Mockingbird Hill Cottage

The miniature show was lovely. I almost didn’t get photos because I was using an app for driving directions and it nearly drained my phone battery. (I remember this happening last year, as well!) There I was, driving along, trying to find my charger while keeping my eyes on the road and one hand on the wheel. I was able to charge it enough to grab some photos while I was there.

As usual, I see that I was so intent on figuring out what I wanted to buy that I only got photos from a few vendors. The ones I liked the most, of course. This show is run by the IGMA, the International Guild of Miniature Artisans, so it’s highly curated and most of the booths offer the creations of incredibly gifted miniaturists.

Walking through it elicits one gasp after another. Here are some of the wares I saw yesterday:

From Maddie Gerig Shelley – all sorts of miniature pottery with a modern spin. I was absolutely amazed by her work. She lives near New Haven, and is one of the younger artisans at the show. How does she do it? (Hint: I bought something from her.)

Next to Maddie? Her famous aunt, Jane Graber, who has been making gorgeous miniature pottery for years. I didn’t get a photo of her booth, but I did buy something from her.

Uncle Ciggie’s Miniatures made by artisan Vicky Sanfield.

The bassinets!

Oh my heavens! This is a tour de force. I had a nice long chat with Vicky and I did buy something from her.

Keenderson Miniatures from Ottawa, Ontario. I was over-the-moon with this gentleman’s creations. Look at the inlaid work on that table! And he also made all the floors on which he displays his work. We chatted a long time, too, because he loves the Craftsman/Mission style and I rarely see miniatures in that style.

These tables! I really wanted the circular Stickley-style table but I had already spent too much money. Never fear, I have his card and I can order from him online. Truly swoon-worthy work.

Speaking of swoon-worthy, my favorite booth. It was also my favorite last year. Bubba’s Mini Country Cupboards – incredibly detailed furniture designed by Barbara Vajnar. This year, I  had the chance to chat with both Barbara and her proud husband, who was helping to man the booth.

Feast your eyes:

Designed in the primitive style, these are truly to scale, including knobs, hinges, everything. They’re not laser cut, but are made by hand in Barbara’s workshop. Most pieces are made of cherry.

I must have spent an hour, all told, looking at each piece.

The tin in those hanging cupboards is hand punched.

Her work is exquisite.

When I arrived, I paid the modest $10 fee and filled out a card for a door prize, though I never win that sort of thing. Imagine my surprise when I was in the middle of speaking to the artisan from Ottawa and I heard my name announced over the loudspeaker! I won a $25 gift certificate to put toward anything in the show. Hello!

I was tired and dehydrated and I knew I had a 2 hour drive back home, so I only stayed there for about an hour and a half. Today, I realized that I missed a booth from a favorite miniaturist who makes tiny appliances! I don’t know how I missed it – unless he hadn’t set up yet at that point. Ah well.

Here’s what I bought:

This amazing crock from Jane Graber.

Signed by Jane.

This wicker table by Uncle Ciggie’s Miniatures. Isn’t it lovely?

This modern pottery with the most beautiful glaze – made by Maddie, Jane’s niece.

So, so beautiful. I would like a life-sized version, too. She also makes pottery in half-scale which is beyond my comprehension. I don’t know how she does it.

And…my big splurge. Gulp. It’s the most I’ve ever spent on a miniature but, heavens, I’m so thrilled that I have it. (Don wants a life-sized version).

I went for this because of the mustard milk-paint finish and because it was on the lower end of  the price scale. Some of her pieces are very, very  expensive, but absolutely worth it.

It is so, so beautifully made.

Look at the carving on the side.

The hinges are hand made by another artisan, attached – not with glue – but with tiny little nails. The knobs are perfectly to scale. And notice the tiny little – what do you call them? – door closures. The drawers open and shut.

Barbara’s signature.

I’m glad I went for it, but I took me a long time to finally make the decision. I picked it up. I put it down. I went to other booths. I circled back. I picked it up again.

Finally, I did it.

I’m thinking it will inspire the decor of the yet-to-be-rehabbed little house I found at the dump.

Happy Sunday.