SWOBODA DEAF CENTER IN CHICAGO

December 2, 2024December 2, 2024 House Miniatures Blogger

So excited to share Swoboda Deaf Center is hosting their annual Winter Deaf Festival this month of December and I’m lending our Christmas miniature house where everyone can see it up close.

According to Swoboda Deaf Center (SDC) website:

SDC is the only Deaf owned community center in the Chicagoland area for the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, DeafBlind, CODA (Children of Deaf Adults), and ASL signers to come together. Swoboda Deaf Center’s mission is to provide resources, educational workshops, social gatherings, and special events including cultural awareness.

1964 COLLEEN MOORE’S FAIRY CASTLE SOUVENIR BOOK

July 20, 2024July 21, 2024 House Miniatures Blogger

COLLEEN MOORE’S FAIRY CASTLE IN CHICAGO
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY SOUVENIR BOOK FROM 1964
(*FRONT COVER*)

COLLEEN MOORE’S FAIRY CASTLE IN CHICAGO
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY SOUVENIR BOOK FROM 1964
(*BACK COVER*)

**PORTRAIT OF MINIATURIST COLLEEN MOORE**

TOM BISHOP’S 2024 CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL MINIATURES SHOW

April 30, 2024July 12, 2024 House Miniatures Blogger

I returned to The Chicago International Dollhouse Miniatures Show at Marriott Chicago O’Hare, which was held annually. This general public event (organized by Tom Bishop Productions) is always a great opportunity to explore the world of miniatures; meeting other fellow enthusiasts and make new connections.

Guess who I saw there? Tara Thame of EvaRose Miniatures! I am so proud to share that Tara Thame has her gorgeous miniature room box exclusively selected for a grand display at the convention, “An Evening Soiree in Paris”! Congratulations, Tara!!

**Miniaturist Tara Thame of EvaRose Miniatures with her gorgeous miniature room box,**
**“An Evening Soiree in Paris”.**

**Miniaturist Tara Thame of EvaRose Miniatures, “An Evening Soiree in Paris”.**

MARSHALL FIELD’S: HALL’S LIFETIME TOYS DOLLHOUSE

October 5, 2023October 5, 2023 House Miniatures Blogger

As I live here in Chicagoland for over twenty years, Marshall Field’s Department store on State Street with the iconic clock is one of the Chicago’s highlights. This particular heirloom dollhouse, 1970’s Colonial Mansion by Hall’s Lifetime Toys is believed was created for Marshall Field’s & Co. This one is still sought after by collectors today.

This 1970’s Colonial Mansion may be considered as “plantation style” but it did not have any other trim, like a balcony. It has a Greek revival with the columns and triangular shape on the top front. The painted green roof is plain, sloping on each side. 4 rooms total with a staircase, covered in red suede. A fireplace. 2 rooms upstairs and 2 rooms downstairs, all beautifully wall papered. Each window is plastic stapled with painted white curtains and green wooden shutters.

I love the lithographed front door design as it stands out elegantly. Happy viewing!

**I scanned in this Hall’s Lifetime Toys label image from the reference book –**
along with the other images below
Dollhouse and Furniture Advertising: 1880s-1980s by Dian Zillner

Marshall Field’s & Co (now Macy’s) Department store on
State & Washington Street – with its iconic clock

The iconic Walnut Room at Marshall Field’s (now Macy’s) on 111 N. State St. below

MORE HOLIDAY DECO IDEAS FOR YOUR MINIATURE HOUSE

October 4, 2023October 5, 2023 House Miniatures Blogger

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

September 30, 2023October 6, 2023 House Miniatures Blogger

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!

ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

September 28, 2023October 5, 2023 House Miniatures Blogger

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!