February Design Challenge Round-Up

Seven short days ago, I laid down a quick & dirty challenge for modern miniature enthusiasts everywhere to create a scene honoring their favorite holiday (or observance) in the month of February. You've all responded so enthusiastically and I'm so feeling all the love! (cause who wants to be talking to themselves, right?) As of today, we have quite a nice round-up and while Valentine's Day was by far the most represented holiday, a few others had a moment in the spotlight even a few (gasp) that don't fall in the month of February.  We also had recurring themes like decadence and indulgence, as well as a few repeating icons. Any guess as to which ReacJapan designer chair made the most appearances in scenes?

The journey began with color and glitz of carnival over at Minis-B-Happenin' with a mini-sized float for one of the many Mardi Gras parades that was large on talent, creativity, and diva personalities. We were then asked to consider what makes Valentine's Day different from (college) spring break over at the Hard Way. Remember all the excess of young love? Apparently, there's a reason why the young guys want to make sure a girl's glass is never empty. Then we had three scenes that turn up the romance quotient.  There's a chic, mid-century scene set for a pair of "LOVE"birds over at Mini Mod Pod while Modernist Molly prepared a cozy custom made bed in a lodged decked out with all the modern trappings.  It's all hearts and rose petals at Mini Modern Mind. Wouldn't we all loved to be so spoiled (grins from ear to ear)? We're  then hit by a cold dose of heartbreak with Jazzi Mini's ode to the single woman. It's a macabre Valentine's scene that takes a turn towards the horror of Halloween. Finally, I created my own take on Valentine's Day that I called, A Love Supreme. It's full of love but  not solely the romantic kind (wink). It overflows with references to many other holidays and observances as well.

A Love Supreme, a room bursting with references to love.

Thanks once again to everyone for such a wonderful trip.  Haven't pulled together a scene? There's still time, just let me know the link and I'll add it in an update to this post throughout the rest of this month. Happy (holiday of your choice) Day to everyone!

Update 2/28/2013:

Mary's scene is at http://msminiandmore.blogspot.com/2013/02/happy-valentines-day.html

Mini Dork's scene is at http://modernminihouses.blogspot.com/2013/02/loss-for-words.html

  

Swaps, Giveaways & A Challenge

Parcels have been crossing the globe and two special one's have found their way to my mailbox. Each quite literally coming from opposite sides of the world.  I just had to share them. First during Inauguration week(end),  I received a hefty package from Mini Dork in California.

This is just my second swap. (Here's more on my first swap.) I'm still a newbie and get very, very excited. Thanks again M!

Quite honestly, I only discovered earlier this week while perusing the archives over at The Shopping Sherpa (TSS) that part of the etiquitte of a swap is to open only one package in the parcel per day until there are no more left. TSS explained it all but I didn't know this until after opening up all this "green goodness" (that was our theme) to discover exactly what I'd received. Now that I'm more informed, I think I just might try to exercise some restraint on the next go 'round. But I'm curious to know just how many of you all open just one package a day upon receiving your swaps? Please do tell!

Next, I was quite surprised to learn that TSS decided to make it rain goodies from one of her favorite stationary shops called Typo. (At least, for everyone who commented on her blog post that day). Woohoo! I like receiving international packages. It's so fun thinking how far it traveled just to reach me.

I received this package of cool laser cut wood icons and one of TSS's postcards showcasing her mad photography skills. It read, "I can't wait to seeing what you make with these."

So I've decided to put out a quick and dirty small challenge. Design a scene around some holiday or observance in February (Valentine's Day, Wear Red for Women, Chinese New Year) you see where I'm going with this, right? I'll be publishing my reveal post next week on Valentine's Day (February 14th). Please try to post your own challenge reveal on (or as close to) February 14 as possible, then link back to this post. I'll add links for everyone who participates, as well. Everyone is a winner here as we add to our blog conversations for this month. Tell me, are you in?

Gaming for Klout

I finally took the plunge and decided to join Klout.com. This web application encourages you to interact with your online communities as a way to earn influence.  We do this everyday and some of us spend a considerable amount of time in our online communities, all for the love of our hobby (or hobbies) collecting and making miniatures.  Of course, there's a healthy dose of crafting, design,  sewing and photography added to the mix.  

From the Klout.com webpage

I quickly realized while navigating my way through the site, that the creators by using the principals of gamification gave me the incentive to interact with my online communities while simultaneously promoting their application.  Yes, you can skip prompts to tweet or post to your Facebook timeline but sometimes these actions are wrapped into earning rewards or accomplishing certain tasks.  There's a mixture of positive and negative opinions about Klout.com.  For those of you who have used it, I'd love to hear your opinions.

From the Klout.com website

I see it as worthwhile because as your Klout score increases, you become eligible for some nice perks in the form of access to various products or services without any obligation to promote them.  Yes, Klout gives you the option to do so with a recommended disclosure statement.  However, receiving the perk is not contingent upon promotion.  I have only received 2 perks so far.  They include 1) a pack of co-branded (you can pay to remove their brand) business cards for the cost of shipping ($5.00 US) from Moo.com and 2) an invite into a beta-testing group for a new web application. Simply by doing what you love, blogging and interacting with other miniaturists, you could be earning perks that might interest you.  Something to consider, at least.  Cruise on over to Klout.com, it might be a good fit for you.

Note: This is my second post to mention Moo.  Their cards are truly little design gems and if you want to really stock up here's a link to a discount just from me and Moo...http://www.moo.com/share/tcj6qc 

Create A Virtual Business Card

I recently attended a conference where Victor Hernandez, a producer and journalist at CNN gave a talk about various social media tools and communities.  One in particular really stood out, About.me. This application allows you to create a sleek virtual business card.  You can upload a striking background image, write a bio about yourself and then link all (or a few) of the online communities in which you participate. This has so many applications.  I created an about.me page primarily for my professional life.  Then I did something I'd been thinking of doing for a while.  What is that you ask?  I purchased my name as a domain.  I'm no politician or celebrity but why on earth would I want anyone else to own my name online, ya know?!  Anyway, I registered the domain name and then immediately went in and pointed it to my about.me url.  Voila...business card online!

As seen on the home page for http://about.me/

Back to our tiny corner of the social web world, here's a scenario for our hobby (or cottage industry) as miniaturist. I can see a striking background photograph of one of your favorite dollhouses or miniature scenes.  Many of you have a fabulous eye and take the most beautiful photographs.  Yes, Shopping Sherpa and Mini Dork I'm talking to both of you. And after all that hard work why not show off your prized dollhouse creation before you sell it off on eBay, right? *Wink to MadforMod* Write up a quick bio (maybe you'll just copy and paste your Blogger profile) and you can add an additional smaller picture, similar to an avatar or company logo. *Nod to callsmall*  Then link your blog, your Facebook profile or page, your Etsy, your Pinterest, and your twitter accounts.  As you add accounts, it will identify your friends, fans followers from other communities who have created About.me pages so you can add them to your favorites. When you share your About.me page as a part of your email signature or your twitter profile, there are analytics to track how many visitors and from what locations are coming to check your page.  There's also a mobile app for your iPhone so you'll have your favorites with you on the go.  Activation of the auto locate function will even allow you to find out what contacts are near you. Now, I know I began this post talking about a virtual business card but as a bonus for signing up with About.me, for the price of shipping ($5.00 US) you can order a set of Moo.com cards featuring a QR code to your About.me page. How cool is that?!

I'm enjoying the application so far and thought I'd share it with you guys in case you had not discovered it already. How fun will it be taking your About.me profile and QR code cards to the next miniature show or meet-up? Check it out and tell me what you think, perhaps there are other applications, I have not considered.

Contest Winners Among Us

Here's the online version of the print Hobby Builders Supply catalog. Source: miniatures.com

I came home today to discover the newest Hobby Builders Supply (Miniatures.com) catalog in my mailbox. I began flipping through to see what new sources of inspiration might leap off the page when I saw two spectacular, though familiar images. Mad for Mod of My Mini Mod Pod and Mini Dork of Modern Mini Houses are both featured on the third page of this catalog as part of the layout recognizing all the winners from the 18th Annual Creatin' Contest.  While many of us have seen the wonderful pictures on their blogs and Flickr, it's fantastic when the efforts of modern miniaturists are recognized beyond our niche community.  Kudos!  I'm so glad your work is being recognized by a broader audience.  By the way, just what will you purchase with the gift certificates you've each won? I can't wait to see the pictures. Hehe.