The Miniature Show – the Bishop Show – April 2018
More show fun at The Miniature Show.
Arjen Spinhoven – art nouveau vanity and stool kit
Art of Mini – more lovely kits
Jeff’s Creations at the Judy Orr Miniatures table – tiny robot
Here Today Gone Tomorrow – armillary
and working hourglass
Then back to the Chicago International Bishop Show
Vitreus Ignis – tiny glass triceratops
Teresa Layman – new fox rug kit
Alice Zinn – cat toy! (cat model: Isabeau by Maya Schippl)
Beth Freeman-Kane – I’ve had a photo of her mouse in a tea cup on my wish list for a long time. I couldn’t believe it was still available. :]
Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
April 29, 2018 | 0 commentsBishop Show – April 2018
I headed to the Chicago International Bishop Show for preview day.
Annelle Ferguson – Mini Stitches – fish pillow
Jane Graber – plate and cute critter
64tnt Miniatures – potted mushrooms
Taller Targioni – vintage camera
Mini Gio – potholders
FannimiNiATURE – tiny mouse stealing cookies
Miracle Chicken – carved wood bear
D-Tales Miniatures – wall shelves and clock
Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
April 27, 2018 | 0 comments3 Blind Mice show – April 2018
I headed to the 3 Blind Mice show for opening night. I love this show — always a good mix of goodies in need of discovery.
All About Miniatures. Old World Tile kits.
Hartland Miniatures. Lots of goodies here! Realife Country Living Room kit.
Dark wood gate and a wood truck kit (wheeled dolly).
Debra Rundle. Vintage finds, including this firescreen by Ellen Moore.
Semi-circular wall shelf.
Unknown vendor – love this settee!
Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
April 27, 2018 | 0 commentsWee “c” Miniatures Show 2017
Tonight, I headed to the annual Wee “c” Miniatures Show. It’s a smaller show but there are always wonderful finds to be discovered. The show is open again tomorrow if you are in the area. :]
There’s always a bargain table in the lobby with the raffle prizes. I was able to score a few sheets of vintage wallpaper. I was having a hard time choosing something for the mill, and I think the pale yellow diamond pattern on the right will be lovely in the upper room.
A Little More in Miniatures – Boston fern leaves to make your own plants.
The Garden Path – a lovely purple bowl by Jason Feltrope.
Fabrics, including an amazing brown houndstooth.
Cea’s Unique Finds – this vendor had a lot of what I am guessing were estate pieces. A had good luck at this table starting with a tiny quarter scale hot plate. Guess who is going to have to build a quarter scale house now. :D
This was a mockup by Donna Bahls for tiny working rubber stamps.
There is only one true working stamp as the rest are just the mockup display, but I couldn’t pass it up. Even if only the tea cup truly works, the others will make for great accessories in a scene.
This corner cabinet is marked Lanny Gregg 79.
It’s such an unusual piece and in remarkable condition. The drawers do open. :]
The final mini of the night was this marvelous bird marked J. Holmes 82. I love all things New England, and this is so indicative of that style.
Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
November 10, 2017 | 0 commentsBishop Show Chicago Fall 2017
It’s mini show time again! I headed to the Bishop Show – Chicago Fall 2017 event tonight and came home with a few goodies. I also saw the classes for next year’s Bishop International Show, so I have some things to consider. :]
All About Miniatures. A beautiful JBM Miniatures upholstered stool.
Iklectic Kollectibles. This beautiful tiny doll is by Ethel Hicks.
The Little Dollhouse Company. I am a sucker for white ceramics. :D
Sir Thomas Thumb. I did not buy these, but they were amazing to see. Yes, those power tools work!
While I’m at it, I will share the birthday goodies from Debora. Always in need of small accent tables, and HoM kits are perfect for that!
This delightful box has working hardware by Ron Stetkewicz Miniatures.
Rustic piggy.
Working padlock!!!! :O I haven’t take it out to try it yet.
Owl cane. The insert reads, “From an owl cane hand-sculpted by Linda Parr (1941-1985).”
Hardware from The Dolls House Mall and Olde Mountain Miniatures.
Hand crafted hammer.
Thanks so much, Debora! :D
Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
August 25, 2017 | 0 commentsLast day of the shows 2017
It was the last day of the shows for me, though the Chicago International Bishop Show is still open tomorrow.
Diane Paone – clam/oyster basket
Lighthouse figurine
Back to The Miniature Show, too.
Arjen Spinhoven – always a pleasure to see Arjen, who makes wonderful and unique kits.
I took some photos of the finished items as well for reference.
The rent table has an interesting story: the top slid forward to keep the tax payer unable to reach the money collected by the tax collector. :O
Looking Glass Miniatures – wonderfully made paper scrolls and ribbon tied letters.
Until next time… :]
Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
April 22, 2017 | 0 commentsBishop Show and Miniature Show 2017
Today was the preview day for the Chicago International Bishop Show. :]
I made a beeline for Jane Graber’s table, because her pottery goes so fast. I think a plate display in Watson Mill will be lovely.
Barbara Begley Miniature Gardens. Hand thrown and hand painted pot, natural wood table with twig legs.
Spencer’s Nook – frog garden statue
Vilia Miniature. I don’t even drink coffee, but I loved the look of these.
64tnt Miniatures. Magical brooms.
Bindels Ornaments were back this year. Always a great selection of bits and bobs. They had more silver metal this year in addition to brass.
The Little Dollhouse Company. How cute is this snowman?! :D
Designing Ways – woven red rug
The Enchanted Garden – terracotta pots
Wright Guide Miniatures. Tire for a Model T. :]
They had new displays this time along with new minis.
Michael of Atomic Miniature. Always a pleasure to see his new miniature scenes.
I later headed to The Miniature Show. Included with the price of admission was a drink ticket for happy hour. :] Champagne and minis! Cheers!
Arjen Spinhoven. So awesome to finally meet him in person and to see the wonderful furnishings up close. Such fine detail. I bought an unfinished biscuit mold for the mill. He has items that are both finished or DIY.
Art of Mini. Another favorite of mine.
Love the dapper rabbit art. There were so many fantastic designs to choose from, but I picked only one.
This door has such great detailing.
She had the most delightful Dutch candies — simply divine. I could have eaten them all!
Looking Glass Miniatures. Jennifer is not only a talented miniaturist, but she’s a fun and friendly gal. :D I had a nice time catching up with her.
St. Leger. Picked up an automaton: mama bird with babies. You spin the crank, and mama feeds the baby birdies. :D
Atelier 1:12 – written scroll
Monopoly game
Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
April 21, 2017 | 0 commentsDrill press class and the 3 Blind Mice Show 2017
Today was my adventure in learning to use a drill press at the Bishop Show. The instructor was Tom Walden, and he taught us so many great techniques. I can see a whole new world of minis opening up for me. I bought the set-up that holds the Dremel I already had (there are more accessories in a bag and it’s obviously not fully set up here…just home from the show).
We did inlay and mortise and tenon. Tom did the pin routing curve cut for me since I couldn’t get a feel for it and didn’t want to ruin my inlay piece. :D I’ll just need to practice.
We routed edges and so much more. :] He encouraged photos and note-taking, so I have a lot of good material for continued study. I highly recommend this class, but it sells out quickly.
After class, I headed to the 3 Blind Mice show for opening night. I love this show — always a good mix of goodies in need of discovery.
A Little More in Miniatures. Crazy daisies kit.
All About Miniatures. Doors and a seltzer set. Greg has a whole room full of goodies!
Gayle Dolls. A wonderful strombrella kit.
JoAnne Roberts. Always a wonderful selection of fabrics.
Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
April 20, 2017 | 0 commentsWee “c” Miniature Show – 2016
I headed to the Wee “c” Miniatures Show last night (with a couple of more hours left today). It’s a small show but worth the admission.
A Pocket Full of Wishes – a green jug for a bargain price. It has a couple of chips but those are easily fixed with paint and sealer.
I always pick up birds from Barbara Ann Meyer. This time she had chickadees in Santa hats! :D
Wildwood Dollhouse & Miniatures – she called this a bug, but it looks like a colorful turtle to me. :] Either way, it appealed to me with its uniqueness and vibrance.
Patricia Hopkins Studio – she was selling some vintage kits to reduce her stash, so I picked up this firescreen and candle holder.
She also had some lovely floral plates.
KMWohrstein – a little bronze vase
Sandy’s Lace – some gorgeous silk fabric and silk gauze. The gauze is 42 count, and I might give true petitpoint a try with it. I’ve tried 40 count, but I end up with bare spots because I pull too hard. I’m not going to retrain myself to stitch after all these years, so I will try a different medium. :D
Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
November 12, 2016 | 0 commentsBishop Fall Show 2016
The smaller of the two Bishop Shows that comes to Chicago was on this weekend Friday and Saturday, and I went over there today. I didn’t buy many items, but there were goodies to be had.
The Little Dollhouse Company: this is a tiny compass made by Jane Woodham. It’s exquisitely made.
Iklectic Kollectibles: a lovely woven rug.
Magic-N-Miniature: a mini oil can by Sir Thomas Thumb.
Wright Guide Miniatures: a no trespassing sign for Milo Valley Farm.
C&J Gallery: a relic fireplace piece that I will likely use as a decorative artifact.
I also bought a few things from the recent online miniature show. These are from Natalie Gayle Miniatures. The map case leather is so soft.
The book opens to show a hidden potion bottle.
The rug is fuzzy and perfect for a bath mat.
Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
August 27, 2016 | 0 commentsThe Miniature Show – debut
This was the first year of The Miniature Show, so we headed there in the morning. The main part of the ballroom had a large center where the show organizer, Swan House Miniatures, displayed wares from various artists, each labeled with a name card. Around the outer walls, there were individual vendors, some first timers.
I finally got to meet Jennifer of Looking Glass Miniatures after having known her from the Greenleaf Dollhouses forum for years. :D She sells old letters, boxes, books, kits and Harry Potter related items. All excellent quality.
Tiny Ceramics — gorgeous designs, thin tiles in perfect scale. I bought two bunny tiles and two plain white tiles to make a plant stand topper.
Just Miniature Scale. I’ve bought from her online store before. She had a lot of Halloween and Christmas items, and I couldn’t pass up this wonderful snowman.
St. Leger — they had the most amazing working automata as well as vintage tools and house accessories. I bought a mop bucket, something I’ve been seeking for awhile now.
A successful round of shows again this year.
Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
April 16, 2016 | 0 commentsBishop Show 2016 – Preview Day 1
Went to the Bishop Show today. My main mission was to buy a lucky bamboo from Lamis Minis. Mission accomplished! :D
64tnt Miniatures. She had so many wonderful veggies, pumpkins, potion jars and candles with these adorable faces.
Art Forge – beautiful bronze and silver pieces. Here are the kingfisher and horse bust.
Miniature Atelier 2CV. Wonderful hardware.
Jane Graber pottery. Her booth is always mobbed but well worth the wait. :D
Véronique Lux — super cute storybook bunny on a log bench
Red Dragon Pottery — a wide variety of finishes, textures, shapes and sizes. Simply stunning pottery.
Tiny Ter Miniatures. Cookies…enough said. :D
Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
April 15, 2016 | 0 comments
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Chicago Spring Showcase of Miniatures July 2021
Whew! Long time since the last post. I’ve been reorganizing my house and crafting spaces, but I have also been making minis behind the scenes.
There was finally a mini show on! The Chicago Spring Showcase of Miniatures is on through Saturday, so you still have time to shop if you’re in the Chicagoland area. It was great to see people I haven’t seen since 2019! The time does fly by. Now, on to the goodies!
Calico Garden. Bee box
Bundt cake and peeps donuts
T&D Miniatures and Dollhouses. These folks are the hosts of the show. :]
All About Miniatures. Greg has a huge selection of kits in various scales, landscaping and delightful OOAK creations.
Sago palm
Herb table
Skeleton table
J and K Minis. They have a huge selection of unpainted metal minis.
Jancrafted. I bought the last of her amazing trees. I can’t decide if I would plant it outside of a house or have a real Christmas tree indoors. Either way, Chester is sure to climb it. :D
She had vintage goodies as well.
A Pocket Full of Wishes. Always a wonderful collection of handmade and vintage minis. I love this sewing machine/spatula tractor! :D
This is such a cute gift-wrapped house.
A Little More in Miniatures. Another staple for landscaping and interesting accessories.
WCD Miniatures. A mix of vintage and new. I always find goodies here.
Breakfast in bed, coming right up!
D-Tales Miniatures. So many beautiful pieces to choose from.
itty bitty mini (m)art. A new vendor with a fantastic selection of retro tech. They have 1:6 scale as well.
Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
July 15, 2021 | 0 commentsWee “c” Miniatures Show – 2019
Tonight, I headed to the annual Wee “c” Miniatures Show. It’s a smaller show but there are always wonderful finds to be discovered. The show is open again tomorrow if you are in the area. :] Tonight was vintage minis and kits night!
Young Miniaturist Table. This is the big table of miscellaneous minis, kits and magazines in the lobby outside the main room. All these kits were super cheap.
Same with the minis. You just have to be willing to dig through old, dusty bins. And, if you’re looking for older magazines or inexpensive house kits, you might find it here.
Rubik’s cube kit?
Debbie Rundle. Great minis of all types.
Behold Sabu the Prognosticator. I have no idea why I needed a clairvoyant reptile in a wizard’s hat, but I’m guessing he knows. I’m pretty sure he needs an amulet, perhaps some stars on his hat. And, a silk bed.
Jancrafted. Great vintage kits.
These are fireplace kits with an interesting material for the brickwork.
A Little More in Miniatures. New autumn shrubbery for a future project yet to be named.
I don’t usually buy finished flowers since I enjoy making them so much, and I do have these daisies in kit for from A Little More in Miniatures, but sometimes perfection just can’t be passed by. :D
K. M. Wohrstein. A lot of great old items here. Things I had never seen before.
I’m not usually a fan of brass, but these are wonderful pieces.
William Cambron Designs. Diminutive Designs frame kits that are harder to find.
Great knickknacks.
Greenhouse Miniatures. A fantastic country chair.
A working clock signed Keith Small Time Wales 1998. The clock was not working when I bought it, so I changed the battery. Nothing. I removed the battery altogether to make sure it doesn’t corrode inside the case.
Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
November 9, 2019 | 0 comments3 Blind Mice Show and The Miniature Show – 2019
We returned to the 3 Blind Mice show first thing this morning.
All About Miniatures. While these dragonflies don’t have clear wings, but they will be lovely in random landscaping.
And, who doesn’t love Dr. Seuss.
This is weighted, so much more realistic than an empty box.
Debra Rundle. Such a cute pig. :]
Kate and Mary Banner. Vintage towel holder that functions.
J and K Minis. I need something to tie up the horse at the Ivy Hollow Post Office.
Purple “B” Emporium. Years ago I bought a craigslist miniature lot, and included was a beautiful wood and brass toy train. Today, I bought a like item. The colors are slightly different and this one has more wear, but clearly it was made by the same person(s).
KMWohrstein. I have something great planned for this Chrysnbon kit. Stay tuned.
David’s Dollhouse. This stack is for the post office, even though they are dated 1977 – way out of range for my era. More on why they are for the post office regardless of this fact coming soon….
We then headed to The Miniature Show.
St. Leger. You push/pull the wire, and the little devil fans the flames. hahaha There was also a vampire in a coffin that rose and reclined. :D
Sandy McHenry. This is a great mini almanac.
It’s printed inside, but I didn’t want to break the binding by opening too wide.
Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
April 27, 2019 | 0 commentsBishop Show and The Miniature Show – 2019
Today was a long, great and expensive day….but we bought a lot of things. The highest priced item wasn’t really that expensive, so even though plenty of funds were invested, a lot of loot was brought home. We spent the majority of the day at The Bishop Show, so those things are listed first.
Lamis Minis. I love all of things this lovely gal makes. I bought her amazing dandelion one year and her bamboo plant another year. This year, I was determined to have something with her amazing dragonflies. I was the first customer at her table, and she had one item with dragonflies — it had two of them! Mine!
There was no receipt in the bag, so I am not sure which vendor. There were mostly spooky items on the table.
Texas Tiny – this is the bridle only, but it might get me started with the horse harness.
Minis by Karen – bought some former Wright Guide Miniatures pieces here for the post office.
The crank turns, which spins the tiny worlds. The table is separate and was made from the back of an old clock.
Love the bunny in goggles.
We headed over to The Miniature Show for an hour before closing. We’ll go back tomorrow.
Wonderful eggs you paint yourself – so much easier than trying to achieve the right shape in clay. :D
The most realistic pussywillows I’ve seen. I bought four stalks.
Looking Glass Miniatures. Some great things for the post office.
sdk miniatures. My boyfriend bought this for my tiny A-frame build.
Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
April 27, 2019 | 0 comments3 Blind Mice Show – 2019
Headed to the 3 Blind Mice show for opening night. I love this show — always some awesome vintage minis to be found.
All About Miniatures. My boyfriend has fallen in love with the miniature world and found some great things along the way.
Mod Pod Miniatures. I think this is Cyd’s first time selling at a show. I have a few of her miniatures purchased from etsy, but seeing all of her new minis in person was a real treat. I picked these up for myself. Her mod furniture is top notch!
Debra Rundle. This sewing basket doesn’t open, but I love the fabric and overall design.
Barbara Ann Meyer of Mini Gems. Her birds are always on my list, but her other animals are delightful as well.
Mini Decorators. They have great fabrics…
…and a great selection of random minis. These are my boyfriend’s buys for himself.
Kate and Mary Banner. Again, my boyfriend’s buys – things from childhood. He shared the duplicates with me. :D
A Pocket Full of Wishes. My boyfriend bought this darkroom tray of a naughty photo. It was marked Nantasy Fantasy.
J and K Minis. One of the best finds of the evening was an old desk that looked familiar. I have one of these from a friend; when his mother passed, he gave me her collection of random minis. I’ve always loved this desk, though mine was in rough shape in areas. The one I found tonight had a better finish, but it was missing its mirror. Mine has the mirror, though I removed it for safe keeping when it kept falling out. I had to have the sister piece, of course. My original one is on the left; the new to me one is on the right.
Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
April 26, 2019 | 0 comments
NOTE: All content on otterine.com is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in part or in whole. It takes a lot of time and effort to write and photograph for my blog. Please ask permission before reproducing any of my content. (More on copyright)