The new year brings gifts of change, and gifts of gifts. I have scrapped the idea of a shower room in the Sea Rise Sea House Pavilion remodel, opting instead for a mudroom back entrance. Specifically, to act as a showroom for the gifts from Charlene’s legacy that Keli has bestowed.
A mudroom fits right in to the spirit of the build, and believe me, these pieces from Charlene’s collection are exquisitely detailed and realized.
I’ll show more detail on the actual pieces after I’m not so caught up in building the mudroom. Shown here are waders, completely handmade from very thin leather, paint and wire buckles. Tiny black seed beads for suspender fasteners. One of three (!) uh, two fishing poles, made of metal, wood, wire and magic. The tackle box will be the subject of its whole own post — there are tied lures with real feathers, and other stuff only fisherfolk know about.
These are flowers realized by Keli from the EC01 Echeveria kit at Modern Miniature Succulents + Sundries. Wow, wow, wow. She made the leaves and sepals, and arranged them in a vase with microbeads.
They reminded me of proteas, and so now I’m all researching and sketching for a new kit. Thank you, Keli, for sharing the rich wonder of Charlene’s legacy, *and* for sparking a brilliant idea for a wonderful, waterwise flowering plant that plays very well with succulents.
nancyland.com 
Hi Nancy!
I think that those hip waders and the tackle box and the pole from Charlene’s legacy are Truly Amazing! I can only imagine the minuteness of the contents inside the tackle box so I am glad to learn that you are going to feature it in more detail later.
Keli found the perfect new home for them and they seem quite content at the Sea Rise Sea House mud room.
And Keli’s transformation of your succulent kits has me “WOWED” as well! The coloration of the blossoms and the texture of the leaves Look Fantastic and how Wonderful that you are now researching Proteas for future kits-
the “circle of life”…… :D
Truly amazing is the understated descriptor for Charlene’s legacy and for Keli’s beneficence in sharing it.
And flowers from a succulent kit… I know: so wow :) With Keli’s inspiration I hope to bring these to fruition soon; both flowers and leaves will translate well to 1:12 scale. Looking forward to getting to the coloring phase. I’m hoping to photograph specimens this week at the UCSC Arboretum :)
I don’t remember three poles, but two. Take a closer look at the odd one of the trio :D
The mudroom is spectacular and does seem to fit the spirit of the build. I knew your seaside build would give the fishing gear (and other object) a perfect home. The craftsmanship and artistry of the pieces are swoon-worthy, and they needed to be with someone who would swoon.
I had no idea my coloring echeveria pink would spark a new flower kit, but am delighted. It is logical though, that creatives spark off each other. Plus I learned about a flower I had never heard of, here in a cold climate. The link you sent me reminded me of an exhibit? room? planting? in the botanical garden closest to me, which sent me looking at old photographs and plotting carnivorous creations.
Uhhhhh, it didn’t take a closer look to distinguish it, but a first O_O
(Scarlett had been asleep nearby when I unwrapped the first pole, but somehow the swinging hook caught her eye — not literally. Terrified not to draw further interest, I nestled the pole back into its tissue, without unwrapping the other two parcels :\
Now I feel silly, because OMG. The other is *so* perfect. I’ll keep it a surprise until it can be properly staged :)
Plant carnivores! Swamp and bog dwellers! These are sadly under-represented in our miniature making world, except for the Potterists. Will you remedy?
Ah, that makes sense…and thank goodness not literally.
The summer I was 15 I took a field biology course at Central Michigan University’s Biological Station on Beaver Island (the largest island in Lake Michigan). It was the best summer I ever had. Birds, fish, snakes, bugs, lakes, mayflies, poison ivy and midnight moth viewings. I fell in love there with Egg Lake Bog, particularly the sundews and pitcher plants.
Love the mudroom! That’ll be so useful to the mini inhabitants! Can’t wait to see the new flower kit.
Yay and thanks, Sheila! I’m excited to research and make a new flower kit, as well!
It is pieces like the fishing gear that make me understand why I love this hobby. I will never be able to make such things or even buy them but to see such pieces of art now and then that remind me why I love miniatures so much. Like any hobby….golf, tennis, painting, writing…..very few of us will ever be a genius in the field but we get such pleasure seeing the work of those who are and sharing in it that it bouys us up to keep trying.
Agree whole-heartedly, Marilyn. Such pleasure and awe. Seeing others’ work *is* inspirational :)
Marilyn says: “Very few of us will ever be a genius in the field, but we get such pleasure seeing the work of those who are, and sharing in it that it bouys us up to keep trying.”
This!
And I love how cooperative and generous the miniatures community is; from tutorials to sharing their processes, to showing us the step-by-step of a build, to the beauty of the finished product… it’s lovely to witness and bask in its warmth.
Yes, C’lady, yes! I feel the same way. The spark of imagination, of inspiration, from sharing what we all love to do… and we are not the only ones :)
Wow! The waders and fishing gear are incredible! Great finds by Keli!
Wow indeed, Cyd :)