My Miniature Madness Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 I first discovered miniatures like most people, as a child. I had Barbies, but had to get creative when it came to furniture and accessories. That's when I first developed my "mini eyes", searching for everyday objects that could be re-purposed for Barbie's living needs. Unlike most girls my age, I was not at all into Ken. It was G.I. Joe and all the cool rugged accessories for me and my little ladies. I even married my real life G.I. Joe in 1987, a sweet and wonderful rugged outdoor guy with a fuzzy beard to rub, too!My first foray into miniature dollhouses didn't come until I was 14 years old. I had my first regular paying job (besides a paper route) and saw a 1/24th scale dollhouse kit by Greenleaf - I believe it was the Garfield. I saved and saved, and was delighted the day I got to bring it home. And that's where it stayed, safely in it's box for many years. I think I was just so intimidated by all of the pieces, all of the instructions, and probably afraid to ask my grumpy dad for help. Eventually, I actually glued it all together, decided it was more trouble than a wife and mom had time for, and stuck it out in the garage. I did find a dead mouse in it years later, so I guess it came in handy for someone!Miniatures came into my life again in 1998. My husband, myself and our two kids, a girl age 10 and a boy age 8 at the time, had just moved back to Washington after living on the Central Coast of California for 10 years. During one of our weekend explorations, we happened upon Dolly's Dollhouses in Seattle. My oh my! It was as if my whole life had been leading to this moment! I was completely infatuated! I decided right then and there that my daughter's childhood just wouldn't be complete unless she got a dollhouse and all the fixings for Christmas.Secretly, my husband and I went back to Dolly's without the kids. Dolly was just awesome, and helped us pick out a pre-built but unfinished 8 room house built by a local wood crafter. Then it was up to me to secretly paint, wallpaper, finish and decorate - all while my daughter was in school.I was actually shocked at the cost of all the little things a dollhouse needed. It was like setting up an actual house, and some items had price tags bigger than the real life items I owned! It was also a giant task, much more than I was really ready for!After spending about $600.00 and still not satisfied with the completeness of this legacy gift, we had to get creative. We could not afford not to! I'd make trips to Dolly's or search on ebay for the things I still needed, then try to imagine ways that I could make them myself. It was incredible! I learned so much about Fimo, resin casting, mini woodworking, printies and how to re-purpose or rehab found items inexpensively. If I was crazed with miniatures before, I became obsessed with making them! I probably spent even more money initially, because tools and supplies can also be expensive, but creativity was an addiction!My daughter loved the dollhouse initially. I even got her to sit with me and create mini foods for the kitchen. I'd left two rooms unfinished so that she could enjoy the decorating part too. All too soon though, she discovered the boy band Hanson and moved quickly into her preteen activities. The dollhouse just sat like a monument in her room, collecting dust.For me, however, I discovered that I could make miniature prepping food scenes and actually sell them on ebay! I had fun with this for months! I made enough in profits that I could actually begin to purchase more tools and materials and expand my creativity. It was a short lived dream, because my part time job turned to full time. Mini's would have to wait again until 2002... In January of 2002 my full time job turned into a mass layoff (thanks to the economy after 9/11). We had just moved into a bigger and way less affordable house, so I needed to have an income, but from doing what?I decided that I should try to live my passion and that meant working in my passion! I cashed in my 401K and started Rainy Day Miniatures. I got a business license, created a web site, started a new ebay account, ordered a ton of miniature items (wholesale costs were awesome), made a ton of items and went "live" in late February. I even had a table at The Seattle Dollhouse & Miniatures Show! Every month on the web site I would publish a "How To" article with step by step photos. I did lighting, constructing, foods, furniture etc. Soon, between ebay auctions and web site purchases I was shipping about 80 packages per week! This was amazing, and I loved the techie side of my job, too! I was able to complete many projects, and really started to feel confident in my new little skills!The problem with all of this joy, was that I was working 15 hours a day just to keep up! On top of this, I always seemed to "reinvest" my profits back into more mini treasures for me. You cannot be a miniature addict and work in a miniature business - not if you actually need to make a living at it. In October of 2003 I got a "real job". Little did I know that life would redirect me away from minis for nearly nine years...Somehow raising kids and working full time can derail you from some things you love. For me, the hiatus lasted nearly nine years.Fast forward to 2012... Suddenly an opportunity to work from home presents itself. I jump on it, and knowing I no longer have to work 50+ hours a week or commute 2 - 3 hours a day, I begin to dream in miniature again!My first project back in the mini world was a replica tourist store and campground that my husband and I had dreamed of owning for years. Since we live in the shadow of Mt. Rainier, our dream business is called Encounters Gifts & Grub. It's a place for tourists on their way to Mt. Rainier National Park to camp, eat, and learn about all things Bigfoot! Please take a look at my blog: http://my-miniaturemadness.blogspot.com/ I am currently working on a retirement barn - a model for the one my husband and I would love to retire to in the nearby forest someday. For my next project, I've had my eye on many of the Greenleaf kits, but because of space (or the lack of) I'll need to make it a smaller project. I'd love any suggestions!I'm so excited to be a part of the community, and look forward to meeting you all! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minis On The Edge Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 (edited) Oh my Goshness! How are you doing Jodi?!! I used to buy from your website from time to time. I remember your giveaways you used to do. I remember the "ducks" on your website too. Welcome back to Miniatures and Welcome back to doing minis! I'm so happy you've decided to come join us here. Welcome to our neighborhood Edited October 2, 2015 by Minis On The Edge 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minis On The Edge Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 You know Greenleaf has a whole line of halfscale items too. So you might wanna start there! If you love the style of the beacon hill but not the space, I think the Rosedale is big enough but small enough if you wanted the 1" scale fix instead. I'm so excited to know what happened to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 Welcome to the little family, Jodi. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My Miniature Madness Posted October 2, 2015 Author Share Posted October 2, 2015 Thanks so much, Tracy! I wasn't expecting to reconnect with anyone from the "olden days"! This is so wonderful! I really miss "working" in the mini business, but it's so nice just to have fun now and go at my own (if sometimes very slow) pace! I'm excited about looking at your posts and projects! I have measured the built in shelves in my living room, and determined that I can do six room boxes or small houses as long as they are less than 34"w x 13"h x 11d. The top shelves of each opening will accommodate a project of the same width and depth, but I can get away with something a little taller. That's great news for me! And after looking around the Greenleaf store a bit, I think my first purchase will be Asahi Tea House as a great jumping off point! I am really looking forward to NOT having to wire another MDF dollhouse! havanaholly - thank you so much for the welcome! I am happy to be a part of a truly talented and creative community! It's inspiring! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selkie Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 Welcome fellow mini addict! Sure is a fun habit, isn't it? After you have made 5 posts you can start an album of your dollhouse history and share fun eye candy with us all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My Miniature Madness Posted October 2, 2015 Author Share Posted October 2, 2015 Thanks Selkie! I am frittering away the afternoon looking at posts and getting to know everyone! Why didn't I join you long ago?!? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thriftymini Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 Welcome to the forum Jodi from another Washingtonian. Plan to check out your blog soon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My Miniature Madness Posted October 3, 2015 Author Share Posted October 3, 2015 Thanks Christine! I'm so excited to see other folks from Washington! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueirishmoon Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 Hello and welcome! It's hard to fight the pull of miniatures, isn't it? Now if Darth Vader had told Luke "join me...in building a dollhouse" I'm sure he would have jumped on THAT bandwagon. LOL. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My Miniature Madness Posted October 3, 2015 Author Share Posted October 3, 2015 LOL! I about rolled off my desk chair with that visual! And then, I started thinking about a dollhouse model of the homes on Tatooine! Two suns shining through a tiny window in the thick mud walled, igloo shaped dwelling, recreating the moisture farm landscaping... Oh somebody stop me! I have one project in full swing and two more waiting already! I either need a bigger house or a 12 step program for mini addicts. I'll likely get neither! :o) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 Welcome from the UK Jodi.......your blog looks great and look forward to seeing your amazing work here too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My Miniature Madness Posted October 3, 2015 Author Share Posted October 3, 2015 Thank you Mike! In lurking through the forums yesterday, I was thrilled to see the photos of your studio! Really incredible! I'd live to see more of your projects, if you don't mind directing me to them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 ...I ...need a...12 step program for mini addicts...You certainly won't get one here! To view Mike's (or any other member's) albums you need to click on their username to bring up their profile page, and then click on the "albums" button there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thriftymini Posted October 4, 2015 Share Posted October 4, 2015 Jodi, I love your blog. Thank you for sharing so much how-to in your blogs. Your plate racks are beautifully made. I am currently working on the kitchen in my RGT rehab. After reading your kitchen blog, I started looking around at what I have on hand to make more things like some spice bottles and rack an apron, etc. etc. Thanks for the inspiration. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selkie Posted October 4, 2015 Share Posted October 4, 2015 Love the story on your blog of the nightie/window escapade. Laughed harder than I have for ages. Thanks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soapz Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Welcome to the forum, Jodi!I'm still sifting through your blog - instead of writing my paper... - and I enjoy it very much!. Thank you for sharing that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My Miniature Madness Posted October 11, 2015 Author Share Posted October 11, 2015 Thanks so much, Chris! I'm glad you're enjoying it!Sometimes we do our best work when we can step away for some fun time! Good luck with your paper! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.