Miscellaneous Page: 9 |
Mini shopping in Italy and Greece: For SS members who are traveling to Italy and Greece and might find this helpful. My Italian is non-existent, but I have found a mini store in MILAN, Italy: Cosediunaltro Mondo and they also have a website: http://space.tin.it/giochi/badga There are also two other Italian websites and clearly there is a mini museum in Brembo, Italy. There are just a lot more mini stores in Switzerland http://www.minitaly.com/minitaly/index.htm http://www.labacchettamagica.it/ The above being my exhaustive knowledge on actually mini stores, I want to remind you that to me the very best part of any shopping are the LOCAL STREET MARKETS!!! Italy and Greece are filled with street markets and tiny souvenir shops that, although they are not dollhouse stores per se, have wonderful, wonderful things that you can use that you may never see again!!! I have a standard shopping rule---mini or real size---if you like it (and can afford it) buy it----you may not see anything like it again----I sure hope dh doesn't see this! So here are my examples for Italy and Greece for you lucky, able-bodied travelers: MILAN---the absolute best shopping for anything and everything! Best street market is Viale Papiniano on Tuesday and Saturday (yes, I once worked in the Pereilli building that recently had a small plane take out a few floors and yes, I count my blessings every day) VENICE---Stvdivm Venetia (yes, my spelling is CORRECT on this)---Fortuny pleated silks, tassels and other treasures. Venetian glass!!! DERUTA in UMBRIA---filled with craftspeople and every store sell hand-painted faience. COMO---I drool more fabric and silk than China and better quality!!! FLORENCE---better quality of what other people call "junk" and miniaturists call must haves than anywhere---marbelized paper, mosaic picture frames, gilt trays, renaissance style papers. Taormina and Sorrento are little known ports and just so picturesque that even refrigerator magnets (which I usually despise) have potential! Besides you are practically next to NAPLES WHICH HAS A GREAT FLEA MARKET. OK, you are now in Sorrento with those cute donkey carts and donkeys that wear hats and flowers---can you see the roombox now??? Take the shuttle bus or a donkey cart up from the port to Piazza Tasso or you'll be too tired to shop!Nearby is Corso Italia the main shopping street and Via Fuoro that has great great ceramics.Gargiulo & Jannuzzi is the large department store but it has great linens and inlaid wood marquety and souvenirs. STANDA is the equivalent of a dime store.And buy lemons and lemon scented paper---use it in a kitchen scene!! Taormina is in Sicily and a resort tourist town with lots of crafts and so-called antiques. There is junk but also coral necklaces, cameos, lava rocks, faience tiles and Etruscan vases----if you believe that, I'll sell you the Blue Grotto too! There's also a great honey store ad marzipan and braided bread---shopping makes me hungry. MYKONOS---go to the Folk Museum in the Kastro quarter and to the nautical museum---the latter will make your husbands happy because of the great ship models----they each used to have stores. And you absolutely have to buy me a windmill! SANTORINI has a great archaelology museum and store---some people think it is the mythical Atlantis. I think there is a convent with a museum shop and lots of volcanic rock stuff. MALTA---I cannot help on this at all--sorry. But when you are in Greece there's all those great reproduction statues and icons and more tassels. Of course, if I were in Italy, I'd buy Ferragamo shoes and all the silk and cashmere I could afford--which is probably why I don't own one miniature reproduction of a naked David or a gladiator, etc. Sara in Paris |
More Mini Shops in Italy: Please note: neither I nor the person I contacted have ever been to any of these miniature stores! So be the first! Enjoy your exploration and let us know what you found/thought! Florence: La Bolgetta Milan: Cosediunaltromondo Rome: Le Case di Flora Venice: EmmeBi Case di Bambola (from the train Station follow the new street towards S. Apostoli; the shop is on the right after the Standa department store) The following is a website in Italian that seems to list mini stores but again---I cannot translate this and I can't comment on anything personally on the site: On the site of an Italian Dollshouse Association - "Minitaly" there is a page with a list of shops in Italy. The address of this page is: http://www.minitaly.com/minitaly/negozi.htm Sara in Paris |
Displaying Tiny Items at Shows: - One option for you when selling minis would be to have one each of the items you sell displayed out of the bag. I find that the item when looking thru plastic, whether it is a bag or a plastic box, does not look quite as nice as when it is removed. The back-up stock could be placed on the front of your table on boards. I have cut up corrugated boxes into pieces slightly smaller than 8-1/2 x 11" (with the grain going the long direction). I then take a neutral, letterhead weight paper and fold one in half and place over the top edge of the corrugated cardboard piece. Place another piece of paper on the front and back of the cardboard piece and slip it all into a top opening plastic page protector (trim the side off for putting into a notebook). You can then use double stick tape on the back of the plastic package and stick it to the front of the "board". The cheapest page protectors work best as the tape does not stick well to the more expensive non glare ones. I have also seen Plexiglass cut into pieces 8-1/2" x 11 and used the same way by sticking pieces to them using double stick tape. They weight considerably more but hold up to wear and tear a little better so it depends on whether you are flying or driving. I also prefer a neutral colored background over the clear background as it is not quite as "busy".I have a box where I stand all the boards on end and people can thumb thru them to see what is on each board. You could also lay them out on the table and display that way if you don't have a lot of them. However, be aware people are always looking for somewhere to set their purse when they are paying you. Karen Benson |
Displaying really small items for sale: As a shopper, I would love to see your "VERY small (think in-scale peppermints)" displayed both in the "small (1.5"x1.5") clear plastic bag" with the price AND in a miniature scene or two where you show them being "used". Not only does this let someone get a better look at them out of the bag, but gives them ideas for displaying them. It probably even will show us that we better buy several of your bags so our display will look as nice as yours! LOL And the bagged ones with the price make shopping easy. Peggy, in Shoreline, WA |
Pricing Tiny Pieces: What the Parkers' Metal Miniatures folks do might work as well for you. For the miniscule cast metal 1:144 furniture they use a display board with a sample of each item glued to it, labeled with description, price, and number. "Behind the scenes" at the back of their table, the items are stocked in matching numbered drawers in those stacked plastic parts/tool drawer sets that look sort of like jewelry boxes. You could make up a similar board and write the piece number for each bonbon or pastry in indelible marker on the plastic storage bags. Might even use the same drawer units. They'd hold several bags full of various numbered items per drawer and you could list the piece numbers on the drawer fronts. Seems like a simple, logical system (but someone else may have a better one). Loretta_Sniarowski |
kitchen sink/litter box: ON suggested using a restaurant jam container for a kitchen sink, painting it silver, or white for a bathroom.. Of course, to paint the outside of it, it must be a clear one to begin with. ( Many of them are white.) And I also trim the rim and use one for a cat litter box, paintingthem blue, or green, or pink, or gold. (I used to have a booth in a craft mall, and sold them in different colors.) Then I got some "grit" type granules from a model train store to use for litter, and made some Fimo poo to put in it. Dorothy |
Tiny Shells: I saw a brilliant use of tiny shells at the Columbus Ohio show, making "living" souvenirs. Snip a fine fringe of green plastic bag or quilling paper, roll into a tube, and glue inside the shell for instant bromeliad just like the life-scale shell-filled air plants! Really quick and really cute. Loretta_Sniarowski |
Scents: Just FYI- some folks are incredibly sensitive and/or allergic to fragrances or smells. I am incredibly sensitive to smells, and my trachea swells at the hint of any cigarette smoke (either exhaled or from the cigarette itself), but also to any fragrance with an alcohol base (as all perfumes are). I don't go many places alone, as I use a 'scout' to smell ahead for me. Walking through folks smoking at doorways can't be done, I have to find another door! At any rate, if there were smells coming from a scene, I couldn't go near it! Some folks have specific allergies, I know of two people at work, one is allergic to vanilla, and another allergic to the spray of oranges! We are asked not to wear perfume to work, and signs are up in the cafeteria not to peel oranges! Beth in Maine |
Scents: I think it really gives an extra 'value' to your house: so I have my Dutch shop 'Aan 't glop' smelling of coffee, cinnamon, nutmeg and yes, my cafe has this stale smell of cigar smoke (put some used cigar ends and ashes under the counter and had my father blow in a lot of smoke........eventually, it wears out and you have to renew it.....I'm still planning to make a fish-shop. Dienke Cazemier |
Minis in Japan: You didn't say when you are going but unless you can speak/read Japanese or have translation software on your laptop you may have a hard time communicating. The same day that Tom Bishop holds his dollhouse and mini show in Japan (either June or July) there is always a teddy bear show in the same building and the people who run that show speak English and know a lot of the miniaturists. That is about as helpful as I can be without any of my contact info around. I know Beth Stark from Liliput Land did the Bishop Show in Japan---you could try to ask her for some info. Or you could ask Tom Bishop himself who also has had Japanese artisans at Chicago International Shows. Aside from the obvious miniaturists, you will see wonderful Origami paper in designs never sold outside of Japan from which you can make dozens and dozens of things in mini. The finest silk "left-overs" and brocades and then there are all sorts of mini skate boards and items that the Japanese use for kids games. Plus the greatest source of all are the shops and nurseries that specialize in bonsai plants! If you are going to Kyoto ask your concierge for the name of the most famous fan store in Kyoto---no English---but eye candy and fans of every size and color imaginable---this is where you can buy tiny, teeny fans for the dolls that they use on Girls Day. Also, try some of the antique stores and look for all the older ceramic Japanese dolls (in any of the cities). If you are really lucky you will find a complete set still in the box with extra wigs and obis, etc. If you are really, really lucky you will find a small shrine with the emperor and empress and lots of courtesans and musical instruments that will actually fold right back down into a box that you can hand carry onto the airplane. Just keep your eyes open and enjoy. Personally, I obviously prefer the historical pieces because even I can make modern tatami matting myself. Sara in Paris |
Minis in Japan: I forgot who was looking for info on buying minis in Japan. I suggest that you visit the flea market at the YOYOGI shrine in Tokyo. It is held on Saturday and I think only the 1st Sat. of the month. Ask at your hotel and they should know or be able to find out for you. I hope you are in the city on the correct Sat. I bought some wonderful old mini, handmade vases and kokoshi dolls (mini) and a musical instrument. (Can't remember the name--it is stringed and very long.) Most of my purchases were $1.00. We bought a full size wedding kimono to hang on the wall here at home. It is beautiful and was very reasonable. I forgot to say they had oodles and are all second hand. Makes a wonderful reminder of our trip. Look at the gift shops at any of the shrines and usually they have things that work in minis. I found bronze statues of gods, goddess, Buddha, etc. Staining |
OLD Fimo: When I took Sharon Warner's fimo food class in Dallas, she told us that old fimo could be revived by mixing in tiny amounts of hand lotion (any kind). We tried it in class and were quite impressed. Anyway last night my sister and I tried it on some fimo that was about 25 YEARS old. IT WORKED!!We broke it into about 1/2" cubes and worked it adding hand lotion a bit at a time and within minutes it was totally workable. And colour stayed exactly the same. Wonderful!! Maureen in St. Albert AB Cda |
Pricing Tiny Pieces: you said you keep all your items in tiny bags, which is smart. But can you make a display of a sample of each item, perhaps glued on some sort of a board, with the price in front of each? That way people can see each item clearly, but the ones they pick up to buy will be protected! Put out a magnifying glass or two on your table as well...for people who want to more easily see the tiny wonderful details of your work! Alice Zinn- Pt. St. Lucie FL |
Pricing merchandise at shows: One of the most frustrating things about shopping show tables is the lack of easily seen prices on items. I know all those tiny things can be a pain to price, but sometimes the difference between buying something and passing it up is how easy it is to determine how much it costs. And things that are displayed behind glass with prices hidden underneath or things with no prices at all, will get passed by. Sometimes the dealer is really busy and getting close enough to ask the price is difficult. Sometimes I know it's going to be more than I can afford and wanting to know is just curiousity. But I appreciate dealers who take the time to mark prices clearly. It makes shopping easier and much more pleasant. I've never understood the psychology of hidden prices. Although things that are more expensive seem to have them more often than things that aren't. If something is really small having a display with the ones to buy in marked packages is a good idea. I realize it's hard to merchandise a mini table because of the size of the items. Maybe a sample board with prices would be one way to go. Quinn |
Pricing: Putting price tags on my work at shows always gave me heartburn. You work so hard to make a pleasing display and then when you hang or stick the price tags all you see is a sea of white spots! I now use the small jewelry tags that hang by way of a thin dark purple string. I paint the tags dark gray and use a black fine tip marker to write the price of the doll. The tags measure 5/8"x3/8", plenty big enough to and not the first thing you see. Ellen Poitras |
"non-mini" web pages: JenniferKY's list of mini-related web pages got me thinking about my favorite "non-mini" pages--which of course tend to be pretty useful for minis anyway! I thought this might be a useful reference for someone out there. REFERENCE & INSPIRATION: http://www.google.com My FAVORITE site. Arguably the best search engine out there, with an image search function as well.If you don't have a clue where to start looking, START HERE. http://www.dwr.com Great source of inspiration for very modern furniture--really cool catalog. http://www.costumes.org/pages/costhistpage.htm invaluable if you're doing a period doll and need to know what the appropriate clothing looks like. Has costumes from all time periods and all across the world--not just Western clothes. http://www.foodsubs.com Fantastic as a reference for making mini foods; has photos of all kinds of fruits, vegetables, meat cuts, etc. MATERIALS: http://www.sciplus.com fantastic resource for materials (wire, basswood, beads, etc.), small plastic bags, motors, pumps, lenses, etc. OTHER: http://www.x10.com/x10ads.htm This has nothing to do with minis, but I find nothing breaks my inspiration more than those annoying (and I think sort of creepy) X-10 camera popup ads... this will let you turn them off for 30 days so you can do mini research and shopping unharrassed. Maybe others can contribute their favorite "non-mini" sites? I'm always looking for more inspiration, large or small... Celeste in Boston |
When I dressed a doll for my light house as a Merchant Marine Officer, I looked up Merchant Marine on a search engine. I then used "save as"on the pictures of the buttons and insignia I wanted. I Reduced them in size, then glued them on card touched them up with a tiny bit of gold paint and cut them out and behold-- Authentic Uniform! Good luck. I did the same thing with campaign ribbons. Patsy |
Feather sources: * anyone in the sw, or wherever there are powwows, this is an excellent place to buy feathers-a lot of the Native vendors carry them and they're all legal. * become buddies with your favorite gamesmen, I'm hoping for a couple of carcasses in a few weeks! * another neat place is a local 'turkey/pheasant shoot' club. * Any birds of prey (eagles, hawks, owls, et al) are illegal to sell or posses unless the 'owner' is tribal , and it's condoned and monitored for religious purposes. My research also showed that any migratory birds or songbirds fall into this category-so yes the comment I read earlier this week about using domestically raised feathers is the safest bet. If you have an 'illegal' feather it's possible (although not probable, imo) that the powers that be can come and confiscate *everything*-while they DNA test the questionable items! (end of feather rambling) kath in ct |
Looking for Anything: Use good old "google.com" and search under both Web and Images and you will find more than you ever wanted to know! EVERYONE should bookmark Google. You have no idea of the information available on the Internet that this search engine can produce! Bobbie Schoonmaker, IGMA Fellow |
Brush Tote: A tip for traveling with brushes from my tole painting classes. Get a woven place mat, slip the brushes between the strips, and roll it up. This will protect them. The one I have has fabric strips about 1/4 to 1/3 inch wide. Quinn |
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