Happy New Year 2011 !

Wishing all of my followers a very Happy New Year!

Recent miniature paintings I've done of landmarks in Newburyport, Massachusetts
Rear Range Light Station is brick and on a main road in town.
Front Range Light is on the harbor....
The "Pink House" is very well-known, located on Plum Island and has remained pink for many years - and it's for sale - wonder what the new owners will do ???
These paintings and other miniature pieces of mine are at "Sisters We Three"
an Artisan Gift Shop at 57 Pleasant Street, Newburyport, Massachusetts
If you are near the area, visit their shop - it is absolutely filled with quality gifts and excellent art work of all types by many very talented people.

Happy Holidays !!!

Marquis Miniatures wants to wish all of my great customers and followers very special Happy Holidays and looking forward to 2011 - and Spring !!
I cherish all of you who also enjoy our very unique miniature hobby.

Miniature Collector Magazine

Miniature Collector is a great mini magazine always featuring very interesting articles and quality work.

When I opened my most recent issue, I was thrilled to come upon an article and photos of Nancy Shane's miniature collections. She is a long-time customer of mine purchasing many pieces and paintings from me over the years.
As one of her room boxes, she has an artist's studio showing some of my miniatures.
Seeing my sink, easel, painting, artist's chair and my name mentioned made my day!

Nancy informed me that she will have her miniature collection on exhibit at the Wenham Museum in Wenham, Massachusetts from March 11 - May 9, 2011
I'm looking forward to visiting the exhibit and if you're a miniature enthusiast and in the area, I know you'll be pleased to see it too.

Thank you Nancy!

Handcrafters of Miniatures Show - Fall 2010

For all of my miniature friends and customers - if you're within traveling distance,
our Handcrafters of Miniatures Fall Show is this coming Sunday - November 14th
at the Holiday Inn in Dedham, Massachusetts - easy to get to...
Exit 15A off of Rte 128/Rte 95 - Sunday Show Hours 10:00 - 4:00
For more information see www.handcraftersofminiatures.com
Visit my table, Marquis Miniatures, and see what's new!
Fireplaces have been a recent and exciting creation for me...
Hope to see you there!

Stonework

From an egg carton to stonework and how I ran with the idea!!

I'm feeling very creative lately and trying something new......

With time and patience this method is awesome according to my NY friend, Eloise Moorehead, who passed on the idea.

The Stonework Fireplace can be found in my Etsy shop.

The Love of Nature

Another pleasure of mine is gardening, nature, wildlife and when an opportunity arises - photography. Capturing a photo of the critters who watch me is always fun.
I know - on my next blog I'd best get back to the subject of miniatures!

RASPBERRIES

Enjoying my Raspberry patch this summer
and my first Raspberry pie came out great!!

Lotjes Dollshouse

How interesting it is to see where my miniatures eventually live and how they become part of an imagination - brought to life.

Flattered to do business with Sylvia from afar - The Netherlands - then to see her fantastic miniature rooms on her blog, Lotjes Dollhouse.
True to life in every way. They are WONDERFUL!!

Her Art Studio is so realistic - the crocked floor boards, the peeling paint, clothes line, draping paint rags, art supplies everywhere....so much to see!

Then seeing my Gesso Jar and Crates included and how she used them, completes their journey - and satisfies me.

BUOYS, BUOYS, BUOYS..........

What's up with the buoys?
Not sure why they're so popular, but they are!
I have made MANY - sold many and always need to make more.
Thanks to all my buoy lovers!!

Women's Health Magazine

Yet another flattering feature of one of my miniatures....... That's my ladder used in a photo shot for Women's Health Magazine.

American Miniaturist Magazine

Attending the Sturbridge Miniatures Festival was very successful as usual with many customers and 104 dealers to visit. What enlightened my day was when The American Miniaturist magazine was shown to me with a featured article about The English Rose.
A medieval lighthouse, beautifully constucted with an English tea room inside.
On the front cover shows one of my sinks and matching wall cupboard in the tea room!!
Needless to say - it made my day.

The Sturbridge Miniatures Festival

The Sturbridge Miniatures Festival in Sturbridge, Massachusetts is next weekend

Saturday June 5th evening preview from 5:00 - 8:00 and all day Sunday June 6th from 10:00 - 4:00

Held at the Host Hotel on Cedar Lake with beautiful grounds and lake front property - take a break from the show and stroll around - spend the day - you'll need to - this show is huge with 75 to 90 dealers.
If you're a miniature lover, I promise, you won't regret the trip. Dealers and customers come from everywhere...... Hope to see you there.

A Miniature Production

The journey to "A Miniature Production" show in New Jersey proved quite interesting. It was fun to meet new vendors and so many new customers (and lookers) who were very pleasant to chat with.

Visit Me at this Upcoming Mini Show May 2

Maybe we can meet and you can see more......

I'm venturing to a new miniature show (new to me) in a different area.
I will be attending A MINIATURE PRODUCTION The Central Jersey Spring Show
120 Wood Ave South, Iselin, New Jersey
Sunday May 2nd, 2010 Hours 10:00 - 4:00

If you can attend - they're always fun !!!!
Look for my table - Marquis Miniatures

Hope to see you there.

Handcrafters of Miniatures Show

Our Handcrafters of Miniatures Spring Show in Dedham, MA was a success with all of our vendors showing up, and many customers, considering the terrible weather we were experiencing last weekend in New England. With downpours, wind and flooding - not the best conditions when moving your delicate pieces trying to keep them from getting wet or blowing away !!!

But all went well and by bringing my "fish tank" again - now elaborated on - makes for an attention getter at my table and opens up new conversations with total strangers about their fish, pets, collections, and experiences.

Must show a few new pictures of my fish tank with live baby Swordtails.

When a Glove Becomes a Hat

This is an idea I always like to share with my mini friends. A little project that will be the easiest, the least expensive, and the fastest creation - for me anyway..... Materials you will need - scissors, glue, an oval template, and of course a "special glove". A lady's glove is a better size - a man's will make a larger hat. Trust me, no two will ever be alike. A worn-out glove makes for a very beat-up looking hat! I've actually picked a glove up off the street - WHAT A FIND!! Follow my illustrations - after you've cut the tip off, remove the bit of lining inside - find a good spot on the main part of the glove to cut the oval. If you plan properly, you'll be able to cut 5 ovals to make 5 hats. Poke the tip right inside the inner oval and glue. A bit of narrow ribbon, a strip of leather, or dress it up as a lady's hat will cover any imperfections. It'll look great hanging in your house.........

CRATES

I've made many, many crates - all sizes, all shapes - a lot have various interesting labels. Some have rope handles, brass handles, some are more like chests with covers, or lobster cages, and others with a very old-fashioned look. The variety keeps me interested in making more....