredmagazine; the theater or opera; or such a variety of newa piece of fabric or flower. I’m very and old, glamour and in upstate New York and one day onlucky to be living in this vibrant city, style, and constant their way to their summer house, theywhich offers such a variety of new and ’creativity. stopped in a small village where an artsold, glamour and style, and constantcreativity. It is really incredible to see a enjoy today, so Mzia put her innate tal-piece of jewelry and then build a dress ents of designing and making clothesbased upon that theme.” to good use. “I used to dress my kittens when I was young; then I moved on A native of the country of Georgia, to making clothes for my daughterMzia’s homeland provided her first and nieces and nephews still living ininspirations into the world of fashion. Georgia. Of course none was in theSince the 6th century, Georgia lay style or scale which I use now, which ison the Silk Road that wound its waybetween Byzantium and Persia. TheWest craved the riches of the East—tea, spices, silk, cotton, carpets, andfine porcelains. Georgia was in an ideallocation to absorb the multi-culturalriches that flowed through its region. LEFT: Hand- painted round banquette and matching chairs. ABOVE RIGHT: Hand-painted loves eat beside a table with hand- crafted table lamp with painted silk shade. RIGHT: Two beautifully dressed 18thc. European-inspired mannequins. DOLLHOUSE MINIATURES 9

FEATURE and crafts fair was under way. She dis- Lady in lingerie reclines on a out on their costumes, jewelry, and covered a small miniature shop and was refurbished chaise beside a table furnishings. Everything was tastefully so fascinated with what she saw, she with a hand-crafted crystal lamp. adorned and pure luxury; I love it!” bought a few items. Like many of us who suddenly discover this tiny world, I will change the doll’s face by filing it Her furniture is primarily repur- Mzia began searching for miniature down and, by adding make-up and hair, posed Bespaq pieces or occasionally shops wherever she went. It wasn’t long changing their looks completely.” vintage pieces she comes across in before her creative roots inspired her to her travels. Once Mzia has added her make her own miniatures. Mzia is particularly enamored with personal touches in the form of paints England’s Virgin Queen, Elizabeth I. and fabrics, the originals are unrecog- Entirely self-taught, Mzia’s first ma- “Her dresses were so carefully selected; nizable. jor work was a museum room box de- every detail had a special meaning picting a Gilded Age exhibition. Filled and all of them had names,” Mzia Mzia refers to her dolls and min- with mannequins dressed as European points out. “Her gown depicted in the iatures as her “lovely little family”. famous Rainbow Portrait has eyes and “Every time I sell an item, I feel a bit‘Mzia has also ears, meaning she sees sad. It’s silly but I really do love all created Marie and hears all. Another my minis. Whenever a client visits Antoinette, Madam has a serpent on it, which to look at an item, I quickly pick it de Pompadour, and signifies wisdom; still up, hold it close, and describe every Maria-Teresa, Queen another has an ermine, an detail with all my passion. This oc- of Hungary and emblem of chastity. All casionally startles some of my new’Bohemia. her portraits have a special or shyer clients,” Mzia laughs. When meaning that I find fasci- it’s time to say good-bye, she does so royalty from the 17th to 19th centuries, nating.” And she’s not the reluctantly; hoping her creations will furniture, lamps, jewelry, and a carved only one fascinated; one of find good homes. bible; all of it hand-crafted. her clients owns six of her Elizabeth I figures, while Mzia welcomes commissions and Her dolls were an instant hit and she another owns four. visitors to her show tables at vari- began concentrating more and more on ous Tom Bishop shows, the IGMA creating dolls’ costumes. “As I live in a Mzia has also created Guild Show, Good Sam, Philadelphia two bedroom apartment there’s just not Marie Antoinette, Madam Miniaturia, Kensington Dollshouse enough space to make the porcelain de Pompadour, and Maria- Festival, and City of London dolls myself so I use kits. Sometimes Teresa, Queen of Hungary Dollshouse Festival. DHM and Bohemia. All were powerful women who thrilled and influenced the courts of Europe with their fashion styles. “They had no fear of going all RIGHT: Pink and cream 18thc.-inspired draperies.10 D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S

All Major Credit My Doll House Inc.Cards Accepted Facebook login: my.dollhouse.inc The Only Full-Service Dollhouse & Miniature Shop in Texas for over 21 years! Our customers say, “A visit to this shop is like a miniature show under one roof”! Phone: 210-930-5363 Email us at: [email protected] Visit us at: mydollhouse.us Alamo Heights, 6000 Broadway Street, San Antonio, Texas 78209 Real Good Toys The To-Do List Of A Very Wise Miniaturist: Heirloom Quality Dollhouses Visit The Museum of Miniature HousesEngineering the world’s best miniature homes 7 Rooms of beautiful miniatures (I can’t wait!) for over 40 years! Located in Carmel, IN Save time to Shop in the Museum Shop Miniature ‘finds’ at all price points Attend Candlelight Tour Dec 5, 5 to 8 pm. Attend The Museum’s Attic Sale in April Bargains galore! Learn more at the Museum’s website: www.museumofminiatures.orgMany Choices! Sizes! Price levels! Years of Joy! 111 East Main St - Carmel, IN 46032 317-575-9466 10 Quarry St. - Barre, Vermont 05641 Hours: Wed-Sat: 11am to 4pm - Sun 1pm-4pm 802-479-2217 on the web: www.RealGoodToys.com Learn more at the Museum’s Website: www.museumofminiatures.org D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S 11

FEATURECountingdown the daysJon Fish and Larry Osborn are also known as“The Guys From Texas” and they have designeda quarter scale village as an advent calendar. By Deb WeisslerA s a child I didn’t need an a charming twist on their own ABOVE: These two photos show how compact this advent calendar to count down version—a miniature village that miniature scene can be. Here is the start of how it the long days of December folds down inside of a box, and opens up. Such a brilliant design and a wonderful until Christmas, but opening all of it in quarter scale! It’s like a way to celebrate and prepar for Christmas!the numbered windows, anticipating tiny jewel box in your hands.the tiny scenes hidden behind eachone, was a cherished family tradition. “Both of us get bored easily;Come New Year’s Day the calendar, very easily,” Larry admits. “Ideasits Bavarian scene sporting slightly less are tossed about for days, weeks,glitter than the year before, was loving- months and then dropped orly tucked away until the next year. That pursued. Some of our best ideascalendar is gone but the memories hold have come on long car drives todear, especially in light of the brilliant and from shows. Recently, afterthree-dimensional advent calendar working on a custom structurejust introduced by Jon Fish and Larry for eight months, Jon neededOsborn, The Guys From Texas. to decompress. It was around Christmas and one evening Jon Advent has been celebrated since the said “I have an idea”. A few daysfourth century, and intended to prepare later a drawing appeared on myChristian converts for baptism. The desk. What scale? Quarter! Thenfour-week period began on the Sunday out of his mouth came a stunner:nearest the feast day of Andrew the “I can fit the entire street into aApostle, but because the date of the box”. Having seen some amazingfirst Sunday varied from year to year, things from him before, I justthe advent calendar began on Decem- said uh, okay. Several monthsber 1. Germany is credited with the passed and then, in the span offirst printed advent calendars in the two days, a raw structure wasearly 1900s, and so charmed former done and working.”president Dwight D. Eisenhower, thathe brought the tradition home to his For years this talented teamgrandchildren. has amazed miniaturists with their eclectic collaborations. Regardless of who made these Both have strong artist back-calendars a part of the holiday celebra- grounds—graphic arts, music,tions, The Guys From Texas have put painting, and the culinary arts.12 D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S

FEATURE While Jon briefly searched for his 1992 they quit cooking and moved to TOP: From left to right is a chocolate shop, path in life, working as an orderly on a the country, where they began building a bakery, three tall houses, a church, two neuro-trauma ward, Larry was work- dollhouse shells under the name Good short houses, and a garden pavilion. ing with Swiss pastry chefs at Andre’s Foundations. When someone com- ABOVE: It is simply genius how this of Cherry Creek in Denver. Finding mented that their business sounded miniature village folds out so perfectly. cooking infinitely more fascinating more like a girdle factory, they changed than empty bed bags, Jon donned his their moniker to The Guys from Texas, work at premiere shows across the chef ’s hat and the pair teamed up and compliments of Peg Devine of Miss country. In 2000 they began sharing moved to Aspen where they started a Peggy’s Place in San Diego, who called their skills with others in workshops. catering business. them “The Guys”. In the process of developing classes,‘I found several Over the years, the pair created Jon became enamored with smaller architectural custom structures for Carole Kaye, nu- scales. “The onlooker’s point of view reference books merous workshop projects for Bluette is completely different than in larger that piqued my Meloney, and exhibited their custom scales. It’s extremely difficult to achieve interest and set me on a path to making’miniatures. At the time, Aspen was an old mining town with mostly Victorian buildings & houses. “There was a little Victorian house that had been con- verted into a bookstore called Explore Books. It was one of those places you could get lost in for days,” Jon recalls. “I found several architectural reference books that piqued my interest and set me on a path to making miniatures.” Now both professional chefs, the pair settled in Texas. A decade later in D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S 13

FEATURE that immersive effect,” he explains. LEFT: This project easily ings are done, they will be primed “It comes down to optics and how reminds us all of the pop-up with a special water-based primer and the human eye and mind perceive books we enjoyed as kids. painted with an airbrush,” Jon ex- space. You have to keep the eyes plains. “Some details are hand-painted moving to keep the viewer interested, numbered, just like a and some applied-paper details are and it doesn’t have to move far in two-dimensional advent used”, similar to the lithograph tin quarter-scale.” calendar. Jon’s vision of a dollhouses of the 19th century. 3D design harkens back Inspired by his mother’s love for to the pop-up books we Since Hanukkah falls in the month Christmas ornaments and memories all enjoyed as kids. Open of December also, Jon has designed of their own advent calendar, when the box and tucked inside his village to accommodate an Am- Jon sat down to design a 3D version, is a delightful, colorful, sterdam-inspired Synagogue to fit the he wanted to impart that same feeling multi-dimensional street same space as the church. Eight build- scene reminiscent of a ings will have tea lights that serve as a‘The buildings are northern European vil- traditional menorah. designed to accept lage. Let’s take a stroll! standard LED Available as a signed, limited edi- tea lights to not From left to right is a tion of thirty each (Christmas and only backlight the chocolate shop, a bakery, Hanukkah), the advent calendar will windows but to three tall houses, a church, two short debut at Good Sam in October 2015 reveal transparencies houses, and a garden pavilion. Charm- and sell for around $1700. If you en- for the doors and ing topiaries frame doorways and joy counting down the days towards’windows. trees shade the walkways. Like Alice Christmas, The Guys from Texas in Wonderland, one wishes they could have created a stunning treasure you of family history and old-fashioned shrink themselves in order to explore will look forward to opening for years charm. Here was something he envi- every nook and cranny of this delight- to come. DHM sioned being taken out year after year ful vignette. for the entire family to enjoy. The buildings are de- signed to accept standard Having just completed a commis- LED tea lights to not sioned Polish Chopka or Christmas only backlight the win- crèche with an exterior that func- dows but to reveal trans- tioned as an advent calendar, Jon parencies for the doors learned the mechanics of hanging and and windows. For what hinging miniscule doors, randomly would an advent calendar be without surprises hid- den inside? Jon built several pro- totypes to test for proper fit and function, ensuring that all the mechanics for unfolding the structures and sidewalks would function seamlessly once the final resin structures were cast in custom RTV silicon molds. It took weeks of prep work and refinement before Jon was ready to cast his pieces. “When all the cast- RIGHT: It was only after first building several prototypes that Jon successfully created the finished product.14 D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S

Doreen Sinnett Tiny Doll Molds “Arial” “Fairy Faye” Meow, meow, meow... We have over 90+ miniature dollhouse molds ranging in size from 1 1/2” to 6 1/2” tall. We have tiny Babies, Children, Teenagers, Men and Women,Our 3 little kittens have found their mittens! original sculpture molds, by Doreen Sinnett. We also have fantasy molds Kit #3485 Three Little Kittens that include Fairies, Santa & Mrs. Santa, Elves, Angels and more! Our 4” the latest in our in our Fairy Tales Series and 6” line of Antique Reproduction molds are a wonderful size for your larger dolls to hold. See our 5 1/2” tall “Arial” and our 2 1/2” tall “Fairy priced right at only $45.00 plus shipping Our 1/4\" scale project kit includes all you'll need to create this Faye” molds at our complete online store. www.tinydolls.com (541) 659-9919 sweet little cottage, with 3 kittens from Falcon Miniatures The project fits into your own 5\" x 7\" frame Hanky Panky Designs Grandt Line Products PAPER PUNCHES & PAPER FLOWERS 1040 B Shary Court Concord, CA 94518 By Ruth Hanke www.grandtline.com e-mail: [email protected] • FLOWER tel: (925) 671-0143 fax: 671-0806 BOOK #9. • 12 One inch scale Flower Books in color – $12.95 each • 3 Half inch scale Flower Books in color – $12.95 each (#21,22,23) Please email your order to [email protected] Visa, Discover, Master card and Pay Pal accepted. $6 postage in USA. Please call for international shipping amount. www.hankypankycrafts.com www.rainbowhandandkathy.com D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S 15

FEATUREThe smallestof the smallThe country of Hungary is about to beintroduced to the amazing world of miniaturesthanks to the creative e orts of anni Sandor.There aren’t many miniature art- busy for many hours of the day, so any ists who take on the challenge free time is dedicated to her art. of making the smaller things in a miniature world, such as a At the moment she is a part-time miniature artist with a small shop on-butterfly with all six legs, the whiskers ‘With a backgroundon a mouse, or even the nostrils (nares) in microbiology, it ison the beak of a little wren. But artist no surprise that smallFanni Sandor from Hungary does it things have alwayswith such ease you won’t even realizehow difficult the process can be. ’fascinated her. Fanni happily resides in a lovely line, but she has plans to one day take TOP: A little bird sits atop a tumbled pot.house with her family and has a beauti- her business to a full-time venture. In ABOVE: An absolutely wonderful realisticful garden. With a three-year-old son 2014, she received the IGMA Artisanand a one-year-old daughter she is kept title in the Animal Figures category scale chicken with her little chicks. and in 2016 she has plans to apply forRIGHT AND IGMA Fellow membership. always fascinated her. She combinesBELOW: this passion with skills she has learned With a background in microbiology, while attending art school and, on her anni s spe- it is no surprise that small things have own, has mastered making the mostcialty is creating amazing tiny creatures you will ever see.the tiniest ofbirds in 1:12 With her biggest inspiration beingscale. As you nature she also has a few miniaturecan clearly see artists who fuel her to always strive for absolute realism. “I have two minia-in these photos! turist idols, Beth Freeman-Kane and Kerri Pajutee. I think they are the best wildlife and animal miniature artists in the world. Their art gives me so much inspiration and pushes me to become a professional miniaturist. So I thank16 D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S

FEATUREthem for that.” TOP: A 1:12-scale mallard, a full bellied most fantastic man in the world.” She Fanni’s love of miniatures started at mouse with amazing detail, and a beauti- also has family and friends who love to ful owl resting on anni s finger. ABOVE: see her newest pieces and who are in-a young age. When she was seven she These little mice almost seem impossible terested in learning about this fabulousconstructed her first dollhouse using when shown to scale on a full scale finger. art form.a shoebox. But it wasn’t until ten years BELOW: This realistic owl is an originalago when she first discovered min- sculpt as are all of anni s miniatures. Fanni has been busy organizing aniatures online and it was love at first event that will bring more recognitionsight. In the past, she used to make With small amounts of polymer to miniatures in Hungary. As she ex-dollhouse accessories and then moved clay, acrylic paint, feathers, cotton plains, “In my country there are just 12on to creating art dolls. She won thread, paper wire, and glue Fanni of us who make miniatures. This yearsecond prize three times in an interna- we establishedtional doll exhibition and doll-making brings the smallest creatures to the Hungariancompetition in Hungary. At present, life. She uses no molds and Miniature Guild.Fanni’s focus has been more towards We started tomaking birds, insects, and small mam- every one of her pieces are organize themals. one-of-a-kind. “All my first miniature sculptures are made from exhibition in Her first 1:12-scale minia- polymer clay. I love this Hungary, it willture exhibition piece was a material very much be- be held in Sep-shadow box titled Queen cause I can make really fine tember of thisElizabeth’s Kitchen. That was year. Our goal isthe start of her professional details and lifelike figures with it. In to promote and popularize handmademiniaturist career. For that fact, the tools I can’t live without are my miniatures as an art form in Hungary.”project she made vegetables, hands, eyes, brain, and polymer clay!”fruits, pheasants, and deer Besides making miniatures, Fannitrophies. Making the pheasants Being a miniature artist in Hungary also enjoys being surrounded byand the trophies was such fun isn’t always easy because miniatures are nature, cooking, reading, painting,for her that she continued to not a popular hobby in the country, so drawing, and sculpting. All of thesemake more and more animals. her biggest fan is her husband of four interests fuel her imagination and years, or as she refers to him, “The inspire her to create the most magnifi- cent tiny creatures! DHM LEFT: It seems impossible that these pre- cious 1:12-scale butterflies are complete GETINtouch with all of their legs as well as antennae! Fanni Sandor, IGMA artisan Website: paranyivalosag.blogspot.com Facebook: fanniminiature ETSY: www.etsy.com/shop/ FannimiNiATURE E-mail: [email protected] D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S 17

subscription offerELIZABETH E. WINTERS’ LITTLE ANIMALS ARE FULL OF LOVE. Beautiful Reutter Porcelain gifts January / February 15 ISSUE 43 F R E E when you subscribe! dhminiatures.comTHE WORLD OF MINIATURES IN A NUTSHELL Price US $6.95 Canada $7.95 Shcarabfbtyshed You save on the Subscribe to the print edition of Mercedes Spencer iMag and TV channel Dollhouse Miniatures for one year and we’ll give you the lovely Antique049_JF15_p001.indd 1 11/19/14 3:45 PM Picture Frame Set.When you subscribe to the print version, Subscribe for two years and we’llyou qualify for big savings on the Dollhouse send you the delightful Blue OnionMiniatures iMag digital library. Spice Set.With the iMag you will be able to read all the Take advantage of extra savings bycurrent magazines on your computer, plus subscribing for three years and we’llyou get access to back issues of Dollhouse send you BOTH gifts for FREE!Miniatures in the iMag library. Receive eachnew issue as soon as it’s ready. Subscribe today.Also, don’t miss dollshouse.tv! It’s easy online or call the DHMIt’s like having a workshop in your home. office toll free at 1-866-606-6587.You can watch programs 24 hours a dayvia the internet on your computer or on yourmobile device. 3easy ways to subscribe Online at www.dhminiatures.com Call toll free in the US at 1-866-606-6587 or 507-634-3143 UK +44 (0)1903 884988 By mail using the form on the right

KEN BYERS SHARESJHULISIENCEAWMEPSBTEELXL’TSRMAIONRI DGIHNdOAhSRmTYMinDaMyiaO/IJtNuLuneLrIeA1S5sTGI.SUcSLoUREOmE4W5S. IN THE NIGHT Sedpthemmbeirn/ iOacttouberre1s5 .IcSSoUEm47 THE WORLD OF MINIATURES IN A NUTSHELL THE WORLD OF MINIATURES IN A NUTSHELL Price US $7.95 Canada $10.95 CAD Price US $7.95 Canada $10.951 year gift Inspired by theAlcázarIn this issue Storybook tower Fanciful hats Mini desserts HTiimsteolreicssmBwyiniRgisson And more... Hubble and Judy Taylor 2 year gift A Grand Entryway 3/24/15 1:43 PM Create this beautiful grand entrance along with Jo BevilacquaGet both of theseBeautiful Reutter Porcelain 049_MA15_p001.indd 1sets for FREE 049_SO15_cover.indd 1with a three year subscription and save even more! All gifts subject to change. 7/28/15 1:34 PM Gift Subscriptions make DHM ON THE TABLET AND PHONE: a GREAT present for your DHM magazine is now available to read on your favorite miniaturist! favorite device, including the iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Samsung Galaxy Tab. Buy the latest issue anywhere in the world at a fraction of the cost of the paper edition. Download your FREE App today. Simply search for ‘Dollhouse Miniatures Magazine’ in the Apple App store or Android Market.1, 2 & 3 year subscription prices: US*: $45.99 / $86.99/ $123.99 Canada (CAD): $65.99 / $123.99 / $180.99 UK: £43.99 / £74.99 / £97.99 Europe: €63.99 / €115.99 / €158.99 Rest of World*: $84.99 / $156.99 / $218.99 Save the postage, subscribe online at www.dhminiatures.comFirst Name Last Name I want to subscribe/renewAddress to Dollhouse Miniatures! 1 year ($45.99) 2 years ($86.99) (US Funds Only) (US Funds Only) 3 year ($123.99) (US Funds Only)City State Zip Dollshouse TV Dollshouse TV 1 year 1 year ($49.99) with sub ($24.99) iMag 1 year ($39.99) iMag 1 year with sub ($29.99)Country Telephone BEST BUY BUNDLEE-mail Magazine, iMag and TV for 1 year ($109.99)Please debit my Mastercard / Visa / Amex / Discover This is a gift subscription Expires / CVV From:_____________________________Card no. USA UK Return this form to: Return this form to:Check enclosed payable to Dollhouse Miniatures I do not wish to auto renew with the card listed above Dollhouse Miniatures Dollhouse Miniatures 68132 250th Avenue PO Box 2258 *US Currency Kasson, MN 55944 Pulborough RH20 9BA Great Britain Or call us today: Or call us today: 1-866-606-6587 +44 (0)1903 884988 Outside US: 507-634-3143

PROJECTa small chestWITH DRAWERSThis precious three-drawer bathroom unit willmake a pleasing addition to your miniature roomand this tutorial will make it a pleasure to build. By Julie WarrenThis three-drawer piece of furniture Step 4: Photocopy or trace the templates YOU’LLneed is perfect for any room. It will depend on how you paint and included and cut out onto thin card. Lay the u Adhesive decorate it. Julie has staged it as if template squarely onto the relevant piece of u Craft knifeit is placed in a bathroom, but you have the wood and draw around it. Using a scribe (a u Cutting matfreedom to make this project into anything sharp ended tool) go over the pencil line to u Drawer knobs x 3 (or beads oryou like. Have fun and make this miniature make a groove into the wood.creation extra special! handles of your choice) Step 5: Use a sharp craft knife to cut along u Mitre block and sawStep 1: Begin by cutting out all the pieces u Paint the groove you have made. Take care when u Pencilrequired to make the body of the unit doing this, as it is easy to split the wood. u Sandpaper(drawers will be cut later) and gently sand Make several shallow cuts, rather than trying u Scissorsthe edges of each piece. to do it one go. You may wish to practice u Scribe (a tool with a sharp, this process on a scrap of wood first.Step 2: Bevel one long edge and the two pointed tip) Step 6: Once all of the shaped pieces u Steel rulershorter edges of the SHAPED TOP piece u Thin card for templatesby holding the piece at a 45-degree angle are cut out, use a fine grain sandpaper to u Varnishand gently sweeping it towards you along a neaten the edges. It helps to wrap a piecesheet of sandpaper. of sandpaper around your finger, or a pen, to achieve a more rounded edge. the wrong sides (the flat sides), 13/16\" and 1 9/16\" from the top of each SIDE piece and the BACK piece. These will be used to position the shelves.Step 3: Varnish the bevelled side and Step 7: Glue a BOTTOM MOLDING toaround the edges of the underneath each SIDE piece.(as these will be visible when the unit iscomplete). Step 8: Glue a LEG to either edge of each20 D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S SIDE piece and then make a pencil line on

PROJECT Cutting List Step 12: Next attach the BOTTOM piece, Cut all pieces from a soft wood, such followed by the final BOTTOM MOLDING as Obeche or Basswood. The grain should always run in the direction of Step 13: Attach the right hand SIDE piece the longest edge. and hold together with clamps until the glue From 5/32\" x 5/32” strip has fully dried. Cut 4 – 2\" x 29/32\" – LEGS Step 17: For drawer knobs I have made From 1/16\" thick sheet three small balls from polymer clay, but Cut 2 – 1 3/8\" x 1 7/32\" – CENTER you may wish to use beads or handles you SHELVES Cut 1 – 1 3/8\" x 1 7/32\" – BOTTOM already have. If either of the latter, do not Cut 3 – 1 7/32\" x 13/32\" – BOTTOM MOLDINGS attach until the drawers have been painted. Cut 1 – 1 11/32\" x 25/32\" – TOP BACK MOULDING Step 18: Paint the unit, drawers and Cut 2 – 1 15/32\" x 19/32\" – TOP SIDE MOLDING TOP MOLDINGS in a color of your choice. From 3/32\" thick sheet Apply two coats of paint and gently sand in Cut 1 – 2 5/16\" x 1 7/32\" – BACK between coats. Cut 2 – 2 5/15\" x 1 7/32\"– SIDES Cut 1 – 1 9/16\" x 1 17/32\" – SHAPED TOP Step 14: Slight misalignment of the Step 19: Glue the SHAPED TOP into From 1/16\" thick sheet shelves will alter the sizes of the drawer place so that the back is flush with the openings, so always re-measure before 3 drawers will be required. cutting the pieces for the drawers and back of the unit and the sides overhang Cut 1 – 1 3/16\" x 11/16\" – FRONT adjust the sizes accordingly. Once all pieces Cut 1 – 1 3/16\" x 11/16\" – BACK are cut, gently sand the edges. evenly. Secure with masking tape until the Cut 2 – 1 13/64\" x 11/16\" – SIDES Cut 1 – 1 13/64\" x 1 3/64\" – BASE glue has set.Step 9: Glue the BACK piece to the lefthand SIDE piece so that it lines up withthe front of the back leg. It helps to slide asheet of wood beneath the BACK piece tosupport it whilst gluing into place. Step 15: To assemble the drawers, begin by gluing the SIDE pieces to the BASE piece.Step 10: Glue the TOP piece into position. Step 16: Next, attach the FRONT Step 20: Finally, attach the TOPStep 11: Followed by the two CENTER and BACK pieces. Once the glue has MOLDINGS, working from left to right. DHMSHELVES, which should be placed just dried, gently sand all edges, the top and D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S 21above the pencil lines. bottom of each drawer.

FEATUREA small worldin each bauble In the town of Larne, in Northern Ireland, industrious Conal Oakes is busy making the next miniature globe to hang on the Christmas tree. Each one of Conal’s mini dioramas bauble every year and it has become be said is that he definitely has theare presented in baubles, which are part of the Christmas tradition among ability to turn the ordinary into theeither hung on the Christmas tree or his family and friends. It is fair to say extraordinary.displayed on a wood base. that the baubles have become more intricate and detailed with the addi- Bauble making is not without its “Christmas for me has always been tion of LED lights, but the underlying risks, he jokes, as he recalls the nighta time associated with crafts and I principles have remained the same. that a slip with a craft knife ended upcan remember making my parents “The bauble has to be created mainly in a trip to the ER. It turned out betheir presents from scraps of card and from everyday household materials one of the coldest nights that North-materials that I found lying around and the challenge is often how to cre- ern Ireland had experienced sincethe house.” ate the structure within the spherical records began and he ended up spend- shape of the bauble.” ing the whole night in the hospital It wasn’t until the Christmas of nursing five stitches and a tetanus2006 that he decided to create a Conal has an eye for detail and injection for his trouble!special present for his wife, Catherine, admits that he has now inheritedthat couldn’t be bought. His first some magpie traits, such as hoarding Conal enjoys working in miniatureidea required sawing a bauble in half, a variety of bits and bobs, and he is because as a busy teacher with twowhich wasn’t the neatest of jobs, but often heard saying, “You never knowthe creative spark of making a holiday when that will come in handy!” much TOP: A tiny holiday scene on a make belivepresent had been rekindled. to his wife’s consternation. What can street with lights. BELOW: Conal captures stunning detail on such a small scale. Ever since then, he has made a new22 D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S

FEATURE LEFT: Within this mys- terious bauble lives Mr. Badger. Conal has just started to sculpt using polymer clay and made this character to reside in his finished ornament. The fireplace glows and the shelves are stocked for the winter. little time to keep up his creative pur- and he has learned suits. He began to work in miniature through experience because the hobby used up very little the importance of space and the only ingredients were a planning to scale. handful of good brushes, some paints, and whatever materials came to hand. The baubles themselves are filled Even when he is not making, he with personal details is thinking about how to achieve about his family. In results. “It is very much a continual the bauble inspired problem-solving by the famous The process with a Wind in the Willows lot of trial and novel, for example, error,” he admits, his wife’s favorite wine can be spotted on an upper shelf and the clock on the mantelpiece dis- plays the time 2:26, which is Catherine’s birthday. There is a pot of jam made by his mother-in law and on the bot- tom right, a small family portrait as badgers! The penguins in the igloo depict a BELOW: A turkey dinner is ready to celebrate the holidays in this mini scene.young children he finds time hard tocome by. He studied art at college,specializing in ceramics, but has had D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S 23

FEATURE LEFT: You can see how much fun Conal has when creating these wonderful Christmas deco- rations. Each is a work of art to be shared and enjoyed for gen- erations. Note the tiny satellite on the igloo’s roof!typical scene in the Oakes’ household, furniture and buildings, Conal relies to simulate the ice-cold waterhowever, he admits that it is usually on card stock and balsa wood. He has under the igloo. “I found it dif-Catherine doing the cooking while found acetate sheets (the transparent ficult to set the resin inside thehe does the sleeping. Look out for sheets used on overhead projectors) bauble and still create access forhis daughter Aoife playing with the to be particularly useful as they can the LEDs as there were very littleblocks in the background! be cut with great precision leaving hiding places in this diorama.” clean edges. A good example of what There were a lot of frustrated A typical bauble starts as a sketch. can be achieved with this material nights and as a result of delays,When the key features have been can be seen in the intricate Victorian the final touches were drying onagreed upon, Conal begins searching shop facades. During the painting the bauble in the early hours offor materials. In one instance he used stage, Conal uses Games Workshop Christmas morning!a drawing pin, beads from a broken paints with washes and dry brushingnecklace, and a keychain ring to techniques. The very first baubles alsomake a cooking pot filled with stew, cleverly used the lights already oncomplete with ladle, for Mr. Badger! The hardest technique Conal has the Christmas tree to illuminate encountered so far was using the resin the scene. A small hole was drilled More recently, he has taken the into the back of the bauble to allowfirst step into miniature modeling the light to be fed to the desired area.using polymer clay. Mr. Badger and This worked particularly well withthe penguin family were created the Scrooge diorama, but when Conalusing this material. When creating discovered the vast array of LEDs that were available the possibilitiesBELOW AND BELOW RIGHT: Mr. Scrooge increased.is busy working late into the night on When asked if he has a favoriteChristmas Eve and Santa is busy delivering bauble, he remarked fondly on thepresents to good little boys and girls. street scene. “It was the first bauble I could include both my children in. I decided to up the scale a little and add LED lights. It was also the one that I thought was never going to get finished!” He also remembers the look on his wife’s face when she opened it. “I don’t think I’ve totally grown up,” he admits. “I look forward to seeing what she thinks and there is always good fun leading up to Christmas when I am running round with a pan- icked look on my face.” As to the matter of the theme of this year’s bauble, Conal is not giv- ing anything away. We will just have to wait until January to find out! DHM24 D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE bySpecializing in Doll Housesand Miniatures facebook.com/rainbowhandandkathy www.rainbowhandandkathy.com The Largest Complete Dollhouse Store On The The East Coast of Florida! TOY BOX New Owners 419 Brevard Avenue Jim & Linda Historical Cocoa Village Florida 32922 Butts Phone: 321-632-2411 E-mail: toybox@cfl.rr.com www.thetoyboxstore.com A Full Line of Dollhouses, Miniatures and Accessories in 1” Scale Also Carry Some 1/2”, 1/4” and 144” Scale Building Material, Electrical Supplies, Landscaping Materials, Full Service Shop, Build and Repair Dollhouses •••••••••••••••• Open Tuesday through Saturday 10am to 5pm D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S 25

FEATUREA shantyby the seaKarin Eddins-Lambert creates absolute beautyby combining a rough edge and a delicatetouch making a dollhouse unlike any other. By Karin Eddins-LambertMy name is Karin Eddins- Right away I just loved the creative ABOVE: Karin added gingerbread trim as Lambert, I’m a stay-at- messiness of the application and have well as window boxes to the dollhouse to home mom living in Sandy, since used her methods on many of give it a more interesting style. Utah, who loves to builddollhouses! I call this 1:12-scale housethe SeaHag and I’ve always imaginedthat if it were a real house it would beperched high on a cliff with the oceancrashing onto the rocks below. The SeaHag was built it in 2010.The Beacon Hill kit was perfect forthis piece because of its large size, butrelatively small footprint.  What I like best about the housedesign is its central staircase, archeddormer windows, and mansard roof.Ironically, those sections were themost challenging part of the entirebuild! I guess that proves that hardwork, even sometimes frustratingwork, while building a dollhouse willpay off in the finished product. I created some unusual siding forthe house, which adds to its dilapidat-ed vibe. I first learned of this interest-ing siding technique while reading theAmerican Miniaturist magazine 2003Sept/October issue, AM006. In an article by Sherise Landrey,she explained how to comb jointcompound to create siding and alsohow to apply the joint compound towoodwork as if you were icing a cake.26 D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S

FEATUREABOVE AND RIGHT: Blooming roses and the originalother flowers overflow from the window kit was toboxes. RIGHT: The kitchen is old-fashion and delete one of thecharming and is packed full of goodness! kitchen windows. This gave me onemy other dollhouses. full wall, whichIt is so fantastic because it gives helped with arrang-you a look that can either be made ing furniture in suchinto something spooky or something a small kitchen.shabby, depending on what style you A few of the inte-want to achieve. rior walls were made‘A few of the interior using paper clay for walls were made a rustic plastered using paper clay for a look. Special paint- ing effects included crackle finish on the stairs and wood- rustic plastered look. work and painted floors with murals I added extra gingerbread trim to of flower vines that were aged with’the house and also added window washes of color toboxes that were made from ceiling suggest that this is atiles then faux painted to appear rusty. very old house.Another way I altered the house from I contrasted the D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S 27

FEATURE‘I also wanted to ABOVE AND RIGHT: cover the walls with The wallpaper makes artwork, so I took the room feel like a the time to teach vintage work of art. myself how to paint BELOW: The candles,’in miniature. books, and flower arrangements that were added to the space give the room a romantic essence.28 D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S

FEATUREABOVE: Roses and ribbons rim the curtains. The tiny pattern onthe chair upholstery make them feel delicate and special. ABOVERIGHT: The female bust on the banister post adds whimsy to thehall. The phone has been left off the hook indicated that someonedoes not want to be disturbed while visiting this wonderful haven.RIGHT: Thedining roomfeels open andenchanting witha high ceilingleading to thesecond floor.The perfect set-ting to share awarm cup of teawith friends. D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S 29

FEATURE ABOVE AND LEFT: Karin made the spider plant using instructions from a past AM tutorial. She didn’t expect it to turn out so well and because it did she now loves making her own plants and flowers. When creating the towels in the dresser she used very thin quilt folded batting and added a small scale lace to the edges. A little stitch with thread and needle helped the folded towels to stay flat. Baby washcloths also work well for mini towels, once cut to size.30 D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S

FEATUREABOVE AND LEFT: When Karin’s daughter,Charli, was a little girl she had a room justlike this one so she turned this space intoa replica. Charli even had a dollhouse andthe shoes scattered on the floor are shoesshe would have worn. Karin’s daughter wasalways walking around teetering in highheels and big hats, and having tea partieswith her stuffed animals (she even had aDumbo elephant just like the one shownhere) and dolls. This room is very much atribute to Charli and that special time in theirlives, now captured forever in miniature.rustic, rough walls with delicate por-celain Ni-Glo lamps and accessories,crystal chandeliers, and glass vas-es. This gave the style of the interior acertain charm instead of feeling like adilapidated house. Because the rooms of this house arevery deep they can appear dark andshadowy; for that reason I repaintedmost of the purchased furniture in alight ivory color. I wanted the overalllook to be light and breezy.  I made many of the items in thehouse myself, either from scratch orfrom kits. I also wanted to cover thewalls with artwork, so I took the timeto teach myself how to paint in minia-ture, which is now one of my favoritehobbies. The rugs were made using Frenchknot, punch needle, and braided-rugtechniques. I sewed the curtains, pil- D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S 31

FEATURElows, and a fun crazy quilt for the attic ered—skills that I enjoy beyond what ABOVE AND BELOW: Karin made the flow-bedroom. words can describe and now I can use ers in the jars and vase by punching out them in my future dollhouse builds. tissue paper with a regular office style round All of the plants, flowers, and floral hole punch. She added a Victorian lookingbouquets were made petal-by-petal, The SeaHag took several years to wooden window cornice over the doorwayleaf-by-leaf. These were all new tech- be finished and it has been a true for an extra spot to put little items like aniques for me to learn, so building this labor of love! DHM powder box and old keys, maybe a diary.house gave me much more than just abeautiful dollhouse to look at. Decorating this little home pushedme to learn many new skills that Iotherwise may never have discov-32 D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S

FEATUREABOVE AND LEFT: The master bedroom is joyous and grand andthe bed has a padded head and foot board with luxurious pil-lows. The chic vanity was distressed to add charm to the room.Everything a lady would need is displayed with a gentle touch.BELOW: The SeaHag shown from the back. Karin certainly madethe most of the many small rooms while making this masterpiece! D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S 33

FEATUREA little shopwith chic styleSwedish miniature artist, Lena Jangren, usesher love of her favorite real-life furnishing storeto make a stylish miniature room box scene.This is the time of year when and painted using a special technique. ing realm and then uses what she many of us find ourselves in Refurbishing miniature furniture is discovers for both her real-life home one shop after another trying also one of her specialties. to find the perfect gift for TOP: Overflowing pillows with inspiring that someone special. There are so Every room she creates is one that words are displayed in a leather trunk. many beautiful boutiques and spe- she would love to either live in or BELOW: The shop’s counter has wonderful cialty shops to browse through and wander through. To prepare herself little treasures for the miniature home. as creative sorts we can’t help but for a new project she spends hours OPPOSITE PAGE: Lena has mastered get inspired by so many wonderful browsing through blog sites and making her own fabric designs for cushions, decorative items. decor magazines to keep up with bags, towels, and wall flags. There is what’s in fashion in the decorat- something for every dollhouse in this shop. Lena Jangren’s inspiration pro- voked her to re-create her favorite Swedish shop in Stockholm, Par Courrier, and the results are abso- lutely stunning. Every shelf, table, and display box in this scene show- cases charming products.‘Every shelf, table, and display box in this scene showcases charming products. As you look over the tiny mer-’chandise you can see that this artist’s interests lean more towards modern style. She gets the most pleasure from creating hatboxes, printed fab- rics, cushions, carpets, signs, flowers, and zinc pots that are made of paper34 D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S

FEATURED O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S 35

FEATURE LEFT: The ABOVE: The shelfs are packed full of stylish weathered wicker merchandise in this remarkable shop.‘Because she is more furnishings give a focused on enjoying soft familiar touch as she reveals, “I loved to play her creative time, to the scene. with dollhouses when I was she is able to keep a child and got my first one he i es a o da e when I was five years old. It so other miniaturists was a Swedish Lundby doll- can have pieces house in 1:18 scale. When of her work in their I had my own children I ’collections. bought them dollhouses and then I discovered a lot of and her mini hobby and business. great miniature items in 1:12 Along with working during the scale on the Internet.” day at a local flower shop, Lena also The Internet also offered many sells her one-of-a-kind miniatures forums and miniature groups where online. Her main focus is to use her Lena could connect with other creating time as a form of relax- Swedish miniature creators. That ation and entertainment. Because was ten years ago and now she has she is more focused on enjoying her joined several Facebook miniature creative time, she is able to keep her prices affordable so other miniatur- ists can have pieces of her work in their collections. This hobby isn’t new for Lena 36 D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S

FEATURE groups to share this wonderful hobby with other enthusiasts. “I hope that the hobby is growing and reaching out to more people. It’s such a fun interest to get involved with.” There is a special space in one of the rooms in her home where she keeps a few of her dollhouses and mini scenes. This is also her haven for creating, which is evident with all the boxes and materials that are spread all about. The tools most vital to her creative process are her lamp, scissors, and her quick-set glues.‘The Internet also o e ed man o ms and miniature groups where Lena could connect with other Swedish miniature’creators. ABOVE: This is such “I have always been interested in a beautiful miniature creating with my hands. I have sewn, shop with magnifi- painted, drawn, sculpted, felted wool, cent realism. and so on. I believe that one can find LEFT: Tin contain- all kinds of materials and techniques ers, candles, and when making miniatures, so the more posters are dis- played with style. skills you are familiar with, the better your results will be.” Lena’s mind is filled with many ideas for new proj- ects, but the one at the forefront is a French shabby chic scene. With an eye for editing and precision there is no doubt it will be a stunning little room once complete. DHM D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S 37

PROJECTmmiankiedaesssteyrlitshYour Victorian dollhouse family will be at theheight of fashion when they entertain their guestswith this delicious Cherries Jubilee cake. By Mags CassidyDuring Queen Victoria’s long reign Step 4: Put the two shapes to one side, YOU’LLneed of sixty-four years, there were many dishes created in her honor. discarding the small center you cut out. u Polymer: Champagne, Ochre, It is said that her most favorite Bordeaux Red, Black dessert was cherries jubilee. This was Step 5: Wash your hands, so not to get created especially for her Diamond Jubilee u Tile or foil lined baking tray celebration in 1897 and included ingredients particles of beige clay to the darker mix. u Toothpick such as; 1lb pitted black cherries, half a u Rolling pin or small glass bottle cup of claret wine, sugar, cinnamon, ground u 2 heart shaped cutters cloves and lemon juice. Naturally whatever u Polycell “Squeeze and Seal” (or was popular with Queen Victoria soon became fashionable with her public. If you other bathroom sealant) would like your Victorian dollhouse family u Polymer varnish (I colored mine to be “up with the times” then follow these instructions to make a cake with me. red - optional) u Crystal ballentine (available fromStep 1: Work some beige clay with a little Step 6: Now mix together small, equal TeePee Crafts)Ochre until soft and pliable. Roll out. quantities of the red and black clay. u Cake board or stand u DoilyStep 2: With the largest heart cutter, cut Step 7: Cut off tiny pieces and roll into Step 9: When baked and cool, openout two shapes. small balls for the cherries. your bathroom sealant and squeeze a littleStep 3: With the smallest cutter, cut the Step 8: Place the two cake halves and on to the bottom layer of the cake. Swirl it around with a toothpick, but don’t go rightcenter out of one large shape. the cherries on a tile and bake in the oven to the edges. at 130 degrees C (265 degrees F) Step 10: Gently press the top layer of the cake onto the bottom layer. Step 11: Leave the sealant to set for as long as is stated on the sealant instructions. Step 12: Fill the hollow on the top with cherries and varnish them, then sprinkle with crystal ballentine. Display just in time for the party! DHM38 D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S

Now available in our shop:Rocky Mountain Dollhouses, made in the USA!Fingertip Fantasies Dollhouse Miniatures Shop104 Main Street, PO Box 544, Clayton, DE 19983 Phone: (302) 653-8800 www.dollhouseminiatures.com [email protected] word. Sweet. Fine Miniatures since 1976. BesCpearqtiDeedaler We build dreams... and sometimes fantasies. Dollhouses, miniatures and battery-operated lights. www.manVhisaittutas nondloinlelhatouse.com D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S 39

PROJECTa stocking forTHE FIREPLACESanta is coming! Let’s get ready for him bymaking a miniature stocking to hang with careso he can leave the tiniest of surprises for us. By Auralea KriegerIdecided to add some stockings to my fold over the extra fabric. I used the glue YOU’LLneed little fireplace for Christmas. Note that free end of the toothpick to fold and press these stockings are for before Santa each piece. Press again as you go to be u Fabric pays a visit and fills them up! This is a sure the fold stays down. u Ribbon project that you can have such fun with and u Felt make stockings that will specifically match u Scissors your mini decor. Finish them off by adding u Toothpick al the fun details like tassels, glitter, beads, u Wax paper and anything else that tickles your fancy. u Tacky Glue u Craft knifeStep 1: Trace the solid lined stocking u Thread and needle u Embroidery threadpattern onto the backside of your fabric. Besure to flip over the pattern piece when youtrace the second one.Step 2: Cut out the patterns around thedotted lines. Step 5: Cut some small pieces of felt to fit inside of the stocking.Step 3: With a very sharp craft knife, cut Step 6: Using your toothpick, put glue allthe dotted lines on the corners as shown around the edges, but not the top openingon the pattern. of the stocking. Press the pieces togetherStep 4: Use a toothpick to spread Tacky and keep pinching until they are adhered.Glue along the edge of the stocking and Step 7: Once dry, if there are uneven Step 8: Glue your choice of decorative edges, then trim them off. trimming around the top.40 D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S

PROJECTStocking pattern and wrap once and push it through again. or tassels where you want them and pinch Snip the thread off close to the tassel. them against stocking. Push the thread inside the stocking into the glue with a toothpick. Pinch and hold until set.Make tassels Step 5: Lay the tassel on your cutting I used a red marker around the base of theStep 1: Wrap embroidery thread around ribbon to make it more festive. Have fun board and run the tip of the needle through creating your own little Christmas stockingsa 1/2” wide piece of mat board, 3 times and the embroidery thread to open up the just in time for Santa! DHM strands. Press in between fingers to shape.then cut off the excess. Step 6: Put a blob of glue inside the back of the stocking. Position the tasselStep 2: Thread a needle and insert it atthe top of the tassle and pull through untilyou have enough thread to tie two knots.Keep the thread in the needle.Step 3: Slip the craft knife under theembroidery thread at the base of thewrapped thread and slice it off the board.Step 4: Pinch the top and push thethreaded needle through the pinched areaand then wrap in around the top aboutseven times. Then push the needle through D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S 41

ChristmasSHOWCASE ABOVE: This little gingerbread box is fullCelebrate this joyous time of year with these very of gingerbread men andtalented miniature artists. They have each shared snowflake cookies!their love of the season in their beautiful creations. LEFT: A delightfulLinda Cummings gingerbread carousel with“I’d love to portray a glowing, festive account of my love for the the tiniest of jelly beans!Christmas period, but thanks to an ever-expanding family theholidays can be enough to send me into a spin! They descend upon our farmhouse come mid December andstay until the New Year has been welcomed in. Sometimes thethought of preparing another glazed ham, stuffing yet anotherbird, peeling more vegetables, or making mince pies, coupledwith the endless clutter to be tidied, can be overwhelming! It’sa crazy time of year at Elvet Farm and I often find I approach itwith trepidation, with all the organization, planning, shopping,cooking, and entertaining that comes along with Christmas, myprecious miniature making time simply vanishes. However, I promise that I wouldn’t change our manicChristmases for anything. It is one of the only times of the yearwhen all my children and my grandchildren are together underone roof, and for me, that’s what Christmas is all about. As longas I can still sneak into my miniature workshop late at night…”ABOVE AND RIGHT: When decorating forthe holidays displaying desserts is a must!Here we have a gingerbread man cake, abasket full of goodies, a scrumptious cara-mel yule log, and an “in progress” board withreindeer cookies and a gingerbread house.42 D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S

Tatjana RaumTatjana is a very talented doll artist from Germany. She liveswith her husband in a beautiful home just next to the Alps and issurrounded by many lakes. A beautiful setting for the charms ofChristmas! “I distinctly remember a specific Christmas years ago, I wassupposed to drive to my parents for Christmas Eve and afterthree hours of driving on the highway I was surprised by a heavysnowstorm. Within minutes the roads turned into an icy skating rink andthe falling snow made it difficult to see. Thee were cars losingcontrol and some spun into ditches. Luckily I managed to drivemy car safely to a rest stop. After I calmed myself down I went into the highway restaurantwhere I ended up celebrating Christmas Eve with thirty truckdrivers! Luckily I had a warm blanket with me, so with eightinches of snow on my car roof, I spent the night sleeping in my“igloo” and believe it or not, I found it quite cozy!” ABOVE: This is Michel, he is one of Santa’s little helpers. A beautiful sculpt in 1:12-scale. LEFT AND BELOW: A simply breathtaking miniature work of art; Santa Claus with his fur hat and full white beard. D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S 43

Elizabeth E. Winters“During Christmas time, when I was a child, my brothersand I were extremely impatient about waiting to openour gifts. We made a game of sneaking peeks to see ourpresents. Sometimes we succeeded, sometimes we didn’t.The game was almost as fun as getting the presentsthemselves and was a holiday tradition for us.”Representing the enthusiasm of the holidays, I havemade a naughty 1:12-scale puppy who likes to rip openChristmas presents. There is also a very smug kitty cat in thebackground who knows better than to get into mischief.I have also made the Christmas cookies, the Christmas tree,and the presents.” ABOVE AND LEFT: Elizabeth reminds us that even our pets love this time of year! Some get into mischief while others just enjoy observing all of our interesting rituals.Anne Caesar ABOVE: Christmas cookies are being“I have always made a tray of cookies and hot chocolate for Santa. Then, made on this 1:12-scale prepping board.long after the children had finally gone to sleep, my husband Mike BELOW: Santa’s milk and cookies arewould quietly bring in the Christmas tree. We would pile on the decora- ready to be placed by the fireplace.tions and then lay the presents all around the sparkling tree. Not longafter that, Mike would sit back and enjoy Santa’s cookies and milk!”ABOVE: This gift basket is full of all the holiday favorites.RIGHT: A snowflake cake adorned with a candle and a bow.44 D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S

Julie Campbell 1:12-scale Mrs. Santa“One of my favorite Christmas memories was is busy knitting aopening our Christmas stockings. In those days little something forchildren didn’t have sweets as often as they do today. someone special.so it really was a treat to open that stocking full ofgoodies! It was traditional to have an apple and anorange in ours, but we quickly skipped past thoseto the longed-for chocolate coins that glistened atthe bottom of our stockings. Oh those coins wereso special, I remember peeling the shiny foil off verycarefully and savoring each on. To this day I still putchocolate coins in everyone’s stockings and it alwaysmakes me smile.”ABOVE AND RIGHT: Santa is soaking his cold toes in awarm tub of water after his busy night delivering presents! D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S 45

JoAnn Bevilacqua ABOVE: To match the Christmas tree, Jo Ann also made an “Amber“This Christmas marks the 12th anniversary of my fire spray”. It is decorated with ornaments and a large gold bow.miniature business, Spencer’s Nook! My love for mycustomers and their excitement when we collaborate BELOW: This is a 1:12-scale custom made urn with pink accents.to make their mini wishes come true while workingtogether to create a special tree or even a room boxis very rewarding for me. I also get much joy fromteaching others the skills that add to this wonderfulhobby; whether it is hands-on during my workshopsor in print in my DHM tutorials.”BELOW: This Christmas tree is titled “Amber fire tree”. It has96 lights and is decorated with over 200 ornaments. ABOVE AND ABOVE RIGHT: Perfect decorations for the door or in the home, these are decorated with real pinecones that are extra small. JoAnn has also made some of her hand-painted magnolias leaves to give them a natural feeling. Learn how to make your own using her magnolia leaf and centerpiece tutorial in this issue.46 D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S

PROJECTthe centerOF THE TABLEIf you are planning a big holiday dinner for yourlittle world then a Christmas centerpiece is theperfect miniature project to get started on. By Jo BevilacquaMake your own holiday Step 3: Add the outer row of lycopodium YOU’LLneed centerpiece for a festive mini scene. If you are one that likes along the outer edges. u Lycopodium to get the most out of your u Wired greenery (spruce type) completed dollhouse then this is a great u Craft glue tutorial for you. Decorating for Christmas u Wire cutters (for wired greenery) is such fun and a great thing to do while u Scissors staying warm and cozy inside on a cold and u Ribbon windy day. u 28-gauge wire u Beads (for ornaments)Step 1: Twist the wired spruce into the u Tweezers u Fun foamdesired shape. Cut the excess of the wired u Ball stylist u Papergarland spruce with pliers. u Acrylic paint: Avocado, yellow, Step 4: Add more glue and then add the burnt umber, burnt sienna, Black, Copper next outer row of lycopodium. u DMC floss u Sobo glueStep 2: Flatten the bottom by snipping u Fabric stiffener u Paint brushesuntil the centerpiece lays flat and then add u Modge Podge matte finishglue to the centerpiece Step 5: Add more glue and add each row until you close into the center. Step 6: Add the center area using the same technique, carefully add the greenery. D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S 47

PROJECTStep 7: Select the coordinating beads to Step 14: Clip the wire on the ribbon short Step 5: Paint the under side of the leafbe used in the center piece. Sizes small, enough to be glued into the center of the with a mix of copper and burnt sienna andmedium, and large. greenery, add glue, and press in place. let dry on a piece of wax paper.Step 8: Cut a piece of 28-gauge wire Step 15: Add the beads by dry fittingapproximately 2\" or longer in length. Thread then clipping the wire length and gluingthe wire through the bead, fold in half. them in one at a time. Magnolia leaf Step 1: Paint the paper with avocado colored paint, front and back. Once dry, cut out the leaf shapes. Step 6: Coat the tops of the leaves with Modge Podge.Step 9: Twist the wire tight up to thebead. Repeat with the other beads. Step 2: Curl the leaf using the ball stylist. Step 7: Batch and glue the stems with Paint the DMC floss with avocado paint and leaves into threes and add these leaves into smooth it using your fingers then lay it on your Christmas décor for the rustic look. wax paper to dry. Then do the same with fabric stiffener.Step 10: Cut a piece of wire at 2\" longand a piece of ribbon at 9\" long.Step 11: Fold the ribbon into gentle tightloops on both sides.Step 12: Wrap the center of the loopedribbon with the cut wire, twist it tight. Step 3: Clip the dried threads into 3 and 4\" lengths. and curl the ends of the threads to fit into the inverted leaf. Step 4: Glue the thread into the leaves Add to the table and surround with beautiful plates of miniature food and china! DHM pressing until they stay, then let them dry.Step 13: Using the tweezers, gently openthe ribbon loops to the desired position.48 D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S

FEATUREThe triumphof SaphiraWith a love for dragons, mythology, andfantasy this miniaturist took on the challengeof fitting a romantic scene inside a small space. By Jo BevilacquaDragons, mythology, and fan- I recently fell in love with the movie TOP: A heartfelt movie inspired o to cre- tasy—these are things that are Eragon, and wanted to name my ate this wonderful scene inside a lanturn. very intriguing to a lot of us new lantern room after his dragon, BELOW: This close up view shows the in miniatures. Harry Potter, “Saphira”. details of the items inside the lantern. ithwands, spells, dragons as ally’s, it’s the a Steampunk style o made such a smallmarvel of it all that makes us want to This movie plays up the bond of a place feel inviting and warm.shrink ourselves down in order to be a dragon and a boy named Eragon, evenpart of it! D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S 49

FEATUREin egg form, the dragon selected it’s within the lantern. was another challenge to hide therider. The young boy has learns how Drapes had to be made outside of wire in the beam then down the sideto balance while riding and fighting a of the walls.war from the back of this exceptional the room and then placed in afterdragon. The dragon protects her rider adjusting them to the panels. The museum glass panels were thenwith her life. A mentor who was a placed in each glass slot, fitting upformer dragon rider teaches this boy The Chandelier is plugged in to into the top tabs already bent to fit thewhat he needs to learn in order to make it easy to travel and it had to thickness and the bottom two metalfight off evil. The boy can actually see be plugged into the top beam which tabs were closed over each panel. Oncethrough the eyes of his dragon. It is a all the glass panels, except for the doorcompelling story, one of my favorites panel, were installed at this point.having many teary moments, but itcreates a hero through the process of Museum glass is very hard to workpain, tribulations, and trust. in such a tight space due to you can not clean it as you clean regular glass, This Steampunk room setting was a in fact you are not supposed to evenvery difficult thing to accomplish and touch it with bare hands.was not the first one I had ever made,I guess time heals the pains we go The worst part of the build thoughthrough in building things. Analucia was the trims that had to be layeredwas the name of the first lantern room and mitered by eye rather than justsetting I made using the same style of setting the angle, cutting, and gluing.lantern. It took a method of trial and error to dry fit each piece in 5 layers to get to It took much ingenuity building the finish top trims.this room while figuring out howto run the wiring through metal so The floor was a bit easier to do butthat it would not cut the wires and it took two layers of floor trims thenshort out the lights. The floor was shoe trim was added along the base ofa challenge in that you had to make the columns.adjustments on eight sides until it fit I actually signed the bottom, “MostABOVE: Even the raven is dressed for the difficult build” along with my name.time with it s stylish armor. BELOW: This All of the hard work was well worth itdesk and chair set have an industrial in the end. The little room setting isbut classic feel. RIGHT: There an enchanting piece and thanks to thewas a lot of trial and error, artist that supported me I was able tobut the finished product make it extra special. DHMwas well worth all of theissues that arose.50 D O L L H O U S E M I N I A T U R E S