Discovering Dollhouse Miniatures – An Organized Hobby

You might be wondering where to get new ideas and share information, and a club could be just the answer for you! Clubs provide an atmosphere of sharing and often prompt your creative side simply by providing communication with other miniaturists. Clubs belonging to the National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts are good outlets for creativity and a great way to meet others interested in miniatures. Aside from club activity, this member group sponsors miniatures shows and other miniatures-related events, and publishes The Miniature Gazette, a quarterly magazine.

There are also a number of well-organized independent groups such as the Society of American Miniaturists. Its members are dedicated to sharing what they’ve learned with beginners through weekend workshop activities.

The International Guild of Miniature Artisans is yet another source. The Guild has a show in New York each spring, and a summer school in Maine. The school features classes by well-known artisans and is a perfect way to hone your crafting skills!

Small groups of hobbyists, with no particular club affiliation, can be found all over the country. These groups gather together once or twice a month to chat, show their latest work, and come up with new ideas. They can sometimes be tracked down through miniatures shops.

Another way to learn more about miniatures and keep in touch with the hobby is through the various publications devoted to it. Dollhouse Miniatures is a monthly magazine dedicated to both the crafter and collector. It features artisans and collections, do-it-yourself projects, various tips and reviews, and information on upcoming shows. Dollhouse Miniatures also provides show coverage, highlighting new miniatures that the editors and contributing writers find at shows across the country.

Miniatures shops, of course, provide access to the hobby in many ways. But don’t despair if there isn’t a hobby shop nearby — the hobby also has a very healthy mail order business. Check the advertisements in Dollhouse Miniatures — many of the shops and artisans who advertise will indicate whether or not they have catalogs available, and most ads include addresses. And be sure to get a copy of the Miniatures Catalog. It’s a great source of ideas, and enables you to locate the companies and artisans whose work you’re interested in. Addresses can be found in the Index of Manufacturers, Artisans, and Suppliers in the back of the catalog. One other thought — when you go on vacation, check the ads in both publications for shops located in the area you’re planning to visit. You never know what you might find!

Miniatures shows are yet another way to find handcrafted and manufactured miniatures, and they also provide wonderful opportunities to meet artisans and hobbyists. Many shows offer workshops that give you the chance to learn a new skill or perfect an old one. Quite a few also have an exhibit area near the sales room where local miniaturists and clubs display their work and share ideas. Be sure to pick up business cards and keep programs when you attend shows (the programs often have addresses in them), so that you can contact artisans and shops whose work you’re interested in.

Keep your eyes open for local clubs presenting miniatures shows, as well as local non-profit organizations who often run shows as fund raisers. In addition, there are a number of promoters who put on fine miniatures shows across the country. The National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts also presents what they call Houseparties, long weekends filled with workshops, demonstrations, brunches, dinners — and miniatures of course! You do have to be a member of the association to participate as a registered guest, but the sales room is usually open to the general public on the last day of the show. Be sure to check Dollhouse Miniatures, the Miniatures Catalog and local newspapers for information on upcoming shows.

There’s another way to learn more about miniatures or to display your latest creation. Each October the Miniatures Industry Association of America, a trade organization, sponsors National Dollhouse and Miniatures Month. This event gives you the chance to see special displays at local shops and malls, The point of the entire month is to expose more people to the hobby and to give those already involved a chance to meet each other and to share. You local miniatures shop should have information about contests or other events relating to National Dollhouse and Miniatures Month, or watch for notices in Dollhouse Miniatures.

The ideas mentioned here are just a few of the ways to become involved in the wonderful world of miniatures. But if you’ve bought a roombox or dollhouse kit or purchased an exquisite piece of furniture, you already know the feeling of excitement and happiness that miniatures can bring. It’s so rewarding to build or buy a dollhouse or roombox. The fun of filling it with items you’ve made or admired and bought really can’t be beat. The one constant, and maybe most attractive factor in miniatures, is its flexibility. You can build, buy, decorate, and create anything you desire in any scale you want. The choice is up to you – have fun!

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