The Sturbridge Miniatures Festival, sponsored by Molly Cromwell, is THE biggest miniature show in New England!!  Molly has asked us to join them for the last several years but it’s never worked with our schedule…until now.  Jodi and I are so excited to attend our very first retail miniature show and display some beautiful Real Good Toys dollhouses.

This year’s show is going to be held at the beautiful Host Hotel on Cedar Lake in Sturbridge, Massachusetts and is located at 366 Main Street & Route 20.

Saturday, June 1st, 2013, we will be setting up our booth in anticipation of a great crowd.  There is an option of a Pre-Registered Preview which allows you access to early sales between 5PM – 8PM.  For $18 you receive your weekend admission, early sales, cash bar, post preview and pizza party!  Food and minis -what could be better than that??

On Sunday, June 2nd, the show hours are 10AM – 4PM.  Both days feature some very cool workshops and you can sign up now.

With 80 vendors displaying all things mini, there is sure to be something for everyone!  Not only will we be displaying some of our dollhouses and miniatures showcases, we’ll also be offering some of our very best selling dollhouse accessories, electrical supplies and probably a show special or two.  We’ll be promoting the Miniature Collector Bistro Kit Challenge contest and kits will be available at the show (no shipping costs!).

We hope you’ll save the dates and make your way to Sturbridge Miniatures Festival.  Help us kickoff June miniature style!

Mini wishes – Jen

We’ve had numerous requests from our customer’s who are looking for one stop shopping.  NEW at Real Good Toys, you can purchase 1 inch scale or 1/12th scale Town Square Miniature furniture sets, at a terrific price.  We are offering some our best selling dollhouse miniature furniture sets, for the living room, bathroom, bedroom, children’s room, nursery (coming soon), kitchen and dining.  Not to mention the modern family dolls, Victorian dolls, china & copper sets, and they are all available online for your convenience.  New items will added occasionally so make sure to stop back and see What’s New at RGT!

Mini wishes – Jen

Are you a do-it-yourself kind of person?  Even if you’ve never built anything before, I know you can follow these easy dollhouse miniature tutorials and create custom one-of-a-kind dollhouse miniatures that suit your style and taste.    Whether you want to make some special miniature food, build custom kitchen cabinets, stuffed chairs, plants, blinds and so much more…Pinterest is a wealth of information and visual candy for your eyes.  Our motto is: “If you can imagine it, you can build it!”

We’ve been trying to post new DIY tutorials each week and I cannot wait to see what you all decide to create.  If you are already a member of the Pinterest community, please take a moment to check out our very popular board Tutorials for Miniatures.  If you’ve already created some of these fantastic dollhouse miniatures, we’d love to see them.  Please either post pictures on our active Facebook page or email them directly to me at info@realgoodtoys.com.

Mini wishes ~ Jen

A new contest has just been announced!  Miniature Collector magazine, in collaboration with New York miniaturist Susan Santilli, presents The Bistro Kit Challenge.  You simply order your kit from Real Good Toys and create your own unique design.

Bistro Challenge Shell Kit

This contest will be presented in three parts in Miniature Collector magazine starting with the May 2013 issue, which features Susan’s inspiration for her project, resources she used, contest and kit information.  Part 2, which will be featured in the June 2013 issue, features tips and techniques from Susan, the Bistro Kit Challenge entry form and kit information.  Part 3, featured in the July 2013 issue, features the faux finish sidewalk instructions by Rik Pierce and kit information.

The contest  is a year-long event and submissions will need to be submitted by February 15, 2014.

Good luck and mini wishes – Jennifer

The 2013 Facebook Build-Along Project is sure to be a hit again this year.  We have created the cutest little cottage for this year’s event.  JJ’s Dollhouse Cottage is a shell kit and has lots of options for expansion and customization.  The main kit will give you the dollhouse cottage shell and then you can purchase extra levels to build your dream dollhouse as tall as you’d like.  You can purchase two main kits and even put them side by side or use it as an addition to your taller main section.  The possibilities are endless and we’re sure to see some really amazing creations.  Jodi and I are so excited to be able to offer our 3rd Annual Build-Along Project in both 1 inch scale and 1/2 inch scale.  It seems to be a popular concept and I think many people will be trying their hand at the smaller scale, I know I will be!

Make sure to save the date – MARCH 1st we will begin this year’s event.  We are offering a SPECIAL PRE-BUY OPPORTUNITY - Buy your kit(s) any time before February 15th and SAVE $$$$$.  All kits ordered will be shipped the week of 2/25/13 or sooner.

Check out all the pictures and details of our 3rd Annual Facebook Build-Along Project featuring JJ’s Dollhouse Cottage.

Hope you can join us – Mini wishes – Jennifer

Come on in and browse awhile!

 Real Good Toys says “HURRAY” to Stephanie Kondo, owner of In a Nutshell Miniatures. She has grown her business so much in the last three years that she has been able to move from her Lake Square Mall location in Leesburg, FL to her new location in Mount Dora, FL. Stephanie says it’s a bigger store, a better location, and she has been able to expand her inventory with this move.  She says Mount Dora is a perfect place to have a business. It is a quaint community full of antique shops, stores and restaurants, all within walking distance of each other.  Mount Dora hosts annual events, such as the Mount Dora Arts Festival, ranked as one of the top art shows in the country.

 In addition to dollhouses, In a Nutshell Miniatures carries custom handmade upholstered furniture, components, electrical supplies, and landscaping materials. They carry everything you need to start, and complete, all of your miniature projects and dollhouse builds. Stephanie also offers many classes and hosts Miniature Club meetings in her store. Check her website, www.inanutshellminis.com for schedules.

In a Nutshell Miniatures new location

 In a Nutshell Miniatures’ new location is at 139 E. 4th Ave., Mount Dora, FL 32757.  The hours of operation are Monday – Saturday, 10am – 5 pm, and Sunday, 12 – 5pm.  You can reach the store by calling 352-735-6140. 

If you’re planning a trip to Central FL, plan to stop and see Stephanie and her new store.  Ask her about her Real Good Toys dollhouses.

Congratulations Stephanie. We hope you continue to grow and prosper.♥

Throughout the year Real Good Toys is happy to welcome new customers to our family of store front retailers.  It is important that we take a moment to introduce everyone to these great stores and recognize what they have to offer.

Schaefer Hobby Shop in St. Louis, MO

A big Real Good Toys welcome goes out to Schaefer Hobby Shop located in St. Louis, MO at 11659 Gravois Road.  Schaefer’s is a well established Hobby & Craft store specializing in art supplies, kids crafts, trains, RC cars, boats and planes and now Schaefer’s is carrying Real Good Toys dollhouses.

Schaefer Hobby Shop has been serving the St. Louis area for over 60 years with the largest selection of hobbies in the area.  The shop is family owned and operated by Art Jr. & Sherri Schaefer, 3rd generation Schaefers. The gang at Schaefer’s prides themselves on being able to assist their customers with making the perfect selection, no matter what the interest.  How do they do that?  They are involved in many of the hobbies personally and love to share that knowledge and interest with their customers.

Schaefer Hobby Shop is open Monday – Friday, 9am – 8 pm, Saturday, 9am – 6pm and Sunday, 11am – 5pm.  You can reach them at 413-729-7077.  Check their website for upcoming classes and great product videos. www.schaeferhobby.com.

If you find yourself traveling through St. Louis, be sure to stop by and say hi.  Ask to see their Real Good Toys dollhouses.♥

Sharing 40 Years of Miniatures with Real Good Toys

Homemade Cherry Pies!!

Do you enjoy sharing your love of dollhouses and miniatures with others? Sharing 40 Years of Miniatures with Real Good Toys was the workshop given at our Fall Foliage Clearance Sale. Real Good Toys is coming up on our 40th anniversary and Chris Abrams, co-owner of Real Good Toys, combed through our archives of miniature publications to create a packet of mini projects that had been featured in past Nutshell News issues (now Dollhouse Miniatures magazine).  Chris found that these magazines contained a wealth of information and history about the miniature industry. Each magazine contained many timeless, creative mini projects and she picked 15 projects from some of the earliest Nutshell News magazines that seemed still relevant and interesting for any miniaturist. Some of the projects she chose were making baskets from needlepoint canvas, creating stained glass, and making elegant chandeliers, which I think I will try sometime soon.  Chris’ goal was to get folks to pay their love of miniatures forward by sharing these projects with friends and family. Dollhouse Miniatures magazine graciously gave us permission to reproduce these projects to share with everyone. They also gave a door prize of a 1-year subscription to Dollhouse Miniatures magazine. The lucky winner was Diane Suppa of Carmel, NY. Chris gave everyone attending the workshop a miniature cherry pie kit, complete with bottle cap, fimo and red beads. Folks couldn’t wait to get home and “bake” their pies.

We thank everyone who participated in the workshop and attended our Fall Foliage Clearance Sale. We all had a great time meeting and talking with everyone that stopped by. 2013 will be Real Good Toys 40th anniversary.  Stay tuned for more anniversary celebration announcements!! ♥

Throughout the year Real Good Toys is happy to welcome new customers to our family of store front retailers.  It is important we take a moment to introduce everyone to these great stores and recognize what they have to offer.

Nana’s Necessities

A big Real Good Toys welcome goes out to Nana’s Necessities located at 809 East 4th Street, London, Kentucky, 40741. Their store is in a 110 year old hardware store with its’ original tin ceiling and oak plank floors. The store boasts over 4000 square feet of unique products.  Their hours are 11 to 6:30 Tuesday through Saturday and you can reach them at 606-344-9357.

Shelly, also known as Nana, has been making miniatures with her family for almost 32 years.  She says, “We try to carry all of the hard to find stuff, but if you can’t find something, let us know and we will try our best to find it”! Nana’s Necessities carries one inch, one-half and one-quarter scale dollhouses, miniatures and components.  They have a great selection of patterns to make your own American Girl doll clothing and carry lots of other unique, one-of-a kind items. Shelly and her family make their own soaps and candles and have an extensive inventory of both.  Check out all of their products at their website, www.nanasnecessities.com.

Inside at Nana’s Necessities

Nana’s Necessities is also a member of the Dollhouse Miniatures Merchants Association (DMMA), whose members are dedicated to sharing their dollhouse and miniature knowledge, along with providing the highest standard of customer service, to everyone from the novice collector to the seasoned miniaturist. 

If you find yourself in their area, be sure to stop by and say hi.  Tell them Real Good Toys sent you and ask them about their Real Good Toys dollhouses. Best wishes to Nana’s Necessities.♥