Upcoming #Halloween Project

It's been awhile since I posted, I see. Not that I haven't been busy working on different things. I'll likely have various posts and projects to share soon as the fair is getting close!

Recently, Dana on the MiniDollList came up with a theme for the next miniature doll project on the list - a steampunk Halloween witch scene based on an absolutely fantastic picture!  Basing a project on a picture or photo is so much fun to do! 

I love this image! I looked it up and found the artwork is formally called "Ezlynn the Industrial Witch" by Bobbie Berendson. (As there are buttons to share the work on Pinterest and social media, I can share the image here.)

Cool details in this. I'm building my scene in a book box and am using miniature jars, plus crystal beads to put on the shelves. I have an interesting gold pot, I think it was an incense burner, to use for the cauldron. I had saved it as I loved the legs with faces!

The fun of replicating a scene is that you can't do it exactly, but you try to get close and put your own style on it. I decided to use a painted bamboo mat for the back, hard to cut but I managed to cut the hole in. There'll be a rust-colored paper for the background.  I'm lining the hole with a paper clay ring that I'll paint. I'm on the third try until I get the lines carved how I want!

I finally got the clay ring to fit and decided to fill in the top portion with clay, too. I'll take a photo once I get the painting the way i want.

Here are some of the items I'm assembling so far! I'll share other progress as I go along. I'm going to work on the shelving next and assembling the doll and figuring out the clothes.

Some of the bottles/jars:

The book box. I removed the lining inside and replaced with bamboo and wood strips.

  The artist also has a coloring book  with assorted witchy images - Madam Mezmerelda's Dark Steampunk Coloring Book: Madam Mezmerelda's Digest of the Mad. the Mystic, & the Macabre.
    Check out her Etsy shop with the book and art prints.

Spring '18 Dollhouse Shows!

Wow didn't realize it's been awhile since I posted here.  Doesn't mean I haven't been working in miniature - of course I have! But I've also been busy writing and such, with a new Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter book out and book two also! (See website for details and cool covers!)

This blog, though, is where I talk and share MINIS! So, here's a look at a few things I found at the Spring Chicago-area shows (in Schaumburg, IL) and a few things I saw (and couldn't buy. ha!) (Click to see images full size.)

Love these kits from SDK Miniatures. I've been saving her Gothic items for my half scale Haunted House I plan to do. So, when I saw these online I had to have them! I didn't realize she'd be at The Miniature Show, so I saved myself some shipping! Aren't they great? The center kit is a half scale ivy kit.

I also found this cute Halloween set and decorated tree, both from Cindy's Minis. I had bout a chair/couch set and a small skirted table with parson's chairs from her before online.

An interesting set of iridescent "glass?" blocks I found at the Three Blind Mice Show. I got two packages as I thought they could be some kind of window or bath decoration when I do my half scale sea captain and mermaid house. Also found some plain frames and this pretty decorated frame, plus some other metal minis to paint from Mesh Miniatures. I want to use the frames for the spooky Halloween face pictures (that change from plain face to scary face.)

Yes I bought some other things I dosn't need to take photos of - a wood counter, some light sconces and glass chimneys, lots of "small"things. 

I did  find the NAME Day 2015 Window Shopping Kit that looked interesting to try, so I got one. Here are a few photos from an Omaha club's finished kits.   Here's a photo of an unfinished kit. (I got it for $10.) Now to decide how to finish it: Raggedy Ann or Halloween items? Hmmm.....

Now for some things at The Miniature Show that I didn't buy... Care to guess prices? ha!
Handmade leather vintage prams and bicycles.  I didn't write down prices but the prams are in the $300 range - bikes are in the $200 range.

 These are gorgeous hand-painted miniature oil paintings. 

I can't fault any prices on artwork. Joannes Landemann's amazing mini reproductions of 17th century Dutch masters were also on hand (which are in the $1,000 and up range. You have to see these to appreciate the work - see a selection on Pinterest.) 

Very nice handmade miniature leather chairs. ($365)

 Cool Steampunk-decoraated Tardis Box (Dr. Who)

Handmade dress and jacket outfits. 

Nice shabby furniture assortment.

I couldn't resist getting this tiny sailed ship for my sea captain's mantle.

So just a small selection of things I saw or bought. Good show! Always have fun there.