The April show added over $5,500 to the museum's treasury (over $1,000 came from the auction).

Thanks to all who took classes, attended dinner, won auction items, and came to the show. A special thanks to our volunteers. We couldn't do it without you. We appreciate each and every one of you.

The students in classes had a good time creating bobbin lace, making a wicker cradle, flowers, a wee barnyard scene, a fiesta table, a seaside feast, doing an oil painting and learning about electricity.

There was lots of fun at the dinner/auction with bidding on the wonderful auction items.

There were also gift certificates and special gifts given to the people with the lucky ticket numbers. Each person attending the dinner received a gift of a orchid plant (that I made). The centerpieces at this show were scenes in small clear paint cans. Be sure to look at the one the museum kept—it is a miniaturist's workshop in quarter scale.

Auction items were donated by generous members and dealers and Marian did a great job coordinating the auction donations and keeping track of everything. Darlene Carter had a game organized that was very entertaining about what women carry in their purses. Thanks gals for all your work on the dinner/auction.

Pictures of the April classes, dinner/auction and sales room have been added to the museum website. Go to http://miniaturemuseum.org and click on the link to see the April 2010 Show Pictures.

The Belleville show made nearly $200. We hope to have a better turnout next year. But, we sold a lot of stuff for under a $1.00. So, our customers had a good deal and we made more money than we had before the Belleville show.

Dollhouses, furniture, accessories, magazines, books and other donations have been made by:

Steve Burns
Rosemary Clark
Catherine Dewitt
Jeanne Dunnaway
Estate of Suzanne Edwards
Maggie Geen
Janet Imhof
Jane Jacobs
Marolyn Keshner
Patricia & Jim King
Louise Levitt
Pat Snowden
T & D Miniatures
Mary Wrenn

Monetary donations have been made by the following people:

Estate of Judy King
In Memory of Jane Gates (Linda  Gearhart's sister) - Joanne Martin & Fay Zerbolio
In Memory of Lorraine Halloran by Louise Levitt
Sue Ellen Heikkila

Thanks to everyone. If you've donated something and your name doesn't appear, please notify Fay (314) 261-7439 (email FZerb@aol.com) and we will rectify this in the next newsletter.

We have a few new exhibits on display. We hope to have more of our recent acquisitions on exhibit soon, but the guys have to build bases, trays and plastic covers, and we've kept them busy working on the garage, so we are behind on this work.

We passed our inspection of the garage, and now the guys have to paint the floor, access a water source, and install our sink and cabinets (boy, that sounds like a lot of work) before we can schedule any classes. If any of you want to join them (husband alert!) or if anyone wants to join the women on Mondays, just give me a call and I'll give you the details.

Jeanne Dunnaway of Miniature Corner donated all their stock of metal miniatures and a few exhibits. We have sorted through the metal miniatures and now have them on sale in the gift shop. There are some novel and interesting pieces, such as Alice in Wonderland things, some tiny
1/144 furniture, Easter bunnies, and lots of other things. Be sure to look at them when you visit. We also have added some pieces from some of our recent acquisitions, so there are vintage and artisan pieces that are now available. Things are always changing in the gift shop. As things come into the museum, we are always adding new items to the gift shop.

I know, here I am asking for help with staffing the museum. But, we need your help. If anyone can spare even one day a month, just call me (314) 822-7322 and I'll work with your schedule. Remember, we need a general member to work with a board member everyday we are open.

The October 2010 show will be held on the 15-17. We have also set the dates for the 2011 shows: April 15-17, and October 14-16. So be sure to put these dates on your calendar.

Remember, we have to guarantee a number of sleeping rooms, so if you are planning on attending the show and will be staying overnight, we ask you to consider staying at the hotel to help us make our quota.