MORE HOLIDAY DECO IDEAS FOR YOUR MINIATURE HOUSE

When I received this gorgeous 1950’s Keystone of Boston dollhouse from a local seller, it was labeled as “Vintage 1950 Keystone Marshall Field’s Dollhouse”. There’s another wonderful blog about Keystone of Boston dollhouses which I often visit for reference; Keystone of Boston. Found #42 as the same model for verification.

Once I heard it’s Marshall Field’s, I got inspired. The Holiday Home Decor theme: Marshall Field’s Winter Woodland Glam – with a touch of iced gingerbread cookies!

Marshall Field’s (now Macy’s) on State Street in Chicago during the holidays – with their iconic clock.
My Holiday theme: Marshall Field’s Winter Woodland Glam – with a touch of iced gingerbread cookies
Marshall Field’s Winter Woodland Glam

COLLEEN MOORE’S FAIRY CASTLE IN CHICAGO

According to the Museum of Science and Industry, approximately 1.5 million people would visit their featured exhibition Colleen Moore’s Fairy Castle every year since October 30, 1949. $500,000 was the original cost to build this miniature castle with such detail and now it is worth $7 million. Go check it out!

Colleen Moore
www.msichicago.org

LOMBARD HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM

I revisited Little Orphan Annie House the other day at Lombard Historical Society in Lombard, IL after I blogged about it several years ago. They’ve updated the museum’s Carriage House since then. Go check it out here.

PHOTOS OF ACTUAL 1881 LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE HOME

119 North Main Street, Lombard, Illinois, United States

(Copied & pasted from their website): Dr. William LeRoy built this striking Italianate style home in 1881 on Main Street in Lombard, Illinois. The house would eventually become the home and studio of Harold Gray, the originator of Little Orphan Annie cartoon strip. Harold Gray used the home’s study to work on the Annie cartoons, and some features of the house are drawn into some of his cartoons, such as the grand staircase and the outer deck. Later, he remarried and moved to the east coast. This large Italianate house is affectionately known as the “Little Orphan Annie home.” Although it is not open to the public, the picturesque façade is worth a drive on North Main Street.

ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

I just recently became a Docent at Art Institute of Chicago yet gave a 30-minute ASL Gallery Tour in the Thorne Miniature Rooms by Narcissa Niblack Thorne, covering E9; E10; E11; E13; E15; E24.

Special thanks to Sam Ramos, the Director of Gallery Activation (Interpretation) Program at AIC; ASL Interpreter Veramarie H. Baldoza who wholeheartedly supports this wonderful program and my dear friend Jay Blumenfeld who took the photos for me.

Looking forward to revisiting there at Thorne Miniature Rooms on Thursday, December 7th at 6:00pm where they’d be decorated in special Holiday theme!

Photo credit: Jay Blumenfeld

Photo credit: Jay Blumenfeld

Photo credit: Jay Blumenfeld

THE RIV – FALL ISSUE OF 2023 (BY MONTECITO JOURNAL)

I was recently contacted by a magazine editor of Montecito Journal in Santa Barbara, CA. She was inquiring my blog re: Rare 1962 Marx Tin House with a Fallout Bomb Shelter. I couldn’t believe my eyes – that someone way out in California actually visited my blog!

I’m thrilled to announce the Fall Issue 2023 of The RIV magazine is published AND they mailed me a hard copy!

Please feel free to follow/subscribe them:
www.montecitojournal.net
www.themjmag.com
Instagram: @therivmagazine

REUNITED WITH MINIATURIST TARA THAME

I ran into Miniaturist Tara Thame of EvaRose Miniatures right there at Tom Bishop’s 2022 Chicago International Miniatures Show — who I met several years ago with my daughter!

See picture below for a throwback!
My daughter and I met with Miniaturist Tara Thame during summer of 2017 in Chicago.
Below is the old flyer of this Miniature Show event

Here is Tara Thame’s vlog on YouTube from several years ago. Click here: YOUTUBE

MINIATURIST FRANK CRESCENTE

I was honored to meet an award-winning Miniaturist Frank Crescente – Like Sally Wallace, he’s a published author of his own book, Magnificent Miniatures and Chandeliers. Very talented artisan. The pictures I took of his work doesn’t do it justice!

Frank Crescente autographed his works in Sally Wallace’s book, Russian Fantasy.
His works were featured in both Sally Wallace’s book, Russian Fantasy
and Miniature Collector magazines.
This is Mr. Crescente’s colleague and artist, Michael Laurita who also showcased
his work at their shared booth. Even he appeared tired from traveling, Michael and I had a

wonderful chat. (Turns out he’s deaf too!)

 

BOOK: RUSSIAN FANTASY

Russian Fantasy: The Miniature Palace of Imagination and History (Hardcover – 2021)
by Author Sally Wallace 
It was an honor meeting the book author Sally Wallace
who is also an accomplished miniaturist for more than forty years
Russian Fantasy: The Miniature Palace of Imagination and History (Hardcover – 2021)
with author Sally Wallace’s autograph
After I purchased the autographed book from Sally Wallace, she introduced me to another
talented Miniaturist Johannes Landman from Canada.
Johannes Landman’s miniature art was featured in Sally Wallace’s book, Russian Fantasy.
Johannes Landman’s miniature art was featured in Sally Wallace’s book, Russian Fantasy
– with his autograph.
Micro Knitter Althea Crome’s art was featured in Sally Wallace’s book, Russian Fantasy.

Micro Knitter Althea Crome and her autograph
United Kingdom’s Miniature artist Chris Malcomson was also featured in the book, Russian Fantasy
yet he autographed it too.
Miniaturist Chris Malcomson’s art was featured in Sally Wallace’s book, Russian Fantasy
Chris Malcomson Marquetry Miniatures from United Kingdom
Miniaturist David Iriarte from Spain; his art was featured in Sally Wallace’s book, Russian Fantasy.
Miniaturist David Iriate from Spain and his autograph
Jack Cashmere, a miniature artist working in porcelain –
his work was also in Russian Fantasy book by Sally Wallace
.
Artisan Frank Crescente’s art was featured in Sally Wallace’s Russian Fantasy as well.
Miniature Artist Frank Crescente and his beautiful chandeliers

CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL MINIATURE SHOW 2022

More information about World’s Finest Dollhouse Miniatures Show here.

Once I stepped in at Chicago International Miniature Show here in Chicago, I felt welcomed by ALL!
I came across the booth of National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts – as known as N.A.M.E
They are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year!

Check out National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts’ booth

Winter Wonderland N.A.M.E National 2022 in Indianapolis from Sept 1st through Sept 4th, 2022

After checking out National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts booth, I met this renowned N.A.M.E miniaturist, Shannon Moore. Her amazing work can be seen here.
Miniaturist Shannon Moore
Miniature artist Shannon Moore’s art is also at N.A.M.E. display booth! What a honor!