Joanna Campbell Slan

Thanks for visiting the official website for New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author and Winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, Joanna Campbell Slan.

dollhouse miniatures

Boo to You, Too — A Halloween Scene in Miniature

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For weeks now, I've been working on this Halloween scene. Let me walk you through it: The body of the bat is an empty plastic jug that contained protein powder. The head is two plastic cups, tin foil, card, and paper clay. The teeth are wire, covered with paper clay. The eyes are plastic, painted with nail polish. The wings are poster board, jointed with brads, highlighted with glitter glue. The image of the moon is painted plastic. A … [Read more...] about Boo to You, Too — A Halloween Scene in Miniature

An A -ma-ZINNing Afternoon with Alice Zinn

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By Joanna Campbell Slan At first blush, Alice Zinn's home looks like all the other houses in her neighborhood. The building is pleasant, on a pretty corner lot in a small city in Florida. However, when she opens the door and permits you entrance, you feel like you've fallen down a rabbit hole into an enchanted universe where fairytales and wishes come to life in miniature. Because she knew I was interested in her workspace, Alice took me on a … [Read more...] about An A -ma-ZINNing Afternoon with Alice Zinn

Giving in to my Inner Scrounger

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My Beta Babes and I went out to eat at Pasta House in St. Louis. I tried to behave, really I did. We had a great lunch and fun talking with each other. But I started lusting after the plastic butter tubs. And the margarine containers. I kept imagining ways I could use them. Then I said to myself, "What will they think of me if I start collecting trash?" I decided, "I don't care. That's who I am. That's what I do. Either they like me for … [Read more...] about Giving in to my Inner Scrounger

How to Make a Hummingbird Feeder — Miniature Tutorial (1:12 scale)

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I love using things that would normally hit the trash can. This project reminds me to look at familiar objects with fresh insight. For years I've tossed away the lids to the McDonald's beverages. I was amazed when I looked carefully and noticed the raised icons. I can't wait to see what I can do next with the other emblems! SUPPLIES: Red nail polish or acrylic paint Yellow nail polish or acrylic paint Red paper Length of green floral wire … [Read more...] about How to Make a Hummingbird Feeder — Miniature Tutorial (1:12 scale)

How to Make a Miniature Rustic Bench

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My sister has this wonderful rustic chair outside her house. It was made with twigs (okay...BIG twigs), and I love it. Right now, rustic/twig furniture is all the small rage. This pattern will work for a real miniature setting (1:12 scale) or for a fairy garden. This was also inspired by the wonderful tutorial by Lesley Shepherd. I urge you to check it out before you start this … [Read more...] about How to Make a Miniature Rustic Bench

Miniature Basket Tutorial

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This is a fun project that keeps another bit of plastic out of the landfill. Here are two finished versions of this project. SUPPLIES: Empty and clean plastic coffee creamer container Quilling strip (or strip of paper cut 3/8 inch wide) Duct tape (optional) Masking tape (cut into half inch pieces) Scissors Punch (optional) Paper to match or contrast with your quilling strip Beads (optional) METHOD: 1. Cut the rim off the creamer … [Read more...] about Miniature Basket Tutorial