Angèle Langdon  Madame Sommers’ Classroom

Classroom Nostalgia in Miniature

by Pam North

As a child, Angèle Langdon always was interested in dolls and dollhouses, yearning for such treasures as she grew up. Such luxuries weren’t feasible for her parents’ budget, however, so she would tap her creativity and make them herself out of shelves and whatever odd bits she could scavenge. Later, as an adult with her own financial independence, Angèle finally had her opportunity. She purchased her first dollhouse, one that needed work and completion, and as she finished its restoration, she realized how much she loved to build and create. It really wasn’t that much of a surprise, as decorating and designing in life-scale already had become the focus of her life. Now the owner of a small shop called Angèle’s Couturier Boutique, she designs unique clothing, jewelry, body products, woodwork, and one-of-a-kind handbags. In the miniatures realm, Angèle makes dollhouses, room boxes, and mini items such as furniture, polymer clay foods, beddings and curtains out of fabrics and trims, dishes and decor out of clay and trinkets.
One of her recent projects, Madame Sommers’ Classroom, is best described in Angèle’s own words: “I based the design of this classroom room box on an elementary school classroom that I would have been taught in as a child, a French-Canadian classroom in the 1980s, but certainly built before that. I wanted the feel of older students’ and teachers’ desks with some wear to them; mismatched décor; children's drawings on the cork board; toys and books; educational wall posters; and that corrugated green cardboard paper they used to use as decorative borders. The view from the window is the school yard at recess; I can remember looking out windows with similar views on a sunny day, dreaming. On the chalkboard a message, written by a student, reads ‘Bonjour Madame Sommers, which is the actual name of the person for whom I made this room box. We used to love writing on the chalkboard, but it was a privilege, not a right. This room box is a crystallization of my memories of my elementary school classrooms. and it's like reliving that time whenever I look at it. I felt a real sense of joy and nostalgia making it, and I love how it turned out.” Anyone who enjoys reminiscing about long-ago school days can appreciate Angèle’s detailed creation.
Inspiration manifests itself in many ways for her. “It mostly comes from places where I would like to be; decor I imagine; or a feeling about a certain thought or place. The dollhouses that I build are mini-houses that I would love to own or live in. It is extremely difficult for me to part with anything that I make. I sold my very first all handmade dollhouse not too long ago, and it was very bittersweet.”
Angèle describes her workplace laughingly as “wonderfully packed, hectic, and messy, and that's just the way I like it, because that's how I know where everything is!” Self-taught, she prizes her tools, especially her scroll saw and her electric tabletop sander. 
When asked what she loves most about miniature making, Angèle’s response was, “I love how it takes you into another world, another atmosphere, and how the possibilities of that life are endless and wonderful. I can sit and stare at one of my dollhouses and imagine a complete story. I also love designing a house or a piece in my head, then turning all my ideas into reality.” Like most artists, she finds some aspects of her craft a little less fun. “My least favorite things to do are trims and laying wood flooring, but I always love the results, so it's well worth the tediousness.”
Angèle is optimistic about the future of miniatures, saying, “I think it's increasing in popularity, and the creative possibilities have grown so much already. Polymer clay allows amazing realism in miniatures that contribute to making dollhouses look more lived-in and real, with miniature foods on dinner tables and countertop prep stations, gardens with vines growing up on the houses, and many more items you would see in real-life homes. I think it enhances the hobby, and it will keep expanding. With room boxes, it's not necessary to have four walls and a roof, as even just one wall and a floor can give the convincing illusion of a real scene. Miniature making also is becoming more forgiving, allowing more people at every skill level to create.” 
Angèle’s life revolves around her artistic pursuits. “I'm truly alive when I'm creating something, and truly happy when I see the completed piece. Designing and creating miniatures and dollhouses gives me an opportunity to create my own world. It frees me to let my imagination soar. I have no formal training in anything I make, I teach myself, and that's the best way for me; I enjoy the learning process. I hope to continue what I am doing for years to come. Miniature creation has saved me in many ways, and has brought me a peace that I had never felt before. And I love to share my creations and joy with the world!”
Always looking ahead, Angèle already is working on her next made-from-scratch dollhouse, which will be called Lavender Cottage. “It's a shabby chic, airy-feel, open concept, with two floors, large grand windows, and it’s lavender throughout the house. After that I have ideas for a few other more spectacular houses, room boxes, and furnishings!”

Contact information:
Email:  Angelecouturier@icloud.com
Phone:  (905) 964-9967
Address:  69 Cross Street - Port Colborne, Ontario - Canada, L3K 1L1