The Mini-Time Machine

June 2013 Museum Store Featured Item

gentrys — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:57:26 +0000

Handmade Porcelain Dolls by local artist, Kate Bochenski

Local artist Kate Bochenski has been creating one-of-a-kind dolls for over 20 years. She handcrafts each element of her 1:12 scale figures, from their porcelain faces to their detailed costumes. No two are alike. Each doll comes with its own biography card.

Prices range from $40 – $120

Minis Magnified Issue no. 38 Annelle Ferguson

gentrys — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 02:25:08 +0000

Needlework is a timeless tradition, whether it be embroidery, knitting, lacemaking or any of the other many beautiful textile arts evolving from needle and thread. There is a human intimacy with fabric that has developed over 20,000 years of sewing traditions from cultures around the globe. For those who make handmade fabrics or handstitched textiles, there is a feeling of camaraderie with previous generations, a delight in being a part of an art form that has such a long, rich history.

Those who do needlework in miniature practice the same techniques as they would in full scale, adding a formidable challenge in patience and dexterity to an already demanding discipline. Those who do fine scale, miniature reproduction petitpoint must do the same quantity of stitches as they would on a larger template – the size of the stitches become remarkably reduced, at times no larger than the period at the end of this sentence. These artisans must use magnifying lenses to produce detailed works which are often smaller than a postage stamp. These are objects of great beauty and skill, sought out by private collectors and museums such as ours. Click here to continue to read a pdf of this article >>

How To Make a Mini Mirror and Brush Set

gentrys — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 18:57:01 +0000

Learn how to create create a miniature mirror and brush set in this month’s How To brought to you by the Education Department of The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures.

Click here for the pdf tutorial of this project.

The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures and TMC for Children to Give Away 100 Afternoons of clubHOUSE to Tucson Families in Need

gentrys — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 22:46:43 +0000

Click here to read the 06.03.13 press release.

The Mini Time Machine to Participate in Blue Star Museums

gentrys — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:08:19 +0000

Click here to read the 05.21.13 press release.

May 2013 Museum Store Featured Item

gentrys — Sat, 18 May 2013 17:34:45 +0000

Mini Museum Bag

Just right for your tiniest museum purchases, or as a fun memento on its own! Perfect for your 1:12 dollhouse. Handmade in the U.S.A.

$1.00 each / $0.90 for members

How to Make a Mini Potted Barrel Cactus

gentrys — Fri, 10 May 2013 23:39:14 +0000

Create a whole desert garden display of these mini potted barrel cacti created from inexpensive craft supplies! Try your hand at painting in miniature and paint your pots in a Talavera or Suzani style for variation!

Click here for the complete instructions for this project.

Minis Magnified Issue no. 37 Spring 2013 Kitbashing Contest

gentrys — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:47:09 +0000

Last month, The Mini Time Machine Museum joyfully welcomed the entries for our 3rd Annual Kitbashing Contest, a competition designed to challenge our community with a creative miniature project, while raising funds to support our education and outreach programs. This year’s contest featured a corner cabinet with three shelves in the standard dollhouse scale, 1:12. Contestants would be judged based upon their creative use of scale, additional materials used and originality of concept or theme. As an added incentive, the winner would receive a $100 gift card to Lowe’s. The votes are in, and we are pleased to both announce the winners and celebrate the diverse and clever concepts of our participants!

Our First Place prize goes to Ant Invasion! by Jackie Volpe. In her artist statement, Jackie tells us that this contest marked her first attempt at creating miniatures, which inspired her to push the envelope. “Being the first miniature I have ever built, I wanted to take the piece provided and really add some extra creativity to it by making it unrecognizable – after all, it is a kitbashing contest.” Jackie followed her own advice and really wowed the judges with her lush foliage, mix of textures and colors, and delightful attention to detail. It was a treat to note all of the little edibles hidden in the leaves, the gnomes tucked into the greenery, and the handmade elements such as her twig fire pit and enormous mushrooms. Her oversized ants give the whole scene a playful appeal. Jackie declared that it was The Mini Time Machine Museum itself that inspired her creation, no doubt in part by our Enchanted Realm Tree. Congratulations, Jackie! Click here to continue reading a pdf of this article >>

April 2013 Museum Store Featured Item

gentrys — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:59:54 +0000

Miniature Books

All of our miniature books are perfect 1/12-scale miniatures. Each book features printed pages throughout, a thick cover and a colorful dust jacket to protect the cover. Dozens of classic titles to choose from, including Catcher in the Rye and Charlotte’s Web!

$8.00/$7.20 members

How To Make a Mini Porch Swing

gentrys — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:53:37 +0000

In this month’s How To you will learn how to construct a Miniature Porch Swing. Just in time for summer- a mini porch swing is the perfect addition to your miniature landscape or fairy garden!

Click here for the complete instructions for the Mini Porch Swing.