crownjewelminiatures.com Blog

The Color Of Love Isn’t Always Red

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Administrator

“My hands are of your color, but I shame to wear a heart so white” – William Shakespeare

Shakespeare wasn’t at all kind to Macbeth when he penned those words but the Bard certainly knew how to make color, in any context, seem romantic! He meant, of course, that Lady Macbeth would be ashamed if her heart were as pale as Macbeth’s, illustrating through masterful prose that not all hearts are red and that gave me food for thought today.

Is the color of love always red? When I opened a new package of clay to make Valentine sweets this year, I didn’t think so. I love experimenting with colors when making miniature food and Valentine goodies are no exception.

Crown Jewel Miniatures Lemon Parfait with Lime Whip Tart

I don’t keep color charts, mixture formulas or ratios- are you shocked? Every new color blend is a result of what I have on hand at the time and my mood. Genius or madness? I don’t know, I just love working with clay and pigment and when I stumble onto really delicious color mixes like this- it’s worth the risk! Can you imagine how boring Monet’s paintings would be if he smashed his palette and only used the same, premixed colors every time?

Celebrate Valentine’s Day in your dollhouse or mini sweet shoppe or bakery with a variety of lovely colors and remember- the color of love isn’t always red, and sometimes color isn’t always seen. Through music or dance or poetry, the color of love is an expression of the heart via the senses and nothing entices all the senses quite like food. You can see, smell, touch, hear and taste it- and that’s romance in full color.

What’s the color of your love?

Happy Valentine’s Day 2013 mini friends!

Robin ♥

http://www.CrownJewelMiniatures.com

Posted in New Miniature Art! | Tagged 1:12th scale food, Crown Jewel Miniatures, Dollhouse Food, Dollhouse Miniatures, Making miniature food, Parfaits, Polymer Clay Resources, Valentine's Day | Leave a comment

Crown Jewel Miniatures On Display In The Christmas In Newport Candlelight House Tour – Newport, R.I.

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Administrator

Crown Jewel Miniatures On Display In The Christmas In Newport Candlelight House Tour – Newport, R.I.

Miniature Occasions & Dolls Gilded Age Mansion

Visitors who took part in the 42 Annual Tour of Historic Private Homes, sponsored by Christmas In Newport, were in for a rare treat as they explored the fine rooms of Tillinghast House this year! Located at 142 Mill Street in the heart of historic Newport, Tillinghast House was the home of John Tillinghast, representative to the Rhode Island General Assembly in 1744 and 1749. Tillinghast was a wealthy merchant and ship owner and became heavily involved in privateering.

In the winter of 1780-1781, Tillinghast House was occupied by the French Regiment of Engineers and was the headquarters of Continental Army Major General Nathanael Greene during the Revolutionary War (described as George Washington’s “gifted and most capable officer”). At Tillinghast House Major General Green entertained his notable aides Lithuanian General Thaddeus Kosciuszko and German-born Baron Friedrich von Steuben, Inspector-General of the Continental Army, and of course Lafayette.

Tillinghast House was just one of the nine jewels on display for the 2012 Candlelight Tour and I’m thrilled to report it boasted the same 1:12 scale Gilded Age mansion loaned by Charlene Rich of Miniature Occasions and Dolls, which was the grand display for the *2012 Salve Regina Annual Governor’s Ball (*see previous post, below). Each private home was decorated in traditional Newport style, complete with candles and staffers from Newport’s Regiment Armory dressed in period costume!

After the ball on December 1, 2012, the dollhouse mansion was disassembled and relocated to Tillinghast House. Once there, it was rearranged and placed on display to the delight of scores of visitors who came through on the tour! Each miniature room fascinated both children and adults as they pressed in closer to marvel at the richly furnished rooms, and of course, the delectable 1” scale food.

I’m thrilled to have been part of the ball and the candlelight house tour and wish to thank Charlene Rich for such a fantastic opportunity. Her praise and belief in my art is as unstinting as her friendship. If you find yourself in Newport, do stop in to Miniature Occasions and Dolls! Located directly on Bellevue Avenue, it’s well stocked and definitely worth a visit- and it’s only steps away from The Elms, The Breakers, Marble House, and many other exquisite mansions of the Newport Mansions Preservation Society!

When Charlene asked me to create all the food for the Gilded Age mansion to go on display at the ball, we never dreamed it would be on display in candlelight house tour and we‘re very grateful to Tillinghast House for showcasing our work in such gorgeous surroundings. To learn more about Tillinghast House’s latest venture- Newport Historic Scale Model Homes, friend their new Facebook page by clicking on their name.

Now that these special holiday events have concluded, I will be listing all the food that did not sell, in my eBay (ID: Crown_Jewel_Miniatures) in the coming week. There aren’t many pieces left!

Crown Jewel Miniatures Gilded Age Food

Robin ♥

http://www.CrownJewelMiniatures.com

Posted in How To Make Miniature Food | Leave a comment

Crown Jewel Miniatures Is Going To The Ball!

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Administrator

Crown Jewel Miniatures Goes To The Ball!

Ochre Court, Newport, RI

Imagine attending a ball in Newport, RI at the height of the Gilded Age. Dressed in costly attire and swathed in diamonds, you exit the coach and step through magnificent wrought iron doors into a glittering world of elegance and excess. The butler steps forward to take your wrap and you float down the reception line to greet your host and hostess on the arm of your escort. Exquisite flowers perfume the air and you’re dazzled by gas lighting reflected in thousands of crystal prisms. The musicians strike up the first waltz, and you whirl the night away on feet with magic wings and- oh- have I mentioned the delectable food?

All food will be provided by Crown Jewel Miniatures!

Every petite morsel, every succulent bite- each glass of champagne and decadent dessert is made with meticulous attention to detail. One bite and your little resin taste buds are in heaven. Think this is a dream? Well, dear Dolly, not quite….

Salve Regina University’s 36^th Annual Governor’s Ball will be held on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 9PM in Ochre Court. The theme this year is “The Gilded Age” and the organizers have asked Charlene Rich, of Miniature Occasions & Dolls, to create the main display with a furnished and decorated dollhouse mansion depicting a ball during the Gilded Age. “When I thought about asking someone to make the food, I knew right away it had to be Crown Jewel Miniatures”, said Charlene. “Robin’s miniature food is the best and most realistic I’ve ever seen.”

It’s an incredible opportunity to make the food for this project, and I’m honored that Charlene thinks so highly of my art. This is the first large scope project I‘ve ever done and we’re working closely together to ensure it’s a success. I‘ve been asked to make all the food for the kitchen and dining room and hors d’oeuvres for the reception area and I‘m incredibly excited, the Gilded Age is one of my favorite eras! As long time members of the Newport Preservation Society my husband and I often visit Newport to tour the mansions and we always stop in on Charlene when we’re in town! She’s a lovely friend and her fantastic store has a little bit of everything- dollhouses, room boxes, miniatures and hundreds of dolls. It’s like fairyland the minute you pass through the door! If you’re in Newport, it’s well worth a visit!

Guests at the ball will be treated to a stunning miniature mansion decorated for the holidays and everything they see- the dollhouse, furniture, accessories, and my miniature food art will be available for purchase the following day! Price lists will be provided near the display and guests can visit Charlene at Miniature Occasions & Dolls, 57 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI 02840 (401-849-5440) to take home their miniature treasures.

Select pieces of my art will be made available in my eBay (ID: Crown_Jewel_Miniatures) after Charlene has returned them to me and I will announce their availability via my blog, Twitter (@CrownJewelMinis) and Facebook. Dress your dollhouse dolly in her finest ball gown and take home a piece of the magic to create a lovely ballroom scene of your own in miniature.

Happy collecting!

Robin

http://www.CrownJewelMiniatures.com

Posted in Announcements | Tagged 36th Annual Governor's Ball, 8th Duke of Roxburghe, Châteauesque, Crown Jewel Miniatures, Dollhouse Food, Dollhouse Miniatures, Duchess of Roxburghe, Henry Innes-Ker, Mary Goelet, Miniature Occasions and Dolls, Newport, Newport Mansions, Newport Preservation Society, Ochre Court, Ochre Point, Ogden Goelet, Rhode Island, Richard Morris Hunt, Salve Regina University, The Gilded Age | Leave a comment

Who Invited Frankenstorm to Connecticut?

Posted on October 28, 2012 by Administrator

We interrupt your regularly scheduled miniature collecting to bring you Frankenstorm-

Halloween Potion Bottles by Crown Jewel Miniatures

ATTENTION COLLECTORS:

Due to the impending arrival of Frankenstorm aka Sandy, any orders placed after 9PM tonight via my eBay or my Etsy shops will NOT be shipped until it is safe to travel to the post office.

This storm is severe and is expected to create flash flooding in my coastal area. The State of Connecticut has already declared a State of Emergency. Trains and flights have been canceled and highways will be shut down tomorrow. This will have a negative impact on the efficiency of the postal service.

I will deliver orders to the post office as soon as it is safe to do so but I expect the backlog at the post office will create further delays in shipping time. I will do my best to ship your orders as quickly and safely as possible but these circumstances are beyond my control. I apologize for any inconvenience and hope everyone in the path of this storm stays safe!

Many thanks,
Robin <3

http://www.CrownJewelMiniatures.com

Posted in Announcements | Leave a comment

Crown Jewel Miniatures Is On A Roll!

Posted on October 27, 2012 by Administrator

What’s Cooking In The Crown Jewel Miniatures Imaginarium?

Flour rolls!

It’s a gorgeous day in southern Connecticut! Unless you had the tv or radio on you wouldn’t guess there is a huge storm on the way. “Frankenstorm” otherwise known as Sandy is barreling up eastern USA but for now it’s warm and cozy in my imaginarium and I’ve been busy making custom orders. These are some of the results;

Crown Jewel Miniatures Flour Rolls

The rolls in the basket and on the bakery card are already sold but the pans will be listed today in my eBay and the plates will be part of full course holiday meals! Each pan comes with several crumbs for that extra touch of realism I strive to bring to your miniature collection and you’ll also receive one loose roll for you to display as you wish. No matter what era your dollhouse is these are perfect for display on or near your mini oven and will surely put a smile on your mini chef’s porcelain face.

Happy baking dollhouse friends!

Robin ♥

http://www.CrownJewelMiniatures.com

Posted in New Miniature Art! | Tagged 1" Scale Dollhouse Food, 1" Scale Food and Miniatures, 1″ Scale Dollhouse Food, Crown Jewel Miniatures, Dollhouse, Dollhouse bakery, Dollhouse baking, Dollhouse Food, Dollhouse kitchen, Dollhouse rolls, Polymer Clay Dollhouse Food, Polymer Clay Food, Polymer Clay Miniatures | Leave a comment

Potions, Spells & Trances II© – 2012 Annual Halloween Collectible by Crown Jewel Miniatures

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Administrator

I’m thrilled to introduce Potions, Spells & Trances II©, the 2012 edition of the Crown Jewel Miniatures Annual Halloween series! Potions, Spells & Trances II© is only the third in the series and will debut in my eBay tonight!

Crown Jewel Miniatures – eBay

Crown Jewel Miniatures 2012 Halloween Annual Collectible

Potions, Spells & Trances II© is crammed with everything your witch or warlock needs to celebrate Halloween in style! It come to you with over 32 bottles and vials. Many are filled with all sorts of handcrafted potions to keep your 1:12 wizard in business for years. Cast spells and create trances with all the poisons and black magic relics you see here:

Poisonous berries, chains, candles, spooky relics, odd dishes of dried herbs and seeds, feathers, a key, gazing ball, looking glass, candlesticks, metal strainer, evil chalice, exotic boxes, rolled fabrics, vase filled with irridescent feather, punks and dried herbs and more! I finished this wonderful cabinet in black with a burgundy interior and accented the front carving with a tiny face of the sun with one crystal eye. The chains are loose, in case your mini potion maker wants to close the cabinet door. All items in the drawers are loose except for the rolled fabrics in the bottom drawer.

Crown Jewel Miniatures 2012 Halloween Annual Collectible

BONUS: I’m including a potion bottle of dragon’s blood (not pictured) for the winning bidder!

Crown Jewel Miniatures 2012 Halloween Annual Collectible

Happy Hallowen 2012!

Crown Jewel Miniatures 2012 Halloween Annual Collectible

Robin ♥

http://www.CrownJewelMiniatures.com

Posted in New Miniature Art! | Tagged 1" Scale Dollhouse Food, 1" Scale Food and Miniatures, 1″ Scale Dollhouse Food, Crown Jewel Miniatures, Dollhouse, Dollhouse Food, Dollhouse Miniatures, Halloween, Miniature, Polymer Clay Miniatures | Leave a comment

Let them eat…. pie?

Posted on October 6, 2012 by Administrator

What’s Cooking In The Crown Jewel Miniatures Imaginarium?

Pies! Pies! Pies!

The scent of fresh baked pie coming from the oven is comforting and familiar. Winter, spring, summer or fall, just imagine that smell. What’s your favorite? Is it the juicy blueberry pie of summer?

Crown Jewel Miniatures Blueberry Pie

Maybe it’s a luscious lemon meringue in the spring?

Crown Jewel Miniatures Lemon Meringue

Maybe you prefer a savory pie in autumn?

Crown Jewel Miniatures Meat & Vegetable Pie

Or a classic pumpkin pie served with Christmas dinner on a snowy winter day?

Crown Jewel Miniatures Pumpkin Pie

The choice is yours. I love the smell of fresh baked pie year-round and I can’t think of a single addition to your 1:12th collection that evokes comfort more than pie. It’s a slice of heaven!

Here’s a peek at the pies on my tile in the Crown Jewel Miniatures Imaginarium©. Some will become part of a busy baking scene on one of my boards, others will be offered individually.

Crown Jewel Miniatures Pies

Happy weekend, mini friends! It’s autumn here in New England and I hope this post reminds you of home.

Robin ♥

http://www.CrownJewelMiniatures.com

Posted in How To Make Miniature Food | Leave a comment

Fresh Baked Leaf Cookies!

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Administrator

What’s Cooking In The Crown Jewel Miniatures Imaginarium?

UnbeLEAFably scrumptious autumn cookies!

Rain came down in buckets outside the windows of the Crown Jewel Imaginarium this morning as I sipped my tea and wondered what to make. Only yesterday we had beautiful fall weather and during my walk I noticed the leaves had started turning. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Connecticut, October is the most beautiful month! It’s absolutely gorgeous here, rain or shine. The fall foliage and crisp, sweet air work wonders on the soul and today’s project reflected my love of leaves.

I’m baking leaf sugar cookies and decorating pies. Here is a peek at my tile:

Robin ♥

http://www.CrownJewelMiniatures.com

Posted in New Miniature Art! | Leave a comment

Crown Jewel Miniatures Is All Over The Board!

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Administrator

What’s Cooking In The Crown Jewel Miniatures Imaginarium?

Who said boards are boring?

Crown Jewel Miniatures Banana Bread

A well accessorized board can transform a miniature kitchen in seconds!

Crown Jewel Miniatures Decorating Chocolate Cake

Many of my boards are crammed with handmade serving ware, custom accessories (real shells, handmade rolling pins, cake pedestals and cookie cutters to name a few) and realistic miniature food art.

Crown Jewel Miniatures Stuffed Clams

Depending on the season, special occasion or holiday you can change the look of your mini scene just by changing the board. One day your mini cook will be piping whipped cream stars around a cake and the next day she can serve up salad and tasty focaccia for dinner!

Crown Jewel Miniatures Focaccia

Here are just a few examples of my accessorized boards.

Crown Jewel Miniatures Corned Beef Sandwiches

Crown Jewel Miniatures Banana Bread II

Some are sold, others are currently for sale (check my eBay and Etsy) and I happily accept custom orders.

Crown Jewel Miniatures Berry Puff Pastry Cake

What’s on your miniature board?

Crown Jewel Miniatures Meat Pie

Robin ♥

http://www.CrownJewelMiniatures.com

Posted in How To Make Miniature Food | Leave a comment

Crown Jewel Miniatures Featured In American Miniaturist Magazine!

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Administrator

My First Feature Article!

American Miniaturist Magazine – October 2012

There is HUGE excitement in the Crown Jewel Miniatures imaginarium today! For the first time ever my miniature food art is in print as a feature article! I am thrilled beyond belief and give MEGA THANKS to American Miniaturist, Martha Puff, Traci Nigon and the entire American Miniaturist staff.

Those of you who have read the bio on my website (http://www.crownjewelminiatures.com/index.php/artist) know that I have been making miniatures for a very long time, but I have only been making miniature food art in earnest for a little over two years. (I made food but not to this level). It’s been an incredible and challenging journey, as I am self taught and constantly trying to perfect my craft. With so many other budding and gifted miniature food artists on the Internet, gaining recognition and exposure are no easy tasks and I am incredibly grateful to Martha and Traci for giving me this amazing opportunity to share my art.

The digital copy is out now and I eagerly await the hard copies coming in the mail! The six page article is very well written, the pictures of my art look fabulous and the whole layout is quality start to finish! Cover to cover it’s an amazing issue- grab your copy today!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!♥

Robin

FANTASTIC FOODS: Martha Puff reveals the woman behind Crown Jewel Miniatures.

Crown Jewel Miniatures Thanksgiving Turkey

Have a great week!
Robin ♥

Posted in How To Make Miniature Food | Leave a comment