Miniature Houses by Marina Paredes of Prettymodels
| Website | Etsy | Instagram | Facebook |
What’s your earliest memory with miniatures?
When I was a child, I loved collecting miniature toys. It had a whole shelf of them. My favorites were the Polly Pockets.
What scale do you work in?
I do not work with a specific scale. Most of the time I’m guided more by sizes that are appealing to me.
Do you remember the very first miniature you ever made? Do you still have it?
The first miniature I made was when I was around 10 years old. I made it with toothpicks and it was a little house with small furniture. I remember that in order to open and close the door, I used a piece of cloth. I still keep it with much affection.
What is your favorite type of miniature to make and why?
One thing that I enjoy very much is making miniature versions of people’s houses. It is very exciting for them and I have a good time.
Actually, I love to make houses in miniature. I especially enjoy making small furniture, making details like plants, carpets, paintings, televisions, etc. Finally when you put them together they are like a small town.
What is the most challenging miniature to create?
For me, the most difficult thing is to make very small objects without losing too many details.
What materials do you use in your miniatures?
The material I use most often is wood of various types (soft wood like balsa or hard wood like linden). I like to use it because it is a very versatile material. I also use modeling paste (clay) to make some details for my houses. And then for colors, I use acrylic paint.
What advice would you give to beginner miniaturists?
I think that somehow, almost everything is seen. So I would tell them to look for their own space, with something that differentiates them from what already exists and elaborate their own style or brand. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel — just think how to make it better, or smaller in this case.
Favorite miniature?
A mini house from Pixar’s Up movie.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by architecture (shapes, textures, techniques, materials), design, colorful objects (which inspire me to feel joy), symmetry, and the decoration (directly from which I “feed” my creativity to create my miniatures).
What is the most memorable miniature you have ever seen?
One month ago, I discovered miniature pottery pots from Troy Schmidt (@reddragonpottery). He makes them the same way they are thrown in life size, but in miniature, it’s amazing!
Favorite miniature artisans?
Chris Toledo (@ibuildsmallthings), April Wright (@aprilwrightpottery), Tomo Tanaka (@nunus_house), Joshua Smith (@joshua_smith_street_artist), Eero Kumanto (@eerokumanto), Devin Smith (@awesome_thanks).
Favorite Instagram accounts?
- @mir_miniature
- @smile_pindot
- @alexandrasbears
- @reddragonpottery
- @veravanwolferen
- @happyriderpark
- @meadowandfawn
- @almedapottery
- @heavenly_cake
- @maileg_dollhouse_reno
- @fukucchi_momo
Why miniatures?
As a model maker, I realized that the smaller a model was, the more appealing it was for me. I found them more attractive this way.
Now that I do miniatures, I like to see the reaction people have to “small things.” I don’t know exactly why people react this way when they see an object that was scaled down, but they like it a lot.
What’s to come from Marina Paredes?
I am now preparing a series that will be called “Houses of the World.” It will be a series of 8 houses from different cities around 5 continents.
As for selling at shows, in September I’ll be heading to my first miniature fair in Barcelona (ASSARMICAT) and I hope it will be the first of many.
Other hobbies you enjoy?
I like cinema and I used to watch a lot of films. Other things that I like to create: handmade jewelry, sewing, scrapbooking, designing and restoring furniture. I just bought a violin so now I’m trying to make it sound good. I hope that someday I will achieve it.
Anything else you would like to add?
I want to take this space to thank you for the interview because I know how much it means when someone appreciates your work. I want to thank all those who support me, my followers on Instagram because we are growing more and more quickly and I hardly have time to realize it. And above all, to thank those who trust me and decide to take home one of my miniatures, which I create with care and affection.
Marina Paredes of Prettymodels lives in Murcia, Spain. To see more of her miniature houses, visit her website and shop the collection on Etsy. Make sure to follow along on Instagram and Facebook!
