Still more Chicago....Ron Hubble & JL Signature Homes

I'm so glad that everyone is enjoying all the pictures.  It is hard to believe that tomorrow will be a week since I first flew to Chicago.  Time is flying by so quickly.

Some of you were wondering just how large The Accolade roombox was...well here is a picture of the exterior.  Sorry it isn't the best picture and it still doesn't show a good scale, but remember that the dolls are about 6 inches tall and you get a really good idea of the size. 

Oh, and curious as to just how big this show really is?  Well here are a few pictures showing the three different rooms.  I couldn't get the whole rooms because they are huge, but this should give you an idea of just how many people are at this show.  This show represents 230 exhibitors from 34 US States and 17 countries. WOW!! That is a lot of minis, and my feet felt like I had toured the globe at the end of the day on Saturday.

Now...how about some more pretty pics to look at.  In the hall outside the showrooms were two large dollhouses done by JL Signature Homes (don't have a website).  Talk about some craftsmanship.  The first home was called The Helmrich.

 OK...just look at that staircase in the foyer.  You still have your drool napkins from last night? They might come in handy here.

 The trim work in the rooms was equally as impressive.

The second house by them was The Brandywine.  This house has one of the most amazing central stairways I have ever seen in a dollhouse.  Sigh...so pretty.  Me want!!



Many of you may be familiar with Ron Hubble (http://www.ronhubble.com/index.html).  He makes some beautiful custom furniture and his fabrics are always the best.  Here are a few roomboxes and displays he had set up.  Such pretty eye candy.  I spent a lot of time with my hand over my mouth looking at all these minis.  If I hadn't covered my mouth, I'm sure something would have flown right on in there. Most of my time was spent with my mouth open in amazement.

I'm off to look at pictures, clean up some more to share and remember all the fun I had in Chicago.  Tomorrow will be my last official blog post about this trip, but I'm sure I'll have more to share as I think of things.

Till later!

More Chicago...Rik Pierce and DeCave Design!

I promised you last night that I would be sharing some Rik Pierce items with you and I'm not one to let my friends down.  For those of you that aren't familiar with Rik's work, there are TONS of pictures on his website (Frogmorton.com).  Rik and his wife are two of the most delightful people I have ever met. The pictures I'm going to share with you are of his newest piece, Rapunzel's Tower.  This structure sits on a fairly small footprint, but rises three stories into the air.  I can't even begin to describe it to you so I'm just going to toss some pictures at you.  If you are a fan of Rik's work or of fantasy creations, you may want to grab a napkin because there is going to be drooling.  Don't be embarrassed...I did it in person. At least you are at home. LOL

Ladies and Gentlemen....Rapunzel's Tower. Surrounded by water and only accessible by the main door.

The main door.  It is striking all on it's own.

 The main floor features a fireplace and inlaid floor.

 The mid floor has the same floor and a door leading to a small balcony (shown in next picture).

 The top floor was more simple (sorry, picture of room didn't come out) and had a door opening onto a small circular balcony.  You can picture Rapunzel up there letting her hair down for her Prince to climb.

Rik also had another structure up for viewing on his table.  This one is called Tanglewood. Gosh I love the names of his structures.  This was a small shop that could be done up in a lot of different ways.  It doesn't matter if Rik's pieces are small, one-story structures or large 3 story ones, the attention to detail is always the same and is magical!

I hope one day you will get to see some of his work in person. Pictures just can not do it justice.

Ready for some more pictures? I thought you might be! We were walking through the show on Saturday and a roombox caught my eye off to the side.  It drew me in like a moth to one of those bug zapper things.  Boy was I zapped.  As I stood there drooling and peering through the windows, I heard a small voice in my ear saying..."I made each of the 763 individual books on those shelves."  Huh? I turned my head and looked into the face of the creator of this masterpiece.  Gerry DeCave stood there smiling at me because I'm sure she knew what was running through my head.  I was looking at her roombox, "Windsor Antique and Rare Book Shop".  I just couldn't stand up straight and stop staring into it.  Finally, my manners slapped me around a bit and I stood up and introduced myself.  Gerry is an amazingly creative person who paints faux-finished furniture, creates STUNNING chandeliers and made a roombox I just wanted to crawl into and curl up with a book. (http://www.decavedesign.com/)

Gerry was so friendly. We stood there and talked for a long time, and then we talked even more on Sunday. I forgot to take additional pictures. You can see more on her website. There is even a message board inside the rare book section covered with messages. You just want to stand there and read them all.  Everything she does is stunning. You would never believe her faux-finishes aren't real burl wood or other exotics.  More drooling.  Please utilize your napkins now.



OK, I think now is a good time to stop and let you get some water.  I'll have more up tomorrow.

Till later!

More Chicago - "The Accolade" by Scott Hughes

One of the best things about attending the Bishop International Show in Chicago is meeting the artists and getting to speak with them.  So many of them love to talk about what they create, but one of the great ones that stands out is Scott Hughes of Scott's Lighting.  This man is truly a magician when it comes to creating miniatures and his lighting and craftmanship is topnotch.  He is a quiet man who loves to chat and we spoke to him on both Saturday and Sunday.  He even went out of his way to say hi to us when we saw him at breakfast Sunday morning.  On Sunday during the height of the rush we asked if he would mind if we took pictures of his massive creation "The Accolade".  This piece is based on the famous 1901 painting by Edmund Blair Leighton. Not only did he say we could take pictures, but he even opened up the front so I could get in and take some great pictures.  I hope you enjoy them. Just in case you are wondering, he was excited I was adding them to my blog.  Maybe one day I can convince him to get a website up to showcase his lighting. 

This is the original painting.  

The following pictures are from his creation. Keep in mind that he works in standard 1" scale. This is a BIG roombox.  He made everything other than the dolls. They were created by Fern Vasi.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to show the rest of my purchases and I think we'll take a tour of a couple pieces by Rik Pierce.  Rik is another master and I think you'll enjoy what he had this year!

Till later!

Chicago Update with Pictures

Hello everyone.

Well, I finally made it to Chicago yesterday after being delayed about 2 hours. That really dug into our miniature fun time, but at least we made it to the IMA show.

Today, we were up early and at the Marriott in time for some breakfast and then the show.  Can I just say that there is hardly anything more fun than spending about six hours looking at minis and talking to other miniaturists and artists.  I met so many talented people and we gushed and awed over their minis, but I really have to say that one of my all time favorite memories will be standing and talking to James Carrington for about a half hour, if not more.  Truly an experience and so much fun.

Now here is what I know you have been wanting to see.....pictures!!  Not a lot from the show itself, but pics of what I purchased will have to do.  LOL  Here are even two pictures of me taking pics of my miniatures.

Isn't this little skull with the tiny skeleton one of the cutest things you have ever seen?!? I adore him.

Now...Bishop Chicago International

Want to try something small? How about some 144 scale rooms.  These scenes are all by Nellie Corkin.  The mermaid is 1" scale

Here are some pics of what I purchased. 

Loving the basket! I think it will look great on the counter of The Mystic Path holding some fresh herbs.

I felt Madam Aspen needed some plants in the shop so I purchased the Celedon elephant planter to hold a fern and the hanging basket will also hold a green plant.

Plants did you say?  How about a great  Fern and Hydrangea kit?  I've never done a kit but these from Ambrosia have everything in them, including the pots.  I'm excited to get home and try them.

My beautiful Kwan Yin.  The detail on this tiny 1" tall brass piece is incredible. I'm going to have to find the perfect place for her.  I couldn't resist and she was the only one there.

Ray Storey had some amazing bottles at his table and at $10 each, it was hard to pass up getting one of each.  I think on the shelves in The Mystic Path they will make quite a striking impression.  WOOHOO!!

Well folks, that is all for today.  I'm hoping to have more pics to share after our trip to the show again tomorrow.  Stay tuned for more

Till later!

It's been a while....CHICAGO BOUND!!

Hi everyone.

First, let me thank all of you that sent notes and messages to me for the loss of my mother.  Some of you know that it has been a long drawn out process, but she is peacefull now and free from her worries and pain.

Thank you again.

As I'm sure you can imagine, it has been a whirlwind couple of weeks, but now I sit at Charlotte Douglas Airport, waiting patiently for my plane to arrive so I can board and take off for Chicago.  There were times that I thought the best thing would be to not take this trip, but I'm sure my mother would have given me a solid tongue lashing for spending money on tickets and hotel, and then not go.

Of course....this is an airport and that means delays.  My flight has now been delayed an hour but they have promised it wouldn't be delayed any further. HAHAHAHAHA....sorry, I just find "promises" from airlines and airports to be vastly amusing.  What they fail to understand is the amount of stress they are causing me because of the delay.  I've seen miniaturists to absolutly crazy when kept from their desire.  Please pray for patience for me. :-)

Ok, the plane is arriving and I should be boarding soon.  I hope everyone travelling to Chicago has a safe trip and if you see me running around, please say "HI".  I'm not wearing the tux jacket, but I'll probably be the loudest person there and I'll be the one with the GREAT BIG EYES from seeing all the wonderful things to see.  Oh...wait...there are going to be LOTS of great big eyes there.

More later after I get there and maybe get some pics to share!

Till later!!