Scale Miniatures

Handmade in 1:12 scale

I’m proud to be an Artisan with the International Guild of Miniature Artisans. Miniatures have been a passion of mine since I was a kid. You can follow my work on Instagram @craiglabenzminiatures. Or on my Facebook page, Craig Labenz Miniatures. I’m planning to start selling limited editions of my work soon and I’m considering taking commissions. Stay tuned.

Upcoming Shows:

Tom Bishop Chicago, April 29 – May 1, 2022

Craig Labenz holding his handmade 1/12th scale electric chandelier

Craig Labenz playing with his handcrafted 1:12th scale croquet set.

1:12th scale miniature croquet set by Craig Labenz

Here’s a look at what I’ve been up to on Instagram:

craiglabenzminiatures

Miniature Artist. IGMA Artisan. In real life, I also build websites @craiglabenzdesign. Bennet has his own account now @big.boy.bennet

A peek at the interior framing and drawer glides o

A peek at the interior framing and drawer glides of my 1/12th scale painted Mahantongo Valley, Pennsylvania Chest of Drawers.

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Here’s a look at some of the pieces and parts th

Here’s a look at some of the pieces and parts that make up my 1/12th scale painted Mahantongo Valley, Pennsylvania Chest of Drawers. I used cherry for the primary wood and used an unknown secondary wood that I salvaged from 100+ year old dresser drawers for pieces like the backer boards in this photo.

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Another piece of furniture I made last year for my

Another piece of furniture I made last year for my Artisan application in the International Guild of Miniature Artisans was a 1/12th scale painted Mahantongo Valley, Pennsylvania Chest of Drawers based on an 1829 chest attributed to Johannes Braun, with decoration attributed to Johann Valentin Schuller, Jr.

When I first found this chest of drawers on the Sotheby’s website, I think I gasped. The main color was an incredible shade of green worn in such a way that almost resembled watercolors. And the complex decoration included red and blue and yellow. The drawer fronts were whimsically painted with birds and trees. It was just really, really beautiful.

In this photo, I’m testing the fit of the mortise and tenon joints on my miniature version — and you can see a little glimpse of the original piece in the foreground.

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Here are the separate pieces for my 1/12th scale C

Here are the separate pieces for my 1/12th scale Connecticut Candle Stand. I’m still going to do another layer of color before gluing everything together. And lots of finishing work after that.

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I’m testing the fit of the sliding dovetails tha

I’m testing the fit of the sliding dovetails that will attach the legs to the center column of my Connecticut Candle Stand. These joints are surprisingly strong! I’m making this piece out of cherry, but it’s got an amber cast to it because I’ve applied an under layer of analine dye that I’m hoping will add some richness to the final finish.

I’m hoping that Saint Nick left you a little som

I’m hoping that Saint Nick left you a little something special under your tree this year. 🎁🎅🎄

Here are a few of my miniature 1/12th scale dominoes made from ebony and bone (ahem!) that I salvaged from old piano keys. There’s also a tiny brass pin running through the center of each domino just like the full-scale version. I really loved dominoes when I was a kid — although ours weren’t this fancy. And I mostly liked to stand them up and knock them over rather than play the game.

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Oh! Christmas wreath upon the wall, Withi

Oh! Christmas wreath upon the wall,
     Within thine ivied space
I see the years beyond recall,
     Amid thy leaves I trace
The shadows of a happy past,
     When all the world was bright,
And love its magic splendour cast
     O’er morn and noon and night.

— Anna de Brémont, 1892

Wishing you a little magic this holiday season! 🌟 I made this miniature 1/12th scale wreath last week to try to capture a little magic myself.

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Have yourself a merry little Christmas! 🎄 The

Have yourself a merry little Christmas! 🎄

The garland on my 1/12th scale Christmas tree is strung from tiny antique miniature Mercury glass beads (paper-thin blown glass with a tiny ribbed texture...), and candles made from LEDs and clay mounted on vintage French starburst sequins.

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One last photo of my finished 1/12th scale miniatu

One last photo of my finished 1/12th scale miniature Connecticut Dressing Table. I’m hoping to make a few more of them to sell at the Tom Bishop Show in Chicago next April.

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A view of the top of my 1/12th scale miniature Con

A view of the top of my 1/12th scale miniature Connecticut Dressing Table.

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A few more details on my 1/12th scale miniature Co

A few more details on my 1/12th scale miniature Connecticut Dressing Table — looking from the side and looking beneath. The primary wood for the piece is cherry. The secondary wood for the drawer boxes and framing is salvaged from a full-size, 100+ year-old dresser. It’s got a wonderful, honey-colored natural patina that you can see from the underside.

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Drawer details on my 1/12th scale miniature Connec

Drawer details on my 1/12th scale miniature Connecticut Dressing Table. The primary wood for the drawer fronts is cherry. The secondary wood for the drawer boxes is salvaged from a full-size, 100+ year-old dresser. It’s got a wonderful, honey-colored natural patina. When I was milling the wood down to the right thickness, I was careful to keep the patinated surface intact. And then I built the drawers with that surface facing outwards. I designed the custom brass back plates, pulls and center escutcheon based on the brasses from the original full-scale dressing table that was my inspiration.

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