Daily Mini Interview: Karon Cunningham Miniatures

Karon Cunningham Miniatures

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Minatures-15How did you first get started working with miniatures?

I only discovered them around 10 years ago when I bought a souvenir and gifts shop in the Georgian city of Bath in England. There was a tiny cabinet of children’s miniatures which I assumed was just another gift line.

A chance meeting with an author of miniature books, who was visiting my shop one day, introduced me to a friend who had been interested in miniatures for over 30 years and has the most exquisite collection I have ever seen. From that moment on, I was hooked. I am a self confessed miniature addict!

_MG_3627_JVLT_Srgb_8What qualities of a miniature work do you take into account as a dealer?

I have a few basic and simple rules when looking for miniatures: quality of workmanship, perfectly to scale (normally 1:12 scale or 1 inch), and most importantly, “do I like it?”

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

As a reseller or general dealer of other people’s work, my first thought is for the artisan. After all, it is their work I am selling. I try my best to attribute the artist to every miniature that I have in stock.

S1053934You must remember, handmade miniatures are just that, hand made by one person, the artist. Therefore, there is only a certain number of pieces they can make in a given time. Many do not like to travel. Some ask me to take a selection of their pieces to shows they do not attend, others I buy from and report back on their response. Especially from other countries, the artist is always interested to know how their miniatures are accepted abroad.

Approximately how many artisans do you presently represent? How many countries are represented?

I have miniatures that have been made in over 15 countries around the world by over 350 artists!

Fingers delicately hold a Regency Side chair hand-made by David Booth with an embroidered seat cover by Nicola Mascall. The chair's scroll top is turned on david's home made lathe. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday September, 29, 2011. Karon Cunningham Miniatures shop in Bath, UK, offers a wide and varied collection of miniature furniture, accessories and figurines made by some of the worlds leading miniature makers. Photo credit should read: Ben Birchall/PA Wire
Fingers delicately hold a Regency Side chair hand-made by David Booth with an embroidered seat cover by Nicola Mascall. The chair’s scroll top is turned on David’s homemade lathe. Photo by Ben Birchall/PA Wire.

What are some of the more popular miniatures on your site?

One of the things I hear often from my customers is that I have a lot of different and sometimes unusual miniatures. One said and I quote, :If you are looking for something unusual then go to Karon Cunningham’s site.” I guess it’s because I travel so much; I come across so many miniatures and their makers.

Do you make miniatures yourself?

I do not make miniatures for sale, just for my own pleasure. I take many workshops and classes as I can find time to do so. I love finding out how much goes into the making of these tiny things.

How did you become involved with the International Guild of Miniature Artisans?

I was approached by the Guild‘s President, Teresa Layman, who asked if I would consider standing in on an open place on the IGMA Board of Trustees. The Guild plays a vital part in the promotion, education, and encouragement of miniatures and miniaturists. I wanted to help in any way I could.

Kitchen Wide_2.JPGWhat is the value of Guild Show and Guild School?

Two highlights in the Guild’s calendar are the annual show and the school. The Guild Show is held on the East Coast of the U.S. in August. It is an opportunity for those makers who have been awarded Artisan and Fellow status by the Guild to gather together to sell their work. There are also many other makers of exquisite work there too including some from overseas. I attend the show myself, bringing with me a huge array of pieces from some of the best makers in England and Europe. It is definitely an event to mark in your calendar.

The Guild School is an annual event in June and is an intense, highly enjoyable and rewarding week of classes taught by many experienced and talented Artisans and Fellows of the Guild. I attended the Guild School for the first time this year. Wow! What an experience. You leave the week feeling exhausted but elated all at the same time. I was so proud to come home and show off the miniatures that I made. I’ve already enrolled for next year and can’t wait for it to come round again!

A box of 2 Parker pens, costing £9, made by Klaas Schultz of South Africa are dwarfed by the nib of a ball-point pen. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday September, 29, 2011. Karon Cunningham Miniatures shop in Bath, UK, offers a wide and varied collection of miniature furniture, accessories and figurines made by some of the worlds leading miniature makers. Photo credit should read: Ben Birchall/PA Wire
A box of 2 Parker pens, costing £9, made by Klaas Schultz of South Africa are dwarfed by the nib of a ball-point pen. Photo by Ben Birchall/PA Wire.

Highlights of this year’s Guild Show and other miniature events such as the Philadelphia Miniaturia?

Where do I begin? I don’t think I can put my finger on the ‘highlight’ as such, as the whole experience is one big high for me. From the moment I start packing my stock at home, to driving to the airport and boarding a plane, setting up my table at a show, the selling and the buying, meeting old friends and making new ones, attending classes and bidding at the auction… There is nothing better in the world for me than arriving home after a show and looking back on my trip and enjoying every minute of it.

What is the most memorable miniature you have ever seen?

I’m really interested in weird and wonderful curios and the miniatures made by Jessica Wiesel of Weazilla — these are at the top of my list at the moment. I recently collected a unicorn skull trophy head, a mummified cat, and a jackalope (across between a rabbit and an antelope) from her. How unusual is that!

Anything you haven’t seen in miniature yet?

I don’t know if it has already been made, but I would love to see a silver music box with a singing bird that comes out from a lid on the top. Would that be a wonderful sight!

Aga.JPGHow has the trend of online shopping for miniatures evolved over the years since you’ve been in business?

The Internet has played an important role in how we all shop today, but when it comes to our hobbies and collections, there is no better way than going to a show and meeting the makers, browsing the tables and selecting your pieces. It is retail therapy at its best!

What can modern day miniature enthusiasts, dealers and miniaturists do to preserve this industry?

As in all areas of collecting art, it is the artisans that need encouragement, acknowledgement and the ability to sell their work. This can be praise from their peers to the gratitude of their collectors.
The International Guild of Miniature Artisans is a perfect example of all three, plus a few more. They acknowledge the artisan through their Artisan and Fellow awards, their annual Guild Show is a highlight in the year for these miniaturists to gather together to sell their pieces. They also give opportunities for the makers to share their knowledge through the school and study programs, encouraging others to create wonderful miniatures.

Without the artist, there would be nothing to admire and desire. Without the collector, there would be no one to buy miniatures. I think of this every time I go to a show. I love to see the new ideas miniature makers have had, and the new miniatures they have created.

Milestone CottageWhy miniatures? 

I was originally a company accountant. I didn’t go looking for miniatures, they found me and now I travel around the world meeting wonderful people and finding amazing miniatures. I work from home, a quintessential English cottage with my two dogs. I count my lucky stars every day! I really enjoy what I do.

 What’s to come from Karon Cunningham Miniatures?

I’ve been filling up my 2016 calendar and the year is looking very busy already. The Christmas Kensington Dollshouse Festival in London fast approaches on December 5. It’s the last show of this year, and a highlight on my calendar. I have a cupboard full of kits and projects to make, and my i
nvolvement with IGMA is keeping me out of mischief. I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Karon Cunningham Miniatures offers a wide and varied collection of miniature furniture, accessories and figurines made by some of the world’s leading miniature makers. Karon Cunningham herself hails from a tiny hamlet of 13 houses called Mile Elm in the South West of England. To see her latest collection of miniatures for sale, have a look at the Karon Cunningham Miniatures website. Make sure to follow her shop on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest!

Daily Mini Interview: S P Miniatures

S P Miniatures by Carol and Ken Singer

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hrlbakerydeliverybikeWhat’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.peteracquistodresserset

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.

englishkitchencakeWhat 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.

sharb9_2vegbasketWhat’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.

hand8canistersetappleAdvice 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.

mcqguillotine_01What 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.