ON THE COVER: The fanciful Santa and moose arose from the iconoclastic mind of Missouri-based Kay Shipp. “I don’t like tradition; it’s boring,” says Ms. Shipp. A self-described Air Force Brat, she spent many years in Germany, where St. Nicholas was not usually depicted in red and white, but rather in a more earthy, naturalistic style, she explains. But why a moose? “I don’t do a lot of planning; I just start and see what happens, says Shipp, laughing. See more unusual but highly artistic renderings of the spirit of giving in Martha Puff’s Yuletide round-up starting on page 46.

FEATURES:

28 Princess Laura’s Doll’s House
A tale of hope and learning.
By Bob Byrne

32 Passion in the Boudoir
By Penny Herbst
The elegant furniture of June Clinkscales.

42 Behind the Masks
New artists bring fresh looks to the party.
By Christine A. Verstraete

46 Ring In The Season With Santa Claus
A collector’s gallery of Kringles.
By Martha Puff

50 A Different Dollhouse Dream
Inner peace and outer good: For Sister Sandra Trifiro, miniatures are a way to both.
By Patricia Paul

52 The Balcony Scene
By Jane Freeman
In miniatures, as in real life, there’s nothing quite like a balcony to produce a physical lift.

54 A Salute to Swanson
By W. Marie Werth
On her silver anniversary, a chat with the artist, a look back at her remarkable career, and thanks from some of her many fans.

PROJECTS:

22 Altered Books
By Joann Swanson
A creative way to tell a story with the help of miniatures.

36 A Sleigh From Christmas Past
By Ruth Flewelling Lesbirel
A Magnolia Hall project

45 How to Make Your Own Masquerade Masks
By Diane Paone
A primer by a newly named IGMA Artisan.

 

DEPARTMENTS:

• 02 Editor’s Note
• 06 Letters to the Editor
• 08 New Products
• 12 Nutshell News
• 14 Vintage Discoveries
• 16 Small Steps
• 19 Beyond Kits’—A Child’s Arbor Bed
• 58 Calendar
• 60 Web links
• 62 Advertising Index
• 63 Classified Ads
• 64 Parting Shot