Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by miniThaiss

Miniatures by miniThaiss

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012.JPGWhat’s your earliest memory with miniatures?

My earliest “mini” memory goes back to my childhood when my grandmother gave me a miniature 1:6 scale ceramic tea set. I enjoyed playing with it and I still keep it.

How did you first get started making miniatures?

Well, the first miniatures I ever made were the ones I made for my Barbie dolls when I was a child, such as accessories and clothes. The interest for the ones in 1:12 scale came few years ago, when I discovered the wonderful world of miniatures for real. Ever since that moment, I haven’t been able to stop making them.canvas

What is the most challenging miniature that you make?

The most challenging to make are definitely cherries in 1:12 scale because of their size. But maybe that’s the reason why I enjoy making them the most.

What inspires you?

015.JPGSince I mostly make miniature food, I get the inspiration from real food. Everything around me inspires me, I’m always looking for everyday items that could be transformed into a miniature or a tool for making one.

What is the most memorable miniature you have ever seen by another artist?

Any miniature by Tomo Tanaka.

What is your hope for the field of miniatures?obelix

I hope it develops even more, because there are many people in the world who appreciate miniature art.

Favorite miniaturists you’d like to mention?

I admire Tomo Tanaka (Nunu’s house), Angie Scarr, David Iriarte, Tereza Martinez, Susi Martinez, Sharon Cariola, Maritza Moran and many others.

043.JPGWhy miniatures?

I find miniatures very challenging; they require great attention to details, and therefore they are a great form to express my love for details.

What’s to come from Tajda Tufek?

I would love to take part of a miniature fair in the future, so that I could meet other miniaturists and exchange ideas. In Barcelona, maybe.

Other activities you enjoy?

I enjoy painting, drawing, skiing and playing table tennis.

The miniature brand of miniThaiss was created by Tajda Tufek who is based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Have a look at more minis on Etsy, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Flickr!

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Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Carissa Rho

Miniatures by Carissa Rho

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Turkey mashed potatoes and cornHow did you first get started making miniatures? 

In April 2015, I stumbled upon a YouTube video of someone making edible miniature food and after a few more clicks through other videos, I ended up watching a polymer clay miniature food tutorial. It was like discovering a whole new world, really. I had some polymer clay left over from a sculpting project I did prior and I made a loaf of bread that same night. And I’ve fallen in love with it since then.

What miniature making technique is most challenging for you? 

For me, and I still struggle with this, it’s mixing the correct color. I have a ton of scrap clay because the colors weren’t correct for what I was working on. All it takes is for a little too much of one color and it can throw everything of. I usually find use of the scrap clay later, so it’s not a loss, but color mixing is definitely something I’m still learning. I look at a lot of my earlier pieces and I can see that the color is a little off for some of them.Earlier miniature in the back and miniature remake in front

What advice would you give to new miniaturists?

I’m still very new to the world of miniatures. I just started making them eight months ago. But I will say things I’ve learned that will help.

1. Research, research, research — Before starting any new hobby, you’d want to learn about it. Learn about techniques, products, and tips. The more research I did, the better my investments became and the less mistakes I made. And speaking of mistakes…

Miniature maki rolls2. Don’t be afraid to mess up. — When I was just starting, I’d be afraid to try new things because I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. However, that’s the only way you will figure out new things; by trying them. Once you keep practicing, it gets better and you get more confident in your abilities. (Even though you probably would still have to scrap a few pieces every now and then.)

3. Study. — You’d be amazed at how you look at food differently and how increasingly realistic your miniatures look once you start studying the textures and colors. Paying attention to the details really makes a difference. I notice so much more about food these days, besides the best part; the taste.Earlier miniatures and their smaller remakes

What inspires you?

Life, really. Everything around me. Almost anything inspires me to create. It may sound cliche, but it’s true. Art, music, food, animals, etc. I find inspiration from all of those. I could see two people laughing and be inclined to draw or write. I could see a plate of food and be inclined to create a miniature. It’s a lovely feeling. Although inspiration doesn’t always come as instantly, I appreciate it when it does come.

Miniature waffles and baconWhat is your hope for the field of miniatures?

I’d actually like to see more miniature work on a local scale. I’m the only person I know that does it in The Bahamas. Not saying that no one else does it, but to know and meet them would be amazing. Having an open network to meet new artists both locally and abroad is important. That’s why I love what the dailymini is doing and I’ve found tons of new miniature artists through this account. So, I hope that The Daily Miniature continues to grow and bridge artists from all over the world together.

Miniature cheesecakesHow can miniature enthusiasts help keep the art alive?

Honestly, the main thing would be to support. Whether it be financially, sharing someone’s work that can lead to opportunities and growth, or collaborations. Support is vital. I’m new to this industry so I’m still learning the ins and outs. However, without the help (tips, tutorials, sharing) or inspiration from other miniaturists, I probably wouldn’t have seriously started or continued because I wouldn’t know where to start. So being willing to share your talents and skills helps artists like me who are just starting out. And the support of other artists helps a lot.

Favorite miniaturists you’d like to mention?

There are a few: sugarcharmshopmadame_patachoupolymerkitchensnowfern, and vilmascrafts.

Miniature GyozaWhy miniatures? 

There is so much I love about making miniatures. I’ve always been interested in sculpting and creating so it really satisfies that desire to create. So, just having the ability to create is something I appreciate the most. The process; taking blocks of clay and making it into small plates of realistic-looking food and putting these things together is a wild ride. It is also very calming for me (even though it does get frustrating at times). I feel so at ease just spending hours sculpting various things.

IMG_20150428_002623What’s to come from Carissa Rho?

Nothing major or concrete right now, but I’m still planning for this year. I have started challenging myself by choosing a specific cuisine and making miniature food of that particular cuisine for the entire week. It has helped me learn about other cultures and it pushes me to go out of the box. Also, I want to create more local (Bahamian) cuisine. I’ve already started and people seem to like them a lot. Because it’s easier to relate to, I think. I also want to open my shop up really soon. So my focus besides the actual crafting would be to start selling my creations. Be on the look out for that!

Miniature pork and beef udon soupOther activities you enjoy?

I love to draw and write. I also dabble in a bit of acting.

Anything else you would like to add? 

I just want to thank the people who have shared and liked my work. It means a lot and it encourages me.

Carissa Rho is from Nassau in The Bahamas. This up-and-coming talent continues to delight with her miniature creations on Facebook and Instagram. Make sure to follow her!

Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Cutchi Cutchi

Miniatures by Cutchi Cutchi

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image2.PNGWhat’s your earliest memory with miniatures?

My earliest memory with miniatures was going to the children’s museum in Chicago and always wanting to go to the “miniatures” room that they had there. I was always inspired by them, and I started seeing artists recreating tiny miniature babies in clay, and I started sculpting them. I always thought that anything that was miniature was cuter, so I began sculpting anything I could see in miniature scale: vases, school supplies, plates, etc.

What was the first miniature you made?

I don’t remember my first miniature, but I do remember it as being a baby. (A very ugly baby!)

image3.PNGWhat are your favorite miniatures to create?

One of my favorite miniatures to make are pencils, because they are simple to make, and easy to make look realistic.

What technique challenges you?

A very challenging technique I have learned is making anything hollow without a mold, such as a vase, bowl, or container.

Who inspires you?

One of the most inspiring artists I have come across is Sugarcharmshop on YouTube and Instagram. She is incredible, and makes her creations very realistic.

Advice for new artists?

Something I would tell beginning artists is, and I’m sure you’ve heard it one too many times, “Practice makes perfect.” It’s true!

image1.PNGWhat are you working on next?

I am starting and will continue to start on my idea of “scenes.” I have a good description of what they are on my website that I’m currently working on.

Anything you would like to add?

Lastly, what I want to let new and old artists know is that I am constantly learning new things every day, just like you. I always look at the new methods on sculpting, assembly, and selling my miniatures. There’s plenty I have learned, and there’s plenty I still have to learn.

Isabel Newman is the founder and owner of Cutchi Cutchi, based in Vernon Hills, Illinois. To see more of her creations, visit Instagram and YouTube

Daily Mini Interview: Orsi’s Miniatures

Orsi’s Miniatures

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Princess_partyWhat’s your earliest memory with miniatures?

I was probably four years old, and spending the summer with my maternal grandparents. There wasn’t any other children around, so my granny gave me my mother’s childhood toy furniture: a 1:6 scale bed, 1:10 scale cupboard, armchairs, and an enamel bathtub. I spent the major part of the summer playing with those and making up stories. I still have the cupboard and that old, rusty, enamel bathtub.

How did you first get started making miniatures?

I always wanted a dollhouse, but in my childhood it wasn’t available. Hungary was under Russian occupation, so Barbie-like items couldn’t be find in the toyshops, and dollhouses were considered a bourgeois whim. I had to grow up and get a temporary job in Paris, France, to meet the intoxicating world of miniatures. Strolling on the Montmartre on a Sunday afternoon I found a shop window with a large, Parisian-style house in the front. It was the Dentelles et Ribambelles, owned by Léa Frisoni, and that afternoon sealed my fate. I spent a large part of my daily allowance there and when I repatriated to Hungary, I started to build my first dollhouse.

Apple_Orchard_cake_01Where does the interest stem from?

I wanted to become an architect just like my dad, but physics definitely wasn’t my forte in secondary school. I became an economist, but nothing can extinguish my love for architecture. Wherever I travel, I take photos of the buildings: Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings are to die for, and I love the magnificent French chateaus and mansions, the breath-taking Gothic cathedrals, as well as the cozy, English half-timbered cottages.

Besides this, I like gastronomy; I’ve collected quite a few cookery books and I enjoy baking cakes, though I prefer the healthier versions in real life. This gives me continuous inspiration to create new pieces in miniature.

Why did you make the switch from economics to miniatures?

Being an economist is a tough task. I can’t recite how many times I heard during lectures that if I do this or that, I can be imprisoned. Charming, isn’t it?

My family is packed with people with artistic skills: my paternal grandmother was a folk art artist specialized on embroidering, weaving and lace making, who was granted with the highest honor possible in Hungary: the Master of Folk Art. il_570xN.869578845_ppcnShe taught me different techniques and spoke a lot about colors and patterns creating harmony in interior design. My father is an architect, our house was packed with albums and books about architectural designs and styles. It showed quite early that I inherited their skills and I would follow them somehow. Though I chose corporate finances, I was and I am a creative person… can’t sit tight and do nothing. I always have to create something. Miniatures simply put all of my previous hobbies under one roof: my love for architecture, gastronomy, glass painting, decoupage, mosaic making… I can practice all of them and more when I make miniatures.

Do you remember the very first miniature you ever made?

My first miniature was a dollhouse. I built it without practice and knowledge, so it had several flaws and errors but I was very proud to have it. It does still exist, though I emptied it. I created it to form a simple white cube which can be opened into half, so currently it is closed and serves as a table for my Inn to the Devoted Peasant Girl dollhouse, which is a medieval English inn from Nottinghamshire.

PatisserieMarieAntoinette_07

What is your favorite type of miniature to make?

Though I’m a foodie, my favorite thing is creating the exterior of a building. I enjoy building houses, and aging the exteriors is always the most fun. I especially like the old houses with broken pipes, leaks, old plaster, and more.

Do you have a favorite type of miniature food you like to make?

I don’t have a particular favorite, but I have to admit I like the ones which require either research or a challenge. I like working on historic food, where I can learn about the era, get more information about the eating habits, interior design, life in general and so forth.

Career highlights you would like to mention?

Winning a scholarship to the Guild School was definitely one, and getting my Fellow Cube two years later. It was an honor to make wrought iron furniture in a courtyard which belongs to a Mulvany & Rogers house. I consider my latest roombox a highlight as well: it is a 1 inch scale Cape Cod style living room. This was my first American theme roombox, which earned me 1st prize in an International contest organized by the Hungarian Doll Society. It is one of my personal favorites as well, which will remain in my possession.

Cape_Cod_14
How did you first become involved with The Guild of International Miniature Artisans?

I met Molly Cromwell 9 years ago in Vienna on one of her tours for miniaturists where my food was very well received. She offered me a table at her Orlando Show and talked me about the Guild and the scholarship opportunity. First I became a regular member, then a year later I applied for scholarship and won it.

For those that don’t know, what is the value of the Guild?

I think the biggest value of the Guild is Guild School and a Guild School scholarship. The Guild School itself is a perfect opportunity to learn new methods, to meet people who have the same interest, and it’s a place where you can share your knowledge. As it is located in a small town in the NorthEast of the U.S., it is very pricy to go there from Central and Eastern Europe (especially if we take into account the far lower wages and salaries). Therefore the scholarship provides an amazing chance to those who have the talent. For me, it meant a lot and I still profit from it when I create new items.

What advice would you give to new miniaturists? Pottage

Put faith into yourself, believe that you can achieve your aim. When you are using new materials, always try first before you apply the item on your final piece, and make sure to use good quality materials.

Favorite miniature you own?

I adore the glass items made by the amazing German artist Gerd Felka. I have a small collection of his beautiful whisky bottles, vases, bowls, and tiny perfume bottles.

What inspires you?

Everything: a play in a theater, an old city, a film, a painting, a good book.

What is the most memorable miniature you have ever seen by another artist?

Hamlet_bedI can recite dozens of work. Everyone who has visited the Thorne Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago would agree with me that those are the most marvelous miniatures we have ever seen. Same goes for Mulvany & Rogers,whose houses are outstanding; they capture details in a unique way.

But if I can choose only one, it would be a mind-blowing iron bed with a “working” dragon that spits flames, made by my former Guild School instructor, Alan Hamer. He told me it was me who inspired that bed when he sent me some photos about the half made bed, and I just told him my ideas about how to finish it.

Why miniatures?

It is simple: because we can create things in miniature we can’t afford or can’t have in real life. I will never have the chance to own a French townhouse, a Cape Cod cottage or a French Chateau in real life, but I can built them in miniature. I create dreams and test my limits with every new project, and I gain knowledge about different historic periods. I think that is what still appeals me, the continuous challenge. I’ve learnt way more about history, architecture, cuisine and interior design from making miniatures than I had learned in previous decades.

Hedgehog_cakeWhat’s to come from Orsi’s Miniatures?

My next miniature show will be the Chicago International where I will introduce both new food items and new metalwork. Currently, I work on a quarter scale house, but this is only a short excursion. Quarter scale is really not my favorite, we lose too many details, so I will stick to 1 inch scale in the future. I will widen my historic food line from Tudor to Victorian, concentrating on historically accurate raw food. Because we tend to forget the apples, pears, melons, and more weren’t the same as they are today.

Words you live by?

The sky is your limit. Your sky. Your limit.

Other activities you enjoy?

There are many things on my plate I enjoy besides miniatures, though I have to tell you miniatures infiltrated almost every hobby of mine, they are simply feeding on each other. I like traveling and visiting cities, particularly historical parts, as history is my absolute favorite. I like doing research on different historical eras when I work on a project.

Metal-5I like paintings, Monet, Mucha, Renoir, Vermeer and Rubens are my favorites.

I like cooking and eating, though my cakes and pastries are more on the healthy side. Interior design has been part of my life since my teenage years. I particularly enjoy DIY-ing around the flat, especially furniture painting. Certainly I like reading and adore my e-reader as it makes possible to bring a large library with me every time I’m traveling. Last but not least, I like classical music. In elementary school, I specialized in music so it has been part of my life since childhood. Music always reflects our mood, our personality, and it brings joy and helps to bear the loss. I simply can’t exist without music.

Orsi’s Miniatures was created by Orsolya Skultéti, who is originally from Hungary. Take a closer look at her exquisite work by visiting the Orsi’s Miniatures website. Shop her miniatures on Etsy, and follow updates on Facebook and Orsi’s Minis blog

Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Vilma’s Crafts

Miniatures by Vilma’s Crafts

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C360_2015-11-23-15-38-49-304How did you first get started making miniatures?

I started making miniatures when I was really young. I have always been interested in small things. I don’t quite recall the time when I started making miniatures myself, but I remember learning about polymer clay approximately two years ago, in 2013. If I remember correctly, my first small scale project was a toy box for a dollhouse, made from a cardboard toilet paper roll.

C360_2015-11-08-18-13-51-950What’s your favorite type of miniature to make?

My favorite type of miniature to make is probably food, or something that people can recognize and relate to. Or for example, a pair of shoes that everyone knows.

What’s your favorite type of food to eat?

I like a lot of different kinds of meat… and tortillas, yum!

C360_2015-10-11-16-48-31-299Favorite type of clay to use? 

I mostly use FIMO, but sometimes I use Cernit or Sculpey. My favorite is FIMO because they offer different kinds of clay: soft, classic, or effect.

Favorite miniature you’ve made?

My favorite miniature I own is a vintage Singer sewing machine I made from Q-tips and paintbrushes two years ago. It might not be that pretty, but for me, it’s very special.

 

IMG_4512.JPG

What inspires you?

There are many things I get inspired by. Pinterest is important while trying to be inspired, as is the Internet in general. I look at pictures of different food items or other images. I like to incorporate things that I like, and make miniatures that look like my own style.

C360_2015-10-10-13-52-30-678What advice would you give to beginner miniaturists?

If you want to make realistic miniatures, you should take your texturing and shading as far as you can. Take your time when you’re doing it. For example, with a slice of cake you should take your time on texturing the piece properly. Sometimes I come up with new techniques by messing around with different textures and materials. Also, you should just watch different tutorials and try things yourself. I wish someone had told me about soft pastels and shading when I started making miniatures.

C360_2015-10-13-14-15-19-378Why miniatures? 

I have always been interested in small things. When I was young, I always bought a Barbie that came with the smallest accessories.

What’s to come from Vilma’s Crafts?

Well, of course there are new miniatures coming up… I have a few things planned for next year. I plan to make different holiday-inspired miniatures. But currently, I’m working on Christmas miniature food and gifts. I think I’m not going to do small room boxes next year because my room is so full of crafting supplies, and I hate to clean. There’s just not enough space for my small dollhouses!

C360_2015-11-04-13-23-01-473 (1)Words you live by?

Sometimes I just repeat the saying: “I’m gonna do this as well as I can, and make it as realistic as possible,” something to that effect.

Other activities you enjoy?

I enjoy drawing. I also collect magnets from different countries. And I bake cakes and make sugar fondant decorations.

Anything else you would like to add? What do you want miniature enthusiasts to know about the creator behind Vilma’s Crafts?

Well, I started to study baking in vocational college this past August. Hopefully that is going to be my future occupation.

Vilma Hokkanen is based in Espoo, Finland, near Helsinki. Have a look at the miniatures she’s recently created by following her on Instagram!

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Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Decadent Minis

Decadent Miniatures

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99DSC_0152What’s your earliest memory with miniatures?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated with miniatures. As a little girl, I used to play with my Barbie dolls and create mini bakeries, pizza parlors, and kitchens. I would always make sure to get the kits that had the miniature play food that looked the most realistic. I remember one playset in particular that had a pizza oven that would “bake” the pizza until it browned using ice cubes to “heat” the oven. I thought that was so amazing as a young kid and I’ve been enamored with miniatures every since.

How did you first get started making miniatures? 

I first started making miniature food when I was looking up mommy and me crafts to make with my young daughter. I wanted to make something special for us that would be fun to make, cute, and something we could keep forever once we were done. So I researched cupcake crafts on Google and came across polymer clay food miniatures.

11DSC_0210Do you remember the very first miniature you ever made? 

My very first miniature was a chocolate cake charm. I found a tutorial on DeviantArt on how to make a miniature chocolate cake, and I proceeded to make my own version. The end result was comical to say the least, but at the time I thought it was the best little cake I have ever seen! I was hooked! I then proceeded to make several cakes in the weirdest designs and colors. I spent my whole weekend creating little cakes. I couldn’t put that clay down! I still have those little cakes 10 years later!

99DSC_0452What is your favorite type of miniature to make?

My favorite type of miniatures to make are cakes and sugar cookies. I love texturing the cake and making it look as realistic as possible. My favorite part of making the cakes would have to be adding the scent. My favorite cake scent that I have created is lemon buttercream. It smells so sweet, with just a hint of lemon… it makes my mouth water!

I love sugar cookies because there are so many varieties to create. The possibilities are endless! I also love that the process of making them are very similar to making real cookies! Mixing the icing and decorating is a blast!

11DSC_0231What types of miniatures are most challenging to make? 

I would have to say the most challenging miniatures to make are my gingerbread houses. It takes a lot of practice to be able to attach the pieces of the house together without it falling apart. Then it’s the tedious part of decorating the little house. All the little candies have to be made one by one and on a 1/2 inch or smaller scale. The very first batch of houses took me over 8 hours to complete. The gingerbread house is a very challenging miniature to make, but the outcome is so worth it in the end!

0DSC_0065What advice would you give to new miniaturists? 

If you are just starting out making miniatures and miniature food, my advice to you would be to keep practicing. Never give up. I have learned that the more you work with your medium, the more you become one with it. Learn your craft from all angles. Look up tutorials and YouTube videos for help if you get stuck and don’t be afraid to ask other seasoned miniaturists for guidance. We don’t bite! I wish I had someone to help me when I was first starting out. I understand the struggles so feel free to send me a message if you get stuck on a project! I am always willing to help out a fellow miniaturist!

If you are making miniature food, Premo translucent is your secret weapon! It makes the food look more realistic and not cartoon-like or chalky. Your best bet is to buy the big blocks and save because you will use a lot of it!

11DSC_2153What inspires you?

My fans inspire me. I remember my very first craft show everyone who came up to my booth was amazed how realistic and tiny my food jewelry was. When I told them the the jewelry was scented, the looks on their faces were priceless! They immediately picked up the jewelry and started sniffing it, calling their friends over and going crazy over how real every thing smelled. It was amazing. I will never forget that experience! From that point on I knew this is what I wanted to do forever. I loved seeing the smiles on the little kids’ faces and how happy my jewelry made them. I wanted everyone to be able to leave with a piece of my jewelry. And they did. I love my fans! They keep me going!

DSC_0863What is the most memorable miniature you have ever seen?

The most unique miniature I have seen from another artist would have to be a miniature cupcake with a octopus on it. It made me scratch my head a little bit.

What is your hope for the field of miniatures? 

I hope in the future, miniatures will get more recognition and appreciation as fine art. I don’t think people understand how much time and dedication it takes to make such small pieces of art. I would love to see more tutorial books and miniature fairs. I think making publications and hosting more local craft shows based solely on miniature art and miniature food will help keep the art alive.

99DSC_0374What would you like to see replicated in miniature that you have not yet seen?

I would like to see more bakeries and shabby chic kitchens. I think they are the most beautiful miniature scenes to make.

Why miniatures?

I love being able to create a tiny version of something big. I love that I am able to bring miniatures one step closer to reality with my realistic scents.

0DSC_0023What’s to come from Decadent Minis?

Look out for tutorial kits, books, miniature bakeries, and our mobile store!

Motto you live by?

My favorite quote is from George Eliot: “Its never too late to be who you might have been.” When I tend to get a little sidetracked while working on long projects I usually say to myself: “Stop spinning and start winning!” It helps me snap back to reality.

Favorite miniature quote?

“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most space in your heart.”

0DSC_0137 copyOther hobbies you enjoy?

My favorite activities besides making minis are watching movies, eating good food, traveling, and being a girly girl.

What do you want miniature fans to know about you?

I would like my fans to know that every piece I make comes from the heart and never from a factory. I use recyclable materials as much as possible to reduce our carbon footprint. I donate a portion of my proceeds from my jewelry to charities that help animals and foster youth.

Decadent Minis was created by Trina Moreau, who currently lives in Antioch, California. See what’s she been up to by checking out the Decadent Mini website, Decadent Mini Etsy, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Daily Mini Interview: Astolat Dollhouse Castle Curator Dorothy Twining Globus

Dorothy Twining Globus: Curator of Astolat Dollhouse Castle

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FD4Yy1ds2xq6HPEqrnM_0oUqr0psxaKJo4pD1KO0OW4Dorothy Twining Globus has been well-respected in the museum world for over four decades. Most recently as the Curator of Exhibtions at the Museum of Arts and Design for nine years, she previously served as Director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Formerly, she spent twenty years as Curator of Exhibitions at the Cooper-Hewitt MuseumDorothy’s particular interests in design, the decorative arts and craftsmanship are all met in the presentation of the Astolat Dollhouse Castle, a most remarkable milestone in the world of fine scale miniatures. Furthermore, Dorothy made dollhouses for herself and her daughter under the watchful eye of her mother, another aficionado in the miniature field.

What are your earliest memories with miniatures?

IMG_0967
Inventory shot of dollhouse furniture from Dorothy Twining Globus’ collection.

I had a very serious dollhouse growing up. It wasn’t so much a free standing dollhouse as much as shelves. It was designed in the Ginny Doll scale. I worked on it for ages, and only this spring (2015) did I pack it up. It had 1960s padded living room furniture. I was cracking up as I lined up all the works together to see them again.

When I was even younger than that, I had a canopy bed, with matching bureau and wardrobe, that must have been made for 8” dolls like Ginny and Madame Alexander. The canopy bed had sheets, pillows, and pillow cases.

My mother loved dollhouses. She used to teach me how to make things. I used to save my grandmother’s matchboxes from the bridge table to make miniature stamps and letter writing kits out of them.

IMG_0964
Matchbox scenes by Dorothy Twining Globus, curator of Astolat Dollhouse Castle.

In time, I worked on a dollhouse for my daughter. I used to make clothing for her American Girl dolls. I would give these as Christmas gifts for her and her friends. I still have a lot of this stuff. I still have some of the matchboxes in which I used to make little scenes. In fact, I am still making very small collages in matchboxes! Finding old ones from my dollhouse days was quite a surprise. I had not seen them for decades!

Coincidentally, my maiden name is Twining, and I recently found out that Twining Models was one of the companies involved in the construction of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House.

How did you become involved with the curatorial field?

Before college, I had a summer job at the Smithsonian. I worked for three summers as an intern. Then I joined the team at Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum and lent my expertise there for 20 years. I absolutely loved the idea of learning about new subject matter, and how to show it. I studied Western Art History at Swarthmore, and never focused much on design in school. In retrospect, I probably would have gone to RISD.

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Horn settee and table by miniature artisan Susanne Russo (dated 1991 and 1988 respectively).

How do your interests inform your work as a curator?

I’m interested in arranging things. As an exhibitions curator, I always tried to understand the subject matter in order to assure the most comprehensible presentation of the ideas. I would work with each of the curators to realize their concepts and themes in the actual gallery spaces. How you present spaces to the general public is so important. I help these curators, who spend all their time thinking about a narrow subject when in fact the average person is not into such detail. aaaaaaaaaaa1I think about ways to present the work so it becomes inherently more accessible to people less experienced with the subject matter.

How did you become involved as Project Curator of the Astolat Dollhouse Castle?

I’ve been enjoying my time retired from the museum world. The Astolat team contacted me to talk about the dollhouse castle. It’s seven stories tall, and was created by Elaine Diehl. Not much is known about Elaine, I’d love to hear what a historian of miniature dollhouses has to say about her. She’s said to be from Colorado and she had a store in Sedona, Arizona. fV9zTodPEripPuxsR2PExGiRu_g9joX0mKZWqgZ0g2EWhen she retired, the current Astolat owners purchased the dollhouse from Elaine. These current owners are now touring the structure to raise funds and awareness for children’s charities. Astolat is currently on view at the Shops at Columbus Circle, in Manhattan’s Time Warner Center, now through December 8. People go gaga for the dollhouse. Women and children are predictable, but the men coming in… they’re equally involved.

The dollhouse is inspired by Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem: “The Lady of Shalott” from 1832. Her name was Elaine of Astolat. She lived under a curse and never left her castle until she saw Sir Lancelot riding by. When she realized he would never love her, she killed herself. That was the curse. I imagine that Astolat’s miniaturist, Elaine Diehl, connected her name and the idea of making a castle dollhouse.

There’s no specific style to the dollhouse. It’s up there in size with some of the other famed dollhouses that have gone on tour to raise money for charities: Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and Colleen Moore’s Fairy Castle. As with all dollhouses, Astolat creates a sense of wonder in the viewer. People marvel over the miniatures and how it’s possible for artisans to craft works smaller and smaller.

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Can you tell us a bit about the dollhouse’s functionality?

From the Astolat site: “It features 29 rooms filled with 10,000 miniature pieces, including elaborate furniture, oil paintings, mirrors, fireplaces, gold miniature jewelry, rare-mini books more than 100 years old, fine rugs, fabrics, and pieces made of and silver and gold. It has seven levels, stairways, hallways, a basement, a wine cellar, a kitchen and an armory. There are formal rooms, a library, a music room, a grand ballroom and a bar, and that’s before you get to the Wizard’s tower on the top level.”

Astolat was made between 1974 and 1987. It comes apart into about 66 pieces. The whole façade is sculpted to look like stone. Maybe Elaine did this herself, but it is such a huge building that I suspect she may have had an assistant! And she most likely had help from an electrician when it came to the wiring of the dollhouse rooms. I don’t believe there is an assembly manual, but the various sections are well-marked. And when the castle goes on tour, there will be a manual.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAstolat’s owners are focused on the current life of the dollhouse. When they bought the work, it contained about 10,000 miniatures. They’ve since added approximately 20,000 works of miniature to the dollhouse’s collection. The rooms are the same as they were.

How does the Astolat team determine which of the 30,000 objects will be displayed in the Castle?

In a house like this, the curation of objects is never done. All the miniatures can be maneuvered and moved. They’re affixed to surfaces with museum wax, so any exhibition venue has to be careful that the dollhouse castle does not get too warm. There are sconces and wiring, functional dollhouse lighting and a working elevator. The furniture can all be rearranged. The floors are made of different parquet and stone. The shells of each room are set, and I believe the paintings and hanging works of art stay the same. But the present owners determine the arrangement of all the miniatures.

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Canary in brass bird cage by miniature artisan Laurel Coulon (dated 1979).

There’s a vitrine in the back of the house. A selection of miniature works were placed on this shelf for viewing by the public at Time Warner. There are a number of featured objects on the Astolat Dollhouse Castle website.

And there will be a few objects auctioned off in the near future to benefit children’s charities. This is an opportunity for miniature enthusiasts to own a piece of the dollhouse castle, and to help children. More auction information will be updated on the Astolat site soon.

Do you have a favorite space within the castle?

There’s much to see in each of the 29 rooms in the dollhouse castle. There’s a wonderful exotic room. Inside of it is a carved Chinese wedding bed. There’s a little Taj Mahal in the front window, a tiny Chinese birdcage made of bamboo. There is a polar bear rug on the floor. The room leads into a luxurious bathroom.

Do you have a favorite miniature from the Astolat collection of 30,000 works?

I really love the geode table.

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Table with geode collection featuring genuine miniature geodes and crystals. Table made by miniature artisan George Becker, one of his earliest works. Marked Gryphon (dated 1976).

Do you consider yourself a collector of miniatures?

I have a lot of small things, but I’m not a miniature collector. I collect New York City skylines in miniature. I like Britain’s Ltd garden sets and train sets. I have a collection of birdhouses, beehives, benches, and more from the company. I like the utility poles from train sets. I enjoy them from a design standpoint. But I don’t put these miniatures into anything.

How would you explain the universal fascination with miniatures?

The obsession with small scale things is innate in our souls. If you think back to Chinese and Egyptian tombs, the deceased were buried with their miniature barnyards or bakeries. It’s not just about the dollhouse, or an association with children. There’s more to it than that.

c1GlzWHPBqLkbltmTfhm3iRD9eZcEm4D6FHZGaT8fGc,wUzPLegY_GnZAWi-IIcf--mV560tvejLnFfFqBOB6eIJoie de faire, which translates to “joy of making,” is a term used by scholar Ellen Dissanayake, who approaches philosophical aesthetics from an anthropological standpoint. In her work, “The Pleasure and Meaning of Making,” and American Craft Magazine article “What Ancient Marks Reveal About Modern Makers,” she discusses the importance of making things, and how the process of making is in fact more important than what is finally made.

Why do people garden? Why do they cook? You have to do things with your hands. You need to do something with your hands. And I think that’s really important. I, for one, always need to be making things.

Advice to those starting out in the field of museum studies?

The most important thing is to get an internship at a museum to see if you really like the experience. I’ve had dozens of interns over the years, and a lot of them had to get into the field to see whether or not it’s something they really care about. It’s so important to respect the objects. Everyone is into technology these days. That’s fine, but don’t forget about the objects. Take time to look at the work on display. Appreciate what you can do in real space, not online. Don’t forget the objects.

English Oak Kitchen Work Table
English Oak Kitchen Work Table by miniature artisan Warren Dick (dated 1983). Miniature food and accessories: Silver carving setin case by Al Archer (dated 1980). Contemporary miniature artisan food: turkey, cornbread stuffing, and cranberry sauce by Crown Jewel Miniatures; plated food, rolls, mashed and sweet potatoes by Janet Uyetake; pumpkin pie by Fairchildart; salt and pepper shakers by Weston Miniatures.

What do you want miniature enthusiasts to know Astolat Dollhouse Castle?

There’s always something more to learn, which is very exciting. I love to see people walking around the castle at Time Warner, being seduced by the experience. There’s a wonderment about it. I love watching guests take virtual trips through the expansive space. Astolat asks people to be involved with it. It’s inviting, and it’s a happy little world that you can control. It provides an escape to viewers—a sense of voyeurism—that allows them to watch what’s going on with great intent.

Dorothy Twining Globus served on the boards of The International Design Conference at Aspen; The Annette Green Museum at the Fragrance Foundation in New York City; and on the Trustees Council of the Preservation League of New York State. She was also on the faculty of the Masters Program in Design at the School of Visual Arts. Globus served as Curator of Exhibitions at the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) in New York City from 2004-2013. She played an integral role in the planning and presentation of MAD’s exhibition program. From 1993 through 2000, Globus was Director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City, where she was responsible for a collection of over 50,000 costume pieces, and some 30,000 textiles. Prior to being the Director of the Museum at the FIT, Globus was Curator of Exhibitions at the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian National Museum of Design in New York City for 20 years, where she presented nearly 200 exhibitions on all aspects of design. Additionally, Globus has also organized numerous exhibitions as an independent curator.

Astolat Dollhouse Castle is the world’s most valuable dollhouse in the world, officially appraised at $8.5 million. The dollhouse castle is now on display at the Shops at Columbus Circle, Time Warner Center, through Tuesday, December 8. Miniatures from the Astolat Dollhouse Castle collection will be auctioned off in the near future to benefit children’s charities; this is an opportunity for miniature collectors and enthusiasts to own a piece of the dollhouse castle and to help children. Auction information will soon be posted at www.dollhousecastle.com. To learn more about the famous dollhouse, and to see many more photos, visit the Astolat Dollhouse Castle website. You can also follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #dollhousecastle.

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Daily Mini Interview: Karon Cunningham Miniatures

Karon Cunningham Miniatures

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Minatures-15How did you first get started working with miniatures?

I only discovered them around 10 years ago when I bought a souvenir and gifts shop in the Georgian city of Bath in England. There was a tiny cabinet of children’s miniatures which I assumed was just another gift line.

A chance meeting with an author of miniature books, who was visiting my shop one day, introduced me to a friend who had been interested in miniatures for over 30 years and has the most exquisite collection I have ever seen. From that moment on, I was hooked. I am a self confessed miniature addict!

_MG_3627_JVLT_Srgb_8What qualities of a miniature work do you take into account as a dealer?

I have a few basic and simple rules when looking for miniatures: quality of workmanship, perfectly to scale (normally 1:12 scale or 1 inch), and most importantly, “do I like it?”

What is the selection process when considering a new artisan to represent?

As a reseller or general dealer of other people’s work, my first thought is for the artisan. After all, it is their work I am selling. I try my best to attribute the artist to every miniature that I have in stock.

S1053934You must remember, handmade miniatures are just that, hand made by one person, the artist. Therefore, there is only a certain number of pieces they can make in a given time. Many do not like to travel. Some ask me to take a selection of their pieces to shows they do not attend, others I buy from and report back on their response. Especially from other countries, the artist is always interested to know how their miniatures are accepted abroad.

Approximately how many artisans do you presently represent? How many countries are represented?

I have miniatures that have been made in over 15 countries around the world by over 350 artists!

Fingers delicately hold a Regency Side chair hand-made by David Booth with an embroidered seat cover by Nicola Mascall. The chair's scroll top is turned on david's home made lathe. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday September, 29, 2011. Karon Cunningham Miniatures shop in Bath, UK, offers a wide and varied collection of miniature furniture, accessories and figurines made by some of the worlds leading miniature makers. Photo credit should read: Ben Birchall/PA Wire
Fingers delicately hold a Regency Side chair hand-made by David Booth with an embroidered seat cover by Nicola Mascall. The chair’s scroll top is turned on David’s homemade lathe. Photo by Ben Birchall/PA Wire.

What are some of the more popular miniatures on your site?

One of the things I hear often from my customers is that I have a lot of different and sometimes unusual miniatures. One said and I quote, :If you are looking for something unusual then go to Karon Cunningham’s site.” I guess it’s because I travel so much; I come across so many miniatures and their makers.

Do you make miniatures yourself?

I do not make miniatures for sale, just for my own pleasure. I take many workshops and classes as I can find time to do so. I love finding out how much goes into the making of these tiny things.

How did you become involved with the International Guild of Miniature Artisans?

I was approached by the Guild‘s President, Teresa Layman, who asked if I would consider standing in on an open place on the IGMA Board of Trustees. The Guild plays a vital part in the promotion, education, and encouragement of miniatures and miniaturists. I wanted to help in any way I could.

Kitchen Wide_2.JPGWhat is the value of Guild Show and Guild School?

Two highlights in the Guild’s calendar are the annual show and the school. The Guild Show is held on the East Coast of the U.S. in August. It is an opportunity for those makers who have been awarded Artisan and Fellow status by the Guild to gather together to sell their work. There are also many other makers of exquisite work there too including some from overseas. I attend the show myself, bringing with me a huge array of pieces from some of the best makers in England and Europe. It is definitely an event to mark in your calendar.

The Guild School is an annual event in June and is an intense, highly enjoyable and rewarding week of classes taught by many experienced and talented Artisans and Fellows of the Guild. I attended the Guild School for the first time this year. Wow! What an experience. You leave the week feeling exhausted but elated all at the same time. I was so proud to come home and show off the miniatures that I made. I’ve already enrolled for next year and can’t wait for it to come round again!

A box of 2 Parker pens, costing £9, made by Klaas Schultz of South Africa are dwarfed by the nib of a ball-point pen. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday September, 29, 2011. Karon Cunningham Miniatures shop in Bath, UK, offers a wide and varied collection of miniature furniture, accessories and figurines made by some of the worlds leading miniature makers. Photo credit should read: Ben Birchall/PA Wire
A box of 2 Parker pens, costing £9, made by Klaas Schultz of South Africa are dwarfed by the nib of a ball-point pen. Photo by Ben Birchall/PA Wire.

Highlights of this year’s Guild Show and other miniature events such as the Philadelphia Miniaturia?

Where do I begin? I don’t think I can put my finger on the ‘highlight’ as such, as the whole experience is one big high for me. From the moment I start packing my stock at home, to driving to the airport and boarding a plane, setting up my table at a show, the selling and the buying, meeting old friends and making new ones, attending classes and bidding at the auction… There is nothing better in the world for me than arriving home after a show and looking back on my trip and enjoying every minute of it.

What is the most memorable miniature you have ever seen?

I’m really interested in weird and wonderful curios and the miniatures made by Jessica Wiesel of Weazilla — these are at the top of my list at the moment. I recently collected a unicorn skull trophy head, a mummified cat, and a jackalope (across between a rabbit and an antelope) from her. How unusual is that!

Anything you haven’t seen in miniature yet?

I don’t know if it has already been made, but I would love to see a silver music box with a singing bird that comes out from a lid on the top. Would that be a wonderful sight!

Aga.JPGHow has the trend of online shopping for miniatures evolved over the years since you’ve been in business?

The Internet has played an important role in how we all shop today, but when it comes to our hobbies and collections, there is no better way than going to a show and meeting the makers, browsing the tables and selecting your pieces. It is retail therapy at its best!

What can modern day miniature enthusiasts, dealers and miniaturists do to preserve this industry?

As in all areas of collecting art, it is the artisans that need encouragement, acknowledgement and the ability to sell their work. This can be praise from their peers to the gratitude of their collectors.
The International Guild of Miniature Artisans is a perfect example of all three, plus a few more. They acknowledge the artisan through their Artisan and Fellow awards, their annual Guild Show is a highlight in the year for these miniaturists to gather together to sell their pieces. They also give opportunities for the makers to share their knowledge through the school and study programs, encouraging others to create wonderful miniatures.

Without the artist, there would be nothing to admire and desire. Without the collector, there would be no one to buy miniatures. I think of this every time I go to a show. I love to see the new ideas miniature makers have had, and the new miniatures they have created.

Milestone CottageWhy miniatures? 

I was originally a company accountant. I didn’t go looking for miniatures, they found me and now I travel around the world meeting wonderful people and finding amazing miniatures. I work from home, a quintessential English cottage with my two dogs. I count my lucky stars every day! I really enjoy what I do.

 What’s to come from Karon Cunningham Miniatures?

I’ve been filling up my 2016 calendar and the year is looking very busy already. The Christmas Kensington Dollshouse Festival in London fast approaches on December 5. It’s the last show of this year, and a highlight on my calendar. I have a cupboard full of kits and projects to make, and my i
nvolvement with IGMA is keeping me out of mischief. I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Karon Cunningham Miniatures offers a wide and varied collection of miniature furniture, accessories and figurines made by some of the world’s leading miniature makers. Karon Cunningham herself hails from a tiny hamlet of 13 houses called Mile Elm in the South West of England. To see her latest collection of miniatures for sale, have a look at the Karon Cunningham Miniatures website. Make sure to follow her shop on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest!

Daily Mini Interview: Totally Handmade Miniatures

Totally Handmade Miniatures 

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DSC_0281 (2)What’s your earliest memory with miniatures?

The first miniature I ever made was a slice of watermelon when I was 5 years old. My auntie used to make ceramic flowers out of an air drying dough she used to make herself. She used to give me pieces of the dough to create miniatures while she made flowers. I loved her work and creativity, and she inspired me to work with clay and be creative.

How did you first get started making miniatures? How has your work evolved?

DSC_0241 (2)In 1995, I got my first dollhouse as my birthday gift from my uncle. I was so excited to play with it and decided to make whatever I didn’t have, using clay. I made a roasted chicken out of DAS clay, and this was my first creation later in life. Then my mother bought me a Play-Doh set with a vegetable mold that was about the size for a dollhouse. I didn’t use polymer clay until 2010. It was not available in Kuwait at that time, and I had to make an order for international shipment.

What is the most memorable miniature you have ever seen?

Before learning about polymer clay, I went through a site called pincstuff by a young girl who used to make ice cream cones out of polymer clay. I was so touched by her miniature work and details.

DSC_0211Advice for new miniaturists?

Details makes all the difference, even the smallest detail that you wouldn’t think matters.

Why miniatures? 

I loved playing with dolls in my childhood, and my dream was to mimic real life activities. Even now, I find it very challenging, yet amazing to be able to recreate natural effects and have them exist in miniature scale. Every new miniature project for me is an interesting challenge!

DSC_0263Upcoming projects planned? 

I’m planning to open my Etsy shop soon. I’m also sketching for a complete set of mini restaurants each by theme: Italian, Mediterranean, Chinese.

What do you want miniature fans to know about you?

I love making miniatures that challenge me, rather than straightforward, easy miniatures. After all, it’s all for fun!

Totally Handmade Miniatures are created by Israa from Kuwait, who now lives in Maryland, U.S. Have a look at some recent miniature creations on Instagram!
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Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Megan Hess

Miniatures by Megan Hess

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IMG_0160What’s your earliest memories with miniatures?

I think miniatures have always been a part of my life in one way or another. As a very young girl I can remember loving the feeling of holding something small in my hand. One of my earliest memories as a child was catching a teeny, tiny frog and trying to talk my mother into letting me keep it. She wasn’t persuaded.

How did you first get started making miniatures?

That’s an easy question to answer. My interest in anything creative comes from, and was nurtured by, my mother. She was always making something; our kitchen table was never really fit for eating on. Whether it was making dollhouses, or Christmas ornaments or Halloween costumes for my sister and me, the creative process was just a normal part of my childhood.

I was always interested in small things, and I had a whole collection of miniature animals, tea sets, and other knickknacks. However, I didn’t start feeling a need to make miniatures until I came across an article in Dolls House and Miniature Scene about Betsy Niederer. I saw all her wonderful miniature food scenes filled with Christmas and Halloween goodies and I knew immediately I wanted to make miniature food. My only sadness comes from the fact that I lost my mother, Sue, to pancreatic cancer four years ago, and she never really got to see any of the miniature food I made. It was something I’m sure we would have bonded over.

IMG_0157How has your work with miniatures evolved?

I’ve been making miniature polymer clay food for a little over four years now. When I first saw that article about Betsy Niederer, I didn’t even know what her miniatures were made of; I had no idea what polymer clay was. It was, what felt like, a long process doing research and learning as much about the craft as I could through the Internet, magazines and Stephanie Kilgast’s wonderful how-to book. I think the one thing I make that has improved the most since I started has been my cupcakes. For some reason, I just love miniature cupcakes, and I really focused in on trying to make the best one I could. It took me about two years before I was happy with the cupcakes I made, so that was definitely an interesting journey.

Favorite mini you own by another artist.

I really adore the cupcakes I have from Cindy Teh of Snowfern Clover. She is just the most amazing artist and person. I have also been lucky enough to be able to make a miniature wildlife scene under the instruction of Beth Freeman-Kane. I completed a framed kit with a pair of chickadees on a barbed wire fence and I really treasure it. In my humble opinion, Beth Freeman-Kane is the gold standard for miniatures, it just doesn’t get any better for me. If I could figure out how to get my hands on anything made by the incredible Tomo Tanaka of NuNu’s House I would be over the moon, but so far I just have his books, which are invaluable to me.

IMG_0159What inspires you?

As far as miniatures and art in general, this may not sound very unique, but I am so inspired by other artists. To see what people have created with their hands and minds really gets me going and in the mood to sit down at my little table in my bedroom and get to work.

To think that when a polymer clay artist begins their work all they have is a hunk of clay and somehow they end up with a beautiful little piece of art is just an amazing thing to me. The process from raw material to finished product is a thing of beauty. In everyday life I’m very inspired by people who face adversity in their lives with dignity and grace. Life can be harsh and unfair a lot of the time, and I always try to remember how incredibly lucky I am to have a wonderful healthy family and a fairly comfortable life when so many people all over the world have such great challenges to face.

What is the most memorable miniature you have ever seen?

I once saw miniature marital aids in an online store (you know what I mean) for the bedroom. It was a little kit complete with fuzzy handcuffs and a riding crop. I laughed so hard, and thought, now I’ve seen everything in miniature!

IMG_0162Words you live by?

When I am going through a particularly tough time in my life–and I have had several pretty bad ones–I try really hard to not think life is conspiring against me. I try to remember a quote by one of my favorite authors, Christopher Hitchens, ” To the dumb question ‘Why me?’ the cosmos barely bothers to return the reply: why not?” In other words, don’t take it personally, its just life, and none of us get out of it alive.

Advice for beginner artists and miniaturists?

Wow, this is a tough one. I suppose my reluctance to offer advice may stem from the feeling that I’m still very surprised to receive any attention at all in regards to my miniatures. If I can say anything, it would be to get online. I’m sure not everyone lives in a city where there aren’t any other miniature artists, but I am fairly certain I do. I swear for the first year, I thought it was me and half a dozen artists I read about in magazines. I was fairly certain I had the weirdest hobby next to those people who collect potato chips shaped like the U.S. Presidents’ faces. When I signed up for Facebook and started seeking out other polymer clay miniature artists I was pleasantly surprised to find a whole community of people who shared my interests. I guess it never dawned on me all the people who build dollhouses need to fill their kitchens with something. It was wonderful to find a supportive group of awesome artists ready and willing to offer advice, friendship and exchange ideas and techniques.

IMG_0158
The Internet is also a well of information, you really can learn how to do almost anything from YouTube. I would also recommend sculpting what you like, or what you enjoy sculpting. Don’t force things; if you like desserts then sculpt desserts. If you like savory foods, then sculpt them. There’s no need to try to force yourself into making something you’re just not that interested in.

Upcoming projects planned? 

I’m currently working on my first roombox scene. It’s the first time I’m trying to put the food I make all together in a cohesive scene and I am finding quite challenging. Making single items is one thing, but trying to put them all together in a collection that’s trying to tell a story or make a bigger picture is a horse of a different color. At the moment all four of my sons, Colton, Logan, Jonathan and Harrison, are all in school which would make one think there is more time for art, but I find it the exact opposite. Between laundry for six people, feeding six people, homework and trying to fit everything I need to without children at my feet in the hours they attend school, there isn’t much time for being creative. Luckily I have an ally in this, my husband David is incredibly supportive and does his best to get the kids out of the house to give me time to turn my brain off of mommy mode and into mini mode.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I would like to thank all the artists I’ve met online who have offered their friendship, advice, and kindness to me. I wouldn’t still be making miniature food if I hadn’t met them. And I wouldn’t be anywhere near as happy with what I’ve created so far without all the knowledge I’ve gained from what they’ve shared with me.

Megan Larayne Hess lives in Pueblo, Colorado. To see more of her amazing miniature food and mini creations, head on over to Instagram, DeviantArt, or Facebook

oranges by @megansminis. 🍊 check out this deliciously new interview with the artist: http://bitly.com/meganhess

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