A small world's big buzz!

End of year displays

We have just got to that time when club or groups are planning their Christmas events, many like the groups that I belong to always put on a display of work done over the last year together with the finished project that every member has been set.  It is always fascinating to see the different ideas that emerge from the one title. Take the title of 'a bathroom' - for this you will get the old fashioned Victorian one to the very modern, all glass and chrome - although the bases will be a bath, basin, loo and sometimes a shower - no two rooms are every alike.

So when you have your end of year meetings - do please send us, here at DHW, some pictures of your work.

Thank you

Regards

Joyce

More new CDs

I have just found out that over the coming months DHW are offering readers a great deal when buying CDs or DVDs from the Craft-Club – Buy one get one half price!  What a great idea for Christmas gifts!  There is always that special miniaturist friend that is so difficult to buy for – her dolls house is perfect; whatever she makes is always perfect – but the thing she always requires are the instructions and pictures to help her.  That is where the selection of CDs and DVDs that are on offer will make the ideal gift. 

The subjects cover nearly everything that a miniaturist will need to complete their house – from the electrics; exterior decoration; making furniture; knitting for the family; putting food on the table and even planning the garden.

Why not take a look and get your gifts ordered for Christmas.

Regards

Joyce

 

The Big Bead show

Yes – beads!  Here at Ashdown each year one of our other magazines ‘Bead’ – holds the Big Bead show and we all go along to help. This year the show was even bigger and better – with rows and rows of stands selling the most incredible choice of beads. There were beads made of just about everything – sizes, from the tiniest to large hand-made ones that make a beautiful necklace all on their own.

 

Although I am not a serious beader – we in the miniature world use so many items that are only found in bead shops – so I still returned home from the show with lots of treasures in my bag.

I am now busy working out which beads to use as lamp bases – those I can use as ornaments and of course, the crystals ones that will make pretty sparkly perfume bottles, complete with some very different fittings that I can use as stoppers.

 

So next time there is a bead show near you – go take a look – I can assure you that you will have a wonderful day!

Regards

Joyce

Hot off the presses!

When I came in to work yesterday, I had a lovely surprise waiting for me on my desk--the November issue of American Miniaturist!  It always feels like Christmas whenever we receive a shipment of the latest magazines.  We all sit at our desks and rummage through our copies, just like children ripping open their gifts on Christmas morning.  I hope you experience that same feeling of wonder and joy when you open your mailbox to see your own copy of the latest issue!

Speaking of Christmas, I'm currently working on the December issue.  We have some fantastic holiday features this time around: Deb Weissler reviews GJ's Mini Christmas Trees, Jo Bevilacqua shares her latest holiday scenes, Martha Puff reviews astounding doll artist Mike Barbour, and Alice Bell talks with up-and-coming Parisian miniaturist Stephanie Kilgast.  And that's just to name a few!  As always, we also have some fantastic projects coming up too, but you'll just have to wait to see those!

It was a bit strange at first working on the Christmas issue when it's only early October, but this week we had a couple inches of snow here in Minnesota.  So really, it felt about right!  What better way to write about Christmas trees and holiday traditions when I can look out my window and see a soft blanket of snow falling on the ground.  Sigh... but that means the cold comes with it!

Happy mini-ing (and stay warm!),

Bailey 

Christmas issue

Yes, we have just finished putting together the Christmas issue of DHW – and have included lots of snowy projects.  I’m just hoping that this winter is going to be a really cold and snowy one. Why?  Because I love the idea of wrapping up warm, pulling on my big, thick boots and heading out into the fields for a nice long walk. I’m very lucky because I have a husband that enjoys doing exactly the same thing, and so we have been known to spend many hours walking and chatting.

That’s what so many more families need to do – spend time together and chat!

I must admit that miniaturists don’t seem to have any problems when it comes to chatting – you only have to listen to the noise level at any workshop or fair – to know that everyone is enjoying themselves.

Regards

Joyce

A mini for all seasons

DHM's Nov-Dec issue is off to the printer and, as I said in my welcome letter, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  Our great features in Issue 12 will include a beautiful holiday gallery of artisans' work, Teresa Layman's "Twinkle Toes" elf cobbler shop, Debbie Dixon-Paver's miniature toy series, Elisa Fenoglio's lovely dolls, Stephanie Blythe's stunning creations, and Ron Hubble's luscious vignettes.

We also have plenty of projects: a gingerbread house, Christmas room box decorations, a gorgeous conservatory from Jo Bevilacqua, an old-fashioned wooden toboggan, and much more to keep you busy well into the new year.

We're experiencing our first measurable snowfall of the season today. Most of us haven't had our fill of fall weather yet, so we're hoping this is temporary. On the bright side, cold days and long nights are perfect for working on our miniature projects, so bring on winter ... just not quite yet!

Best wishes,

Kim

Where's Henry? In the office!

Within the pages of every issue of American Miniaturist, our furry friend Henry the English Bull Terrier likes to make an appearance. He's been found lurking in Sandy Millar's mini garage sale, Bluette Meloney's pretty Richardsonian shop, and most recently in Sandy Mirque's Halloween themed room box helping Winnifred the witch with her prince charming potion.  

Henry has so many fans that write in to him each month that he's finding it difficult to keep up with it all!  But he tries his best, diligently writing responses to his fan mail and sending out special gifts to lucky winners.  If only he had opposable thumbs, it'd make the whole process so much easier for him!  But luckily his mom, Kelly, helps him out with the task.  Here's Kelly helping Henry as he signs some letters to his fans.

Enjoy!

Bailey

New CDs for miniaturists

Have you recently taken a look at the different CDs that are now on offer through the Craft Club. Rachael here in the office is always putting together new ones and even today, having just returned from a great holiday in

Florida

, has come up with yet another idea.

 

The CDs are a great way of quickly finding projects or features on different subjects. Should you be putting together a new garden for your house; then our CD will help you create all sorts of different items. Then if you are a miniature knitter, there are numerous patterns on the knitting CD – something for all members of your dolls house family.

 

Also what a great gift for a friend – just choose the CD that will interest her most and order a copy in

time for Christmas. She will then be able to view the pages and print out any that she needs direct from her own computer.

This is a lovely idea – there are lots of CDs to choose from – just go to www.craft-club.com

 

Regards

Joyce

Learning something new

They do say that you are never too old to learn – and they are right!  And being in the miniature world there are so many things to learn because your skills do not stop at just one or two crafts you can try anything.

 

If you think of all of the things you have made in your dolls house you will begin to see what I mean!  There are the carpets, some stitched beautifully in cross-stitch, others made with fabric; your little people – some of you are clever enough to created them from Fimo – but then they all need dressing.

 

Then there is the furniture – using either wood or card still requires a lot of work. Of course we have also done all the basic painting and decorating - so you see the list is endless – but there is always that other thing that you have not tried. So when it comes along – give it a try you may surprise yourself – I did last weekend – the tiny little birds that I made from Fimo, really look like birds!

 

Best wishes

Joyce

New video editor

You've probably realized by now that the world of mini magazines is quickly merging with the world mini videos, TV, and podcasts.  It's no different in our offices here in the US; some days I'll be hard at work on American Miniaturist and some days I'll be dedicating my time to Dollshouse.TV.  

With the November issue almost off to press, it's time to start work on gathering new videos for your favorite miniatures TV channel.  I'd like to introduce you to the newest addition to our video team: the one and only Henry!  Here he is hard at work at one of our video editing stations.

Enjoy!

Bailey