Studio B Miniatures

1972 – 1987

The Birkemeier family made miniatures under the Studio B Miniatures name from about 1972 – 1987. Their work focused on reproductions of early American lighting, tinware, brassware, furniture, decorative pieces, decoys and paintings at 1/12 scale. During this time some 1,000 pieces of furniture and 4,000 pieces of tin and brassware were sold.

These pieces are still in people’s collections and from time-to-time they appear in estate sales and online auctions. The purpose of this website is to provide collectors with the history of Studio B Miniatures and the items that were produced – including photographs, dimensions, original catalogs, order sheets and more.

Studio B Miniatures were sold through a shop in Hingham, MA, other dealers, several miniature shows and mail order. Studio B work has been exhibited at the National Geographic Society Explorers Hall in Washington D.C. (1985), Museum of Natural History in Brewster, Cape Cod, The Art of Miniaturia (1983) and took first prize at the Tiny Treasures Society Exhibit in 1976. Some pieces are included in the permanent collection of the National Museum of Toys / Miniatures in Kansas City, MO.

It was a hobby business for the family. Bob and Millie Birkemeier made early American furniture pieces including different styles of Windsor chairs, tavern and gate-leg tables, a small spinning wheel, rope and canopy beds, and blanket chests.

Son, Bill and his wife, Peggy Birkemeier, made a great variety of period tinware pieces such as cheese molds, cookie cutters, fireplace screens and tools, chandeliers and wall sconces, and toleware coffee pots, sugars, creamers, spice cans and boxes.

Daughter, Wendy Birkemeier painted detailed reproductions of American Colonial art and her husband, Tom Degutis, created frames.