Suitcases

I love the concept of a suitcase whose contents tell a story about where it’s been and where it might be going. Crafted in 1:12 scale, I like to envision them as nutshell dioramas. I make each structure individually from basswood, then use paint, paper, leather, and other materials to create a unique, vintage-style suitcase. The majority of the contents are also handmade, carefully chosen to reveal the journey of the suitcase.

Sidewalk Joy Suitcase

  • A Suitcase filled with Sidewalk Joy

    Sidewalk joy is about curated little spots of joy in front of people’s homes, businesses, tucked away in public spaces…Little Free Galleries, spots dedicated to exchanging pins, rubber ducks, pencils, key chains, seeds, toys, puzzles, mugs…This suitcase honors the woman who is a huge driving force and supporter of this whimsical and community-oriented movement, Rachael Harms-Mahlandt aka PDX Dinorama.

  • A Lifesize Pin Swap

    Miriam with Rachael Harms-Mahlandt, PDX Dinorama, who built and generously donated this Pin Swap to my children’s school. Read more about the Sidewalk Joy movement at https://worldwidesidewalkjoy.com/

  • Suitcase Top View

    Magnetic closures, handles, lock, and key

  • Suitcase front

    Covered in turquoise leather

  • Suitcase open view

    Handcrafted dinosaur, painting and frame, flowers, books, and purchased “rubber” ducks

  • Suitcase Open Top

    Purchased and painted mugs, portrait of “Harriet the Bee” in a nail charm frame, handcrafted “pins”

The Mouse Bride’s Suitcase

  • The Mouse's Trousseau

  • The quilted silk interior holds playing cards and books for the journey, wine, a marriage portrait, and fine lace

    The Bride's Suitcase, opened

    The quilted silk interior holds playing cards and books for the journey, wine, a marriage portrait, and fine lace

  • The mouse's trousseau

    Fresh cotton sheets and a silk coverlet accompany the bride’s suitcase

  • Suitcase top view

    Hand crafted and aged luggage tags, magnetic closure, buckled luggage straps, a handle, a lock, and a key

  • Suitcase, bottom view

    Size appropriate hinges and feet

  • Suitcase packed up

    Suitcase painted in a soft pink and aged for character

  • Suitcase arrives at its Destination

    Photo and styling credit to Nancy of Miniatures From the Mountain (Instagram, 2025)

A Traveling Musician’s Suitcase

  • Open Suitcase

  • Suitcase closed view

    Weathered and well traveled

  • Suitcase Open, empty

Snake Oil Salesman’s Suitcase

  • Open Suitcase

  • Closed Suitcase

  • Open Suitcase

  • Interior Hinged components

  • Suitcase Left Panel

  • Suitcase Right Panel

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  • Interior handles

  • Ivermectin

  • Potions

A Suitcase for a Scottish Vacation

  • Open Suitcase

    A suitcase for someone who dreams of traveling in Scotland

  • Closed Suitcase

    Description goes here

  • Closed Suitcase

  • Suitcase Interior

  • Fairy Flag of Dunvegan Castle

  • Tunnocks Tea Cakes

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  • Bagpipes

  • Travel Documents

A Christmas Suitcase

  • Open Suitcase

  • Open, empty suitcase

  • Suitcase side

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  • Suitcase, luggage tags

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  • Top View

Blue Suitcase for a Young Person

  • Open Suitcase

    Travel wallet, journal, uplifting books, a message of encouragement, maps, snacks, binoculars, compass, “Ugg” boots, a water bottle, and a bunch of fun money.

Red Riding Hood’s Grandma’s Suitcase

  • Grandmother's Suitcase, open

    Purchased and embellished ax, handmade “wolf trap”, Dried flowers, portrait of Red and Grandmother by Trina Schart Hyman, Grandma’s cap, boots, “wolf’s bane” elixir, wine, bread, books, and glasses

Cheerful Briefcase

  • Open Suitcase

    A cheerful yellow briefcase for a woman heading back to work—boba tea, a couple good books, a folio case filled with papers

Adelaide’s Suitcase

  • Open Suitcase

    A suitcase for a 9-year-old girl who loves exploring, pink & turquoise, sparkly things, and treats that come in a pink bakery box. Includes a scrap book with a hidden compartment, flowers, magical maps, a unicorn horn, locking journal, milk for cookies, nail polish, and a soft bunny.

The Skin Suit

  • Open Suitcase