Craig Labenz Miniatures

My Gooseneck Kitchen Andirons — new work released for the Tom Bishop Miniatures Show in Chicago. It’s already the last day! Stop by and see me in the Blue Room, table B11.

These circa 18th century, 1/12th scale miniature andirons are made of cast brass with soldered spit racks in case you want to roast a tiny bird for dinner. I’ve darkened the metal to resemble iron and added rust and age with oil paint.

You’ll have to build your own fire. (And the cigar is not included.)

If you’re not in Chicago and would like a pair of these, I’ll be uploading these andirons to store.craiglabenz.com next week.



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Tags 🏷️

Dollhouse furniture, Miniature woodworking, Handmade miniature furniture, Handcrafted dollhouse furniture, 1/12th scale miniatures, Scale model, Miniature artist, International Guild of Miniature Artisans, IGMA

I still have a couple of my New Hampshire Step Back Cupboards — new work for the Tom Bishop Miniatures Show in Chicago April 10 - 12. I’m in the Blue Room, table B11.

This 1/12th scale miniature Step Back Cupboard is a replica of an original circa 1800 cupboard sold at auction. And the incredible vibrant blue paint was original to the piece.

I made my version from cherry and it includes a paneled door with a hand-turned wooden k**b, and a working turn button catch to keep the door closed.

I love the simple, utilitarian lines of this piece. And my version, as well as the original was well-loved and well-used. I’ve added plenty of wear and tear using paint, dyes, patina solutions.



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Tags 🏷️

Dollhouse furniture, Miniature woodworking, Handmade miniature furniture, Handcrafted dollhouse furniture, 1/12th scale miniatures, Scale model, Miniature artist, International Guild of Miniature Artisans, IGMA

My miniature New Hampshire Step Back Cupboard — new work for the Tom Bishop Miniatures Show in Chicago April 10 - 12. I’ll be in the Blue Room, table B11.

This 1/12th scale miniature Step Back Cupboard is a replica of an original circa 1800 cupboard sold at auction. And the incredible vibrant blue paint was original to the piece.

I made my version from cherry and it includes a paneled door with a hand-turned wooden k**b, and a working turn button catch to keep the door closed.

I love the simple, utilitarian lines of this piece. And my version, as well as the original was well-loved and well-used. I’ve added plenty of wear and tear using paint, dyes, patina solutions.



# # # #

Tags 🏷️

Dollhouse furniture, Miniature woodworking, Handmade miniature furniture, Handcrafted dollhouse furniture, 1/12th scale miniatures, Scale model, Miniature artist, International Guild of Miniature Artisans, IGMA

My miniature Connecticut Valley Candlestand — new work for the Tom Bishop Miniatures Show in Chicago April 10 - 12. I’ll be in the Blue Room, table B11.

This is a limited edition of 8 pieces.

(This is a Candlestand but it looks pretty terrific displayed with one on my Regency Cottage Tea Caddies — I only have a few tea caddies left)

This 1/12th scale miniature Connecticut Valley Candlestand is a replica of an original circa 1780 Candlestand attributed to maker Eliphalet Chapin, a well-known maker in the region.

I made my miniature version from Swiss Pear. I turned the suppressed ball pedestal on my lathe, and hand-cut and shaped the scroll cut top and “snake feet”.

The feet are attached to the pedestal using sliding dovetails.

Because I like to add some wear to my pieces, the top is scratched, and I added real burned scorch marks.



# # # #

Tags 🏷️

Dollhouse furniture, Miniature woodworking, Handmade miniature furniture, Handcrafted dollhouse furniture, 1/12th scale miniatures, Scale model, Miniature artist, International Guild of Miniature Artisans, IGMA

My miniature Connecticut Valley Candlestand — new work for the Tom Bishop Miniatures Show in Chicago April 10 - 12. I’ll be in the Blue Room, table B11.

This is a limited edition of 8 pieces.

This 1/12th scale miniature Connecticut Valley Candlestand is a replica of an original circa 1780 Candlestand attributed to maker Eliphalet Chapin, a well-known maker in the region.

I made my miniature version from Swiss Pear. I turned the suppressed ball pedestal on my lathe, and hand-cut and shaped the scroll cut top and “snake feet”.

The feet are attached to the pedestal using sliding dovetails.

Because I like to add some wear to my pieces, the top is scratched, and I added real burned scorch marks.



# # # #

Tags 🏷️

Dollhouse furniture, Miniature woodworking, Handmade miniature furniture, Handcrafted dollhouse furniture, 1/12th scale miniatures, Scale model, Miniature artist, International Guild of Miniature Artisans, IGMA

My Pennsylvania Cupboard — new work for the Tom Bishop Miniatures Show in Chicago April 10 - 12. I’ll be in the Blue Room, table B11.

This 1/12th scale miniature Pennsylvania Step Back Cupboard is a replica of an original circa 1825 cupboard sold at auction. This piece was my prototype for the class I taught at Guild School in June 2025.

Since the class, I reworked the piece by adding dovetailed drawers and backer boards made of beautiful reclaimed old growth poplar. The original cupboard had “live edge” boards under the base to support the turned feet. Live edge boards are cut from the edge of a tree trunk and still have bark along the edge. We weren’t able to do that in class, but I’ve added that detail here.



# # # #

Tags 🏷️

Dollhouse furniture, Miniature woodworking, Handmade miniature furniture, Handcrafted dollhouse furniture, 1/12th scale miniatures, Scale model, Miniature artist, International Guild of Miniature Artisans, IGMA

“Live edge” framing on the bottom of my Pennsylvania Cupboard — new work for the Tom Bishop Miniatures Show in Chicago April 10 - 12. I’ll be in the Blue Room, table B11.

This 1/12th scale miniature Pennsylvania Step Back Cupboard is a replica of an original circa 1825 cupboard sold at auction. This piece was my prototype for the class I taught at Guild School in June 2025.

Since the class, I reworked the piece by adding dovetailed drawers and backer boards made of beautiful reclaimed old growth poplar. The original cupboard had “live edge” boards under the base to support the turned feet. Live edge boards are cut from the edge of a tree trunk and still have bark along the edge. We weren’t able to do that in class, but I’ve added that detail here.



# # # #

Tags 🏷️

Dollhouse furniture, Miniature woodworking, Handmade miniature furniture, Handcrafted dollhouse furniture, 1/12th scale miniatures, Scale model, Miniature artist, International Guild of Miniature Artisans, IGMA

Dovetailed drawers on my Pennsylvania Cupboard — new work for the Tom Bishop Miniatures Show in Chicago April 10 - 12. I’ll be in the Blue Room, table B11.

This 1/12th scale miniature Pennsylvania Step Back Cupboard is a replica of an original circa 1825 cupboard sold at auction. This piece was my prototype for the class I taught at Guild School in June 2025.

Since the class, I reworked the piece by adding dovetailed drawers and backer boards made of beautiful reclaimed old growth poplar. The original cupboard had “live edge” boards under the base to support the turned feet. Live edge boards are cut from the edge of a tree trunk and still have bark along the edge. We weren’t able to do that in class, but I’ve added that detail here.



# # # #

Tags 🏷️

Dollhouse furniture, Miniature woodworking, Handmade miniature furniture, Handcrafted dollhouse furniture, 1/12th scale miniatures, Scale model, Miniature artist, International Guild of Miniature Artisans, IGMA

My Pennsylvania Cupboard — new work for the Tom Bishop Miniatures Show in Chicago April 10 - 12. I’ll be in the Blue Room, table B11.

This 1/12th scale miniature Pennsylvania Step Back Cupboard is a replica of an original circa 1825 cupboard sold at auction. This piece was my prototype for the class I taught at Guild School in June 2025.

Since the class, I reworked the piece by adding dovetailed drawers and backer boards made of beautiful reclaimed old growth poplar. The original cupboard had “live edge” boards under the base to support the turned feet. Live edge boards are cut from the edge of a tree trunk and still have bark along the edge. We weren’t able to do that in class, but I’ve added that detail here.



# # # #

Tags 🏷️

Dollhouse furniture, Miniature woodworking, Handmade miniature furniture, Handcrafted dollhouse furniture, 1/12th scale miniatures, Scale model, Miniature artist, International Guild of Miniature Artisans, IGMA