Miniatures and More!
By Erin Mawn
Mistletoe Christmas Shop (Cecil County)
As a dollhouse enthusiast ( I have 14 of them!), I am constantly on the watch for stores and shops that cater especially to miniaturists. Stores such as AC Moore and Michael’s are good for general craft needs, but when you’re looking for the perfect finishing touch to a room-box or a dollhouse that you’ve been laboring on for months, the same-old-same-old stuff won’t do. Having only been an Eastern Shore-er for a little over a year now, when I first moved here I was (and still am) anxious to explore my new area and I always enjoy finding new haunts. When I first drove by the Mistletoe Christmas Shop over a year ago, I noticed that it said “dollhouses” on the sign, but it was closed. Not too long afterwards, I drove by again and it was open, so I turned into the tree-lined drive that leads up to the shop.
I was greeted in a friendly manner, and immediately found the dollhouse section of the store. I was not disappointed; a dollhouse filled with furniture, accessories and inhabitants was the first thing I noticed. In fact, that whole section of the store was filled to the brim with miniatures. A wall of room-boxes boasts many more treasures, and glass cases display some of the more delicate details that even the most refined miniaturist would appreciate.
This charming little shop is owned and operated by Mary and Mike Scheeler. Mary is a self-proclaimed miniature enthusiast: “Miniatures are my passion, I go wherever I can to find them.” She decided to go into business for herself after making a bet with her husband. The shop is aptly named the Mistletoe Christmas Shop because, as you may guess, it offers a bountiful array of Christmas ornaments all year round. The shop has been open for 37 years now and has expanded twice, moving into a two floor structure after it originally began as a one room business in her home.
So next time you’re on the northern part of the Eastern Shore, take a drive up Route 213 and south of Cecilton you will find the sign advertising “Antiques, Gifts, Dollhouses and Miniatures.” The shop is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10-5, but the hours are flexible. If you’re planning a special visit, then calling ahead of time is advisable.
So whether you’re finishing your own detail-oriented dollhouse, helping a special little girl furnish her own, or you just enjoy visiting new shops, take a trip to the Mistletoe Christmas Shop.
Mistletoe Christmas Shop
Route 213, South of Cecilton
(410) 275-2267
REGISTER FOR CLASSES AT THE DORCHESTER CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Now that students are back to school, the Dorchester Center for the Arts (DCA) invites the community to participate in upcoming classes and programs. New this session is a tap dancing class for adults and beginner ceramic classes
(PHOTO: Willy Schlossbach, Instructor, is one of the many artists leading classes at DCA this fall.)
Painting
Oil Painting for Beginners and Intermediates, Taught by Tom Ryan
Learn to paint with oils in this class that is great for beginners or students continuing to perfect their skills. Beginners learn the fundamentals of still life painting including color, composition, form, and materials while intermediate students hone existing skills and explore more complex challenges. More advanced students will complete finished, professional quality work. Supply list available. All sessions: Monday mornings, six weeks, 9 a.m. – noon. The fall session begins September 20.
Discovering the “Know How” of Oil Painting, Mary Ekroos, Instructor
Learn the “know how” of creating a painting from your own photos. Students will be shown: how to compose a painting using basic elements in their subjects; how to use light and color; the importance of linear and atmospheric perspectives and how to understand what they see. Basic principles of drawing will be reviewed. The class is oriented toward marine and landscape oil painting and is open to students at all levels of painting experience. A supply list is available. The class will meet for four weeks beginning Monday, October 4. -- cont --
Intermediate Landscape Oil Painting - Expressing Your Own Style, Taught by Willy Schlossbach
This class will teach intermediate and the more advanced oil students painting techniques in landscape and cityscape painting. Students will learn to interpret photographs and ideas into paintings that express themselves and make their paintings distinctively their own. Supply list is available. Thursday afternoons, six weeks; 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. The session begins September 23.
Watercolor
Watercolor for Beginners and Beyond, Taught by Jeanne Ewell
This class introduces basic techniques of watercolor and builds to the more complex. Emphasis will focus on the basics of controlling the medium, color mixing, brush handling, and composition. Demonstrations are part of the class. Beginning and continuing students will receive individual attention while painting a variety of subject matter. Supply list available. The class will meet for six weeks on Thursday mornings from 10 a.m. – noon, beginning September 23.
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