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Camp Mini Ha Ha 2024 Miniature Project
Well, howdy thar' pardners!! It's that time again to be thinking about moseyin' yer way to Nova Scotia and joining the rest of the posse for a lot of laughter, mini- making fun - and chocolate, of course!!

This year our organizing committee has come up with a wild-west theme with the project and the two included workshops providing just enough challenge to make it interesting and the additional side-workshops giving an opportunity to learn new skills to add to your already impressive talents.

 
 

 
While this is a western-themed prototype of the project, it can easily be adapted to another time period or location. It is a wall hung store front that can be done in a vertical format like the prototype or can be done horizontally which would easily allow for 1/24 scale versions.

The focus of this project is the front of the building and does not include an interior element, although images can be added to the windows and doorway to create a sense of what is inside. The project concept also lends itself to the creation of any number of different building fronts.  

 
 
 
Keeping to the western theme, the building could be a saloon, bank, jail, dry goods store, feed store, laundry, hardware store, house, school....you get the idea! If you would rather another theme, then make the building a retail store from another place and era. Modify the porch and/or roof; use different materials for the building (brick, stucco, stone); add windows on the second storey; place the front of the building on a cement/cobblestone/asphalt street or sidewalk; build out the front of the building an inch or two to allow display of goods in the windows. Of course you can also make a saloon just like the prototype! Whatever your chosen style and theme, just have fun!

The 2024 kit

Your entire kit will be made of wood. Everything you see in the photos of the prototype is included in the kit except for the sign and items sitting on the front porch so, basically, here is what you will receive:
- Wooden frame to go behind front wall
- front wall, including board and batten siding
- front porch and posts
- shingles for porch roof
- 2 windows
- 1 door of your choice

The porch, itself, will be hollow so you can put a battery in there if you wish to light the project. LIGHTING IS NOT INCLUDED.

Here are the photos of the three door choices. All are the same price, so no extra charge for any of them however the kit does not include a 1:24 scale door so, if you are planning a 1:24 scale project and need a door for it, please contact Grandpas Dollhouse by 31 August 2024 to order one in advance.  

 

 
 
 
In addition to the main project, Campers can take advantage of two "side" workshops during Camp:

1. No matter what you choose as the theme for your own project, everyone could always use a chair! Providing a 1/12th scale Chrysnbon Cane Seat Chair kit (the same chair that is shown in our project prototype), Camp alumnus, Shelley Acker, will lead the group through a lesson in how to assemble a plastic kit/model, as well as how to paint and age them to perfection.

Instructor Bio: Shelley Acker has been making miniatures for 25 years and brings a diversity of skills and experience to her workshops. Shelley has a keen interest in sharing whatever knowledge she has acquired through trial and error and informal learning. Shelley is also the owner of Freedom Miniatures, one of Canada's few brick and mortar miniature shops. Creating dioramas and roomboxes of varied themes is Shelley's favourite way to express her love of miniatures and they generally include a mix of handmade and ready-made items. Learning how to make a scene look realistic has lead to the ongoing development of tips, tricks, and techniques to add everything from signs of gentle use to the reality of weathering and decay. You can find examples of Shelley's work on Facebook and Instagram as Freedom Miniatures, and also as a contestant on Season 3 of Best in Miniature available on CBC Gem.

 
2. For our 2nd bonus workshop, Campers Aleeta Kent and Brenda Ryall will be speaking on how to use a 3D scanner. They will scan a person or object using a Creality scanner and edit the object or person using the Creality software for printing. After camp, you or your object will be printed and sent to you. We could end up with a group of 1/12 scale mini campers! What fun!! The scanned files will also be emailed to the campers.  
 
As mentioned above, the theme this year is The Wild West. Bring accessories with you to enhance the theme of your project, whether it adheres to the Wild West theme or you choose to go in another direction. There will also be lots of items to choose from on the sales floor to bring your vision to life.

While a Camper's project design does not have to adhere to the theme, the theme can be useful to help plan for Camp's costume dinner which always provides a lot of fun and laughter. Here's your chance to get creative with the Wild West theme, even if your project has a different focus. Will you be a gunslinger or a sheriif? A card shark or a cowpoke? A bartender or a saloon girl? Have fun and let your imagination reign!

 

 

Last updated Mar 06, 2024