From House of Miniatures to House of Modern

Back to minis!  Several months ago, HBS had a sale on some House of Miniatures dollhouse furniture kits...they were $1.00 each so even with the shipping, they were a super deal.  I bought them primarily because they were cheap and I figured I could alter them to make them more modern or sell them.  The other day I decided to see what I could do with one of the kits.

 This is the kit I started with, a very traditional chest of drawers.

 This is what I made with the kit. They seem to fit together quite nicely and the wood is nice and smooth, there wasn't much sanding that needed to be done.  I only had to cut a few new parts such as the legs and one of the tops.
 

 I used some of my free laminate samples for the drawer fronts.

I really like the textures.

 

These are the left over pieces from the kit.

 

(Let me know if anyone wants the left overs, I'd hate for them to go to waste)

It's amazing how much a few parts and some paint can make a piece of furniture look so different. Stay tuned for more kit transformations.  I've already started two more!

Mini-Life

I haven't really done anything with miniatures since I got back from the Tom Bishop show in Chicago...So, what have I been doing?  I've been busy working on real life stuff.  It does include miniatures in a way.

 

I've been working on making my work room more efficient.  I simply have too much stuff crammed in a little space. Not to mention that this is a converted attic space and the walls are actually only 4 feet tall then it all slopes to a point at 8 feet in the center of the room.  So, I really don't have much wall space.

 

 There is also no air conditioning in this room.  See that behemoth by the shelves?  That's a portable air conditioner.  It's typically over 90 degrees in this room in the summer, so the portable A.C. is a must!

 

 It got to a point where the only place I could work is on the floor.  Needless to say, the carpeting was quickly getting trashed.

 

 So, I decided on a whim to tear out all of the carpeting and replace it with vinyl flooring. That's my girl Lucy peeking through the door.

 

Here is it in it's current state.  It still needs a lot of organizing, but at least I don't have to sit on the floor and messes are much easier to clean up.

 

Then, if that isn't enough...I decided to start tearing up our screened in porch.  Use your imagination...a dark green ceiling, dirty tan outdoor carpeting, tan walls and brown furniture.  It's not very inviting is it? (I forgot to take before pictures).

 

Here it is now...

 Bright and happy!

 

 We painted the ceiling and all the walls white and the French doors and blades on the ceiling fan are bright orange.

 

I love how the floor turned out!  I painted it lime green and then stenciled the blue.  Then applied five coats of water based floor polyurethane.

 

Now, we are just waiting for the weather to warm up again so we can have a barbecue!

 

So, I guess that will give me some mini time.  I'm having withdraw symptoms and need a little mini fix!

Swap with Mandy!

Swaps, swaps and more swaps!

Not too long ago Mandy Vlak of Modern Mini Mind was looking for advise on how to make a modern kitchen.  So, I offered to do a swap with her.  I would make her a kitchen set and she would make something for me...and did she ever!

Of course, I did not do the "customary" thing and open one each day....does anyone really do that?  It would have taken me a week to open all of these!

 She basically showered me in wonderful accessories and food!

 Mmmmmmm...ice cream!

Orange!, My favorite color!

Thanks Mandy!!! I can't wait to put these to use!

Here is what I sent to Mandy:

I made her this kitchen set complete with bar stools, pots and pans and some colorfully filled jars. The bar stools are actually made by Avi from Mini Models on Etsy.  I bought several of them for the HBS Creating Contest, but ended up not using them.

Spring Swap #1

What seems like a long while back, I organized a spring swap.  Here is the first of the swaps.

The swap partners are Modernist Molly and Nancy Enge. They desided on accessories as their theme.

Here is what Nancy sent to Modernist Molly: 

And this is a little scene she made.  She even made it while traveling!  The floor is beautiful!

And this is what Modernist Molly send to Nancy:

 Love the watercolors!

 Wonderful vases, tissues, hat, mirror and bicycle wall sculpture!

A tea set, dolphin and vase.

Nancy is one of the first time entrant winners in the 2012 HBS Creatin Contest.

More to come!

Chicago International / Three Blind Mice

As I had mentioned in my earlier post, there were not a lot of modern offerings at the miniatures shows in Chicago last weekend.  I did however find a few things.

My first stop was the Three Blind Mice Show since it was closer to where I was staying.

 I got these Reac chairs from the same guy that I got my black Barcelona chairs from at the Museum of Miniatures Show here in Indianapolis back in September. Great prices!

I also found these unfinished items.  I thought the ashtrays would be good for Midcentury.  I liked the old cameras and will paint them to match a couple of vintage cameras we have in real life.  I just thought the Oscar statue was kind of amusing.  There were a few other things I was interested in, but I thought I should save my money for the big show.

Now for the international show: I really didn't buy much.  First, there weren't many modern miniatures there but the ones that were there were incredible. Unfortunately, I didn't have the funds to buy them.  Second, I was so overwhelmed by the amazing artists and their work that I was just so focussed on looking at EVERYTHING!

Here is what I did buy:

 I got this wonderful shoji lamp from Irik Goddard and this cute little bird feeder that I will probably paint orange.

I also got a few plants.  I got this bonsai tree from a Japanese vendor and the succulents and staghorn fern kit from another wonderful vendor.

Overall, it was an great show.  I think I primarily went for the experience and to talk to and meet some amazing miniaturists.  Everyone I talked to was so nice and willing to share their miniature stories. 

Very Good Show!

George Nelson Score

I was just excited that I scored these two classic modern George Nelson Clocks at Home Goods--Cheap!

I guess I'll just have to start collecting modern clocks, now!  They're not just clocks, they're art!

Chicago International - Worth the Trip

I had been planning on going to the Chicago International Miniatures Show for months.  Then my friend Jazzi couldn't make it, so I contemplated the idea of not going. I decided to go with or without a friend along, then I got some really wicked allergies...might not go.  Wouldn't you know, the Thursday before the show, my son gets sick which means I have to work on Friday when I had planned on making a day of it. (I was planning on leaving in the morning, stopping by the Three Blind Mice show and a stop into Ikea before a little dinner and relaxation at the hotel)....might not go now...Then I decided I would be mad at myself if I didn't go...So now on Friday afternoon I decided to go again...crap, a friend borrowed our I-Pass...should I go or this a bad sign? 

Well......I went!!  I am sooooo glad I did!  It was a long drive, about 3 1/2 hours...a little longer having to stop for the tolls.  The primary reasons I'm glad I decided to go to the show are: First, I  got the chance to meet and have lunch with Brae of Otterine, April of  Every Little Thing and Greg  and his wife from the Greenleaf forum (who lives here near Indy).  We had a nice time and a few laughs.  A very close second is to meet and talk to Paris Renfroe from PRD Miniatures and see his miniatures up close. At first, I felt like I was talking to a celebrity because I have admired his modern miniatures for some time.  He was so nice and his wife is gorgeous. I also got to meet Erik Goddard and Peter Tucker.  All incredibly nice people who love their craft.  Wow, do I sound like a name-dropper or what?

Here are some modern miniature highlights:

 

The first stop was Erik Goddard:

 Artist's Studio

Asian/Modern Influence

 I love how the light is coming through the door and windows.  It has such a loft-like feel.

My personal favorite: PRD Miniatures

 Fab art and living/dining room pieces

 Gorgeous Pieces!

Luxury Hotel Bathroom

 Seriously who wouldn't love this no matter what your taste!?

 Luxury Hotel Room: Notice the Chicago skyline?

Check out these Roy Lichtenstein influenced pieces by Kari Bloom of  Miniton Miniatures.  Unfortunately, she doesn't have a web site right now, but it should be up soon.  She prints her own fabrics!

 So Much Fun!!!

Peter Tucker

 I love this artwork. 

No two lighting fixtures are alike. 

I love this chandellier!

Now, Here is the part I'm really ashamed of:  I made a point of writing down the shop where these items were and who made them, however in pure Cyd form, I seem to have lost the note card I was writing on and can't possibly tell you who made these amazing things. :-(  I apologize...If anyone knows who these amazing pieces are made by, please let me know so that I can give them the credit they deserve.

Isn't this stained glass amazing?

I think It has a very Frank Loyd Wright feel to it.

There were surprisingly very few midcentury miniatures at the show. But what was there was pretty cool.  Update: The stained glass is by Barbara Sabia

 Check these out, they are only 1/4" tall.

 I love the little martini shakers and lava lamps.

 Red Hot Lava! 

Update: The lava lamps, vases and midcentury boomerang tables are by RJT Miniatures.

These Heywood Wakefield inspired pieces blew me away.  Alas, I can't remember the maker.  If I regret purchasing anything, this would be it.  I have the real life version in my dining room and I adore it!

That about covers it for the modern miniatures at the show. 

Have a great day!