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Daily Mini Interview: Mighty Oak Brings Miniature Sets to Life for HGTV and Sherwin-Williams

June 24, 2018June 25, 2018 admin

Mighty Oak’s Miniature Sets for HGTV and Sherwin-Williams

Interview with Emily Collins, Creative Director at Mighty Oak

Tell us a bit about your recent collaboration with HGTV and Sherwin-Williams.

Our team created a series of miniature rooms inspired by the 2018 Sherwin-Williams color collection. Each room was modeled to look like a contemporary living space, with details as tiny as half-inch shampoo bottles crafted by hand.

How many rooms did you create, and how are they distinct from one another?

We created 7 rooms in total. Each unique room showcases a living space, including a bathroom, kitchen, 2 living rooms, a bedroom, and a sun room. They range in style, from minimalist decor, to plant-filled lounges, rustic interiors, and even a seaside-aesthetic.

How many team members helped to bring this project to life?

Our team was made up of 11 creatives, including our producer and director, animators, fabricators, and post-production crew. We worked closely with our clients to ensure that each room represented their new color line in the way they imagined.

What was your team’s favorite room to create?

Everyone seems to have their own favorite! My personal favorite was the Minimalist Danish Living Room because it feels the most realistic. It looks life-size to me in camera before you see the hand reveal the scale.

What was the most challenging room to create?

The kitchen cabinetry was probably the most challenging to create because there were so many angles and lines to consider! The artist Sam Shumway had to delicately measure and craft each individual cabinet to make sure everything lined up properly.

The shower in the bathroom was another challenging custom build, but artist Hillary Barton did a great job. The shower door is actually functional, and could slide open and closed which was exciting to see in action.

About how many miniatures did your team create by hand?

The team created about 70% of the pieces by hand including the couches, bed, shower, wall paintings, contemporary chair, tables, dressers, planters, and… I could go on. We’re lucky to have a skilled team that specializes in crafting miniatures, as stop-motion animation often calls for it.

Where did you source some of the miniature home décor and accessories from?

The few pieces that we did source came from Amazon, Tiny Doll House on the Upper East Side in NYC and our very own studio. My business partner Michaela Olsen has been collecting miniature vintage dollhouse furniture for a long time that we were able to use.

We also sourced all of the wood flooring from my husband’s company, Tri-Lox, which sources sustainable lumber to create custom designs. A lot of the flooring and some of the furniture is made out of Redwood that previously was part of NYC water towers!

Did you have to use a special paintbrush to create the wall art?

We used very thin-tipped brushes!

What did you learn about miniatures along the way?

I learned that it is wise to think in 1:12 scale as much as possible, as that is the easiest size to source! I also learned that I love miniatures very much. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a contemporary scene, room, piece of furniture or plant at a tiny scale.

What did you learn about interior design through this collaboration?

I learned that when I design my future home, I will mock-up my plans first in Photoshop, as we did with these rooms. It’s a great way to plan out a space. Most retailers have photos of their furniture from various angles, so it’s possible to grab an image and resize, and angle it to fit your mock-up.

What other services does Mighty Oak offer?

We specialize in hand-made design, crafting items out of paper, clay, wood, textiles, and even food. We primarily work in stop-motion animation, but also offer a lot of options for hand-drawn animation, illustration, and motion graphics.

Our full-time team of 7 employees with about 40 specialized subcontractors to offer services that blend art, branding, and design. This hybrid of strengths makes our work unique.

What’s next from Mighty Oak?

As we continue to create mini worlds for brands, we’re also starting to work more with TV networks like HBO and Netflix, which is really exciting! We’re also expanding our services to consumers directly, creating hand-crafted video games, .gifs, stickers, and templates that anyone can easily download and use. But you can see how we’re making all of this on our Instagram or brand new YouTube channel, where we’ll be posting behind-the-scenes videos of our process.

If any mini-makers want to collaborate — Instagram is the best place to find us!

The Mighty Oak studio is located in Red Hook, Brooklyn. They’re on the lookout for talented makers, so feel free to get in touch to learn more! Check out their latest projects on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Vimeo. And make sure to read more about their extensive project portfolio on the Mighty Oak site.

Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Little Architecture

February 7, 2016March 15, 2018 admin

Little Architecture

What’s your earliest memory with miniatures?

I have always been obsessed with the microcosm. All my play as a child explored this theme; I loved miniatures because they were small and secret… something most people walk right by without noticing. My favorite game from as early as I can remember was to run around and pretend I was a bird flying in the sky, imagining the patterns on the sand at the beach, grass or carpet were vast landscapes. Crouching down close I could see all their tiny and intricate details as a giant. I also loved to create tiny houses and towns in the garden for the fairies. When I was five, I discovered dollhouses existed and from that point on, I collected anything which looked miniature, including all sorts of junk (bottle cap chairs or shell plates). By the time I was 10, I had a significant collection of random objects which were very precious to me!

Can you share a first memory with architectural design?

When I was 10, we moved from the far north of the Queensland to southern Victoria. The architecture in the south of Australia is vastly different to far north Queensland and it blew my mind. There are no decorative or historic houses up north due to the destructive tropical climate. Victoria however is full of whimsical Victorian era houses with decorative ironwork and beautiful eclectic designs. The age of the houses was also amazing to me. Up north most houses are modern, and there is no sense of longevity or history in them. These houses down south captivated me with their antiquity. From that time on, I became obsessive… drawing houses and riding my bike around mapping their locations and looking for more. By the time I was in my later teens, I was familiar with all the historic houses in my city and could tell you their location if I saw them in the real estate pages of the newspaper. My fascination with architecture and building history has never relented.

How did you first get started making miniatures?

My interest in miniatures stems from my interest in architecture and my fascination with microcosms. I began to seriously try and make miniatures when I was around 13. I planned a large dollhouse, and got as far as making the shell. However, I didn’t really know how to complete it and it was left unfinished and had to be thrown out (it was also structurally unsound!). However, I tried a few more times and had properly finished my first dollhouse by the time I was 19. The architectural style of my dollhouses is always in accordance with the architectural period I am interested in or studying at that time. I have finished about six more houses in the decade since: three Victorian houses, two mid twentieth century, one Georgian and one Swedish Gustavian Style house.

Do you remember the first miniature you owned?

The first “proper” miniature I ever had was a tiny plastic cognac bottle which came off the decoration on the front of a full size bottle which my Uncle bought in Switzerland when I was five. He took the real cognac and threw me the tiny one. I treasured that bottle because it looked so realistic to me and I still have it today!

What is the most challenging miniature to make?

For me, furniture is the most challenging. I move through phases with miniatures. At the moment, I am focused on 1:24 furniture, in particular chairs. Before that, it was 1:24 houses, and before that 1:12 houses. I expect I will get back to the architecture side soon, after I have mastered furniture! Furniture is difficult because you must build it from many constituent parts, all of which must be designed so they fit together properly and are at the right scale too. Sometimes you can create a piece of furniture which looks nothing like what you set out to achieve, and so it is a process of trial and error.

Make your own Victorian hall lantern: DIY tutorial here!

What’s your favorite period and type of architecture?

In my architecture studies I have been most interested in pre-industrial revolution architecture. The great thing about miniatures is that you can explore whichever historical period or modern movement you are interested in in a tangible way without having to spend lots of money or travel around the world. I am coming out of a two year phase of serious interest in neo-Gothic architecture. It has been so interesting to study the genesis of the movement in Britain, but then learn how it mutated when it arrived Australia and later the U.S., and how each country has interpreted it through their own sense of climactic conditions and social. I have been exploring this period at the moment while having fun making Gothic style furniture and a 1:24 middle class American style Carpenter Gothic house.

Currently, I am working on a project in which I am trying to create an exact miniature replica of a pre-fabricated colonial cottage producing in 1833 for settlers to Australia from Britain. I found details and plans of the cottage in an historic book published in 1833 (Loudon’s Encyclopedia of Cottage Farm and Villa Architecture, Vol 1). I am halfway through the project and you can follow my progress on Instagram. It has been a great way for me to learn more about colonial architecture in Australia, as well as the framing and structure of the building.

In addition to neo-Gothic architecture, I adore the austere colonial Regency and Georgian Architecture of the early settlement of Tasmania. Tasmania was the first state of Australia to have a significant settlement, and most of the oldest buildings in Australia are there. I have spent many trips traveling to Tasmania to study and photograph these beautiful (and often forgotten) buildings.

Who are some of your favorite miniaturists?

My favorite miniaturists are usually those who have managed to achieve a great degree of realism and quality in their work. These include some obvious names, such as Mulvany & Rogers, Pat and Noel Thomas, as well as Tarbena Miniatures and Small-Time Miniatures. These miniaturists are professionals who only produce miniatures of the highest quality. Another favorite of mine is Patty of MinisX2 on Etsy, who produces wonderful handmade mid century modern furniture.

Favorite architects you’d like to cite?

I particularly love Sir John Soane. He was a British architect practicing in the late 17th and early 18th century in Britain. His impact was so great that buildings built by some of the great twentieth century architects, such as Venturi and Kahn were influenced by his work. I find it fascinating how architecture is a fluid thing. One movement influences another, sometimes imperceptibly, but it is always possible to trace the kernel of ideas back in time, sometimes even hundreds of years.

What advice would you give to new miniaturists?

I would advise miniaturists to immerse themselves in experiencing and/or looking at real images of the objects or buildings they want to recreate in miniature. Too often, poor quality work is produced because the maker does not have a good visual understanding of the real object they are trying to recreate in miniature. When I find a new topic of interest (for example, Victorian parlour furniture) I study it obsessively, and immerse myself in images of that type of furniture. I will borrow dozens of books and relentlessly scour the Internet for reference material. I visit antique shops and study the shapes, sizes and materials. This is because I always strive for realism in my miniatures, and this can never be achieved without observing life very closely.

What is the most memorable miniature you have ever seen?

I visited the most amazing dollhouse shop in London while I was there this past June. The shop was run by an elderly lady and was packed from floor to ceiling with incredibly high quality miniature things. The lady who owns the shop is famed for her habit of not selling a tiny thing to a customer whom she does not deem worthy of the object. After about 30 minutes in the shop chatting to the lady and her devoted assistant, she must have decided I was worthy because she called me over to see “her best miniature.” It was a tiny working Swiss army knife created by miniaturist Laurence St. Leger. The object had won him the 2015 Perfection In Miniature Award at the Kensington Dollshouse Festival. Notwithstanding the object’s significant value, she allowed me to hold it and photograph it. She also told me that he had made another one a couple of years before, but it had fallen out of his hands and took him three years to find again…

What is your hope for the field of miniatures?

I would like to see more realism in dollhouses in terms of architectural accuracy. I hate it when companies create mass-produced houses which look awful because they are out of proportion or because the designers haven’t bothered to understood how houses of a particular style actually look. The Jasmine Victorian Dollhouse Kit by Laser Dollhouse Designs Inc. is the perfect example of this. Unfortunately, there is too much mediocrity in the mass-produced, cheap market. It can be difficult to get an authentic and well-designed house kit which does not cost the earth. In the long term, I plan to create a line of dollhouse kits which are architectural accurate but also inexpensive, for collectors and architectural enthusiasts who can tell the difference.

What would you like to see replicated in miniature that you have not yet seen?

I would love to see more architecturally accurate dollhouses from a range of periods beyond the standard Victorian and Tudor. There are so many wonderful movements and styles from throughout architectural history that are never really explored in miniature. I would also like to see more miniatures which are not just focused on English or American architectural styles as well. For example, traditional Japanese and Chinese architecture is incredibly beautiful and would translate wonderfully into miniature houses.

What’s to come from Little Architecture?

In addition to the new website, I have begun research for a range of commercial dollhouse kits which are architecturally accurate. I want to produce a wide range of houses, both from historical time periods as well as different cultures.

Emily Boutard of Melbourne, Australia is the creator behind Little Architecture, formerly known as Architecture of Tiny Distinction. She quit her job as a corporate lawyer to study architecture. You can see her miniature architectural designs and mini creations on the Little Architecture Website, blog and Instagram. Make your own by following her latest tutorials!

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Feb 9, 2016 at 12:31pm PST

Daily Mini Interview: Miniature Sculptures by Jill Orlov

January 21, 2016October 8, 2016 admin

Miniatures and More by Jill Orlov

| Website | Instagram |

What’s your earliest memory with miniatures?

I had a Barbie townhouse, does that count? My mother assembled a kit dollhouse when I was in elementary school, I believe. I was very crafty as a kid, so it was more about fitting it out than the dolls. I never really was into the doll part of it. I was more interested in putting the furniture together, getting the miniature patterned wallpaper, making tiny food out of Sculpey, laying a miniature brick floor and grouting it.

Describe your return to miniatures later in life.

About five years ago, I saw a cigar box diorama art piece at a friend’s house and mentioned to another friend that it was the type of work I love. Coincidentally, she had a friend hosting a themed cigar box art show annually. My friend got me in touch and I did those shows for four years in a row. The last one was my most involved. It incorporated about 10 cigar boxes and I made little scenes in them, one was a miniature room using some of my childhood dollhouse furniture.

How would you describe your work in a few words?

As a former architect, I would describe my artwork as the built world… in miniature. A description of my work in a couple words is hard to nail down: whimsically modern and industrial. I make functional art and whimsical objects.

What is the most challenging aspect of your work with industrial design?

Most of it is welded steel and due to the (tiny) size of some of the components, it is extremely time consuming and tedious… but I love the minutiae. Some of the artwork incorporates old wooden drawers and crates, such as the Rooms in Boxes series. So welding around the old dry wood is a challenge, trying not to set anything on fire.

What advice would you give to new artists?

I’m pretty new at it all myself, the part where I consider myself an artist and am now selling my work. I think having a supportive network of artsy friends is worth a lot, whenever I get stuck, I can run an idea by someone and it loosens the gears to have a new set of eyes looking at the work. Stepping away from a piece is also important when I hit a road block. Also, reach out to other artists that you admire. I have gotten great advice from several.

Favorite miniature work you own?

I have a couple pieces that I’d like to give a shout out. Cathy Evans, the woman who curated the group Cigar Box shows, made a piece that I always coveted and now proudly display in my home. It is an altered doll made into a racecar driver. The racecar is a wooden shoe mold. The second piece is one of the cigar boxes that was displayed in the first group Cigar Box show that I participated in. It is by children’s book illustrator Kevin O’Malley. The piece has these miniature bowling pins colored and painted to look like an orchestra. It is beautiful.

What inspires you?

The delicate juxtaposed with the everlasting. Work that shows a sense of time and thoughtfulness.

What is the most memorable miniature you have seen?

So many to choose from, here are a few that stand out: apparently several artists are excelling at this – the carved pencil lead while still part of the pencil and the daily miniature calendar work of Tatsuya Tanaka.

What is your hope for the field of miniatures?

I would love to be “discovered.”I think my work crosses into several areas, the world of miniatures, industrial, modern, fantastical and of course, the whimsical. My hope for the future in general is that the art of craft is not a lost art form. Pride in the workmanship, craftsmanship and quality of materials comes back in the forefront versus the throw away culture that seems to be all too common.

What would you like to see replicated in miniature that you have not yet seen?

As some say, I’m afraid everything has already been done, but I hope not.

Why miniatures?

Somewhat embarrassingly, I’ll admit to what I’ve always called my Thumbelina complex. I have a secret but kept quiet admiration of the fairy world. Didn’t every little girl wish she was able to live in Genie’s bottle?

What’s to come from Jill Orlov?

I have two new Rooms in Boxes: Library in a Box and Powder Room in a Box. Barely started is the Laundry in a Box and Window Seat in a Box.

Motto you live by?

Do what you love for as long as you can so there are no regrets

Other hobbies you enjoy?

Traveling, walking our dogs in the woods, finding and reading a book that I can’t put down (unfortunately, I have a hard time focusing so they aren’t as frequently found as I’d like).

Anything else you would like to add?

I take commissions.

Jill Orlov is an award-winning sculptural furniture designer/fabricator and artist based in Baltimore, Maryland. You can have a look at many more of her mini and mega creations on jillorlov.com as well as on Instagram.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Aug 10, 2016 at 11:02am PDT

Daily Mini Interview: Fine Art Miniatures by Natasha Beshenkovsky

January 19, 2016January 22, 2016 admin

Natasha Beshenkovsky Miniatures

| Website and Shop |

Can you describe your background in the arts?

I have been a professional artist all my life. I started my professional training at the age of 11 when I entered an art school in Moscow under the supervision of Academy of Art, where I continued my training for 7 years. After that, I studied film at the Moscow Film Institute. I graduated as a director and focused on short, 3D-animated films. I designed, wrote and directed the films which were shot on flat tables and used props approximately the size of 1:12 dollhouse scale. Through my work in animation, I got great experience painting and sculpting in small scale.

When I came to this country, I was first trying to work in textile design. It wasn’t interesting or satisfying for me. My friend had read a New York Times article about the Guild Show. It was 1980 and there was tremendous interest in miniatures at the time. Museum-quality collections were kept by lots of collectors. I saw that new artists were welcome at the International Guild of Miniature Artisans’ Guild Show so I attended and saw what artisans were creating at the time. I thought, “I could do that,” and the next year, I was a dealer at the Guild Show and my work was featured on the cover of Miniature Collector. I started selling to collectors from the get go. I couldn’t create enough miniatures! I was always working on orders months ahead and my work sold immediately at shows.

Twenty years ago, I came up with decoupage prints, “Natasha Mini Decoupage.” These were sheets of decoupage for people to decorate inexpensive pieces of furniture. When glued onto furniture, it looks handpainted. It’s a way for people to own work they consider mine, though it’s a reproduction. They were very popular and sold all over the world. Today, you can find them available through a few dealers and vendors.

Through miniatures, I’ve met lots and lots of people. I have traveled all over this country and Europe. I’ve represented American miniatures in France where I was a guest of honor. In 2000, the Nassau County Museum of Art held a retrospective of my work. My current show at D.Thomas Fine Miniatures is a “15 years later” exhibition of my miniatures.

What is your favorite type of miniature to make?

When I started working in miniature, my specialty was painted furniture of all styles, from the Renaissance to Art Nouveau. I made hundreds of elaborate screens, cabinets, French commodes, and so forth

I had an exhibition at Flora Gill Jacobs’ Washington Dolls’ House and Toy Museum where I showed environments with figures in them. I started making figures and became more interested in sculpture about 15 years ago. I would create small, cartoonish characters in different historical styles. I would make three dimensional images out of flat planes of wood. My most important work in this field was the Central Park panorama that included rollerbladers, families, strollers, trees, the landscape of New York, and more. Featured in Miniature Collector, it’s four feet long and belongs now to Holly June Browne, who commissioned this work.

What is the most challenging miniature to make, and why is it so difficult?

My shadow boxes, which are also often called 3-D paintings are different from most shadow and room boxes because they are designed to create a complete optical illusion. Trompe-l’œil or “Fool the Eye” style painting, distortion of proportions and shapes, forced perspective are used to create a magical space behind the frame, an illusion of much greater depth. Also, these shadow boxes are reproducing not the real world, but images in different artistic styles. These are the most challenging works for me.

Can you tell us a bit about Still Life in Miniature, your work currently on display at D.Thomas Fine Miniatures?

A variety of pieces are on display at D.Thomas Fine Miniatures, not only from different genres but also from different periods of art. One interior featured is the Kitchen in Delft, a Dutch-style shadow box in forced or exaggerated perspective; it is essentially a 3D painting.

And there are two still life works, as well as painted furniture, animal sculptures and miniature paintings.

What’s your favorite period of art history?

My favorite is the work of 17th Century Dutch masters.

What advice would you give to new miniaturists?

You cannot do miniatures unless you enjoy the process. If you pursue miniatures exclusively as a career or living, you must enjoy the process as it is insanely time consuming. It has to be play not work for you. Nowadays, people pay me for what I’d be doing anyway. Unless you have this feeling, it’s very hard, repetitive, and time consuming.

My advice is to challenge yourself, change subject matter, and change styles.

What’s your hope for the field of miniatures in the future?

I honestly hope that there is a new wave coming. When I was starting, miniatures were booming. There was definitely an old generation of collectors who have since disappeared from the scene. There were no new artisans for awhile. I have a feeling it’s coming now: new collectors and new artisans. There’s a growing interest in the United States for handcrafted and artisanal things, and miniatures happy to be one of them,

Miniatures were mostly historical, but it’s challenging and interesting to reflect our own contemporary life in miniature.

What inspires you?

Art and thousands of years of miniature history inspire me. I enjoy visiting the The Cloisters branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and often spend time looking at the reliquaries there; I find these religious objects to be inspiring.

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

I started doing art when I was a child, so it’s a life function for me: sleeping, eating, and making art. I try to keep challenging myself.

What are you working on these days?

Recently, I started creating assemblages, which include full-size paintings on canvas, very realistic, almost photographic, combined with shadow boxes containing 3D miniatures of the same subjects. I showed some of these at Good Sam this past October. My largest work was sold to a prominent collector; people loved it even though part of the work was a little larger and not in 1:12 scale.

What’s to come from Natasha Beshenkovsky?

I’m showing work in a local art show by the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance taking place in February and March. This organization gave me a grant to create miniatures, specifically the Central Park panorama. I believe I’m the first miniaturist to receive a grant from an arts organization to create miniatures.

My next major show will be at the Good Sam Showcase in October.

What do you want miniature fans to know about you?

I think miniaturists know quite a lot about me, because I’ve been in this field for quite a long time, over 35 years, in fact. I’ve participated in all the major shows and my work is in the Kansas City National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, as well as other miniature museums.

I have this saying which has become a motto of miniature clubs: miniatures are not beautiful because they are small. Miniatures require that we concentrate our attention in this contemporary world where people rush and rush. They cause people to stop and think about how beautiful the world is, and how much time was put into the work. That’s the joy of miniatures. The intention and joy of the artist demands attention by the viewer.

Master artist Natasha Beshenkovsky creates a wide array of miniature art including shadow boxes, paintings, sculptures, decorated period furniture in 1:12 scale. Her miniatures are included in many museum collections in the U.S. and abroad. For more on her process and works of art for sale, visit the Natasha Miniatures website.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Jan 21, 2016 at 4:01pm PST

Daily Mini Interview: 19th Day Miniatures

January 19, 2016January 22, 2016 admin

19th Day Miniatures

100_6347 — Mrs. Lovett’s meat pie counter.

What’s your earliest memory with miniatures?

I had a sort of underprivileged childhood, minis didn’t happen until I was in my thirties.

How did you first get started making miniatures?

I picked up a partially built dollhouse at a tag sale and began looking into how to finish and furnish it. My interest grew from there.

Do you remember the very first miniature you ever made?

My first miniature I ever made was a Professor Van Helsing study room set. There was a cabinet full of books and medical equipment, a desk and chair decorated with things a man would have on his desk, as well as a vampire hunter’s kit with wooden stakes, crosses, and more. There was also a caged bat. I no longer have the set because it sold quickly.

100_5209 — A Willy Wonka inspired candy cart filled with ice cream cones and candies of all sorts.

What is your favorite type of miniature to make?

Fantasy miniatures are my thing, because my childhood was very rocky, and fantasy books and movies were an escape for me as a child. Things like that hold my interest and make it so I get to use my imagination far more so than regular household miniatures ever could. In a way, it’s me staying childlike inside, holding on to that part of me now that I can enjoy it.

What is the most challenging miniature you make?

For me the most challenging miniature to make is a regular household item, as I said before. For me there is little scope for imagination and it feels very dull and boring to me. If I want to decorate a normal house, I have my own real house to work on instead.

What advice would you give to new artists?

I needed to figure things out for myself. The Internet is a vast place to learn almost anything. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new techniques. Some of the most unique aspects of making miniatures distinctly mine came from trial and error. Necessity is indeed the mother of invention. I am especially proud of my own unique water effects. I came up with a layering process that makes water unlike others I have seen anywhere else. People stop in and ask me a few times a year to divulge that secret, but I worked hard for that knowledge and I like to keep it as my own.

100_5664 — A Harry Potter themed Christmas tree with gifts and an owl and golden snitch tree topper.

Favorite miniature you own?

My absolute favorite has to be a pie counter inspired by the movie Sweeney Todd. I built it from scratch from the ground up, and it was as close as I could possibly get it to the movie version. I made every tile by hand with clay. It was filthy and buggy and had human parts on it. It was gross, quite frankly because the movie version was utterly disgusting and I was following that example. And therefore totally fun because it wasn’t like anyone else’s pristine perfect miniature. That’s not the sort of thing that I enjoy. In my own house yes, but to me, miniatures are a way to step outside the box and create a fantasy world as unlike the real world as I can possibly get. Give me fairy, witch, wizard, haunted house, vampire, mermaid miniatures any day over the normal every day stuff our own lives are comprised of. Give me magic! I see beauty in the unusual even when it’s not considered beautiful at all.

What inspires you?

Movies are a large part of my inspiration. Fantasy movies are wonderful sources of ideas. My love of them makes me want to make the things I see in them to see if I can do it to my own satisfaction. I am my own worst critic.

my fairy house 10 — Driftwood fairy cove house.

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

I greatly admire Ericka VanHorn‘s clean workmanship and unique pieces. Her dragon bottles are top notch and her wizard accessories are the best I’ve seen anywhere. She has no equal that I have seen.

Why miniatures?

The mental stimulation of creating something by hand is what calls to me. Something themed and fantasy inspired. No other medium allows me to create the scenes I have in my head like this does.

What’s to come from 19th Day Miniatures?

I have an Alice in Wonderland tea table I made as closely as I could to the one in the Tim Burton film with live actors. I feel intimidated by some of the characters (making people is not my strong suit). I made a decent and convincing Maliumpkin (doormouse) sculpted in clay, and then promptly quit because I felt burnt out. The table was huge and covered in lots of food and tea pots and cups. The majority of it, I handmade. I liked the old feel of it, as though the table had been there for a very long time. There was a shabbiness to it, the chairs were torn and faded. I copied everything as exactly as I could. I really need to work on it and get more of the characters done.

Words you live by?

Never lose your childlike enthusiasm, or be ashamed of what you like. If I want to watch fantasy films like Harry Potter, Labyrinth, or The Dark Crystal until the day I die, that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’m nothing if not loyal to what I love and I will enjoy it forever more.

What do you want miniature fans to know about you?

100_6207 — A headless horseman on his horse sculpted by me and my mother-in-law as a fun Halloween project one year.

I really enjoy my relationship with clients, I honestly do. I have kept in contact with many of them through the years and we touch base every so often to catch up. I enjoy friendly conversation and finding out about their projects. As a seller, I feel I am above average, because I give the best gifts I can with orders. There have been many times I have spent an evening or even two making a gift for a client that matches what they ordered. I enjoy it. I tend to charge less for pieces as well because for me, it’s less about the money and more about the craft and enjoyment of it. I want someone to have it, to be able to afford it. I also do payment plans for this very reason. If someone really wants something and will love it, I want them to be able to get it.

Miniatures are not about getting rich, they are about the joy of creation and the enjoyment of making something someone else will cherish and use for purely fun reasons only. They take me a lot of time and work to make. I want them to go to a good home with someone who will enjoy them.

Tara of 19th Day Miniatures is based in Oquawka, IL. Shop her latest creations on Etsy today! Have a look at what she’s been up to by visiting the 19th Day Miniatures blog, Twitter or Pinterest.

Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by miniThaiss

January 18, 2016January 27, 2016 admin

Miniatures by miniThaiss

What’s your earliest memory with miniatures?

My earliest “mini” memory goes back to my childhood when my grandmother gave me a miniature 1:6 scale ceramic tea set. I enjoyed playing with it and I still keep it.

How did you first get started making miniatures?

Well, the first miniatures I ever made were the ones I made for my Barbie dolls when I was a child, such as accessories and clothes. The interest for the ones in 1:12 scale came few years ago, when I discovered the wonderful world of miniatures for real. Ever since that moment, I haven’t been able to stop making them.

What is the most challenging miniature that you make?

The most challenging to make are definitely cherries in 1:12 scale because of their size. But maybe that’s the reason why I enjoy making them the most.

What inspires you?

Since I mostly make miniature food, I get the inspiration from real food. Everything around me inspires me, I’m always looking for everyday items that could be transformed into a miniature or a tool for making one.

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

Any miniature by Tomo Tanaka.

What is your hope for the field of miniatures?

I hope it develops even more, because there are many people in the world who appreciate miniature art.

Favorite miniaturists you’d like to mention?

I admire Tomo Tanaka (Nunu’s house), Angie Scarr, David Iriarte, Tereza Martinez, Susi Martinez, Sharon Cariola, Maritza Moran and many others.

Why miniatures?

I find miniatures very challenging; they require great attention to details, and therefore they are a great form to express my love for details.

What’s to come from Tajda Tufek?

I would love to take part of a miniature fair in the future, so that I could meet other miniaturists and exchange ideas. In Barcelona, maybe.

Other activities you enjoy?

I enjoy painting, drawing, skiing and playing table tennis.

The miniature brand of miniThaiss was created by Tajda Tufek who is based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Have a look at more minis on Etsy, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Flickr!

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Jan 27, 2016 at 12:15pm PST

Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Carissa Rho

January 18, 2016January 22, 2016 admin

Miniatures by Carissa Rho

| Facebook | Instagram |

How did you first get started making miniatures?

In April 2015, I stumbled upon a YouTube video of someone making edible miniature food and after a few more clicks through other videos, I ended up watching a polymer clay miniature food tutorial. It was like discovering a whole new world, really. I had some polymer clay left over from a sculpting project I did prior and I made a loaf of bread that same night. And I’ve fallen in love with it since then.

What miniature making technique is most challenging for you?

For me, and I still struggle with this, it’s mixing the correct color. I have a ton of scrap clay because the colors weren’t correct for what I was working on. All it takes is for a little too much of one color and it can throw everything of. I usually find use of the scrap clay later, so it’s not a loss, but color mixing is definitely something I’m still learning. I look at a lot of my earlier pieces and I can see that the color is a little off for some of them.

What advice would you give to new miniaturists?

I’m still very new to the world of miniatures. I just started making them eight months ago. But I will say things I’ve learned that will help.

1. Research, research, research — Before starting any new hobby, you’d want to learn about it. Learn about techniques, products, and tips. The more research I did, the better my investments became and the less mistakes I made. And speaking of mistakes…

2. Don’t be afraid to mess up. — When I was just starting, I’d be afraid to try new things because I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. However, that’s the only way you will figure out new things; by trying them. Once you keep practicing, it gets better and you get more confident in your abilities. (Even though you probably would still have to scrap a few pieces every now and then.)

3. Study. — You’d be amazed at how you look at food differently and how increasingly realistic your miniatures look once you start studying the textures and colors. Paying attention to the details really makes a difference. I notice so much more about food these days, besides the best part; the taste.

What inspires you?

Life, really. Everything around me. Almost anything inspires me to create. It may sound cliche, but it’s true. Art, music, food, animals, etc. I find inspiration from all of those. I could see two people laughing and be inclined to draw or write. I could see a plate of food and be inclined to create a miniature. It’s a lovely feeling. Although inspiration doesn’t always come as instantly, I appreciate it when it does come.

What is your hope for the field of miniatures?

I’d actually like to see more miniature work on a local scale. I’m the only person I know that does it in The Bahamas. Not saying that no one else does it, but to know and meet them would be amazing. Having an open network to meet new artists both locally and abroad is important. That’s why I love what the dailymini is doing and I’ve found tons of new miniature artists through this account. So, I hope that The Daily Miniature continues to grow and bridge artists from all over the world together.

How can miniature enthusiasts help keep the art alive?

Honestly, the main thing would be to support. Whether it be financially, sharing someone’s work that can lead to opportunities and growth, or collaborations. Support is vital. I’m new to this industry so I’m still learning the ins and outs. However, without the help (tips, tutorials, sharing) or inspiration from other miniaturists, I probably wouldn’t have seriously started or continued because I wouldn’t know where to start. So being willing to share your talents and skills helps artists like me who are just starting out. And the support of other artists helps a lot.

Favorite miniaturists you’d like to mention?

There are a few: sugarcharmshop, madame_patachou, polymerkitchen, snowfern, and vilmascrafts.

Why miniatures?

There is so much I love about making miniatures. I’ve always been interested in sculpting and creating so it really satisfies that desire to create. So, just having the ability to create is something I appreciate the most. The process; taking blocks of clay and making it into small plates of realistic-looking food and putting these things together is a wild ride. It is also very calming for me (even though it does get frustrating at times). I feel so at ease just spending hours sculpting various things.

What’s to come from Carissa Rho?

Nothing major or concrete right now, but I’m still planning for this year. I have started challenging myself by choosing a specific cuisine and making miniature food of that particular cuisine for the entire week. It has helped me learn about other cultures and it pushes me to go out of the box. Also, I want to create more local (Bahamian) cuisine. I’ve already started and people seem to like them a lot. Because it’s easier to relate to, I think. I also want to open my shop up really soon. So my focus besides the actual crafting would be to start selling my creations. Be on the look out for that!

Other activities you enjoy?

I love to draw and write. I also dabble in a bit of acting.

Anything else you would like to add?

I just want to thank the people who have shared and liked my work. It means a lot and it encourages me.

Carissa Rho is from Nassau in The Bahamas. This up-and-coming talent continues to delight with her miniature creations on Facebook and Instagram. Make sure to follow her!

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Jan 22, 2016 at 11:29am PST

Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Cutchi Cutchi

January 17, 2016February 1, 2016 admin

Miniatures by Cutchi Cutchi

| Website | Instagram | YouTube |

What’s your earliest memory with miniatures?

My earliest memory with miniatures was going to the children’s museum in Chicago and always wanting to go to the “miniatures” room that they had there. I was always inspired by them, and I started seeing artists recreating tiny miniature babies in clay, and I started sculpting them. I always thought that anything that was miniature was cuter, so I began sculpting anything I could see in miniature scale: vases, school supplies, plates, etc.

What was the first miniature you made?

I don’t remember my first miniature, but I do remember it as being a baby. (A very ugly baby!)

What are your favorite miniatures to create?

One of my favorite miniatures to make are pencils, because they are simple to make, and easy to make look realistic.

What technique challenges you?

A very challenging technique I have learned is making anything hollow without a mold, such as a vase, bowl, or container.

Who inspires you?

One of the most inspiring artists I have come across is Sugarcharmshop on YouTube and Instagram. She is incredible, and makes her creations very realistic.

Advice for new artists?

Something I would tell beginning artists is, and I’m sure you’ve heard it one too many times, “Practice makes perfect.” It’s true!

What are you working on next?

I am starting and will continue to start on my idea of “scenes.” I have a good description of what they are on my website that I’m currently working on.

Anything you would like to add?

Lastly, what I want to let new and old artists know is that I am constantly learning new things every day, just like you. I always look at the new methods on sculpting, assembly, and selling my miniatures. There’s plenty I have learned, and there’s plenty I still have to learn.

Isabel Newman is the founder and owner of Cutchi Cutchi, based in Vernon Hills, Illinois. To see more of her creations, visit Instagram and YouTube!

Daily Mini Interview: Orsi’s Miniatures

December 9, 2015September 17, 2018 admin

Orsi’s Miniatures

What’s your earliest memory with miniatures?

I was probably four years old, and spending the summer with my maternal grandparents. There wasn’t any other children around, so my granny gave me my mother’s childhood toy furniture: a 1:6 scale bed, 1:10 scale cupboard, armchairs, and an enamel bathtub. I spent the major part of the summer playing with those and making up stories. I still have the cupboard and that old, rusty, enamel bathtub.

How did you first get started making miniatures?

I always wanted a dollhouse, but in my childhood it wasn’t available. Hungary was under Russian occupation, so Barbie-like items couldn’t be find in the toyshops, and dollhouses were considered a bourgeois whim. I had to grow up and get a temporary job in Paris, France, to meet the intoxicating world of miniatures. Strolling on the Montmartre on a Sunday afternoon I found a shop window with a large, Parisian-style house in the front. It was the Dentelles et Ribambelles, owned by Léa Frisoni, and that afternoon sealed my fate. I spent a large part of my daily allowance there and when I repatriated to Hungary, I started to build my first dollhouse.

Where does the interest stem from?

I wanted to become an architect just like my dad, but physics definitely wasn’t my forte in secondary school. I became an economist, but nothing can extinguish my love for architecture. Wherever I travel, I take photos of the buildings: Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings are to die for, and I love the magnificent French chateaus and mansions, the breath-taking Gothic cathedrals, as well as the cozy, English half-timbered cottages.

Besides this, I like gastronomy; I’ve collected quite a few cookery books and I enjoy baking cakes, though I prefer the healthier versions in real life. This gives me continuous inspiration to create new pieces in miniature.

Why did you make the switch from economics to miniatures?

Being an economist is a tough task. I can’t recite how many times I heard during lectures that if I do this or that, I can be imprisoned. Charming, isn’t it?

My family is packed with people with artistic skills: my paternal grandmother was a folk art artist specialized on embroidering, weaving and lace making, who was granted with the highest honor possible in Hungary: the Master of Folk Art. She taught me different techniques and spoke a lot about colors and patterns creating harmony in interior design. My father is an architect, our house was packed with albums and books about architectural designs and styles. It showed quite early that I inherited their skills and I would follow them somehow. Though I chose corporate finances, I was and I am a creative person… can’t sit tight and do nothing. I always have to create something. Miniatures simply put all of my previous hobbies under one roof: my love for architecture, gastronomy, glass painting, decoupage, mosaic making… I can practice all of them and more when I make miniatures.

Do you remember the very first miniature you ever made?

My first miniature was a dollhouse. I built it without practice and knowledge, so it had several flaws and errors but I was very proud to have it. It does still exist, though I emptied it. I created it to form a simple white cube which can be opened into half, so currently it is closed and serves as a table for my Inn to the Devoted Peasant Girl dollhouse, which is a medieval English inn from Nottinghamshire.

What is your favorite type of miniature to make?

Though I’m a foodie, my favorite thing is creating the exterior of a building. I enjoy building houses, and aging the exteriors is always the most fun. I especially like the old houses with broken pipes, leaks, old plaster, and more.

Do you have a favorite type of miniature food you like to make?

I don’t have a particular favorite, but I have to admit I like the ones which require either research or a challenge. I like working on historic food, where I can learn about the era, get more information about the eating habits, interior design, life in general and so forth.

Career highlights you would like to mention?

Winning a scholarship to the Guild School was definitely one, and getting my Fellow Cube two years later. It was an honor to make wrought iron furniture in a courtyard which belongs to a Mulvany & Rogers house. I consider my latest roombox a highlight as well: it is a 1 inch scale Cape Cod style living room. This was my first American theme roombox, which earned me 1st prize in an International contest organized by the Hungarian Doll Society. It is one of my personal favorites as well, which will remain in my possession.

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

I met Molly Cromwell 9 years ago in Vienna on one of her tours for miniaturists where my food was very well received. She offered me a table at her Orlando Show and talked me about the Guild and the scholarship opportunity. First I became a regular member, then a year later I applied for scholarship and won it.

For those that don’t know, what is the value of the Guild?

I think the biggest value of the Guild is Guild School and a Guild School scholarship. The Guild School itself is a perfect opportunity to learn new methods, to meet people who have the same interest, and it’s a place where you can share your knowledge. As it is located in a small town in the NorthEast of the U.S., it is very pricy to go there from Central and Eastern Europe (especially if we take into account the far lower wages and salaries). Therefore the scholarship provides an amazing chance to those who have the talent. For me, it meant a lot and I still profit from it when I create new items.

What advice would you give to new miniaturists?

Put faith into yourself, believe that you can achieve your aim. When you are using new materials, always try first before you apply the item on your final piece, and make sure to use good quality materials.

Favorite miniature you own?

I adore the glass items made by the amazing German artist Gerd Felka. I have a small collection of his beautiful whisky bottles, vases, bowls, and tiny perfume bottles.

What inspires you?

Everything: a play in a theater, an old city, a film, a painting, a good book.

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

I can recite dozens of work. Everyone who has visited the Thorne Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago would agree with me that those are the most marvelous miniatures we have ever seen. Same goes for Mulvany & Rogers,whose houses are outstanding; they capture details in a unique way.

But if I can choose only one, it would be a mind-blowing iron bed with a “working” dragon that spits flames, made by my former Guild School instructor, Alan Hamer. He told me it was me who inspired that bed when he sent me some photos about the half made bed, and I just told him my ideas about how to finish it.

Why miniatures?

It is simple: because we can create things in miniature we can’t afford or can’t have in real life. I will never have the chance to own a French townhouse, a Cape Cod cottage or a French Chateau in real life, but I can built them in miniature. I create dreams and test my limits with every new project, and I gain knowledge about different historic periods. I think that is what still appeals me, the continuous challenge. I’ve learnt way more about history, architecture, cuisine and interior design from making miniatures than I had learned in previous decades.

What’s to come from Orsi’s Miniatures?

My next miniature show will be the Chicago International where I will introduce both new food items and new metalwork. Currently, I work on a quarter scale house, but this is only a short excursion. Quarter scale is really not my favorite, we lose too many details, so I will stick to 1 inch scale in the future. I will widen my historic food line from Tudor to Victorian, concentrating on historically accurate raw food. Because we tend to forget the apples, pears, melons, and more weren’t the same as they are today.

Words you live by?

The sky is your limit. Your sky. Your limit.

Other activities you enjoy?

There are many things on my plate I enjoy besides miniatures, though I have to tell you miniatures infiltrated almost every hobby of mine, they are simply feeding on each other. I like traveling and visiting cities, particularly historical parts, as history is my absolute favorite. I like doing research on different historical eras when I work on a project.

I like paintings, Monet, Mucha, Renoir, Vermeer and Rubens are my favorites.

I like cooking and eating, though my cakes and pastries are more on the healthy side. Interior design has been part of my life since my teenage years. I particularly enjoy DIY-ing around the flat, especially furniture painting. Certainly I like reading and adore my e-reader as it makes possible to bring a large library with me every time I’m traveling. Last but not least, I like classical music. In elementary school, I specialized in music so it has been part of my life since childhood. Music always reflects our mood, our personality, and it brings joy and helps to bear the loss. I simply can’t exist without music.

Orsi’s Miniatures was created by Orsolya Skultéti, who is originally from Hungary. Take a closer look at her exquisite work by visiting the Orsi’s Miniatures website. Shop her miniatures on Etsy, and follow updates on Facebook and Orsi’s Minis blog!

Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Vilma’s Crafts

December 3, 2015December 3, 2015 admin

Miniatures by Vilma’s Crafts

| Instagram |

How did you first get started making miniatures?

I started making miniatures when I was really young. I have always been interested in small things. I don’t quite recall the time when I started making miniatures myself, but I remember learning about polymer clay approximately two years ago, in 2013. If I remember correctly, my first small scale project was a toy box for a dollhouse, made from a cardboard toilet paper roll.

What’s your favorite type of miniature to make?

My favorite type of miniature to make is probably food, or something that people can recognize and relate to. Or for example, a pair of shoes that everyone knows.

What’s your favorite type of food to eat?

I like a lot of different kinds of meat… and tortillas, yum!

Favorite type of clay to use?

I mostly use FIMO, but sometimes I use Cernit or Sculpey. My favorite is FIMO because they offer different kinds of clay: soft, classic, or effect.

Favorite miniature you’ve made?

My favorite miniature I own is a vintage Singer sewing machine I made from Q-tips and paintbrushes two years ago. It might not be that pretty, but for me, it’s very special.

What inspires you?

There are many things I get inspired by. Pinterest is important while trying to be inspired, as is the Internet in general. I look at pictures of different food items or other images. I like to incorporate things that I like, and make miniatures that look like my own style.

What advice would you give to beginner miniaturists?

If you want to make realistic miniatures, you should take your texturing and shading as far as you can. Take your time when you’re doing it. For example, with a slice of cake you should take your time on texturing the piece properly. Sometimes I come up with new techniques by messing around with different textures and materials. Also, you should just watch different tutorials and try things yourself. I wish someone had told me about soft pastels and shading when I started making miniatures.

Why miniatures?

I have always been interested in small things. When I was young, I always bought a Barbie that came with the smallest accessories.

What’s to come from Vilma’s Crafts?

Well, of course there are new miniatures coming up… I have a few things planned for next year. I plan to make different holiday-inspired miniatures. But currently, I’m working on Christmas miniature food and gifts. I think I’m not going to do small room boxes next year because my room is so full of crafting supplies, and I hate to clean. There’s just not enough space for my small dollhouses!

Words you live by?

Sometimes I just repeat the saying: “I’m gonna do this as well as I can, and make it as realistic as possible,” something to that effect.

Other activities you enjoy?

I enjoy drawing. I also collect magnets from different countries. And I bake cakes and make sugar fondant decorations.

Anything else you would like to add? What do you want miniature enthusiasts to know about the creator behind Vilma’s Crafts?

Well, I started to study baking in vocational college this past August. Hopefully that is going to be my future occupation.

Vilma Hokkanen is based in Espoo, Finland, near Helsinki. Have a look at the miniatures she’s recently created by following her on Instagram!