JDayMinis, 1:48 & 1:12 Scale Minis, Laser Cut Designs too.

Sunday, April 6, 2014

My Miniature version of Tea at the Empress








First I would like to welcome my new visitors and followers to my blog, without you I wouldn't be here. I really appreciate your comments.

I woke up at 5:30 this morning inspired about a miniature scene I'm still working on but started a few years ago. I have often tried to go back to sleep when that happens but I know it is better to get up. Life is very short and it is best to strike while the iron is hot or I might forget what I had in mind altogether.

Tea a the Empress in miniature is the name of this room box. This miniature room box came about because of my love for the Empress Hotel here in Victoria B.C. Canada. I knew I didn't want to do a replica but more of a feeling that I have when we go for tea there. Once a year for quite a few years John and I have gone for tea with a lovely group of friends. It is fun to reunite with our friends and we always have a wonderful time and come home with a lovely box of Empress Tea. We are both gluten free and the Empress always graciously accommodates us. For those of you who haven't had a chance to visit the Empress tea room it has a beautiful view of the inner harbour, very high ceilings and Victorian furnishings. Such a terrific atmosphere for a tea party.

The Empress brings back so many memories, when we first moved to Victoria with my grandparents when I was 9 yrs. old we used to go to the Empress cafe for Sunday brunch. I don't remember what I ordered but I always knew it was special and I loved the atmosphere. I do remember what my mom and grandmother ordered and that was a My Lady Fruit Salad, they loved it...fruit and cottage cheese on a bed of lettuce. After lunch we would sit among the plants in the conservatory by the waterfall on the wicker furniture with the tile floor.

In my teens I used to go to various dances there that were always special and fun. After finishing High School I needed a job to help pay for University and I had a friend who was working there and suggested I might like it. I worked at the Empress all through University and it paid my way from answering the phone for room service to waitressing.  I worked in the still room for a while which was part of the kitchen with the loud but likeable French Chef. I used to prepare the crumpets for the afternoon tea.  After that I worked in the Garden Cafe many years as a waitress and hostess. It was a great experience and wonderful to help me get over my shyness.

My fist Steampunk convention was at the Empress too, great venue and it inspired me to make my Steampunk Inventors room in a microscope case http://jdayminis.blogspot.ca/2010/07/steampunk-inventors-room.html

While I worked at the Empress, I would often think that I would like to come back to stay for an evening and we did for one of our anniversary, we had a view of the inner harbor and it was perfect!

A few years ago I decided to make one of the room boxes I made in a Brooke Tucker workshop into a tea room. The wonderful food is mostly from Janet Uyetake who's business name is Tiny Town Hawaii http://tinytownehawaii.com, I thought Janet's work was perfect for this setting.  The plates are very similar to the plates at the Empress. I still want to make fruit salad in glasses for the scene and some bowls of Devenshire cream for the scones.



The lovely wooden turnings were by Mike Rowe.  The Raku pottery I purchased from Jon Almeda at a couple of shows. His business is  Almeda pottery. Such terrific work!! http://www.etsy.com/shop/AlmedaPottery  I loved being  able to buy Raku pottery in miniature since I love it full scale too.
I painted the watercolour painting from a vintage image. The cottage teapot and tiny house I made  and china painted years ago when I was sculpting porcelain molds. The lovely rose
glass is from England. I hope you have enjoyed my trip down memory lane.

12 comments:

  1. Oh Jean, it is so nice of you that you share your good memories with us, thank you, I enjoyed reading this blogpost :D! It is good to have such nice memories...
    Your miniatures are gorgeous, especially the Raku pottery made by Jon Almeda, but the wooden turnings are fantastic too. The food looks really delicious, it makes me mouth watering ;)!!
    Hugs, Ilona

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  2. Hello Jean, This room is one that I wish I could be introduced to The Tea Empress in real life. Your trip down memory lane had me in awe of your multi creative gifts. Everything looks so perfect. Thank you for sharing this very beautiful creation. Your painting looks great for the room along with everything else in this.
    Hugs,
    Felma

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  3. This is simply exquisite, Jean! It's one of the reasons I always wished (and sometimes still do) that I could shrink down and live in a dollhouse! Your work is absolutely beautiful, and the memories of the "real thing" add so much.

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  4. Lovely scene! I went for tea at the Empress in my teens, haven't been back though!
    hugs,
    Ruth

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  5. Lovely memories I enjoyed reading about them, I love the setting you have created and i fell in love with your painting

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  6. What wonderful memories the Empress holds for you. The scene you have created is wonderful containing some amazing miniatures.

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  7. Hi Jean! I have only been to the Empress Hotel Once about 5 years ago , and that was as a short guided tour by a staff member when he notice me and my friend admiring the Lobby's Interior. What history it has and how marvelous of you to share Your History with the hotel with us!
    Your little room has enraptured me with all of the wonderful details and all of the scrumptious foods that you have laid the table with! I see that you are expecting some company shortly so I had better start getting ready so that I will arrive on time! :D

    elizabeth

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  8. Thank you so much everyone for each of your very thoughtful comments! You are all very welcome to have tea in my mini tea room any time. ♥ Jean

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  9. I love your tea room Jean and thank you for sharing your memories of working in the Empress,
    regards Hazel

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  10. Thank you so much Hazel very visiting and your lovely comment. ♥Jean

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Thank you very much, so nice of you to take the time to leave a comment and to visit my blog!

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