Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Tom Bishop International Miniature Show, Part 2

My friend Deana, sent me pictures that she took at the Bishop show of some really cool Steampunk items she found and she said I could share them with you all. These items were created by Rainbow hand and Kathy.  These are some truly Wonderful items for those of us who love to look at Stempunkery. Check these out:




She also had the opportunity to go to the IMA show (I didn't get the chance to go) and she took pictures of a Fantastic Tree house. She said it was created by M.R. Daniels   Isn't it fabulous?





The only things I purchased this year at the show were flower kits from Pepperwood Miniatures  I bought some of her Morning Glories. I have a feeling I am going to want more of her flowers. I was looking for petunias but it seems that must be a hard one because I did not find those anywhere at the show. I also bought some supplies from Templewood Miniatures I took a class a few years ago with Katheryn and learned how to create several flowers using cold porcelain.


I also took pictures of the other houses Rik had for sale at the Bishop show

Rapunzel's Tower

 Smugglers Cottage

 Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor
(this is the next Project, I will work on)
 



Thank You again for stopping by to read my blog!! Wishing You a Fantastic Day doing Miniature!! I would like to give a Special Thank you to Deana for sharing her pictures with us all!!

Tracy
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Monday, April 23, 2012

Tom Bishop's Chicago International Dollhouse Show 2012

What a Show! This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to go to one of the greatest Miniature Shows on Earth. It was the Tom Bishop's International Show 2012 in Chicago. I missed last year's show and was so disappointed because I love to see what new items different artisans have created over the past 12 months for this show.

It's a Great time for many artisans to show off their talents on so many different categories in miniature. Some make custom lights fixtures, animals, furniture, buildings, flowers, even stained glass and pots and pans.

What makes this show so unique from the others is the items. You can easily find lights to light your dollhouse, but artisan hand create these lights and they can look so much like a real light fixture in your full sized home, that when you look at the picture, it will have you guessing, "is it real"? Even the animals, carpets, furniture, flowers and houses can just leave you in awe.

Well, I took some pictures but, I am so sorry to say that I got so wrapped up with talking to people that I have only talked to online or friends I haven't seen in years, that I found myself stopped at their table and I forget to take pictures of their wonderful items. I'm sorry about that and promise to do better next time. I was so excited to just be there.

Of course my first stop was to see Rik & Marcia Pierce. I learned from Rik how to do the stones in paperclay and have taken several classes over the years with him. I had such fun stopping by and chatting and talking with both Rik  and his wife. It's so fun to get a view of her new items. The one below, is incomplete. The insides is not finished. Some of the rooms has not been started on at all and other room are not painted yet.

This is of the Dragon Wizard Tower he is creating for one of his Clients. It's stunning!

Front with dragon head door


This is the back



Next, I saw my friend from the Greenleaf Forum Deana who has gone through a lot in the past year. We talked for about 2 hours straight! It was our first time meeting in person and she is just a sweet and funny & cool lady! Her gorgeous daughter talked to my daughter while her Mom and I talked then I realized we were standing across from Erik Goddard's table!! I LOVE his stuff! My Favorite was his roombox depiction of Edgar Allen Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado". My Daughter loved his Modern Scenes, it made her think of the Movie "In Time" that came out last year.










Rachel's Favorite


I then had the opportunity to see Dennis Nordman. He taught his first class this year and it was called "Wizards R Us". He is also a student of Rik Pierce. He was excited to be at the show selling and teaching. I met him 2 years ago while of course, I was taking one of Riks classes.



I then went to the doll room. I wanted to see my friend Bev Gelfand. She had a fabulous table and was just a Wonderful person to be able to talk to. She is so open and friendly. Her dolls were so Gorgeous! 



She and I together.



I also had a chance to see my other doll friend Gayle Clausen. Her dolls just brings a huge smile to your face!


 I had the chance to briefly see Jo Bevilacqua and her wonderful roomboxes and other items. Isn't this Fabulously Gorgeous!

 This one is a class she is doing at her home. This was totally Beautiful at the show:


These were just a few of my favorites and am so sorry that I did not take more pictures! If you have blogged things you got at the show this past weekend, please feel free to leave a comment with your blog address so others can see what you liked most at the show. Please feel free to visit the links provided so you can see more of their items. Unfortunately, Dennis Nordman does not have a website. When you click his name, his email will show up though. 

Hope you enjoyed the visiting my blog today!

Tracy Topps
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. `·.¸.·´ ♥
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Saturday, April 14, 2012

Greenleaf Dollhouses Sixth Annual Spring Fling Contest

Greenleaf Dollhouses announced and revealed their newest annual project for the Sixth Annual Spring Fling Contest! The details are below:

Greenleaf is proud to announce the start of our Sixth annual Spring Fling Contest! Last years contest was such fun, we decided to to get back to what Greenleaf is known for... Afforadibility! We’re getting back to our roots by offering an ultra-affordable delivered project… only $18.95 with FREE SHIPPING ON YOUR ENTIRE ORDER*! Now how do you like them apples! Speaking of apples, one of the additions available this year is a cute farm stand just ready to be filled with mini fruit! Of course, it can be used for many other purposes just like the other available options, but all are meant to change the feel of the kit and not necessarily make it a bigger project, so they aren’t necessary to compete. I’d like to point out that a lot of these accessories would look great on a variety of other Greenleaf dollhouses, so here’s your chance to pick them up at a substantial saving! I'm also happy to announce that the ever popular prize category called "luck of the draw", which is a randomly selected winner, will be returning this year. Also, time is not of essence because we are extending the contest until September 3, 2012 (Labor Day)!

As usual, we are making it extra interesting; we're going to name this new dollhouse after the winner! That's right, we'll rename it after you… it's your chance to be forever immortalized as part of the Greenleaf product line. Now how cool is that?

In a nutshell, just submit a picture of a scene with your project that must include the base house and you might win one of these great prizes below. The best news is that Greenleaf has put together a special deal on the Base Project kit for $18.95 with FREE SHIPPING on your entire order* (more details below)! So join us in the fun as we celebrate the seasons!

SPECIAL SAVINGS ALERT: ALL PAST SPRING FLING KITS ARE ON SALE AT 25% OFF FOR THE NEXT SIX DAYS! They're all listed on this page.



To buy this years house, click here http://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/Spring-Fling-2012.html




Decorate your contest kit and include it in a scene, maybe next to your dollhouse or in a garden setting, whatever strikes your fancy. You can turn your project into ANYTHING your imagination can dream up. Please note there is only one entry per member.

Submit your 3 BEST pictures to thewinner@greenleafdollhouses.com by Labor Day, September 3, 2012, with the words in the subject line "I'm a winner". You can include a short description of your project. If you are a member of the Greenleaf Miniature Community, please include your forum name.

A select group of Greenleaf Staff, not Forum Staff, but the people that actually make your dollhouses, will select the winners based on originality.

The winners will be announced the first week in October!