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Daily Mini Interview: Kiva’s Miniatures

May 22, 2015March 15, 2018 admin

Kiva’s Miniatures

How did you first get started in miniatures?

When I lived in San Francisco, I started collecting unusual dolls on a whim. From there, I discovered the magical world of miniatures… all the accessories, and miniature food! My mother built me two dollhouses and I packed them to the brim. One day, I picked up a couple bars of clay and thought I’d give food making a go. It soon became a total obsession. I’ve since been making miniatures for about twelve years.

What materials do you use to make your miniatures?

Polymer clay: the firmer, the better. Kato is my favorite, then Fimo Classic.

Advice for beginner miniaturists?

Books and tutorials are great for learning some basics and useful techniques, but take that knowledge and run with it. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Also, there is nothing better than studying the real thing, so look at pictures of real food!

Tool or material you can’t live without?

I love my needle tools and ball styli. Also, liquid clay and chalks.

Favorite mini you own by another artist?

I have received wonderful gifts from super talented artists. It’s difficult to narrow it down!

What inspires you?

Cooking shows, cookbooks, food magazines… even walking through the market gives me inspiration. My wacky creations really come from my rather twisted sense of humor.

Fellow miniaturists that inspire you?

When I first started out, and was discovering artists’ work, what really fascinated me was the work of a Chinese artist (whose name escapes me right now). At the time, she was just about the only person making things other than the “usual” fare. She was making actual Chinese cuisine! At the time, it was a real novelty. I enjoy seeing people make food that you just don’t find every day.

What is the most memorable miniature you have ever come across?

This is a tough one. Off the top of my head, the work of a Japanese artist named Takanori Aiba is simply mind blowing. I mean, downright scary!

Why miniatures?

I’ve always been fascinated by tiny things, ever since I was a little girl. I used to do intricate, tiny drawings… even my handwriting is small! I love seeing my work come to life in my customer’s creations.

Other activities you enjoy?

I watch a lot of cooking competition shows! When I’m not tied down to my pile of clay, I love going out to eat because Hawaii really is a melting pot of different ethnic foods. Other than that, I don’t have much time for anything else!

Anything else you would like to add?

Yes, I am a little bit nuts, it’s true!

Kiva Atkinson makes her miniatures come to life from her home in Honolulu, Hawaii. If you want to see more of her wacky and whimsical creations, head on over to her blog or Flickr.

Daily Mini Interview: Little Day Miniatures

May 21, 2015April 13, 2016 admin

Little Day Miniatures

Where does your interest in miniatures stem from?

I particularly love making food miniatures. Just like a familiar old song, food can also connect us with past memories, emotions or feelings. Each time we associate a particular food with an event or experience, we create a memory link that continues to exist even years later. Food often gets embedded into our memories because of the feelings we had surrounding the particular moment. For example: hot dogs! Many of us are not too fond of hot dogs, but when we smell them roasting on an open fire or hot off the grill, it captures our attention and sends us into a Toucan Sam “Follow Your Nose” trance! Is it really the smell? Or does the smell perhaps remind us of childhood memories like a best friend’s birthday party, camping trips with grandpa, or a sunny afternoon at a baseball game. Now all of a sudden this smell strikes our memory button, our itty bitty eyebrows raise in delight, and we just have to have one. Many of my memories are associated with food, and I believe that I subconsciously try to recreate and recapture those happy feelings and emotions through my food miniatures.

How many years have you been creating minis and food miniatures?

I’m self-trained and I’ve been making miniatures for 3 years. I create miniatures on a full-time basis and have my work displayed and sold in two local shops: Edmonton Arts Council’s TIX on the Square and The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse.

What materials do you use to make Little Day Miniatures?

Polymer clay, resins and more.

Advice for beginner artists and miniaturists?

In the spirit of Finding Nemo‘s Dori, “Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming!” Never give up and always keep on learning. Never think you’ve reached your peak. Keep on pursuing your dreams.

When I first started out with polymer clay, my attempts to make miniature food looked more like lumps of dirt than anything else. But with a lot of time, practice, perseverance, and continuous learning, my work continues to evolve and become more detailed, more realistic, and more of a representation of me.

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

Creativity and dreaming.

Artists or books you look to for inspiration?

Angie Scarr. I recommend two of her books: Miniature Food Masterclass: Materials and Techniques for Model-Makers and Making Miniature Food and Market Stalls.

What is the most memorable miniature you’ve seen by another artist?

Amigurumi artist Katsutoshi Tsunoda. His micro crocheting is amazing! Still has me scratching my head.

Why do people love miniatures?

Have you ever watched a child observing a colony of ants carrying a chicken nugget crumb back to their home? The joy and amazement in the child’s little face is priceless. Being big in a tiny-sized world gives us an opportunity to appreciate the details and see a world from a whole new perspective. Perhaps a child’s perspective. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could see the “live” world from above? How awesome would it be to watch all the tiny cars drive by and the little ant sized people walking their teeny dogs while the teeny clouds water our itty bitty plants? Picture it… it’s cute right? There is a level of comfort in it. Nothing is out of reach and nothing is hidden. It’s safe.

Another thought… why is it that when we see things in wee size, we say “Awww… so cute!”? There is something about these miniatures that is so endearing to me. They’re almost like babies. Every time you’re around them, they make you smile and giggle and say “Oh! So cute!” and “Oh… so lovely and sweet!” or “Oh my, so fragile!” I’ve also noticed that when people handle some of my teeny creations, their voices change to a higher pitch. Similar to when our voices change when we talk to a baby! Funny, eh? I think that’s why I have great joy creating miniatures and am in awe of the detail and beauty in each tiny creation. It’s in the human reaction, the sound of joy in people’s voices and their eyes lighting up that makes my heart jump with joy and has me loving making teeny things today. I am continuously dreaming up unique ways to make the “out of the ordinary” and “weird” seem appealing and sweet at the same time. A million miles per hour, creativity jumbles in my head. It’s a world where technicolor and a whimsical Imaginarium exists, and it’s only purpose is to be shared with everyone! It’s a world of joy and peace co-inhabiting with creative chaos, and it’s where weird is sooo gooooood! Little Day Miniatures will continue to try to recreate those happy memories by making mini, bitesized memories to stir emotions that will generate joy and bring many smiles to many faces. I make itty bitty keepsakes

Other activities or hobbies you enjoy?

Dancing, macramé, gardening, sewing, painting, and spending time with my husband and children.

Canada-based Jennifer resides with her husband and children in Edmonton, Alberta. To enjoy many more of her food miniatures, check out Little Day Miniatures on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or shop her store.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on May 21, 2015 at 8:32am PDT

Daily Mini Interview: Pink Cute Sugar Miniatures

May 17, 2015November 8, 2017 admin

Pink Cute Sugar Miniatures

What does Valentina Pink Cute Sugar mean to you?

When I first began creating miniatures in late 2008, I looked for a name to best represent me, so I created a virtual identity. I’ve always loved pink (it’s my favorite color), sweets (all without exception), and miniatures. Back in 2009, I created a Facebook page to share my passion and my name was “Pink Sugar.” I knew I had to differentiate myself from Aquolina Pink Sugar perfume. So, I added “Cute” to my name. Thus, my stage name was born: a true representation of all the things I love.

How did you first get into miniatures?

I started working in polymer clay by chance. I was looking for nail art inspiration online and came across Japanese nail designs that had micro objects out of polymer clay. I learned that many of these artists were making polymer clay objects that could be worn at all times. Taking a cue from their creations, I started making my own. At first, I was making miniatures just for myself, sometimes to give to my friends for their birthdays. Friends of friends began to see my creations and fall in love with them. I started to sell miniatures privately through word of mouth.

Over the years I have tried to develop an unmistakable style of my own. I seek to create unique works that are always different, never the same. I am not yet 100% satisfied with my work, and still consider myself to be an apprentice. Oftentimes, I don’t have enough time to create the things I want in 1:12 scale. I’m constantly working on commissions and have a full-time job as a mom to a 2-year-old. It’s always difficult to find time to do the things you enjoy. But the greatest satisfaction I’ve felt recently was when I was contacted for the October edition of Spanish Miniatures magazine, which includes work of talented miniaturists from all over the world. I had a page dedicated to my work, and was also published on the magazine’s cover! It was a great honor and satisfaction!

Do you sell miniatures full-time?

It is my passion and thus I turned it into a real job. I would do this for a lifetime, in addition to being a mother which is obviously the best job in the world.

What types of miniatures do you make?

I make miniatures out of anything but mainly I create accessories to wear, and miniature food in 1:12 scale. I like to create everything myself, from the notch of the plywood to the painting, to the construction of cups and cutlery. I try to recreate scenarios in miniature form. For example, you’re cutting up vegetables for a soup and then the phone rings, so you put the knife on a plate to rest. You can preserve this memory forever with one of my miniatures.

What materials do you use to make miniatures?

Today I use mainly polymer clay, sculpey, liquid polymer clay, plywood, paper, and pieces of metal.

Advice for beginner artists?

I don’t consider myself to be a great artist. I’m just a girl of 25 who has a great passion. From this passion, I attempt to bring happiness to others. The advice I would give to new artists is to always have a unique style that can be recognized immediately, even without signing the photo. Never give up because only time will help you achieve what you want. Create things because you like them, not only because you want to sell them. Put all the love from your heart into a project and it will soon reward you.

Tools you love the most?

I do not use special tools to make my miniatures. I use toothpicks, needles, chisels of various sizes, and resin. I really love the versatility of resin. You can do so many things with it!

Favorite miniature you own?

I own creative accessories by Italian artists such as Pies Tellina, Neraneve Stella, Daniela Pupa, Claudia Lolle Bijoux, Francesca Gnam Gnam, and more. I also enjoy books by Angie Scarr.

What miniaturists inspire you most?

My absolute favorite miniaturist in the world is Tomo Tanaka’s Nunu’s House. I love everything about it! He can do anything! He creates houses, furniture, silverware, metalworks, food miniatures, and more. He is the impressive KING OF MINIATURE! I love his style and one day hope to become as good as him. He’s a great source of inspiration. Look at the work of Tomo Tanaka you’ll be entranced!

Why miniatures?

I love miniatures because their smallness contains so much dedication, study, love, work, and sacrifice. It is not an easy job. You have to measure everything… every millimeter. You have to focus on color in order to achieve a good image for thumbnails. It’s an art form full of love, because only those who have a passion and love miniatures can create them. I love to think that my miniatures are a preserved moment, frozen in time forever.

Other activities you enjoy?

Being a mom.

What do you want people to know about you?

I have a critical eye and share my work online to let others inform me if my creations are up to par. Only after receiving appreciation from fans do I relax. My fans on Facebook are important to me. They inspire me and give me strength! Miniature collectors and enthusiasts are also looking for a “perfect miniature,” so this helps me to create more and more. I seek to create on an even higher level. This makes me not a miniaturist, but an apprentice for life!

Valentina lives in Sardinia, Italy. You can now shop her newly opened Etsy store! Follow her miniature adventures on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Flickr, DeviantArt, or take a tour of her blog.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Mar 8, 2015 at 6:47pm PDT

Daily Mini Interview: Steve Casino, Painter Of Nuts

May 7, 2015May 7, 2015 admin

Steve Casino, Painter Of Nuts

How did you first get started making portraits out of peanuts?
My first peanut portrait was of myself. It was originally a joke. As a cartoonist, I made quick sketches of myself and coworkers on peanuts.

Why peanuts? Why miniature portraits?
Peanuts are my favorite snack. But it’s also fun because it uses all of the skills I’ve acquired through life and work experience. Nothing wasted.

I have always been fascinated by caricature artists as well as miniatures. This is the perfect combo. The peanut is a gimmick that got me started but I don’t need it at this point. It just gives people a point of reference for size. It’s a fun challenge to make all of that tiny stuff. A lot of problem solving.

How many years have you been making art?
Not including the formative years (kindergarten through college), probably about 25 years. My first job out of college was making fake food and miniatures for TV commercials. This was before computers did everything. The skills I learned there really apply to what I’m doing now.

Do you create peanut portraits on a full-time basis?
No. I am a toy inventor for a living. But I often put in 8-12 hours a day extra on peanut art for various clients.

How many hours does it take to make a peanut sculpture?
It used to be about 15 hours, but I’ve cut that in half through repetition.

Where can people purchase your work?
You can contact me directly for commissions.

What has been the most difficult peanut portrait to create?
The early ones like Elton John were really hard because I hadn’t figured out how to paint on a small scale yet. I had to repaint him about 10 times to get it right. Took a superhuman effort to do it. But it also turned out to be one of the most successful in the press.

What’s been the most fulfilling portrait you’ve made?
Nirvana was the most satisfying to do. Brought back a lot of good memories of young adulthood and I really liked the way it came out. It was extra-thrilling because Nirvana’s bassist Krist Novoselić shared it on Twitter.

What do you use to make your miniature sculptures?
Aside from peanuts, I use polymer clay and wire armature a lot now for limbs and detail. My early peanuts had bamboo limbs.

Advice for beginner artists?
Really learn how to draw. It’s the basis for everything. Take a class. Sketch from life. Learn lighting and perspective. Don’t just copy Olaf from Frozen. Also, don’t ruin good art with bad photography. People don’t really see your art on the web, they only see the photograph. So the photograph is essentially your art. Make your presentation count.

Tool you can’t live without?
A rubber-tipped sculpting tool that replaced my fat fingers for the fine smoothing detail. I lost it once for 3 days and was going out of my mind.

Favorite miniature you own by another artist?
I have a hummingbird by the great micro-wood carver Steve Tomashek. He wrote a good book about miniature woodcarving.

Favorite peanut portrait you’ve ever made?
Jimi Hendrix. I never listened to him much before that. Somebody hired me to make him, and I initially wasn’t excited. But it was revelatory to play his albums while making art of him. By the time it was over, he was my favorite musician of all time and the peanut turned out to be really cute.

Artists you look to for inspiration?
I love the work of cartoonist Charles Addams who created the Addams Family. Also love Edward Gorey and Tim Burton. My tastes run towards the macabre. I love Wayne White and Red Grooms for 3-D creations. And there are many, many more.

What is the most memorable miniature you’ve seen?
Willard Wigan‘s recognizable characters sculpted inside the eye of a needle really blew my mind. Plus, I love much of the miniature food out of clay by many artists. Some of it is insanely realistic.

Other activities you enjoy?
Hanging out with my wife and two daughters. We’re currently plowing through every episode of Doctor Who.

What do you want mini art fans to know about you?
I’m as much of a fan as a practitioner of miniatures. There’s nothing I like better than seeing a well-crafted miniature that’s been photographed well.

Steve currently lives in Cincinnati. If you’ve just been blown away by his amazing peanut portraiture, head to his website to view more works, or follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on May 8, 2015 at 1:33pm PDT

Daily Mini Interview: Made by Lee Miniatures

April 30, 2015April 13, 2016 admin

Made by Lee Miniatures

| Blog | Instagram | Facebook |

What types of miniatures do you create and why?
Right now, I make polymer clay food, dollhouse furniture and other various miniatures. I find it very fascinating to create food miniatures, and I think I’ll keep on doing that. On the other hand, I’m planning to develop my skills by making other types of miniatures.

What materials do you use to make miniatures?
Polymer clay, wire, metal, wood (often balsa), cardboard, and paper.

How long have you been been creating miniatures?
I started making clay charms in August 2013. In November 2013, I created my first miniature scene.

Accounts or artists you look to for inspiration?
I love the work of Tanja from Sugarcharmshop and Tomo Tanaka from Nunu’s House. And of course the many different artists featured on The Daily Miniature!

Advice for beginner artists and miniaturists?
Find your own style and love what you do. It doesn’t matter how good or bad your creations are. When you practice, you will be rewarded.

Most difficult miniature you’ve ever tried to create?
I tried once to make a chessboard but it was very difficult. I hope to find a way to make it better!

Favorite miniature you have made?
I like a cookie baking scene I made a few weeks ago.

Most memorable miniature you have ever seen?
There are so many cool pieces I’ve come across. I love Halloween scenes with bones and other creepy, strange stuff.

What appeals to you most about what you do?
I can create my own world and fascinate other people.

Other hobbies you enjoy?
I like horseback riding, singing, reading, caring for my animals, and helping animals in need.

Do you work on miniatures full time?
No, I am a student. After finishing school, I want to study veterinary medicine, but I’m sure that making miniatures will stay a fascinating hobby.

What’s to come from Made by Lee Miniatures?
I want to start a project against animal cruelty (definitely in miniature scale), as well as make my own tutorials on YouTube and my blog.

Stay tuned for many (mini) more adventures in miniature food by Germany’s Lee Ann. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, or visit her blog.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Apr 27, 2015 at 2:52pm PDT

Daily Mini Interview: PetitPlat

April 16, 2015March 22, 2016 admin

Miniatures by PetitPlat

What does “Petit Plat” mean?
It literally means “Little Plate” in French, but more figuratively translates to “a nice meal.”

How did you first get started in miniatures?
In the summer of 2007, when still a student, I failed to find a summer job and went to stay with my parents. After two days, I realized I had to spend my time doing something crafty, so I looked on the Internet for a new craft or art of some kind. At that point in time, I had already tried various activities, such as beading, painting, knitting, and drawing. Being creative was a big part of my life.

By chance, I stumbled upon a miniature mango cake and thus discovered the world of miniatures, and more specifically, the world of miniature food. This wasn’t something I was completely new to, as I did sculpt miniature food for my barbie dolls as a child. I had just forgotten about that hobby. So, after a bit more research on how to get started, I was out and about, purchasing some fimo clay. And from there, the passion started to grow.

What types of miniatures do you make these days?
Almost only food. I completed a series on miniature coral for art jewelry pieces, and I loved that too. And, I love buildings, so I like to work on this as well, though I rarely find the time. No figures or flowers so far. Don’t have interest in sculpting either of these.

Right now I’m working on a daily challenge where I sculpt one fruit or vegetable each day. Exhausting at times, but mostly fun and my skills are evolving faster. You can follow along each day at dailyminiveggie.tumblr.com!

How long have you been creating miniatures?
I really started to sculpt on a regular weekly basis in 2008. Before that time, it was more playing than anything else.

Do you create and sell miniatures on a full-time basis?
Yes, I do. I also sell a lot of miniature food jewelry as well.

How has your work evolved over the years?
I create a great deal of miniature jewelry, as it’s the easiest for me to handle, since I’m able to replicate pieces. As for miniature food, this evolved based on my own interest.

What materials do you use to make your miniatures?
For food miniatures, I almost exclusively use polymer clay. For a whipped cream effect, I’ll use air dry clay. For other scenes or props, I use wood, paper, and anything else I find that might work.

Advice for beginner artists?
Follow your own path and obsessions. Work hard, improve a lot, but also rest. Enjoy this, and if you don’t enjoy it, just leave it be. Success is only possible if you’re passionate about what you do, as it’s the only way you will work really hard to make it work. And of course, the usual: find your own style and twist it to be unique. Don’t just become another artist making the same things that all other artists do. Not saying that this is necessarily bad; we all need to copy first in order to learn and make something original and many will only sculpt for themselves. However, if your goal is to live from your work, then you’ll need skills and ideas.

Tool you can’t live without?
Toothpicks.

What artists do you look to for inspiration?
Oh, there are so many! Kandinsky is on my wall, so he has to be the first, but I enjoy colorful abstraction in general. I very much like street art these days. I love graffiti artists Os Gêmeos, but there are many unknown ones too. I like to browse the site Colossal for new art finds.

Lori Nix made a series about a forgotten world that is brilliant. This brings me to my love for forgotten and abandoned buildings. I’ve visited and photographed a few with my mother. I love the raw honesty of those places. Still thinking of showcasing these pictures online, but then I don’t always have time to showcase all the stuff I do.

As a general rule, I like art when it’s colorful and/or miniature.

Follow along for more fantastic adventures in miniature by France’s Stephanie. Head to Instagram, shop her store, visit her website, check out the blog and daily Tumblr, or enjoy the latest updates and images on her Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Flickr.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Apr 24, 2015 at 11:35am PDT