Tuesday, 20 July 2010

Meet our Members - Sandy Calderon

Sandy Calderon


Hello, my name is Sandy Calderon.  I have been making doll house people since 1975 when I became unhappy with my family of "bendy" dolls that resided in my dolls house.  I have always loved to sculpt and started to work in porcelain in 1980 hand sculpting all my work.   By 1991 I bought my first commercial doll mold and started casting dolls.  Since that time I have more molds than I can count, I make my own molds, and still hand sculpt some dolls.

I love all things mini.   I went to school for cosmetology in 85 and opened a nail salon where I painted small art work on fingernails.  I won many awards for my tiny paintings such as the Last Supper and the Mona Lisa.  I just love tiny detailed work.  I do also work full scale and I work in the haunt industry making props for haunted house attractions.  I love creating.

My dolls are mostly nude ready to dress dolls for other artist who love to create but don’t have the means to fire a doll, or the china painting.  Special requests are done regularly in my studio.  You will find everything from the standard Victorian lady, to fun brothel dolls, or fantasy fairies and mermaids, or even my silly naked men dolls- for those with a true sense of humor. 


My website does have a limited amount of dressed dolls, and I have been known to do dolls right out of movies or TV, such as Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow and my Twilight dolls.  These dolls are hand sculpted works of art as each one is a one of a kind doll and can not be duplicated as is.

Half and quarter scale dolls are also found on my site as well as a full page of just Witches and Halloween fun for your dolls. 

I enjoy helping others learn the art, and I will happily provide anyone with the porcelain doll to fit the needs of the project they are working on.  Enjoy my website and be inspired! 
We also sell accessories, porcelain, and other doll making supplies to help you along the way.
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Monday, 19 July 2010

Meet our Members - Mondodifavola

Mondodifavola by Elena

Like all girls I grew up playing with the house of Barbie, but those brightly coloured floors, the plastic furniture so unrealistic, the yellow lift... I did not like at all!  This, coupled with my passion for selfmade things, inspired me to keep a big dream:  building a "true" dollhouse!
Several years later, during a vacation in Paris, I discovered a hobby shop with a department devoted to dollhouses.  Thus was born Marie Charlotte, my first miniature Patisserie.

A few years later, I received a gift from my cousin, a catalogue of American dollhouses:  I discovered that what for me was only a dream, for others it was a real passion!  I bought the project to build a Victorian house and early furniture in 1:12 scale.  

This discovery made me look for specialized shops in Milano.  Thus in 1998 I met for the first time Angela Gagliardi of Cosediunaaltomondo, so it was that started my great adventure in the world of miniatures. 


Several years passed before I specialized in creating furniture in 1:12 scale:  I then exhibited in 2007 for the first time in a miniature show in Milano, Miniaturitalia and in 2008 I produced my first furniture:  designed, created and decorated by Mondodifavola!

If you want to dive into my world visit my website!
If you want to stay updated on all the news follow my blog!
If you have any questions please email me!
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Meet our Members

Cristina Artdoll Studio
by Cristina Caballero


Cristina began creating costumed figures in the US, where she lived for 12 years, working as a scenic artist.  There, she produced a variety of characters from 12 inches tall up to life-size, selling them at professional shows and through specialized art galleries.

But when she moved back to Madrid, her hometown, she found that collectors were more interested in miniature rather than larger figures, so soon she started her first collection of 1/12th scale characters and scenes. 

All of Cristina's miniatures are original creations sculpted in polymer clay over wire armatures without the use of any moulds or patterns.  So each piece is a one-of-a-kind creation made entirely from scratch. 

As a profound admirer of Romanticism, Cristina reflects in her dolls a mix of melancholy and sense of humour, which beyond their rich and colourful appearance, always keep a pleasant surprise for those who get closer and observe the expression on their faces or the delicate details of their clothes.  


Each doll has its own personality and a story to tell us.  Whether it's a realistic character or a fantasy scene, naturalism and movement always distinguish her artisitic style.  Each costume is carefully draped and wrinkled to accompany the position of the figure, and so so furniture and accessories are also handcrafted or modified to perfectly fit the scene.

"Making character figures has become one of my true passions.  When I create dolls and scenes, I can incorporate many of the techniques I use in scenic construction, only in a smaller scale.  It is incredible how many artistic possibilities you can find in the field of miniatures!"

CONTACT
Cristina Caballero - Cristina Artdoll Studio
Tel:  (34) 690 621 073  Madrid, Spain



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Friday, 16 July 2010

Meet our Members

Crown Jewel Miniatures
by Robin Brady-Boxwell 

My name is Robin Brady-Boxwell and I've been designing and creating one inch scale dollhouse miniatures since 1979.  My passion as a miniaturist began when my fahter and I began constructing a dollhouse from a kit in the basement of our home and my interest continues to grow with each passing year. 

Several years ago my talents as a miniatuirst were noticed by the owner of a local dollhouse shop, and before I knew it I was selling my miniatures through Dollhouses Plus, Stratford CT.  As an artist, I found I could not limit myself to one speciality, and I created everything from miniature food to plants, furniture and jewelry.  My interest in creating realistic miniature room settings led to my hire at the store and I became the chief consultant for dollhouse interior design.  Soon I was helping customers coordinate wallpaper, tiles, molding, wood, lighting, furniture, textiles and other various architectural elements to achieve their miniature dreams. 

While I still love interior design in miniature, I've discovered a passion for accessorizing miniature furniture.  I've 'loaded' everything from china cabinets, to tables, to sewing machines, giving the illusion that 'someone was there'.  


I loved every aspect of my job and went to all the trade shows but meeting fellow miniaturists and artisans was the most rewarding experience of all.  Random people would pop into the shop with their minis, sharing techniques, asking for advice and selling some of the most incredible things and I knew beyond a doubt that I was in my element.  The explosion of internet commerce changed everything almost overnight and I watched in sadness as most of the dollhouse shops in New England closed - including the one I was working in.  It was a sad time but as one door closes, another opens and armed with experience and and endless resource of creativity, I decided to open my own business online.  

This door opened the door between me, collectors and artisans from all over the world!

In March of 2010, I began Crown Jewel Miniatures, and my constantly evolving range of miniature creations are now sold online through eBay and Etsy.
  

(Private commissions take up the majority of  my time and are always welcome!)


If you have any questions  or would like to learn more about my miniature creations, please contact me at the following address:  

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