The Miniature Grapevine...

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The Miniature Grapevine…

On this page we will bring you news of our very own artisans, juicy gossip or anything to do with the miniatures world or related subjects that we think may be of interest to you…

Celia Thomas


New AIM Members...

We would like to extend a very warm welcome to the following miniaturist artisans who have joined AIM in the past month: 

  • Claire Campbell Smith
  • Susanne Rosso
  • Arla Johnson
  • Wendy Smale Of Wendy’s Miniatures
  • Barbara Davies
  • Steve Harvey
  • Jane Harrop
  • Debie Lyons of Piskies & Poppets
  • Margie Parus of Margie’s Petite Palette

 

Our Aim members are always working extremely hard and in this month’s latest issues of the three main UK  dollshouse magazines plus others from around the world, many of our members are featured in one way or another. Here are just a few:

Mini AIMers...

Have you sent in your entry for the Xmas Competition? Don't forget, there are lots of wonderful prizes to be won and due to popular demand, the closing date for entry has been extended to 24th January 2009.  So go take another look and send your entry to Margaret at : minimilliner@blueyonder.co.uk

SPACE 

  Dolls House Magazine – February Issue 129

*Kathryn Gray (Templewood Miniatures) gets a mention in the 'Matter of Size' article on page 18, as does Petite Properties.

 

*There is a project for an inset 24th scale room set written by Bea Broadwood (Petite Properties) pages; 22 - 27 and also a readers’ competition, featuring a chance to win £70 of Petite Properties Vouchers on page 27

* Annette Shaw (Little Hatter) is featured in the 'Valentine's day buys' piece on page 39

*Chris Shepherd (Shepherd Miniatures) & Carol Lester (The Dolls House Mall) feature in the web focus section on page 46

 

*There is a kit review of Liz Le Pla (Elf Miniatures) Vanity Unit Kit on page 47. Liz has informed us that the price has been reduced since the magazine went to print due to the fact that she has changed suppliers of the bowls therefore has been able to reduce the price accordingly. 

Dolls House & Miniature Scene Magazine – February Issue 176

 

* Eileen Sedgewick tells us that she is making a small appearance in the Study in Red feature in the Martha Puff article, with " La Belle Dame Sans Merci " on page 7.

 

*Part One of the 1940s Hallway Room Box which is now up for auction to raise funds for Breast Cancer Campaign features as a “How To Make Project” by Celia Thomas (KT Miniatures) on page 44. This also features the work of several artisans including AIM members Robin Britton (Coombe Crafts), Ellie de Lacy and  Mags Cassidy (Mags-nificent Miniatures.)

 

*Kathryn Gray (Templewood Miniatures) has Part 4 of her Period Flower Arranging article on page 73.

 

Contemporary Doll Collector Magazine

 

Aim member Louise Goldsborough (Angelique Miniatures) tells us that seven of her miniature dolls have just appeared in the latest issue of the American “Contemporary Doll Collector” magazine. The dolls featured are Coronation Queen Elizabeth 1st, Spectre at the Masquerade, Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother, The Queen and The Knave of Hearts & The Winter Bride.



Dollhouse Miniatures Magazine (USA) – Jan/Feb Issue

 

American AIM member Pamela J Nicholson who makes miniature food tells us that there is an article about her in the latest issue of Dollshouse Magazine.

  

Miniature Collector February Issue 2009

  

Aim member Sassy Marsha (Sassy Mini Dolls) has told us that she has just found that her doll "Born to shop" is on page 24 of the February 2009 issue of Miniature Collector.

   

WELL DONE TO ALL OF YOU!  OF COURSE THERE ARE LOTS MORE AIM MEMBERS FEATURED IN MANY OF THE DOLLS HOUSE AND MINIATURES MAGAZINES ALL OVER THE GLOBE BUT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MENTION EVERYONE HERE.


 

Miniature Bookbinding Course...

AIM member Barbara Brear will be running a 5 day Bookbinding Course in July 2009. If you are interested you will need to apply soon as there are only a limited number of places.

What will students make during the course?

 We will make a minimum of 5 books: a stamp album with leather spine and corners (so called quarter binding); an autograph book; a journal with a faux French binding; an open book made to lie open on a desk or bed and finally, and most difficult, a fully printed book with illustrations.

Where is the course being held? 

 

The venue is the charming Les Hallais in North Western France near Le Mans where Anita Mills has created a miniaturists’ haven complete with an on-site miniatures museum which houses the host’s collection of more than 30 miniature houses and room boxes.  Accommodation is in single or double rooms and all meals are provided along with wine for dinner.

 

What skills are required?

 The ability to follow instructions is all that is required to guarantee success.  A steady hand and good eyesight is an advantage and you might like to bring along an extra light. There will be a maximum of 10 participants.

The course starts on 5 July 2009 and runs until Thursday 09 July 2009 but it is suggested you arrive sometime on the Saturday.  Departure day would be the Friday.  The closing date for applications is 31 March 2009. 

If you would like to receive a brochure with details of the venue and the course, e-mail Barbara Brear at bbminiatures@yahoo.com or visit her web site:http://www.bbminiatures.homestead.com or visit http://www.leshallais.com


 

Space

Space

Brass Hardware...

AIM member Susanne Rosso informs us of the following:

“Tom Walden of Florida has graciously volunteered to handle the last of my old Brasses line of Hardware and accessories.  Once it is gone there is no more. So first come, first serve. There is 1/12th scale brass furniture hardware, doll accessories (even working scissors), hinges, door hardware, trunk hardware, trim, clock dials, and also a variety in 1/2" scale - the likes of which you will probably never see again.

You can view PDF files that show each and every item still available with descriptions, prices, and quantities still available. You can see all this on Tom’s website at this link: http://www.tomwalden.name/RussoBrass.html . There is also an order form on that same web page. Plus, shipping is FREE to all USA addresses (minimal to international).

Tom will also be selling these items at my dealer table at the Orlando (Cromwell), Chicago (IMA), and NAME National shows - but some items may not be available for each subsequent show. “


 

AIM TO HAVE A SHOWCASE TABLE AT THAME DOLLS HOUSE & MINIATURES FAIR

 

AIM will be displaying their talents at the charity Thame Dolls House & Miniatures Fair taking place next year on 21st February 2009. We hope to have a large selection of AIM members’ work to showcase the wealth of talent of our members plus we hope volunteer members will be on hand to answer any questions that the public may have.


PETITE PROPERTIES WORKSHOP AT KENSINGTON DOLLSHOUSE FESTIVAL - detail just released!!

 

This Bea (Fiona Broadwood) will be teaching a workshop on Friday 15th May [morning] - 9.30am to 12.00 at the Kensington Dolls House Festival...

The workshop will primarily be to teach a variety of brick painting and distressing techniques - these will be applied to Petite Properties new range of a pre cast 1:24th scale chimney breast kits.  The paint finishes taught will include plain brick / cottage brick / distressed white washed brick.[Students can choose the finish that they would like to do]
The workshop will also include the construction, painting and distressing of one of the new Petite Properties Cooking Range kits which complements the chimney breast perfectly. [Again students can choose the colour finish of their cooking stove to suit their personal requirements]
All materials will be provided.
There will be only 10 places available.
Further booking details for the workshop will be posted on the Kensington website by the show's organise in due course - KDF Workshop details...