Re-exploring Key West

Monday, April 19, 2010

Swap Shop - Birthday Swap













I want to thank Adrian, Ann, Audrey, Barbara K, Barbara M, Betty, Bonita, Carolyn, Chris, Diane, Fern, Jan, Joanne, Kay, Linda, Lisa, & Wanda for making my birthday so very special. When I signed up for this swap my three choices were anything Raggedy Ann & Andy, Mary Englebreit or for a shop (ladies, antique, candy, etc.). I got clock, candle holder, Lots and lots and lots of candy, shoes, stained glass art, decorative mirror, Mary Englebreit hand painted hutch, 2 ME bird houses, candy dish, Raggedy Ann fabric, 6 Raggedy Ann Dolls , Jean Day Raggedy Ann Kit, 2 Mary Englebreit filled bags, Raggedy Ann Book, Sewing Shop items, thread box, Ladies Shop items including purses and shoes, Raggedy Ann & Andy rug, hat box, perfume bottles, Teddy Bear lollipops, Easter and Valentine lollipops, serving dish, Raggedy Ann & Andy Hassocks, Raggedy Ann & Andy frame, 2 Raggedy Ann & Andy canisters, dishes in box, Mary Englebreit Bench, Gramophone, radio, flour and sugar sacks, white dress, blue dress.

It was just like Christmas (only better). I have so many items to fill in existing room boxes or complete those boxes only existing in my head.



Sunday, April 11, 2010

Why I like participating in miniature swaps











I have participated in miniature swaps since the mid 1990s. There were a few years where I sat out some swaps due to real life getting in the way. I have 35 plus or minus room boxes and several more in the works. I love miniatures. If I didn't swap, I don't believe I could do miniatures.
It is required that your learn to make things and make them in some quantity (generally 10-15) and with some quality. Most of the swaps I do are central point swap so they are all mailed to one person and at the close of the swap, you get back separate swaps from the other participants. I like room boxes filled to the gills, and this you can see if you look at the slide show in the right column.
I certainly couldn't afford to do that if I didn't participate in swaps. Recently I had the opportunity to participate in a swap entitled as "shops". Each participant listed the type of shop they wanted items for. I listed a choice of two and they were antique shop or clock shop. The attached photos are of the items I got for a clock shop. Along with the clocks that I already have, I do believe I will have my completed clock shop ready to share just any time. 3rd photo down has a dime so you can see the size of the items.
You can see that many are handmade and others are purchased. Also an option. Generally the requirement is that the retail value of a swap should be $5.
Over the years, I've had the most positive experiences with swaps and have met some very talented people.








How do you find a swap group? Get on the internet and look for them. You generally have to apply for membership and each swap group is different. Some just share information and others do lots of miniature swaps. I will not list the groups I belong to due to the privacy of the members. I've gone in and out of several groups depending on how they are run and the types of swaps they have. It's worth the effort to find a group that you are compatible with.








Thursday, April 8, 2010

More quarter inch scale miniatures





























I've been busy getting acquainted with Quarter Inch Scale Miniatures. You will see the Jax & Jill Dome (3 1/2 inches) and a Kringle Shop. Also find the little scene for Halloween. I can't believe I'm tying ghost costumes on a pin head.














Enjoy

Chairs and more chairs















I love chairs and have way too many of them in my house. It appears that I also like them in small sizes.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Lent Is Over











I give up Chocolate every year during Lent. It really is a good exercise for me to see if I have that much will power. So far I've been successful for many many years. Since yesterday was Easter, I can have chocolate back. A dear friend sent me Andre's chocolates just after the start of Lent, so they have been waiting for me for weeks. After looking at the pictures, it's amazing I had that much will power.