I had some free time yesterday morning – and it wasn’t raining – so I grabbed the opportunity to visit Chautauqua Miniatures. Last year, I drove there but it’s really just down the road (about a twenty minute walk,) so this time I walked it.
It’s in an old barn and, along with all things mini, there are also sections of the shop that sell gifts and women’s clothing. Isn’t this a neat building?
I renewed my acquaintance with one of the owners, who, it turns out, used to work at the Chautauqua Institution, as did her partner in this business. Several years ago, they left their jobs to start this shop. I sure am grateful!
I’ve taken a lot of photos, but there’s really no way I can fully and adequately show you what’s there. Just like last year, I made a promise not to photograph artisan pieces, so I can’t show you the details of all the room boxes and the incredible creations that were everywhere in the shop.
There are finished dollhouses everywhere and display cases full of minis. The display case to the left in this photo holds lots of artisan creations. I may have purchased a few things from that very case.
I love this finished dollhouse.
And this one.
There’s a whole pet section. I need to look more closely at that section next week – during their (gulp) sale.
There’s a section devoted to fairy garden supplies.
Gorgeous.
Talk about a porch!
Upstairs you’ll find lots of building supplies and dollhouse kits.
Love this vintage dollhouse.
Need a bed?
Needless to say, there is even more and I promise to take my camera along when I go there next weekend.
I had a little bit of money set aside (I hid it in my desk) to buy some minis – specifically for the rooftop garden. And I did buy some.
I bought two picket fence planters.
I bought a basket.
I bought a hanging basket of flowers. Isn’t it pretty?
And I bought another corner shelf kit – like the one you see in the kitchen. I purchased this one last year and I thought it would be nice to have a matching shelf in the opposite corner.
But, my friends, I must confess: just as in real life, I was diverted by pottery. Gobsmacked, really.
First, I saw this (the picture doesn’t do it justice):
This little white vase, which is just like a real-life McCoy vase. You see that I had to have it, don’t you?
And then…and then…I saw three pieces that blew me away. I was going to pick one. Just one. But I realized I was kidding myself, and I bought all three.
Miniature Roseville Pottery.
You have my permission to gasp.
I am so in love with these pieces that I can’t find the words to express my adoration.
Let’s look a bit more closely and give them the chance to take a bow.
Oh, my goodness. I can’t stand it.
I’m dying here.
Perfection.
They are made by Jeannetta Kendall Miniatures. I, of course, want even more. I have no idea where or how I am going to display them, but I’m thinking there needs to be a shelf devoted to them.
Caroline has made no secret of the fact that she likes and covets my pottery collection. Do you think she’ll appreciate this sacrifice I have made for her?
One can only hope.
The winner of a copy of Disclaimer is Vera. Congratulations, Vera! I’ll drop you an email right away.
Happy Sunday.
For once words fail me. Just amazing.
I know. Amazing.
OH, what a wonderful place to spend some time browsing! And I’ll say it again, amazing little world you’ve created in that house of yours. I could live there happily!
Thank you, Karen!
Oh my! I have always wanted a doll house….I can see now that it would be a very dangerous/expensive hobby. Of course Caroline should have the vases….it would have been ridiculous not to buy them.
It can be very expensive, but also very inexpensive, if you’re creative and want to ‘rehab’ pieces. I’ve done a lot of that.
Wow, what a shop! I would be in there for ages! Those pottery pieces are outstanding. How anyone can do such small work has always interested me. I about go blind, and make up new curse words, when I crochet with thread! I hope you have a lovely day.
Hugs,
Deb
I know! I couldn’t do it, either!
Gasp..I squealed when I saw the mini Roseville..what talent that lady has..and that hanging basket is so pretty..are you going to hang it on Caroline’s porch?..Oh my she is going to love you when you get home..I am crazy about that big red house..I bet it costs a pretty penny..Looking forward to more..
Not sure whether I’m going to hang it on the porch or up in the roof garden, Nancy! Maybe I have to buy at least two more, so that I can display them both places?
I’ll check the price of the red house next weekend.
Yes..you should definitely buy more..lol..
Oh. My. Speechless. I LOVE hanging baskets, and that one is perfect!! I am so excited that Caroline is getting a pet…… she is… right?? I saw almost an exact replica of the picket fence planter (in big-people size) at HomeGoods last weekend. I stopped and pondered it and walked by…. hmmmm.
Hope you are having a wonderful day off today and that the weather is cooperating!
I love those planters, Chris. I’ll have to check out Home Depot, because I’d sure love one at my real sized house.
Caroline might be getting a pet. We’ll see….
What fun!
I would walk over there every day, just for the exercise.
Ha.
That’s it, Nancy! I’m doing it for the exercise!
That would be a very dangerous place to visit. Love all of your purchases – but, OH that pottery – especially the Roseville. Absolutely gorgeous!!
Judy
That pottery is incredible, Judy. You would LOVE this shop!
Claudia!!! Wow!!! Love the pottery! I know Caroline will be swooning with joy when you return! Love everything you bought and a sale next week!!!! I am always stunned at the details of the miniatures and how someone could make those. Now this makes me want to visit there even more!
hugs,
Linda
I hope you get here someday, Linda. It’s so wonderful, in about every way there could be!
Good morning from Palm Desert Ca! It’s 115 degrees here – we are visiting for a few days. Your posts on Caroline’s dollhouse have motivated me to get out an old printers tray, hang it on a wall in my hallway and display some miniatures that I had used to fill it with about 25 years ago. As a collector I am really looking forward to finding some new pieces to place on the shelves…it’s not a dollhouse but it gives me a reason to begin collecting something new! How are things going at the house and with your puppy? xxoo
You are in a hot place, my friend! Literally.
Collecting minis and displaying them in a printers tray is a great idea!
I just love the pottery. They will go perfectly in Caroline’s house. She is one lucky lady.
She is. I wonder if she takes me for granted?
Those miniatures are remarkable! They were calling your name! ;)
They sure were, Donnamae!
The miniature pottery is beyond amazing! But for me, the vintage dollhouse caught my eye. My sister and I played w/ one just like it that was a “hand-me-down” one Christmas, once belonging to an older cousin. My sister has that one (and several others too) and I, of course, had to get my own like it and it sits on an old table in my upstairs hall. Slowly I have collected much to furnish it with and can only imagine what it must have been like for my cousin to get each room, in its own packaged box, to tear open and set up housekeeping. I try to stay true to RenWal pieces but also have Plasco and some Ideal. Many childhood hours were spent playing w/ that dollhouse and perhaps today, would be a good day to do so once again. Thanks for the memories and the reminder we are never too old to play.
I love Renwal pieces – they’re really neat. I love that dollhouse, too. If I had the space, I’d be looking for one!
And you are very right, Chris. We are NEVER too old to play!
I love that they used a old barn. So many are rotting away here. I haven’t been to a miniature store in forever! That looks like a wonderful one. I love the 3 pottery pieces you showed us. The cases that they came in I have used in a mini store I made. I put them on their sides and put a piece of wood on top for a counter top. The open side was useful for displaying items. It looks like you are finding time for fun. And no rain for once…Yeah!
Such a smart idea, Teresa – to use them for a mini store. We save everything, don’t we? We just might be able to use it!
Can you hear me all the way from Texas gasping and squealing with delight??? What a wonderful place! Oh how I wish I lived close by, but am so thrilled that you gave us a virtual tour. Please, please, please go back and take more pics. Enchanting !!!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Oh, Susan! You would love that shop. I hope you can get there someday!
I promise I will take more pics! xo
Susan, My Doll House on Broadway in San Antonio is in your neck of the woods.
Margaret in Galveston
Yay for Susan! Thanks so much, Margaret.
I especially love the dollhouse with the wrap-around porch. Your posts are making me want a dollhouse!
That porch is incredible Jo(e) – the house is huge, by the way.
Where to start? With the vintage house, I guess, as I had it, being a pretty vintage model myself. My sister-in-law had it too as we discovered looking at old pictures some years ago.
The sale…be careful! The hanging basket! But, oh, that Roseville! Oh, oh, oh! And wow!
You’re inspiring me to get back to my own dollhouse, left alone for much too long.
I hope I am inspiring you to play with your dollhouse – I cannot begin to tell you the joy mine has brought me.
I have recently discovered a miniatures store in a nearby town and I have had to will myself to stay out of it. Part of it is like a museum with the completed rooms…artisan rooms I think you termed them…and the details are just unbelievable. It’s a very large store, too. I could kill three hours in there. The problem is, I want everything and, last time I was in there, I spent $150 (I don’t even have a dollhouse; I just have shadow boxes!!) and I just can’t afford that so, until I can find a way to be more disciplined about my purchases, the store is taboo for me. (I’m working on the discipline part because I yearn to return!) I just become so mesmerized by the intricate creations…the beauty of them. Charm and whimsy…and accuracy. It’s another world. Fantasy. Wishing I could will myself to be tiny and just walk into that world. But I’ve never seen pottery like you bought and you don’t have to guess it’s supposed to be Roseville; it definitely looks like Roseville pottery. Lucky Caroline and I do SO love her kitchen.
That’s the first time I’ve ever seen Roseville in mini form, Vicki.
I’ve been working on the dollhouse for 6 years, precisely because I have to budget for new purchases!
I love this shop! Oh my!
Someone mentioned a printers case. I’ve had one for about 20 years. My love of all things small is not new. It never occurred to me to use doll house miniatures. Now I’m in trouble
Thanks for the tour.
You ARE in trouble, Trudy!
It is surely a huge relief Claudia, that Scout’s problems were less weighty than they appeared.
Nevertheless,i am praying for some uplifting energies for all of you all around.Balancing the care of a beloved dog while factoring in the rest of life including employment and finances is so hard when we love our pets so much and would like the very best for them. I know how hard this feels and that you are right in there doing an amazing job in spite of the challenges.
The miniature shop is certainly something else,it would be fun to visit whether one has a dollhouse or not.Thanks for sharing yours with the rest us:)
Scout is doing much better, Grace. Thank goodness! But I have to say, it’s very hard for me to be away from her during this time. Don is doing a great job of caring for her.
Oh Claudia! How I enjoyed the miniatures shop photos. What a great place.
Your mini pottery? Divine! Just perfect.
I am your newest follower. Linda from A La Carte told me about your post today. I tried to follow you on blogspot and was unable to so I did it via my email. Susan
Welcome! You couldn’t follow me on Blogspot because this is a WordPress blog! I’m glad you signed up via email.
Oh! Oh! I’m… Oh! :)
I know!
The minute you said they had a pottery section, I knew you were in trouble! Haha! Loved going along with you. I would have HAD to have that retro camper in the fairy garden and a dollhouse. I don’t have a dollhouse but have been coveting Carolines…☺.
The pottery gets me every time, Lynn Marie!
Wow! I don’t know how you got yourself out of there, Claudia! Glad you treated yourself! Also loving the photos of the beautiful homes and cottages!
Thank you, Susan. There will be more this week!
How genius that someone created the Roseville vases! Those would be on the top of my ‘list’ to buy if I were a dollhouse gal. Just so sweet!!
What a dangerous place for a collector to be. Glad you found those pottery minis they will make you happy for years to come.
You were in miniature heaven! Love love love the pottery, especially the tall one with the square opening….you’re right, perfection, miniature style.
I’m dying here! WOW!