My First Grapes

Last night I finally tried my hand at making mini grapes, and I love how they turned out! True, I still have a long way to go before I can achieve the ultra-realistic shading, the perfect leaves and the lusciously juicy grapes that I have seen my friends make ... but I really loved these and wanted to share the photo with you.
Love, Sumaiya☺

A Tudor Christmas ~ Kiva Atkinson

A Christmas feast fit for the King. From the kitchen of Kiva Atkinson, a selection of Tudor era delicacies ... roasted pig's head on a platter garnished with figs and berries; garlic soup with bread; the Sallat of Hearbes consisting of lettuce, eggs, herbs, lemon, and rose petals, tossed in oil and vinegar; peas cooked in milk and saffron; cheese stuffed aubergine; Venison ribs, and a plate of Tudor cheese tarts!

For more of Kiva's mini food creations, visit:

artist's website: http://www.kivasminiatures.com
eBay site: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZjklr4

The Lynnwood

The Lynnwood by Al Dickerson. This magnificent Georgian colonial home was a five year project completed in 2007, and was featured in the June 2008 edition of the MINIATURE COLLECTOR magazine. The house showcases works by several internationally famous miniaturists including Nicole Marble, Ray Storey, Emily Goode, Maggie Donahue, Brooke Tucker, Ray Whitledge, Judee Williamson and Melissa Wolcott.

To read the fascinating story behind the construction of Lynnwood, visit:

http://www.saltily.com/lynnwood

The Ravenhurst Manor by Angela Smith

I came across the works of artist Angela Smith quite by chance on eBay, and was soon lost amidst her quaint brick cottages and the very handsome Ravenhurst Manor. In the video below, Angela takes you on a tour of Ravenhurst Manor.

For more works by Angela Smith, visit:
CDHM link: http://www.cdhm.org/user/angelasmith08
Webshots link: http://community.webshots.com/user/Minisbyangela
YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/user/angieaug

My Chandra

My Chandra was inspired by Chandramukhi from the movie Devdas. She is dressed in gold ghagra-choli, and is sparkling from head to toe in traditional Indian jewelry: the tiara, vindi, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and anklets. Her hands and feet are decorated with henna.

Madhuri Dixit as Chandramukhi

My Dev: the Indian Prince

Dev is so very special to me, since he is the first 1:12 scale male doll I ever made. He is an Indian prince, dressed in white kurta pajama, a sage green sherwani intricately decorated with golden paint, and a pair of nagra shoes from Jaipur.

My Kumari

Inspired by the Royal Kumari of Nepal, my Kumari is dressed in her regal garb of red and gold. She wears her hair in a topknot, and has the agni chakchuu or ‘fire eye’ painted on her forehead as a symbol of her special powers of perception. Kumari was made for Helen in Honeychurch, UK.

The Kumari of Nepal


More Photos of My Kumari

A Tour of Titania's Palace

Danish children's book author Shane Brox guides you through one of the most beautiful dollhouse palaces in the world; Titania's Palace. It was the name given to an intricately constructed edifice created by British peer Sir Nevile Wilkinson as a dwelling place for the Fairy Queen Titania, inspired by his small daughter Guendolen's imagination. The Palace, which includes more than 3,000 pieces of miniature furniture and treasures, took almost 30 years to complete and was officially inaugurated by Queen Mary in 1922. It was exhibited throughout the world and raised the equivalent of 60 million danish kroner for the benefit of deprived and handicapped children, before it was sold by Guendolen in the late 60's. As her father, she had a good heart too and the entire sales of the palace was donated to a children's home. Today the palace can be visited at Egeskov castle in Denmark.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This plump turkey sitting on a platter of figs, apples and berries, hails from the kitchen of artist Kiva Atkinson. The rest of the sumptuous feast consists of butternut squash soup, mashed potatoes and maple glazed mixed squash, the chestnut/cranberry dressing, and the cutest, sweetest pumpkin pie decorated with pastry leaves!

For more wonderful minis by Kiva Atkinson, visit:
artist's website: http://www.kivasminiatures.com
eBay site: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZjklr4