ABOVE: Jean Kelley made this roombox for Mary so that Mary could display some of the groceries she sells and some of the foods she makes.
Because Mary was familiar with resins from her large-size crafts, combining resin and polymer clay was a natural step for her. "I also discovered that resin would be a good medium for drinks and started exploring the combination of dyes and resins in making "liquids."
Mary's first miniatures show netted her $300 and she was thrilled. She couldn't wait to get back in the kitchen and "cook" some more. "About two years after that I started sharing my work and doing some how-tos. I did the first class at Jane Haskell's Andover show and I have been teaching ever since."
In her first years of presenting her menus at shows, Mary tried her best not to become a collector and she succeeded (with great difficulty) for three years. "But I was there and I saw. How could I not? Even though I had no miniatures before I entered the field, I did have my mother's (German settings)."
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2000
Mary Eccher:
Artisan & Collector
page 2 of 4
ABOVE: Bernhard "Anton Pieck" setting, a Toy Shop.
This is the Pieck print on which Bernhard based his miniature toy shop.
Handcrafted Collectible Dollhouse Scale Miniature Foods, Beverages and Accessories
IGMA ARTISAN
NAME ACADEMY of HONOR AWARD MEMBER
Member of CIMTA
I will celebrate your life for the rest of mine....
