Greenville: NAME Small Scale Houseparty (part 1 of 4)

NAME Greenville Small Scale Houseparty “Hail to the Chief” was the theme- focusing on the architecture of the White House .

We flew into Greenville, South Carolina on Sept 17th, Wednesday evening. From my airplane window I could see miles of trees and thought I was back in Oregon.

Thursday, Sept 18th was preconvention day- it was filled with members taking 8 hour workshops. There was a variety of scales represented:

Americana Theme Pick-A-Corner Display 1/4" Scale Karen Benson

Dove Point Cottage1/4" Scale Karen Cary

1870 Godey Lady1/2" Scale JoAnne Roberts,

First Lady's Private Retreat1/4" Scale Luci Hanson

State Dining Room1/4" Scale Suzanne Larson-Tamburo & Andy Tamburo

Fabric Store in NYC1/144th Scale Fran Sussman

Floral Archway1/4" Scale Charrita Teague

Betsy Ross House1/4" Scale Debbie Young

I spent the morning roaming thru Greenville Main Street area. The weather was perfect, 5 years previously I was at Greenville at the hind end of a hurricane- so it was humid, hot and windy. This time in the upper 70’s with sun and low humidity.

The Thursday Evening Workshop project.
'The Oval Office in Quarter Inch Scale.' The outside dimensions of the room box are 7-3/4" wide X 6-1/2" deep X 5" high, a true-to-scale representation of the very impressive size of the real Oval Office.
All reports from members who attended this special workshop were positive and impressed with the gifts that they received that were made special for the Oval Office.

Friday, Sept 19th was the first official day of the Small Scale houseparty.
There were registered workshops from 8am to 11:30 am:

The Shop1/4" Scale Bruce & Judy Steinke

Kirby House Sun Room1/2" or 1/4" Scale Michelle Faleshock

President's Late Evening Snack1/4" Scale Jan McCandliss

Mannequin Dressed In First Lady's Inaugural Gown 1/2" Scale Rachel Bonney

Faux-Thatched English Cottage1/4" Scale Sandra Whipple

Rustic Half Scale Chandelier1/2" Scale Judith Andraka

Snowlady SurpriseMicro Scale Becky Lipscomb

Next we had our opening luncheon. I was hostess to a table full of fun and fantastic miniaturists- some of them well known to me, others I had seen in passing and never formally met. I am sure most of them would say-there was nothing formal about our table. It was sheer fun. The meal function is not only a place to eat, to receive doorprizes and souvenirs- but to socialize and connect with other people who have the same passion for miniatures but happen to live in different parts of the country.

Right after the lunch, the sales room and exhibit room opened up for the first time. I spent the first 2 hours of the 3 hours they were open taking pictures of the exhibits.
Thank you to all the exhibitors, I get tremendous inspiration from seeing other people’s art. The scale doesn’t matter- it is the concept that is exciting. I love it when you have a chance to meet one of the creators and discuss their process and journey that they took to complete their exhibit.

Then I spent the last hour of the sales room- basically roaming around like a child in a huge toy store. There is soooooo much to look at, you don’t know where to start, lucky for us all the sales room is open multiple times during the houseparty. Afterwards, allot of people do “show and tell” of the items they bought with their roommates or friends- you better be prepared to know where you bought something- because that is exactly what they will be asking you for. The next time the sales room opens there is another rush of people trying to find “specific” treasures.
For those who have not attended a houseparty- I can’t convey the fun and fellowship that you share with the other members. My best example to describe the atmosphere is a “family reunion”. You see people you haven’t seen for a year or more or never met- yet there is no shyness- no hesitation in conversation, everyone is approachable, helpful and yes- smiling- all – the – time!!

As the evening progressed, some members attended a Garage Sale (donated items are sold and the proceeds go to NAME).

Next was Roundtables- it is kits made by members who apply for a spot to sell them for $5.00 or less. The quality of the kits is amazing and what you can get for $5.00 is amazing. I ran into a very intense group of women out in the hotel lobby- exchanging strategy and detailed lists on how they would split up their lists and combine and conquer to get everything they have on their list.

Some people run out of kits quickly- even though 98% of us put most of these kits in a box marked with the place and date purchased and tuck it away in a closet like it was in an Egyptian tomb never to be seen again in the near future- people still have to have that kit. I am one of them…. I love the energy and the excitement.

Then there is time after the sales for people to work on kits with the instructors if they choose. Karen Carter sold a delightful Patriotic Santa in quarter scale, I sat down at a table with very experienced miniaturists who wanted to put it together. Karen is a saint, for all of the talent at that table we were remarkably slow thinking and slow creating- she was patient and tolerated us with kindness and wit. You have to go to roundtables if you attend a houseparty- it is a unique experience not to be missed.

You would think at 9pm in the evening that the day was done, nope!! There were mini exchanges in three scales (1/4”, ½” and 1/144th”).Miniaturist love little things, but we love to have A LOT of FUN