miniature Archives - Page 10 of 13

Daily Mini Interview: Miniature Needlepoint by Annelle Ferguson

June 25, 2015June 25, 2015 admin

Miniatures by Annelle Ferguson

How did you first get started in miniatures?

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

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

What was the first miniature you created?

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

When did you begin selling miniatures?

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

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

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

How has your work evolved?

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

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

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

What’s your favorite pattern?

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

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

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

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

Materials you could not live without?

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

What advice would you give to a new miniaturist?

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

What do you want miniature fans to know about you?

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

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

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

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

Daily Mini Interview: Miniature Miniatures by Nell Corkin

June 25, 2015February 16, 2017 admin

Nell Corkin’s Miniature Miniatures

| Website | Blog |

What’s your earliest memory with miniatures?

My earliest memory is I was 5 years old or so and had a shoebox. I wanted to make a house out of it, so I did. That was just me. I always loved working with my hands. At Christmas time around that age, I received a kit to make doll hats. I made them all day and all night. And when my parents told me to go to bed, I cried and cried. I was just so absorbed in making hats for my dolls.

I’ve made miniatures all of my life. There honestly hasn’t been a time in which I haven’t done them. When I was about 12 years old, I was reading through House Beautiful magazine and came across Chestnut Hill miniatures ads. I saw them and said “wow!” because I didn’t know anyone else who made miniature things at that time.

My mother had a dollhouse that had been hers and a few years earlier, she gave it to me and my sister for Christmas. It was a 1920s style house, created by my grandfather who was an engineer. It was made by loving hands at home, complete with ceramic sockets in the ceiling, screw-in light bulbs, and furniture from England. Much of the furniture was from England.

This beloved dollhouse is currently in my sister’s possession, and we’re decorating it for the umpteenth time. Though she has it at the moment, it belongs to both of us.

Could you describe your transition from making miniatures for your family dollhouse to making miniatures as a profession?

I was steered away from going to art school by my family, so I was an Art History major in college. I didn’t know what I wanted to do afterwards, so I did all sorts of different things for a number of years. I managed a clothing boutique and ran a shoe store before moving to Los Angeles, where I worked first at Sotheby’s and then with an independent appraisal firm.

I continued to make miniatures for myself all throughout the years. Eventually, when I was in LA, I saw The Making of ‘Star Wars’ documentary that featured special effects models. After seeing some of the models used, I realized, “I can do that.” I had a friend from art school who was then an Art Director in Hollywood who came over to my house to see my work in miniatures. I showed him a miniature Victorian apartment building I had constructed as well as some mini sushi. Soon after, he helped me secure a job interview, so I brought photographs of my work and some things I had made. After hearing, “have a nice day, we’ll call you,” I decided now was the time for persistence. I went by the shop and talked to the guys in the shop. I showed them my work and spoke to them at great length. They put in a kind word for me, and the shop owner called me back to discuss my salary.

For the next 12 years, I worked on films and television. I worked at all kinds of model making there, including what are called “hard edge” models – space ships and such. We did a lot of models of the space shuttle for movies and museums. I made a tiny shuttle cockpit that you could hold in the palm of your hand, and the whole crew worked on a full size replica of the cockpit that Sally Ride told us was better than NASA’s! Because the size of the models depended on how they would be used, I learned to adapt to the size of the model requested, and became very adept with a paint gun and airbrushing techniques. I used all the equipment available through the shop.

The next shop where I worked, Apogee Productions, was a particularly great place, full of talented people who worked closely together. You felt more like a creative partner than an employee, and we had a lot of fun together, along with all the hard work. I learned so much during my years in Hollywood, but the most important thing I learned was that it was possible to make just about anything.

What other projects did you work on with the Apogee team and others?

I created a number of landscape models. It wasn’t all spaceships, cars and tanks at the time. On the contrary, I became quite well known for my landscaping technique. The Australian director Peter Weir once told me how much he liked my trees.

During my time in the film industry, I worked with other directors such as John Dykstra, Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott, and more.

I worked on the 1988 Child’s Play movie, about an evil, killer doll named Chucky. Since digital effects weren’t much used yet, they used an animatronic Chucky for much of the film; but the action required things the animatronic doll couldn’t do. We had to build giant furniture so that a little person in a Chucky suit could do those scenes, and appear to be the same size as the doll.

Each project had its own time range. One time, we worked for 6 weeks on a house that was supposed to explode and burn down in one shot. If things didn’t work properly in the first (and only) take, it was back to the drawing board.

A time later, in the late 1980s, things slowed down in Hollywood with the influx of digital effects. I went to Doug Trumbull‘s Berkshire Motion Picture in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The shop was located in a wonderful old mill building. We created extensive 1:12 scale models for Back to the Future: The Ride at Universal Studios in Florida; I was the foreman for the Hill Valley segments.

How did you then transition from the film industry to the world of miniatures?

Later, I moved to New York, and worked on tabletop projects for food commercials and such. I worked on and off and eventually left film to work at a toy company, where I became operations director. I was making miniatures at home during my free time.

I always kept 1:144 scale works I had created during my time in the movies, that I had made just for me, just for fun. I held on to those works and looked at them fondly. I created replicas of vintage dollhouses and one day bought an unpainted one made of resin. I kept it on my workbench and would sit there and have a bit to eat at lunch and work on it. I eventually finished it and thought, “I could do that some more!” I created three houses by modifying N scale model railroad kits, and a friend took them to Philadelphia Miniaturia in 1992. It was a challenge to see what I could do and what I could be happy with. To this day, it continues to be. For any artist, we love coming across something new to figure out.

Advice for new artists?

Don’t make too many duplicates. If it becomes routine, it ceases to be art.

New projects in the works?

I just spent some time in England after the Kensington Dollshouse Festival. I saw many Elizabethan houses and gardens. I will likely be working on one of those in the future. I also visited Saffron Walden and was inspired by countless pargeted houses with fancied plasterwork. Few remain from the 16th and 17th centuries as a result of urban fires.

Career highlights you’d like to recount?

Way back in the 1970s, I was making miniatures at home hadn’t started to do shows yet. I was living in LA at the time and attended a show in Santa Monica with my husband and we were looking at a woman’s table who made food. He looked at her stuff and said, “you can make something better than that.” The woman looked up and asked me, “oh, are you an artist too?” I didn’t need validation, but I thought, “yes, that is what I am,” and was delighted by that truth.

One time I was sending out a little box to a customer and was insuring it at the post office. The postal clerk asked what I had been working on, and he ended up recognizing my work from an earlier show.

Over the years, I tried to do other things aside from miniatures, but in the end, I came to this because it was what I was meant to be doing. This is what I’m supposed to be doing. If something is in your heart, then that’s what life is for.

It’s always been houses for me. Even when I came across miniature pumpkins, I would say “They would be a great little house!” and my friends would respond “Everything is a little house for you, Nell.”

A few years ago, I made a walnut house with an extensive landscape under a dome, and took it to Philadelphia Miniaturia. A woman who had been enjoying it earlier came back and said, “I’m going to buy that for myself. I’m turning 50 next week and when I look at this, I’m at peace.”

It means a lot to me to sell to customers and get to know them and speak to them. A short time later, in the mail came a letter filled with 50 miniature origami paper cranes. The woman who had bought the piece said she would sit and look at it for hours, and lose herself in that piece. It meant so much to me that it meant so much to her. And that’s part of it all. The connection you can make with another human being.

I have a Pre-Columbia piece, a pot from about 500 years ago and I can feel the finger grooves. It’s as if I’m touching that person across centuries. And I enjoy the creative experience of an artist sitting at home. I love that too. But the work has a life of its own. So when you start making art, and it goes in a different direction, that’s fabulous too.

Nell Corkin has been a member of the National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts (NAME) and of the International Guild of Miniature Artisans (IGMA) for many years. She was awarded the title of IGMA Fellow in 1998, and previously served as IGMA President. She’s now the 1st Vice President.  For more on her wonderful worlds of miniatures and miniature houses, visit her website or check out Nell Corkin’s blog.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Jun 27, 2015 at 8:33am PDT

Daily Mini Interview: IGMA Guild School Director Barbara Davis

June 23, 2015May 27, 2018 admin

International Guild of Miniature Artisans
Director of the Guild School: Barbara Davis

| Website | Facebook | Instagram |

How did you first get started in miniatures?

I was doing full-size furniture refinishing for my home; as well as being an antique collector. One of the antique stores in town had a dollhouse section. The owner also ran a local miniature show. I began making my own miniature furniture and eventually began selling at shows. I specialized in Early American country, painted, aged furniture.

How has your work evolved over the years?

I sold at many shows for a number of years and taught at the Guild School for 8 years. At the same time, I was moving forward in my career and became an elementary school principal, so I was not able to continue with minis.

How did you become involved with IGMA?

I heard about the International Guild of Miniature Artisans (IGMA) and applied to be an Artisan member. Then I sold at the Guild Show in NYC. Later I taught at the IGMA Guild School. I am now the Director of the Guild School.

Do you have any advice to prospective IGMA Scholarship applicants?

Just do it! It is a simple, but serious process. The Scholarship Committee is looking for artists who have potential to grow (beginners) or expand (experienced). We look for a commitment and passion for quality minis.

What advice would you give to a new miniaturist?

Go to the Guild School. If you are an artist, you can learn so much. You can meet like-minded miniaturists. If you are a collector, by taking classes, you learn so much about what goes in to a high quality item – you become a more astute collector.

What have been some of your favorite collaborations?

I have collaborated with Mary Grady O’Brien and Carol Hardy. As a director and collector, I love collaborations. The piece is usually very special and I see the excitement of the artists who collaborate: chatting, researching, planning, and more.

What inspires you?

I don’t “furnish” a dollhouse or a room. I collect pieces that are very fine and can stand alone as a work of art. So many artists inspire me by the beauty and skill they put into their work. That said, I tend to collect paintings.

What is the most memorable miniature you have ever seen?

Mark Murphy and Mary Grady O’Brien’s bird chair. I was outbid when they donated it to our auction.

Why miniatures?

I just like beautiful and interesting things and miniatures—because they are small—are easier to collect than the real thing. However, it is important to me that they be authentically made.

Anything else you would like to add?

The Guild School is for anyone. You can be a beginner and find a class that is just right for you. Or you can be a very skilled and talented Fellow of the Guild and find new and better ways of creating miniatures. I always hope that miniaturists will come to IGMA Guild School to learn and have fun.

Barbara Davis lives in California. Every June, she heads to Castine, Maine for the annual IGMA Guild School. To learn more about IGMA, visit the International Guild of Miniature Artisans website. You can also follow along on Facebook and Instagram!

Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Lamis Minis

June 19, 2015June 19, 2015 admin

Miniatures by Lamis Minis

| Website | Shop | Facebook |

How did you first get started in miniatures? Where does the interest stem from?

I already had a dollhouse as a kid and my mom and I bought stuff for it, even when I was a teenager. We never sold it and about 10 years ago, we discovered that there are whole shows only for miniatures. Lamisminis5 My first visit was to one in Gießen, Germany, and I did not know where to look first, I was overwhelmed. I never knew you could do stuff for your house on your own. That’s when I started my first attempts with Fimo and other materials. In 2009, I attended a workshop a friend of mine taught: orchids. I fell in love with making flowers and that’s what I’m doing now. I’ve been making miniatures for 10 years now, and working on miniature flowers for almost 6 years.

Do you sell miniatures on a full-time basis?

No, I’m still a student and have a full-time job to pay my bills. But making minis as a profession is my dream. And I’m working on making it come true at the moment.

How has your work in miniatures evolved?

Generally I tried almost everything you can imagine. I did food, I built my own furniture, I did embroidery, I did my own dolls, animals…and so on. But when I did my first flower, I knew, that’s my real passion. I was very proud of my first ones. Today I think, “Gosh, what have I done?” They developed over the years and I was quite satisfied with them until last year. That’s when I first saw Beth Freeman-Kane’s scenes. I was in awe – and terribly depressed at the same time. But I got over this depression and decided that I wanted to get better and as close to perfection as possible. I started doing really high class minis and I don’t regret it.

What types of materials do you use to make miniatures?

Mostly paper and paper-covered wire. But I always use whatever creates the best illusion for a life-like plant.

Advice for beginner artists and miniaturists?

No one is born a master. That’s not only about flowers but everything regarding minis. You have to practice to get better. And no one can master everything. Me for example, I will never ever learn how to knit. No way. So don’t be disappointed, if you’re not satisfied with what you’ve done. Just try it again. It’s all about try and error.

Tool you can’t live without?

My tweezers. I wouldn’t be able to do anything without them.

Favorite miniature you own by another artist?

I own a chipmunk made by Beth and I love it!

Most treasured miniature you’ve made?

I rebuilt my own bedroom. It’s a nice memory, especially since we moved to a new apartment.

What’s been the most difficult miniature to create and why?

I create many miniature plants that are very time-consuming. Some of them take days to finish. But the mini I really hated when I did it was a small stuffed elephant. I bought a kit (huge mistake) and when it came to turning the trunk I really lost my temper and threw it against the wall. But I finally finished it and never ever sewed one again, but I’m good about buying finished ones (made by Shirley Scheibehenne).

Fellow miniaturists that inspire you?

Absolutely Beth. I love her creations. She was my inspiration to make my miniatures even better, and it was a pleasure to meet her for the first time this year in Chicago.

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

Even if I don’t have any patience in real life, I can sit hours and hours at my desk finishing just one flower or something else. You can build whatever you want, there are no limits. I think that’s what I like most. Everything is possible, you only have to imagine it.

Upcoming news you’d like to share?

My next miniatures show is in Mannheim this November, so there’s plenty of time to work on different projects until then. And, I just received my IGMA Artisan membership and I’m so proud of it. I really hope to attend the IGMA Guild School some day, and maybe I will teach some classes there one day too.

Other activities you enjoy?

The only thing left except for making minis is decorating our apartment and sleeping. I loooove to sleep.

What do you want miniature fans across the world to know about you?

I really love what I’m doing and I hope you can see that in my work. I hope I can bring some joy with my flowers and plants into your dollhouses.

And I want to encourage especially younger people like me to start with miniatures! Don’t be intimidated by all the great artists out there. They all started at some time. It’s a fantastic hobby and not only for older crafters. It’s so much fun to do, just try it!

You can see loads more miniatures by Germany’s Pia Becker of Lamis Minis. Simply follow along on Facebook or shop her Etsy store! Or, check out the Lamis Minis website.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Jun 23, 2015 at 9:00am PDT

Daily Mini Interview: TeenyTiny_Things Manila

June 18, 2015June 18, 2015 admin

Miniatures by TeenyTiny_Things Manila

| Instagram | Facebook |

Where does your interest in miniatures come from?

I very much owe my fixation for miniatures to my grandmother. She has actually influenced all of her children and grandchildren with her various collections. Each of us has a collection of some genre. She has a vast collection of dolls from different countries, eggs–real and manmade–coins, toy cars, animal figurines, commemorative spoons, Swarovski crystals, refrigerator magnets, tea cups, and of course miniatures!

When we were little, her collection was so precious to her that we were only allowed to peek inside her glass cabinets–but never allowed to touch or play with her miniature collectibles. All of us cousins would spend hours sitting in front of her cabinets, exploring in amazement the details inside that we were NOT allowed to touch. I think in some way, it has affected us all because now that we have the means to buy our own and source our own, we go all out to make up for the years of deprivation!

My beautiful, amazing grandmother is currently bedridden due to old age. I recently made a tribute for her on my IG page. I featured 10 of my most favorite things from her miniature collection—please do check it out if you have time! Just key in #forLOLAmaria on Instagram.

How many years have you been collecting minis?

I’ve been collecting minis for as long as I can remember! Friends also know how much I love miniatures, so they try to pick up something for me when they see one in passing when traveling or otherwise. I am particularly obsessed with minis that are part of my everyday life: groceries, food, furniture, household appliances, and more.

As for shooting photos of my minis, it was not since the start of this year 2015 that I decided to put up an Instagram page. Social media has a great effect on collectors, on everyone! Here I was able to share how I see miniatures compared to the world, the BIG world, and also hear from fellow mini lovers such as myself. It started on my personal account where I always put up photos of my minis and I noticed I received more likes posting minis than when I post my personal stuff! So I figured why not put up an Instagram account for my minis so other collectors can see it? It just blew up from there.

What’s your style of photography on the site?

I take photos using only my iPhone 6! My shooting style usually comprised of comparing the miniature’s scale to a true size object. When I shoot, I also try to enjoy myself so I seldom go out of my way to shoot something. I just shoot when I feel that I am at the right place, at a convenient time. What’s nice about miniatures is they are so small you don’t need to carry much weight just to do a shoot! I carry miniatures in my purse all the time! So whenever I see a perfect opportunity or perfect spot, I just take them out and shoot there! People look at me funny when we are in a restaurant and food comes out and OH I HAVE A MINI OF THAT… and I bust out my minis on the table just to shoot. It’s great for killing time too! I shoot even when I am stuck in traffic or when I’m waiting on line, haha! People just stare at me when I take out little toys when paying bills.

Favorite mini you own by another artist or have made yourself?

I am very fascinated on how Re-Ment miniatures are made and conceptualized to be a set. They really have mastered making daily household items or food sets in the scale of 1:12 where you can actually appreciate details! For durability as well I commend Re-Ment brand and Orcara. Japanese artists and designers make excellent miniatures.

Fellow miniaturists that inspire you?

Works of Minivenger, Nunu’s House, Shay Aaron, Valentina and Maritza never fail to amaze me. I am in awe of their talent and attention to detail.

What’s to come from TeenyTiny_Things?

Since I get to have a lot of boxes coming in from my orders abroad, I’m planning to put up a YouTube account for when I’m unboxing my new mini orders. I’ll also include videos of when I set them up for a shoot and so forth. I think that would be fun and interesting for mini lovers! I just need to find the time.

Anything else you would like to add?

My name is Kimberly, and I am crazy about all kinds of miniatures. I run the page as a hobby, but as my followers grew, many were asking if I sell minis so I figured, maybe I should! I now do it part time while I work full time in the fashion retail industry. I am 31 years old, a working mother of two healthy energetic boys. I am a happy wife to a very supportive husband. Aside from miniatures, I love to travel with family, eat generously and lavishly. I love museums, reading books and family time. And yes—please do let miniature lovers know about my TeenyTiny account I would love to share my miniatures with them!

Kimberly del Rosario lives in Manila, Philippines. You can see many more of her teeny, tiny things on the TeenyTiny_Things Instagram or on Facebook.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Jun 24, 2015 at 8:48am PDT

Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Emi’s Bakery

June 15, 2015June 15, 2015 admin

Miniatures by Emi’s Bakery

| DeviantArt | Facebook |

How did you first get started in miniatures?

My love and interest for miniatures started when I was around 6 years old. My parents bought me a lot of PLAYMOBIL sets and my dad made me a dollhouse for my PLAYMOBIL family. That was also the time I got in touch with polymer clay, as I used to make little snacks and accessories to go along with my sets. The love slowly faded away, and after a few years, my dollhouse and miniatures were relocated to the attic.

I rediscovered the world of polymer clay miniatures in 2013. One day, while watching videos on YouTube, I found a few channels with all sorts of polymer clay food tutorials. I immediately became enthusiastic again, and decided that I wanted to give it another try. I got hooked ever since.

What materials and tools do you use to make miniatures?

The main material I use is polymer clay. I use the brand FIMO as this is the only brand that is available in craft stores in my area (The Netherlands). Besides clay, I also like to make miniatures from paper, wood, or plastic.

My tools range from store-bought items like ball tools, needles, X-ACTO knives and brushes, to random items I have lying around (such as toothpicks, bottle caps, drinking straws, and more). For shading, I use chalk pastels.

Advice for new miniaturists?

Have a look around on YouTube and Pinterest, there are loads of free and easy tutorials to get you started with polymer clay and making miniatures.
Your work doesn’t have to be perfect at once. Making miniatures is a learning process, and you learn by trial and error.
Look around you, you can make miniatures from the most random items. The question “what can I use this material for?” pops up often in my mind.
Do not compare yourself with others. You are you and you have your own unique style, be proud of your work.

Fellow miniaturists that inspire you?

PetitPlat, Toni Ellison, and Bon AppetEats. Toni Ellison was the first to reintroduce me to the miniature food world with her tutorial videos on YouTube. I really enjoyed all her tutorials as it helped me when I just started making miniatures. Not long after that, I got in touch with the amazing work of PetitPlat and Bon AppetEats, they have been an inspiration ever since.

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

The miniature brand Nunu’s House made by artist Tomo Tanaka are all very unique and memorable to me.

Why miniatures?

One of the reasons I love miniatures so much is because you can make whatever you want. One of my childhood dreams was to have my own bakery or tea room with my own pastries, cakes, pies and treats. Even though I will not be able to realize this, I am able to realize it in miniature by making my own bakery roombox.

Upcoming projects planned? New minis in the works?

I have not done any shows or exhibitions yet and I’m not planning on doing so in the near future. As for my planned and ongoing projects: I’m currently working on my own miniature ice cream parlour roombox and have some more ideas for other roomboxes (bakery, garden, etc.). Besides roombox ideas, I plan on making more little set-ups and just random food miniatures. I would also love to make more non-food related miniatures (i.e. the garden roombox and anime-themed miniatures).

Next to my personal work, I take commissions. I have not had many sales yet, but the miniatures I did make for commissions are all around the world now. I’m also a contributor of tutorials for the miniature and dollhouse magazine of The Netherlands.

Other hobbies you enjoy?

I’m currently working at a primary school where I help children who fall behind a bit with reading and math. Next year, I will continue my student life as I’m enrolled for my master’s degree in Educational Science. Hobbies I enjoy are: being creative, cooking, baking, reading, watching manga and anime, and gaming.

What do you want miniature fans to know about you?

I’m always up for a chat about miniatures!

Emily Leenes lives in The Netherlands. You can enjoy her Emi’s Bakery miniatures on DeviantArt and Facebook.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Jun 26, 2015 at 8:32am PDT

Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Ludwina Mini Carpet

June 12, 2015June 12, 2015 admin

Miniatures by Ludwina Mini Carpet

How did you first get started in miniatures?

I am originally from Belgium and studied textile art in Antwerp and Ghent. From a very young age, I loved to paint and craft. I wanted to try all kind of crafts. It was so bad that my mom used to say my hobby was changing hobbies. Until I discovered weaving. There are so many different techniques and possibilities that it never becomes boring for me.

After marrying my Turkish husband, we moved to Turkey, and I left my looms in Belgium. Once in Turkey, we opened a real size carpet shop, and I started knotting carpets in the shop, because that was the only loom I had. A carpet loom is different from the weaving looms I had before, but in my textile art training I had used a very similar loom.

I started with a medium size carpet but after working on it for several weeks, I decided to make it a square—to finish a bit faster—and after doing this, I learned to make the carpets smaller because it takes so long to finish a piece that it started to be boring. And also because customers asked for smaller sizes and nobody made these small sizes at the time. One of the first real small carpets I finished was sold to a Dutch customer for his dollhouse. And here the idea was born to make dollhouse carpets. It must have been around 1997.

It was a long way to make smaller, better and finer carpets, not only small carpets but real miniature sized works. In the beginning, I made wool carpets for 1:12 scale, but when I wanted to make finer and finer pieces I began also to use silk. Some of those smaller fine silk carpets work well in smaller scales.

After some time, when I started selling on eBay, I began making miniature crochet. And when I saw the possibilities with petit point embroidery when I was at the Chicago International Show, I wanted to try this. I really love to make pillows and now and then a carpet. The designs I make for my knotted carpets are perfect for petit point carpets in smaller scales.

What can’t you live without?

My crochet needle, a box of silk sewing threads, and needles is always close by. Often times, I will take a project in my bag if I go somewhere. It is easy to take with me, and here in Turkey, it is not strange to sit somewhere and do some handcrafting… although the younger generations are not as interested in crafts anymore.

What inspires you?

When I was working in our carpet shop, I was surrounded by carpets and had inspiration all day. Now that I am retired from the shop, I still have my books and I can find a lot of information and inspiration on the Internet. I am not weaving as much anymore but I’m creating more and more embroidery and crochet. I’m enjoying life, my cats and my garden.

Here in Turkey we do not have much dollhouse miniatures and surely not in the days I started. So I am happy I found miniature friends online. I am member of the Yahoo! group The CAMP where we share ideas, show our miniatures, and have a lot of miniature-related fun.

Upcoming projects planned?

At the moment, I am not doing any shows. Making my carpets takes so much time that it is not possible to have new work every year. Maybe in some time, I will be back at a show again, because it is so nice to see all the beautiful work I can see there…. and to meet new friends!

Ludwina Akbulut lives in Turkey. For more handmade work from her ludwinaminicarpet brand, visit her website, check out eBay, Facebook, Etsy or take a peek at miniature carpet designs on her blog.

Daily Mini Interview: Hungarian Miniatures

June 12, 2015June 12, 2015 admin

Hungarian Miniatures by Erzsébet Bodzás

How did you first get started in miniatures?

I wanted to give my daughters a dollhouse for Christmas but the available ones on the market were so impersonal and way too expensive. I decided to make a dollhouse by myself. I had no clue how to start, so I started to search on the Internet and I accidentally found some very impressing miniature works. I had never heard about miniatures before. It was love at first sight.

I’ve been making miniatures for five years, and I’m self-trained although I capitalized on everything I could find online. Any time I have aside from caring for my family and my garden, I use working in my workroom.

How has your work in miniatures evolved over the years?

Through the years, I meddled in almost every territory of the miniature world. I made foods, furniture, roomboxes, scenes, and more. Although I enjoy creating all of them, after a serious inner debate, I opted for miniature food making as my specialty. I prefer the traditional homemade foods, rustic breads and pies, heirloom vegetables, and fruits. I also love arranging my foods into little scenes where I can set together the elements like in a three dimensional still life painting.

What materials do you use to make miniatures?

I use polymer clay, paper, wood, fabric—practically everything except glass and precious metals. Nowadays my personal favorite is paper. You can’t believe how many things you can do if you have proper templates and apply some layers of acrylic paint.

Advice for new miniaturists?

It’s never the perfection that makes a miniature real, but the natural flaws. I like to show the little imperfections, the brown spots on the apples, the scratches on the fresh pear skin, the pale places of the cucumber where the sun couldn’t reach it. So use your eyes to find the unique features in everything to make it alive.

Tool you can’t live without?

My X-ACTO knife is my best friend in the workroom, I use more toothpicks than a restaurant, and I am emotionally attached to my lathe tool.

Most treasured miniature you’ve made?

I made an old cottage kitchen with a furnace just like my great grandparents had. I filled it with all the things I remembered from my childhood. It was great to make, and this is the only miniature work I could never part with. It’s in my living room now and I look at it every time I go past it.

What’s been the most difficult miniature to create?

My kryptonite was making early cherries. Half yellow, half red with the slight groove on one side and the thin light green stem. My first attempts were terrible. I tried to get the coloring by applying chalk powder with a brush on the tiny cherry balls. I used polymer clay and wire for stems. But my cherries were just fake polymer clay cherries, nothing more. It took me three years to figure out my own method to copy nature. Now I brush my palm over with red, orange and yellow chalk powder and I rolled the tiny light yellow balls on it, then press a groove and a hole into them with a pin. The result is a bunch of perfect, various shades of yellow-red cherries. For the stems I use painted sisal fibers. Many times I wanted to give up, but I couldn’t get over it. I had to find a way to make realistic cherries because I had a miniature still life with them in my head and I desperately wanted to make it real.

Artists you look to for inspiration?

I admire some Russian photographers, Elana Tatulyan (Елена Татульян) and Карачкова Татьяна. Their still life photos are wonderful, just in the same country style I love to try to show in my miniature scenes. Another favorite artist is a Russian painter, Николаев Юрий Викторович, who I like also for his still life paintings.

Fellow miniaturists that inspire you?

My first shock was when I found Kiva Atkinson’s works. I couldn’t believe my own eyes. I didn’t know it’s possible to make such realistic foods in miniature. The quality of her miniatures was a real goal to reach in my own works.

And I think everyone just loves Tomo Tanaka’s Nunu’s House and his miniature foods. I still think there is a magic wand involved.

What is the most memorable miniature you’ve seen?

Lori Nix‘s miniature scenes are a fantastic mix of art and precise engineering. Choosing the post-apocalyptic world as a theme is very interesting. Her dioramas could be sad, but they are oddly invigorating and sometimes humorous for me.

Why miniatures?

I feel like a genie in a bottle or a wizard with a wand. I’ve always been a creative person. If I had time and money in limitless amount, I would try every craft in the world. I would make furniture, pottery baskets, and more. Since I’m not that lucky, I had to find a close enough substitute. In miniature, I could do anything I couldn’t do in real size.

Upcoming news you’d like to share?

I’m one of the five new IGMA Fellow members that the International Guild of Miniature Artisans (IGMA) elevated this year. That means a lot to me. I worked hard on my miniatures application, and fortunately it paid off.

There’s an exhibition in October in Budapest where some miniaturists including myself show their works. This will be my first exhibition, so I’m very excited about it.

Other hobbies you enjoy?

My other love is my garden. Actually I’m a landscape architect, but after the births of my daughters, I couldn’t work as an engineer in an office anymore. The necessary overtime, the travelling and the stress of imminent deadlines couldn’t work for me as a mother. But my green thumb still exists and I spend long hours in my garden almost every day.

IGMA Fellow Erzsébet Bodzás lives in Hungary. You can shop her work in miniature on Etsy and eBay. Check out her latest work on her “My Tiny World from Hungary” blog or Pinterest.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Jun 12, 2015 at 11:38am PDT

Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Fanni Sándor

June 11, 2015September 18, 2018 admin

FannimiNiATURE: Miniatures by Fanni Sándor

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How did you first get started in miniatures?

I have always loved miniature things since my childhood. I made my first dollhouse out of a shoe box when I was 7 years old. I first saw professional 1:12 scale miniatures 10 years ago on the Internet, and it was love at the first sight. In my country, this art form is totally unknown. So after that, I started to try to make my own miniatures, and after a few years I became a professional miniaturist. I have been making miniature things since my childhood, but professional 1:12 scale miniatures now for around 5 years.

Were you trained in the arts?

I learned drawing and painting through 7 years of art school. But I learned how to make miniature animals by myself, no one taught me. I have two miniaturist idols: Beth Freeman-Kane and Kerri Pajutee. I think they are the best wildlife and animal miniaturists ever, in all the world. Their art gave me lots of inspiration to become a professional miniaturist. Thank you to them both.

Do you create & sell miniatures full-time?

I have a three years old son and a one year old daughter. So now I’m a full time mother at home, and making miniatures part time for hobby, and for sell. Any free time what I have (it’s not too much because of my children), I try to do my craft, because it’s relaxing me totally. But I plan in the future I become a full time miniaturist.

How has your miniature work evolved over the years?

Nowadays, I mostly make birds, insects, and small mammals, but I used to make accessories and dolls. Thrice my dolls won the second price in an international doll exhibition and doll making competition in Hungary. My first exhibited 1:12 scale miniature work was a shadowbox, called Queen Elisabeth’s Kitchen. It was the beginning of my professional miniaturist life. In the kitchen there were foods, vegetables, fruits, pheasants and mounted deer trophies. Making the pheasants and the trophies were most enjoyable, so after this creation, I wanted to make more and more animals. It’s not a surprise, because I’m a biologist, so nature inspires me principally.

What materials do you use to make miniatures?

I don’t need too many supplies. I just need polymer clay, acrylic paint, feather and cotton thread in a various color, paper wire, and glue. All of my sculptures are made out of polymer clay. I love this material very much, because I can make really fine, detailed and lifelike figures with it. All of my works are hand sculpted, without the use of any mold.

Advice for new artists?

You have to do it with your heart and soul, and then any piece of your work will be unique.

What can’t you live without?

My hand, eyes, brain and polymer clay.

Favorite miniature you own by another artist?

I have a framed diorama by Beth Freeman-Kane, called The Racketeer, which includes a hummingbird and orchids. I love it and cherish it so much.

Most treasured miniature you’ve made?

I have a lot. All of my miniature sculptures contain a little part of my heart. I love all of my creations, I can’t choose a favorite.

Upcoming projects you’d like to share?

In Hungary, dollhouse miniature making is an unknown art form. Almost no one knew about it. In this country, there are just 12 of us making miniatures. This year, we established the Hungarian Miniature Guild. We started to organize the first miniature exhibition of Hungary, which will be held in September 2015. We would like to promote and popularize the professional miniatures as an art form in Hungary.

Other activities you enjoy?

I love to take trips in nature. I love cooking, reading a book, painting, drawing, and sculpting.

Anything else you would like to add?

In 2014, I received the IGMA Artisan title in Animal Figures category. It was the greatest honor for me. I’m 34 years old. I married the most fantastic man in the world four years ago. We have a 3-year-old son and a 1-year-old daughter. I’m a microbiologist, but now I stay at home with my children. Beside making miniatures, I love to paint, draw, and sculpt.

Fanni Sándor currently lives in Hungary. Shop her FannimiNiATURE miniatures on Etsy, or check out new creations on her “Parányi valóság” blog.

Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Chocoholic Jewels

June 8, 2015June 8, 2015 admin

Miniatures by Chocoholic Jewels

How did you first get started in miniatures?

I first started working with polymer clay 4 years ago. I was working as a flight attendant and I saw some amazing miniatures in an airport in France. When I returned home unemployed from the economical crisis in Greece, I decided to start making mini food for my dollhouse using polymer clay. I fell instantly in love and decided to turn my minis into OOAK (one of a kind) jewelry that I would be able to keep with me, or on me every day. My love for desserts is the reason why I make most of my jewelry chocolate themed.

I have also created a special series of aromas to be used with clay, that make every piece of jewelry smell as it would in real life.

What materials do you use to make miniatures?

I now use many different kind of materials as my work continues to progress, such as cold porcelain, resin, and upcycled materials.

What is your favorite miniature you’ve made?

My favorite one is… well… I cannot decide. Maybe every single one, as each creation contains a tiny bit of me!

What inspires you?

I am inspired by real food and other artists, but mostly by the fact that the majority of people viewing my creations think they are real! This is a great achievement for me. And being able to make people smile; I see excitement and also a great appetite for desserts.

Advice for beginner miniaturists?

My advice to beginner miniaturists is practice, practice, practice and share, share, share! Practice makes perfect and sharing makes people happy!

Highlight thus far in your miniatures career?

In 2013, I was invited to present my “sweet” accessories on national and international TV.

What do you want miniature fans to know about you?

I am a huge animal lover. My future goal as an artist is to create a series of jewelry of the same kind, with a higher price, and to be able to donate funds to animal shelters and provide food for strays.

Other activities you enjoy?

Besides making miniature food jewelry, caring for my puppy and other stray animals, I love finding and creating healthy snacks or desserts, such as my favorite black bean brownies! These are sooo delicious and sooo guilt free. No one could ever tell you that this amount of deliciousness could contain beans. Here is the recipe if you would like to give it a try.

Eva Stamataki of Chocoholic Jewels lives in Greece. To see more of her delectable miniature works, follow along on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, YouTube, and Flickr. To purchase, shop on Etsy.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Jun 10, 2015 at 7:32am PDT