When Hobbies Collide: Giving New Life to the Past
I recently discovered a new hobby, born of a love for my nieces and the need to revamp some old dollhouse toys. I've been refurbishing dollhouse furniture that's been in my family for generations, and in the process, I've found a way to combine my love of family history with my creative pursuits. Art has always been a significant part of our family's heritage, with various members exceling in different mediums. My great grandmother was a painter; more than one grandfather sculpted metal and other materials; various aunts and uncles have skills with pencil and charcoal; photographers abound on all the branches; and we even have a few skilled miniaturists (I like to count myself as the newest among the latter). Some of my fondest memories as a child are of my grandma Billie and grandpa Lee teaching me art principles, such as perspective and dimension. Those moments are now etched into the pieces that have survived them, and I cherish them still years later. Looking
