Miniature Christmas Village History and Modern Makers

The tradition of setting up magical Christmas Villages on tabletops and mantels across America, began as a tradition of the Moravian Church, a Protestant denomination, and has continued to evolve over the last 130 years.
Originally set under the Christmas tree, 'Putz' houses, as they were called, were typically made from cardboard and mostly manufactured in Japan and Germany. For a thorough history of Christmas Villages, visit Family Christmas Online and for instructions on how to build your own glittered 'Putz' house visit Cardboard Christmas.

DIY-Putz Houses from Cardboard Christmas

Department 56 Ceramics https://www.department56.com/home.do

Modern Makers of the the ceramic Christmas Villages, which have become staples for the American Christmas Collector, include Department 56, a Minnesota based company whose collections range from their original Snow Village, Dickens Village, Alpine Village, to more contemporary themed villages like Disney's Frozen and Downton Abbey.

Department 56 Dickens Village

Department 56 Alpine Village

Department 56-Downton Abbey Village

Lemax Christmas Village

Another growing Christmas collectibles maker Lemax, offers merry miniaturists a variety of villages, including a Victorian Christmas Village, Santa's Wonderland, Vail Village, Caddington Village, and numerous collectible enhancements and figurines sure to complete your Christmas Village wonderland.

Lemax-Santa's Wonderland

Lemax Vail Village

Lemax Caddington Collection

 And finally, the Bradford Exchange, is also a great source for limited edition collectibles, especially if your taste ranges a bit outside of Christmas. Their wide array of collectible collections include the Nightmare Before Christmas Village, Star Wars Galatic Village and Thomas Kinkade Christmas Village collectibles. 

Bradford Exchange-Nightmare Before Christmas Collection

Bradford Exchange-Star Wars Galactic Village

Thomas Kinkade-Christmas House-Bradford Exchange

So, if you haven't started your miniature village collection, perhaps one of these collections will inspire future Holidays full of magical miniatures and diorama dreams. Happy Holidays!

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Dia de los Muertes Devotional Dioramas

The Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a Mexican holiday when those that have passed away are remembered in colorful, artful, and dynamic ways.
A part of the tradition includes a rich history of folk art including Nichos, or Retablos, which are whimsical devotional dioramas often made out of tin, wood and papier mache. Click photos for links to artists and shops.

click photos for links

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Halloween Pumpkin Dioramas

Here are some great pumpkin diorama ideas for a little Halloween spirit.

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Haunted Dimensions-The Model Papercraft of Ray Keim

Looking to get your spook on and create an awesome paper craft project? Head over to Ray Keim's Haunted Dimensions -"a gateway for art, news related to Disney's haunted mansion attractions, the haunt industry, FREE spooky 3D paper models, gingerbread architecture, photologs of "haunted" places and all things Halloweeny."-haunteddimensions.raykeim.com

Ray Keim, an artist and 3D modeler/designer (and also part of the Halloween Horror Nights Orlando Design Team) has put together a Spooktacular website full of free downloadable papercraft/scale modeling goodies like this  Bates House Paper Model

Haunted Dimensions-Ray Keim 

Or how about the Infamous Amityville Paper House?

Haunted Dimensions-Ray Keim

Or Maybe you prefer a Classic a Haunted Mansion or Manor?

http://www.haunteddimensions.raykeim.com/index380.html

http://www.haunteddimensions.raykeim.com/index412.html

Each download kit available on Haunted Dimensions comes with a list of supplies and instructions to help you build the Horror House of your dreams (or nightmares).

Haunted Dimensions-Ray Keim

 Also be sure to check out the fan gallery of user submitted photos for more Spooky Inspiration.

Haunted Dimensions-Ray Keim

Haunted Dimensions Ray Keim

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Twig Terriums-Tiny Landscapes in Brooklyn

Twig Terrariums in Brooklyn, New York offers unique terrariums, classes and tiny items to complete your own small world.  Their DIY terrium kits and accessories will bring the terrarium of your dreams to life.  They also make great gifts, like the Postcarden-a post card that sprouts into an urban garden.

"Designed as a gift and greeting card in one, Postcarden is easy to grow on any desktop, windowsill, or countertop."

Tropisma Terrarium Kit

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The Diorama Maps-Sohei Nishino

Photographer Sohei Nishino compiles pieces of a city one photograph at a time. He then reconstructs the images to form a larger portrait in The Diorama Map Series.   According to the artists website, "The creation of a Diorama Map takes the following method; Walking around the chosen city on foot; shooting from various location with film; pasting and arranging with enormous mound of pieces".  Nishino's work is currently on view as a part of Fotografica Bogota 2013.

Diorama Map Berlin

Diorama Map-New York

Diorama Map-Paris

Diorama Map-Tokyo

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Lisa Wood-Insect Dioramas

Lisa Wood-from Insects at Home

Lisa Wood is an artist and jewelry maker that creates dioramas of insects at home, which is also the title of her book.  From grasshoppers in repose to caterpillars getting eye exams, Wood's dioramas are at once whimsical and creepy.  Some of her work can be purchased at The Gold Bug in Pasadena,CA.


Miniature Insect Dioramas from Lisa Wood on Vimeo.

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Diorama Meets Street Art

German street artist Evol  paints scenes of miniature houses and apartment buildings on existing urban structures-turning the everyday into a kind of diorama.  Interview Magazine caught up with Evol and interviewed him about his work and process-you can read the article here.

Evol-Street Art

Evol-Street Art

Evol-Street Art

Evol-Street Art

Evol-Street Art

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Etsy Diorama Picks of the Week

Mike Wong's Etsy shop Lay of the Land features 3D items "inspired from the natural world" like this 8x10 miniature Central Park Diorama.

Mike Wong-8x10 Map of Central Park

 Bonjour Sweetie is a New Zealand based Etsy shop that features a variety of Dioramas in boxes and also other charming pieces like this skater necklace.

Skater necklace by Bonjour Sweetie

Diorama in a Box-The Picnic by Bonjour Sweetie

Diorama in a box-Rock in the Park-Bonjour Sweetie

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