First price in Germany!!!

Artofmini.com wins award at the Dollhouse Fair in Germany!


Wow now that’s some big letters, but we are very proud to receive an award and if we had had a tail, all coffee cups would be of the table.

It was exciting, at 16.00 hours, the winner will be announced who would have the best stand of the fair. It was 16.15 hours, finally, we heard 'Achtung Achtung ...', then .. a whole story about something special was going on. We were listening and finally we heard what was going on. Artofmini.com and Graham and Graham did receive the same amount of votes, so we ended up in a draw.

This shared first place was definitely not a shame; as Graham & Graham (Elfy and Robert) had a fully furnished castle, which left a stunning impression on you. Fortunately, our stand left the same impression and with such a 'competitor', you really get wings when you take the first price together.

211 exhibitors from 12 countries, our first visit to the International Dollhouse Fair in Germany and then this!

It makes you grateful and humble and one always have hope, but to really win .......?????  Wonderful!

How did the fair go for us? (You'd almost forget)

Rheda-Wiedenbrück the new location for the 'exhibition' in Germany. A very large location with superb spacious paths for visitors and lots of space for exhibitors. Long story short: perfectly organized.

After all the preparations at home (and a lot of thinking) we made pictures of the setup at home and armed with these pictures, we decorated the stand. Despite all the preparations still a lot of work, but wonderful to see that the desired result grew under our hands.

The first day began quite amazing. We received many compliments from colleagues and later on our customers and visitors. Our seven new series we did present for the first time and all the other specials were "admired" and got a lot of attention from the visitors and various miniature magazines (yeah!!!!).
Ultimately, the second day became a real treat for us. Really all nationalities have shown up at our stand and we have had, aside from the fact that Artofmini.com won a shared first price, a tiring but very nice weekend that we will not forget very soon.

Through this way we want to thank everyone for the compliments and congrats, And we????? ..... We have wings....and very big smiles on our face.

Janny



We were also very proud to present at the fair the most beautiful embroidery art-work from The Ivory Tower (Aukje Bakker). She designes everything of her own and the stiches are so tiny that one can hardly see them. Every piece is a true piece of art!

Spring is in the air!!!

I really hope you all have a wonderful Easter!!

Today I have worked very, very hard today to add all my new made items to the website.

All miniatures for and from the spring (and summer).

Flowers and miniatures for decoration that just has to be in any miniature home.

Here are a few examples, but if you want to see all of them, please take a peek on my website and enjoy looking at the new products.



The final chapter of the Peacock Room

Tough Roman pots complete the elegant window with seating.
They are filled with ivy and moss.
Small plover eggs are there for decoration and are announce the approaching spring.
To give the ornamental pots extra cachet, the foots are framed by a double wicker wreath.
The two tall candles in candleholders fill this corner
every evening with a friendly, soft lighting.
She's happy here, both in the evening as in the morning.
A stationary map is closed to keep its secrets carefully.
Amid all the luxury of the room
the attention is drawn to a delicate cup filled with aromatic tea.
A warm baguette is just moored rich with marmalade,
ready to be eaten.

It's morning.

Just as in music, sun shines in the air and in the hearts.

A playful breeze flutters the curtains and she thinks:

Life is so beautiful!

And tomorrow?

Tomorrow there will be a brand new day ....

for me also!

This room I have made for my best friend Marga. A while ago she was diagnozed with cancer end she is still fighting for her life (and to get it back). It was a very special project and in this story I told some happenings we have experienced together. If you have read the story then you will understand that this beautiful lady who lives in this room is my dearest friend and all the charactaristics and qualities of the lady are her qualities. There is only one thing I want to add..........and that is my love for Marga!

Janny

Peacock Room Chapter VII

On the large rug is a Biedermeier chair.

The back is beautifully decorated and the seat made of soft moss green Alcantara.

On the small sewing table is a piece of fabric, needle, thread, bobbin thread, scissors and a bowl with pearl buttons and little white opal are waiting to be picked up by skilled fingers.

On the ground, a sewing box with the finest threads and buttons.

You would almost think that this is a unique creation.

But is this true?

The answer is: Yes, wholeheartedly yes!

She has outdone herself this time.

I’m going to tell you......

It is clear that this is a room from a very fashionable lady.

Paris fashion is followed closely.

If she is going out, she always looks perfectly dressed.

She just has an eye for beautiful things and knows sublime to combine.

At this moment she is busy with the creation of an extravagant evening gown.

Extravagant but still simplicity to amaze on another area.

Another area?

Well yes: her sparkling personality and her wonderful qualities are reflected in this dress.

The skirt of the dress falls, partly through the thin fabric, like a waterfall gently downwards.

Apparently splashing water droplets sticking like small crystals onto bottom of the skirt, just above the thin lace.

The hip area is accentuated by little white opals.

On the front there is a large satin bow with an agate

(one of the birthstones of the Virgin).

At the rear, tiny pearl buttons are visible.

The whole is a perfect beauty and shines serenity and elegance.

Still ... .. the dress is not finished:

a few little opals are to be attached, there are now over 110.

Never mind........., there will be time enough.

Peacock Room Chapter VI

Next to the bed is a suitcase filled with treasures:
pictures of her family:
husband, child, grandchild, mother, sisters and brother,
they are all present and give her a daily smile around her mouth.
The warmth, the solidarity with each other and love makes her a rich person.
She knows this and she cherish this.

On the high bust on the dresser shines a beautiful necklace of small crystals.
A matching bracelet, carelessly lay down at the base of the bust.
The earrings, hidden behind her diary, makes this set complete.
They have little sapphires and are her birth stones.
She attaches great importance to the meaning of these stones as sapphire means hope.
In the ring box is a precious jewel. It was from her mother’s side of the family and is an antique ring with a peridot.

On the right side of the dresser is also a tableau with family heirlooms.
This time from the family of her husband's side: a bracelet of amethyst with matching ring and earrings.
All true showpieces that would have to be stored in a safe
if the sparkle, given by the daily sunlight, wouldn’t give so much pleasure.



If you look closely you can see on the left
a delicate antique French lace shawl almost slip off the table.
Ofcourse the perfume bottles are a must on this beautiful table.

The roses, next to the dresser, are beautiful but on their return.

Occasionally there's a petal swirling onto the ground.

Ms. loves roses. They smell delicious.

The soft petals are carefully picked up and stored to dry.

Some of them are laying down on special spots,

so that they can spread the last perfume that they still carry, throughout the room.

On the diary, which she carefully kept, is also a petal laying down.

Above the dresser there are three portraits of her children, all smiling at their mother.

She has her children given a safe and warm nest and the opportunity to really be a child.

This has greatly strengthened their self-esteem and the three become great adults.

The love she always gave, she gets back from them daily.

The Peacock Room Chapter V

The Peacock Room Chapter V

On the nightstand on the left side of the bed,

there is a picture of her husband.

So if he is away for business,

he still can whisper sweet words before she is going to sleep.

He is her support and anchor and her tower of strength.

And when he's away?

Then she cherishes his letters and read them again and again.

When he returns home, love will be celebrating.

Love should be celebrated at any age

for the heart knows no wrinkles!

Both on the cap of the perfume bottle as on the ladies eyeglasses,

are small crystals twinkling.

 

On the other nightstand there is is a "crystal" decanter with a glass of water,

a few books and a small ladies handkerchief with roses motif.

On the footboard of the bed is carelessly tossed a fur stole:

Last night she went out for dinner and was too tired to clean up everything neatly.

Her golden shoes she put out also quickly to be able to go to bed.

She is so happy with her ​​gold shoes. Once, during an unexpected visit to the city of Gouda,

did she saw that kind of shoes and she was blown away by them.

However there was no time to look carefully and to fit them,

she couldn't get the picture of those beautiful shoes not out of her head.

Eventually she asked her own shoemaker whether he could make that kind of shoes.

Look at the result: they fit her perfectly and together with her ​​going out creations,

it looks completely royal.

The Peacock Room Chapter IV

This is chapter IV of the story of the Peacock Room:

Can you imagine a little bit already who this woman is and how she looks like?

Can you see her all parading on a boulevard?

Furtive looks of passers-by will be thrown over the shoulders

and they will think: "Oh, What a beautiful lady!".

Next to the door is a nice drying rack.
The newest bed linen is hanging to dry.
It is the latest collection, it is called : Regina Margaretha.

On the ground, with the band around it, is a matching bedspread.

The two gas lamps are filling the room with a dim light and
caressing the soft tones of all the accessories.
A warm light for a warm room.

Next to the cabinet is a femininity seat located.
It was from of a distant family member and has stood the test of time.
At first sight it looks disorderly on the table,
but if you look closely it appears that everything has it's place.
For a little relaxation the latest fashion magazines can be read before going to bed.
The tulips were given by her beloved husband.
And what a man!
He is a special, interesting man and there is so much to tell about him.
But ... .... that story I will save for another time.