Some of our newer members, along with our new president, have taken the initiative to switch things up and try new things!

We now have a Craft Director! - Meredith Edwards will be working with whomever has signed up for the monthly craft so that the craft can tie-in with our "Life's Better at the Beach" which is the theme for this year.  If you need her assistance with this tie-in, please contact her directly and she'll be glad to help you out.  If there is no sign-up for a craft, she will be developing something that will go along with the theme.

Our newsletter is now in a graphic format and includes a monthly challenge along with the usual information about important dates, etc.

We also have an Instagram account: @thetucsonminiaturesociety

At every meeting there will be a little craft and some "printies" along with our usual club activity

Excited to see how it all goes and what comes next!
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For our February meeting, Lisa Silva taught us how to make Valentine Cakes. 

We had a lot of Show & Share this month too!

Lani showed the finished House of Miniatures finished pieces that she had purchased from the HOM website for approximately $50 each.  They are beautifully completed by miniature professionals (no names provided).  She also shared a new book that has come out titled Making Miniatures with 3D Printers #2, by Frank Fisher and Angie Scarr.

Ermalyn shared two super-tiny, 1/144th size boxes that she had completed and a 1/4" room box.  Super detailed!

Sue Jordan shared a kit she had put together -- a book nook showing a canal (rather than a street).

Lisa shared a mystery globe containing miniatures.  There is a tiny pin hole where you can check to see what's inside -- if your eyes are good enough!

Pam shared some terrarium kits, made by Adrian, that she decorated. Also a cactus garden.  She also shared that many of the Miniature Magazines have gone to on-line only production.

Adrian shared some of her projects.  She has been making some miniature frames and using some of her pictorial postage stamps, as they are perfectly proportioned to work inside those frames as pictures.  She also shared that color swatches from paint stores are perfect for creating mats for pictures.  Formica samples can also be used for miniature items such as butcher block cutting boards.  Decorative items designed for use as "nail art" can be used for miniature decorative items.  She let members know that if they were not at the Holiday party, she still had some packages of shells available. 

Our newly elected officers for 2026 are:
President: Adrian Eichenberger
Secretary: Lani Smith
Showcase Chairperson: Maryanne Mott

We are very happy to have them leading the way!

Our 2025 Club Officers are:

President: Ray Mendonca
Vice-President: Lisa Silva
Secretary: Marti Murphy with alternate Rebecca Walcutt
Treasurer: Sue Jordan 
Sunshine & Shadows: Sandra Erasmus
Show Co-Chairs: Lani Smith and Co-Chair: Maryann Mott
Director: Jim Walcutt
Advertising & Media: Tori West and Yolie Contreras
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At our next meeting, April 1st at the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, Julie will be demonstrating how to create a fairy garden.

Here are some tips from Julie's instructions

How to Create a Fairy Garden Bowl by Julie Bishop

1. Gather supplies
   a. Container
      i. Best Size: 12” diameter, 6” deep.
      ii. Style: Terracotta, glazed ceramic, sturdy plastic, wood, metal, etc.
  b. Fill
      i. Use standard potting soil and fill up to approx. 2” from top of container.
  c. Landscape materials
      i. Moss, faux moss stones, colored sand and pebble chips, glass stones.
      ii. Faux foliage: succulents, flowers, ferns, mushrooms, etc.
      iii. Other natural materials: Pinecones, acorns, dried berries, etc.
  d. Figurines and accessories
      i. House/ Theme object: mushroom house, welcome door, castle, cottage, rainbow, etc.
      ii. Fairies, gnomes, unicorns, creatures, favorite theme character, etc.
      iii. Animal critters: frogs, birds, butterflies, bunnies, squirrels, owl, etc.
      iv. Misc. accessories: pumpkins, beehives, welcome signs, etc.

2. Layout supplies into the container as follows: 
   a. Place the house or theme object at the top center as the main focal point.
   b. Place the faux flowers on the upper right and left sides next to the house.
   c. Gently push items into the potting soil until stabilized.
   d. Place a handful of moss around the house and the foliage.
   e. Create a pond on the lower left side using the glass stones and colored sand.
   f. Create a path to the house using the pebble chips. Line path with mushrooms.
   g. Place the gnomes and fairy figurines on the middle right or left side near the flowers and pond. Place the succulent bush on the upper left middle section.
   h. Place another handful of moss around the figurines.
   i. Place the animal critters, butterfly and other accessories accordingly.

3. Adjust items as necessary
   a. Move any items and rearrange landscaping material as necessary.
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4. Insert a chalkboard pick sign - optional
   a. Theme of custom fairy garden or message may be written on the chalkboard.

Here are some theme ideas:

Birthday Gifts for all ages and for Special Occasions such as Weddings, Baby Showers,
Personal Achievement Celebrations, Holiday Seasonal Décor and More!
Seasons and Holidays: Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Spring, Easter,
Summer, Fall Harvest, Day of the Dead, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Winter.
“My Favorite Things” for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparents Day.
Natural Environments: Forest, Meadow, Beach, Desert, Farm, Island, etc.
Unique Gardens Options: Florals, Succulents, Cacti, Rocks or Sand and Shells.
Travel Locations or Vacation Memories: Paris, Hawaii, NYC, Japan, Africa, etc.
Fantasy: Fairies / Wizards / Unicorns / Gnomes / Trolls / Mermaids / Pirates
Space / Star Wars / Aliens / Superheroes
Dragons / Dinosaurs / Pets / Zoos
Castles and Royalty / Disney Princesses
Cars / Trucks / Machines / Robots
Movies / Books / Music / Sports / Hobbies
Spiritual / Zen Enlightenment / Day of the Dead Death Memorials

This is the proposed schedule for meetings in 2023
Please check or facebook page for the latest information and contact us there to get information if the meeting is at a member's house, as we don't want to publish personal information on this page.  Thanks!

All meetings start with a social "meet & greet" at 10am, with the business meeting following at 10:30.  After the business portion of the meeting there is usually a demonstration or project.

February 4th - Member's Residence
March 4th - to be determined
April 1st - The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
May 6th - The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
June 3rd - Member's Residence
July 1st - Member's Residence
August 5th - The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
September 9th - to be determined
October 7th - The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
November 4th - The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
December 2nd - to be determined
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At our first meeting of the year Connie Sauve showed us how she uses kid's toys and various plastic models to create the look of statues, lighting fixtures and more.  She often cuts them apart and re-assembles them into the shape or configuration she wants, then primes and paints them.  She also uses Rub n' Buff to give some of them a metallic finish.
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Acting President - Lani Smith
Vice President - Pam Young
Treasurer - Sue Jordan
Secretary - Lani Smith

Show Chairperson - Jamie Kuchar
Exhibits Chair - Connie Sauve

Volunteers are needed to present projects at the meetings, so if you'd like to do a project for the club or have suggestions and ideas, please submit them!

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