Magazine Article News

Be sure to check out the latest Dollhouse Miniature (March/April 2019-see below) for an article that I wrote on TootsieToy miniatures.  I also received a nice compliment on my article on TynieToys in the Feedback section.  Congratulations to Marc Mead ( a friend and fellow Okie for his article on glass in this same publication!

I also have an article publishes in Kage brand antique miniatures in the March 2019 Issue of Dollhouse World. 

Shabby Chic Cabin Fireplace

After working on the deer head head for my Shabby Chick Cabin, I was inspired to work on it a little more.  I had started a fireplace for it, and was inspired to finish it up.

I wanted to finish the cabin in something that was a little out of my comfort zone, with an all white palette.

I started with a small picture frame that I picked up at an estate sale for 25 cents.   I took it apart and started by cutting off some of the 45 degree ends , but it was going to be too small.  I decided to add the wood block in the middle.  

The firebox of the fireplace was made of some scrap book paper with a white brick motif.  I attached another piece of wood to serve as the mantel and painted the whole think brown.  This was a technique that I have been using on all of the woodwork in the cabin.

The brown paint gets a coat of crackle finish medium and them some white paint.

This view shows the fireplace all assembled and ready to install.  I added a light gray wash to dirty up the back a little.

This view shows the fireplace installed.
The fire box is recessed into a chimney on the exterior. 

To see how this project started, click HERE

Faux Deer Head Tutorial

I came across a Christmas place card holder at an estate sale recently and decided it was worth the 25 cents. I knew it was the right scale for 1:12.

This is what I came up with

This is what I started with.  I was drawn to the simple lines and the geometric antlers.

It was made from some sort of plastic or resin.

I began by removing the garland and metal card holder.

I used my Dremel tool and separated the head from the torso.

Once it was removed I sanded the cut smooth

Here is a view from the front.

Here is a view from the side

I added a few coats of white craft paint

I knew it would be a great piece for my shabby chic cabin.

(which I have been neglecting)

Here it is in place.  I like it because it draws your eyes from the unfinished fireplace!

Recent Acquisitions - Plates and Paint

I came across a few interesting items this week at estate sales.

 I found this small hand painted winter scene and a miniature Limoges plate.

 Here is a close-up of the back of the plate.  I came with a metal holder to hang it.

I gathered together some of of porcelain plates that that I have collected over the years and grouped them together. Lots of variety and styles.

Magazine Photo Shoot

I have been getting my 1930's depression era cardboard house ready for an upcoming magazine article submission.  

I have furnished the house with some antique 3/4" scale Strombecker painted furniture.
To see this collection of furniture, click   HERE

Happy New Year !

Wishing you a happy 2019 !

I have purchased a few items for myself in the past few weeks - A miniature vintage plastic nativity, an antique book and a 1930's Strombecker stove ( 1:12 scale).

The book is German, has a verse for each day of the year and dates from 1909.

I have also included a few pictures of miniature houses that I have seen on a recent trip to Utah.

This "Santa's Workshop" was for sale in an antique store.

I posted some pictures of the inside on my Instagram - feel free to follow : tulsaarchitect

This old house was in the same shop - it was one room and the (dusty) roof lifts off.

This display was in a mall in Salt Lake City - when you pushed a button, a narration of "Twas The Night Before Christmas" played.

As the story progressed, different rooms in the house (or the roof) lit up!  

Who-ville Christmas fun at the office

Each year at the office, we have a cubicle decorating contest as part of our Christmas celebrations.  My cubicle won a prize last year so the pressure was on to come up with something great!  I wanted to utilize some of the decorations from last year and incorporate some new items. Last year I used a bunch of icicle lights on the ceiling and mixed in a bunch of white and silver ornaments.  

I worked with my cubicle mate and decided on a Who-ville / Grinch that stole Christmas theme.

This was our concept sketch

The building facades were sketched on the foam core boards cut out with a sharp knife.

Then painted with spray paint

Doors and windows were added with paint and markers.

I asked a friend to cut out some vinyl letters for us and they turned out great!

Here is a view of my desk, the icicle lights, ceiling ornaments and the Who-ville buildings and a silhouette of the Grinch in the window.

We accented everything with whimsical floral sprigs and giant plants made from foam and tissue paper.

We had several clients and other building tenants come in and judge the cubicals.  For an extra touch, we put Dr. Seuss images on our computer monitors and played music from the Grinch That Stole Christmas.

UPDATE:

WE WON !

Recent Acquisitions

While out doing some shopping I came across a few miniatures.

The Petite Princess Chaise lounges were both in the blue box along with a old slimline telephone.

I picked up the cast iron chair at a local antique mall and I came across these two miniature framed tiles at an estate sale.  I wish they had a country of origin.. maybe Russia?

To see the rest of my Petite Princess collection, click HERE

To see the rest of my antique cast iron pieces click HERE

Recent Acquisitions

I have picked up a few items at estate sales and won the Sonia Messer piano on Ebay.

Estate sale items include, a ceramic duck decoy, a wooden butter churn, a Coca-Cola mirror, a cast metal coffee grinder, a cast metal oil rig, and an antique celluloid tape measure (basket of flowers).  The oil rig appears to be homemade and is probably regional, since Oklahoma is a huge oil and gas producing state.

The grand piano is a Sonia Messer piece.  It has a wind-up music box insert and is marked on the bottom with the "Made In Columbia" stickers.  It has brass hinges and balls on the feet.  The music stand folds down as does the lid.  It is made from mahogany and probably dates from the 1950's.

To see some of my other Sonia Messer Collection and projects click HERE

A Victorian House

I was having a conversation at work about some of my antique miniatures, when another coworker said "I have an old dollhouse that I started when I was kid.  It's yours if you want it - it's at my Nanas in a closet!"

A few days later it was loaded in my car!  She was very meticulous and kept the box, the spare pieces, the instructions, and a box of accessories including lots of lights.

The house is the Crestview by Dura-Craft.  Here is the view of the back.

Here is the view from the front.

Here is the side view and the accessories that she threw in.

I have been collecting Victorian style miniatures for quite a while.  I have even drawn up a few floor plans for a Victorian home to house my collection.  So of course I had to get out a few things and see how they fit!

Before I knew what hit me, I was measuring rooms and making plans for what goes where.

I have had this office furniture for quite a while, maybe it would fit in?  The Sonia Messer chaise looks good in here - maybe he (or she) is a doctor - perhaps a psychiatrist ?

A fireplace for each room!  It looks like I have another project on my hands - stay tuned.

Click Here to see the Living room