Monday, August 4, 2014

I must say, I'm so excited! At Miniature Rose Garden, Http://www.MiniatureRoseGarden.etsy.com , I take time, effort and care into my wallpaper choices. AND I've found my favorite wallpaper of all time! Soft blush tones, the perfect shade of green - ROSES, of course - and vintage charm.


Here's another beauty that's great for a girl's room or nursery


Another gorgeous wallpaper in the Romantique line.


If you love clean and crisp and your favorite color, blue!


Such a classic, roses and sage green.


A turn of the last century classic that remains such today, Subway Tile . . . that you don't have to cement tile by tile - Subway Tile wallpaper!


Tonal without being flat paint, so much richer and more textural, Sage Green with a subtle tone on tone Rose print.


Looking for period wallpaper without the rage of a screaming print? Here's a tone on tone golden Wheat. . . Nature is the Classic of all Classics.


This looks blue damask in the shop and in person . . . Vintage beauty and - not unlike my wedding dress! (Okay, it was my 2nd however True Love marriage!)


Looking for neutral? You don't need to go with a one dimensional paint . . . another Ode to Nature and a classic beauty as well.


Please feel free to stop by, have a look or make a request . . . Need a certain look that you don't see? or another scale? We can get half AND quarter inch for you. 

Another beautiful day in the MiniatureRoseGarden :)
xoxo Susan

Http://www.MiniatureRoseGarden.etsy.com

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Sunday, July 27, 2014

SALE!!

I have a "WOW" Special Offer for you . . . 

FREE SHIPPING STOREWIDE at http://www.MiniatureRoseGarden.etsy.com

This SPECIAL opportunity is for One Week Only!

Let your fingers do the walking . . . No. Running . . . No crowds . . . Purchase the miniatures you've had your eye on . . . A dollhouse perhaps?

Http://www.MiniatureRoseGarden.etsy.com

Here are just some of the items that can travel to your home - at no charge :)














                                                       The Magic is in The Details

                                                                   Enjoy!

                                                                    Xoxo
                                                                    Susan

Monday, July 14, 2014

A Miniature Life Begins At 9 . . . In A Closet . . .

I'm so excited - slowly but surely - after 40 years of being in love with miniatures, I reached an odd milestone recently lol . . 
When I was 9, I was lucky to stumble upon my first miniatures shop. Who knew such an oasis excited!? I was immediately hooked. My personality must have been similar then - enthusiastic! - because the nice man who worked there came over and handed me a great gift, a catalog of miniatures to take home! I was mesmerized. I took it home and spent hours paging through that catalog, dreaming and making wish lists of all that I would buy. . . of course, I had never earned money but that didn't squelch my spree till I stopped and did some math. Unfortunately, math was a good subject for me and my hunger for dollhouse accessories was vast. I was disappointed and thought, "Someday.".
We had moved to a new state, new town, new house that year. We had lived in a modest home in New York yet when we transitioned to Atlanta, GA, the house was new with updated features like . . .Much to my delight . . . my new room had a small walk in closet with 3 shelves! The lowest 2 were at my level. (Does anyone remember the days of sitting in a chair with your legs dangling? I thought "I'll be really grown up when they touch the floor!" lol - Just an aside for those of us that are vertically challenged.
My mother was deep in "feather the nest" mode so she had lots of  fabrics and other samples that caught my eye.
We had moved in the summer and I didn't know anyone. Luckily, I was a bright and creative child and my attention turned to my closet and my mind was clear to imagine. I created sofas from cookie boxes, a Christmas tree from the Holly bushes, wrapped Christmas presents with the playing card boxes. I don't remember much more detail and I don't have photos but the experience stayed with me forever.
Over the years, I learned to create more miniatures. I learned an old art form to make handmade rugs.
I hope I can remember the technique to create them for the shop. I love the way they look - very romantic, vintage.

Fast forward . . . In the wonderful of Etsy, I found miniatures again. I began collecting from all the beautiful artists. My creative passion welled up again and I started creating again as a great distraction to personal issues, illness etc. I opened Miniature Rose Garden in late 2011.


I recently chose from my personal collection, items that either I had made or many that I bought from all over the world (I love that about Etsy!!). I furnished my 1st house since those shelves 40 years ago

I'm delighted to share these pictures with you. (It's like a coming out party!)


This beautiful cherished house was made by my friend, Caroline Dupuis. 
She creates a world that everyone wishes they could live in! You can find the books that she's authored and her handmade creations in Etsy at CinderellaMoments.
This is her armchair below - the detail and love that Caroline puts into her pieces is truly touching! 
You can see Etsy's MinisbyNana babies playing in the corner. Vanessa creates such special dolls that - I'll tell you a secret: I always carry one or 2 in my purse in a special lace lined box - so that I can look at them whenever I need a smile. They never fail to re-happy my day. 
The toys that the girls are playing with are from the dear sweet women at LugArtPetit on Etsy. Two talented women whose Joie de Vivre comes right through in their art. Say hi to Maria Jose and Monica when you check out their creations. Their Facebook page is super to see their work also.
The fabulous plants to the left are made by Georgie Steeds of the TheMiniatureGardener on Etsy. Georgie's from the UK and has such a fabulous shop of every most beautiful plant kit that you can imagine.


I love sharing wonderful Etsy artists with you. You deserve them and they deserve you.


Here's a change of subjects, does anyone have a Golden doodle? We'd like to adopt. (A puppy lol)
 My husband is such a dog lover but I have developed rather bad allergies (like to cigarette smoke) - They came with a severe case of asthma so I'd really like to be careful. All I can really do is avoid triggers rather than control them.

 I understand that these dogs are allergy neutral - or an expression like that lol. I'd love to hear about your experiences, your advice and input with this breed. Or if you have others that you strongly recommend. 

My email is MiniatureRoseGarden@gmail.com. 



 I'm really excited about the changes taking place at the shop, so please check her out and let me know what you think :)                  Http://www.MiniatureRoseGarden.etsy.com.




Saturday, April 19, 2014

Calling all miniaturists . . .You've got to see this!



When I had the idea of writing a blog, I thought "Will I be able to do it? Keep up with it? Know what to say?" Now I actually find myself with plenty of ideas - yet to come - & looking forward to writing the next post.
I found the most fascinating page on Pinterest . . . First, do any of you go on Pinterest? I LOVE it!! I don't know how to do Instagram or Tumblr or Flickr etc but Pinterest - I've got that down!! If any of you'd like to send me your names, I'd really enjoy seeing your boards . . . a fun way to get to know who wanders over and reads these efforts.
The latest finding that captured me . . .Have any of you ever heard of Colleen Moore's dollhouse, The Fairy Castle? Absolutely beyond AMAZING!
Colleen was a silent film star in the early 20th century. This is her photo. She helped popularize the bob.



She commissioned  a large # of artisans to build and decorate and create this masterpiece. It took almost a decade. The home is gorgeous, elaborate and beyond anything I personally had ever imagined.
Walt Disney hand-painted murals and portraits. I had no idea that he had this sort of talent and ability.
The tapestries in the home are real. The chandeliers are made from diamonds, emeralds & pearls.  The books have real and legible print. There is hot and color running water. 1500 amazing miniatures are contained in this extraordinary piece of art. . . get ready . . . to see a 7 MILLION DOLLAR dollhouse!!
(When I read that figure, it was in all numerical print. I thought they had mistakenly put too many zeros in - or last 2 zeros must be the cents?? . . .LOL)

Enough facts - let's check out these awe inspiring photos. . .










 



 












 


Later, Colleen donated her prized possession - her elaborate dollhouse to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. I hope you enjoyed this taste of the exhibit as much as I did.


I ordered this book that details the Castle - immediately - the same night I saw these photos.
It is available for purchase online from the Museum gift shop. This is the best place to purchase it.


Goings on at 


            I have introduced dollhouse flooring from Europe such as faux parquet and marble. (Examples below.) Interesting tile will follow soon. I have a wonderful faux tin ceiling however its all white - so that you can finish it however you'd like - The drawback is in its all white state, without contrast, you can't see any of the wonderful  detail in the photos - where all of the vintage realism is. I'll keep trying different photo techniques. The materials & realism of these new products is top quality and unique. 




New wallpaper patterns will be arriving soon. Anyone who has purchased these papers knows the quality that is so important to me at Miniature Rose Garden.

I find photographing miniatures to be challenging so I am very behind on listing my handmade items :0 though I continue to be more inspired than ever for which I am very grateful. I will keep plugging to get items into the shop.

I have several new dish lines including a blue and white dinner plate that is very pretty and whimsical dessert plates. I always have more projects going then is evident. I'll have to buckle down & focus - like I tell my son lol.

I've been challenged with been some health issues that has slowed me down & hindered my progress. You may have noticed this if you check the shop and wonder why there aren't as many new listings as you - and I - would like to see. I'll keep pushing back on this so I can create miniatures and realize new ideas which is such a great joy and satisfaction to me.

Thank you to all who write, communicate and share your hobby and a bit of yourselves with me. This is such fun and makes me very happy. I appreciate getting to know you and seeing your projects :)

Please let me know if you would like anything that you don't see in the shop. I have suppliers all over the world & have just about anything available to me.  xoxo Susan