Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Chocoholic Jewels

Miniatures by Chocoholic Jewels

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How did you first get started in miniatures? 

il_570xN.770267912_h83gI 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?11402471_763524507079215_4206507723967322115_o

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.

il_570xN.776868251_fy5vAdvice 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.il_570xN.782111223_bes6

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.

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Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Drew Leshko

Miniatures by Paper Sculptor Drew Leshko

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What’s your very first memory with miniatures?

My first memory of miniatures would have to be from attending an annual church auction. There was this woodworker who built the most amazing custom dollhouses. They were unfinished, but the detailing and precision was on point.

studio working watermarkedHow did you first start working in miniatures? 

I always think back to building dioramas for middle school English class as a component to a book report… but I think the first real experience working this way was in 10th grade. I had a serious surgery to correct pectus excavatum, a chest deformity. After having my ribs spread apart, xyphoid process shifted, and sternum moved around, I was stuck in a bed for a while. My father had purchased a kit for me to build a miniature half pipe. The half pipe was for fingerboards, those mini skateboards that were popular for a minute. I never found any interest in fingerboarding, but have really vivid memories of building ramps, then covering them with pencil drawings of skate brands and punk music imagery. A technique not too far off from the way I’m working now when applying street marketing and graffiti to my miniature dumpsters.

Not Grim watermarkedWere you formally trained in the arts?

I studied fine art in college and feel that I developed some strong composition and design skills, but honestly the way I work isn’t taught in schools. My 3-D design class really opened my eyes and focused my attention on making dimensional objects. However, now I make my sculptures mainly out of archival papers and paper sculpture, which just doesn’t fall into any of the class programs.

How long have you been creating minis?

I’ve been creating small sculptures for the past 10 years, but I feel like I’ve really focused my work and found a strong rhythm in the past 5 years. Now, I predominantly work at 1:12 scale with a variety of acid-free materials.

What types of miniatures do you make? How has your work evolved?

I started making architecturally based miniatures to be displayed on a tabletop or pedestal. I realized that I was running out of storage space in my studio and that any potential collector would need to devote so much space to show the works in a domestic setting, so I needed to make a revision. Eventually I came up with the idea of creating the works as only facades so that they could be wall mounted. My thought was that people are able to clear wall space much easier than floor space. At this point, it’s not much different from the way a painting or photograph is hung.

new orleans watermarkedThe buildings are huge undertakings and take a lot of time and patience. Additionally, they can be brutal to ship around the country. So I began to think about some smaller sculptures I could make, but most importantly, what type of objects can be constructed of paper? Thinking about some of the detailing on the buildings, I realized that recreating sheet metal with paper is great. I started to think about tractor-trailers, vans, food trucks, and similar vehicles when I landed on camper trailers. My work has always included commentary on the temporal nature of things, so the transient nature of “RV culture” fits right in to that idea.

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You’ve created a number of documentary studies of architecture from your Philadelphia neighborhood. Do you foresee creating building replicas of other cities?

It’s hard to say. Right now, I’m very happy to be done with the buildings and to be working on a new series. I spent a portion of my life designing and creating the 17 buildings and I’m a bit burned out on them.

What materials do you use to make miniatures?

I love using paper. It’s extremely versatile. It can be easily manipulated, folded, cut, sanded. Illustration board, mixed archival paper, wire, plaster, varieties of wood, and inkjet prints are the main materials for most of my projects. I then finish them with enamels, acrylics, airbrush, oil pigments, and charcoal.

Tool you can’t live without?

X-ACTO knife, without a doubt.

Unexpected material you’ve used in your work? 

I learned of a rusting technique from an amazing artist, Alex Lukas. Mixing hydrogen peroxide, iodized salt, and white vinegar results in a solution that will rapidly rust steel. It can be sprayed on surfaces, or applied with a paintbrush. Sometimes I’ll add pieces of metal to the works. This is a great solution for weathering.

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If you could only describe your work in one of these words, which would it be? Art. Miniature. Design. Architecture. 

Art. This isn’t a hobby, this is my job and I am a sculptor. They aren’t models for something to be designed or constructed either. Actually they are the opposite. A recreation of what was. With that mindset, they are documentary studies similar to a painter rendering a scene or a photographer capturing an image.

What’s a day in the studio look like?

A day in my studio is an exercise in patience! Everything is a slow process, so patience is a virtue. Typically it’s me cutting, gluing, and folding paper to create individual components that become integral parts of the overall sculpture. I try to break down the objects into manageable pieces and then apply them like a collage to the panel I’m working on. All of this typically happens to a soundtrack of hip-hop and punk rock, though I listen to a wide variety of music.

Favorite miniature or work of art you own?

Oddly enough, I don’t collect miniatures, but I have a pretty nice art collection. I own two hand-woven tapestries from one of my favorite young artists, Erin M. Riley. If you don’t know her work, you need to.

Most treasured miniature you’ve made?

I think Ampere Electric is my most treasured artwork, though I didn’t treasure it enough to keep it, haha! This piece was collected by Kasseem Dean (Swizz Beatz), and is now installed in his home; part of an amazing contemporary art collection, The Dean Collection. I love the balance of beauty and decay in the piece.

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Non-miniature artists, designers, books you look to for inspiration?

Thomas Demand, Bernd and Hilla Becher, Walker Evans, Roxy Paine, Alex Lukas, and William Christenberry.

Miniaturists or mini makers that inspire you?

EVOL, Tracey Snelling, Lori Nix, Lois Renner, Kim Keever, Thomas Doyle, and Patrick Jacobs.

Most memorable moment in your miniature making career thus far?

Last December in Miami was amazing. Art Basel, Miami, is always a great time but last year was wild. Philadelphia’s Paradigm Gallery + Studio sold Ampere Electric to the Dean Collection and I was able to meet the legend, Swizz Beatz. He was the most genuine, nicest, collector ever. At a party Swizz was DJ’ing, I then got to hang out with 2 Chainz. 2 Chainz and I had a nice conversation about one of my sculptures Caring Pharmacy and the impact of pharmaceutical dependency and addiction in urban areas. I think that trip will stick with me for a long, long time.

me and 2chainz

Advice for beginner artists?

You only get out of it what you put into it. Making a go at an art career is difficult at best. If you’re not willing to 100% of your focus into the work, then you should find something else to do with your time. Don’t get frustrated, it took me years before I was starting to get included and invited into good exhibitions.

What is the most memorable miniature you’ve ever seen?

Lee Stoetzel created miniature McMansions entirely from McDonald’s food products. The finished work is a photograph, but definitely a weird one.

Why miniature studies of your neighborhood? Why miniatures? 

I’ve always been interested in documentary studies in art, capturing moments in time regardless of media. My project with the buildings in my neighborhood is just that, a documentary project or archiving project.

“Why miniatures?” is a great question, one that I really can’t answer. It just feels right. There is something inside of me that pushes me to take on these works, but I can’t identify what that is.

News about upcoming exhibitions and shows?

Yes! I have a solo exhibition, Relics, with 11 building sculptures at the Delaware Center for Contemporary Art, Wilmington, that will be up through mid-August. Thinkspace Gallery, Los Angeles has curated my work into upcoming exhibitions in Detroit, Fort Wayne, Indiana, London, Miami, Honolulu, and Los Angeles. In June, I have a summer group show at Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco. Paradigm Gallery + Studio will be taking my work to Art Basel, Miami, in December and also hosting a solo show in Philadelphia in March of 2016. Beyond that, I will have a small solo show in Portland, Oregon at Antler Gallery in the fall of 2016.

What’s the best way to purchase your work?

My work can be purchased online through Paradigm Gallery + Studio. Additional works are currently available through Thinkspace Gallery, Los Angeles and Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco and the Delaware Center for Contemporary Art, Wilmington. For works at these galleries, inquire for a price-list as they’re not listed on their web shops.

Other activities you enjoy?

When I’m not in the studio, I like to enjoy family time with my wife, dogs, and cats. Cycling, camping, and fishing are some of my hobbies.

Motto that keeps you creating?

“They don’t finish themselves.”

Want to dive into more of Philadelphia-based Drew Leshko’s miniature worlds? Check out his website, latest blog posts, and follow along on Instagram, which Drew uses to show daily process images as well as a vehicle to promote work to a new audience.

2015 Guild School by the International Guild of Miniature Artisans

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

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

BW_Guild_School_2014_0331SQ-X3This year’s 34th annual IGMA Guild School will take place from June 13-19 in Castine. Over 200 miniaturists from around the world (42 states and 11 countries are represented this year) take part in more than 50 miniature-making classes. Guild students are taught techniques in woodworking, metalsmithing, figure sculpting, painting, needlework, room/building construction, plant making, food sculpting, wicker, weaving, mosaics, and pottery. With 6 full days of classes (each class spans from 6-8 hours a day), students work diligently to develop their skills and further hone their miniature craft.

Guild_School_2014_0478-X3In addition, the 2015 Guild School will feature evening seminars, a student and instructor exhibit, live and silent auctions, an exhibit of class projects, a graduation night banquet, lobster cookout, and a miniature sale night. Click to view past Guild School events.

All skill levels are welcome to attend the week-long IGMA Guild School set on a picture-perfect campus in a quaint, historical, coastal village in scenic Maine. The School is just one education component of the International Guild of Miniature Artisans. Guild_School_2014_0474-X3IGMA was founded in 1979 to promote fine miniatures as an art form; to increase awareness and appreciation of high-quality workmanship through public education; to recognize and honor qualified artisans and encourage work of highest quality; to encourage the development of new artisans; and to coordinate and serve the interests and needs of the artisan and non-artisan.

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

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Daily Mini Interview: Fairchildart Miniatures

Fairchildart Miniatures

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How did you first get started in miniatures?

mc4I credit my mom as she’s always been an avid collector of miniatures. There’s something inherently magical about tiny replicas so real you’d think there was a shrink ray gun lying around.

How many years have you been making minis?

Since the summer of 2008.

What materials do you use to make your miniature food?

Sculpey and Fimo brands of polymer clay. Since I stick to mostly food, my collection of pastel squares has come incredibly handing for blushing fruit and “toasting” pastries.

Advice for beginner artists?

Don’t stress about your first miniatures being perfect! As Adventure Time’s Jake the Dog wisely said, “Dude, sucking at something is the first step to becoming sorta good at something.” The Internet has a wealth of information when it comes to miniature making.mc7

Tool you can’t live without?

My trusted needle.

Favorite mini you own?

A pink tinted hand-blown glass bowl (a gift from my mom).

Where do you look for inspiration?

Lately, I’ve been studying Casey Baugh‘s charcoal portraits. The light captured in his subject’s eyes is incredible.

fv13Fellow miniaturists that inspire you?

From the beginning, I’ve admired Stéphanie Kilgast of PetitPlat, Betsy Niederer and Tomo Tanaka of Nunu’s House. There are so many more but they were my welcome into the mini world.

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

Paris café fare by Nunu’s House: a tiny suitcase fashioned to hold sweets, jars of candy and cup of tea. His eye for detail is uncanny.

Why miniatures? Why miniature food?sw18

I love being able to complete a sculpture in one sitting (the instant gratification is a big pull). I’ve gotten amazing feedback from the miniaturist community and being able to send my miniatures all over the world is completely surreal. Food is always appealing from the sheer variety of textures and shapes involved (and the references are delicious).

Kim of Fairchildart Miniatures hails from Minnesota. Is your interest piqued? View many more miniatures on Kim’s website, Etsy shop, Instagram, and DeviantArt accounts.

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Daily Mini Interview: Ella-Rose Miniatures

Ella-Rose Miniatures

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Where does your interest in miniatures stem from?

I have always had an interest in dollhouses and miniatures. In 2004, a new shop opened up on our local High Street that sold dollhouses. il_570xN.747890578_565gI saved up funds and was soon able to purchase my first “grown-up” dollhouse.

How has your work in miniature evolved?

I began making my own miniatures in 2004, immediately after purchasing my first dollhouse. I found that I enjoyed creating these minis immensely: it was very rewarding and also something that I discovered I had a talent for. Soon after, I opened up an eBay shop and began selling my handcrafted miniatures. Then I opened up my Etsy shop, launched a blog, Facebook fan page and Twitter account. The rest, as they say, is history.

What materials do you use to make your miniatures?

I mainly use Fimo, liquid Fimo, acrylic paints and genesis heat paints.il_570xN.736047038_71oy

Advice for beginner artists?

Find your niche. Have patience and persevere. Your work will improve over time as you begin to use new and interesting techniques. Buy a few good books on making miniatures (I recommend any miniature food books by Angie Scarr) and simply add your own unique touches.

Material you can’t live without?

I cannot live without Fimo, white in particular. I use a lot. Liquid fimo is also a must for me.

il_570xN.693124706_1a65Favorite mini you own by another artisan?

I have a small pumpkin with a rat on it from the wonderful Mags-nificent Miniatures that I simply adore.

Artists, designers, books you look to for inspiration?

I take most of my inspiration from real-life bakers and cake makers, in particular Miss Lola’s Bakehouse and her amazing creations. I also created a Marie Antoinette collection after watching the film of the same name. Inspiration can come to you in many forms, maybe a color combination that you have seen or a certain design of furniture. Inspiration is all around us if you keep your eyes open and have a creative imagination.

What is the most miniature you have ever seen?

I think it would have to be anything by Ron’s Dollhouse’s. He creates the most beautiful, unique and interesting abodes for dolls.

Why miniatures?11147009_811997145522102_1128196356130336959_n

I am fascinated with creating real-life items and food in miniature form.

What’s to come from Ella-Rose Miniatures?

I am exhibiting at the Dolls House & Miniatures Fair in York next month. I exhibit twice a year at York. I am always creating new minis and strive for perfection.

Other activities you enjoy?

I enjoy watching films, horror films in particular. I also enjoy reading, training my two dogs, cooking, baking, oil and watercolor painting, as well as spending quality time with my loved ones.

il_570xN.768787740_t84mWords you live by?

“Being creative is not a hobby, it’s a way of life.” I love that saying.

What do you want miniature fans to know about you?

When I bought my first dollhouse as an adult many of my friends and family didn’t understand the interest and would ask, “what on earth do you want that for?” However, now that they have seen the end results of my work with miniatures, many of my family members have more dollhouses than I do and are just as enthusiastic about the hobby as I am! My biggest fan (and critic) has always been, and will always be my son.

Kerry of Ella-Rose Miniatures hails from Great Britain. If you’d like to view more of her marvelous miniature creations, head on over to her shop, blog, Facebook, or Twitter.

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Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Genziana Bellè

Miniatures by Genziana Bellè

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How did you first get started in miniatures?

swan and flowersI discovered miniatures in the late eighties when I was traveling in the States. Miniatures were fairly unknown in Italy at that time. When I came back home, I tried to make something on my own.

How has your work evolved over the years?

I have been making miniatures for over 25 years. I began making petit point works on silk gauze, as well as wicker baskets and miniature flowers. Now, I have almost completely given up embroidery, but I keep on creating baskets and flowers in 1:12 and 1:48 scale.

What materials do you use to make your miniatures?

I use silk gauze, silk or cotton thread for the petit point; linen thread and paper-covered wire to make my miniature baskets; different kinds of paper and paper-covered wire to make flowers.Lavender

Advice for beginner miniaturists?

My advice is to take inspiration from the real world, not from miniatures already made by other artists. You will need patience, the desire to learn techniques used in 1:1 scale in order to adapt these skills for miniature making. You’ll also need the courage to throw away and remake your miniatures until you have achieved your desired level of proficiency.

wicker basket quarter scaleTool you can’t live without?

I can’t live without very good lighting, a magnifying glass, my fine tweezers for watchmakers, and only the best quality materials.

Favorite miniature you own by another artist?

My favorite  works are 1:12 furniture miniatures that my father made for me.

What inspires you?

I love books about embroidery, baskets, antiquing, and furnishing. I also take inspiration from the real world in order to achieve miniatures that reflect my personality.

wicker basket with hydrangeaWhat is the most memorable miniature you have seen by another artist?

The most memorable to me is not a single miniature but the exhibition of Mrs. Ingeborg Riesser‘s miniature collection that I saw in Paris in 1994.

Why miniatures? 

I like miniatures because making smaller items is a challenge, and also because the smaller size allows me to collect items that I couldn’t keep at home… they don’t take up much space!

Upcoming  miniatures in the works?

At the moment, I’m working on new baskets inspired from real ones, as always, and some new flowers. I’ll also be attending the Simp Miniature Show in Paris to check out work by other artisans.wicker bottles

Other activities you enjoy?

I love to travel and observe the world around me. I also enjoy 1:1 scale embroidery very much.

Genziana Bellè lives in Italy. To see more of her lovely work in miniature, head on over to Facebook.

 

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Daily Mini Interview: Salavat Fidai Art

Miniatures by Salavat Fidai Art

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How and why did you first get started in pencil lead sculptures?

IMG_2318-HDSix months ago, I began to carve pencils after I was inspired by the work of Dalton Ghetti from the States. I had no experience before early 2015. Now, I really enjoy creating tiny sculptures on pencils. Mostly I’ve been sculpting heroes and cartoon characters.

Describe your process and inspiration.

The concept for my paintings or sculptures starts to take form while I’m asleep. The next day, I look for photos and video material, and then I make sketches or layouts. When I work with oil on canvas, it’s more emotional and expressive. If I paint acrylic on seeds, it’s hard work and more detail oriented. When I carve sculptures from pencils, it’s much more meditative.IMG_2972-2

I do a lot of reading, and go to other artists’ exhibitions. Sometimes it’s my dreams, sometimes it is the artwork of other artists, such as Vincent Van Gogh. I am inspired by music. I get most of my paintings done late at night when my family is asleep. I’m a total night owl. I find myself more productive and it’s much easier to focus at night.

Did you ever make miniatures in another medium?

Previously, I made sculptures out of wood and stone, but these were of normal size. I also create miniatures on seeds and matchbooks.

IMG_2787-HDWhat has been the most difficult miniature sculpture to carve?

I tried Darth Vader seven times. Some Vader heads broke during the carving. It took so many tries to achieve a final product I liked, and now I love it!IMG_2327-HD

Favorite artists?

Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet.


What inspires you?

Good movies, books by contemporary authors, Marvel and DC comics, Pixar Animation Studios, and more great artwork.

Most treasured pencil tip sculpture you’ve created?

IMG_2528-hdWALL-E and the PPSH-41 gun.

What tools do you use to make your sculptures?

Small, sharp craft knifes and a magnifying glass.

Tool you can’t live without?

Maybe my craft knife or my favorite brush, Kolinsky Sable number 0. I experiment with different tools, but I think I would be happy creating art out of anything.

Upcoming exhibitions planned?IMG_2462-HD

Yes, of course. Big exhibitions in China and Italy.

New sculptures you’d like to mention?

It’s a secret. All I will say is “large sculptures and installations.”

What other activities do you enjoy?

IMG_2963-2Spending time with my family: going to the cinema, walking, and hiking.

Advice for beginner artists?

Do not be afraid to experiment with new materials. View more work by other artists and learn from them.

Salavat hails from Ufa in Russia. For more of his incredible micro-mini sculptures, visit his website, shop on Etsy, check out Instagram, Facebook or Behance.

 

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Daily Mini Interview: Boutique Miniatures

Boutique Miniatures

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10306639_1617810578431040_82144154618900352_nHow did you first get started in miniatures?

I started making miniatures 5 years ago. For more than 18 years, I had worked on miniature wooden ship models. Though I enjoyed these simple wooden ship models, I wanted to transition to something with more energy, and I’ve found this energy in miniatures. It’s been very fun and exciting for me to create miniatures.

What materials do you use to make your miniatures?

There is no limit in materials when making miniatures. Any type of material (anything at all!) can be used during the creative process. It all comes down to achieving that “real” appearance with the miniature work. 1523453_1582235665321865_4409708103317702330_oI like battling with different materials. Most typically, I work with pear tree wood, brass, copper, and iron. A variety of my work can be viewed on Facebook.

Advice for beginner artists?

I would advise beginners to place high importance on scaling and achieving the correct scaled down dimensions. A caliper should be used at all times, and with great consideration.

Tool, material or technique you can’t live without?

10420345_1590995117779253_6619052733746069815_nI couldn’t do what I do without the pear tree. It feels like velvet. I also use two lathes, a micro planer, scroll saw, cut saw, thickness planer, table saw, circular saw, bench drill press, and disc sander in my workshop. I don’t use any chemicals in any of my works; all of my miniatures are completely natural.

Other activities you enjoy?

I enjoy photography and have spent time working in graphic design.

Fatih lives in Izmir, Turkey. For more of his fantastic miniatures, visit Etsy, InstagramFacebook or check out his previous work in wooden ship models.

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Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by William Robertson

Miniatures by Acclaimed Craftsman William Robertson

What were your first memories with miniatures? 

WmRob47I grew up at a time when hobbies were very, very popular. There were practically a dozen hobby shops within 20 minutes from my childhood home. Like most young boys at that time, I played with model trains and planes. We built and blew up everything. So, for me, the whole interest in miniatures goes back to my earliest memories as a 7- and 8-year-old in the toy modeling world. I started playing with these items when I was very young. And I never stopped.

I was always building things from scratch from a very, very early age. I used to take wrapping paper tubes and turn them into rockets. You name it, I did it.

Even in elementary school, given the choice between completing a book report and making a diorama, I would make a diorama. I’d recreate a scene from a book (how Roman roads were built, for example) and present this to my teacher. WmRob37In 7th grade, I remember building a model of Anne Frank’s house.

When I started out in high school, there was a small corner of the basement in my house dedicated to some of the tools I had been collecting from my job at a hardware store. By the end of high school, the entire basement was my workshop, filled to the gills with machines and tools.

How did your interest transform into a successful business?

When I was 21, my mom wanted a dollhouse for her grandchildren. So I made it! Begrudgingly I built it. In fact, I kept adding more and more details to slow the process down. I even glued on individual floors and added intricate details to every feature of the house. When it was finally completed, my mother wanted to keep it for herself!

WmRob11Not too long after that, I attended a miniature show in Florida. I just happened upon the show by chance and walked in because I was bored. When I was inside, my first thought was “wow, I can do that.” So a few weeks later, in 1977, I made my first miniature and never looked back.

What was the first miniature you created? Where does your interest in miniature furniture stem from?

I had a magazine with a ladies writing desk on the cover and thought that it would be neat to recreate it. So I scaled it down and made that desk. Shortly after that, I made a better version of the desk – it was magnitudes better the second time around. A gallery in New York saw my work and began selling my miniatures. I sold three miniature desks in one week, and within 6 months, I was selling to the most important American collectors.RobTbl8

It’s been 38 years now that I’ve been creating miniatures, and I have spent a great deal of time studying furniture: its history and the craftsmanship behind renowned pieces. At first, I knew nothing about furniture and the history of pieces I was replicating in 1:12 scale. I was just a 20-something-year-old kid. One time, I went into Weschler’s Auction House in Washington D.C. to look at some of the pieces on display. There was a table there by John Goddard, and I grabbed it and flipped it over to examine the bottom. You should have seen the horror on people’s faces. I had no idea! That table was going for $95,000 back in 1977 and a similar table later sold at Christie’s for about $5 million.

WmRob55After that, I learned about furniture very quickly. I copied pieces of furniture and soon discovered that collectors wanted replicas of works by master cabinet makers, not your average table or chair that you’d find at a department store. If you’re going to copy something, you copy it from the very best. So, if you want to copy furniture, you head to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, not to Sears.

Fast-forwarding a bunch of years and through extensive studies into furniture making, I learned a tremendous amount about American furniture and French furniture design. I consulted with the best in the field and have been fortunate enough to visit major museums where a work can be taken off display so I’m able to examine it.

When did you transition from making miniature furniture into making miniature tools?

I’ve always been a tool head, and a tool collector. When I was working in the hardware store as a teenager, I’d make about $62 a week, and would bring home half my check in tools. By the time I was done working there, I had pretty much bought one of everything.WmRob50

I once visited an antique flea market and came across little watchmaker’s tools accompanied by a tool catalog. The book had hundreds of pages of really neat looking miniature tools, and I had no idea what they were, but I wanted them. Over the years, I continued collecting tools, big and small, and finally began making tools in miniature. Whenever a friend of mind had a rare tool that they weren’t willing to sell, I would recreate their tool in miniature and show them the replica. They’d say they have to have it, but I’d say, “It’s not for sale, but I’ll trade you for it.” Sure enough, I made quite a few trades to add to my ever-growing tool collection. And in due time, when miniature collectors saw the miniature tools I had made, they wanted to add these to their collection. One of my best recognized works is a Hewitt tool chest reproduction based on an original in Colonial Williamsburg. The chest and tools took me roughly 1,000 hours to complete.William-Robertson-Miniature-1

What materials do you use to make your miniatures?

I use a range of wood depending on the particular work. I frequently use mopane wood to recreate the appearance of mahogany. Mopane looks like mahogany, oxidizes like it and even ages like it. If it looks like the right material to recreate a piece of furniture, I’ll use it. And I have some of everything.

Every time I’ve come across materials that are especially unique or interesting, I’ve bought them. I have red brass, yellow brass, green brass, brass rods, brass squares, brass rectangles… you name it. I have nickel silver, German silver, silver with a hint of lead in it… and more! I’ve collected exotic woods, ivory, tortoise shell, shark skin, baleen, whale bone, petrified mammoth tusk… and the list goes on.

Non-miniature artists that inspire you?

RobSpin02I have closely followed the period of art history dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly the royal courts in Europe where ivory turning was popular. Even princesses and queens turned ivory on a lathe at that time. The work itself didn’t serve a purpose, much like my craft. I’ve studied this obscure art form for about 30 years and like to think that if I lived during that time period, I would be a court ivory turner.

Fellow miniaturists that inspire you?

I visited Paul Runyon back in 1978 and learned the basis of my craft in that one day with him. He was the finest American furniture miniaturist. He did a lot with machines, and taught me something extremely valuable: “Don’t waste time looking for something you need. Just make it.” Whether a hinge, router bit, or part – if you don’t have it, just make it. In that one day I visited his workshop, he showed me all the basics to  those things. RobSpin05I was so lucky, because the experience was truly inspirational.

When I went to visit Paul, he was working on a little chest at that time, and created three miniature chests. Coincidentally and many years later, I came to own one of these chests that I had seen on his workbench that day I came to visit him.

Do you collect miniatures yourself?

I have a few, but very few. I learned that one of the funny things about hobbies and business is that once you go into business with your hobby, you’ve ultimately ruined your hobby. I make an effort not to collect miniatures, but I still collect tools. The tools I collect are getting harder and harder to find. Some of these include fine tools for doing fine work, rare tools from the 17th and 18th centuries, and tools that are signed by the craftsman. I love very old tools, made of silver or ivory. One of my favorite pieces is a square tool by Nicolas Bion, mathematical instrument engineer to King Louis XIV of France.RobDay15

Upcoming shows and projects in the works?

I’ll be teaching at the International Guild of Miniature Artisans’ Guild School in Castine, Maine next month (June 2015). It’s my 30th year teaching there, and the 12 students in my class have been coming back for a total of 192 years. The IGMA Guild School is unique because for an entire week, attendees don’t have to explain “why miniatures?” to anyone.

After that, I’m heading to Copenhagen, Denmark and to Paris, France to teach. I’ll also be showing work at the Grunwald Gallery at Indiana University from August 28 through October 3 as part of The Miniature exhibition. And, I have a few works on display at The Online Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum (also known as the Internet Craftsmanship Museum). I was recently recognized as the 2015 Metalworking Craftsman of the Year.

RobDay12Advice to beginner artists?

My advice to any young artist: be the best you can be at what you do, and there will hopefully be someone that will like your work enough to support you. Have high standards about your work, and you’ll always have to do better the next time around. That’s worked very well for me. And I’m just starting to get the hang of it all after 38 years.

Anything else you would like to add? What do you want miniature enthusiasts to know about you?

One of the coolest things about miniatures is that you can spend $5 on a miniature table or you can spend upwards of $50,000 on a miniature table. There are not a lot of hobbies where that applies, so I find it fascinating. Everyone can play and enjoy them, no matter your personal aesthetic or style.

My current slogan is, “Details matter.” Because, that’s what it’s all about. A guiding principle in business is that you make each thing better than what you did before. Never go backwards, always go forwards.

William “Bill” Robertson hails from Kansas City, Missouri. He was recognized with Artisan status in metalwork by the International Guild of Miniature Artisans and in 2011, received the Don Buttfield Award for his exceptional contributions to the field of miniatures.

Daily Mini Interview: Kiva’s Miniatures

Kiva’s Miniatures

|   Blog   |   Flickr    |

How did you first get started in miniatures?

When I lived in San Francisco, I started collecting unusual dolls on a whim. From there, I discovered the magical world of miniatures… all the accessories, and miniature food! OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAMy mother built me two dollhouses and I packed them to the brim. One day, I picked up a couple bars of clay and thought I’d give food making a go. It soon became a total obsession. I’ve since been making miniatures for about twelve years.

What materials do you use to make your miniatures?

Polymer clay: the firmer, the better. Kato is my favorite, then Fimo Classic.

Advice for beginner miniaturists?OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Books and tutorials are great for learning some basics and useful techniques, but take that knowledge and run with it. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Also, there is nothing better than studying the real thing, so look at pictures of real food!

Tool or material you can’t live without?

I love my needle tools and ball styli. Also, liquid clay and chalks.

Favorite mini you own by another artist?

I have received wonderful gifts from super talented artists. It’s difficult to narrow it down!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWhat inspires you?

Cooking shows, cookbooks, food magazines… even walking through the market gives me inspiration. My wacky creations really come from my rather twisted sense of humor.

Fellow miniaturists that inspire you?

When I first started out, and was discovering artists’ work, what really fascinated me was the work of a Chinese artist (whose name escapes me right now). At the time, she was just about the only person making things other than the “usual” fare. She was making actual Chinese cuisine! At the time, it was a real novelty. I enjoy seeing people make food that you just don’t find every day.

What is the most memorable miniature you have ever come across?

This is a tough one. Off the top of my head, the work of a Japanese artist named Takanori Aiba is simply mind blowing. I mean, downright scary!FruitBasket

Why miniatures?

I’ve always been fascinated by tiny things, ever since I was a little girl. I used to do intricate, tiny drawings… even my handwriting is small! I love seeing my work come to life in my customer’s creations.

Other activities you enjoy?

I watch a lot of cooking competition shows! When I’m not tied down to my pile of clay, I love going out to eat because Hawaii really is a melting pot of different ethnic foods. Other than that, I don’t have much time for anything else!OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Anything else you would like to add?

Yes, I am a little bit nuts, it’s true!

Kiva Atkinson makes her miniatures come to life from her home in Honolulu, Hawaii. If you want to see more of her wacky and whimsical creations, head on over to her blog or Flickr.