Chicago Show Highlights

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to head to Chicago for the Tom Bishop international miniature show.  The best part of the show is that it was fun and I was able to meet new miniaturists and see some friends.

Upon arriving at the show I headed straight away to MiniFanaberia's table.  I had seen her new retro fridges online and I was determined to get one.  I had to have it!  Then I saw them and it was like the gods opened the clouds shining a bright light down on those amazing little retro fridges. It lights up and there wasn't a detail missing. Her work is even more amazing in person. Then my eyes welled up with tears...I could not have that amazing miniature fridge.  I just couldn't justify spending that much. Besides I didn't have the cash on me (It's really a good thing she didn't accept credit cards because I might have bought it if she did). So, I bought an iron instead.  Dorota is adorable so sweet and seemed flattered that I wanted to take a picture of her work.

MiniFanaberia

Miniature Wood Creations

Miniature Wood Creations out of Minnesota had some beautiful pieces as well.  We talked a long time about Minnesota and living out in the country.  I don't live in the country, but he does.  He gave me some useful information about fresh eggs right from the chicken. 

 This mini woodworking scene is amazing and extremely detailed.

Atomic Miniature

Of course there's  Michael Yurkovik - aka Atomic Miniature.  He recently became an IGMA artist. He's a super nice guy and great artist.

I really love this modern loft he made.

TYA Kitchen

TYA Kitchen never disappoints and always makes my drool!  I did buy a great little orange colander.

Roomboxes Etc.

Peter Tucker at Roomboxes Etc. is another one who never disappoints.  We had a nice conversation about modern and he enlightened me on what the black Reitveld chair on the top row is used for in RL.  It was used for customers at furriers.  They would drape their fur coat over the arm of the chair so that it would not touch the floor and so that they could show off the label in their coat. Another thing I love about Peter Tucker is that he never makes the exact same thing twice.

Keenderson Miniatures

Keenderson Miniatures makes some really fun and different modern miniatures.  I love the chest with the differently angled drawers.

There you have it!  Modern and Mid-century Modern highlights from the international show.  Overall it was a good show.  I'll show the goods I got at the show next post.

5 Year Bloggiversary

I can't believe I've been blogging about modern miniatures since April of 2011.  Over the last five years I have met a bunch of really great people.  It's been through blogging and reading blogs that I have discovered a world of dollhouse miniatures that I never knew existed. I've made friends, found amazing resources and learned a lot of techniques for making miniatures. So, I think it's time to celebrate and thank my miniature friends by having a giveaway.

I'm giving away this re-upholstered vintage Bodo Hennig chair along with the pillow and a few other things that I haven't decided on yet.

Just comment on this post and I will do a random drawing of all the names and announce the winner on April 25th.

Thank you for following!

Facebook Frustrations

I know you probably don't want to hear me bitch about stuff nor do you like to read lengthy posts without pictures, but this really pisses me off!

As many of you know, I also have a Mini Mod Pod Facebook page.  I've had the page for some time now and have created what I think is a pretty good following. As I'm sure some of you do, I try to keep my mini life somewhat separate from my personal life.  I don't want to bombard my personal friends with miniatures because quite frankly, they are not interested.

I do love to talk minis and share new and or old things I find interesting in the mini world. Facebook seems to be a good way to do that....and it's free...for now.  Recently Facebook is treating my page like a business page and won't let me share posts or comment on posts from other pages as Mini Mod Pod, only from my personal page.  I can't even see posts by pages or people that Mini Mop Pod likes!

Now I have to figure out a way to post mini stuff as Mad for Mod/Mini Mod Pod...maybe a new private group for modern and midcentury miniatures? Maybe I should just start a new account as Mad for Mod?

Eureka!

I think I have decided what I'm going to do for the this year's Creatin' Contest: 

I still need to do a dry fit to decide whether or not I'm going to do a loft or some kind of Murphy bed/sofa bed, but I think this will work.  I'm going to forgo the current porch and use the entire base as the house.  

I will add a deck on one end with a front door and the side where the big windows will be (like the one below).

...Of course, knowing me I will get half way into the build and decide to go another direction.  I think the trick for me is not to get too ambitious or impatient.

#HBSCreatinContest2016

In addition, I just bought this large lot of Bodo Hennig / German made minis off of Ebay. I actually only wanted to keep a few pieces and was planning of selling off the rest, but as I unwrapped the pieces I found that there were many more that I like and will be keeping.

Some of them are duplicates of what I already have so I will re-sell those or give some as gifts...maybe a giveaway since I haven't had one in awhile.

  I'm just curious what you think if I were to reupholster the pieces that I'm not fond of...like ALL of the floral prints.  Do you think that would "devalue" the pieces for those who are purists? or does it really matter as long as it is done well?

Too Many Ideas

I got my 2016 HBS Contest kit - The Backyard Bungalow a few days ago.  When I first saw the kit online, I was uninspired because it just wan't my style. Quite frankly, It's still not my style, but I can make it into something that is.  I haven't opened it yet for dry fit it, but I have spent days drawing out different floor plans for a Tiny house. Even at my RL job I sneak in a doodle here and there.  For some reason I just can't get it right so I decided to go on Pinterest and Google Images for some ideas....well, now I have too many ideas and can't decide.  

See what I mean? Decisions, decisions, decisions.  Do I use one kit or two?  Do I use two and stack them on top of each other or next to each other?  I want to use two, but my work space is limited...My work room is in an attic and the side walls are only 4 feet tall. so storage and usable work space is at a premium. Do I use one and go out or up?  Who knew that a seemingly uninspiring kit could inspire so many ideas?

Carpeting Dilemma Solved

The last time I posted about the Creating Contest Mad Men Office, I was having a bit of trouble with the carpeting and glue soaking through it.  Well, Thanks to Fran at Miniatures.com and her great advice, the carpeting is attached and looks great.

I know the picture is really dark, but I'll get a better one next time.  I've also gotten the teak veneer on the walls and silver edging up.  Next is getting the lighting hooked up then it will be time to start on Don Draper's decorating. 

#HBSCreatincontest2015

 I have been looking for a Millie August Magic Mini Pleater to make the window treatments for a couple of months now.  The last one I found on Ebay was a bit out of my price range. If anyone knows where I can get one PLEASE let me know.

I have also made a little progress on the Citadel Kitchen

The bottom cabinets are a dark grey gloss laminate from Formica and it's called...wait for it..."Citadel".  The uppers will be a white gloss.  The stove and fridge are kits from Elf Miniatures . I asked Elizabeth if she could either make an orange fridge to go with the orange cooker kit or even just some of the orange plastic that is on the cooker so I could make my own. Within a couple of hours she got back to me with this awesome matching fridge kit (which is now for sale on the website).

CC 2016 Inspiration

When I first saw the 2016 Creatin' Contest kit, I was a little uninspired.  Now that we are supposedly going to have an early spring (we cal only hope) I have had an aha moment and started brain storming.

This is the 2016 kit: The Backyard Bungalow

Here are a couple of ideas for a beach bungalow.

This is a pretty small kit, so I will have to buy two.

Another idea I had is to do a Tiny House.  One of those really compact 200 square foot homes with lots of hidden multi purpose furniture and storage.

I will probably just get the kits and play around with them until I decide.

#HBSCreatincontest2016