Pre-Convention Workshops
,Tuesday & Wednesday Class
MTW1 - Shell Cottage by Debbie Young Class Fee: $177
Imagine a charming little cottage by the sea, its exterior covered in shells. This delightful two-story cottage embodies rustic charm and creative expression. The cottage stands out with its exterior, featuring a selection of natural shells carefully arranged to give each cottage a one-of-a-kind look. Heavy wood sills reinforce the cottage’s sturdy appearance, while a detailed, welcoming door beckons visitors inside. The interior continues the rustic theme. The walls are constructed with precut timbers, and the spaces between these timbers feature plaster embedded with shells. Students will lay wood floors throughout the interior, infusing the project with even more warmth and texture. Creativity is at the heart of this project. The student’s hands-on work doesn’t just shape the cottage; it lets them leave a little piece of themselves in every corner, making each house truly special. The finished size is approximately: 5-3/4”L x 5”D x 6-1/4”H
Minimum Skill Level: Beginner 1/4” Scale
Pre-Convention Workshops
Monday Class
M1 – Caned Hamper by Sue Ann Ketchum Class Fee: $92
Cane this 3 panel, hinged-top hamper, the perfect addition to a bathroom or hallway outside a bathroom. Visual aids will be available. Some needlework experience recommended. The finished size is approximately: 2-3/4”H x 2”W x1”D
Minimum Skill Level: Intermediate & Advanced 1” Scale
Pre-Convention Workshops
Monday Class
M2 – Teaching Raptoor Kit Construction by Angela Kinnunen
Class Fee: $107
Join Angela as she teaches the construction, decoration, and lighting of a 1/4th Raptoor Kit. The finished size is approximately: 4”L x 3.15”W x 4”H
Minimum Skill Level: Beginner 1/4” Scale
Pre-Convention Workshops
Tuesday Class
T1 - Sculpting Potter, Vases and Bowls on a Mini Potter’s Wheel
by Lynette Barker Class Fee: $232
Lynette will instruct you in the skills you need to sculpt clay on a mini potter's wheel, which will be supplied for you in class. You get to keep the wheel! And the tools! And some air-dry clay! This is a fun class in which you learn how to make 1:12 scale pots, vases, bowls, plates, platters, planters and so much more! Your style is your own, no strict rules to follow about shapes or size. You decide. Or you let the clay decide what it will be.It sometimes has a mind of its own! But enjoy! Learning can be a great experience, shared with a class of like-minded miniaturists. Lynette will provide individual assistance to each student. No one is left behind! All students will go home with finished pieces that they will be proud of. This is a time to let your imagination go! You don't know what you can do until you try. This is your best chance yet to be creative.Variations of style, form, type and color are encouraged. Clay is a wonderful medium which lets you make amazing creations. Table not included. The finished size is approximately: 3”L x 3”W x 1”H Minimum Skill Level: Beginner 1” Scale
Pre-Convention Workshops
Tuesday Class
T2 - At the Seaside by Cheryl Hubbard
Class Fee: $185
This is a British style beach hut in a ceramic shell. We will be landscaping the beach inside the shell, building a 1:144 scale beach hut from scratch. We will furnish the inside of the hut using laser cut kits from SDK Miniatures. We will be building the deck, railing and stairs from scratch. We will apply the sand for the beach, paint the waters edge and apply resin to give the water a very realistic look. The finished size is approximately: 6”W x 7”D x 4.5”H
Minimum Skill Level: Intermediate 1/144” Scale
Pre-Convention Workshops
Tuesday Class
T3 - Golden Vale Tasting Room: A California Winery in Miniature
By Sherry Taylor
Class Fee: $252
Step into California wine country miniature style. In this workshop, participants will build a rustic tasting room inspired by the boutique wineries of Napa, Sonoma, and the Sierra Foothills. The structure features detailed wood finishes, stone-style walls, a working bar area, shelving with miniature wine bottles, stools, signage, and a pergola accented with vines. Students will learn techniques for realistic wood staining, aging, and texturing, as well as label making, accessory styling, and layout planning for a fully immersive 1:12 scale scene. Raise a (tiny) glass and a toast to California charm in miniature! The finished size is approximately: 10”L x 10”W x 8.5”H
Minimum Skill Level: Beginner 1” Scale
Pre-Convention Workshops
Tuesday Class
T4 - Cocktail Cove by Ruth Stewart Class Fee: $182
Join me for a day learning how to paint 3D items with acrylic paints and alcohol inks. This adorable 1:48 Boat Bar will come to life right before your eyes. Brand new jelly fish lanterns will light up the sand along with new nautilus lamps at the bar. You will learn how to make margaritas as well. The bar stools will actually swivel. The Palm trees are 3D printed and I’ll teach you how to paint them. Tiny corals and crabs will litter the sandy beach while brand new alcohol, beer & tequila bottles decorate the bar. The size is approximately 6"W x 5-1/2D x 6" H. Minimum Skill Level: Beginner 1/4” Scale
Pre-Convention Workshops
Wednesday Class
W1 - The Hippie Highball by Alician Pearce
Class Fee: $167
Spend the day at the beach, sipping drinks and relaxing. In this class, you will build the converted VW bus, make the bar and get plenty of bottles and other glassware to fill it up. Everything you see in the photo is included in the workshop. There will be homework to do before the convention. Students will receive the VW bus and the tiki fire pit before the convention. I will host a zoom to show how to remove the supports from the bus and tiki fire pit, and show you how I painted them. These will NEED to be painted before you get to convention to save time. I am also flying and will not have a lot of paints with me so bring your favorite colors with you. The size is approximately 6"W x 6”D x 6"H.
Minimum Skill Level: Beginner 1/4” Scale
Pre-Convention Workshops
Wednesday Class
W2 - Sounds of the 1960’s by Mike & Allison Thomas
Class Fee: $65
Come and sing-along to ‘California Dreaming’ while creating and painting a vintage record player designed by us. The Beach Boys and The Mamas and Papas will feature on the realistic record sleeves with vinyl looking records that slip in and out of the sleeves. Take home your ‘Sounds of the 1960’s’ to add to your dolls house or mount a base for a stand-alone piece. This workshop is only 4 hours long. The size is approximately 1.18"W x 1.18”D x 1.18"H.
Minimum Skill Level: Beginner 1” Scale
Pre-Convention Workshops
Wednesday
W3 - The Gilded Girls by Cheryl Hubbard Class Fee: $237
This living room is a replica of one featured in a very popular sitcom that aired in the mid 80’s to the early 90’s. The beginning of the class will be spent primarily on making one of the bamboo chairs and one of the tables, so you have the knowledge and practice to make the other wicker pieces at home. We will also start working on the back so you will see the technique for the beams and fireplace. We will work on the ceiling fan and table lamp to the extent that they can be finished at home. We will not be able to finish this workshop in one day. Know that once you are home, I am always available to answer questions and give you help. Frame may be different based on availability. The 3D printed lovely ladies that lived in this house will be available in 1:48 scale from Alician Pierce, Blackthorne Miniatures, for purchase in the salesroom during the convention. The size is approximately 5.5"W x 3-3/4”D x 3-1/8"H (without frame).
Minimum Skill Level: Intermediate 1/4th” Scale