I am one groggy person this morning! As often happens after a week of being sleep deprived, I slept a lot last night – which was great – but now I’m feeling very groggy. Don, who was exhausted last night after a full day of rehearsal running through everything in the show, decided to come home this morning instead of attempting the drive last night. He’s on his way now.
The miniature show was lovely. As I have no other experience with these kind of things, it seemed to be on the modest side, but it was just enough for sleepless me.
Yes, just a little over a week after I finally left Hartford, there I was – back again.
It’s sort of overwhelming when you first enter – so many tiny things to look at, so many details. So I had to walk it a few times before I could narrow things down.
Unbelievable detail.
This woman’s work was exquisite. Can I tell you how much I wanted those blue cupboards? Oh my goodness. Miniatures handmade with this level of detail and quality are expensive. At least $300, and even more depending on how large the piece is. But if you’re a collector and you’ve got the money, it’s worth it. The piece on the left has a bread board that pulls out. Be still my heart.
This woman makes lovely animals. The border collies drew me, of course. She told me that if I sent her some pictures of Scout, she could make a mini Scout for me. I just may do that.
This chair was gorgeous. I don’t know what kind of wood it is, but it’s stunning. This was in D. Thomas Fine’s booth – that’s Darryl, who does the monthly Squint Box. It was a pleasure to meet him! We took a picture together but I don’t like the way I look in it, so you won’t be seeing it here. We had a nice chat, with Darryl telling the lady who was assisting him that I was one of the first supporters of Squint Box. He’s a nice guy. He’s moving his shop closer to my neck of the woods – still a drive – which makes me happy.
This is Patrizia Santi, who lives in Italy. She makes beautiful minis. She is really well known for her shoes and purses, which are exquisite. I’ve long been a fan and though I hadn’t planned on it, when I saw she was actually there, I knew I had to buy a pair of her shoes because I might not get another chance.
Here they are:
Unbelievable. She makes every style but I loved these rather outrageous wedge heels with the pattern.
Here they are in the dollhouse. The level of detail is amazing. I don’t know how she does it.
I also bought two framed pictures from her. They suit Hummingbird Cottage.
When I saw that Michael Yurkovic of Atomic Miniatures was there, I got very excited, as he does mid-century modern pieces and I’m a fan. It seemed timely, given that my new MiPad has just arrived.
His work is amazingly detailed and perfectly done. Miniature Eames pieces, like the shelves and the rocker – they are truly incredible.
He made this mini Airstream. I cannot tell you how much I love that linoleum!
Anyway, I had a long talk with him and he let me look at his pieces and hold them in my hand and I decided I wanted a coffee table of some sort. He had three of them there, all different. I was tempted to get the boomerang table, but I settled on a ‘surfboard table’ because I loved the wood grain and the length.
This is an investment piece. His pieces are pricey. But they are beautifully made and I figure I’ll balance the whole thing out with recycled pieces, as I did on my first dollhouse.
Each of his tables has a built-in vase. It’s beautifully made. I also bought one of his signature ashtrays. It’s signed and numbered. I mean, how could I resist?
Here it is with the sofa and chair. Oh my goodness!
I felt a wave of guilt over my mini buys this week, including another floor of the MiPad, along with these designer pieces. I’m frugal. But I’ll get over it and I know that, in the end, I will have such fun creating another mini dwelling. They’re worth it.
It was a lovely day but I was tired and happy to get home.
Sadly, I arrived home to a message from my sister that they had to say goodbye to their beloved dog, Max, yesterday morning. We knew he was declining. He was 13, which is an amazing age for a golden retriever. I well know how hard this is. I adored Max. Everyone who met him adored him. He was such a wonderful boy and I will miss him. Rest in Peace, beautiful, beautiful boy. Aunt Claudia loves you always.
Happy Sunday.
I am glad you had fun at the show. Max??? Dear God, I just burst into tears!! Please give Meredith my love. He was such a part of them. Oh, Claudia!
I know. We knew it was coming, and fairly soon, but it came more quickly than I was prepared for. More importantly, than they were prepared for. We loved him dearly. Thank you, Debbie.
I have not read your post yet.
I just saw an amazing doll house on Craigslist for……..FREE.
It’s on the New York > Fairfield > free stuff
The name of the listing is “free doll house (norwalk) ” it was posted about an hour ago. I know it might not be something you would want but perhaps someone in your miniatures network might.
Please delete if this is against blog rules. I could not help but think of you when I came across it.
I’m so sorry to hear about Max — 13 years is a long lifespan for goldens, no doubt he had a wonderful life with your sister and her family.
The miniature show looked like a feast for the eyes and imagination. Love your new shoes.
He had a good life and he gave love to everyone he met.
I don’t see it anywhere, so I imagine it was snapped up! Oh well. Thanks for letting us know, Jay!
It’s still there. The post id: 6318967457.
The first photo does not show the exterior of the house. It is an interior shot.
I just figured out how to attach the http address. Here it is.
https://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/zip/d/free-doll-house/6318967457.html
Wow. It IS amazing. No room for it here, but maybe someone will read about it and snap it up. It’s pretty gorgeous!
I’m so excited to see your purchases! I adore the coffee table and ashtray and those shoes are to die for. I almost went to the show but decided against it as it was just too nice out so puttered in the garden instead. I’m glad I stayed home. I think I could have seriously broken the bank. I’m happy to know it’s less than an hour away and will save up and hopefully make it next year. My dollhouse hasn’t had anything new in 30 years. My daughter never really liked it but my granddaughter can play for hours at the age of 2. Of course any new purchases will be stashed away befor peanut butter fingers can get near. 🙂
I have to be very careful as there were about 20 things I would have loved to buy!
I’m so sorry to hear about your sister’s Max. Our golden retriever is edging toward twelve. He’s got canine dementia and is slowing on our walks, which he still enjoys. We are trying to enjoy him now and not look too much to the future. I know your heart breaks for your sister as well as probably breaking anew for your losses, too. I’m glad that you were able to enjoy the miniature show before you heard the news.
Me too. I knew he was in bad shape, Mere had called the night before to let me know. But it happened very quickly. We will miss him so much.
Oh, sweet Max! I know the hurricane was hard on him. I am so sad. Explaining that to Little Z will surely be difficult ~ and the older boys will be broken-hearted I’m sure. I know Meredith said she watched daily and knew she would do when and what was necessary. My heart breaks.
Beautiful workmanship on those pieces. I still can’t fathom how they do it. I can totally understand why you were smitten and made the purchases. Caroline will swoon!!
Enjoy your day with Don. We are supposed to cool off today! ONLY 89*!!!!!!! Crazy!
It was very hard on him – very stressful. Too much at his advanced age, bless his heart.
It’s unbelievably hot here today. At this rate, we’ll go directly to winter.
I am so sorry to hear about Max. My heart goes out to Meredith, and Little Z. What can I say…I am in love with those shoes! And that table? I would love a full size version myself. If I only had room for a dollhouse, I would have to consider it for sure. Such detail…how do they do that at that level? Enjoy your day with Don! ;)
I don’t know how they do it. They are amazing artisans. I’m not sure where I’m going to put this dollhouse, but where there’s a will, there’s a way!
What craftsmanship! What artistry! I stand in awe of the ability of these people to make such intricate miniatures! I don’t think we have miniature shows around here (at least, I’m not aware of any) so thank you so much for taking us along. I’m so sorry about Max. Losing a fur baby is so heart wrenching no matter their age. Please tell Meredith that I am so sorry.
I will. She’s very sad as is the rest of the family. Max was loved dearly and he loved dearly in return.
I teared up when i read about Max. From reading your sister’s blog, I knew the time was near, but it’s always heart-breaking to learn of a beloved fur companion’s death. Please convey my condolences to them. The burden of sadness does decrease, but is always present nevertheless. I still tear up when I think of my first kitty who died nearly 20 years ago.
Thank you for sharing the miniature show. Though I haven’t jumped into that new hobby, I enjoy looking at the details and enjoy the smallness of the pieces. There was a minis store about 20 Minutes drive from where I live, but it closed many years ago. I think most of the items were mass-produced though, in the days before the Internet making discovery of mini artisans easier to find. Love your purchases, especially the surfboard table.
I don’t think we ever get over the loss of a beloved pet. I know this will be very hard for them.
The mass-produced items are fine and often they work well, but they are nothing like these handmade pieces. You’re right – the Internet has introduced me to artisans I would have never known of, otherwise.
Oh please let your sister know how sorry I am about Max. MY younger sister lost her Golden – Cooper – last July [he was 11 & had cancer] & everyone of us STILL misses him. Especially at our family campfires, which we have around the brick “firepit” on my youngest brother’s terrace. Cooper was the biggest lovey ever! He always ended up sitting on Aunt Janet’s feet at campfires [making it impossible for me to stand up] because he knew I’d rub & skritch him continually if he did that. Everyone else would stop after 5 or so minutes but Cooper knew I was a massive patsy & would just keeping on petting him [which of course I did]. I hope they feel able to get another dog relatively soon. There are SO MANY that need loving homes & I imagine Max was a major part of Little Z’s life. Best buddies I’m sure. It’s so important for young kids to have pets, I think. I love your miniature bounty, especially the shoebox and the surfboard coffee table. Gorgeous. Can’t wait to see what else you do with your new modern space! Have a wonderful & hopefully cool Sunday. Peace.
#Resist
They were pals, but it’s harder on the older boys who were little kids when Max entered the family. They grew up with him and he was ‘their boy.’
Unfortunately, it’s very hot here today! Will this never end????
WOW! I’m kind of speechless over such amazing details on the miniatures! I’m so glad you got to attend the show, and I loved all of your purchases. I’ve swallowed hard on a couple of my purchases, but as you said, I’m definitely not sorry I ended up getting them.
Definitely sad news about Max … losing a beloved pet is so hard :'(
I think that, as long as we balance them out with less expensive pieces, it’s okay. A splurge here and there is worth it!
Maxie was a love. I can’t believe he’s gone. Thanks, Debbie.
Goodbye sweet Max…if you read this Meredith…I know that you counted Max as one of your boys…I wish every pet owner felt that way…it is the way things should be…hugs to you all…Claudia…those stained glass miniatures!…the Italian lady and her tiny shoes!….Atomic Miniatures!…I love every piece that you bought! Atomic Retro is my favorite…I still can’t believe how much of it I found when we traveled around picking…I could hardly stand it when I had to sell a piece….lol…Thanks for sharing the show and what you bought with us…Have a great day with Don!
It is such a neat era, isn’t it? I get to indulge in it on a mini level! Thanks for your kind words about Max, Nancy.
So sorry to read of Max’s death. I had been following Meredith and knew Max had a hard time with the hurricane and she was anticipating it and was tuned in into when she thought he wanted to cross the bridge. But nothing prepares you for it. Sorry that she lost one of her four boys, the one with fur.
The hurricane was just too much for him and he couldn’t get up anymore – or at least, much of the time. Yesterday morning he was shaking and couldn’t take care of business. Mere and her husband knew it was time. It’s heartbreaking. You’re right, Tina, nothing does prepare you for it. xo
I saw Meredith’s post about Max and shed a tear. It is so hard to say goodbye to our beautiful furry loves. A video of Charlie helping himself to my glass of milk popped up the other day and while I smiled I also cried. I miss him always.
Love the mini’s! Those shoes are really amazing and that coffee table is a work of art for sure. I’m so glad you treated yourself to these special items and got to meet many of the creators. It was a busy Sunday with church and family and a good nap this afternoon! Hugs!
Always. We miss them always. xo
Great fun to see photos from the show and of what you bought; thank you for sharing everything with us. I was aware Darryl/Squint-Box Guy was in the middle of some kind of major move but now I know he’s still in NY…so, interesting.
Very sad to hear of the passing of your sister’s lovely dog; I’d seen a few photos of him when I was scrolling through her blog around the time of the hurricane, understanding quite clearly why it would have been so impossible to try to evac him. Even knowing he had 13 wonderful years with such a nice family doesn’t ease the pain of loss, though.
He’s moving a bit north to Cold Spring, which is right on the Hudson River.
We will always miss Maxie. He was the best.
Glad you had a good time at the miniature show. The shoes are precios as are all teh things. Enjoy your purchases. Sorry about Max.
Marilyn
I see I left the u out of precious and reversed the he from the.
Marilyn
xo
Thank you, Marilyn.
Thank you for sharing the miniature show! I love what you purchased! So sorry to hear about Max.
I always seem to find a comfort in the fact that animals don’t know what is coming, and so are not especially frightened. Strengthend by my absolute belief of a rejoining of famlies in the next life! Love ,Strength, and courage, to you, and all of your Fabulous Readers. Judy A-
Thank you, dear Judy!