Thursday, March 22, 2012

~ A New Project ~


In with the new, out with the old :) For me, that means giving up (or putting aside for now) the idea of creating and designing miniature kitchen accessories for a manufacturer. Long story short, it was very creative and fun to design pieces that I wanted to be available , but after sending them off to be re-made in production I could never seem to be happy with the result. There were always compromises which I couldn't make or didn't want to see happen. As an example: I made a kitchen strainer with the cottage vintage feel I love and it would come back too plastic looking. I wanted it in enamel :) The ones I make from composites looked far better then their plastic too! I sent so many things out (kitchen mixers, bowls, utensils etc) and again, it would be something every time, not the right color I chose etc. And on and on, you get the idea :) It wasn't as I had pictured it would be. So I've decided to keep making accessories when I can for my miniature collectors and just continue to focus on my miniature making. It's what I love best anyway!

OK, with that said, there IS something new though and very exciting for me!!! Can you guess by the picture above? :)

I am going to write a BOOK , yep, I can't believe I just typed those words! Now just to make it clear, there's no publishing deal in the works {yet lol }. I was inspired by a book I had ordered a little over a year ago by Niki Fretwell of Nostalgia at the Stone House blog. I loved her book from cover to cover and vowed one day to create one. And now it seems like I'm ready and it would be a perfect time to do it! I don't have to wait for a publishing deal either , I'm using the wonderful Blurb book service to self publish and I'm so excited about it! If you're not familar with their beautiful quality or service, they are incredible! I love all the creative control of doing my own book cover to cover! It will be available in a hard cover and also a digital version! I've finished half of my rough draft and this is the cover above, all complete :) what do you think?



I've added some of my new miniatures that I've collected or made this week here to the post too...I cannot wait to play and photograph all new scenes and minis for the book, I am really loving the photography aspect of miniatures and trying every day to get better at it.



The book will have many aspects to it, without giving too much away already, it will be a photo based book with lots of photos but I also plan on giving a few "secret" recipes out and doing some tutorials in it too. Of course I want it to be very special. A keepsake with dreamy photos and filled with inspiration and ideas too! Here's a little sneak preview of what I've thought of so far and drafted in chapters, not in specific order :

1. The Corner Bakery: photos of bakery scenes, baked goods etc. , recipes for some mini baked goods, my recipe for real cupcakes, selected quotes, etc.

2. The Ice Cream shop: photos of course, both real and mini, the mini recipe for strawberry ice cream, ice cream parlor antidotes, etc.

3. The Vintage Kitchen: Photos of mini kitchen scenes, photos of kitchen items, baking and cooking in the mini kitchen, some "real" kitchen inspirations, recipes for mini and real foods, ideas for using what you might have around the house and making it into a mini, showing how to make a miniature kitchen shelf, or pantry etc.

4. Housekeeping in the Cottage: Photos of mini housekeeping, both "real" tips and mini housekeeping tips, recipes, how to's , etc.


So that's a little hint so far :) again, I'd love your feedback! After all, I'm writing this for me but also for YOU!



Well that's my news for the week. Now I have to go get busy making minis, finishing custom orders and getting to work on this new project :)



Thank you so much for always being such great and supportive friends! Receiving such wonderful compliments and encouragement from all of you has allowed me to be brave about this and go for it! Doing so also allows me to have one place to hopefully answer some of your questions you send to me too, that's why I've decided to do the recipe aspect and have fun sharing tips etc...



So let me know what you think or if you have any questions you'd like to see in the book answered or you want to learn something, if I know the answer, I'd love to include it.

Till next time... Love and blessings to all of you and Happy Spring!!

Hugs, Cynthia xo

33 comments:

Betty said...

Though I am just a "tiny" bit saddened that you won't be introducing a line of miniatures, I am excited about your book venture. I will definitely want to buy one!! You are the "go-to" person for decorating cottage style dollhouses!

Whittaker's Miniatures said...

Ive just found your beautiful blog, i have to say the little kitchen scenes are how id like my real size kitchen to be, let alone one in miniature,! I can see me spending a long time looking over past posts so ill settle down with a cup of english tea and a muffin to begin! I have to also say i think the idea of a book with cakes, icecream shops, etc etc is going to be fabulous and I for one cant wait to see it! Good luck with it all, your photography skills are as fantastic as your miniature making ones it seems! Hugs, Kate x

newmexico009 said...

Cynthia, I understand your frustration with trying to get the little miniature line up and running. Mfg's understand that aspect, they don't understand the art aspect of it, and on a mass production line, time & money come 1st. But it is fabulous you got the chance, who else can say they were given a chance.

I love all your special touches that you add to everything, and all the very special creations "you" make for us all, that means so much.

We are here to support you in everything that you do, and put me on the "list" for your book, I cannot wait........

Have a beautiful day my friend.

Big Hugs,
Athena

miniacollection said...

First I understand why you gave up your project. It's a pity they couldn't make miniatures with a good quality because that would have been wonderful miniatures. Seeing the results of what you designed must have been frustrating.

Then your new project is fantastic, I would love to have such a book, I'm always looking for books about miniatures. Yours will be great and I can't wait to see it finished. I love the cover.
Geneviève

Unknown said...

I can't wait for the book!

Fabiola said...

It's a fabulous project. Good luck for the book!
Bye Faby

Brandy Wilcoxen said...

Very lovely!

Kikka N said...

Hi..Your Book will be Fantastic: Congrats for it!
Hugs
Kikka

Marie said...

It's definitely a book I would buy! I've shown my friends your work and shared your blog and they all think it's amazing and beautiful and I'm sure they would want the book also.

Good luck in all your endeavors!

Marie

Lucille said...

Oh, my gosh, Cynthia. I most certainly will be purchasing your book. It's going to be a beauty from what you describe.

I understand very well your decision to pull out of the deal with that company. I have sometimes ordered things on line and when I received them, they were such a disappointment.

I love all the little things you do. Please don't stop doing them. Your blog is spectacular! So many charming things to look at. I can't ever get enough of them.

Jean Tuthill said...

I, too, will buy your book and can't wait to see it published! I love your work and your ideas. Your photos are excellent, too! I am also planning a very large kitchen with a pantry, and a sweet shop and will need some help with the details. I visit your blog a lot and enjoy what I see!

Ana said...

Hi Cynthia!
Congratulations on your initiative of the new project!
I admire your work and staging, your photos are wonderful! I always passed on to live in a dream so beautiful! , And I know that everything you do will be a great and brilliant success!
Much love and blessings to you too! Good early spring

Deb said...

I'm always entranced by the things that I see on your blog and can't wait to see your book. Everything on your blog is so inspiring and I know the book will be the same way!

Betsy said...

Oh, your book sounds absolutely wonderful!!! I would buy it in a heartbeat! I love the idea of adding in a few tutorials as well. Hope you can get it done soon, I'm already looking forward to buying it! :-)

Anonymous said...

Can't wait for your book. Please lots and lots of tutorials-your minis are absolutely wonderful.

debi said...

OMG! I am so excited about your book....for you, and for us! I can't wait to get my copy.

I just love your work, and love to spend time drooling over your beautiful little creations.

Lisa said...

I'm sorry the manufacturing did not work out but I am so excited about your book! I love all your miniatures and seeing them all in one place would be wonderful.
PS I'm excited about the tutorials.:)

CA Verstraete said...

Sounds like a great book idea, especially with tuorials too. I'll definitely look for it!. Love the pix!
In Miniature Style II

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Fantastic! Your book will be wonderful! I don't even "do" miniatures and love what you do. Your integrity with mass production just demonstrates what an artist you are.

Anonymous said...

Oh my Gosh kiddo!! This is so exciting and I would like to place my pre-order right away (signed of cause,lol) :D This is going to be a spetacular wonderful book, so happy for you that I'm in lack of words. Blessings to you and your work!!

Maria said...

Oh wow!How woderful, i love your work and i would love to have a book of you. Good luck with it.
Hugs
Maria

Nataša said...

this is so sweety,i like it! Greatings from SERBIA. if you like decoupage you can see my blog. SMILJE-ART BY HEART.BLOGSPOT.COM

Carey said...

I think it is a wonderful idea. If you think about it there really is only a handful of miniature books out there that all of us mini lovers have. A book full of your lovely minis would be wonderful. Since you have a background in design, what about showcasing your minis while teaching design
Principles. Just a thought, because I love how you decorate your mini rooms, it would be fun to learn your thought process in adding all the details. Whatever the book is about, I will buy it since I love your blog.
Hugs,
Carey

Plushpussycat said...

Beautiful photos on this post, and what a great idea! You're the perfect person to write this book too! I love the tips and tricks: how to make furniture and accessories, how to set up cottage scenes, and lots of photos--sounds great! :-) Jennifer

Debbie said...

Congratulations on the book!! You do fantastic work...honestly I have a hard time sometimes seeing if it is real or your minis...fabulous!! Don't stray from what you know to be good work...don't settle for less...your time will come.

Marisa's Mini Treasures said...

Dear Cynthia, please add me to your list. I will love to buy your book. Your work is amazing.Marisa

Sandra said...

Cynthia, good on you! Your miniatures are of such a quality that it would be a shame for them to be reproduced in an inferior form. I am so excited at the thought of the book - I have just started on cottage-style decorating in both 1:12th and 1:48th scales and need all the inspiration and practical "how to's" that I can get hold of! I just know that your book will be fabulous.
Sandie

Susan Freeman said...

I think that you are on the right path. You miniatures are so delightful and lovelier than any others I have seen. Stay true to your attention for detail because it is your passion and vision that makes your minis stand out. I am very excited about your book writing adventure and support you 110 percent in your effort. Thanks for the book publishing tip too! You go girl!!

Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Debra Howard said...

Good for you. Can't wait to buy a copy. You go girl!!!
Debbie

Cinderella Moments said...

Thanks so much for sharing your publisher site. My sister is writing a children's book and I want to publish it for her. This is just such a miracle that you shared the info. I can't thank you enough. I wish you great success with your book. I know it's going to look incredible.
hugs
Caroline

Cinderella Moments said...

Thanks so much for sharing your publisher site. My sister is writing a children's book and I want to publish it for her. This is just such a miracle that you shared the info. I can't thank you enough. I wish you great success with your book. I know it's going to look incredible.
hugs
Caroline

Elyse said...

wow! you are so industrious, my friend! i love hearing how you experimented with manufacturing but are staying true to yourself and your vision. congratulations on your book! i understand all of the time, effort and love that you must be pouring into it and i look forward to seeing the results!

a toast to you, sweetie pie!!!

xo
elyse

Bárbara said...

cynthia: your blog is so cute, no doubt your book will also be wonderful!
congratulations on the new project!
Barbara