My Little Corner of the Net

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Strombecker Walnut Pieces


The Strombecker company Started producing 3/4" scale furniture in 1931.  In 1936 they started producing 1" scale furniture and in 1938 they introduced a new more expensive line of 1" walnut furniture.  I have collections of all 3 of these.

These are the pieces I have from the more expensive line of furniture.


I have had one of these chairs for a couple of years, but I was recently to find another side chair and an arm chair on eBay.  The seat is upholstered in textured leather.


The dining room side board features burled walnut panels in the working doors.  It also has two working drawings and was another recent eBay find.


I have had the table  and the original box for a while, but my dining room set is getting closer to becoming complete!


The table from the more expensive line, slides open to expand and accept a leaf.

I also have two round tilt-top tables and the "Governor Winthrop" secretary.

The grand piano is part of the collection too and can be seen by clicking here.



My 3/4" Strombecker collection can be seen here:

3/4" Strombecker collection


My 1" scale walnut Strombecker furniture currently resides in this Colonial Dollhouse by Rich.  The house dates from the early 1940's.  It is one of my projects that is "in-progress"  More on it later, but here is a sneak peak.





Friday, September 14, 2012

Celebrating 100 Posts !

WOW - It is hard to believe that I am celebrating my 100th blog post.  I noticed that I had reached 99 earlier this week and realized that 100 posts is quite a milestone!  To be honest, I really didn't know what to expect when I started blogging back in January of 2010.  At first I just wanted a website or a way to share my miniature collection and projects, but along the way, I feel like I have made so many friends and learned so much.
  
I want to say THANK YOU to all of my followers and those who have helped make a difference with your emails and words of encouragement and inspirational projects over the past 975 days or 2 years and 8 months ( there is an app for that! )

One of the things that has really surprised me are the posts that people find the most interesting.  As you can see over to the right, My trip to the Oak Alley Plantation is currently the most popular post, followed by the apartment project, and the Playmobil House - who would have 'thunk'?  Those are certainly not the ones I would choose!


Of all the projects that I love the most - Carolyn's Place is in my top favorites.  This is the house that I built with my daughter - she selected all of the finishes and we spent hours working together over a few years.  

Collecting seems to where I have the most time lately.   If you have not seen some my collections, please click a link below and leave a comment: 

Kage 


The other thing that this milestone has brought to my attention is how many unfinished projects I have!   I enjoy spending what little free time I have, working on several projects at once, multi-tasking, mulling ideas over in my mind before committing to something.   Even when a project is "finished" - it seems there is always something I could do to make it better.   I do find it exhilarating, being able to escape to my log cabin project or jump back to simpler times and previous decades with miniatures using some of my collections or antique houses.

I also find it fascinating how all of us miniature enthusiasts around the world, can not only get lost in our own projects, but find joy and inspiration ( and maybe a tinge of envy?) in each others work!  Again, THANK YOU to all of my followers and I appreciate your friendship, comments and emails.  I look forward to several hundred more posts, new projects, finishing old projects, and making new friends along the way - Troy

I would love to hear from you - my email is tulsatinystuff@gmail.com

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Recent Aquisitions



While I have not had much time for actually working on miniatures, I do still have my lunch hour during the week to find estate sales and garage sales.  I have picked up a few odds and ends over the past few weeks Including a bag of 3/4 scale odds and ends, a vintage marble top Ice Cream parlor type table and chairs, a pair of hand painted porcelain plate (earrings!) and a great 1" scale dresser.
 


I will salvage a few pieces from the bag of Strombecker pieces and see what I need to complete my collection.  I keep it in my Playtown Cardboard house which can be found Click Here.   The nightstand is new to me.  

I also have a collection of 3/4" stained wood furniture.  Click Here   The rest will probably end up on eBay!



This bow front dresser was a great find, it appears to be hand made.  I do not think it is a kit, because the wood is a lot heavier, but I could be wrong.  Any help identifying it would be appreciated.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Dollhouse Display

I came across this antique dresser today at a garage sale.  I am not sure of the age or even the style - any help would be appreciated.  It is very sturdy and seemed to me just the right height to display one of my houses.  As I was inquiring about buying it, another patron asked me if I was going to use it for T.V. stand.  I smiled and said, "No I am going to use it to display a dollhouse"  She said "How wonderful"

It measures four feet long, two feet deep and about 26 inches tall.  It came with two large carved scrolls that support a large four foot square frame for a mirror and also the disassembled pieces of frame.  Two of the drawers have brass locks but no keys.  The entire piece is oak and oak veneers.  

I am not sure which project to display on it.  My initial thought was the  Crescent Moon Cottage , but then I was leaning towards my log  Cozy Cabin Project .

It might be fun to build this piece in miniature too?