Today in Michael's Museum: Wednesday, April 25, 2012

"Today in Michael's Museum" is dedicated to Isabel who came to CCM and MM to celebrate her third birthday. Isabel and her family are visiting from San Jose, California for a wedding but couldn't think of a better way to spend her birthday than by looking at tiny treasures. Besides a "MM Mini-Pencil" birthday gift, Isabel was presented with a miniature Lunch Box Pencil Sharpener (not a choking hazard!)

Michael's Museum had among its over 200 visitors today, a family from Singapore and a caregiver originally from Guatemala and her charge who said good naturally that we need to have a few more things from South America.

There was also a woman who was very interested in the miniature nested Russian Dolls (Matryoshkas) that are part off Susan Engel's "A World in Wood ... and more!" which is part of the Changing Collections Cabinet for April and May.

The first Russian nested doll set was carved in 1890 by Vasily Zvyozdochkin from a design by Sergey Malyutin, who was a folk crafts painter in the Abramtsevo estate of the Russian industrialist and patron of arts Savva Mamontov. The doll set was painted by Malyutin. Malyutin's doll set consisted of eight dolls—the outermost was a girl in a traditional dress holding a rooster. The inner dolls were girls and a boy, and the innermost a baby.

Mini-Pencil

Drop by Michael's Museum on Wednesday for "The Curator Is In" from 10:30-12:30 and tell Michael, "I am looking for my mini-pencil." He might just give you one!

Inspired by CIRCUS ZIRKUS

This was a gift from Michael's Nephew. Notice the shiny new penny for scale. Can you imagine trying to juggle with these at Chicago Children's Museum's CIRCUS ZIRKUS?

"Michael Sent Me"

When you drop by Michael's Museum be sure to let Michael know that you: 1) Saw this blog, 2) Saw MM on Facebook, 3) Saw CCM's Facebook, or 4) All of the above. As a thank you, Michael will give you a little gift!

Easy Collection Display for Kids

"The Curator Is In" at Michael's Museum on Wednesday April 18th from 10:30 am until 12:30 pm. He will be demonstrating "Easy Collection Display for Kids." Drop by and see what Michael has to offer.

A World in Wood ... and more!

Let this be a summary statement of how wonderful the exhibit "A World of Wood ... and more!" is! I am holding in my hand the smallest person from this Matryoshka Doll set! Come see the exhibit now through the beginning of June, 1012.

A World of Wood ... and more!

Some items in the collection are: 18 pairs of animals, plus Noah and his wife, 2 miniature scenes in small wooden boxes made in Germany, nesting dolls that start at 2 1/2 inches and get smaller, 2 matryoshkas that hold tiny nutcrackers 5/8 of an inch tall, a Kachina doll carrying twins on his back, an articulated teddy bear 5/8 of an inch high, a tiny wedding party that includes mother and father of the bride and groom, bridesmaids, flower girls, the bridal couple and a minister, a small Japanese doll with four interchangeable heads, and a tiny porcelain doll in a wooden trunk with her personal belongings.

Susan Engle - April 2012 Guest Collector

Associate Editor, Brilliant Star magazine

Today in Michael's Museum

Starting Wednesday, Michael will be at Michael's Museum from 10:30-12:30, as part of the "Curator is in..." program. Tell a story, share an experience, ask a question! He will be "In" every Wednesday during April, May, & June. Mention you saw this and get a free "Tiny Treasure."

A World of Wood ... and more!

“I’ve collected tiny things that appeal to me over the years, and realized as I prepared for this exhibit that many of them are carved or constructed of wood. I have also included some of my favorites that are not wooden. The group of miniatures you will see come from only eleven cultures, but they can attract the eye and imagination of anyone in the world who feels wonder that such small replicas of bits of our big world can be made so beautifully. The cultures represented are Chile, China, Denmark, Germany, the Hopi people, Japan, the Netherlands, Russia, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Susan Engle - April 2012 Guest Collector

Associate Editor, Brilliant Star magazine

A World of Wood ... and more!

“From tiny nesting dolls, to Kachina dolls, to a wedding of German figures, beautiful miniatures can be made of wood. ‘A World of Wood ... and more!’ will take you to a tiny imaginary place where your eyes will delight in creations carved and painted so beautifully that you may wish you were the right size to wander around among them.”

Susan Engle - April 2012 Guest Collector

Associate Editor, Brilliant Star magazine

Happy Passover

Happy Easter

A World of Wood ... and more!

“When I was a little girl, our family had neighbors from Eastern Europe who displayed a glass cabinet filled with miniatures in their dining room. The miniatures fired my imagination, and I thought I could see a whole world of tiny people who loved and used them. 

Susan Engle - April 2012 Guest Collector

Associate Editor, Brilliant Star magazine

A World of Wood ... and more!

Watch for a series of posts and photographs about "A World of Wood ... and more!"

Our Guest Collector for the April Changing Collections Cabinet in Michael’s Museum at Chicago Children’s Museum is Susan Engle, Associate Editor of Brilliant Star magazine and collector of small things. Brilliant Star is an award-winning magazine that invites children of all backgrounds and faiths to explore their roles as world citizens. It emphasizes concepts such as: the appreciation of cultural and racial diversity; peace among all religions and nations; the equality of women and men; the elimination of prejudices and poverty; and the sustainable development and protection of our fragile planet.

Susan Engle - April 2012 Guest Collector

Associate Editor, Brilliant Star magazine

Overheard...

Overheard in Michael's Museum today:

Father: "I remember having a truck that was filled with COKE bottles just like these."

While playing the Coffee Table Treasure Hunt, Adult: "Can you find the hot dog?" Child: "Does it have bread?"

On leaving the exhibit, a Teen: "This exhibit makes me feel so big!"

Michael's Museum: An April Fool Baby

On this day (April 1) in 2007, an article appeared in the "Q" Section of The Chicago Tribune about Michael's Museum written by Staff Reporter Barbara Mahany.  This article led to Michael's Museum: A Curious Collection of Tiny Treasures now being a permanent exhibit at Chicago Children's Museum.