Mostly Miniature by Steph Wallace
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How did you first get started making miniatures?
My mini adventures began fairly recently in 2015. Like many mini makers I have a long-lived affection for things made small and mine was rekindled whilst visiting the famous Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House at Windsor Castle, London. It is a miraculous object and in the dim light of its exhibiting room a tiny fire inside me was lit. On returning home I bought my first house and began to build.
I have a 2-year old little girl and desperately needed a creative outlet, something just for me. Having a creative background and training, I was missing it dearly, and soon I found myself pledging to make every element of my dollhouse myself. It’s a long journey and still a work in progress! I began to share my progress on Instagram and began getting requests for items and so my little shop was born.
What is your favorite type of miniature to make?
Although I’m seriously impressed by realistic miniatures, I embrace the fact that the things I make get played with. Most of my customers are mums renovating a dollhouse for their children and they get as much out of it as their kids do! This means that durability is really important to me, that the mini’s bought from me will last and become a treasured heirloom. I enjoy the balance of styling an item to become appealing for use by adults and children while retaining rich details that tell a story.
What advice would you give to new artists and beginner miniaturists?
Being that there are so many skilled miniaturists out there it can be overwhelming and intimidating knowing where to start. I have done the hard work for you and after many, many hours trawling the internet for every little bit of information I could find, I have complied some really useful links to DIY’s and tutorials on my Pinterest board for those interested. I think the most important step though is defining your style, work out what ticks your boxes and go from there, the rest falls into place. Watch this space for my e-course which addresses this in a series of helpful worksheets and activities.
What materials do you use in your work?
I have always enjoyed woodworking and textiles and have a degree in ceramics so it feels natural to bring those textures into my mini work. I love using raw timbers and natural linens that I think bring a warmth and richness to my pieces. I often create minimalist pieces so all these details become the hero. I’m currently experimenting using brass and marble and playing with vacuum forming.
What inspires you?
I’m hugely inspired by contemporary interiors, especially Scandinavian and Mid-Century Modern styles. I love fresh, bright spaces with lots of timber, artwork and plants so that’s what I create in miniature. We are currently renovating our home so I often model my items on full scale design pieces I wish I owned.
Any interesting miniatures or mini community out of Australia?
Australia has a thriving modern miniatures community. There’s still the old guard of Victorian collectors but we are carving out a new niche and it’s amazing. Instagram has been the social connector for us as it’s a hugely supportive network of women empowering each other. It makes me proud to be a part of it. Come join us!
What’s to come from Mostly Miniature?
I have a few exciting projects up my sleeve including modern porcelain bathroom items… I’m finally putting my training in ceramics to good use! I also have something top secret yet to be revealed so if you’d like to discover more you can visit me @mostlyminiature on Instagram or sign up to my VIP list via my website and grab a free printable wallpaper while you’re there.
Mostly Miniature was created by Steph Wallace of Ballarat, Australia. To shop her new miniatures, check out Etsy. Visit the Mostly Miniature website, and follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, too.
