A small world's big buzz!

MMG Meeting!

This past weekend, Melissa and I (Traci) attended the May meeting of the Midwest Miniatures Guild. The format of the meetings runs pretty much the same way--in the morning there are coffee and snacks at registration, sales tables,  tables with displays and pieces out for auction or to win, and various workshops; then comes a fabulous catered lunch, and the conducting of official business afterwards, with announcements and Guild changes and the winners of the various auctions and displays; and then afternoon sales and workshops. Pretty basic, but lots of fun! In addition, this meeting had garage sales going on in the entryway, which they only do once a year. There were some great finds!

Melissa and I arrived right before our morning workshop was about to start, but first we had to choose a table. Each table in the room had a centerpiece that would be given away to a random drawing winner, and these centerpieces were gorgeous!

Ruth Hynes of Hanky Panky Crafts had bought the containers at Michaels, decorating the inside with various pieces--she'd painted and attached the shutters, found cake pedestals and painted them, added butterflies (from scrapbooking pieces) to wire, and just generally made them gorgeous. There were various peacock-themed ones, like above, as well as ones that were themed with butterflies and maybe even another kind--I honestly don't even know, because as soon as Melissa and I saw the one above, we made a beeline for that table and claimed it as our own. If we were going to win one, we wanted it to be that!

So anyway, we went to our first workshop. It was called A Window in Tuscany, and was taught by Pam Rouleau, who is just a sweetheart of a lady and so patient with everyone. Below are some step-by-step photos Melissa took with her phone.

We used "an old technique," as Pam called it, to stucco the walls. I'd never done it before so it was definitely new to me. Basically, it's like decoupage with paint and tissues. Put some paint down, add a single layer of tissue (just the cheap kind), and paint over it. The right side of my wall ended up looking REALLY stuccoed, with some mounds of stucco here and there (apparently you don't want the tissue to fold over on itself), but the left side and walls ended up okay.

 

Melissa's now-wired basket and now-painted barrel.

 

Melissa has now placed her image in the back, with the little foam posts to keep the wall at a distance from the image. Eventually, in the top left, we also put wire covered with some green material to create a tree branch.

 

Melissa has filled her basket with grapes!

 

Melissa's window has been placed, and the window ledge added on.

 

Melissa's finished project!! Now she just has to find a picture frame that she likes and that will cover the parts she wants to cover. It looks fabulous and so, so quaint! I wish I was there in full-size right now!

 

So then there was lunch, with all the drawings I mentioned. For the centerpieces, we just count off around the table. Melissa was 1, I was 2, etc. But then it was discovered that since Melissa was my guest and not a full member yet (that will be at the Oct meeting), she couldn't win! So then I was 1. AND 1 WAS CALLED!!!!! *squealofexcitement*

WINNER!

 

I was going to bring it home to display on my bookshelf, but then my conscience overtook my greed, reminding me that technically Melissa would have won, so now it's in our office where we can all enjoy it!! :-)

In the afternoon, we took the Fun with Faux Fineshes class with Carol Sherry, who is spunky and energetic and really fun to take a class with. Due to needing time for the paints to dry, we hopped around from marble to crackle finish to verdigris back to marble to verdigris to crackle to granite to marble to verdigirs.....but it was so much fun! We did it all on scrap wood, and our hands were covered in paint, so we don't have any photos--maybe I'll take some tonight of the finished wood to post tomorrow. But either way, it was LOTS of fun!

And that was it! We also did some shopping after lunch, finding a few good things; Melissa bought a little piano for her mom, and I got an entire set of artist's chalk for a dollar! All in all, it was a fabulous day. Special thanks to Carol Blanchfield (MMG President) and the entire MMG team for putting on another great event!

Make this kit yours!

Interested in owning this kit? Go ahead. Take a look.

The kits are available from participating DMMA merchants (the starred shops are participants; you can also buy online from many participating stores). Supplies are unlimited, you can design and decorate it anyway you like, and its simplicity is perfect for anyone--from a beginner to an expert. The cottage measures 13" deep, 11 9/16" wide, and 18 3/8" tall, and the porch extends it another 4 1/2" out.

Here's an added bonus: you can try to win a prize! The Dollhouse Miniatures Merchants Association is sponsoring a contest that anyone who buys these kits can enter. It's called the Make it Yours Contest, and that's just what they want you to do--make the kit your own. Our Jan-Feb issue of Dollhouse Miniatures announced this contest for these kits in our Big Buzz section, and you can read more about the contest on the DMMA website.

ANYONE can purchase this kit, whether you plan on entering the contest or not, so don't feel pressured! But if you do participate in the contest, you can win two kinds of prizes: door prizes (done by random drawing) or a prize based on quality and craftsmanship of your final creation. The deadline for the contest is September 30, 2013, so buy your kit sooner rather than later!

And finally, to get your creative juices flowing, here are photos of two completed shops by DMMA members to show you what you can do with the kit! (You can click on the photos to see them at full size.) Happy miniaturing!

 

 

Our Charlie Brown trees

I (Traci) have gotten a lot of really nice emails from readers after my welcome letter in the Nov-Dec issue of Dollhouse Miniatures (issue 31). In it, I discussed how I had lovingly decorated my small and unimpressive Christmas tree with lights and ornaments and holiday spirit, only to have friends and family deem it a bit "sad." What a humbling experience! This has happened to me with my minis, too--it's a shot to the heart when something you've lovingly handcrafted is dismissed so easily by others. The tree is highly reminiscent of the beloved Charlie Brown Christmas tree:

 

 

But just as Charlie Brown's Christmas turned out well when the rest of his friends helped decorate the tree into a beautiful holiday display, so too have my friends come through for me. My mini friends have sent emails mentioning similar situations they've encountered, where their various minis or hobbies haven't been appreciated by others, and that you just need to keep doing what you love no matter what the result (as one woman wrote, "Keep on doing your own thing and enjoy doing it. If others don't 'get it,' too bad for them. You're original and have an imagination. Some people don't appreciate, understand or have the ability to be unique.  We should buy them cookie cutters").

So in that spirit, my coworkers and I are sharing our holiday trees this year--all of which are little Charlie-Brown-eque creations. Enjoy, and may your Christmas and holiday season be full of many mini beautiful things!

My tree, originally published with my welcome letter. Do you see my macaroni ornament? :-)

 

Allison's tree. She's primarily involved in creating most of our digital products as well as being the editor of Bead America and the US articles for Teddy Bear Times.

Melissa's tree. She's the sub-editor for American Miniaturist. I think this one may be favorite!!

 

Wright Guide general store

Anybody who loves the feel of Americana is (or should be) aware of Wright Guide Miniatures. Mary Ann and Grover Ledyard have spent decades creating and perfecting pieces and scenes that portray quintessential aspects of American culture, from a TV repair shop to a dentist's office.

In Dollhouse Miniatures issue 31 (our January-February 2013 issue, which is currently being printed but is now available for our iMag subscribers and for download), Jan Stuart describes our draw to the pleasant old-timey feel of Wright Guide's general store piece and gives some notes on general stores as part of American culture. She then lets Mary Ann and Grover take over to describe their fond memories of general stores of their youth, some notes on how they created their store, and what they hope to accomplish in the future.

We didn't have room to fit all of Mary Ann's memories in the article itself, though we definitely wanted to! So here, we have the complete collection of Mary Ann's thoughts and observations of general stores of her youth--plus, we have a page of Cutouts of general store signs that Jan Stuart put together. These are 8.5" x 11" in 1:12 scale, but you can resize as you wish.

I hope you enjoy reading about Mary Ann and Grover's work as much as I did!

Traci

 

Mary Ann’s store memories

I have always enjoyed the old, peaceful way of life, when things were slow and easy going—when you knew the old-time grocer at Mason's Store in our town of Waldron, Mich., and he knew you. As a child, I had the chance to experience the old general stores where folks bought most of the needs for those days, and farther back in time, my Mom and Dad did, too. He drove the Model A Ford, which is the first car I remember. Yes, I was very small at the time; Mom drove us to town, as my father worked 60 miles away at the Toledo Blade newspaper and only came home on weekends. 

The farm families grew most all of their foods and meats, but we did need other things from the store, which were sold from a barrel or in bulk. I have lots of fond memories of them. About five miles away, we had another, The Munson General Store. You could buy anything there, from dynamite to Native American peace pipes. In the rural countryside, the little general stores stayed in existence longer than in the city. I believe many of the glass display cabinets and shelves stayed in use because country people didn't change over to the modern way of life quite as fast. The old coffee grinder and cash register stayed for quite some time; some of the very old containers were retired to the upstairs. Then, in later years, our family was able to buy that building for our print shop, and so we acquired many of the old and unusual items, such as tea bins, biscuit boxes, wooden boot box, etc. 

Click image to view full-size.

The General Store proprietor was made by Darla Knox (who is no longer making dolls).

 

The most fascinating thing I remember is the high oak ladder, which was used to reach the boxes high up on the shelf. It was made on wheels and the top side would slide down the line of shelves to get another item. Sometimes the grocer would need a long reaching device to go even higher and clamp onto the box needed. I also remember the tin ceiling squares, and some of them were real fancy. The wooden floors would creak as you walked down the aisles, but everything was neatly placed on each shelf, and the grocer or clerk always came to assist my mom with anything she might need. Most of the time, we were the only family in the store, but occasionally a neighbor or friend would come by and visit for a while right there in the store. There were two wooden benches outside the two big glass windows, where the older citizens of the town would sit in the summertime and discuss all the things happening in the little town; everyone knew everyone, so the conversation went on for most of the day. I can still hear the sound of the screen door slamming as people went in and out. It had a spring on it to pull it back and made a loud noise.

They had just about everything you needed to set up housekeeping and more. From dynamite to horseshoe nails and fresh eggs to salves. You might see Pine Tar Soap and Fels Naptha Soap for scrubbing clothes on a washboard, tacks and hammers, sewing thread, pots and pans, mouse traps and beaver traps, canning supplies…everything! They kept the milk in glass jars, there in the same case as the meat, which had big glass doors on it. They cut up huge pieces of meat and also ground their beef there in the store. My mom would buy the oilcloth by the yard for our kitchen table, from a rack like the one in our miniature store (oilcloth was similar to vinyl on a cotton mesh backing and was a durable table and shelf covering which wiped clean with a wet cloth; women sewed highchair and laundry basket covers and lined their husbands' lunchboxes with it, too).

Click image to view full-size.

Mary Ann gives basic construction tips for making the oil cloth you see here. It was sold by the length needed.

At our store, the pickle barrel was no longer in use, but I had seen them in other areas, such as in Amish Country. We also shopped at a very large store in Toledo, Ohio, where they sold cheese in big round chunks and had a large glass dome over it. This was an exciting time in life, to visit this huge store. I can still smell the coffee freshly ground. It seems that all the old stores had a smell of their own. It must have been those wood floors stained with food spills, or paint spills, or even just “age.” The past years of the old stores seem to still be fresh in my memory—it's too bad that we can't pass these thoughts, memories, and feelings along to the new generation. But, maybe we can, through the vignettes of years ago.

 

Download GeneralStoreCutouts

 

Looking for more?

You can download issue 31 here or buy a printed copy if you like.

You can read more about Wright Guide in the article from DHM20 from March-April 2011 (you can buy the printed issue or a downloadable issue).

Interested in subscribing to Dollhouse Miniatures? A one-year subscription sends six issues of fabulous miniatures directly to your door.

Can't wait for our printed issues to be mailed out? You can subscribe to our iMag, or just view a sample iMag if you're not sure.

IMA items we couldn't resist

My favorite favorite favorite thing about the shows is seeing all the beautiful work that exists in our mini world. Anyone who questions the future of miniatures just has to show up and see the artistry in such abundance to dispel those fears. Luckily for me and unfortunately for my wallet, some pieces were just so helpful or inspirational or fun that I couldn't help but buy them! Enjoy!

These gorgeous pieces are by Jason Feltrope of Feltrope Studios. His pieces are exquisite. The one on the left is a great display piece; the plate on the right I bought for a friend of mine who does full-size pottery. I thought he would enjoy seeing such quality work in miniature. We also brought back a little teapot for Kelly. Also, I love the boxes Jason uses:

Neat, right?

 

Moving on. 

From the lovely Cookie of Cookie's Bits & Pieces, I bought these little veggies. For those who don't know, I'm attempting to take my kit from the Real Good Toys Build-Along 2011 (yes, the one from last year still!!) and turn it into a replica of my second apartment from when I lived in Boston. The top floor is my apartment; the bottom is the Spanish store. Because I am broke but also am terrible with clay, I thought that having these pieces as inspiration and models would help me figure out how to make bunches of mini veggies for the Spanish store. I will let you know how it turns out.

 

And finally, there is this little gem from Jan Patrie of Autumn Leaf Studio. She sat across from us the whole weekend, and her table was so full of goodies that we couldn't resist buying this pecan pie to give to my parents--"so they'll always have one around," as Beth put it. Yum!

Beth and I also bought a gift for my older sister, Sara, and her husband, John, as a thank you for letting us stay with them before and after our trip (and helping us avoid the stress of Park'N'Fly maneuvering!). They both love reading, so Beth found a copy of a Shakespearean play for them. Beth also went on a little spree of her own, finding a box of Thin Mints for our parents (see a theme here?) and a beer box and mug to include in the bar that she and her husband plan on having in their future home. Also pictured below is another pot by Jason Feltrope.

 

All in all, it was a successful show in every way possible! My only regret is that we didn't have time to check out either of the other shows going on at the same time. Perhaps next year we can figure out a way to head to all three! What a miniature dream!

If you are hoping to attend IMA next year, just go to their website to see the details. Thelma is very good about putting all the information up there! Happy minis!

Traci

 

IMA: More photos and details

The IMA Show in Chicago, IL, put on by wonderful Thelma Lewis DeMet, was this past weekend. As I wrote in previous posts, I was attending as a dealer with my younger sister, Beth, to sell subscriptions, DVDs/CDs, and back issues of the magazines. 

Photography by the lovely Jan Patrie of Autumn Leaf Studio, who sat across from us and graciously accepted our chocolate and witty banter.

 

And despite the fact that we had great sales and had plenty of time to chat with readers and new subscribers and the various contributors who stopped by our table, Beth and I both had a little time to wander around the sales room to check out the amazing work being sold by the other dealers. Seriously, you should check out the dealer list and peruse through their sites. These artists are so talented, and I wish I'd had time to photograph pieces from every table!! Instead, here are just a few of my favorite pieces by some artists we've worked with in the past.

 

This setup by Janet Nowicki of Designs by Janet was inspired by a photo in a retail catalogue (she'd rather not say which one!). I love the setup of the bed, particularly the way there are so many designs included without any of them overwhelming the others. It looks so clean; instead of clashing and confusing the eye, the designs actually just meld together. That is a really difficult look to achieve!

 

 

The sweet Josephine Meyer, featured in DHM21 (May-June 2011), and her table of gorgeous paintings. I especially love the lighted hutch (cabinet? not sure what the official term would be) just in front of her.

As a sidenote, I wanted to mention that Jo's reproductions of work by famous painters is just spot-on. I know nothing about art history, but while working on Jo's article, I saw that she had several paintings in the style of Degas, a French painter. Recently, I saw Titanic in the theater again, and there is a brief scene where they are going through paintings right after getting on the ship. The main focus is Picasso, but I saw one painting of a ballerina and thought, "That looks like Degas," and immediately after that, Rose said, "Let's put this Degas in the other room."  So, thank you, Jo, for expanding my knowledge of art history and making me feel smart!

 

A lovely vignette with the work of JoAnn Roberts, who is just a sweetheart. Her work, as you can see, is beautiful. Feminine and sweet without being flimsy or fake. I love her style!

 

Says Patrick Kinney of Miniature Wood Creations (and presenter in many of our Dollshouse.TV films), "The cottage I built is from plans of a cottage in Campbell County, VA and was built by Christopher Johnson in the years 1764 - 1765." We included a bit of Patrick's work in DHM23 (Sept-Oct 2011) when we featured the Eastcliff mansion. Patrick had done the gorgeous staircase as well as essentially redoing the foundation of the house. Personally, I love the floors and the chimney of the cottage shown above. Wow!

 

Photos never really do justice to how the work looks in person, so if you are ever debating about whether or not to attend a show (IMA or any other), please do so! It is so inspirational to see the talent that exists in our mini world, and the dealers are all so welcoming and willing to discuss their work with you. Feel free to ask questions, share photos, suggest ideas....We are a community, and everybody feels a part of it.

My sister even got a bit more into the mini world, buying gifts for people and planning out a few mini additions to a full-size bar she's hoping to have in her future home. Stay tuned for my next post, which will discuss the items that she and I couldn't resist buying!

Traci

 

 

IMA: The first day

So the day quickly got away from me yesterday, but it was great fun! Thursday night after arriving, beth and I took a cab into downtown Arlington Heights to go to Harry's, a great bar and grill. After some dinner and drinks we headed back to the hotel for our setup, where we saw old friends and made new ones. I LOVE being a part of the mini world and feeling so welcome.

Yesterday (Friday) morning we had a lovely buffet breakfast and then sold at the show, which ran from 9-5. We met lots of wonderful new people and met up with lots of old friends. I bought a few items and just generally had a good time, and Beth started perusing other tables to see what she should buy today!

More details to come, but for now, here are a few photos from yesterday:

 
 

Me, trying to be a good saleswoman.

Just waiting and waiting to meet new people!

 

Part of our table. Yay magazines and iMags!

 

 

Our view!

 

 

IMA: The journey starts!

Each year, we attend the IMA Show in Chicago, IL, put on by wonderful Thelma Lewis DeMet. It's currently 2:30 in the afternoon on Wednesday, and the show goes from 9-5 tomorrow and Saturday (so if you're in town, stop by our table!).

My younger sister, Beth, is joining me on this journey and is my partner in crime for the show. We are located in southern Minnesota, so last night I met Beth, her husband Jeff, and my mom for dinner, and then we drove up to St. Paul to stay the night with my older sister and brother-in-law, Sara and John. Sara recently gave birth to my second niece, Josie, so this trip was just another reason to stay at their house so we could see our toddler-age niece, Anna, and the newborn Josie:

Isn't she precious???

I also skunked my mom and Beth at cribbage!

WINNER!

 

This morning Sara and Anna drove Beth and me to the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport, and we flew to Chicago. A short taxi ride later and we were at the Doubletree Hotel in Arlington Heights, with their amazingly gooey chocolate-and-walnut cookies!! I know I should be focused on the miniatures, but those cookies are still one of my favorite things about this place. :-)

[photo not available due to my immediate ingestion]

Setup isn't until about 8pm tonight, and Beth and I are set up in our room, watching the Food Network and trying to figure out where we want to spend the afternoon. More to come!

Just got to the hotel! So many exciting things to look forward to!

Traci

 

DHE gets exclusive license (and other news)

Dolls House Emporium is a major miniatures company based in the UK, and they have some exciting new news!

dheminis has been given an exclusive licence to reproduce an authentic collection from The Queen's Dolls' House at Windsor Castle. The dollhouse, which was designed 1924, was built after a princess noticed Queen Mary's growing fascination with miniatures. The princess then called upon Sir Edwin Lutyens to build an entire house for the Queen, furnished with accessories by leading artists of the day.

DHE's collection will be "true to the original designs," achieved by having access to the Royal Collection photography of the dollhouse. The collection is launching in April, and "the first selection includes reproductions form 'The Queen's Bedroom'--from the unique decor to the finely upholstered furniture and decorative ornaments and plants." (Pictured below.) The items available will include the writing desk, bed, carpet, and dressing table, among other pieces.

 

"It really is a privilege to be able to replicate some of the beautiful items that feature in The Queen's Dolls' House," says managing director Jackie Lee.

 

Other news

The launch of the Queen's Collection is not the only new product from DHE. For those who are new to the miniature world, might we suggest DHE's upcoming Essential Guide to Dollhouses?  

“We are happy to help by passing on some of the good advice and valuable know-how we’ve gained from more than 30 years in a business where we’re in constant touch with our customers,” said Ms. Lee. Topics covered include: 

• Should I start from scratch, buy ready-built or ready-decorated - with all the trimmings? 

• What style and size of dollhouse would I like in my home? Do I go for a ‘Rolls-Royce’ version right away?

• Inside, will it be Tudor, Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian - or my own home-crafted theme?

• Is it appropriate to have lighting, and when would I install it?

New miniaturists should sign up here to get a free copy emailed direct: www.dheminis.com/essentialguide

 

And finally, we'd like to congratulate DHE for receiving an Outstanding Customer Relationship Management and Customer Service award--the same award they've won five other times as well, including last year. Judged on a range of aspects, their presence and response to feedback on their social media (including forums, blog, Facebook, and Twitter) was also highlighted as well as their free catalogue. The award was given by ECMOD, "the voice and organising body for the multi-channel marketing industry." Congratulations!

 

About DHE

The Dolls House Emporium is the world’s leading supplier of dolls’ houses and miniature collectables. Based in Derbyshire and trading from 65,000 square foot premises with two retail shops, the company employs over 65 people and distributes worldwide via traditional channels and the Internet, whilst supporting over 400 retailers at home and abroad. The company supplies over 30 precision-made houses and over 2,500 related accessories, which it promotes through its free 220-page catalogue.

 

More on Marcia Backstrom

In our latest issues, we announced the passing of Marcia Backstrom, the talented doll maker who was a staple in the mini world. We had a short piece by Connie Sauve in the Jan-Feb issue of Dollhouse Miniatures, but we couldn't fit in everything that we'd been hoping to. Connie put in a lot of time interviewing Marcia's mother, June; Marcia's husband, Dan; and various other mini friends. Here is a more complete version of Connie's writing as well as some extra quotes by friends and family. See Marcia's original obituary from the Pittsburgh Tribune here.

Note: You can click on any photo to see a larger version. It will open in a new window.

--

In memory of Marcia Backstrom:

Doll-Maker Extraordinaire

Doll artist Marcia Backstrom passed away Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011, following a long battle with ovarian cancer. She was the beloved wife of Dan Backstrom and had two boys, Eric and Steven, and a pet dog, Emmy. Marcia graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts in art education. Marcia taught art for four years before she started making dolls. Her career in miniature dolls began when her aunt needed occupants for her new dollhouse. For twenty-two years, this versatile doll artist has been designing, sculpting, and costuming expressive miniature dolls. The diversity of her 1:12-scale colorful characters is remarkable. An I.G.M.A. Fellow, Marcia worked in a style that belonged to her alone. With her mother, June's, help, they soon discovered the world of miniatures. She worked out of her home and traveled to various shows around the country with her mother, displaying her creative dolls. Her father, Joe, helped by pouring her resin doll kits. After 20 years in the industry, she became known as one of the top artists in the miniature doll world. Marcia’s creations can be found in homes and museums the world over, in places such as the Puppenhausmuseum in Switzerland, the Toy and Miniatures Museum of Kansas City, the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys, the U.S. Supreme Court Museum, and many others. She has been published numerous times in miniature and doll magazines in the United States and abroad.

 

I talked with Dan, and he said, "I was very proud of her. She was a wonderful woman. Her faith was the key to her life and carried her through the whole difficult times. Her dolls were a blessing to her and she considered them a gift from God. She had so much energy, and loved making her dolls.” Sometimes he had a difficult time getting her away from them. He remembers women looking at her dolls and smiling. “She made so many people happy."

Left: Three stunning young Art Deco damsels epitomize the 1930s as the age of elegance and sophistication within Bluette Meloney's Art Deco Egyptian Theater Lobby (published in DHM8 [March-April 2009]). Waiter/butler in proper evening attire. 

I also talked with June, Marcia's mother, who said, "I lost my shopping partner. She will be remembered for her dolls. I just want everyone to know what a wonderful daughter she was. She had a beautiful life. Her artistic talent came out for the whole world to see. The dolls were her life and she enjoyed every minute of it. She just couldn't wait to get into her workroom. She has given me the opportunity to see the United States, too. Marcia did very few shows herself; I always had a joke that I had her tied in the basement so she couldn't go anywhere, so she could work, then I could do the shows. She and I had a wonderful time and we were so lucky to have her for 58 years. She was an artist from the time she was born. I knew she had talent. She not only was an artist in doll making, she played the piano, she played the guitar, and she did wonderful paintings. She was just an all-around artist. She was a warrior and a fighter. I just miss her so much."

Right: Biker Gramps, published in AM85. 

When asked about the resin doll kits that Marcia also sold, June said, "I think we might keep them up, in the future. My other daughter wants to make about 40-50 resin kits a year, so anybody who wants to make their own dolls can. Falcon also has the rights to sell about 15 of Marcia's resin dolls that she designed. She traveled to Thailand and taught the girls there to dress the dolls. They are sold all over the world." Marcia will live on in her dolls.

 

"I met Marcia Backstrom at the Philadelphia show when it was across from Valley Forge," says Janet Middlebrook, fellow doll artist. “Carole Kaye commissioned Marcia to do a Henry the VIII doll for an exhibit to be introduced at the miniature museum once owned by the Kayes. Marcia introduced herself to me and asked if I would dress Henry....He turned out so well. Marcia and I worked on a special assignment to do the most famous Kings and Queens of England for the museum and also did dolls depicting operas.”

Several months later, on a winter afternoon, Maria called Janet to see if she wanted to do a “really special project.”

“OK, what is it?”

“I have an idea for a line of dolls taken from a book by Nicolas de Larmessin (1690).”

 Left: Vegetable vendor, published in AM85.

Janet had never heard of that book and could find no reference of it either. “So after a chat with Marcia,” Janet continues, “she explained to me the story of the street vendors of Venice and what they sold. The first street vendors made their debut at the Philadelphia Show the following November and the limited-edition series was on its way! To date, 20 vendors have been sold, with one left to be made. I am proud to say these dolls are in some of the finest museums and private collections in the world. What a fun project! Marcia and I would exchange ideas, supplies, invent new projects, along with laugh at everything! When I saw her two years ago at the Chicago Int'l, she told me of her illness and all she had been through, my heart wanted to take that bad experience away for her; as I am a cancer survivor myself, I could fully understand what she was up against. We hugged and said good-bye and promised to keep in touch. What a gal!"

 

I (Connie) first met Marcia many years ago at a show. Marcia's wonderfully sculpted character dolls changed the face of miniature doll-making. The diversity and detail in her dolls’ faces and costuming set the standard for excellent doll-making. She was such a huge part of the miniature world, and her friendly smile and generosity will be missed by all.

Left: Buster the Clown, published in AM85 .

"She was great,” says Shellie Kazan. “I spent a little bit of time in Bespaq's booth, helping her come up with ideas for her dolls. We were looking at mirrors and thought, why not a fat lady looking in the mirror trying to get her girdle up? Or we were looking at chaise lounges, thinking, why not a fat lady eating cake, laying down and gorging herself? We laughed and laughed at the funny ideas we were coming up with. She was such a hoot. She kept us in stitches."

 

Marcia once commented, "I really enjoy the charm of the miniature world. Miniaturists have a wonderful sense of play and fantasy that is very addictive. I think more than anything it is people sharing with me—and catching their enthusiasm—that has sparked the creativity in me to make dolls.”

 

Below, left to right: Chinese lady; Cleaning lady; Jester; Karmina; Ventriloquist, all from AM85. Final photo is another scene from Bluette Meloney's Art Deco Egyptian Theater Lobby, published in DHM8.