Laura Johnson finished this workshop from the 2017 Sacramento houseparty. She calls it, “Boo!”
This information is offered as a service to the community of miniature enthusiasts. If you know of a miniature related event or have information/photos to share, please contact the N.A.M.E. N2 Region Webmaster.
Cathy displayed this 1″ scale scene at the NAME Sacramento Houseparty. She writes, “This was the first original mini project that I had ever done about 2 years ago.” “I have only been into the mini world for about 3 years. Now minis are my passion!”
Cathy Ellison created this scene, her first original mini project.
Jennifer Rich exhibited these 1″ scale scenes in drawers at the 2017 Sacramento houseparty.
Scenes by Jennifer Rich.
Trish exhibited these quarter scale houses at the NAME Sacramento Houseparty. Her description of the project:
“These three houses replicate the illustrations in “The Cottage at the End of the Lane, ” children’s dollhouse story by Elaine Mills. Debbie Young designed and built the kits and taught them as a series of classes. I bought the kits and altered them to even more closely resemble the houses in the story. All three houses have working lights powered from a battery pack hidden within the house. I made all the dolls. The crowded house alone has seventeen of them! Also made most of the animals.”
Trish Billard created these houses from Debbie Young’s kits based on the books, “A Cottage at the End of the Lane.”
Carole Ann Davis exhibited this roombox at the NAME Sacramento Houseparty. Carole Ann collected the flowers from various artists through the years. She made the display stand from plans and instructions by Nancy Thomas, who passed away in May of 2016. Carole Ann is a member of the Delta Doolittles Club.
Carole Ann Davis created this floral roombox.
Laverne shared her project entitled, “It’s About Time,” in the exhibit room at the NAME Sacramento Houseparty. The scene was created using the alcove from the 2012 NAME Day project.
“It’s About Time” by LaVerne Munz.
Linda exhibited these 1″ scale scenes at the Sacramento Houseparty. The bunk beds are from the 2016 NAME Day. The alcove is from the 2012 NAME Day. Congratulations to Linda for completing her NAME Day projects!
Linda Vertrees is from Sacramento, CA, and is a member of the Itty Bitty Club.
Linda created this scene using the 2016 NAME Day bunk beds.
Linda Verhees created this quilt shop using the 2012 NAME Day alcove.
Mealtimes at the Sacramento Houseparty were a chance to view the different centerpieces, win prizes, and spend time with fellow miniaturists.
On Saturday evening, some of the houseparty guests chose to dress for dinner in the spirit of the theme, “ABC’s of Miniatures.”
The centerpieces at the NAME Sacramento Houseparty were created by Vegie MacLean and Liz Driver. Each table contained centerpieces in both 1″ and 1/4″ scales.
Thank you to Trish Billard, Suzanne Harrington-Cole, and Nancy Wantiez for the photos.
1″ and 1/4″ scale textile-theme centerpieces at the Sacramento Houseparty.
1″ and 1/4″ scale garden-theme centerpieces.
1″ scale centerpiece.
1/4″ scale centerpiece.
DIY’ers are dressed for the theme, “ABC’s of Miniatures.”
Barbara Thornton-Hill, Dan Stewart, and Bruce Steinke dressed for the theme.
Dressed like tool bags.
Getting into the DIY-er spirit.
Rosie the Riveter gals.
“Tool Time” at the Sacramento Houseparty with Barbara Thornton-Hill and Luci Hanson.
A prize from the Sacramento Houseparty.
Our “Mini Learning Center” Hospitality Room will be open to Registrants of the Sacramento Houseparty.
Want to know what a wonderfully fun hospitality room looks and feels like? Then, come on down. We look forward to welcoming you and providing a friendly, comfortable atmosphere where you can just sit back, relax and visit with old friends and new. Maybe you would like to learn one of the various techniques we’ll be demonstrating? Each day, we will feature another exciting demo. We want to offer each guest the opportunity to roll up her/his sleeves, sit down and join in on the fun. Scattered throughout the room, you’ll find make-it and take-it stations set up with different projects for your amusement. Or, if you don’t have much time, just peek-in and check out our how-to storyboards, watch a video, or browse through our helpful book collection. We encourage one and all to stop by and enhance your mini making abilities!
Hospitality Room hours will be posted at the houseparty.
Not registered for the NAME Sacramento Houseparty? You may still visit the Sales Room with vendors from around the country. Many wonderful exhibits will still be there for you to see, and a small Make ’n Take activity will be in the lobby outside of the salesroom.
Sacramento Houseparty Public Day
Sunday, March 26, 2017; 11:30 am – 3:30 pm
The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sacramento
2001 Point West Way, Sacramento, CA
Join us on the lower level in the California Ballroom.
Parking: $4.00/day. Park to the left of the main part of the hotel and enter through the side door on the lower level.
Free admission to the Exhibit room and Sales room.
No strollers please.
Contact Barbara Thornton-Hill for more information.
Saturday, March 25, 2017 12:00 PM – 1:30 PMTLS1 – The Antique Dolls’ Houses and Miniature Structures of Moritz Gottschalk by Lew Kummerow $130.50 Moritz Gottschalk was one of the more prolific of the early toy makers, and his business was one of the most long lasting companies. He created nu- merous small structures including dolls’ houses, stables, kitchens, shops and other unusual items that were representative of the changing periods from the late 1800’s to WWII. Today his antique pieces can be seen in museums and are also part of many private collections. Each attendee will receive a miniature of one of Gottschalk’s rarer pieces.
TLS2 – Powering Your Miniatures with LED by Luci Hanson $80.50 Now that LED has been around a while many are ready to learn about what can be done with it and how they can apply it to their homes, rooms and displays. Join Luci as she shares how to mix LED lighting with the olds style lighting. Learn about the latest innovations and supplies that are availa- ble to use in miniature displays and dollhouses. Learn how to convert some of your old lamps and lighting to LED lighting. Luci will also share with you how to adapt some of the old style components with LED lighting. You will receive a 9-volt power system, a 3-volt power system, a 12-volt power system and lights to go with each system as a gift for attending.
TLS3 – ABC’s of Small Scale Food by Janet Smith $85.50 Come hear about the ABC’s of making small scale foods. We’ll discuss different clays, paints, glues, tools, materials, etc. Go home with a quarter scale replica of a luncheon based on the actual luncheon for the day as well as a printed booklet with all the information covered during the luncheon. You will receive a quarter scale luncheon based on the actual luncheon menu that you will be served.
TLS4 – Capturing Your Miniatures Using Photography & 3D Scanning by Ruth & Dan Stewart $114.50 Explore your world of capturing miniatures with us. Learn about ways to improve your photographs and explore new methods of capturing or creating your miniatures in 3D. Questions are encouraged so bring your list! You will have a choice of a 1” or 1⁄4” 3D special made item you won’t want to miss!
To attend the Theme Luncheons, participants must be registered for the NAME Sacramento Houseparty. More info and houseparty registration.
Drive-It-Yourself: Tour of Workspaces & Collections
Wednesday, March 22, 2017 8:00AM – 5:00PM during the NAME Sacramento Houseparty
This is a “do-it-yourself” opportunity to visit some of NAME members’ workshops and collections. This is an optional tour, and there is no fee. Tour participants must be registered for the NAME Sacramento Houseparty. More info and houseparty registration.
NAME members are opening their workspaces and their miniature collections to the attendees of the Sacramento Houseparty. Tour participants may enjoy seeing how other miniaturists make their workspaces more efficient, gather a few storage tips, learn ideas of where and how to set up tools, etc. So, here is your chance!
Several of the homes on the tour are located In the California Gold Country of the beautiful Sierra Nevada Foothills; including: Nevada City, Grass Valley and Auburn. These cities are about 1.5 hours from Sacramento. If you wish to take a tour closer to the convention hotel, you may visit a couple of homes in the immediate area of Sacramento.
The committee needs to have some idea of how many people are interested in this activity, so please download and fill out the form below.
Download the tour registration form.
Mail or email the form by March 1, 2017 to:
Denise Sanders
604 Matadero Ave Palo Alto, CA 94306
Please join us for an evening of “Tool Time” with Luci, the Toolperson Hanson and Alberta Thornton-Hill, her loyal assistant and protégé
Friday, March 24, 2017 5:30 PM – 7:15 PM
Fee: $35.00 per registrant (participants must be registered for the NAME Sacramento Houseparty). More info and houseparty registration.
Luci and Al (for short) will take you through several safety tips and useful hints for shortcuts in your toolbox, along with a few unusual tools and uses for tools. This is not your everyday beginners lecture on tools so don’t miss this one.
What is included?:
Questions? contact Janet Smith (575) 532-5432
Download the Theme Dinner Registration form.
Participants must be registered for the NAME Sacramento Houseparty. More info and houseparty registration.
Please join us in sharing the miniatures you have created at the houseparty. We welcome all scale projects including houses, room boxes, domes, shops or any other setting you may have created in 1”, 1⁄2”, 1⁄4”, or micro-scales. Exhibitors must be registered for the NAME Sacramento Houseparty.
Exhibits may not be for sale, nor can they be shown as an example of the exhibitor’s work with the intent to solicit orders. We would like exhibits in place between 10:00 am Friday, March 24th until 4 pm Sunday, March 26th.. Advanced arrangements may be made for early removal on Saturday evening for those leaving immediately following the Sunday Brunch. The room will be locked and volunteer monitors will be present during viewing times. Table covers and electrical power will be provided, but YOU MUST SUPPLY YOUR OWN HEAVY-DUTY EXTENSION CORDS AND ANY SPECIAL LIGHTING, RISERS OR DRAPING IF NEEDED.
Please download fill out the form below (1 PER EXHIBIT) and mail by January 17, 2017 to:
Lynn Hamel, 14654 Guadalupe Drive, Rancho Murieta, CA 95683
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact: Lynn Hamel or LaVerne Munz.
For those of you who are new to the idea of a mini swap, it is an activity in which you swap miniatures that you have made for those that others have made. First, you must decide in which scale to participate. You may participate in more than one scale, but only once in each scale. When you are thinking about a swap item please consider our convention theme, “ABCs of Miniatures: Tools & Techniques.”
Bring 21 identical items to the houseparty, labeled with your name, address and e-mail. These should be completed items (no kits or printies please) and should be something that everyone, including you, would be happy to receive. 20 of your swaps will be used in the Mini Swap and the remaining item will become part of a Houseparty Helper. Please pack each item in sealed clear containers or bags (to be able to see that all items are the same) as compactly as possible. We don’t want anything to fall out during the swap.
Swap items will be received during registration hours only. Your swap items will be counted as you turn them in. In the end you will have 20 new items to take home!
When you receive your schedule at the Registration table, please pay careful attention to the times we will be accepting swaps as well as when you should return to claim your filled bag. No swaps will be mailed!!
If you are late turning in your items, you may miss the chance to participate. Please note that you may not turn in swaps for a friend. All participants must turn in their OWN swaps.
Please download the swap form, mail or email your completed form by January 17, 2016, to:
JoAnn Jacot
673 Joette Dr. Gardnerville, NV 89460
The NAME Sacramento Houseparty is looking for donations for door prizes, houseparty helpers and tote bag favors. Donations help to make our houseparty an exciting experience for all. Please consider donating your miniatures, tools, materials, etc. for other miniaturists to enjoy.
Door Prizes are a wonderful part of any Convention, especially if there are enough for everyone to receive one. Isn’t it delightful to hear your number called and realize you’re about to receive an unexpected gift?
With that in mind, we are asking for your help, along with your club members and other mini friends to donate a door prize(s) in 1” and/or 1⁄4” scales
The guidelines are simple:
1. Door Prizes don’t have to be theme related.
2. The value of each Door Prize should be between $10 and $50.
3. Door Prizes should be unwrapped and identified with your name and address.
4. Think of Door Prizes as a gift that you would be proud to give and thrilled to receive.
Please download, complete and return the form below by January 17, 2017 to be recognized in our Souvenir Book. You are welcome to still donate after this date, but it will only be recognized by its winner.)
Mail this completed form to:
Ruth Heisch
7197 Wooded Lake Dr. San Jose CA 95120
If you would like more information about door prizes, contact Ruth.
Help to make the 2017 N2 Regional Houseparty, “ABCs of Miniatures” a huge success. We are looking for donations to be raffled at the end of the Saturday night banquet. It would be great to have ‘theme’ related items, but any donations in any scale will be most welcome!
Donated helpers are designer and/or handcrafted items valued at $150.00 or more. Items valued less than $150.00 are gladly accepted and will be combined with other donated items to make their combined value reach $150.00 or will be utilized in other fund raising activities.
Companies, clubs, shops or individuals may donate a vignette, room box, dollhouse or a very special piece of furniture or accessories. Cash may also be donated for a shopping spree in the Sales Room.
Houseparty Helper tickets will be sold on all donated items, with the proceeds used to benefit NAME. We hope you will share your talents, creativity and generosity in your donations to make the 2017 Houseparty Helpers a success.
If you wish to participate and be recognized in the Souvenir Book, please return or email the completed form below, along with a picture of your donation, to Ginger Anderson no later than January 17, 2017.
Please download the houseparty helper form, complete the form and send it to:
Ginger Anderson
515 E Carefree Hwy #113 Phoenix, AZ 85085
Tote Bag favors are small, inexpensive, well-crafted gifts donated by clubs or individuals and given to each registrant. We will be filling 250 Tote Bags. We realize that not everyone will be able to donate 250 items, but we would appreciate a minimum of 100 of any one favor. Though this form should be mailed by January 17,2017, You should plan for your favors to arrive at the address below no later than February 20. 2017. This will allow us time to fill the bags.
Please feel free to use your own ideas for favors. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
To receive recognition in the souvenir book and to let us know you intend to participate, please complete and return the form below by January 17, 2017 to:
Carol Carton 13184 Hoot Owl Rd.., Nevada City, CA 95959
530-272-8849
More info about the Sacramento Houseparty is available here.
A Basic List for the Sacramento Houseparty
Here is a list of items you may want to include in your basic toolbox. This is only a suggested list, there may be additional items you want to add or some you may not want to include at all. However, these are generally the things an instructor will expect you to have with you. If you need specific tools beyond this list, your instructor should let you know in advance. Your tool box will evolve over time and reflect your personality as you make your miniature creations.
Below are additional supplies that you may find are helpful to have:
BASIC SKILLS
These are considered the basic skills necessary for a productive, enjoyable workshop experience:
When asked to list the skills needed beyond the basic ones, most instructors reply that they would be more than prepared to teach whatever their students do not know how to do. What they would like students to have are some “Opens” – open minds, open hearts, open eyes, open ears and an open —— smile!
Application postmark deadline: December 1, 2016.
You’re invited to apply to teach a Roundtable or a Mega Roundtable Workshop at the 2017 NAME Sacramento Houseparty. Workshops are a “make & take” project which, under your supervision, can be completed in 2 hours or less. Roundtable Workshops cost no more than $5.00. Mega Roundtable Workshops cost no more than $10.00.
For examples of previous roundtable and mega roundtable kits, see issues of the Miniature Gazette.
Download a roundtable application form
Download a mega roundtable application form
More information about the Sacramento Houseparty.
This information is offered as a service to the community of miniature enthusiasts. If you know of a miniature related event or have information/photos to share, please contact the N.A.M.E. N2 Region Webmaster.
Join miniaturists on Thursday eventing at the Sacramento Houseparty for a special event:
Thursday Evening From A to Z
Thursday, March 23, 2017; 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM
$61.00 per registrant
We invite you all to join us on Thursday Evening for a fun, entertaining and educational event organized by Debbie Young.
Dealers, Instructors, Committee and Registrants have been invited to fill a letter of the alphabet with their area of expertise. For example:
“B” is for Bows might feature someone demonstration bow making
“L” is for Lighting might feature someone demonstrating and teaching about LED lighting.
“W” is for Wicker might feature a fabulous wicker maker answering questions and demonstrating.
These are just examples of what might be there. It will be a surprise who will be doing what when you get there – there will be 26 tables (one for each letter of the alphabet) with each letter featuring a tool or technique useful in the creation of miniatures.
You will be able to work your way through the 26 alphabet themed lectures and demonstrations receiving handouts and small gifts along the way from each presenter. There will be a separate area with tables and chairs for rest, relaxation and light refreshments – ice cream sundaes!!!! Yummmmmm! There will also be opportunities to purchase drawing tickets to win spectacular prizes.
How can you miss an evening of 26 ideas or techniques, 26 specialists, 26 gifts, handouts or kits, AND ice cream? AND then the opportunity to win prizes!
More information about the Sacramento Housparty.
This information is offered as a service to the community of miniature enthusiasts. If you know of a miniature related event or have information/photos to share, please contact the N.A.M.E. N2 Region Webmaster.
Hotel reservation information for the Sacramento Houseparty:
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sacramento
2001 Point West Way
Sacramento, California 95815
phone 916-929-8855
To get our special room rate, please make your reservations here.
More information about the Sacramento Houseparty.
This information is offered as a service to the community of miniature enthusiasts. If you know of a miniature related event or have information/photos to share, please contact the N.A.M.E. N2 Region Webmaster.
You’re invited to apply to teach a Roundtable or a Mega Roundtable Workshop. Workshops are a “make & take” project which, under your supervision, can be completed in 2 hours or less. Roundtable Workshops cost no more than $5.00. Mega Roundtable Workshops cost no more than $10.00.
For examples of previous roundtable and mega roundtable kits, see issues of the Miniature Gazette.
Download a roundtable application form
Download a mega roundtable application form
Application postmark deadline: December 1, 2016.
More information about the Sacramento Houseparty.
The workshops and dealers for the Sacramento Houseparty have been announced. Sign-ups for workshops will be accepted after registration.
You may register by downloading the registration form and sending it to the NAME Office with your payment.
View the pre-registered workshops.
View the registered workshops.
View the list of dealers attending.
This information is offered as a service to the community of miniature enthusiasts. If you know of a miniature related event or have information/photos to share, please contact the N.A.M.E. N2 Region Webmaster.
Just between you me and the fence post… Oh it’s a spoiler! Don’t look if you want to be surprised! Oh and don’t tell… but…
On the fence about the ABCs Sacramento Houseparty in March? Well, don’t be!! This is only one of the amazing souvenirs to be given at the houseparty. There will be many wonderful surprises for the attendees!
Call the office or fill out the form to sign up now. Don’t miss your chance!
More info about the houseparty.
Sacramento Houseparty Souvenir created by Stewart Dollhouse Creations and Robin Betterley’s Miniatures.
This information is offered as a service to the community of miniature enthusiasts. If you know of a miniature related event or have information/photos to share, please contact the N.A.M.E. N2 Region Webmaster.
Registration for the Sacramento Houseparty opens August 1, 2016.Registration is on a first-come first served basis.
Houseparty Date: March 24-26, 2017 with Pre-Houseparty workshops and an Event on Thursday, March 23. The houseparty is to be held in Sacramento, California.
Houseparty Theme: ABCs of Miniatures: Tools and Techniques.
We are looking forward to having you as our Guest at our Houseparty. This is NAME’s first attempt at providing a multi-scale houseparty in which participants register for a scale of their choice. There is a choice of 2 scales: 1 inch and quarter inch. If it works smoothly, perhaps more scales will be offered in the future.
Souvenirs, table seating, door prizes and mini swaps will be only available in 1 inch and ¼ inch. All other activities – workshops, dealers, roundtables, silent auction – will be available and welcome to all scales.
How to Register
Download the registration form. Please note that registration opens Aug. 1, 2016. You may mail your registration form between July 1st – August 1st, 2016 for it to be considered first day postmarked (no earlier). When filling out the form, you will check whether you want 1” or ¼”. Then you will receive your souvenirs in that scale and you will sit at a table that will do exchanges in that scale. Remember that you will be asked to designate your preferred scale—one-inch or one-quarter inch. This will help organizers plan for your souvenirs.
Hope to see you in Sacramento!
Find out more about the Houseparty >
This information is offered as a service to the community of miniature enthusiasts. If you know of a miniature related event or have information/photos to share, please contact the N.A.M.E. N2 Region Webmaster.
Application postmark deadline: May 4, 2016.Apply to teach a pre-convention and/or registered workshop, present a theme luncheon, or be a dealer in the sales room. Log into the NAME website and download an application form (click on “Convention & Houseparty Applications”) or contact Barbara Lundberg or Leanne Kirsch.
March 24-26, 2017
Sacramento, CA
The theme is “ABCs of Miniatures” with emphasis on tools and techniques in the workshops and activities. This will be primarily a 1″ and 1⁄4″ Houseparty but 1⁄2″ and 1/144″ will be juried for workshops, dealers and roundtables just as every other scale. Souvenirs, doorprizes, tables and swaps will be only in 1″ and 1⁄4″ and you will have to declare a scale when you register. This is a new concept and we hope you will all enjoy it.
National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts 