I loved miniatures as a child. I spent hours decorating and cleaning my dollhouse my father made for me when I was 7. I still love little things, and I often think in 1/2 inch scale. When I lived in Chicago, my favorite place to go was not Millenium Park, the Lincoln Park Zoo or Michigan Avenue. It was a little vintage and antique shop in Evanston, called Secret Treasures. I spent a lot of time (and $$$) there finding all sorts of treasures for my charming city apartments and tiny ephemera for art projects. One day, as I was looking for a cabinet for extra storage in my kitchen, I spotted a $20 top of an old kitchen cabinet. It looked like the top of an old hoosier, and it was painted plain white. I thought, this will do nicely, and when I am finished with it as storage, it will make a fabulous dollhouse! So, I bought it, lugged it home in a van cab and almost lost it to city junkmen as it sat next to the curb for a few minutes while I searched for help to carry it up the stairs to my apartment.

It served its purpose in the kitchen and then became a bookshelf for my husband’s obscenely large book collection when we moved to our little farmhouse in MA. Then, last summer, I knew it was time. It was time to transform the vintage cabinet into a French Dollhouse! I was able to partially complete it last summer with the help of my dear friend, Gail. Then, I taught a camp for kids on making recycled dollhouses, and my own creation was put on hold. This winter, I finally found time to complete it. It made its debut at the Westford Winter Farmers Market here in Westford, MA. What fun it was to see children’s eyes light up – especially when they saw the sign, “PLAY WITH ME!” And, everyone was mesmerized that things we usually throw out or put in the recycling bin could become tiny masterpieces – Altoid tin refrigerator, cellphone box beds, soap box sofas, yogurt cup cafe tables, wine cork chairs, vintage linens-turned curtains, and etc. My husband especially loves the stove with old buttons for burners and metal snaps for knobs. It was a labor of love for me and my beloved glue gun.

The Recycled Dollhouse will do a bit of touring this Spring and then find its permanent home in the Rumphius Recycled Schoolhouse here at Meadowbrook Farm. And, every summer, it will inspire children to create their own Recycled Dollhouse at the Rumphius Recycled Dollhouse camps. I love having something that is totally unique. No two recycled dollhouses are alike which is part of their enormous charm! Enjoy!

I am so pleased to announce a project I have wanted to commit to since leaving PEI in 2004 is finally coming to fruition! I am excited to announce a partnership with Beaconsfield Historic House, one of my favorite spots on the Island. With BHH, I am presenting a summer theatre camp for kids, Monday-Friday, July 19-23, in Beaconsfield’s Carriage House. The camp is an afternoon camp from 1pm until 5pm and is for ages 8-12. The fee is $150 CDN with sibling discounts available.

For our first summer, I decided it would be fun to connect the theatre camp to the history of the house. I am currently working on an original comedy, Princess Louise Comes to Call, which draws upon the real-life visit of Princess Louise, Queen Victoria’s daughter, to the historic PEI home. The play includes a bit of time travel for two young volunteers at the museum. Not only do they get to meet Princess Louise, but also a host of other Island historic figures who join her as guests to a “fine” dinner party. Young thespians will learn about proper table manners and the etiquette of the 19th century – as well as learn about comedic timing and diction.

Our hard work will culminate in a final performance on Friday, July 23 at 7pm in Beaconsfield’s Carriage House. Tickets are $5 adults and $2 for students and young children.

Cheryl Scofield, MA Theatre, will join me as a guest artist and co-director. Cheryl has been teaching theatre in Virginia and Illinois for several years. She has an MA from Northwestern University in Theatre History, Criticism and Literature and worked as a dramaturg with some Off-Loop theatres while living in Chicago. Also in Chicago, Cheryl taught theatre in inner-city schools in a program designed to keep kids out of gangs through involvement in theatre. She is currently director and theatre teacher at Liberty High School located in Virginia.

To sign up, go to How to Register on the left toolbar and mail your Summer Camps form and check made payable to Rumphius Creativity Unhinged to 5A Gould Rd. Westford, MA 01886. If you would like more information, please call me, Emily Piper, at 978.995.7002 or e-mail rumphius@creativityunhinged.com.

Can’t wait to be back on the Island doing what I love!