Search the Community

Ciao Guys, I hope this is the right place where to post something like this Some of them are still available. Who likes solid silver miniatures like I do?! Alby

Hi, My name is Alberto and I am the founder of Silverissimo, a family business run by few people. It all started as a hobby once I was sacked after 8 years because my manager discovered I was going to adopt another child with my partner, ergo, being entitled of a 12 months adoption leave. As disappointed as I was I started this project and...well, here we are! (just in case, if you want to have a look at it, it is about solid silver miniatures www.silverissimo.co.uk ). I think this forum can help me to understand terminologies (I am not a native English speaker) about this "magic" world of the miniatures. Always happy to learn! Ciao! Alby

Incredible peak inside the workshop of artisan/craftsperson David Hurley click link to video: ... David Hurley Video

Dollhouse miniature petit point carpet Tree of Life 1 is my first carpet I stitched this year. It took me 11 weeks and 1 day to finish stitching it, spending from 8 to 12 hours daily. 7 days went for blocking, stretching, finishing the sides and fringing. It has total of 180,600 tiny stitches and 468 ends form the fringes on both sides of the rug. An idea to stitch a series of carpets under the Tree of Life theme came up to me last year, when at some point I caught myself thinking that I was tied and bored to stitch the repeatable motifs of the rugs. I wanted to create something different and fun to stitch. I have to tell you, I exceeded my own expectations. Tree of Life 1 carpet was the most challenged and enjoyable stitching project I've ever had. First of all, I spent good number of months at the library, researching and reading the books about the Persian rugs. Research is one of the most important parts of a stitching process of a project for me. I learnt that the main theme of "tree of life" carpets is happiness, life and immortality; that, as a whole composition, it expresses the wish for a long life, fertility and protection. Second, I chose to stitch it on 56 count silk gauze. A reason is that I have a whole line of Gloriana Tudor Fine over dyed silks (108 colors) and couldn't wait to try it. This silk floss perfectly covers 56 count and a choice of over dyed colors gave me an opportunity to fulfill my artistic soul. I was so impatient to start working on the carpet that, when I actually started stitching it, the pattern hasn't been finished yet. Each week I added different motifs and elements to it. I draw, to say exactly, outlined the shapes of animals on the computer with a black color, printed the sheets of a motif I was going to stitch out, displayed all 108 colors of silk floss on the floor surrounding me in the fan shape, and, literally dived in my own Nirvana while choosing the colors. I am sure, those who collects silk floss, would understand the astonishing power of emotions working with the colors. So far I used 89 colors, 93 skeins that cost me $500. The rug consists of a field, 4 corners and 4 panels in the border that are connected by fretwork in reds and white. First choice of the color for the border was peaceful blue. However, the thought of red as a positive color that excites the emotions was prevalent. In the center of the rug you can see the Tree of Life that is guarded by a snake, a symbol of eternity and continual renewal of life. The tree of life itself is a sign of life with its stem as foundation and leaves as a breath of life. A bird sitting on one of the branches of the tree symbolizes life and soul. The snake represents fertility and creative life force. Representing grace, peace and beauty there is a deer resting in the shadow of the tree. Ducks on the water bring a strong sense of knowing, which lends to a graceful self confidence. The center of the rug represents a thought of the Earth meeting with the Heaven separating by a bridge, a human made object, symbolizing a hope for the better life and unity between humanity and nature. There are 4 panels in the border. The compositions in each panel is a different representation of the same theme. All flowers in the border panels express a hope for good luck. Peacock, depicted on the left panel in the border, is full of royalty, awakening and spirituality. Wolf in the lower panel brings mysterious energy together with the sense of fertility of a running away rabbit. An eagle, "king of the skies", on the right panel of the border, gives us a feeling of strength, courage, freedom and power. Each corner of the rug has a diamond shape motif with a colorful bird inside sitting on a small tree of life with blossoming flowers. Birds stand for an expectation of good news. I entered the Tree of Life carpet into PIMA contest that was held last May at the Kensington Dollhouse Festival and it took the 1st prize. I am very thankful to the organizers of the festival and judges of the PIMA contest for an opportunity of challenge. I hope you like the rug as much as I do. Front side Back side

Local Folks! Join us on Sunday, January 24, 2016 in The Gallery at D. Thomas Fine Miniatures for a special open house and reception honoring IGMA Artisan Natasha Beshenkovsky’s exhibition “Still Life in Miniature.” Ms. Beshenkovsky will present and discuss her works included in the exhibit and answer questions on her vision, artistic process and inspiration. This special event will be held from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM in The Gallery at D. Thomas Fine Miniatures in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. For more information and to RSVP, please call 914-231-9871 or write to dthomasfineminiatures@gmail.com. We look forward to welcoming you to a wonderful and informative afternoon in the Gallery. ABOUT D. THOMAS FINE MINIATURES D. Thomas Fine Miniatures is an online and in-store retail destination featuring artisan dollhouses and top quality collectibles including 1/12th scale furniture and accessories. The shop also offers workshops and classes taught by master artisans. The concept, designed to appeal to collectors, crafters and enthusiasts at all skill levels and abilities, was created, in part, to raise awareness of miniatures as a decorative art form and to introduce the discipline not only to a new generation but to those who may just be discovering it! The shop also features a gallery space showcasing works in miniature by well-known artists from all over the world. D. Thomas Fine Miniatures is located at 579 Warburton Avenue in the village of Hastings-on-Hudson New York. Gallery and shop hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday from Noon to 5:00 pm. Evening hours are available by appointment. For more, follow D. Thomas Fine Miniatures on: Instagram Facebook and Twitter.

Here is a recap by D. Thomas Fine Miniatures of some of the leading news stories about the world of fine miniatures in 2015. It was a GREAT year for miniatures with lots of interest from the main stream press including the New York Times, Crain's Business News and CBS Evening News. Here's to a great little 2016 - Happy New Year, my fine miniatures friends! - Darren

Who knew..... the Hudson River Museum is not far from my shop and gallery and is really a wonderful museum with a planetarium and solid collection of art...they are also fans of miniatures with a large dollhouse on permanent display and an invitation for me to go and talk there in September! But I'm really posting because they had an exhibit a few years ago on patent miniatures, replicas of full size items which were submitted to the patent office for registration...they had a show on it a few years ago.... http://www.hrm.org/exhibits/Patents/patents.html there is also a museum which houses these treasure! - Darren

THRILLED to be exhibiting new work by Hernán Buljevich at D. Thomas Fine Miniatures as part of the much anticipated RiverArts Studio Tour coming up April 25 and 26 right here in the Gallery at D. Thomas Fine Miniatures. If you're in the area, please drop in!! More about this very talented artist/miniaturist in my latest blog posting!