guild school Archives

Daily Mini Interview: Ron Stetkewicz Miniatures

November 5, 2015November 5, 2015 admin

Ron Stetkewicz Miniatures

What’s your earliest memory with miniatures?

I’ve been doing this since I was tyke. I can remember falling asleep under a table in Syracuse back in 1980-1, being woke up for snoring too loud. I can remember my brothers covering my hand in resin to try and make a mini hand. That had to be 1979.

I wasn’t formally trained in miniature art until I attended the IGMA Guild School in Castine this year. I also learned through an apprenticeship under my Dad. His shop was always open to do whatever: minis or fill your tire with air or make a sword for a Halloween costume. That’s how I run it today: a place to get it all done. There’s a lot of processes that can be done there.

Do you have a favorite type of miniature you like to create?

I enjoy making miniatures out of brass. I don’t have favorites, it’s all the same flow. I can only make anything for short spurts and if it’s caste statues or the intricate hour glasses, they are all felt for equally.

Do you have any favorite miniatures?

I don’t collect for myself. My Mom was the big collector, she had everyone’s best stuff from the 1970s through the 2000s. The collection was given away when we split the estate. There were some great pieces in that collection. Originals by Alice Zinn, dolls by Jane Spain and Joan Benzell. Chet Spacher weldings, Bauder Pine works, all gone.

I do collect music instruments for my son, Ronnie, and little books and mini worldly treasures for my daughter, Kayla. She loves going to miniature shows.

What material do you find the most challenging to work in?

I’m not looking for a challenge, I work in what I know. I’ve been learning woodwork and at Castine I learned working with polymer clay and oil paints. I learned so many valuable things that I think I might write a book. There was so much learning and meeting new friends that I couldn’t summarize it in one statement.

What advice would you give to an IGMA Scholarship Student?

Soak it all in. As much as you can.

What inspires you?

Inspiration is a funny thing. It can be a dreamt up idea that makes me want to work until the piece is done, or my inspiration can be because I’m flat and need the cash. Either way, it’s my family that keeps me from chaos. My parents got me into this and I plan on doing the same for my children. The true inspiration was my dad, now the true drive is passing things along to my kids.

What can we expect from Ron Stetkewicz Miniatures in the future?

My door accessories in stores across the country. I will be unveiling my product line at the Philadelphia Miniaturia from November 6-8.

Anything else you would like to add?

I’ve seen a lot of years in this business from my behind-the-scenes vantage point. I want this industry to rebloom. It’s time breathe new life into this mini world.

Ron Stetkewicz Miniatures is located in Cairo, New York. To view more of Ron’s work or to buy a miniature of your own, check out his website, Instagram, Facebook, and Miniatures Site.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Nov 11, 2015 at 2:38pm PST

Miniaturists Invited to Apply for IGMA Guild School Scholarship Program

July 28, 2015July 28, 2015 admin

August 1 Application Deadline Approaches for 2016 Guild School Scholarships

11001734_495437613947344_1262031359807214468_n — 2015 Guild School Scholarship Recipient Ron Stetkewicz displaying work by Bonni Backe at 2015 Live Auction

The Guild School Scholarship Program is made possible by the International Guild of Miniature Artisans (IGMA). Established in 1985, this scholarship program awards funding to deserving miniaturists interested in attending the annual IGMA Guild School in Castine, Maine. This year’s application for the 2016 Guild School scholarship is due Sunday, August 1, 2015. Click here to download the scholarship application.

A full-tuition scholarship is currently valued at $1425 and pays for 36 hours of instruction, plus room and board for the entire IGMA Guild School week. Recipients must provide their own transportation and assume any other expenses incurred such as materials fees for classes (typically $10-$200) and evening seminars (typically 0-$50).

The International Guild of Miniature Artisans is committed to the perpetuation and improvement of miniatures. Scholarships are primarily intended to make the Guild School experience available to students who might otherwise not be able to attend due to financial constraints. Scholarship applicants are evaluated on how their attendance at the Guild School could potentially contribute to:

the furtherance of miniatures as an art form and the raising of standards (including, but not limited to – adherence to scale and proportions, historical accuracy, etc.) in the creation of miniatures;
the quality of the applicant’s work and the degree to which the curriculum offered by the school would expand or enhance the applicant’s skills and areas of interest;
the dissemination of knowledge, enthusiasm, and skills to miniaturists within a local context, as well as around the world, by teaching, writing, exhibiting or other forms of sharing, both past and in the future;
the degree to which the applicant needs financial assistance for school expenses and how important attending the Guild School would be to them (fiscal priorities).

The source of funding for the Scholarship Program comes from various fundraising efforts held during the school week. The major event is the Live Auction. Scholarship students assist with displaying various auction items during the Auction. In addition, at the Opening Night Banquet, scholarship winners have reserved seating with other scholarship recipients and Scholarship Committee members. The IGMA Guild School scholarship provides a wonderful opportunity for individuals who appreciate (and wish to learn more about creating) fine miniatures.

For questions about the Guild School Scholarship Program, contact Chairperson Erin Carter today.

Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures Writer Anne Day Smith

June 26, 2015June 26, 2015 admin

Author and Lifelong Miniatures Enthusiast Anne Day Smith

How did you first get involved with miniatures?

I have always loved little things. Whenever my parents traveled, they brought back things for me—always under 3 inches or so—because they knew I loved miniatures.

Growing up, I had a miniature Block House secretary desk with a cabinet over it. I still have it today.

When and how did you begin writing about miniatures?

I began writing primarily to support my habit. I had my first dollhouse in 1948. It was furnished with Renwal furniture, which I also still have. Not too long after, I began writing the monthly newsletter for the Cleveland Miniaturia Society. When our group invited Caye MacLaren, the owner of Nutshell News (now Dollhouse Miniatures Magazine), to be a guest speaker at an annual show in August 1978, I picked her up from the airport. I loved every minute of our time together. She had just written a book and asked me to start writing for her.

I thought I might retire over the years, but it turned out no one was writing profiles about the miniature industry at the time. When you write non-fiction, you hide behind someone’s words. I was learning so much from these miniaturists. My passion came to life.

When did you transition into photography of miniatures?

I had taken photos for ages—of miniatures, roomboxes, dollhouses, any miniature scene. About 5 years after getting started, one of my vertical shots worked out just right and was used for the cover of Nutshell News. It’s my only cover.

Why the preoccupation with miniatures? Why do you write about minis?

I love the opportunity to meet all the different people I have met over the years. My miniature friends live all over the world. And when someone recognizes you at a show, that’s something wonderful—you feel like a big frog in a little puddle. I really enjoy writing about these artisans and learning how they go about it. You know, when you get to the end of an interview, that’s when the best information comes—right after the interview has concluded.

What inspires you?

Getting together with other miniaturists truly inspires me. After a meet-up, I’ll go home and work on projects I have put off. There’s a stimulation from spending time in a miniatures environment like IGMA Guild School. Everyone that goes home from the School puts in a lot of work on their projects. If they haven’t finished a project they started at IGMA Guild School, they will go home and finish it.

I can already think of the things I would like to do when I return home. I especially like to make flowers. I once sat in Sandy Wall’s class, and it was so quiet you could hear a petal drop.

Do you make or collect miniatures yourself?

I have a quite a few three-sided picture frames at home. I’m not a woodworker. I can wallpaper and I can put in carpets. For this year’s IGMA Guild School Exhibit, I put together a greenhouse scene.

At home, I have a dollhouse and whenever they visit, I encourage the local children in my neighborhood to play around with the rooms and change the space.

How often do you make miniatures?

I spent one whole winter making a dollhouse for the granddaughter of my friend who had passed away. I picked up the dollhouse from the child’s mother, and later I sent samples of wallpaper to the child for her to pick out her preferences. I worked on it all winter and then when it was complete, I drove it down to Washington, D.C. and delivered it to her. We named it, “Eva Grace Manor” after her grandmother.

How do we preserve the miniature trade? How can we pass down all the skills of these fine artisans?

Skills are passed down annually at the International Guild of Miniature Artisans Guild School, held for a week in Castine, Maine. Through teaching and the passing along of skills, a lot of the Guild School students taking classes will, in turn, go home and teach a class or give a lecture for adult education. They share their techniques and advice with fellow miniature enthusiasts.

My first dollhouse was ¾ scale chunky wood. On one occasion, I had about 15 girl scouts come and visit my studio space. I said “please don’t touch anything without asking me first.” They touched everything. And nothing got broken. They were so careful. Several of those children are older now and have come back, remembering the delight of their first visit to see the miniature house. I believe that you can trust children to be exceptionally careful with miniature collectibles after a certain age.

What advice would you give to new miniaturists?

Try everything. Once a miniaturist zeroes in on what will be their medium, they can truly hone their skills and focus on their craft. The IGMA and any other miniature-affiliated organization should support that person by offering advice and buying their product. The Guild promotes moving up and awards recognition for skills learned: Artisan and Fellow. Some artists may try 2-3 times to achieve these levels, and the letters they receive from their instructors and the Guild committee are always very encouraging. These remarks include practical advice on how to improve finish, how to make a flower smaller or bigger—and additional constructive advice.

What advice would you give to a new writer?

You simply must have a huge interest in what you’re writing about.

What do you want miniature fans to know about you?

I’ve loved the whole thing. I’ve loved the people. I’ve delighted in all the new things I have learned. Miniatures have provided a wonderful experience for me. And so many friendships have come about as a result. I have been able to write about so many talented people.

Anne Day Smith is the author of six books. To learn more about her experience as a writer covering the world of miniatures, shop her books online.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Jul 1, 2015 at 11:01am PDT

Daily Mini Interview: Miniature Needlepoint by Annelle Ferguson

June 25, 2015June 25, 2015 admin

Miniatures by Annelle Ferguson

| Website |

How did you first get started in miniatures?

I had a three-year-old daughter and decided she needed a dollhouse for Christmas. The more I put it together, the more I built it, the more I loved it. gallery_7_25_28642 It was that very Christmas that a friend said a doctor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee was going to be at the local museum showing the dollhouses he made. I learned then in 1978 that there were dollhouse magazines and a miniatures shop in Gatlinburg.

The next year was the development of my passion. I was initially buying works at the nearby miniature shop in 1979, and that year I met a gentleman who was selling his miniature work at a crafts show. Through that connection and others, we formed a club in January 1980 and held our first meeting. We grew from about 4 people at first to 30 passionate miniature enthusiasts. We met for 20 years until about 2000.

What was the first miniature you created?

It was a sofa and a chair. I used a pattern from one of the club members. I was a crocheter and building this dollhouse at the time. I still have that crocheted rug from that dollhouse I built for my daughter.

When did you begin selling miniatures?

There was always a miniature show in Atlanta and in Lexington, Kentucky. We all learned about these events through well-known dollhouse and miniatures magazines. My next door neighbor had bought a dollhouse after seeing my own. In 1980, she was creating needlepoint rugs and she taught me how to do needlepoint. And I absolutely loved it. I loved it.

There was a show in Atlanta around April 1981, and one of the premiere needleworkers at that time was Barbara Cosgrove, who happened to be at that show. She made rugs and had a beautiful display. Down on her table, she had a small sampler. It took my breath away. It was an adaptation of an antique sampler. She shared more information about samplers from the 17th and 18th centuries. I immediately made a trip to the library in my hometown and checked out a book about antique samplers. That was the beginning of my design process. I was just so incredibly intrigued with antiques. My thought process at the time was, “I wonder if anyone would buy any of this.” And so, I showed work at my first show in October 1985.

My second show was April 1986: the IGMA Guild Show. I was very fortunate to have been accepted. And I did very well at that show. Actually, I lost my voice after it! I grew hoarse from explaining at length what antique samplers were.

How has your work evolved?

After learning about miniatures and antique samplers, I began my extensive research. I wrote and corresponded with various museums across the country. Wherever I had a show, I would look up the addresses of museums and curators. Over the years, I’ve had many special appointments, mostly focusing on the history of antique samplers. On one particular visit when looking at designs in storage, I came across decorative chair seats. These captured my interest as I had never thought about that as a needlework possibility.

I decided shortly after to write a book, wanting to inform the miniature industry about the history of needlework.

To this day, I still do research. Now it’s more on the computer. But I still have special appointments at museums across the world, whose teams are kind enough to bring out needlework for me to see and study.

What’s your favorite pattern?

Rhode Island samplers from the 18th century. An instructor in Providence created the most charming samplers I had ever seen.

What have been some of your favorite collaborators to work with?

Richard Hardy, Mark Murphy, Elizabeth Gazmuri on a project for school, Gerald Crawford on exquisite Queen Anne furniture.

My favorite collaboration or project is one that I shared with others. Specifically I loved making a casket from the 17th century that we did here at school. Mark Murphy made the box. We taught the class over a 2-year period.

Materials you could not live without?

Silk gauze and silk threads. Years ago, at the IGMA Guild School in Castine, they had a “Then and Now” exhibit that featured people’s first works. My first creations were on canvas with wool and were quite funny to see.

What advice would you give to a new miniaturist?

The more you do, the better you get, the more experience you gain. People often rush in and don’t give themselves enough time to master their craft.

What do you want miniature fans to know about you?

I’m envious of those that are multi-talented. I decided long ago that creating miniature needlework was my passion.

I have one completed dollhouse currently, a country house. And I have several unfinished projects in the works because they need a piece of needlework and I still haven’t gotten to it.

I thoroughly enjoy participating in miniature shows. It continues to be a pleasure seeing, meeting, and visiting with other miniaturists.

Annelle Ferguson is a 22nd year instructor at the International Guild of Miniature Artisans (IGMA) Guild School. She hails from Tennessee and you can view her work in miniatures on her Mini Stitches website.

2015 Guild School by the International Guild of Miniature Artisans

June 2, 2015June 2, 2015 admin

The Ripple Effect. Spread the Knowledge. Share the Fun.

The Guild School is an annual week of instruction by International Guild of Miniature Artisans (IGMA) Fellows and Artisans in scale miniatures. Set in Castine, Maine each June, the Guild School features classes and workshops by 33 instructors, all of which are current Artisans or Fellows of the Guild.

This year’s 34th annual IGMA Guild School will take place from June 13-19 in Castine. Over 200 miniaturists from around the world (42 states and 11 countries are represented this year) take part in more than 50 miniature-making classes. Guild students are taught techniques in woodworking, metalsmithing, figure sculpting, painting, needlework, room/building construction, plant making, food sculpting, wicker, weaving, mosaics, and pottery. With 6 full days of classes (each class spans from 6-8 hours a day), students work diligently to develop their skills and further hone their miniature craft.

In addition, the 2015 Guild School will feature evening seminars, a student and instructor exhibit, live and silent auctions, an exhibit of class projects, a graduation night banquet, lobster cookout, and a miniature sale night. Click to view past Guild School events.

All skill levels are welcome to attend the week-long IGMA Guild School set on a picture-perfect campus in a quaint, historical, coastal village in scenic Maine. The School is just one education component of the International Guild of Miniature Artisans. IGMA was founded in 1979 to promote fine miniatures as an art form; to increase awareness and appreciation of high-quality workmanship through public education; to recognize and honor qualified artisans and encourage work of highest quality; to encourage the development of new artisans; and to coordinate and serve the interests and needs of the artisan and non-artisan.

To learn more about the IGMA Guild School, visit the Guild School website. You can follow along on Facebook and Instagram. For information about the International Guild of Miniature Artisans, visit igma.org.