Decadent Miniatures
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What’s your earliest memory with miniatures?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated with miniatures. As a little girl, I used to play with my Barbie dolls and create mini bakeries, pizza parlors, and kitchens. I would always make sure to get the kits that had the miniature play food that looked the most realistic. I remember one playset in particular that had a pizza oven that would “bake” the pizza until it browned using ice cubes to “heat” the oven. I thought that was so amazing as a young kid and I’ve been enamored with miniatures every since.
How did you first get started making miniatures?
I first started making miniature food when I was looking up mommy and me crafts to make with my young daughter. I wanted to make something special for us that would be fun to make, cute, and something we could keep forever once we were done. So I researched cupcake crafts on Google and came across polymer clay food miniatures.
Do you remember the very first miniature you ever made?
My very first miniature was a chocolate cake charm. I found a tutorial on DeviantArt on how to make a miniature chocolate cake, and I proceeded to make my own version. The end result was comical to say the least, but at the time I thought it was the best little cake I have ever seen! I was hooked! I then proceeded to make several cakes in the weirdest designs and colors. I spent my whole weekend creating little cakes. I couldn’t put that clay down! I still have those little cakes 10 years later!
What is your favorite type of miniature to make?
My favorite type of miniatures to make are cakes and sugar cookies. I love texturing the cake and making it look as realistic as possible. My favorite part of making the cakes would have to be adding the scent. My favorite cake scent that I have created is lemon buttercream. It smells so sweet, with just a hint of lemon… it makes my mouth water!
I love sugar cookies because there are so many varieties to create. The possibilities are endless! I also love that the process of making them are very similar to making real cookies! Mixing the icing and decorating is a blast!
What types of miniatures are most challenging to make?
I would have to say the most challenging miniatures to make are my gingerbread houses. It takes a lot of practice to be able to attach the pieces of the house together without it falling apart. Then it’s the tedious part of decorating the little house. All the little candies have to be made one by one and on a 1/2 inch or smaller scale. The very first batch of houses took me over 8 hours to complete. The gingerbread house is a very challenging miniature to make, but the outcome is so worth it in the end!
What advice would you give to new miniaturists?
If you are just starting out making miniatures and miniature food, my advice to you would be to keep practicing. Never give up. I have learned that the more you work with your medium, the more you become one with it. Learn your craft from all angles. Look up tutorials and YouTube videos for help if you get stuck and don’t be afraid to ask other seasoned miniaturists for guidance. We don’t bite! I wish I had someone to help me when I was first starting out. I understand the struggles so feel free to send me a message if you get stuck on a project! I am always willing to help out a fellow miniaturist!
If you are making miniature food, Premo translucent is your secret weapon! It makes the food look more realistic and not cartoon-like or chalky. Your best bet is to buy the big blocks and save because you will use a lot of it!
What inspires you?
My fans inspire me. I remember my very first craft show everyone who came up to my booth was amazed how realistic and tiny my food jewelry was. When I told them the the jewelry was scented, the looks on their faces were priceless! They immediately picked up the jewelry and started sniffing it, calling their friends over and going crazy over how real every thing smelled. It was amazing. I will never forget that experience! From that point on I knew this is what I wanted to do forever. I loved seeing the smiles on the little kids’ faces and how happy my jewelry made them. I wanted everyone to be able to leave with a piece of my jewelry. And they did. I love my fans! They keep me going!
What is the most memorable miniature you have ever seen?
The most unique miniature I have seen from another artist would have to be a miniature cupcake with a octopus on it. It made me scratch my head a little bit.
What is your hope for the field of miniatures?
I hope in the future, miniatures will get more recognition and appreciation as fine art. I don’t think people understand how much time and dedication it takes to make such small pieces of art. I would love to see more tutorial books and miniature fairs. I think making publications and hosting more local craft shows based solely on miniature art and miniature food will help keep the art alive.
What would you like to see replicated in miniature that you have not yet seen?
I would like to see more bakeries and shabby chic kitchens. I think they are the most beautiful miniature scenes to make.
Why miniatures?
I love being able to create a tiny version of something big. I love that I am able to bring miniatures one step closer to reality with my realistic scents.
What’s to come from Decadent Minis?
Look out for tutorial kits, books, miniature bakeries, and our mobile store!
Motto you live by?
My favorite quote is from George Eliot: “Its never too late to be who you might have been.” When I tend to get a little sidetracked while working on long projects I usually say to myself: “Stop spinning and start winning!” It helps me snap back to reality.
Favorite miniature quote?
“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most space in your heart.”
Other hobbies you enjoy?
My favorite activities besides making minis are watching movies, eating good food, traveling, and being a girly girl.
What do you want miniature fans to know about you?
I would like my fans to know that every piece I make comes from the heart and never from a factory. I use recyclable materials as much as possible to reduce our carbon footprint. I donate a portion of my proceeds from my jewelry to charities that help animals and foster youth.
Decadent Minis was created by Trina Moreau, who currently lives in Antioch, California. See what’s she been up to by checking out the Decadent Mini website, Decadent Mini Etsy, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.