Sinny’s Mini Art
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Tell us a bit about yourself. How did you get started making miniatures?
My name is Xinyi Scott (I usually go by “Sinny Scott” since it’s easier for Americans). I am from Shenzhen, China. I graduated from Hainan University and majored in singing. Before I came to the United States, I was a professional singer with more than 600 performances. I also played a traditional Chinese instrument: guzheng. I also wrote articles, and got several published.
In 2012, I met my husband in Hong Kong. After we got married I came to the U.S. I had a happy marriage. I went to college in Dallas, TX. I wanted to be a pharmacist. In 2013, the second year of my college, I got sick. 
Due to some unknown disease, I lost my voice. I went to many high level hospitals. Unfortunately, none of the doctors I saw could figure out the problem nor fix it. I had to quit my school even though I had a 4.0 GPA. Towards the end of 2014, my disease was getting worse and worse. I cried, I complained, I struggled. My family gave me all their love and endless support. Anyway, it’s a long story.
Due to my husband’s job, we moved to Savannah, Georgia in 2014. At the beginning of 2015, I was walking through Michael’s. I accidentally came across so many miniature things for sale: books, furniture, eggs… Everything was just like the real world, but a smaller version. I love miniatures so much. When I got home, I did some research. Then I found an amazing world that I never knew about. I started making miniature food out of polymer clay. I made a grocery market stall and some tiny cakes. It was so much fun. The most important thing was that I forgot the pain in my throat when I was doing it!
Since then, I can’t stop making miniatures. I have bought all kinds of tools to make different things instead of just using clay. I now make miniature furniture, beading, fabrics, and needlework. Oh yes, I became totally addicted to miniatures.
When did you begin making miniatures available for sale?
In November 2015, I decided to turn my hobby into a business. I started an Etsy shop, and I rented a real store in Rincon, Georgia. Both names are “Sinny’s Mini Art.” My favorite type of miniatures to make are tiny fabric purses (Barbie purses), furniture and clay foods.
What’s the most challenging miniature you make?
For me, the most challenging miniature is furniture. I like to make miniature furniture out of original wood, so cutting and adjusting is a big problem for me. Eventually I hope I can afford a laser cutter. Making furniture without professional tools is really hard and I’m still looking for ways to learn new techniques.
Advice to new miniaturists?
I want to tell all beginners that miniatures are a great big world. It is not like other hobbies like drawing or painting where all you need is a brush and paints. Miniatures can cover all types of materials. Find the type you really like. Practice makes perfect.
For me, finding the right materials and supplies has been quite a struggle. For example: glue. If I started my mini crafts again, I would appreciate if there were someone to tell me about all different kinds of glue.
So I’d like to share my experience about glue:
- paper to paper or paper to fabrics: Aleene’s Super Thick Tacky Glue
- wood to wood: Aleene’s Tacky Glue
- wood to metal: Aleene’s Jewelry & Metal Glue
- fabrics to metal: Gutermann glue HT2 Textile
- most economical super glue: Aleene’s Jewelry & Metal Glue (thick) / Krazy glue (thin)
The above are my personal recommendations.
Tell us a bit about your miniatures business.
So far I have more than six artists working to produce items for my miniatures business. Our product lines include: purses, shoes, furniture, gardening, fancy dolls, needle work, painting, fine china (dishes), dollhouses, miniature kits, jewelry, and clay. 
Most of the works are 1:12 scale, while some of them are 1:24 or 1:48 scale. My partner artists are from New York, China, Hong Kong, and the U.S.
What are some of your favorite miniatures?
I enjoy making Gucci and Coach purses in miniature.
My favorite items made by other artists are handmade fancy dolls by my team in China and handmade tiny shoes by one of my shop members: Yingying. I would highly recommend her and her fantastic works.
What have you been working on recently? What’s to come from Sinny’s Mini Art?
I recently launched an eBay account to sell miniatures.
This Christmas, I created a pharmacy in miniature for my mother-in-law, who is a pharmacist. Everything was handmade. That shop took a whole three weeks to finish.
Why miniatures? Why do you do what you do?
I’m unlucky, but I’m lucky too. I am really glad that I found my miniature world. In my little world, there is no disease, no pain, but only the happiness of creation.
Motto you live by?
“Keep a smile, no matter what life gives to you.” -Motto by Sinny’s Mini Art
What do you want miniature enthusiasts to know about you?
Because we are still new, I’d like more people to know about my business, which is located in Rincon, Georgia.
Sinny’s Mini Art is located at 201 N. Columbia Ave in Rincon, Georgia 31326. To buy online, head on over to Sinnys Mini Art Etsy shop or have a look at Sinny1020 Ebay. You can also follow along on Facebook and Pinterest.
