Mitey Minis
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What’s your earliest memory with miniatures?
My dad built me a dollhouse; it was filled with pink plastic furniture, the carpet was vinyl that my mum found and laid down.
How did you first get started making miniatures?
We were moving houses, and my dad accidentally broke my dollhouse. He said he would replace it, but at that time I’d grown out of it. It wasn’t until almost ten years later that I saw a dollhouse on the Internet; it had working lights, beautiful furniture and the most amazing garden I’ve ever seen. So, dad replaced my dollhouse for my birthday almost two years ago.
Do you remember the very first miniature you ever made?
I was looking around for decorations for my dollhouse, and I realized that everything I liked was not in my price range, so I made it myself. It was this little sign, I still have it sitting by the window in my dollhouse
What is your favorite type of miniature to make?
I’ve made a couple of market stalls. I buy the shell and decorate the outside, adding siding, shingles, paint, wood stain, just about anything I can think of. I love watching a pile of plywood take shape into something that could be seen at a market on the street.
What is the most challenging miniature to make?
I used to make these miniature M&M’s in 6 different colors and they were a nightmare. They were only slightly better the potato chips!
What advice would you give to new miniaturists?
Know exactly what you would like to make, and research everything you possibly can. One day you will be very happy that you looked up the postage price to Poland. Oh, and be warned: miniatures take up more space than you think they will!
What do you wish someone had told you when you first got started?
To make sure I have all my files backed up! It’s not fun getting an order for a painting only to find the print is missing!
What inspires you?
Pinterest, Ebay, Etsy. I just browse through the home décor sections and imagine things in my dollhouse. Then I think how I could make them in miniature.
What is the most memorable miniature you have ever seen?
It was a Christmas tree made of gingerbread stars. It was so strange because I’d just made a couple of real sized ones for Christmas.
Why miniatures?
There’s something mystical about making these things. You can create an entire world, room, or house. Can’t have a castle in real life? Don’t worry, just build one!
What appeals to you most about what you do?
I started out as a university student using the money I made from miniatures to build my own dollhouse. It’s a hobby that is helping me pursue a hobby.
Upcoming projects planned?
I have a few miniature fairs for the year, the Tasmanian Miniature Show to name one.
New miniatures in the works?
Bathrooms and things that go beside the sink, tucked into a cupboard, or even kicked into the corner.
What’s to come from Mitey Minis?
Hopefully many more miniatures! I’ve been looking into my own website, setting out on my own in shop terms.
Words you live by?
If I wouldn’t put it in my little house, I won’t sell it for someone else’s little house.
Mitey Minis was created by Kaitlin who’s based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Shop her miniature creations on Etsy and eBay, and make sure to follow her work on Twitter and Pinterest!