Symbols

Never forget. Confusion. Contact. Reminiscing. Life. Work. Darkness. Light. Time. Bright. Shadows. Moved. Shaken. Changed.

9.11.01

Credits: Chair and mirrored planter are vintage eBay finds; desk is composed of two lucite boxes from Muji; flooring is scrapbook paper from Michaels; Manhattan skyline is a card from the Guggenheim; clock is Lundby. Accessories are Re-ment, from our local toy store, ELF Miniatures, Mighty World, AG Minis, and doll house store finds.

Re-ment: The Rubiks Cube is by Megahouse, from the Family Game Collection #6, and is large for 1:12. Totally realistic, even turns!

The time it took me: 33 minutes

An Earring Challenge: Joint Post with Lemon Cadet

Summer days are dwindling...seemed like a good time for a joint post! Lemon Cadet, who runs Project: Project blog, suggested that we do a joint post with one piece from a pair of very cool industrial earrings by Melissa Borrell. We would use the earring however it inspired us. I have no clue what she's doing with it, and vice versa.

I actually first saw Melissa's work at the New York International Gift Fair back in February (I'm headed to the Gift Fair on Tuesday for the August market -- fun!). She crafts stunningly creative pieces, much like wearable art. This particular pair is Deco-inspired and made of metal. The earrings actually pop out of a flat sheet; check out this image from Melissa's site:

Courtesy of www.melissaborrell.com

Neat, right?

I gravitated back to my Cadet Room Box for the scene and knew I wanted to use some new decorative paper from the Paper Source for the wall; the flooring is scrapbook paper with a green suede-like finish. While I originally thought the earring could work as a hanging fixture of some sort, the flatness of it made it impossible to look realistic. I then quickly decided to use it as an ornamental feature on the credenza, much like a trivet or place mat (Chilewich designs come to mind).

Hope you like my take on the earring -- can't wait to see what Lemon Cadet cooked up! Check out her post!

By the way, I launched my August ***FREE ALERT*** giveaway today on the Call of the Small Facebook page! This month, I am giving away a set of Re-ment and storage boxes from Crate & Barrel. Just comment on the photo and you are entered for a chance to win. Comments will be open through Wednesday, August 31, 11:59 p.m. EST. This is open to followers on my Facebook page, domestic and international. GOOD LUCK!!

Credits: Couch and side chair are Hall's Lifetime Toys; Asian screen and side table are Petite Princess; Noguchi table is by Paris Renfroe; credenza is vintage German; lamp and silver bowl are eBay finds; pillow is by minimodernistas; planter is a napkin holder from Crate & Barrel, and the greenery is an aquarium plant; wallpaper is from the Paper Source; flooring is scrapbook paper from Michaels.

The time it took me: 1 hour

Still Life

Do you ever think of your miniature setups as a series of still lifes? I often do. This new vintage chair and ottoman set lends itself especially well to a still life...I've never seen anything like it. Constructed of wood with a 1950s profile, the chair is covered in what appears to be oil cloth or coated wall paper, as is its ottoman. The legs are metal covered in red plastic, and taper to pointed ends. Neat, huh? If you know anything about it, let me know. I have a feeling it may be a handmade one-of-a-kind, but perhaps not!

I love this Modella credenza -- so photogenic, and functional. Even the little red drawers open!

The setting for this scene is thanks to the lovely Lemon Cadet...we did some joint purchases recently, and she added in this very beautiful room box to my package! It is composed of a plastic and foam core base with channels to put in three three panels. You can change them out, cover with scrapbook paper or other materials, etc. Nice possibilities, and super easy to store! I hereby christen my new "Cadet Room Box" with this scene -- thanks, Lemon Cadet!!!

I also wanted to share an online opportunity for you mini-hobbyists and mini-makers to share your creative perspective with the world. The Museum of Arts and Design in New York City currently has a very cool exhibition on view that focuses on mini worlds: "Otherworldly: Optical Delusions and Small Realities." As part of the exhibit, they launched an online gallery, "Small Realities," and they welcome submissions that present alternate realities in small form.

I submitted some photos and a statement; you can view it here. Check out all the submissions, and please consider submitting your own work -- it would be great to see the online gallery grow! Let me know if you participate. By the way, I am planning to see the exhibition this month, and will report back.

Credits: Vintage ottoman and chair and Arc lamp are eBay purchases; credenza is Modella; rug is jute scrapbook paper from the Paper Source, and the bird wallpaper is also from there; moss glass pot is from the Lemon Cadet package, and it is filled with hobby store moss and wrapped with some strands from the jute scrapbook paper. Accessories are vintage German and Re-ment.

The time it took me: 57 minutes