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Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Hadyn’s Charms

July 28, 2015July 28, 2015 admin

Hadyn’s Charms

How did you first get started in miniatures?

I have always loved art and all of the different mediums there are, but there was still one that I have always really wanted to try: polymer clay.

So, in the summer of 2013 I got into working with clay. I started out with my first charms, little lollipops, bows, and some coffee charms, and posted them on my art-themed Instagram account with only a couple hundred followers. Soon after, I had an inquiry from a follower that was interested in purchasing my work.

From there, I realized that I could do so much more. People really loved what I was creating, and I really loved doing it as well! I decided to create my own jewelry store, with everything handmade by me. I launched a PayPal, then a website, and so my business started!

I first started selling on third party sites like Shop Handmade, Storenvy, and Etsy, but back in May of this year, I finally decided to be independent from all of these sites and purchase my own domain and website.

Now, in 2015, I have 30,000 followers and counting on my Instagram account. I have shipped my creations to 11 different countries, and 43 of the 50 US states, multiple times each. And have completed over 430 orders to people all over the world.

Do you have a favorite charm you like to make?

I love making miniature foods. I wouldn’t say I have a specific favorite to make, but if I had to narrow it down, I would say mini desserts are my favorite to make.

What are your top sellers?

My top sellers are, without a doubt, my custom works. They can span anywhere from custom-made celebrities, custom-made foods, custom-made animals, and so on.

What inspires you to create?

Organizing. Whenever I organize or rearrange my craft space, it inspires me to start creating!

Advice for beginner artists and miniaturists?

Colors are so very important when making miniatures, especially realistic food. If the color isn’t right, it can throw off the realism of the entire piece.

Sometimes it can be difficult, so I would recommend pulling up a picture of the food you are making on Google. Study the image for a bit, and mix the colors to create a color match. Then begin sculpting your mini.

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

I saw a miniature hobbit scape once. It had a little hobbit house in the side of a grassy mountain, with a little door and a pathway of rocks and little flowers, a tree, all inclosed with a miniature fence. It was very unique and very beautiful. I would love to try making one myself someday.

Other hobbies you enjoy?

I enjoy painting and drawing. And I love organizing and collecting things to add to my craft space — it really helps me get inspired to create!

Hadyn Colella is the namesake behind Hadyn’s Charms. Hadyn is 16 years old and currently lives in Idaho. Shop her creations online at HadynsCharms.com or follow along on Instagram and Facebook!

Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Chocoholic Jewels

June 8, 2015June 8, 2015 admin

Miniatures by Chocoholic Jewels

How did you first get started in miniatures?

I first started working with polymer clay 4 years ago. I was working as a flight attendant and I saw some amazing miniatures in an airport in France. When I returned home unemployed from the economical crisis in Greece, I decided to start making mini food for my dollhouse using polymer clay. I fell instantly in love and decided to turn my minis into OOAK (one of a kind) jewelry that I would be able to keep with me, or on me every day. My love for desserts is the reason why I make most of my jewelry chocolate themed.

I have also created a special series of aromas to be used with clay, that make every piece of jewelry smell as it would in real life.

What materials do you use to make miniatures?

I now use many different kind of materials as my work continues to progress, such as cold porcelain, resin, and upcycled materials.

What is your favorite miniature you’ve made?

My favorite one is… well… I cannot decide. Maybe every single one, as each creation contains a tiny bit of me!

What inspires you?

I am inspired by real food and other artists, but mostly by the fact that the majority of people viewing my creations think they are real! This is a great achievement for me. And being able to make people smile; I see excitement and also a great appetite for desserts.

Advice for beginner miniaturists?

My advice to beginner miniaturists is practice, practice, practice and share, share, share! Practice makes perfect and sharing makes people happy!

Highlight thus far in your miniatures career?

In 2013, I was invited to present my “sweet” accessories on national and international TV.

What do you want miniature fans to know about you?

I am a huge animal lover. My future goal as an artist is to create a series of jewelry of the same kind, with a higher price, and to be able to donate funds to animal shelters and provide food for strays.

Other activities you enjoy?

Besides making miniature food jewelry, caring for my puppy and other stray animals, I love finding and creating healthy snacks or desserts, such as my favorite black bean brownies! These are sooo delicious and sooo guilt free. No one could ever tell you that this amount of deliciousness could contain beans. Here is the recipe if you would like to give it a try.

Eva Stamataki of Chocoholic Jewels lives in Greece. To see more of her delectable miniature works, follow along on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, YouTube, and Flickr. To purchase, shop on Etsy.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Jun 10, 2015 at 7:32am PDT

Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by CMYKlays

May 19, 2015May 19, 2015 admin

Miniatures by CMYKlays

| Shop | Instagram | Facebook |

How did you first get started in miniatures? Where does the interest stem from?

As a stay-at-home mom, I wanted to begin working from home now that my daughter had grown a bit older. I knew that a perfect fit for me would be something related to the arts. I’ve always loved the field, ever since I was old enough to hold a pencil. After deliberating for a bit, clay come to mind! I had previously taken a clay-making class at my local craft center and had a blast with it. So, I headed to Michael’s, bought a few basic items, and just went at it! It all came back pretty quickly for me! After about a month, I opened up my Etsy shop.

How many years have you been making minis? How has your work evolved?

I began creating in July 2014, so I’m only at the 10 month mark right now. It’s quite interesting to see how far I’ve pushed myself to evolve in such a short amount of time. When I look at my initial first works, I sort of laugh at how different they already seem compared to my newer miniatures. I’ve definitely become a better artist, and I keep pushing myself to try new techniques so I can always be my best.

What materials do you use to make your miniatures?

Almost 100% polymer clay. Sometimes I will use acrylic paint for a few details. Occasionally I will use chalk pastel to give cookies that “just baked” look.

Advice for beginner artists and miniaturists?

Give everything a shot, and practice, practice, practice! If someone else can do it, so can you! if there is a technique you see and want to achieve this in your own work, you can do it! Just keep trying, and you will get there.

Tool, material or technique you can’t live without?

Besides clay (obviously), I would have to say my needle tool. Texturing clay to look like cake is one of my absolute favorite things to do, and I love my needle tool for that! I know some people dread texturing cake, but it’s honestly relaxing for me. I tune in to Netflix or listen to some good music, grab the needle tool and clay, and texture, texture, texture!

Favorite mini you own by another artist?

This would have to be my Tokidoki Sakura Unicorno! It’s absolutely adorable. I’m working on making it into a custom purse attachment with some of my yummy goodies attached to it.

Favorite mini you’ve made?

That’s tough. It’s hard to choose between your babies! I really love how my miniature ramen noodle bowls turn out. And again, my cakes because I love texturing the clay and slathering on frosting.

What inspires you?

Almost everything is my inspiration. Since I work with mostly food-related items, even the grocery store is inspiration! I find myself taking my time walking up and down the aisles looking for something new to make in mini form. I also find Art Nouveau to be fabulous. Alphonse Mucha’s paintings of hair are incredible and one of my favorite things. It’s perfect and mesmerizing! Audrey Kawasaki is also absolutely amazing, and I would love to own a piece by her one day!

Fellow miniaturists that inspire you?

There are so many other talented miniaturists out there! Sucre Sucre Miniatures has a remarkable attention to detail. And I’m truly baffled by the realism that Scrumptious Doodle is able to achieve. I aim to one day be as talented as these artists because their work in miniature is simply amazing.

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

I have been obsessed with mini things my whole life. I wanted all the Calico Critters as a child because I loved how tiny and adorable they were with all their little accessories and furniture. As I grew older, Hasbro’s Littlest Pet Shop line was created and I collected so many of those. Also, the old style was so much cuter than the new style of Little Pet Shop! Things were smaller and more adorable. I know other people will know what I’m talking about when they read this! The old style was so much cuter!

What’s to come from CMYKlays?

Right now I’m still wrapping up my first year of sales, and I’m honestly shocked that I’ve successfully made 1,117 sales in 10 short months. I’m still learning how to do this thing! I never dreamed my shop would take off so well, and I’m so grateful for everyone’s support because I get to stay at home with my lovely daughter, still work, and do something I love! I’m very, very lucky, so thank you to everyone!!! I do plan on releasing new minis over this next year, and now that I know just how crazy things get around the holidays, I definitely plan on prepping things a lot earlier! You learn very quickly about things like that while selling on Etsy. Right now I’m still taking it all in and learning as I go, but as ideas come to me, I just go for them. Because, why not? I figure everything is worth a shot and fun to try!

Other activities you enjoy?

Anything having to do with design and color. I just designed some gift boxes that now come with each order because I love making things attractive and memorable. There’s something so special about getting something fun in the mail, and even just opening it is a nice visual surprise. If opening something is fun and memorable, I’d like to make that impact on someone. My degree is in Visual Communication Design, so I definitely incorporate that wherever I can!

What do you want miniature fans to know about you?

I love to make people smile. With my items, I like to say that sometimes you just need some cute in your life to make a rainy day sunny again. While I don’t get to see any of my customers open their items in person, I like to think my little pieces always make them smile when they first open that package and see them in person. Making people happy is what I strive for in life!

You can shop Ohio-based Jacqui’s miniatures on Etsy today! Follow her creations on Instagram and Facebook for many more mini photos!