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.
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.
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.
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?
Wizard cabinet.
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?
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.
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?
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!
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.
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!
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!
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 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!
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!
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated with miniatures. As a little girl, I used to play with my Barbie dolls and create mini bakeries, pizza parlors, and kitchens. I would always make sure to get the kits that had the miniature play food that looked the most realistic. I remember one playset in particular that had a pizza oven that would “bake” the pizza until it browned using ice cubes to “heat” the oven. I thought that was so amazing as a young kid and I’ve been enamored with miniatures every since.
How did you first get started making miniatures?
I first started making miniature food when I was looking up mommy and me crafts to make with my young daughter. I wanted to make something special for us that would be fun to make, cute, and something we could keep forever once we were done. So I researched cupcake crafts on Google and came across polymer clay food miniatures.
Do you remember the very first miniature you ever made?
My very first miniature was a chocolate cake charm. I found a tutorial on DeviantArt on how to make a miniature chocolate cake, and I proceeded to make my own version. The end result was comical to say the least, but at the time I thought it was the best little cake I have ever seen! I was hooked! I then proceeded to make several cakes in the weirdest designs and colors. I spent my whole weekend creating little cakes. I couldn’t put that clay down! I still have those little cakes 10 years later!
What is your favorite type of miniature to make?
My favorite type of miniatures to make are cakes and sugar cookies. I love texturing the cake and making it look as realistic as possible. My favorite part of making the cakes would have to be adding the scent. My favorite cake scent that I have created is lemon buttercream. It smells so sweet, with just a hint of lemon… it makes my mouth water!
I love sugar cookies because there are so many varieties to create. The possibilities are endless! I also love that the process of making them are very similar to making real cookies! Mixing the icing and decorating is a blast!
What types of miniatures are most challenging to make?
I would have to say the most challenging miniatures to make are my gingerbread houses. It takes a lot of practice to be able to attach the pieces of the house together without it falling apart. Then it’s the tedious part of decorating the little house. All the little candies have to be made one by one and on a 1/2 inch or smaller scale. The very first batch of houses took me over 8 hours to complete. The gingerbread house is a very challenging miniature to make, but the outcome is so worth it in the end!
What advice would you give to new miniaturists?
If you are just starting out making miniatures and miniature food, my advice to you would be to keep practicing. Never give up. I have learned that the more you work with your medium, the more you become one with it. Learn your craft from all angles. Look up tutorials and YouTube videos for help if you get stuck and don’t be afraid to ask other seasoned miniaturists for guidance. We don’t bite! I wish I had someone to help me when I was first starting out. I understand the struggles so feel free to send me a message if you get stuck on a project! I am always willing to help out a fellow miniaturist!
If you are making miniature food, Premo translucent is your secret weapon! It makes the food look more realistic and not cartoon-like or chalky. Your best bet is to buy the big blocks and save because you will use a lot of it!
What inspires you?
My fans inspire me. I remember my very first craft show everyone who came up to my booth was amazed how realistic and tiny my food jewelry was. When I told them the the jewelry was scented, the looks on their faces were priceless! They immediately picked up the jewelry and started sniffing it, calling their friends over and going crazy over how real every thing smelled. It was amazing. I will never forget that experience! From that point on I knew this is what I wanted to do forever. I loved seeing the smiles on the little kids’ faces and how happy my jewelry made them. I wanted everyone to be able to leave with a piece of my jewelry. And they did. I love my fans! They keep me going!
What is the most memorable miniature you have ever seen?
The most unique miniature I have seen from another artist would have to be a miniature cupcake with a octopus on it. It made me scratch my head a little bit.
What is your hope for the field of miniatures?
I hope in the future, miniatures will get more recognition and appreciation as fine art. I don’t think people understand how much time and dedication it takes to make such small pieces of art. I would love to see more tutorial books and miniature fairs. I think making publications and hosting more local craft shows based solely on miniature art and miniature food will help keep the art alive.
What would you like to see replicated in miniature that you have not yet seen?
I would like to see more bakeries and shabby chic kitchens. I think they are the most beautiful miniature scenes to make.
Why miniatures?
I love being able to create a tiny version of something big. I love that I am able to bring miniatures one step closer to reality with my realistic scents.
What’s to come from Decadent Minis?
Look out for tutorial kits, books, miniature bakeries, and our mobile store!
Motto you live by?
My favorite quote is from George Eliot: “Its never too late to be who you might have been.” When I tend to get a little sidetracked while working on long projects I usually say to myself: “Stop spinning and start winning!” It helps me snap back to reality.
Favorite miniature quote?
“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most space in your heart.”
Other hobbies you enjoy?
My favorite activities besides making minis are watching movies, eating good food, traveling, and being a girly girl.
What do you want miniature fans to know about you?
I would like my fans to know that every piece I make comes from the heart and never from a factory. I use recyclable materials as much as possible to reduce our carbon footprint. I donate a portion of my proceeds from my jewelry to charities that help animals and foster youth.
Dorothy Twining Globus has been well-respected in the museum world for over four decades. Most recently as the Curator of Exhibtions at the Museum of Arts and Design for nine years, she previously served as Director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Formerly, she spent twenty years as Curator of Exhibitions at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum. Dorothy’s particular interests in design, the decorative arts and craftsmanship are all met in the presentation of the Astolat Dollhouse Castle, a most remarkable milestone in the world of fine scale miniatures. Furthermore, Dorothy made dollhouses for herself and her daughter under the watchful eye of her mother, another aficionado in the miniature field.
What are your earliest memories with miniatures?
Inventory shot of dollhouse furniture from Dorothy Twining Globus’ collection.
I had a very serious dollhouse growing up. It wasn’t so much a free standing dollhouse as much as shelves. It was designed in the Ginny Doll scale. I worked on it for ages, and only this spring (2015) did I pack it up. It had 1960s padded living room furniture. I was cracking up as I lined up all the works together to see them again.
When I was even younger than that, I had a canopy bed, with matching bureau and wardrobe, that must have been made for 8” dolls like Ginny and Madame Alexander. The canopy bed had sheets, pillows, and pillow cases.
My mother loved dollhouses. She used to teach me how to make things. I used to save my grandmother’s matchboxes from the bridge table to make miniature stamps and letter writing kits out of them.
Matchbox scenes by Dorothy Twining Globus, curator of Astolat Dollhouse Castle.
In time, I worked on a dollhouse for my daughter. I used to make clothing for her American Girl dolls. I would give these as Christmas gifts for her and her friends. I still have a lot of this stuff. I still have some of the matchboxes in which I used to make little scenes. In fact, I am still making very small collages in matchboxes! Finding old ones from my dollhouse days was quite a surprise. I had not seen them for decades!
Coincidentally, my maiden name is Twining, and I recently found out that Twining Models was one of the companies involved in the construction of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House.
How did you become involved with the curatorial field?
Before college, I had a summer job at the Smithsonian. I worked for three summers as an intern. Then I joined the team at Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum and lent my expertise there for 20 years. I absolutely loved the idea of learning about new subject matter, and how to show it. I studied Western Art History at Swarthmore, and never focused much on design in school. In retrospect, I probably would have gone to RISD.
Horn settee and table by miniature artisan Susanne Russo (dated 1991 and 1988 respectively).
How do your interests inform your work as a curator?
I’m interested in arranging things. As an exhibitions curator, I always tried to understand the subject matter in order to assure the most comprehensible presentation of the ideas. I would work with each of the curators to realize their concepts and themes in the actual gallery spaces. How you present spaces to the general public is so important. I help these curators, who spend all their time thinking about a narrow subject when in fact the average person is not into such detail. I think about ways to present the work so it becomes inherently more accessible to people less experienced with the subject matter.
How did you become involved as Project Curator of the Astolat Dollhouse Castle?
I’ve been enjoying my time retired from the museum world. The Astolat team contacted me to talk about the dollhouse castle. It’s seven stories tall, and was created by Elaine Diehl. Not much is known about Elaine, I’d love to hear what a historian of miniature dollhouses has to say about her. She’s said to be from Colorado and she had a store in Sedona, Arizona. When she retired, the current Astolat owners purchased the dollhouse from Elaine. These current owners are now touring the structure to raise funds and awareness for children’s charities. Astolat is currently on view at the Shops at Columbus Circle, in Manhattan’s Time Warner Center, now through December 8. People go gaga for the dollhouse. Women and children are predictable, but the men coming in… they’re equally involved.
The dollhouse is inspired by Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem: “The Lady of Shalott” from 1832. Her name was Elaine of Astolat. She lived under a curse and never left her castle until she saw Sir Lancelot riding by. When she realized he would never love her, she killed herself. That was the curse. I imagine that Astolat’s miniaturist, Elaine Diehl, connected her name and the idea of making a castle dollhouse.
There’s no specific style to the dollhouse. It’s up there in size with some of the other famed dollhouses that have gone on tour to raise money for charities: Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and Colleen Moore’s Fairy Castle. As with all dollhouses, Astolat creates a sense of wonder in the viewer. People marvel over the miniatures and how it’s possible for artisans to craft works smaller and smaller.
Can you tell us a bit about the dollhouse’s functionality?
From the Astolat site:“It features 29 rooms filled with 10,000 miniature pieces, including elaborate furniture, oil paintings, mirrors, fireplaces, gold miniature jewelry, rare-mini books more than 100 years old, fine rugs, fabrics, and pieces made of and silver and gold. It has seven levels, stairways, hallways, a basement, a wine cellar, a kitchen and an armory. There are formal rooms, a library, a music room, a grand ballroom and a bar, and that’s before you get to the Wizard’s tower on the top level.”
Astolat was made between 1974 and 1987. It comes apart into about 66 pieces. The whole façade is sculpted to look like stone. Maybe Elaine did this herself, but it is such a huge building that I suspect she may have had an assistant! And she most likely had help from an electrician when it came to the wiring of the dollhouse rooms. I don’t believe there is an assembly manual, but the various sections are well-marked. And when the castle goes on tour, there will be a manual.
Astolat’s owners are focused on the current life of the dollhouse. When they bought the work, it contained about 10,000 miniatures. They’ve since added approximately 20,000 works of miniature to the dollhouse’s collection. The rooms are the same as they were.
How does the Astolat team determine which of the 30,000 objects will be displayed in the Castle?
In a house like this, the curation of objects is never done. All the miniatures can be maneuvered and moved. They’re affixed to surfaces with museum wax, so any exhibition venue has to be careful that the dollhouse castle does not get too warm. There are sconces and wiring, functional dollhouse lighting and a working elevator. The furniture can all be rearranged. The floors are made of different parquet and stone. The shells of each room are set, and I believe the paintings and hanging works of art stay the same. But the present owners determine the arrangement of all the miniatures.
Canary in brass bird cage by miniature artisan Laurel Coulon (dated 1979).
And there will be a few objects auctioned off in the near future to benefit children’s charities. This is an opportunity for miniature enthusiasts to own a piece of the dollhouse castle, and to help children. More auction information will be updated on the Astolat site soon.
Do you have a favorite space within the castle?
There’s much to see in each of the 29 rooms in the dollhouse castle. There’s a wonderful exotic room. Inside of it is a carved Chinese wedding bed. There’s a little Taj Mahal in the front window, a tiny Chinese birdcage made of bamboo. There is a polar bear rug on the floor. The room leads into a luxurious bathroom.
Do you have a favorite miniature from the Astolat collection of 30,000 works?
Table with geode collection featuring genuine miniature geodes and crystals. Table made by miniature artisan George Becker, one of his earliest works. Marked Gryphon (dated 1976).
Do you consider yourself a collector of miniatures?
I have a lot of small things, but I’m not a miniature collector. I collect New York City skylines in miniature. I like Britain’s Ltd garden sets and train sets. I have a collection of birdhouses, beehives, benches, and more from the company. I like the utility poles from train sets. I enjoy them from a design standpoint. But I don’t put these miniatures into anything.
How would you explain the universal fascination with miniatures?
The obsession with small scale things is innate in our souls. If you think back to Chinese and Egyptian tombs, the deceased were buried with their miniature barnyards or bakeries. It’s not just about the dollhouse, or an association with children. There’s more to it than that.
Why do people garden? Why do they cook? You have to do things with your hands. You need to do something with your hands. And I think that’s really important. I, for one, always need to be making things.
Advice to those starting out in the field of museum studies?
The most important thing is to get an internship at a museum to see if you really like the experience. I’ve had dozens of interns over the years, and a lot of them had to get into the field to see whether or not it’s something they really care about. It’s so important to respect the objects. Everyone is into technology these days. That’s fine, but don’t forget about the objects. Take time to look at the work on display. Appreciate what you can do in real space, not online. Don’t forget the objects.
English Oak Kitchen Work Table by miniature artisan Warren Dick (dated 1983). Miniature food and accessories: Silver carving setin case by Al Archer (dated 1980). Contemporary miniature artisan food: turkey, cornbread stuffing, and cranberry sauce by Crown Jewel Miniatures; plated food, rolls, mashed and sweet potatoes by Janet Uyetake; pumpkin pie by Fairchildart; salt and pepper shakers by Weston Miniatures.
What do you want miniature enthusiasts to know Astolat Dollhouse Castle?
There’s always something more to learn, which is very exciting. I love to see people walking around the castle at Time Warner, being seduced by the experience. There’s a wonderment about it. I love watching guests take virtual trips through the expansive space. Astolat asks people to be involved with it. It’s inviting, and it’s a happy little world that you can control. It provides an escape to viewers—a sense of voyeurism—that allows them to watch what’s going on with great intent.
Dorothy Twining Globus served on the boards of The International Design Conference at Aspen; The Annette Green Museum at the Fragrance Foundation in New York City; and on the Trustees Council of the Preservation League of New York State. She was also on the faculty of the Masters Program in Design at the School of Visual Arts. Globus served as Curator of Exhibitions at the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) in New York City from 2004-2013. She played an integral role in the planning and presentation of MAD’s exhibition program. From 1993 through 2000, Globus was Director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City, where she was responsible for a collection of over 50,000 costume pieces, and some 30,000 textiles. Prior to being the Director of the Museum at the FIT, Globus was Curator of Exhibitions at the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian National Museum of Design in New York City for 20 years, where she presented nearly 200 exhibitions on all aspects of design. Additionally, Globus has also organized numerous exhibitions as an independent curator.
Astolat Dollhouse Castle is the world’s most valuable dollhouse in the world, officially appraised at $8.5 million. The dollhouse castle is now on display at the Shops at Columbus Circle, Time Warner Center, through Tuesday, December 8. Miniatures from the Astolat Dollhouse Castle collection will be auctioned off in the near future to benefit children’s charities; this is an opportunity for miniature collectors and enthusiasts to own a piece of the dollhouse castle and to help children. Auction information will soon be posted at www.dollhousecastle.com. To learn more about the famous dollhouse, and to see many more photos, visit the Astolat Dollhouse Castle website. You can also follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #dollhousecastle.
How 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!
What 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.
You 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 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.
What 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. 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!
How 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.
Why 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!
The first miniature I ever made was a slice of watermelon when I was 5 years old. My auntie used to make ceramic flowers out of an air drying dough she used to make herself. She used to give me pieces of the dough to create miniatures while she made flowers. I loved her work and creativity, and she inspired me to work with clay and be creative.
How did you first get started making miniatures? How has your work evolved?
In 1995, I got my first dollhouse as my birthday gift from my uncle. I was so excited to play with it and decided to make whatever I didn’t have, using clay. I made a roasted chicken out of DAS clay, and this was my first creation later in life. Then my mother bought me a Play-Doh set with a vegetable mold that was about the size for a dollhouse. I didn’t use polymer clay until 2010. It was not available in Kuwait at that time, and I had to make an order for international shipment.
What is the most memorable miniature you have ever seen?
Before learning about polymer clay, I went through a site called pincstuff by a young girl who used to make ice cream cones out of polymer clay. I was so touched by her miniature work and details.
Advice for new miniaturists?
Details makes all the difference, even the smallest detail that you wouldn’t think matters.
Why miniatures?
I loved playing with dolls in my childhood, and my dream was to mimic real life activities. Even now, I find it very challenging, yet amazing to be able to recreate natural effects and have them exist in miniature scale. Every new miniature project for me is an interesting challenge!
Upcoming projects planned?
I’m planning to open my Etsy shop soon. I’m also sketching for a complete set of mini restaurants each by theme: Italian, Mediterranean, Chinese.
What do you want miniature fans to know about you?
I love making miniatures that challenge me, rather than straightforward, easy miniatures. After all, it’s all for fun!
Totally Handmade Miniatures are created by Israa from Kuwait, who now lives in Maryland, U.S. Have a look at some recent miniature creations on Instagram!
