Dollar Store Halloween Fun! Plus Challenge

After seeing some of the things that fellow miniaturists have been finding at the Dollar Store, I've been stalking my local shops. See what I found here? A package of drinking straws with four jack-o-lanterns per straw! My husband used a hacksaw to separate the four pumpkins from one another. Each pumpkin is approximately 5/8 inch (1.5 cm) tall.

Pretty nice potential here for dollhouse miniature Halloween scenes, wouldn't you say?

Now onto the challenge: Ninni from Finland at Nipsun Nopotykset blog challenged me to answer some interview-type questions here on my blog. So here goes:

1. How and when did you start your miniature hobby?

I originally started my miniature hobby when my Dad built me my first dollhouse at around age 9 or 10. Several decades went by, when I'd almost forgotten about my interest in miniatures, but I saved my dollhouse. Fast forward to a couple of years ago when I made some plushies with the idea of selling them. As I was starting to photograph them, I thought of my miniatures collection and pulled some out to use as props in my photos. I started this blog, miniaturists found it, and my interest in the hobby was re-ignited. I turned some of my plushy photographs into greeting cards, and now I have a business selling them in local shops.

2. What would you want to do in miniature size?

I like to create miniature dioramas and scenes using my own playful handmade plush characters, recycled and repurposed materials, and dollhouse miniatures. I take photos of these scenes, and some of them become greeting cards. The type of scenes I create are whimsical with touches of shabby chic and vintage styles. I intend to create more scenes along these lines.

3. What kind of miniatures interest you the most?

I love sweet, cute, whimsical, and romantic-style miniatures the most. I love to purchase miniatures from individual artists who create in these styles. Examples include Lovejoy Bears, CuteinMiniature, and FloraDollhouse.

I also enjoy repurposing found objects and "shabbifying" old dollhouse furniture. Recycling is fun!

4. Mention five things you like.

1. Positive people.
2. Having fun!
3. Animals.
4. Needle felting, sewing by hand, and making miniatures.
5. Photographing miniature scenes and blogging.

5. Mention five things that you don't like.

1. Drama and negativity.
2. Mainstream media.
3. Cruelty and bullying.
4. Politics.
5. Social networking.

6. What is your biggest dream?

I just take one day at a time and see where it leads me.

7. Tell about some tradition you have in your home place/country.

In Portland, people spend a lot of time in bookstores and coffee shops during our rainy, dark winters. I love exploring bookstores and libraries.

8. If you could choose any place you wanted in the world, where would you want to live?

I like living in Portland, Oregon. It is green and beautiful, progressive and fun!

9. In which countries have you been? And which did you like the most? 

I spent a few years in SE Asia and have been to Mexico and Canada. My favorite place was the island of Bali in Indonesia. It was a tropical paradise with lovely people and an interesting culture.

10.Tell something interesting about Finland? OR What do you know about Finland?

Finland is known for its natural beauty and its peace-loving citizens. It's renowned for being a wonderful place to live!

Thank you for the fun challenge, Ninni! OK, that's it for me today. I'll have something fun to show you this weekend! xoxo Jennifer

Interview!

My good friend, author of Jeni Gray Photo Blog, is doing a series of articles on marketing yourself as an artist. As part of that series, she has interviewed me! :-) You can read the interview on her photo blog here. I enjoyed doing the interview and hope you enjoy reading it too.

While you're there, be sure to check out Jeni's beautiful image slide shows under "Black and White," "Color," and "Art" at the top of her blog. Which ones are your favorites? I thought that her color nature pictures were my favorites until I really looked at the others. Now I'm not so sure! All I know is that she's been taking beautiful photographs as long as I've known her!

Her other blog, Diary of the New Pioneer, is like a breath of fresh air for me every time I visit it. It's about living simply in a remote area, and there's always something interesting, from back road adventures to backyard habitat. If you go to this post, you can see some of Jeni's adorable raccoon neighbors (they're so cute!). Her posts are interesting and fun, plus she takes really beautiful photographs. It makes for a refreshing and unique blog experience.

I'll post soon about a recent trip to a special miniatures museum, and soon after it will be time for some mini fun to help celebrate my one-year blog anniversary. Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

My Interview on Carina's Craftblog!

When Carina of Carina's Craftblog asked me for an interview, I was thrilled! My first interview--yay! And what an honor to be asked by Carina! I've been following her blog for quite a while, and I enjoy it so much. She has a really nice mix of subjects on her blog, including embroidery projects, photography tips, giveaways, lovely photos from her travels, freebies, and interviews with crafters like me. I love how her blog is so positive and inspiring.

Check out my interview, where Carina asks me about my creative process and more. I share about plushies, miniatures, my craft room, and some bits from my personal life. It's a chance to get to know me better. There's even a photo of me!

I'm laughing about that photo bit, because when I first started my blog, I was really shy and only included a picture of Plushpussycat and didn't even have my name on the blog! Over time, I got a little more comfortable and added my first name and a picture of me from a funny angle (the one that is on my right-hand sidebar now). Finally, I put my full name on my blog. Now, with this interview, there's a big photo of me--no hiding anymore. ;-)

I hope you enjoy the interview and enjoy checking out Carina's Craftblog--it really is lovely. And Monday I really will show you Klara's wonderful giveaway gifts--I promise! And I'll give you an update on my blog giveaway! Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer