Daily Miniature Interviews and Mini Musings

Daily Mini Interview: Miniature 3D Printing by Lance Abernethy

September 21, 2015September 21, 2015 admin

Lance Abernethy’s 3D-Printed Works in Miniature

Tell us a bit about the conception of The World’s Smallest Circular Saw.

It was just a natural progression from the miniature drill. I like to make and create things. Using power tools and 3D printers help me bring those things to life.

There are lots of things that get me excited and when I see something or come up with an idea I just want to have a go. The idea stems from joining multiple interests together but turning them into something different.

You wowed the tech world just a few months ago with your World’s Smallest Cordless Drill. Could you tell us a bit about the conception of this piece?

It progressed from a general chat at our shift change over at work. We were sharing stories and jokes that are spread through the engineering field. Apparently a country made the smallest twist drill and sent it to another who drilled a hole down the center. Well, I thought: I can make a small drill to do that.

Lance Abernethy’s 3D-Printed Cordless Drill now holds the Guinness World Record for the smallest working power tool at 17 millimeters.

What’s your background and how did you get into 3D printing?

I’m a maintenance and diagnostic engineer… well, that’s what my certificate says. I have always liked technology and general mechanical things. The world of 3D printing is the ultimate way to create something. You can make things that were never possible before and with no waste. I would love to get more into that field and thought the best way to start was to get a printer of my own.

What urged you to transition from full scale 3D printing into miniature?

Tiny things are interesting, funny and can be surprising. I still print large and full sized items but it’s always fun when you pull off a cool tiny print. The type of printer I have isn’t suited to printing such small items, so it’s also the challenge to make it possible.

Approximately how long did it take you to create the saw and drill?

Three days each, from the idea to a complete item. I don’t wait around, I just get to creating.

Do you plan on selling either tool or mass printing these?

It would be nice and may become a option. But I’m not sure if people would be willing to pay enough to be worth my time.

Any other 3D-printed works or “World’s Smallest” creations to come from Lance Abernethy?

I’m always working on something, that’s for sure. Whether it interests other people, I don’t know. The problem is, I have more ideas than time in the world. The list grows faster than I can pursue my interests and the cost comes into play a bit too.

As for miniature items, I have a few ideas that I hope to work on some time soon. More tools, but a few other things that I’m not ready to share yet. Mainly as I’m not sure if and when I’ll be able to complete them.

Any inspirations you’d like to cite?

I don’t really follow anyone’s footsteps, but all the people at Ultimaker and on the forum make up a good community that I enjoy being a part of. There are lots of talented people that share their creations. It’s very inspiring.

Career highlights thus far?

Just being employed is a highlight. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work with some very talented people and I really enjoy modifying machinery. Seeing people struggle operating or working with equipment and coming up with improvements to aid their jobs and improve overall performance.

Advice for beginner designers and entrepreneurs?

Don’t be afraid to fail and don’t worry about not being trained or taught how to do something. Just give it a go. You may start off rusty but the skills you will gain outweigh any of that. If you are passionate about something or something excites you, then pursue it. Life’s short so live it. If you wait for retirement then you may not be fit to do the things you would have loved to do.

Other hobbies you enjoy?

I have many hobbies: fishing, hunting, doing professional firework displays, playing banjo and bird watching. I also grow, harvest and make different products from sugar cane.

Lance Abernethy is based in Auckland, New Zealand. Watch his miniature creations in action on YouTube.

Daily Mini Interview: Photographer Chris Buck’s Likeness Series

September 18, 2015September 18, 2015 admin

Miniature Figurines in the Photography of Chris Buck

| Website | Blog | Instagram |

Where did the idea for the Likeness series stem from? Tell us a bit about your 3D-printed self.

A friend in mine had mentioned a pop-up shop in Chelsea Market offered 3D-printed figures. I went by the DOOB™ booth to check it out and was very impressed with the 3D-printed work on display. The examples had great detail and were solid replicas of the team working that day. I returned to the neighborhood and pursued my own 3D-printed self.

Originally, I had no plans to show the work, I just found the miniature me to be both weird and cool.

What did you learn through your work with the Likeness project?

Well, what’s interesting is that in looking at my photography in general, I always approach my portrait work by molding people into doing what I do, or what I would do. In that sense, my subjects conform to Chris Buck. So if you see awkwardness or frustration in the picture, that’s more me than the subject.

The Likeness series allowed me to show things from my life in a way that my other work doesn’t. The work was in a playful context, overtly imaginary. Take, for instance, the shot in a crappy hotel room with the figurine drunk on a bottle of bourbon. I was able to do that effectively because it was playful and silly, both odd and funny.

What I enjoyed most about the project was that I was creating natural self portraits, separated from me. I was both the photographer and the subject all at once. It was the ultimate dream of a portrait photographer realized.

What has been your favorite Likeness photo thus far?

I would break this series into two groups: photos driven by content vs. photos driven by visual. I think some of the best #bucklikeness photos, and the most successful ones, have been driven by both content and visual. Two that stand out in my mind as having interesting content that’s also complex and visual would be: the frustrated Likeness in front of the urinal and the one where he’s buried in sand.

Tell us a bit about the figurine’s demise which resulted in the end of the Likeness series.

After I first had the replica made, I was in Los Angeles for 2 weeks and shot with him a lot out there. When I was in San Francisco for a short while, he ended up falling off a shelf. I glued him back together and kept taking photos. So it’s a bit misleading, you see, that the last image in the series was actually taken towards the beginning. I put him back together with rubber glue, but one foot kept breaking off.

The Likeness series is done now. Anytime I went anywhere, I had to take the replica along. I took #bucklikeness on vacation, to the beach – anywhere I went, he came. It was very distracting and an enjoyable series, but I never wanted it to become my whole creative identity.

You’ve previously incorporated miniature figures into your photography (Miniature Grooming (Harold Ramis); Hydrophobia; Tickphobia; Vignette (Rob Corddry)). Have you always had an interest in miniatures?

David Levinthal’s work inspired the Phobia series, which was featured in Outside magazine. The Likeness series took things a bit further and made the work more personal.

There’s something appealing about miniatures. They look like our world, but they’re not our world. I remember loving the other worldly quality of works by Ray Harryhausen. When his skeletons moved in Jason and the Argonauts, there was a sense of realism, but something was also off.

When it comes to miniatures, even when they are well done and really alluring, something is still a little bit off. And that captivates viewers even more.

Do you have any favorite artists or designers working in miniature?

I enjoy the work of David Levinthal and very much liked Corinne May Botz’s book The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death.

I don’t consider myself a miniature expert by any extent. A lot of people are working in miniatures, and there’s a range of hobbyists and serious artists, but all of it is interesting. The people working in this are so strong and dedicated to their craft. What worked well with the Likeness series was dabbling with contemporary technology. It provided me license on to put on my own creative spin on the work.

What inspires you?

Some people are compelled to be creative. If I didn’t have to make art to support myself, I would still make it. It’s irresistible. There is something in me that drives me to create. I have to do this, whether “this” is putting together a family photo album, researching my family history, or working on professional photo projects. I have to do this stuff because it’s in my DNA. So, even if my schedule was completely cleared, I would still take the time to work on creative projects.

I’m also interested in the conflicts within us as human beings: who we are and what we want to be. I am inspired by concepts of morality and goodness and questions surrounding these aspects of humanity. And, I am also drawn to the dark side as well. That mix shows up in my work a lot.

Advice for beginner artists?

One of the dangers I see with young people is that they become too inspired by what moves them. I would love to see more young artists reactive against things rather than inspired by things. For instance, with miniatures, if someone were to look around and say, “the way people are making miniatures today isn’t right at all. I want to make miniatures the way they should be done,” then they would create more interesting work as a result. When you deem a field to be exciting and want to become a part of it, you unintentionally might be creating more of the same work, yielding less growth or movement than if you rebelled against the norm or standards of that particular industry.

I hope that young or new artists can share another way of doing things. If this up-and-coming generation shared a truer vision of what should be happening in the field, then they’re ultimately rejecting the current wave to create a new wave. So, even if it’s rejecting what I do – if I’m the old guard and I’m wrong – then that’s awesome. And you should do that. Put me in the past, I’d love to see what you come up with.

Is there anything else you’d like to add about the Likeness series?

When I first saw and held my 3D-printed replica, it was crisp, clean, and the suit was dark. It didn’t take too long for it to fade. Eventually it became shabby and broke. It’s interesting that it had its own life. And in a way, it echoes what will be my life. The Likeness project had a biographical arc: youth, middle age, old age, deterioration, and death. And so, I felt comfortable letting it end because all things end. I wanted to acknowledge that [death]. It’s a fitting way to end it. The replica aged and demised; he eventually slowed down and died.

Closing thoughts on miniatures or replicas?

The field of 3D photographic technology could open up new doors in the field of miniatures. I think it’s exceptionally interesting and I also wonder how miniaturists will react against it, as it removes some of the craft of creating miniatures by hand. To me, 3D printing is the equivalent of representational painting, where all of a sudden photography comes along and ultimately represents life better than paintings do.

Chris Buck is a photographer based in NY and LA. His clients include Google, Xerox, Old Spice, Dodge, GQ, The New Yorker and The Guardian Weekend. He was the first recipient of the Arnold Newman Portrait Prize in 2007. His first book, Presence, was published in 2012. Follow Chris Buck on Instagram, Tumblr, or visit chrisbuck.com to enjoy more of his photography work.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Sep 22, 2015 at 1:24pm PDT

Daily Mini Interview: Sharon Harbison Miniature Food

September 16, 2015September 16, 2015 admin

Miniatures by Sharon Harbison

| Shop on SP Miniatures | Shop on Etsy |

What’s your earliest memory with miniatures?

My first memory of miniatures is when my family visited relatives in Chicago. We went to the Museum of Science and Industry which has Colleen Moore’s Fairy Castle. Needless to say, I was quite delighted, but I think any ten-year-old girl would have been, so I can’t say I was motivated to make miniatures when I grew up.

How did you first get started making miniatures?

I got involved originally with miniatures when I got a job in 1978 with my local recreation commission. They were running a small local miniature show and I was assigned to contact dealers, make the arrangements, etc. My boss commended me on a good job, and suggested I should go to the show to see the fruits of my labors, so to speak. I was quite awed by the excellence of some of the craftsmanship, but I couldn’t help but think, “I can do this, and I think I can do it better.”

Do you remember the very first miniature you made? How has your work evolved?

For some reason I can’t remember, I decided to make plants and flowers. Ironically, my debut was at the same show a year later… I had remembered Nutshell News from organizing the show, and I found other shows to attend. From there I was invited to other shows, and I was even featured in Nutshell News in 1989. Around 1998, I was burned out, and phased out the business.

Not until about 5 years ago, after I had retired, I decided to try again. But I didn’t want to do plants and flowers again. I decided on food, because I love working with polymer clay. I was gratified that considerable advances had been made in the quality and colors of the clay, but also for the many tutorials available online. I felt there was much more scope for miniature foods than for flowers.

Favorite miniature you’ve made?

I don’t think I have a favorite miniature… usually my current favorite is whatever I’m working on at the moment, if it’s going well.

Favorite tool or technique?

As far as tools and techniques, I have by now accumulated my own molds, and I look for new things to use everywhere I go. I would like to try my hand at making my own clay.

How did you become involved the International Guild of Miniature Artisans and the annual Guild Show?

I sent pictures of my work to the Guild and they offered me a contract. This is the second year I have attended. I especially enjoy the opportunity to speak to artisans I don’t usually see, and find interesting things to buy (I don’t collect miniatures but I buy things for my own work).

Advice for beginner artists and miniaturists?

I would give the same advice to people wanting to get into making miniatures that I give to people I see at shows: get started, watch tutorials, just mess around making things. The most important thing is, if something isn’t working for you, PUT IT ASIDE! If you persist, you’ll get discouraged. If you put it aside, maybe a few weeks or months later, you can pick it up and try again. The advice to “sleep on it” is actually true.

What is the most memorable miniature you have ever seen?

The most unusual mini I have ever seen was a tin can, complete with worms, for a miniature fisherman. A toilet that actually flushed stands out too.

New minis in the works?

As to what’s new, who knows? I never know what I might be doing next. I do welcome suggestions from customers—after all, I can’t think of everything!

Why miniatures? What appeals to you most about what you do?

What appeals to me most about miniatures is that I love doing it. There are new things to learn, new problems to be solved, and it’s never, ever boring. A lot of people aspire to things, but in the end you have to do what you’re good at. I never visualized when I was in art school that I would be doing this, but I truly feel this is what I was meant to do.

Sharon Harbison of Sharon Harbison Miniature Food is from Union Beach, NJ. You can purchase Sharon’s work online through SP Miniatures or on Etsy.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Sep 30, 2015 at 9:08pm PDT

Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Alamedy Diorama

September 15, 2015March 15, 2018 admin

Miniatures by Alamedy Diorama

How did you first get started in miniatures?

My story with the miniatures started when I was very young. I started reading at the age of 5 and that enhanced my imagination a lot. Since then, I always dreamed of making scenes that I had previously imagined in a small scale. Six years ago, I found by chance some kind of Balsa wood and immediately I decided to build my first project. It was a small farm scene. I searched the Internet for some help, but I didn’t know what it was called. Finally, I found the word “miniatures” and I was so happy to know that there are a lot of miniaturists around the world. I started to make friendships with these artisans and gradually my work began receiving attention. I started a Facebook account two years ago, and now I have more than 5,000 friends and followers from all around the world.

Advice for beginner artists and miniaturists?

Keep doing what you love to do and never let the lack of material and resources let you down. You should be creative in how to distort things to reach your needs. When I started making dioramas, I didn’t know even the word “diorama,” because it’s something I didn’t see in my country before. I worked so hard to do what I loved and didn’t let the lack of materials and resources let me down. For any miniaturists that need advice or help, I’m always on Facebook available to answer questions and I also make tutorials for beginners.

Favorite mini you have made?

My favorite project has been the Children’s Room because it takes me back to my childhood memories.

Who are some of your favorite miniaturists?

I would love to have miniatures from Japanese miniaturist Ichiyo Haga and Lucy Maloney, who makes scale reproductions of pet dogs.

What inspires you?

I get inspiration from everyone, everywhere. Before I start any project, I extensively research what I want to build. My taste is international and I haven’t build any local projects yet, mostly urban scenes and rusty place. I love to show rusty things and aged wood.

As I mentioned before, when I started out, I didn’t know that there was something called “dioramas” or “miniatures.” I didn’t have any tools or materials for making miniatures, but my passion to do those mini scenes pushed me to morph what I had to fit my work. I use plaster of Paris, aluminum foil, plastic rods and whatever I have in home.

After 6 years of work, I’m making tutorials and how-to videos to help people who love to make miniatures but don’t have access to a lot of resources.

What is the most memorable miniature you have ever seen?

The work of Charles Matton always amazes me and I always enjoy looking at it.

New minis in the works?

I’m working on a vintage photography studio in 1:12.

Alamedy Diorama is the brainchild of Ali Alamedy. Originally from Iraq, Ali has worked and lived in Dubai, Cairo, Beirut, and Istanbul. He currently lives in Sakarya, Turkey. Check out more of his marvelous miniatures on the Alamedy Diorama Facebook, Instagram, Behance and Pinterest.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Sep 18, 2015 at 3:04pm PDT

Daily Mini Interview: Mini Southern Millworks

September 10, 2015September 10, 2015 admin

Mini Southern Millworks

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How did you first get started in miniatures?

After a motorcycle accident in 1982, I was unable to work for several months and I needed something to do to pass the time. I always liked putting together the plastic model kits of cars, airplanes, and more. One day, I ran across an article in a magazine for The House of Miniatures kit of the month club. I love woodworking and antiques so I knew this would be something I would like doing. Also, I would be able to have the “antiques” (in miniature) that I couldn’t afford in real life.

After doing the kits for a little while, I realized that I could scratch build scaled-down, full-sized pieces with even more detail put into them.

Why the interest in millworks?

Millworks, in my case, is simply taking raw material and transforming it into a functioning, working model of a full sized piece down to the actual joinery of the original piece.

What are some of your favorite miniatures to make?

I really enjoy the country painted pieces that I can distress and antique to make them look and feel as though they are a hundred years old and ripe with history.

What miniatures have proven to be the most challenging?

One of my most challenging pieces was a commissioned piece of a Chippendale bookcase on desk. It was a combination of several different furniture designs with a modern twist. It had claw and ball feet, a broken pediment top, flame urn finials, seven secret compartments, wood trimmed glass shelves, and lights in the bonnet. This piece was done before email and Internet, so my client and I collaborated over the phone to come up with the piece he wanted.

Advice for beginner artists?

Choose something that you really like and learn as much as you can about it. Make this your area of expertise. But remember to always try new and different things or it will become mundane.

What inspires you?

The details in other artists’ handmade miniatures as well as the craftsmanship of original antiques.

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

I have to say the most memorable miniature would be a 1/6 scale running Harley Davidson engine made by Jerry Kieffer.

Why miniatures?

I have always liked tiny things but the main appeal is the problem solving that goes into doing each piece. Working out how to build the different styles of furniture and doing the original joinery in 1/12 scale is always challenging.

Upcoming projects planned?

I want to create even more detailed pieces. I have hundreds of photos and plans of different types of furniture just waiting to be done in miniature. I would also like to start making my own period hardware for my pieces and mill my own lumber.

Mini Southern Millworks is headed up by Mario Messina from Louisiana. You can follow along on Instagram, Facebook, or visit the Mini Southern Millworks blog.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Sep 21, 2015 at 1:18pm PDT

Daily Mini Interview: Miniature Glass by Kiva Ford

September 7, 2015May 8, 2018 admin

Miniature Glass by Kiva Ford

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How did you first get started in glassblowing?

My first memory of glassblowing is at a small town fair. I was enchanted by the process of glassblowing and the way the glass moved while it was molten. After seeing the glass being made, I knew that I wanted to try glassblowing someday.

What types of blown glass do you make? How has your work evolved?

I have been creating glass going on 14 years now. I am scientific glassblower by trade, and currently I manage the custom scientific glassblowing shop at the University of Notre Dame. I create custom glassware for chemistry, engineering, and physics. I make artistic glass after I get home from work. I feel like my work is constantly evolving. I really enjoy the technical aspect of glassblowing. It is a very difficult and unforgiving material to master.

Describe your process. What’s a day in the studio like?

My creative glass studio is in a community based art space called Fire Arts in South Bend, IN. There are all sorts of craftspeople at Fire Arts from bronze casting to stone carving. It is a very inspiring environment. I like to keep my workshop clean and utilitarian. It is important for me to have a clean and organized shop where I can focus on my work without any distractions. I enjoy being next to the St. Joseph River and being able to look at the beautiful water falls that were once used as a source for a hydro-electric power plant in the early 1900s. If you were to walk by my shop when I am working you might hear an eclectic mix of music coming from the garage. Any artist from Ray Charles to The Rolling Stones, to Loretta Lynn.

Before I heat up the glass I need to put on special didymium glasses, which will filter out a bright orange flame that occurs when I heat up the glass. I start by slowly warming in the glass, and introducing it to the heat. If you heat up the glass too quickly, thermal stress will occur which will shatter the glass. Just like an ice cube will crack if you put it in a glass of hot tea. Once the glass is hot enough, I can increase the temperature of the fire to bring the glass up to a working temperature. Glass is a poor conductor of heat, so I can hold on to the glass while I am working with it in the fire and my hands will not get hot. I use a Carlisle CC torch which runs on propane and oxygen. The flame will get hotter than five thousand degrees Fahrenheit. I use a variety of tools to form and shape the glass including tweezers, graphite paddles, graphite reamers, knives, and tongs. Once the glass is finished, I place it in my annealing oven. The oven brings the glassware up to its annealing temperature and removes any of the stress that occurs in the glass while I am working with it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHh062Idu9w

Why the interest in miniature works of glass?

I lived in Jersey City, NJ for nine years. Apartments can be very expensive there which usually translates to a tiny living space. Most of my friends had small apartments with limited space to put things. When I was first trying to sell my glass a lot of people told me that they loved my work, but didn’t have room for it in their house. I then thought that if I made tiny glassware, my friends would have room to put it in their house. The miniature glassware has received a great response, and I haven’t stopped making it since.

Advice for beginner artists?

Make exceptional work! Make things that no one has ever seen before. Be innovative. Don’t get discouraged if your work doesn’t sell right away. Think about the long game. Remember, you do this because you love it, not because you are trying to make tons of money. Give yourself permission to be creative and to make what is in your head, even if you think it might not be received well. And also, make exceptional work!!!

Tool or technique you can’t live without?

Most of the tools and techniques that I can’t live without at this point are things that I have innovated.

Who do you look to for inspiration?

Dante Marioni, Cesare Toffolo, Joe Peters, Daniel Coyle, Jupiter Nielsen and many others.

What’s to come from Kiva Ford?

I just finished a very busy schedule of teaching all over the country and demonstrating at the Corning Museum of Glass to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Pyrex glass. Right now I am looking forward to staying in my shop and working on a few new ideas. I do have a few big things planned for next year, but nothing is totally set in stone right now, so stay tuned!

Other activities you enjoy?

I love juggling. I was a professional juggler for 13 years. Juggling really keeps me in the present and keeps me focused, almost like a meditation.

Kiva Ford is currently based in Indiana. View more of his incredible miniature glass work on his website. You can also follow Kiva Ford on Instagram and Facebook.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Sep 15, 2015 at 4:16pm PDT

Daily Mini Interview: Adore Mini by Julia Cissell

September 5, 2015March 5, 2018 admin

Adore Mini by Julia Cissell

| Etsy | Instagram |

How did you first get started in miniatures?

Ever since my first memories, I have felt a sense of magic in tiny things that have an unexpectedly large degree of detail! For me, seeing things that have great intricate detail presented in a small scale, has a special way of magnifying the beauty I see that is hidden in things that are commonly overlooked in that way. As a kid, I think my Barbie dolls were the first things that inspired me to start creating tiny things; I would make shoes, necklaces and intricately detailed hair barrettes for them from thin copper wire. I would make dresses for them from fabric scraps left by my mom’s sewing machine, taking care to make every small stitch in the hems evenly spaced so that it looked just like a real dress to me.

Why butterflies in miniature?

I could go on all day about my life-long fascination with butterflies! They are my favorite insects for so many reasons. Their mysterious communication behaviors and ability to see colors we can’t. How there are tens of thousands of butterfly breeds, yet, like people, they each have such unique characteristics that give them their special identity.

In 2000, when I was brand new to polymer clay, I discovered the special technique of building a “cane” (a log of the clay that is constructed in such a way where a design runs throughout the middle, that can be seen when you cut it crosswise with a razor. After making a cane, it can be stretched out to a very small diameter, baked in the oven to cure, then cut slices from). Well that flipped a switch in me, and I was immediately inspired by both my passions for butterflies and for tiny things. I used this idea to make the wings of butterflies in miniature! Soon after, I discovered the popular scale of miniatures, “dollhouse” scale or 12 times smaller than actual size. I knew that would be the perfect scale to make them in! On average, the wingspans of the butterflies I make in this scale range from 1/16″ (1.5 mm), up to about 1/4″ (6 mm), depending on the breed.

Adore Mini used to be called “Gods’ Flying Flowers.” Where did the name come from?

In around 2005, I was selling my miniature butterflies on eBay before I discovered Etsy. A lady ran across a group of 3 miniature Anise Swallowtail butterflies I had listed on eBay, telling me she felt blessed to have found them in a search. She said that all throughout the past month since her son passed away, she had seen the same 3 Anise Swallowtail butterflies each day flying around her kitchen window outside, and referred to them as “God’s flying flowers,” reminding her of her son’s spiritual presence. She then bought them to keep on her kitchen window sill. I was so touched by her story that I wanted to use her reference to the butterflies as the title for my business!

What is the most challenging part of completing a butterfly miniature?

Easy question: the high humidity level in the air! When the humidity is over 75%, working with a tiny speck of super glue at a time is pretty much impractical. In high humidity, the mini butterfly parts aren’t visibly moist, but it becomes apparent that they are when the glue won’t adhere the parts to each other firmly. I only work on dry days.

Do you have a favorite species of butterfly?

My favorite species of butterfly tends to change a lot… But I think my favorite one that I have made is the Purple Spotted Swallowtail. Something about the combination of the colors in the wings, and the overall wing shape is just so beautiful to me. It is my favorite one to show, out of the 8 breeds I keep in my poison rings I wear.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by anything that gives me a magical feeling. I love using what I learn from my experiments with relative physics that working on a miniature scale provides for me. I love to put as much passion and creativity into coming up with the custom tools I make, as I put into in making the actual miniatures themselves.

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

I’d have to say that the work of Willard Wigan sums it up! He works under a microscope, and comes up with some of the most fascinating micro sculptures.

Advice for beginner artists and miniaturists?

When first starting out, as well as after you’ve gained experience, don’t lose sight of what you want to get out of it. So be slow about it, and have fun! I am motivated by learning, so I look at failed experiments objectively and let them inspire me to keep going, rather than seeing these as a measure of my ability. Don’t judge yourself, or compare your work to that of others. Join artists groups, and don’t feel shy about asking “dumb” questions — every artist has been in that boat.

Why miniatures?

Making things in miniature is just what feels natural for me. I love intricate detail, and the creative process behind the resourcefulness alone that’s required in coming up with the ways to make it possible. Not to mention it is very profitable. My materials cost practically nothing, when it comes to how such a little bit goes an infinitely long way.

What’s to come from Adore Mini?

Ultimately I plan on expanding my variety of Adore Mini miniature butterflies to more than 100. But in the near future, I plan on adding a section of customizable miniature terrarium cork-top bottles with different kinds of miniature flowers, that the miniature butterflies can be mounted on inside, which can be used in a necklace or as earrings. Also, I just made 10 new polymer clay butterfly wing canes for new breeds I will be adding to my variety in the near future.

What do you want miniature fans to know about you?

People commonly ask me things like:

“What kind of magnifying device do you use for making these?”
“What do you do with them?”
“How do you have the patience to make something that tiny and detailed?”

I can’t have anything in front of my eyes when I work, not even my glasses or contacts. I’m very nearsighted, and I only need very bright light in a low-humidity environment to work in.

My favorite thing to do with them is keep them in my poison rings I wear on my fingers! They’re like magical hidden compartments to keep them with me in at all times. Also they can be displayed in a 1″ acrylic magnifier box I have in my shop. It’s great for keeping in any display cabinet or shadow box. For dollhouse scale miniature collectors, my miniature butterflies are the perfect accents for any outdoor miniature scene.

For me, when it comes to true passion for what I am doing, the term “patience” just doesn’t apply. I don’t see my experiences on a scale of successes and failures, but it’s simply the element of cause and effect that keeps me intrigued with it.

Julia Cissell is the creator of Adore Mini (formerly named God’s Flying Flowers). She’s currently based in Bartlett, Tennessee. Shop her miniature butterfly collection on Etsy or follow along on Instagram!

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Sep 14, 2015 at 10:53am PDT

Daily Mini Interview: S P Miniatures

September 3, 2015September 3, 2015 admin

S P Miniatures by Carol and Ken Singer

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What’s your earliest memory with miniatures?

When my daughter was little, I took her to FAO Schwarz® and they had a lighted dollhouse on display. I fell in love with it and I made a vow that one day I would have a dollhouse with lights.

How did S P Miniatures come to be in 1995? Were you both avid collectors of miniatures?

I was a collector when the shop near me went out of business. The owner asked me if I wanted to buy her inventory and go into business and although I had a “real” job at the time I thought I would try it. Ken figured it could be fun. At the time, the only venues to sell at were shows, so we started selling at shows. In 1999, the Web became a viable place to sell minis, and I set up a crude website which has evolved over time.

Have either of you created miniatures before?

We have never made miniatures. I put together a dollhouse and outbuildings and decorated them. They were featured in Miniature Collector Magazine in 1999.

What is it about the field of miniatures that so inspires you?

The amazing talent of the artisans who do such detailed work.

What can modern day miniature enthusiasts do to preserve this industry?

As a dealer, I play an important role in not only preserving the hobby, but also ensuring its future by backing, encouraging, and inspiring artisans. I continue to stress the importance for collectors to avoid the “made in China” copies and to buy artisan pieces. That will both encourage current artisans to continue making work, and will encourage new artisans to enter the field. I believe that online selling is creating a new boom as those who didn’t have access to shops and shows can now be involved in the hobby.

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

I look at what I buy from a collector’s point of view, not as a dealer. The first thing is that I have to like it and it has to be quality work. Price is important, and it would be an amount that I would be willing to pay as a collector. Of course I would also have to have a price that makes a profit although the profit doesn’t have to be a lot. Sometimes, I’ll buy things that sell for a very small profit because I believe that it will make my website fun to visit.

How many artisans do you presently represent, and from how many countries?

Approximately 200 artisans from 13 countries.

Is there a most popular selling item on your site?

Food and kitchen utensils are very popular.

What’s your favorite miniature by another artist?

Barbara Stanton did a painting of a reclining nude that was amazing.

How has the trend of online shopping for miniatures changed from 1999 to today?

There hasn’t been much change in what people want. Some of the things that were good sellers when I first went online are still popular. I have gotten into “modern” miniatures (1950s and beyond) and those have been well received. There seems to be less interest in Victorian and more interest in rustic or country themes.

How has your work with miniatures evolved over the years?

When I first got into minis as a collector, I bought anything that was “cute” regardless of the quality. After going to shows and seeing the work of artisans my tastes changed dramatically.

Favorite material, tool or technique you cannot live without?

Needle nose pliers and a dremel.

How did you first become involved with the Guild Show presented by the International Guild of Miniature Artisans?

I subscribe to Miniature Collector Magazine and I saw their advertisement.

What other annual miniature events would you recommend that miniature enthusiasts attend?

The Chicago International Trade Show by Tom Bishop should be on every miniaturist’s bucket list.

Advice for beginner entrepreneurs, miniaturists, artists, or collectors?

For collectors – buy what you like. It’s your dollhouse and don’t worry what others think.

For entrepreneurs, find a niche. The market right now is saturated with mini websites and auctions.

For artisans – work with experienced dealers who know the market, offer advice as to what may or may not sell, and give artisans exposure.

What is the most memorable miniature you have ever seen?

A working guillotine.

Is there anything you haven’t seen in miniature that you would really like to?

Light switches for each room. I think they were made at one time (and may still be available) but they didn’t work very well. They were a bit flimsy.

Why miniatures? What appeals to you most about what you do?

I see something in full size and it doesn’t do anything for me. I see it in miniature and I’m in love.

What’s to come from S P Miniatures?

I recently attended the wholesale show run by Aztec Imports in Ohio, will be attending the Molly Cromwell show in Virginia in September and the Philadelphia Miniaturia in November. I continually look for new artisans and unique miniatures.

What do you want miniature fans to know about you?

I work very hard to find unique and well-made miniatures at prices that are not outrageous. I don’t think that people are aware of how time consuming selling online is.

Carol and Ken Singer hail from Hightstown, NJ and they are the team behind S P Miniatures. S P Miniatures has been in business since 1995 and online since 1999. You can shop their extensive collection on the S P Miniatures website, or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

Daily Mini Interview: Watch Parts Motorcycles

August 23, 2015August 23, 2015 admin

Watch Parts Motorcycles by Dan Tanenbaum

How did you first get started making miniature motorcycles in 2010? What was the inspiration?

I was an Art Director in advertising back in the day, which I loved. Then I became a technology entrepreneur, starting tech companies and selling them. I just sold my last company in the gambling industry. I wanted a way to access my creative juices… I needed a way to use the creativity inside of me.

I’ve been a watch collector for about 20 years now. To me, a watch is the greatest miniature of all. The mechanisms that go into a watch… the design required to make these pieces so small… it’s extraordinary. I’m fascinated by the movements of a watch. After frequenting antique shows, watch dealers and flea markets for several years, I had amassed buckets of watch parts and antique watches. At first, I began making cufflinks. I was selling these for a while, but in the end of the day, it wasn’t challenging enough for me. So I started playing around with watch parts.

The biggest piece of a watch is the case, so I worked backwards from that. I never want to manipulate a piece too much – that risks losing the integrity of the watch parts. I decided upon a motorcycle after putting two watch cases next to one another. As long as it has, handlebars, two wheels, an engine and a gas tank, it can be recognized as a motorcycle. Because so many motorcycles are custom designs, it allowed me to be very creative with these works.

Soon after creating a few, I launched a Facebook page and received very helpful feedback from members of the motorcycle community. They’ve been a great group of people who have helped me to perfect this hobby and allowed me to work harder to create the best representation I can.

Did you transition immediately from watch parts cufflinks to Watch Parts Motorcycles?

It was a seamless transition. Sometimes I stray from motorcycles here and there. But for the most part, I’m obsessed with watch parts motorcycles. Every time I make one, it doesn’t look like the last one. I don’t want them to be an assembly line. So, I will research what’s happening in the moto world in order to decide what to make next. I’ve enjoyed making them as small as I can. And as big as 8 inches by 4 inches. I’m limited by the size of the watch case, which becomes the motorcycle wheel. For certain stop motion videos, I’ll incorporate a watch parts character made by a steampunk artist.

Do you only use watch parts in your creations?

Yes, I only use watch parts when creating these motorcycles. For photoshoots or stop motion video projects, I will use miniatures as props when the scene calls for it.

What technique do you use to create your art?

The truth of the matter is that I don’t consider myself an artist. I was an Art Director. Not a sculptor. I use soldering glue for my watch parts motorcycles. The brand is Loctite glue.

Do you sell your Watch Parts Motorcycles?

The only pieces I sell are custom designs. Someone will send me a photo and I’ll work off of that. Those are the most stressful and challenging works for me, because I want to create the best representation of the bike. I only use watch parts, I never try to manipulate the pieces too much, always respecting the general shape of the mechanism or its parts.

Sometimes people have asked to send me a watch, but it’s not just one watch that goes into a motorcycle. Just the wheels alone are made from 4 different watch cases!

How many watches go into one Watch Parts Motorcycle?

A motorcycle could have parts from 50 different watches in it! I don’t kill any watches in my creations. I breathe new life into an otherwise antique object.

What types of watches do you use in your Watch Parts Motorcycles?

I primarily use watches and pocket watches from the 1900s. Most of my collection stops around the 1940s or 1950s, around the Art Deco period.

How many Watch Parts Motorcycles have you made?

Since 2010, I’ve probably made about 150 of them. I’ve made bigger ones and smaller ones. The more miniature ones are roughly about 1 inch by ½ inch. I’ve probably made about 75 bigger motorcycles.

Where do you keep all the miniature motorcycles you’ve designed and built?

My workroom is in my furnace room. With three young children, a full time job, and this passion, I don’t sleep very much. So, I’m usually in my workroom by 11 at night and I spend a few hours in there, depending on the type of watch parts motorcycle I’m currently working on.

How long does it take you to create a Watch Parts Motorcycle?

The smaller pieces are akin to doodles, and only take about 2 or 3 hours to make. I work on these because I need to get the creativity out of my system somehow. As for the bigger ones, these take about 50 hours to design and build.

How would you describe your work?

My work appeals to a very different cross section of people. You have motorcycle fans, watch lovers, steampunk enthusiasts, those that appreciate art, and another group that loves miniatures.

Can you describe the process behind your photoshoots?

I absolutely love using perspective in my photoshoots of my watch parts motorcycles. I’ll browse online until a particular miniature or collectible catches my attention and then I will use it in one of my photos. There’s also a great miniatures store in Toronto, The Little Dollhouse Company, that I’ve been to a few times when I’ve needed a prop. Whether a canoe, ladder, wine glass or otherwise, I’ve been fortunate enough to find it in miniature and use it for a watch parts motorcycle photoshoot. I recently purchased a miniature carry-on bag from Pat Tyler. And I also picked up an amazingly intricate guitar for another shoot.

Most often, I’m not looking for a particular prop, I’m looking for something that catches my attention. I immediately start thinking of the story behind a miniature. And I then start thinking of all the stories I could tell with that miniature. That’s the greatest thing about people making miniatures. Miniaturists are helping other people tell stories. So it’s great to have access into this community. The miniature world truly takes storytelling to the next level.

Do you have a few favorite miniaturists?

I love work in the eye of a needle. Those micro miniatures are astonishing. I also love the carved sculptures of Dalton Ghetti. I enjoy dioramas that use very small train figures. One Toronto artist, TALWST, is doing a nice job with these. Whenever the viewer loses the perspective of a miniature, you have to admire the work that photographers are doing.

I once picked up 100 miniature figurines and worked on dioramas with my children. They really ran with the project and created the own. It was a great way for them to express themselves, just using a bowl filled with dirt and moss. In fact, my daughter has even built a few watch parts motorcycles! She’s done an amazing job. I think the perspective really comes naturally – it’s all about the placement of the wheels in relation to the handlebars and the engine.

What’s your favorite watch parts motorcycle you’ve built?

I’d say the Triumph Bonneville. It’s the first piece I made that got really intricate in the design and build. I always want my work to be the best representative of the motorcycle. I enjoy making existing, popular motorcycles and hate to select a favorite most days.

I collect many different things these days. I’m an art collector, and I collect watches but don’t have a favorite watch. I try not to do that with most of my endeavors. I don’t want to reach a turning point in my work where I only focus on one type of motorcycle. That being said, I have started liking café racers a lot. I love their visual simplicity, vintage feel, and their quintessential gas tank design. So, I’ve been trying to find pieces for café racers recently. Perhaps I’ll dabble in crotch rockets and dirt bikes at some point, but I won’t want to manipulate the watch parts beyond reason. I don’t want to lose the feel of the watch parts.

Do you ever work on multiple pieces at once?

I like to work on one piece at a time. If I’m working on two pieces at once, it feels too much like an assembly line.

I never complete a large bike in one sitting. Sometimes I have to walk away, put the work aside, and start something else. Eventually, I’ll come back to it. If I’m too close to a project, then I’ll need to take off a few months.

Advice for beginner artists?

If you’re going to do art, you have to do it for yourself. It absolutely has to come from yourself. Art must be an expression of what you’re feeling, or what you want other people to feel. It should cause you to emote from within. Art should be a representation of your creative spirit. You cannot do art for anyone else. Put your own spin on things – whether art, business, marriage, or anything else. Express your individuality. That’s important in whatever you do. Don’t try to be anyone else. And lastly, be spontaneous with your art.

What’s to come from Watch Parts Motorcycles?

I’ll soon begin work on a custom order for a Honda CBX 1000 out of watch parts. I build most of the pieces in my head first. Once it’s about 70% done in my head, I’ll begin executing it.

Anything else you would like to add? What’s to come from Watch Parts Motorcycles?

More stop motion videos, definitely! I am planning to dedicate more time to these projects and dive into stop motion animation. I’d love to make videos that are more than 15 seconds long. Until motorcycles become non-challenging or boring, I’ll continue to work on these sculptures.

What do you want miniature fans and motorcycle enthusiasts to know about you?

I love the community of miniatures and miniature artists. At first, it felt like a part of the brain I don’t have, but I guess I fit into that category. I absolutely love seeing the non-typical, creative ideas out there in the miniature world.

Now I believe that the more creative the miniature, the better the imagination of the recipient becomes. Miniatures are allowing us to become more creative. And my Watch Parts Motorcycles project is something I’m passionate about and I love. It’s totally different from my day job and it’s proven to be a great way to meet new people in the art, motorcycle and miniature worlds.

Dan Tanenbaum, creator of Watch Parts Motorcycles, is based in Toronto. You can follow his miniature motorcycle adventures on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Shop the Watch Parts Motorcycles collection online.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Aug 26, 2015 at 10:36am PDT

Daily Mini Interview: Musée Miniature et Cinéma Director Dan Ohlmann

August 16, 2015August 16, 2015 admin

Musée Miniature et Cinéma Director Dan Ohlmann

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What are your earliest memories with miniatures?

Le dortoir de Dan Ohlmann CMJN — *Le dortoir* by Dan Ohlmann

As a child, I was very attracted to miniatures. I especially liked to create mini interiors of wooden huts, hunters’ homes with all their furniture and utensils. I was building works perched on real branches, and soon they became tropical forests. I built small streams that became big rivers. I was six years old and my pleasure was in search of maximum realism. I never put figures or figurines in my spaces because it totally interfered with my desire to create a “visual illusion.”

Do you remember the first miniatures you created between 1985 and 1987 before you produced the 1:12 Chez Maxim restaurant in Paris?

Before Chez Maxim, I created a whole mahogany interior featuring the cellist Rostropovich. He had asked me to make this miniature for his friend Herbert Von Karajan’s birthday.

Prison Saint Paul Dan Ohlmann — *Prison Saint Paul* by Dan Ohlmann

Do you have a favorite work currently in the collection of the Musée Miniature et Cinéma (Museum of Miniature and Film)?

I founded the museum for public awareness around the art of the miniature through the eyes of different artists. I did not found it to show my art, but also because I am a huge fan of ten other talented miniaturists. I love the hyperrealist miniature ruins by Laurie Chareyre, and very messy scenes by Ronan Jim Sevellec.

Who are your favorite contemporaries?

I love the work of Alan Wolfson and his New York atmosphere scenes. We exhibited a retrospective of his work at the museum earlier this year.

Other than that, I have no preference when it comes to the specific type of a miniature scene. Everyone has a different style, and I do not wish to compare them.

What miniaturists do you wish to feature in the Museum?

I have not yet had the opportunity to exhibit Charles Matton, who has had a very beautiful career. My greatest desire would be to achieve an exhibition featuring this great artist in Lyon! Maybe someday…

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — *Le hangard abandonné* by Dan Ohlmann

What inspires you?

I like to reproduce places full of past spaces, where one feels the presence of a human is not far away. The presence of certain objects in my miniature scenes help to create a moving, breathing piece of work.

Why miniatures?

If I was not a miniaturist, I would probably be a filmmaker or a film set designer. I am very fond of the various spaces in which human beings move. “Tell me where you live and I’ll tell you who you are” is a sentence that rings true for me.

What has been the most difficult miniature project to create?

There are some interesting miniatures I would have liked to create. I always wanted to make the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. After getting special permission to photograph the Conservatory, and take thousands of photographs on site (over 5 days), I never started its production because I did not have the courage to launch into 4-5 years of miniature work for all the necessary micro-sculptures. Having previously created the Maxim’s de Paris, which took 15 months of continuous work, I realized that the Hall of Mirrors would be too difficult and would take too long for me to make. I would prefer to make 5 different miniatures over a period of time, rather than work on one. I like to have a bit of choice.

Museum Director Dan Ohlmann with an animatronic prop from *Gremlins 2*

What is the most unusual miniature you have ever seen?

Stuart Little 2 carrée — *Stuart Little*

The miniatures of the late Charles Matton are especially beautiful. I am touched by the beauty of a scene first and foremost. I am not affected by the dexterity required to make a piece, because performance is not art.

What is your favorite period of History of Art?

I love Art Deco.

Career highlights thus far?

The best moments for me have been the encounters made at a location that I am studying to miniaturize. Whether at Le Havre in Normandy, at Maxim’s in Paris, in an incredible zen temple in Japan, in Cuba, or in the Drôme Provençale, there is this aspect of a “reporter miniaturist” that is so exciting! Whenever I start to photograph and analyze a rare and unusual place, I usually meet rare and unusual people!

What’s to come from the Musée Miniature et Cinéma?

We will celebrate this year the 10th anniversary of the Museum in its current location (a 16th century historical building, the Maison des Avocats), but also our 20 years of miniature and cinema in Lyon since the museum was actually founded in Lyon on January 1, 1990. In 2000, the museum had been in the Paris regions for 5 years (operated by Grévin of Paris) and was reopened again in 2005 in the capital of Gaul.

What do you want fans of miniatures know about you?

I want them to know that this museum exists only because of their love and support for over 20 years now!

Today one of my other passions is to restore objects that were used for filming movies before the era of “all-digital.” These numerous sets, costumes, prosthetics, animatronics, and more are very fragile due to materials which were poorly resistant to passing time. Thanks to our visitors, we preserve these props in our workshops. A big thank you to the public for its help in preserving nostalgic art!

Created by miniaturist artist Dan Ohlmann, the Musée Miniature et Cinéma in France presents two rare and exclusive collections: miniature scenes and film props and artifacts. The museum features over 100 miniature scenes exquisitely crafted by world-renowned miniaturists while the film collection boasts over 300 original film props and artofacts. To learn more about Dan Ohlmann or the Museum of Miniature and Film, visit the Musée Miniature et Cinéma website or head on over to Facebook.

Trice_25_06_2015_light — Dan Ohlmann with an animatronic triceratops from Jurassic Park

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Aug 18, 2015 at 12:39pm PDT