The Happy Little Homemaker Project

The Happy Little Homemaker Project Miniature artist & creative writer, telling the cultural stories of women through appliances.

02/22/2023

Woah Nelly, this new piece was a tough one! I thought it would be done in a snap but it’s those little details, the things that make miniatures…I don’t know, more REAL, more lifelike, that can really trip you up!

Making the fan head tilt - easy. Making the blades spin - easy.

Making a wavy metal protective grate over the blades? NOT EASY you guys, NOT EASY (plus my hands are super clumsy with wire).

Oh, and as an added bonus, it’s ridiculously hard to photogrpah so that’s fun, too. Lol.

And once again, the piece is done before the interview BUT!!! I’ve submitted my first draft on a different story to the woman who so graciously shared the fabulous story of her mom and I’m sooo looking forward to sharing it with you. You’ll love her. I just know it. ❤️

(Why the hallelujah chorus? Because HALLELUJAH that wire work is done!)

Yesterday I had the incredible pleasure of virtually meeting a new friend, Emanda, to learn more about her 85 year old m...
02/11/2023

Yesterday I had the incredible pleasure of virtually meeting a new friend, Emanda, to learn more about her 85 year old mother and her committed, decades-long relationship with her Revere Ware Drip-o-lator coffee pot.

Emanda's was my first official interview for this project - we met through a FB miniatures groups when she volunteered to share her mother's story - and to say the story she shared embodies everything I hope this project to be would be an understatement.

What emerged was a story of love, rebellion, hope, a wee bit of deception and a whole lotta coffee.

I loved the story so much I'm currently sitting on my balcony at a resort in Mexico, typing away because I want to capture it to the best of my ability while it's still fresh in my mind. And of course, once I finish that darling little fan, the Drip-o-lator is next on my work table. I can't wait to share this story with you!

Well, my friends, I have to admit this adorable little Hamilton Beach stand mixer was my greatest challenge to date. Not...
02/07/2023

Well, my friends, I have to admit this adorable little Hamilton Beach stand mixer was my greatest challenge to date.

Not only is it ridiculously tiny, at just over 1” tall, but I’m obsessed with each piece having some degree of functionality so on this piece you can pull the red handle to shift the mixing bowl out, the disc the bowl sits on spins and you can detach the hand mixer from the stand, just like the real one.

It was also a challenge because I can NEVER STOP TOUCHING THINGS and I’ll admit I did a number on the paint job - I may consider this one my prototype.

Ah yes, and my printer chose today to meet its maker so no Hamilton Beach logo…yet.

Inspiration courtesy of Gary Swift (and his mom, original owner), with story to come!

My friend Beth came through on my request last night for my next piece - and this one is an AWESOME story! I know, I kno...
02/07/2023

My friend Beth came through on my request last night for my next piece - and this one is an AWESOME story!

I know, I know, I keep talking about the great stories and you haven’t seen them yet but I promise they’re coming. I’ve just been so obsessed with building I need to get crackin’ on writing!

But this cute little fan belonged to one amazing badass. Stay tuned!

Ok, friends, it’s time to save me from myself! See that little red lid there? It’s full of all the ALMOST finished bits ...
02/06/2023

Ok, friends, it’s time to save me from myself!

See that little red lid there? It’s full of all the ALMOST finished bits and bobs for the 1938 Hamilton Beech stand mixer.

Almost finished? Yeah, almost because they just got their first coat of paint and they need to dry. And I keep harassing them and touching them and messing them up cause I’m like an annoying kid in the back of the car.

“ARE WE THERE YET ARE WE THERE YET ARE WE THERE YET???”

No, we are NOT there and if you don’t stop touching them and messing them up we will NEVER get there!!

So… I’ve got a list of 16 people, from Texas to New Zealand (ask me how geeked I am about this!) who’ve all agreed to participate in my project but I’m waiting on a few details before I can get started on their pieces.

So….who has something ready for me to start on RIGHT NOW so my clammy little grabbers will leave those pieces alone?!

All I need to get started is what your appliance is, make or model if you have it, and the approximate year so I can do a little research to get accurate dimensions, etc. Interview can follow!

Save me from annoying-little-kid me! ❤️❤️

Well, if making miniatures doesn’t work out for me, I’ve apparently found my niche in making very tiny s***m. 🤷‍♀️
02/05/2023

Well, if making miniatures doesn’t work out for me, I’ve apparently found my niche in making very tiny s***m. 🤷‍♀️

Working on my third piece for . And yep, I probably could/should have found a metal cap or…something. Let’s just say wo...
02/04/2023

Working on my third piece for . And yep, I probably could/should have found a metal cap or…something. Let’s just say working efficiently isn’t my game. 🤣 But I wanted a “stainless steel” bowl in a very specific size. Watcha gonna do. 🤷‍♀️

If I told you what I was doing you’d say I’d lost my mind. And you’d be right.
02/02/2023

If I told you what I was doing you’d say I’d lost my mind. And you’d be right.

What’s next on deck over here at the Happy Little Homemaker Project? So glad you asked! Each new piece I start, I think ...
02/01/2023

What’s next on deck over here at the Happy Little Homemaker Project?

So glad you asked! Each new piece I start, I think “oooooh boy, this is gonna be a REAL challenge!” I get momentarily paralyzed/intimidated, then remember this is fun and joyful and if I screw it up I get to start over.

So without further ado, next on my work table is this stunning Hamilton Beech stand mixer from 1938, sent to me courtesy of Gary Swift, longtime friend and real estate agent. 🙂

Funny thing - much like the sink I just finished, I also used to own what I believe was the exact same stand mixer (in fact it may still be in my house….somewhere….🤔).

Mine came from an estate sales years ago but Gary’s came from his mom so can’t wait to hear her story! Wonder if he’ll tell it over homemade cookies… 😉

Ok, I definitely need to up my photography game but I get too excited when something in my mind actually comes together ...
02/01/2023

Ok, I definitely need to up my photography game but I get too excited when something in my mind actually comes together and want to share pics. 😊

So here’s number two in the series, the trusty, workhouse, cast iron sink. Precursor to the dishwasher, soaker of apron fronts (that’s from my memories of having owned one as well - in my first kitchen in Detroit).

I’ll go back and add some shelves, pots and pans that are part of Emily’s memory of this sink but want to hear her story first. ❤️

Wrapping up this old cast iron sink - but still need the curtains, shelves and Tupperware that belong underneath, accord...
01/31/2023

Wrapping up this old cast iron sink - but still need the curtains, shelves and Tupperware that belong underneath, according to Emily Persic. Figuring out avocado and goldenrod Tupperware….wish me luck!

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