Kiva's Miniatures

The new Good Sam Show Blog is launched!!

2011-12-31T23:24:00.000-10:00

My dear friend and mentor, Martha Puff, and her son Michael, two mforces to be reckoned with in the world of miniatures, have launched a brand spanking new blog, and it's all about the Good Sam Show!! The very first miniatures show I ever visited was the Good Sam in San Jose, California (when we still lived in San Francisco). It was with my daddy, so I'll never forget it. I was in heaven, rushing everywhere, taking it all in, and wanting to buy everything!! With everything shopping related, dad usually liked to hustle us along (I usually dragged my ass, trying stuff on and lingering at cosmetics counters, hehe), but he was just as into it as I was! We spent hours looking at every table and he even kept an eye out for supplies I could use ;-). So yes, Good Sam has a special place in my heart. I haven't been to many shows, but there's something about this one that has a more personal touch. It's also where I met Martha and Michael in person, both so talented and generous and kind and...ok, I could go on, but you get the gist ;-). Here's a link to the blog, and a pic I swiped of a very cool cobbler's bench. There will be much more to come!!

p.s. I've been miserably ill for the past week, so please excuse my absence...from almost everywhere!

Good Sam Show

Seafood avalanche

2011-12-21T03:02:00.000-10:00

So, I've been pretty single-minded for the past week, making almost exclusively seafood (ok, apart from the Rainbow Trout, which is "Riverfood"), with the odd bit here and there ;-). These are some pieces apart from the ones I've been making for my customer's fish cart. And it aint over yet!

An ode to hideous food

2011-12-16T17:46:00.000-10:00

Haven't had much time for another blog post, until now. I'm in full scale seafood making mode, to fill a lovely customer's fish cart :-).

But the reason for this post. I must admit, I've had a little obsession with ugly food. When I was a teen, approximately *cough* years ago, we would receive these strange packets in the mail. Curious, I opened one and was astounded at what I saw! Recipe cards, in full garish color, of some of the most tragic looking food I'd ever seen!! They looked like they were from the 60s and 70s. I thought...is this a joke!?? Alas, it was not, and we continued to receive these, and I started saving all of them. Every time I saw a packet, it was like Christmas!!

Well, that card collection is long gone, but I've picked up the collecting bug again, buying old cookbooks and recipe cards from the 60s and 70s (mostly). Below, I share with you just a taste of the beauty of hideous food! The collection below is from Weight Watchers. Is there any question people would undoubtedly lose weight following these recipes??

My new friend Tanja Jensen- budding miniaturist supreme!

2011-12-08T03:01:00.000-10:00

Tanja is from Denmark. She befriended me not long ago and she is such a doll!! A talented one at that!! She is sending me a brand new jar of Scenic Water (GOLD!!), and I'm sending her some old, original formula Kato Clay (some from the wonderful pile that Jainnie sent me ;-). But I digress...I looked at her work and when she told me that she just started sculpting miniatures a year ago, I was shocked!! One year, people!! I believe some people can just pick something up, and it's pure instinct. The hands start working and it just comes almost naturally, you know? Not only does she make food- she's popping out dolls, too! I love to see people just starting out with such a passion, and I can tell that Tanja has that laser focus ;-). Go Tanja!! Check out a few of her pieces below, and visit her website for more (she will be adding more dolls soon):

http://www.sugarcharmshop.com/

My God, it's a mouse!?

2011-11-29T02:13:00.001-10:00

It's been a loooooong time since I've made one of my goofy looking mice, but I added one to my poisonous mushroom log. I used to love making them and putting them in little "scenes".But heir tiny claws drive me batty, which is why I make about ten of them for one mouse, just in case :-/.

From messy tile to board

2011-11-20T22:19:00.000-10:00

I snapped a quick pic with my iphone of my revolting work tile, with my potato heads lined up on strips of tape. I stick them on tape so I can paint the eyeballs and not have them roll around, haha!! I then transferred them to a board and made a little "boiling potato heads" scene. I am one sick #*&^!! I feel kind of bad, especially for the poor naked ones in the pot :-/.

Russian article, crab claws, and fruit

2011-11-14T23:26:00.000-10:00

It's here! Olga did a bang up job on the article!! Lots of pics, and I used my Google translator ;-)!! Thanks so much, Olga!! Hey Susan, I'm with you- I want to see more Russian miniatures!!

http://www.in-miniature.ru/article.php?id=14

Also, here's a jar of crab claws and a fruit basket...

A Russian web article, a castle, and a couple fish pies

2011-11-12T01:32:00.002-10:00

Recently, a very sweet woman named Olga emailed me and asked if she could write an article for her Russian miniatures site here: http://www.in-miniature.ru/
Of course, I said yes, and just now browsed the website! I just started clicking around and found a fab castle! It was conceived by an American miniaturist named Elaine Diehl, and it's a real grand "old dame" of a dollhouse. The piece took thirteen years to construct!! It must be MASSIVE!! There are other great works highlighted there as well, like Queen Mary's dollhouse. Sometimes, I love looking at big old lavish houses :-D. Below are pics of the castle.

The other pics are my fish pies ;-). My boyfriend, Batty....erm, Lance, has always wanted one of my Stargazey pies. Why? Because he's weird!! And really, I've found that most guys tend to like the weird stuff the most. Well, I finally broke down and made him one, because he kept bringing it up!!! In all honesty, it is wonderful to have a boyfriend who is so interested in what you do and wants to see everything...and OWN everything, hehe (he has a little collection of things I've made him, yes). Most importantly, he knows that when I "disappear" for long periods of time (which I do alot), I'm not ignoring him!!

Mushroom houses from Bewilder and Pine...and my ribs!

2011-11-01T02:32:00.000-10:00

I love Bewilder and Pine on etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/bewilderandpine)! Months and months ago, my sister bought me an entire village, and she is making me wait until Christmas to open it...aaargh! Nicolas makes these wonderful, rustic, little creations, and it's difficult for me not to want to buy everything I see!! Anyway, I asked my sister to pick out a fairy house for Christmas, and this is the one she picked (the mushroom one in the foreground). So cute! The other pic, totally unrelated, is my platter of ribs. Still working on a long commission, and I'm making two of everything- one for my customer and one to list ;-).

Attack of the tiny fish

2011-10-30T02:42:00.000-10:00

Sardines and Smelt, to be exact ;-). And no blood in sight :-O!! I made some fried fish for an order, so naturally, I went overboard. Making tiny fish is really no more difficult than making bigger ones...I don't know why. But when I do make them, I like to pile em up!! Go big or go home!! Or, erm, go small, right!?

Bizarre baked goods

2011-10-25T01:00:00.000-10:00

Keeping with the never ending spirit or putting faces on nearly every kind of food in existence (well, sort of), here are croissant heads. Why? I have no clue. I've done toast, I've done loaves, so why not blue-eyed croissants!?

IGMA Blog!! Happy Halloween!!!

2011-10-23T10:14:00.000-10:00

Just in case you didn't know, there is a new IGMA blog and it's a beaut!! And I'm not saying this because my work is featured right now, hehe. The lovely Pat Richards runs the blog and does a bang up job!! THANKS PAT!!! And thanks for the wonderful piece you did ;-)!! Check it out:

IGMA Blog

Gayle Palama's witch's house!!!

2011-10-22T01:01:00.001-10:00

My buddy Gayle Palama (shout out to another locally born chick ;-)) has created a fantastic witch's house, and I am tickled pink that some of my pieces have made it into that I love! When she first showed me some pics, I was immediately drawn in by the whole cool, creepy vibe. This is the kind of piece that I could spend HOURS marveling at because of all the little details she has added. Did I mention that Gayle is a hardcore foodie and watches the same cooking shows I do?? Woot!!!! I want to see MORE, Gayle!!!!

On another note, I am back from my week long vacation with BF Lance, aka Batty (because he is NUTS)!! We met in LA and drove down to SF. I've never been so exhausted in my entire life, but I had such a blast!! We packed alot into that week- lots of music shopping and hat buying and tattooing (him, not me), and getting lost, among other things. I started in on orders right when I got back home, so, needless to say, I already need another vacation ;-)!

Below are just a few scenes of Gayle's house:

Mount Oystermore- Sorry guys, I accidentally deletedthis post on my iphone!!

2011-10-09T02:21:00.009-10:00

I'm having a blast putting sea life on rocks lately. Crabs, fish, eels, and now oysters! A small colony of them! I've named this piece (with Lance's help) "Mount Oystermore". The difference is, these guys aren't erm....dead. If you thought I could be warped, you should hear some of the things Lance has suggested I make, hehe.

-AAAARGH!!!!!!!! I was trying to reply on my iphone and something happened, I'm not quite sure what. It turned this post into a draft!! Sorry about that :-S. But thanks guys- I'm glad you like this!!

TOM??? Where have you been???

No guts, no GORY

2011-10-03T15:17:00.001-10:00

Get it??? Sorry, just being corny, as usual :-/. But this is a pretty bloody piece. Hmm...I'm really getting carried away with the blood, no? This one includes one of my little crabs, feasting on some fish guts. Eeeeeeeeew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On a side note: watch your itunes billing for unauthorized purchases. I was up all night calling my bank, canceling my debit card, and filing claims in Paypal. The good thing is, I caught it just in time, before they ripped me for more than the 130 bucks. When I spoke to Paypal this morning, they were extremely helpful. They've dealt with this before. Itunes is full of security holes!! I also read that a big list of itunes account info was sold in China!! Also, rogue apps (with sneaky code) slip through the app store, so if you download apps for your iphone, make sure it's kosher.

Blood Orange bloodbath, witch head treats, and a taxidermy baby eel

2011-09-29T02:39:00.000-10:00

Here's a rather eclectic mix of things from my ADD brain, hehe. Another take on my bleeding blood oranges (but with much more blood), my witch head treats (which don't really look edible!), and a taxidermy baby eel. God, I'm having so much FUN!!!!!!!!

Witch's eggs and graveyard brownies

2011-09-22T22:40:00.001-10:00

I made a basket of witch's eggs, with green ooze, and graveyard brownies! I made the brownies last Halloween as well, although they're a bit different this time (more "dirt", hehe). I originally snapped a pic of the brownies with a little shovel, then decided against it. Fun times!!! I think Halloween is the only time I make dessert like things. I'm definitely a "savory" maker. Oh, and weird stuff too ;-).

Witchy Tomatoes and a crab with lunch

2011-09-20T22:54:00.000-10:00

I'm rolling out the Halloweeny Heirloom black tomatoes! Black tomatoes actually do exist. They're super sweet and yummy!! The other piece is a wee crab on a rock with "lunch", aka fishies.

Pomegranate Heads

2011-09-15T19:36:00.000-10:00

I had to do it :-/. Yep, making Pomegranates led to the heads again! But hey, they're on a platter this time instead of a basket, hehe. My younger sister loves it when I make the heads. She rarely asks me to make her anything (although I used to when she had a 1/2" scale lighthouse), but yesterday she asked me to make her....a pelican. Suddenly, pelicans are her favorite animal, go figure.

Creepy....uh, seafood!?

2011-09-13T20:03:00.000-10:00

I made another version of my hideous fish, complete with deadly teeth, and a nausea inducing Eel Pie! Pieces like these are one of my favorites to make ;-). Hey, Blogger got alot faster!!!

Two Cornish Hens

2011-09-10T00:27:00.000-10:00

Not three, but two. And no partridge in a pear tree :-/. Nearly done with a commission, this time for peaches, a chilled seafood platter, and roasted cornish hens. This one I made to list. These hens are yummy. I remember my mom used to deep fry them, as in submerge them whole in hot oil. She's done the same thing with turkeys and chickens, too. It's hell on the arteries, but oh so yummy!! I've always wanted to try Turducken (A chicken in a duck in a turkey, like a Russian nesting doll!).

Pomegranates

2011-09-05T21:52:00.000-10:00

A customer of mine is going to be making a roombox just like the one pictured. When she showed me the pic, I gasped. WANT!!! NOW!! She asked me to make her some pomegranates, grapes, and plums. I made the poms- the piece pictured is not hers because hers is on a brass plate. I have to be honest...I was excited to make some without showing one cut open, haha!! The seeds can drive me nuts, but I do it if asked ;-).

Jainnie Jenkins and her FAB sugar skulls!!!!!

2011-08-31T02:20:00.000-10:00

My buddy Jainnie Jenkins (shout out to another local chick, now living in Colorado ;-)) is a talented polymer clay artist who makes the cutest damned things!! First of all, I present THE coolest sugar skulls I have ever seen, hands down!! But there's more (ahem, Jainnie, we need more pics!!), like her adorable slippers!! This is but a tiny sampling of all the goodies she makes, including FOOD!! Check out her blog and her etsy shop (where are the goods, Jainnie?)

http://littlebearstudio.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/littlebearstudio

Neurotic Pumpkin

2011-08-27T00:33:00.000-10:00

This guy is clearly freaking out. The knife is ready, and the minutes are ticking down!

A heap of garbage!

2011-08-21T01:12:00.000-10:00

A couple of days ago, a customer of mine (who has one kick ass witch's house!) asked me to make a plate of leftover food for her witch. Rather than "typcial" witch food, I thought I'd make a much smaller version of my food scrap heap. Today, big surprise- I wanted to kick that into high gear and make a food scrap mountain as well :-D! There is something very gratifying about piling a bunch of crap together. I get to rummage through my drawers of "extras", some of it pretty scary, since it's many year's worth :-/.

Still here....with sea creature bread

2011-08-14T21:17:00.000-10:00

Another long absence from Blogland- the past few times have been painfully slow, trying to upload or meven write anything :-(. This is a basket of sea creature bread. I made something similar many moons ago, but I've always loved making "theme" bread ;-). This one has fish, crabs, starfish, and some goofy looking shells. I really need to pay everyone a visit and see all the new goodies, because I know I've been missing ALOT!!!!!

Melting icemen sculptures!!

2011-07-20T21:29:00.000-10:00

Holy cow!! Check this out! Nele Azevedo, a Brazilian artist, had a public installation where she sat hundreds of these little sculptures on some steps!! How in God's name did she manage to put them all on display before the first one became a puddle?? She must have worked VERY fast!! I love this!!

Chow Mein, fish, and uhh...eyeballs

2011-07-17T22:01:00.000-10:00

Another rather long absence from blogging :-(. I've been busy making things for customers- a gypsy theme, fish and produce for a house, etc. I think I've mentioned this before, but I've always loved looking in the windows of Japanese restaurants- the ones with the fake food displays, complete with hovering chopsticks. There was a time, in San Francisco, when I looked into buying some of them (NOT cheap!). This was before I got into making miniatures. So, I've made a wee version of Chow Mein with "floating" chopsticks! I think I will make a bowl of Japanese noodle soup with chopsticks next. The other pieces are Rainbow Trout and the ubiquitous eyeball thing ;-).

Asian Pears

2011-07-11T23:15:00.000-10:00

Asian Pears are one of my favorite fruits! They are quite large, apple shaped, and nearly the color of Bosc Pears. The flesh is firm and crisp, not mushy in the least. I've made a basket full of extra speckly ones ;-).

I'm not dead. Yet.

2011-07-08T01:35:00.000-10:00

Looooong time no blog!! I want to announce the opening of my talented buddy's shop!! Alison Shibata has started her own website where you can feast your eyes on her wonderful creations!! GO ALISON!!!!

http://www.blissminiatures.com/

As for me, still more eyeballs, along with other things ;-). I know I said I'd stop!!!

More Mexican food

2011-06-12T23:28:00.000-10:00

It started with melted cheese, and now, ends with beans! My Mexican run is coming to a close...I think ;-)!
There is one thing (among several) I miss about living in Los Angeles, and that's good Mexican and Cuban food. Although we have truly KILLER food here in Hawaiii, I have yet to find a decent Mexican restaurant. I've tried! Last week, I even went to a food truck that everyone raved and yelped about. OMG, so mediocre!!! Aaargh!!

Tacos

2011-05-29T01:03:00.000-10:00

Here's one of my taco platters. They're very similar looking to the ones my mom makes, except her shells are crunchier. Lots of steps for making these puppies....and I always swear afterwards that I'm never making them again!! I'm a masochist (because I actually made a dozen :-/).

I'm on another little Mexican kick

2011-05-28T03:05:00.000-10:00

Sorry I've been neglecting blogland!! I've been very busy and blogger has been driving me apeshit!

Well, you know the drill: once I make a certain thing, I have to keep going. It started with grilled cheese sandwiches, and I had a bunch of melted cheese left, so I thought, ok, nachos...then quesadillas, then....you get the picture ;-). It's funny but when my mom sees something I've made, she sometimes makes the real thing for dinner! This means I need to make tacos, because hers are killer!!

Heads will roll....

2011-05-11T01:32:00.000-10:00

Can't. Stop. Making. Heads. I need serious help!

A fish skeleton pie and a freaky chicken

2011-05-06T11:34:00.000-10:00

Ususally, when I make this fish pie, I add leaves in the shape of the "bones", but this time I made it look more like a skeleton. The other piece is a roasted chicken, with head and feet still attached. Must make weird food, but now I'm working on a couple normal things for a change ;-)!

My fab gift from Kathy, and some ridiculous coconuts

2011-04-29T23:14:00.001-10:00

I wanted to show off this gift from Kathy Obrenski!! She gave it to me at the Chicago show, and wouldn't you know.....it's a tiered display of Halloween cookies!!! YAY!!!! Each piece is so lovingly made and so delicate- I love it!!!! Thank you, Kathy!!

The coconut heads are more weirdness from me ;-).

Kathy's blog: http://weelittlewest.blogspot.com/

Drunken squid

2011-04-23T20:30:00.000-10:00

These guys are doing what the big guy above is doing: getting blasted! I am in the mood to make a very freaky aquarium...puffers, drunken squid, maybe some of my oysters with eyeballs?? All submerged in a watery wonderland :-D!!

The march of the puffers

2011-04-21T02:41:00.000-10:00

It's a puffer explosion!! Before I bring in my fairly NEW Toshiba laptop in for servicing (ie, hard drive replacement!), I thought I'd do one more quick post. Luckily, I have another laptop to use while my other one gets sent away. I've been on a puffer fish run, which kicked off when Martha Puff(er) asked for baskets of them for her voodoo shack. Now, look at what she has unleashed!!! They're taking over the planet!! vBut really, I love making them because they're goofy looking!

Kathy and Tim.....and me, looking like some weird interloper!

2011-04-20T11:09:00.000-10:00

Kathy and Tim are adorable, but mom said I looked like a spy, haha!!!! The other video Lance shot was of 1/144 moving train sets.

More of the show, and getting tattooed...twice

2011-04-19T01:55:00.001-10:00

Gifts for my sister and walking to a restaurant

2011-04-18T01:29:00.000-10:00

This is still in that hallway. I spot some cute little flower pots and decide to get one for my sister (who asked me to bring something back for her. When she wants something, she just asks, no beating around the bush, haha!!). I ended up getting her several things- the flower pot, a tiny skeleton, a 1:144 wooden table and chairs, and a mouse, made by Kathi Kuti. The other video was shot on our way to a Greek Restaurant, which was very yummy, thanks to Lance's mad Yelping skills ;-).

Kathy and Tim Obrenski...and another video

2011-04-17T12:09:00.000-10:00

I met Kathy (aka weelittlewest) and Tim Obrenski at the show!! Tim spotted me walking down a hallway and we immediately went outside to smoke, lol!!! He is quite a character :-D!! Inside, I met Kathy at her beautiful table and feasted my eyes on all her little marvels. I NEVER would have guessed that she had a stroke!! She looked fantastic and she had more energy than me and Lance combined!!!! Amazing...

I don't know what happened to the sound in that last video, but here's another. It's just me buying some fat quarters ;-)

Chicago!!

2011-04-16T23:47:00.002-10:00

Hi guys!!! I had a BLAST in Chicago!! I haven't posted sooner because I'm in overdrive again, trying to catch up with the miniature making!! Also, methinks I have a touch of jetlag because I'm keeping very screwy hours...up till 4 am, waking at 8/9ish (for me, WAY too little sleep!).

This was definitely one of the best trips ever, but every day, I was torn between wanting to soak up everything at the Bishop show, and wanting to go into the city. We managed to do both, but I would have loved an extra couple days! I took iphone pics at the show (not nearly as many as I should have, but I was too busy ogling all the goodies), but Lance, good lad, caught all the video. I think the videos give you a much better feel for the show, so I'm going to attempt to post them here. Just bear with me, because I'm going to do some editing to get them down to size. This may take awhile :-/.

As I already knew, there was so much to take in, so I KNOW I missed quite a bit!! But the folks I met there were FANTASTIC!!!! So much talent, and so warm and friendly...much like the people in Chicago who we encountered. I've even told Lance several times that Chicagoans are some of THE nicest people I've ever come across in any city, seriously!! He wholeheartedly agreed.

So, this is the first video, when we first walked in, pretty much. There were already tables in the hallway, and we hadn't even entered any of the rooms yet. You can see how much I was freezing my non-exisitent ass off by my clothing choices, btw. Jeans (which I never wear in Hawaii, seriously), a jacket, a sweater vest over a shirt, a coat over that, a scarf, a hat, and heavy boots. I look like a lumberjack crossed with Woody Allen. Here are pics of me and Lance as well (no coat- it went from freezing to pretty warm that day).

Ok, I'm having some problems uploading the video right now, but I'll keep trying. It'll show up, damnit!!

Nicolas of bewilderandpine on etsy....I had to have it!!!

2011-04-05T21:57:00.001-10:00

So, I cruised to the front page of etsy, as I am wont to do, and saw what looked like a wee structure (I get VERY excited when I see tiny, tiny things ;-)). When I clicked through, I discovered an avalanche of talent!! What I saw was part of an entire set of buildings in HO, ie, tiny, train scale size!! Call me crazy, but I've always wanted to shrink myself down and live in a model train world. The artist, Nicolas, had a penchant for model trains as a child, and made a series named The Hermitage, French Country Sanctuary. I HAD to have the entire set, plus the tiny monks!! He turned out to be one cool cat, by the way, and immediately set aside everything I wanted, so it will be MINE!!!

But wait, there's more!! He and his wife have THREE more shops on etsy, and they are all phenomenal!!
Thank you, Nicolas, for making me one happy girl ;-)!

Below is the sanctuary, plus other stellar examples of his work.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/bewilderandpine

http://www.etsy.com/shop/bonjourpoupette

http://www.etsy.com/shop/myantarctica

Tom Turkey

2011-04-01T21:45:00.000-10:00

I ate turkey the other night so I decided to make one, plain and unadorned! This guy has thunder thighs. My mom likes to make a full Thanksgiving feast, but we have Thanksgiving about a dozen times a year!! She can't just make the turkey- it has to include the stuffing, the mashed potatoes, the yams...yep, the works. I come from a very food obsessed family ;-).

Everything but the kitchen sink?

2011-03-31T20:44:00.000-10:00

I put this octopus in a bowl of water, but he looked a little lonely, so I kept adding stuff to keep him company. No bootles of booze this time!!

Fish heads, eyeballs, and toast heads

2011-03-28T20:08:00.000-10:00

And the weirdness continues :-D!! The fish heads and tray of eyeballs are some of the pieces I made for Martha Puff's fantasy Tudor kitchen (it's going to be WILD!!! I can't wait to see it!!), and the toast heads are.....well, strange! Lots and lots of fun to make, though!!! Right up my alley ;-).

Ferd Sobol

2011-03-19T18:17:00.000-10:00

A customer of mine just mentioned the name Ferd Sobol in an email. The name was familiar, so I googled ;-).
Holy mother of God!! To say that she makes exquisite furniture (and sculptures) is an understatement! Check it out:

http://www.artisticvision.com/soboleditions/

Elbow deep in clay....

2011-03-17T22:37:00.000-10:00

Once again, I have been neglecting my blog because I am in "the zone". It's been non-stop, 24/7, cranking!! I miss you guys, damnit!!! When I get commissions, I don't stop until I finish, for the most part, because I become obsessed. I also don't like to keep my customers waiting too long (partly because I know how impatient I can be ;-)). Whatever gets listed on ebay is extra that I make. So, it's the deluge, coupled with the fact that I am leaving for Chicago early next month for the show (yay!!!), which has been keeping me preoccupied. Maybe I can slow down for a bit when I return. I can't wait to see my buddies next month :-D!!!! Here's a few things I've made recently...

Some goofiness

2011-03-06T00:00:00.000-10:00

Recently, I made ALOT of oysters, so what did I do with the "leftovers"?? I stuck eyes in them, what else!?? They're nestled in a little glass bowl with some water and rocks.....except for the two escaping. Lance likes to poke fun at my penchant for adding a couple of things "outside"!!

Croque Madame et Monsieur

2011-03-04T17:36:00.000-10:00

I'm back from my mini vacation.....and I feel like death warmed over! I've been busy playing catch-up and staying up until 4 am. A wonderful customer of mine asked for a Croque Madame (with salad) and two bowls of French OnionSoup. I had lots of fun making them ( love working with "melted cheese" ;-)). These are other variations I made though, with fries.

Joe Fig: artist's work spaces in miniature!

2011-02-09T11:36:00.001-10:00

Wow, look at all the details!!! This artist is an accomplished painter and sculptor, and he created a series of miniature artist's studios:

His website

Fish, fruit, and Egg Foo Young

2011-02-03T22:21:00.002-10:00

I'm a little all over the place now :-/. Lance requested more fish, so I'm making some....customers want more fruit, so I'm making some....and I've been eating alot of local style Chinese food, so I'm making some. I also made ice cream yesterday (for a wonderful longtime customer, who also asked me to stock her seafood market), which drove me ape shit!! Not the ice cream itself, but the tubs!! I went to the hardware store to buy a wooden dowel, which I brought home and preceded to saw into 1/2" pieces and hollow out with my Dremel. I swear, it took two hours!! I was covered with wood dust and my hand turned into a frozen claw. I needed to lie down afterwards (oh, I also have a nasty cold). Once the tubs are complete, I'll post pics. Just waiting for the ice cream scoops to arrive!

I'm on a new laptop!!

2011-01-26T23:16:00.002-10:00

My other laptop, maybe all of one year old, was driving me apeshit!! We brought it in for servicing for the THIRD time, and mom surprised me with a brand spanking new one!! I've spent the last several hours (or more) installing all my apps and tweaking like a maniac, when it dawned on me that I haven't blogged in.....TOO LONG!!!! The reason why is because I have been in tunnel vision mode, making as much as possible, both due to commissions, and the fact that I won't be actively claying starting February 13, and I've got some friends in town. That's quite a stretch for me :-/. So, here are a couple seafoody things I've made recently (I would have more pics, but there on my other laptop!).

Moroccan Flat Bread and Stuffed Dates

2011-01-13T23:29:00.000-10:00

I love bread (this one has carrots, oddly enough)!!! As for Dates? Hmmm...not crazy about them, but when I saw this recipe, my mouth started watering a wee bit ;-). Me rikey the sweet and the salty/creamy combo!!

Japanese grocery heaven, Chicken Kebabs, and Apricots

2011-01-12T01:08:00.000-10:00

We were driving not far from my abode a few days ago when I looked to my right and nearly jumped out of the car. It was a Japanese market I was very familiar with: Nijiya Market, one of my regular San Francisco haunts! It's not the biggest market, but it's chock full of earthly delights!! I go ape shit over bento box lunches, so this will be another spot when I'm craving fish and rice. Gee, how unusual, me eating fish and rice....NOT.

I'm still doing Moroccan (the Chicken Kebabs are simple, just straight up meat with some onion), along with a flood of commissions, so quality sleep has been a bit scarce. I'm taking a vacation in a few weeks, so I need to crank it!! .

Moroccan Lamb Stew and Couscous and....

2011-01-07T23:10:00.001-10:00

YEA!!!! Rosanna got her package!!! This news put me in such a great mood today because I was so worried!!! I sent her something in the end of November and it showed up TODAY :-D!!!

Ok, still kind of doing the Morraccan thing, although I've been asked to do Paella, so that's the next project. This is Lamb Stew and a bowl of Couscous. I thought rice was a pain in the arse, but Couscous was a bloody....I don't know what :-/. There was no way I could chop my way to making it, so I had to think of something else to do. I only wish I had a miniature Tagine to put the stew in!!!

Oyvey!! Three years later :-/

2011-01-03T23:26:00.001-10:00

I took a bit of a break, did the holiday thing, made some miniatures....but now I am back in full swing. I have a couple customers who have requested Moroccan food, so I'm on a kick. Sometimes that dreaded rut rolls around, and I feel a little uninspired (and preoccupied), then something will hit and it will renew my enthusiasm. Not much so far, but I'm still chugging along!

Baby octopus and squid on rocks

2010-12-11T14:59:00.001-10:00

This is a baby octopus clinging to a rock (or, in this case, a pebble). The baby squid is holding a fish and eyeing it hungrily.

Piled fruit platter

2010-12-06T22:37:00.000-10:00

I like to pile fruit, but this may be the most piled piece I've ever made. I hope it looks festive enough for the holidays!

Ericka VanHorn: The Queen of fantastical, magical miniatures and curiosities!

2010-12-03T14:36:00.001-10:00

I have long admired the work of Ericka VanHorn. I was introduced to her work years ago, through a shared mutual friend of ours, the great Martha Puff. One look, and you'll see why!! The amount of detail she puts into each piece (and each scene) is nothing short of jaw dropping!!! I'm so happy to see that she has a blog where I can feast my eyes....and what a FEAST!!! Check it out:

http://evminiatures.blogspot.com/

http://evminiatures.tripod.com/evminiatures_index.htm

Yep, more meat!!

2010-12-02T20:08:00.001-10:00

This is a leg of lamb. I like making my meat exactly the way I like eating it, so it's pretty red/pink ;-). My sister eats hers well done and it makes me gag. Hello, shoe leather??

Kathy Obrenski, aka Wee Little West: Update!

2010-11-29T22:48:00.001-10:00

Awhile ago, when I first started my blog, I mentioned IGMA Artisan Kathy Obrenski, whose work I had long admired on ebay. When I first discovered miniature food, I found Kathy's work on ebay, and I was astounded. She had a very big following and made some of the most luscious desserts I had ever seen, among other things. Later, I started making my own food, and some time after that, she befriended me and was extremely sweet and so supportive. We corresponded for quite some time. Then, she had a shocking, debilitating stroke that threatened to destroy her very being, never mind her immense creative talent. Well, I am pleased to say that she has worked long and hard to come back, and she has made huge strides!! She will be at the Chicago show as a seller, and I will be so happy to see her!! I would be selling along with her next year, because I was invited by Tom Bishop, but I am still trying to wrap my head around making all that stock :-/. I will try next year, Kathy!!! These are just a few pics, plus links to her brand new blog and Flickr:

http://weelittlewest.blogspot.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/weelittlewest/

MEAT!!!! Venison chops

2010-11-28T16:14:00.000-10:00

Lance gave me a challenge: make Venison. So, I Googled some pics and found one of Venison chops on a pile of veg. This is the result. I tried Venison decades ago, as a child, in Maine, and I remember thinking that it was too gamey....kind of like licking someone's armpit :-/.

Not meat. Well, frog legs.

2010-11-25T18:19:00.000-10:00

This little guy is hungry! I stuck a ladybug on the end of his tongue because the thought of making a fly....erm, wasn't happening.

Roasted Pheasant, per Susan's request ;-)

2010-11-24T20:29:00.000-10:00

Susan told me that I should make Roasted Pheasant, so I did! These guys are pretty plump (sometimes pheasant can look a wee bit anorexic :-/), so Im jsut going to pretend that they were.....erm, forced fed or something.

More meat!!

2010-11-24T00:20:00.000-10:00

I am in meat mode, although my sister keeps bugging me about making Christmas treats!! I am more a savory than a sweet kinda gal, but I promise to make some soon ;-). This is one of my bloody roasts, which I think would look kind of yummy on a holiday table. But then, I love me some raw meat!!!

Christmas Goose for daddy! And apples....

2010-11-22T21:53:00.003-10:00

My pops loved nothing more than a roasted goose for Christmas, so I am dedicating this piece to him ;-).

I just added some apples. I was going to put them on the goose platter, but left them off. Instead, I added potato dumplings and beet bundles on the platter, and put the apples in a pewter bowl.

Welcome to blogland, Alison!!!

2010-11-20T17:20:00.001-10:00

My buddy Alison Shibata, who just happens to live in Hawaii (woot!) has finally started a blog!!! She hasn't been making miniature food for very long, but you would NEVER guess!! Hello?? Check out her perfectly browned, plump roasted turkey (killer wings on that), sushi, and stunning cake!!! Here's linkage to her blog and her etsy shop. Rock on, Alison!!!!!!

http://blissminiatures.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/blissminiatures

Ham and incense!?

2010-11-16T22:38:00.000-10:00

Here's another weird combo: a holiday ham and an incense set :-/. I'm not huge on ham, although I love pork....and bacon, of course! I originally paired the ham platter with a carving set, but didn't like the way it looked so I removed it. As for the incense, well, I buy quite a bit of it and burn it all day and night long (unless I'm out). I made the cone kind, although I'm partial to sticks ;-).

A Turkey, before it's too late!

2010-11-13T21:10:00.000-10:00

I made a turkey for Thanksgiving. Mom brought home this flyer/catalog thing from Sam's Club and told me to check out the pics of holiday food, so I zeroed in on the turkey, which was garnished with orange slices and cranberries. I thought: if I'm not going to make all the sides, I'd better dress up this platter pretty heavily! I also made him pretty damned fat!

Squash display and a potion making board

2010-11-11T22:40:00.000-10:00

Thanksgiving is coming, and I still haven't made a turkey, but I did make some Squash! Also, shades of Halloween, but here's a potion making board as well.

Susan is batshit crazy and I love it!!

2010-11-05T23:39:00.001-10:00

For a long time, I've wanted to do a post on Susan (aka Sans!)....but, I thought, wouldn't it be kind of redundant?? EVERYONE knows Susan and how immensely talented she is!! Hello? But seriously, every time I visit her blog, I'm speechless, which is rather rare for me ;-). Where to begin??? Her Maharaja's Palace is seriously MIND BLOWING, truly a work destined for a museum (not that she'd give it up, hehe)!! It's difficult not to gush, but her dedication and attention to detail are second to NONE. I would pay to see her work in person. And God willing, I will go to Singapore next year!!! So, here's to Susan, wild, talented chick, and truly, a one of a kind!!!

You really must see her blogs to take everything in, because there's a cacophony of eye candy, but here is just a tiny, tiny taste...

http://sansdollhousediaries.blogspot.com/

http://sanqueenannediary.blogspot.com/

http://sansddprojects.blogspot.com/

Rock on, Cindy!!

2010-10-23T23:22:00.002-10:00

It's no secret...I am a blogger with severe ADD. Started out strong, but now go in fits and starts. Life and other shit comes along and distracts me, but sometimes I take the time to visit other blogs and it is a real pleasure!! I visited Cindy's blog last night, all bleary eyed, yet I was thrilled to find that she is making more Asian food!! She makes lovely desserts, but when I see her embarking on one of her native "savory food" odysseys, I perk up :-D!! The great think about Cindy, and something I greatly admire, is her willingness to experiment...ALOT. She doesn't settle for "good enough". She wants to nail it. Here is an example of some of her latest dabblings. I love her method for noodle making, because they came out so fine and properly scaled. Oversized, fat noodles give me hives :-/. I usually roll mine out by hand till nearly breaking point to get them fine enough, but hers are so delicate and thin!!!! GREAT job, buddy!!!!

http://snowfern-clover.blogspot.com/

WOW!!! My 1:144 book from Lia in Italy!!!

2010-10-22T18:44:00.000-10:00

I got a wonderful gift from my friend Lia Comugnero, of Villa Miniature, in Italy!!! And how fitting- it is the coolest, tiniest, villa in a "book"!! I am a real sucker for uber tiny, and this has such a fantastic amount of detail!!! There's even a wee bird perched on the upper balcony!! Here are some pics of my new treasure. Thank you so much, Lia!! I ADORE it!!!
http://viliaminiature.blogspot.com/
http://www.viliaminiature.it/

Last of the Halloween treats, methinks??

2010-10-21T23:25:00.000-10:00

I think I'm going to end my Halloween food run with this. Bat cupcakes. I guess I have to make a turkey or something for next season. Damn, not nearly as fun :-/!!

More Halloween food....and fish.

2010-10-19T20:16:00.000-10:00

Slightly major family emergency, but I'm back :-D!! All is well now. Here are a couple more Halloween meals! I saw the skull fried eggs in a magazine at the grocery store, and the noodle wrapped sausage mummies as well. In the mag, there was no sauce, which I thought was kind of weird, so I added a bit of Marinara. The fish is....well, fish, but on a wooden "stake". Perhaps ready for cooking over an open fire??

Heavily "aged" liquor

2010-10-11T00:54:00.001-10:00

I had more bottles that that needed grunging up, so this time I made a tray of some old ass liquor. A couple of them already had labels, and the rest I added. Years ago, I bought a sheet of liquor labels on ebay. They were made by Brooke Tucker....or, at least, marketed under her name. These are not the original labels, but photocopied ones (which is ok since I destroyed them, lol!!). Somehow, I don't think these would fit in one of Ms. Tucker's sumptuous settings, no :-/ ?? They look like something dredged up from a sunken ship, minus the barnacles!!

More eyeball madness....

2010-10-09T23:56:00.000-10:00

Yes, I said that I would quit with the eyeballs, but I lied :-/. I had an idea pop into my head, so I made it. Call it "Silence of the Potato Heads". I thought of that film when I looked at the peels with eyes still attached. I'm a little freaked out now. AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Halloween Frankenmallows, and revisiting Dillheads

2010-10-05T22:41:00.003-10:00

More goofiness with Halloween. Hey, any time I can slap a face on something, I will do it :-D!! Mom and I went to Border's Bookstore on Sunday, after breakfast (I am a sucker for American breakfasts: scrambled eggs, hash browns, toast, sausage, and pancakes), and I was thumbing through magazines. Around this time, there are a ton of Halloween themed cooking related mags, and I saw these Frankenstein marshmallow thingees. So, I made some, along with Dill Heads, which I've done before.

Mushroom log w/ladybugs, antique bottles, and I hate Facebook

2010-10-04T00:13:00.000-10:00

I made a mushroom log and put two little ladybugs on a couple of the shrooms, per my sister's request ;-). Also, I have a stash of glass bottles that I can't fill to save my life (the openings are insanely small), so I just grunged them up and made them old, lol!!! I did have some cobwebbing over them too but removed it because it looked a little weird.

On another note, if there is anyone who is wondering why I haven't "friended" them back on Facebook or not answered any messages for a few days, it's because I can't log into Facebook!! On my iphone OR my laptop!! There is some kind of asinine, new "security measure" implemented that makes you jump through hoops to make sure you are the same person logging in from different computers or devices. Because I have the Facebook iphone app on my phone, and also log in from my computer, it asks me to verify my identity now. The problem is, this is the verification process: it pulls random photos from all your contact's photo albums and asks you to correctly name the person. Now, I am getting everything from peoples' artwork, to childhood photos, to vacation pics, to frigging screenshots of the "farming" games they play!! HELLO?? Everything but the actual person (and to be honest, I would screw that one up too, in most cases!!!!). And that is the ONLY method of verification! Nope, no secret word, no "what was was your father's middle name" kind of thing. So, I am shut out, for now. Honestly, I have never liked Facebook, and I don't visit there often, but this is redonkulous!

Peeping clams

2010-09-29T13:48:00.000-10:00

Again with the eyeballs. HELP ME!!! I can't stop!!! They are coming out of every orifice!!

Graveyard brownies, more speckled pumpkins, and....fish

2010-09-27T22:59:00.000-10:00

I made more graveyard brownies (a wee but different from last year), some white speckled pumpkins, and Blue Hake fish. I buy my baby sister a mini pumpkin every year, and this one is orange striped with green spots and splatters. It's sitting on top of her stereo, no doubt being tortured by the blast eminating from the speakers. Kind of like me and my poor bleeding ears.

Good lawdy, Miss Glenda!!!!

2010-09-24T23:44:00.000-10:00

I was puzzled when mom plunked down a package from New Zealand on on my table. I usually get all my packages from the UPS store, but this one was retrieved from my tiny apartment mailbox. I looked at the name on the package. Glenda!! Hmmm....what on earth could it be?? I opened it, only to be gobsmacked to find the tiny handmade treasures she sent me (which I have admired before)!!!! Completely unexpected, and such a joy!!!! It really was like a mini Christmas, and brightened my otherwise miserable day. THANK YOU, GLENDA!!!! You are such a doll....a very talented doll, at that ;-)!!! Expect another addition to that gorgeous new kitchen of yours, too!
Check out Glenda's spanking new dollhouse here (as an aside, Kristy, we NEED dollhouses. Hello??) :

http://peppercornminis.blogspot.com/

Her etsy shop with TONS of cool miniatures:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/undancey?ref=seller_info

My goodies!!!

Little fishies, not raw, fried

2010-09-21T22:20:00.000-10:00

I HAD to make some fishies, inbetween the avalanche of Halloween stuff, so I made little deep fried, whole fish (I made them before). I was in Greece....erm, way back when, and I couldn't get enough of these guys! EVERY day, I would walk down the hill from my hotel, and go to the corner "deli" to buy a bag full of them, and these turnover thingees stuffed with Feta cheese. I could seriously live and eat like a "peasant" and be perfectly happy. Ok, as long as my house was a villa on Santorini or something ;-).

A mixed pumpkin display

2010-09-20T19:32:00.000-10:00

Here are some good 'ol pumpkins. Except, I made some blue ones, some white ones, and some dark green speckled ones. I should have made some misshapen ones, too!

Bone Soup and Nightmare Cupcakes (again)

2010-09-18T22:20:00.000-10:00

I got a request for the Nightmare Cupcakes I made last Halloween, so I made more. I also made Bone Soup....because I love making bones!! Actually, I love marrow bones, roasted. If you ever see them on a menu in a restaurant, ORDER THEM!!!!

Goodies in the mail, from my buddies Kristy and Grace!!!!

2010-09-17T23:47:00.002-10:00

I got two phenomenal gifts in the mail, and I wanted to share them with everyone! First, from Kristy, another smoking possum with a cool tree trunk ashtray! Long story short, some time ago, Kristy gave me a smoking possum play set, which is now displayed on my nightstand, right next to my moving hula girl lamp, tree trunk night light, and Bose iphone dock. Well, my boyfriend Lance saw it and fell in love, naturally! So, I made Kristy two hideous fish on a board and she, in turn, made me yet another uber cool smoking possum set!!! Here it is:

The other gift I received was from another talented friend, Grace, whose dark sensibility, imagination, and ingenuity I adore. She makes fantastic books (among a seemingly ENDLESS variety of other miniatures), so she sent me some, and a bitchin fisherman's net, complete with floaters!!! Not pictured are the tiny, real animal bones she included (which I always put to good use ;-)). I gave her some fish, one flopping and one not, and a bit of fruit and mushrooms.

- Thanks guys!!! I LOVE THEM ALL!!!!!!! Below are links to their blogs:

http://minimenagerie.blogspot.com/

http://nid-dabeille.dreamwidth.org/

Halloween witchy treats

2010-09-16T19:35:00.000-10:00

I made these late last night with bleary eyes, and they are so frigging tiny that I went blind for a few hours :-/.

SCARY miniaturist alert!! Once again...

2010-09-16T00:12:00.009-10:00

http://milkymocaskitchen.kt.fc2.com/dollsecondtop.htm

Add caption

I was trying to find an online shop to buy some supplies, so I was sifting through my miniatures links (a daunting process). I have a handful of links with Asian characters, and I'm not quite sure what the hell they are until I click on them. Well, I wound up clicking on this link....again. It's been awhile since I've visited (I think maybe the last time was when I started my blog and did a post on this artist's work). Well, I was blown out of the water AGAIN by this person's immense talent. He/she just smacks you in the face with brilliance. I wish they would update more frequently, because I am itching to see more. I do not know who this is, but they make THE BEST bread and (and possibly) pastries I have ever seen in my entire life. It takes my breath away.

Skull Cookies, Ghostmallows, and a "Peeping Box"

2010-09-15T21:23:00.004-10:00

Ok, I am in manic Halloween mode, Lord help me! This means that I will go like hell, then burn out before October even arrives, methinks :-/. Then, Thanksgiving and Christmas. I love em both, but....erm, turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, Christmas cookies and shit. Ad nauseum. Wow. I'm so excited. I need to make something different or I will go into a coma.

Halloween Heirloom Tomatoes!?

2010-09-14T18:26:00.000-10:00

I made some of these last year. I like tomatoes in strange colors. There really are orange and "black" heirloom tomatoes, but I kind of cranked the black color up a few notches ;-).

Yet more eyeballs, and salty bones

2010-09-12T22:59:00.000-10:00

Not Eyeball Stew, but similar....a hearty eyeball soup! I paired this set with a basket of delicious moldy bread. The other one is something I made last Halloween (again, because I love making bones!): salty bones (pretzels or bread sticks).

Cindy Lötter's miniature oil paintings :-O!!

2010-09-11T09:58:00.002-10:00

Cindy sent me a link to her new website, where you can get a real eyefull of her astounding miniature paintings!! Take a look:

http://www.simplysmall.com/

Erm....Mummy Cookies.

2010-09-10T22:42:00.000-10:00

Here'ss another addition to the Halloween fest: a platter of Mummy cookies. I saw a pic of something similar, but they were cupcakes. I tried making these about a week ago, but I "whipped" up some frosting and it didn't quite lend itself to "bandages" (too much liquid clay). This is my second attempt, and I nixed the Liquid Fimo this time.

Halloween cometh

2010-09-09T22:04:00.000-10:00

I usually don't start this early, but making weird stuff is not much of a stretch for me! Hell, I make em all year round :-D!! What I usually don't do is make sweets/desserts. I think Halloween is an exception, for the most part. The possibilities for making Halloween goodies are endless, and this is one thing I've made so far. I also made the Pumpkin Heads, and included one of my hideous fishes (so Kristy can see what I made for her, but she gets two on a board ;-)).

Here's my clay drawer

2010-09-02T12:11:00.000-10:00

A basket of bread.....and yet another step

2010-09-01T10:31:00.002-10:00

Ok, I thought I'd mix it up a little, so here's a basket of bread that I made. Also, thanks to Kristy, who requested that I continue to the bitter end, it's ANOTHER step!! There are one or two more after this, since I keep having to break them up in chunks.

The last video

2010-08-31T14:55:00.000-10:00

Here's the final installment of the fish workshop. There was actually once last little bit of video after this one, but....erm, I started going a little batshit crazy, probably from the heat.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=1G3CW0T2

Workshop

2010-08-30T14:13:00.001-10:00

I was on vacation with my boyfriend (although we stayed on my island and hopped over to another), and he requested that I make something so he could video it and show it to his mom. They were very curious about the whole process, so he used my iphone to film me making a fish (big surprise!). This will be the dorkiest thing you've ever seen, but get a load of my clay drawer. It is a hot mess....kind of like my hair, which my mom butchered a couple weeks ago :-/. I've had a bitch of a time converting, chopping up, and trying to upload the four parts to my blog, so I finally put them all on Megaupload :-/. It's a pain in the ass, but if you'd like to see the "workshop", you can download it from links below. There is more to the the workshop, but I'll upload it only if you guys want to see me put the finishing touches on the fishy ;-). You can't download these files simultaneously, just one after the other, btw.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TOZDF38J

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=E7JQ9O06

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LPN12NPE

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7138Z4QV