miniaturist Archives - Page 3 of 7

Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Polyclayart

November 1, 2015November 1, 2015 admin

Miniatures by Polyclayart

How did you first get started in miniatures?

I first got interested in miniatures when I started buying some of the Re-ment items at the local Japanese supermarket. My Etsy shop at the time carried refrigerator magnets and jewelry, and I was finding out that sushi-related items were the most popular. I was buying the Re-ment items to get inspiration and ideas for my projects.

It was fascinating to see how realistic things could look done on a miniature scale. I decided to focus on miniature food after having made some for my nephew after seeing him play with pots and pans and making cooking noises. It was fun figuring out how to make certain things using clay sculpting techniques I’ve learned. Anything that I could not figure out, I turned to online tutorials. Soon, I began to also offer dollhouse miniatures in my Etsy shop. At first it was just 1:12 scale items, but since a couple of years ago, I began to offer some playscale items after someone made a request .

Advice for beginner miniaturists?

Make use of tutorials online on YouTube and Pinterest. They’ve been very helpful to me. Also make frequent use of Google Image search to see real-world examples of what you are trying to craft. Offline, I recommend reading the book Making Doll’s House Miniatures with Polymer Clay by Sue Heaser.

Favorite mini you own?

I would say anything my niece Alyssa makes. She is now 12 years old and almost as good as her aunt. She often goes to my worktable to make something when she comes to visit my home. I used to get angry at the mess she and her brother Ethan would make whenever they came to work at my table, but when I saw what they made, I changed my mind and saw how precious their creations were. I bake them and store them in a container after they go home.

Most memorable miniature you’ve seen?

My nephew Ethan once made a donut that reminded me of the donut that is atop the Randy’s Donuts building in the Los Angeles area, even though the color scheme was different.

Anything else you would like to add?

I may be setting up a separate shop in the future just for miniature items, and perhaps a website to sell my goods.

Polyclayart was created by Gale Lew of Rancho Palos Verdes in California. Recently , you can shop the collection on Etsy or have a look at Pinterest for more of her work in miniature!

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Nov 3, 2015 at 8:35pm PST

Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by FatalPotato

October 27, 2015May 20, 2016 admin

Miniatures by FatalPotato

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

When I was younger, I went through an elimination diet to identify any food allergies I might have had. I wasn’t allowed to eat most delicious things in the meantime. For a kid who could scarf down eight large dumplings as a baby, this was quite the bummer! My mom suggested that I express my appetite through a different medium. Being from an artsy family, she handed me a block of white Sculpey and out popped a miniature marshmallow! My dad later helped me sculpt a hamburger, effectively forging my love for little faux food. I was never interested in dolls or dollhouses… in fact, I took Barbies apart and made them into race cars. So, I just kept on making miniature foodstuffs because I thought they were just so darn cute.

Where did the name “FatalPotato” come from?

FatalPotato is the product of a silly middle school obsession with spuds. I wanted my shop name to be humorous yet slightly dark… the alternative was “AgitatoPotato.”

How long have you been creating minis?

On and off again since I was around five, so about 13 years now.

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

I make realistic-style miniature food. I’ve always centered my art around food, so I’d say my work has evolved more in terms of technique rather than content. When I first started, I sculpted everything from memory; the only reference images of whatever food I wanted to make were in my head. My burgers and donuts were very basic in texture, color, and shape, almost cartoonish. I coated every mini in a thick layer of shiny glaze… I thought the plasticky look was *fabulous.* I later scoured cookbooks and Google images for more ideas and eventually replaced my supremely-glossy style with a realistic one.

Do you create and sell miniatures full-time?

Oh, I wish! Being a full-time student, I don’t have as much time for sculpting as I used to. I still try to keep a few minis available in my shop whenever I’m home from college (December and June-September).

What types of different materials do you use to make miniatures?

I use polymer clay as a base medium, followed by chalk pastels and/or acrylic paint for extra coloring, and sealed with matte or glossy glaze. I also use liquid clay for viscous foods and air dry clay for other textures. Organic material, like moss and wood, are handy as well.

Advice for beginner miniaturists?

Hmm… I would say the most important tip, as cheesy as it sounds, is to have patience! Progress will inevitably follow as long as you persevere and keep practicing your craft. Always keep an eye out for inspiration, but cherish and cultivate your own style, let it blossom. As a miniaturist, I find it super helpful to pay meticulous attention to the real version of whatever I’m making. Notice the shapes, the special textures, the particular gradients of color. That’s why I tend to peer at my food like an archaeologist examining an alien fossil… I like to observe all of the itsy-bitsy details that make it unique.

Tool or material you can’t live without?

Besides polymer clay, I couldn’t live without my trusty broken toothpick. It’s spiky on the broken end while the pointy end has accumulated years of paint and glue, making both ends excellent for food textures. Kinda gross, but so versatile!

Other activities you enjoy?

I enjoy dabbling in other artsy things, like drawing, painting, and photography. I love drawing skulls and creepy things especially, which is so in tune with my main hobby of cutesy, little food!

Anything else you would like to add?

Thank you to everyone who has supported my miniature foods. I’m very grateful to be included in such a wonderful online art community!

Leah is based in Oregon and will soon be relocating to Rhode Island. To enjoy more of her FatalPotato creations, check out the FatalPotato website and FatalPotato Etsy shop. You can follow along daily on Instagram, YouTube, Tumblr and DeviantArt!

A video posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Nov 13, 2015 at 8:43am PST

Daily Mini Interview: Red Dragon Pottery

October 18, 2015October 18, 2015 admin

Miniatures by Red Dragon Pottery

How did you transition from ceramics to small scale works of pottery?

I’ve always been interested in small detailed things; before I became a potter I worked in stone as a lapidary and made jewelry. After learning to form clay on a potter’s wheel I started making smaller and smaller pottery challenging myself to see how small a vessel I could make. In 1993, I saw an article about Andrea Fabrega and her miniature porcelain and that showed me that anything was possible and my more intense pursuits began at that time. While selling my small pottery in a Santa Barbara gift shop in 1994 a local dollhouse miniaturist started collecting my work and suggested I focus on 1:12 scale. I started selling at miniature shows the following year. Today I make both 1:12 scale miniatures and life-size functional pottery.

What types of pottery do you find especially challenging?

Forming miniatures on a potter’s wheel requires much more concentration and focus than forming ‘life-size’ pottery. I move slowly and precisely in a cubic inch of space allowing my fingertips and a wooden dowel to stretch and expand clay from a solid wet spinning mound. The process of throwing miniatures on a potter’s wheel however is the easiest part of the process. After they are thrown, I trim the foot-ring, add handles and spouts, carve decorations, etc. These things are all more difficult than the throwing process itself.

But the most difficult thing for me is the glazing. Glazes are dipped, poured and brushed on the vessels and then portions are scrapped off to thin the glaze layer before firing in a kiln. If the glaze is too thick the glaze might run off the pot destroying it. If the glaze is too thin, the colors will be bland and uninteresting. After all the work that precedes the firing – this last step results in a number of losses. Making compound forms such as teapots are the most challenging due to the increased number of steps. Making a teapot means throwing the vessel, throwing the spout, making a well fitting lid and adding a handle – it is like making several simple vases. Teapots spouts are the smallest thing I throw and If the spouts aren’t thin enough they will look too ‘chunky’ and out of proportion.

Do you have a favorite firing method?

I love high-fired porcelain fired in reduction. I fire most of my porcelain creations to about 2350˚F in a natural gas-fueled kiln. I first load it with life-size pottery and then place my miniatures around the larger pots.

Do you have a favorite piece you’ve made?

The most recent pieces to come out of the kiln are always my favorites. It is always a joyous thing to unload a warm kiln and see how each unique piece comes out. Not all of them survive but those that do make the whole process worthwhile.

What inspires you?

I am most inspired by antiques that I see in museums, books, and peoples’ collections.

Advice for beginner artists?

Experiment! Try everything even if it doesn’t work as intended, use the process to gain experience. Never stop playing, trying new things and pushing the limits.

Red Dragon Pottery was created by potter Troy Schmidt from Goleta, California. Check out more of his creations (mini and full scale) by visiting the Red Dragon Pottery website. You can also follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Google+, YouTube and Pinterest!

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Oct 28, 2015 at 5:52pm PDT

Daily Mini Interview: Characters in Miniature by Colvin Dolls

October 17, 2015October 17, 2015 admin

Characters in Miniature by Colvin Dolls

| Website | Facebook |

What’s your earliest memory with miniatures and dolls?

My earliest memories of dolls was the Ideal Toys Crissy doll whose hair grew when you gave it a tug and retracted when you pushed a button in the back. She was all dressed in orange! And Mattel‘s Dancerina Ballerina all dressed in pink with a plastic crown that you pushed to make her spin! Not miniatures of course.

My earliest memories of miniatures were dollhouses from that same era and the occasional clothespin dolls we made in Girl Scouts.

When I was studying figurative sculpture, I was always drawn to maquettes, (small scale studies for larger works). I believe that is where my interest in smaller scale representation may have been peaked. They seemed magical to me. In my late twenties, I saw some of Bernini’s and Camille Claudel’s maquettes on a trip to Europe and they made a lasting impression on me.

How did you first get started making lifelike dolls?

I needed occupants for a dollhouse I was making for my nieces. In 2005, my sister-in-law asked me to make a dollhouse for my two young nieces. I have a background in architecture so that intrigued me. I custom designed it, made the cabinetry and even custom crafted Georgian fireplaces with over mantles. The house became very elaborate, in fact too elaborate for the girls who were then 2 and 5. I built it in my father’s workshop frequented by his retired friends. They were actually very interested in the construction the dollhouse. One day, one of them asked, “where are the people?” That was when I started making 1:12 scale figures for the house.

What was the first doll you created?

The first miniature doll I created was a papier-mâché 18th century lady with a Marie Antoinette-style wig totally from my imagination… face, costume, and all. I still have her in my workroom staring down at me from the doll case.

How has your work evolved over the years?

The first doll I made is nothing like the dolls I make now. Today, I work in polymer clays and artist’s resins and almost never make a face or costume without some sort of real life reference.

What keeps you creating?

The desire to improve keeps me creating. I am motivated more by the process than the end product but the two are intricately linked. I am always looking for ways to better my technique and I experiment a lot.

Do you have a favorite character that you create?

I suppose I am partial to sleuths like Miss Marple and Sherlock Holmes but I don’t have a favorite character that I create. I often do re-make doll characters. Sometimes because customers ask me to and sometimes because I want to see how my eye has developed over time and I will compare them to the previous ones that I’ve made.

Any favorite characters that you have yet to make but are on your t0-make list?

I want to make Queen Elizabeth I and her court. Then Henry the VIII, all those great Tudors. My dream would be to collaborate with someone to make the environments! And to have the leisure of taking all the time I need to get to every last detail.

How did you first become involved with IGMA and the annual Guild Show?

I was asked to be in the show by one of their members from my home state who I knew from other miniature events. I knew of IGMA‘s excellent reputation early on from forums online and then when I started selling dolls at shows from talking to other doll makers and miniaturists.

Advice for beginner dollmakers and artists?

My studio professors taught me valuable lessons about hard work and persistence. I used to believe artists were somehow divinely gifted and great work was magically produced by their hand any time they picked up the tools. I had no idea the amount of hard work and study that went into art to make magic happen.

Work at it often. The more you do it the better trained your eye becomes. Creating art is no different from any other task, you need to do it on a regular basis in order to improve. Great work comes from hard work.

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

A maquette by Bernini in the Vatican. It was in a glass case in a hallway, so not a prominently displayed piece of art, more artifact from the work room of the sculptor. I can remember seeing the straw like fibers mixed in the red clay to create an armature or perhaps to strengthen the figure. It was extraordinary how a small study for a larger work could have so much intensity and power of expression.

What do you want doll and miniature fans to know about you?

I love running, kayaking, and boating. I would love to learn how to sail.

Colvin Dolls is based in Wilmington, NC and headed up by Sherri Colvin. To shop the collection or view more dolls, visit the Colvin Dolls website or follow along on Facebook.

Daily Mini Interview: Tiny Art Miniatures

October 16, 2015June 28, 2017 admin

Tiny Art Miniatures

| Shop | Facebook | Instagram |

What’s your earliest memory with miniatures?

When I was a child, I liked to watch stop motion puppet cartoons. Featured on the show were toy houses, food, and more. Everything was realistic, but a little bit smaller and cute. It was a magic little world.

How did you first get started making your own miniatures? How has your work evolved?

I like art and I tried different kinds of handmade art. I then came across amazing food miniatures by Shay Aaron. I was so impressed that I decided to make miniatures myself.

My first miniature was a tiny loaf of bread. It was not perfect, of course. I had to work a great deal in order to achieve good results. I posted pictures of my minis on social networks and soon I received my first custom orders. So, I had the opportunity and drive to improve my skills.

What are your favorite miniatures to create and why?

The main theme of my miniatures is food. I like to create dishes which satiate the appetite even though they’re made out of plastic. I have many custom orders for doll’s food, and I joke that my job is to feed all dolls in the world!

What are the most challenging miniatures for you to create?

I like to make miniatures that I have never made before. It is always interesting to tackle new challenges. Usually, I work in 1:12 and 1:6 scales. Maybe in the future, I will make 1:144 scale miniature houses.

What inspires you?

When my work brings joy to people, that inspires me so much. Also, beautiful photos of real food inspire me to recreate them in miniature. Miniatures by talented artists motivate me to work harder and to become a better miniaturist.

What is the most memorable miniature you have ever seen?

It is the most beautifully made dollhouse in the world: Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. I read all about it and was very impressed. I would like to see it with my own eyes very much.

Who are your favorite miniaturists?

I am delighted with miniatures by Tomo Tanaka of Nunu’s House. He creates very delicate and amazing artwork.

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

Making miniatures is like magic. It’s like you have a magic wand and turn big things into small works of art.

Other hobbies you enjoy?

I like oil painting, drawing, different kinds of art, and more — it all depends on my mood. I recently created a mosaic outside my country house.

Advice for beginner artists and miniaturists?

My favorite proverb is: “where there is a will there is the way.” So if you like what you do, keep doing it in spite of everything. Do not stop learning. Evolve your skills and you will reach success.

Tiny Art Miniatures is made possible by Oksana Baranova, who is currently based in Ukraine, in the beautiful city of Kamianets-Podilskyi. Shop her Tiny Art Miniatures creations on Etsy and make sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram!

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Oct 22, 2015 at 11:10pm PDT

Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Becca Design

October 12, 2015October 12, 2015 admin

Miniatures by Becca Design

How did you first get started in miniatures?

I started when I was younger. I used to create small fruits and other decorations for my dollhouse using cernit polymer clay.

About six years ago, I launched an online store that sold jewelry charms in the shape of cupcakes and classic Swedish pastries (such as punch rolls and princess cakes). Most of the pastries I made had a little bite in them to reveal the content. At the time, I hadn’t seen anyone else making that before. Becca Design continued on from there, and I’ve since been making more and more miniature jewelry work.

How has your work evolved?

I’ve been creating miniatures for about 6 years now. In the beginning, they had a more kawaii design with cute and rounded shapes. Now I’m trying to make my jewelry as realistic as possible.

Advice for beginner miniaturists?

Have patience and use material you’re comfortable working with. If you’re not satisfied with the result the first time, just try again, and again…

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

Fimo clay, of course!

Non-miniature inspiration?

Candy stores and bakeries.

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

I like small things and I like to “fiddle” with things. Small things are cute. Small things make people happy.

New minis in the works? What’s to come from Becca Design?

A new ice cream collection is on its way and also more miniature food!

Becca Design is managed by Rebecca Martinsson of Gothenburg, Sweden. You can see many (mini) more of her miniatures by visiting the Becca Design website, Becca Design blog, Instagram or Facebook.

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A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Oct 15, 2015 at 9:33pm PDT

Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Patricia Paul Studio

October 11, 2015October 11, 2015 admin

Miniatures by Patricia Paul Studio

How did you first get started in miniatures?

I always loved the tiniest things ever since I was very small. I had a dollhouse and loved Barbie for all the wonderful accessories she had. Then as an adult I discovered a catalog devoted to miniatures and these were obviously nothing a child would play with. So it was evident that here was something serious going on, as far as creating these diminutive things, I wasn’t the only one enthralled with them, and I could acquire a wide variety of these artisan-made collectibles.

How has your work evolved?

I have been making miniatures for over 35 years now. I started making polymer clay vegetables. I put together some House of Miniatures kits and that taught me how furniture goes together and I made some of my own and some copies of antiques. I started making Noah’s arks and other toys and folk art. That was very popular years ago. I also started reproducing paintings in miniature from the masters, since I had an art background and knew painting basics. I have done some room boxes too. A haunted house. That’s where the spooky stuff came from. And now I am learning to sculpt and fur animals. I really can’t settle on any one thing.

What materials do you use to make your miniatures?

I am for sure a multi-media artist. I use all manner of supplies, wood, paint, polymer clay, fabric, and more.

Advice for beginner artists?

Pay attention to scale. Have a good look at top quality miniatures. You might not be there yet, but you can get there. And no bright colors. Tone them down for miniatures, otherwise they scream and don’t look real in the end.

Tool you can’t live without?

Probably a surgeon’s scalpel with a #11 blade. But I recently acquired a dentist’s drill and that’s a pretty cool tool with lots of possibilities for finishing and carving.

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

I have a collection of decorator books that are fun for inspiration. Not necessarily for anything I might reproduce but more for getting the creative juices flowing. And Pinterest is magical for sparking ideas. Anything full size can be pulled off in miniature. I think that is half the wonder of miniatures. Seeing something you are familiar with in a size a fairy might need.

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

Oh, gosh! There are so many exceptional miniatures that I have seen over years of collecting. But probably the one who sticks out foremost would have to be Frank Matter, who passed away in the 70’s (I have been meaning to blog about him for some time now). I read an article about him years ago in which was described some items he made. One in particular was a fountain pen. Most people are probably not even aware that those pens had to be filled from an ink well and the ink went into a rubber bladder. They are pretty much antiques now. (They are even before my time.) Anyway, Frank had made an exact copy in miniature with the rubber bladder. That actually worked. I managed to get a few pieces of his work and I don’t think anyone comes up to the perfection he was able to create.

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

As I mentioned, tiny things have always fascinated me. And they certainly don’t take up much space. But in truth, they are like any piece of art anyone might make. You can paint, sculpt, fabricate, carve, solder, print, and more. You can copy full size pieces, reproduce growing things, people and animals and you can also come up with any flight of fancy that crosses your mind. I get to do all of those things and that makes for some serious fun. For me, anyway. Plus, miniatures are a lot easier to sell than full size art and you get a lot of happy customers and you feel like you are making the world happy without having to suffer trying to get into a gallery.

Upcoming shows or projects planned? What’s to come from Patricia Paul?

I don’t have any shows planned in the near future. So much easier to work in PJ’s and then sell stuff in PJ’s. But I will probably do the International Guild of Miniature Artisans Guild Show again at some point. Halloween is coming and I love adding items to my Haunted Housewares line of miniatures. Not really a line since everything is one of a kind, but I do enjoy haunting stuff. And Halloween is almost here.

Other activities you enjoy?

I think miniatures have made me kind of one dimensional. I love museums, history — only because of my interest in costumes and decorative arts, and travel to places where I can see those things. I love military museums. Not for battle strategy and the impact of wars, but rather the fabulous uniforms of the past. My kids are grown now, (but still here eating the food and using the laundry room). I have three dogs to dote on and they are all spoiled.

What do you want miniature fans to know about you?

I have a newsletter that goes out very infrequently and would love to have The Daily Miniature readers subscribe. Right now they will get a free book-making tutorial and I have plans to keep adding freebies that will go out to any new subscriber and the entire list. Just go to my website and plug in your email.

I am very interested in Internet marketing as well and am working on a course for miniaturists to use the Internet to market their business pretty much for free. I hate the meme “artists starve.” Miniatures have always been popular through the ages and I believe, thanks to the Internet, a lot of interest is being generated in a lot of young people. I want miniature artisans to be able to reach them even if they are not Internet savvy. So, hopefully, coming soon.

Oh, and I always have something interesting on eBay.

Patricia Paul is based in New York. Love her miniature creations? Stay current on her latest work by visiting the Patricia Paul Studio website and blog. Plus, you can follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and eBay!

Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Linsminis

October 8, 2015October 8, 2015 admin

Miniatures by Linsminis

How did you first get started in miniatures?

I was given a house kit to build and, at the time, I thought my mother had gone mad! What was I going to do with a dollhouse? I had never even thought about the world of miniatures in those days… my hobbies were watercolor painting and counted cross stitch! One rainy day, after the kit had lain unopened in a cupboard for several years, I decided to actually build it. Once built and decorated, I decided that I wanted it to be a café. However, all those years ago, there was little choice of cakes, the Internet was in its infancy, and the only ones readily available were plastic imports, mainly out of scale and not very good quality, so I decided to make my own! The rest is history!

What unusual materials have you used to make your miniatures?

I’m pretty boring and use only polymer clay, paper, wood, wire, thread and pastels!

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

A fellow miniaturist and friend urged me to join IGMA. From there, I applied to become an Artisan and ultimately have become a Fellow.

Any favorite IGMA memories or accomplishments to note?

The day in 2009 when I received the news that, on my first submission, I was awarded Fellow status.

Advice for beginner artists and miniaturists?

Practice, practice and more practice with a whole lot of patience thrown in! Always try to work from real life if possible.

Favorite mini you own by another artist?

A tiny, art nouveau silver ashtray, cigarettes in the tiniest silver holder with a matching cigarette box with hinged lid by Mike Sparrow. They are so very tiny and absolutely perfect in every way!

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

I love the challenge of trying to get as much detail as I possibly can into something so small, which is why I prefer working in 1:12th scale as I find that any smaller and the minute details are lost! I enjoy the pleasure both my customer and I get when I am commissioned to recreate that special miniature for someone and it seems that the challenge of turning someone else’s idea into reality results in me putting ever more detail into the piece.

I’ve come to recognize over the years that creating a miniature really is an art form in itself and I would love to see a greater awareness of the miniaturist’s skill – miniatures are collectible works of art rather than simply “dollhouse” toys!

I would love to find the time to do so many things, my own wirework is a definite if I ever get the time to start. Between family commitments, my large garden, an ever growing list of commission work and, of course, the husband, I need someone somewhere to put another 24 hours into every day for me and then I might actually try my hand at dollmaking and wirework… one day!

Linda Cummings hails from Durham City in the United Kingdom. You can shop Linsminis on Etsy or eBay. Follow more of Linsminis online on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Pinterest. Check out the Linsminis website and Linsminis blog.

Daily Mini Interview: Miniature 3D Printing by Lance Abernethy

September 21, 2015September 21, 2015 admin

Lance Abernethy’s 3D-Printed Works in Miniature

| YouTube |

Tell us a bit about the conception of The World’s Smallest Circular Saw.

It was just a natural progression from the miniature drill. I like to make and create things. Using power tools and 3D printers help me bring those things to life.

There are lots of things that get me excited and when I see something or come up with an idea I just want to have a go. The idea stems from joining multiple interests together but turning them into something different.

You wowed the tech world just a few months ago with your World’s Smallest Cordless Drill. Could you tell us a bit about the conception of this piece?

It progressed from a general chat at our shift change over at work. We were sharing stories and jokes that are spread through the engineering field. Apparently a country made the smallest twist drill and sent it to another who drilled a hole down the center. Well, I thought: I can make a small drill to do that.

Lance Abernethy’s 3D-Printed Cordless Drill now holds the Guinness World Record for the smallest working power tool at 17 millimeters.

What’s your background and how did you get into 3D printing?

I’m a maintenance and diagnostic engineer… well, that’s what my certificate says. I have always liked technology and general mechanical things. The world of 3D printing is the ultimate way to create something. You can make things that were never possible before and with no waste. I would love to get more into that field and thought the best way to start was to get a printer of my own.

What urged you to transition from full scale 3D printing into miniature?

Tiny things are interesting, funny and can be surprising. I still print large and full sized items but it’s always fun when you pull off a cool tiny print. The type of printer I have isn’t suited to printing such small items, so it’s also the challenge to make it possible.

Approximately how long did it take you to create the saw and drill?

Three days each, from the idea to a complete item. I don’t wait around, I just get to creating.

Do you plan on selling either tool or mass printing these?

It would be nice and may become a option. But I’m not sure if people would be willing to pay enough to be worth my time.

Any other 3D-printed works or “World’s Smallest” creations to come from Lance Abernethy?

I’m always working on something, that’s for sure. Whether it interests other people, I don’t know. The problem is, I have more ideas than time in the world. The list grows faster than I can pursue my interests and the cost comes into play a bit too.

As for miniature items, I have a few ideas that I hope to work on some time soon. More tools, but a few other things that I’m not ready to share yet. Mainly as I’m not sure if and when I’ll be able to complete them.

Any inspirations you’d like to cite?

I don’t really follow anyone’s footsteps, but all the people at Ultimaker and on the forum make up a good community that I enjoy being a part of. There are lots of talented people that share their creations. It’s very inspiring.

Career highlights thus far?

Just being employed is a highlight. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work with some very talented people and I really enjoy modifying machinery. Seeing people struggle operating or working with equipment and coming up with improvements to aid their jobs and improve overall performance.

Advice for beginner designers and entrepreneurs?

Don’t be afraid to fail and don’t worry about not being trained or taught how to do something. Just give it a go. You may start off rusty but the skills you will gain outweigh any of that. If you are passionate about something or something excites you, then pursue it. Life’s short so live it. If you wait for retirement then you may not be fit to do the things you would have loved to do.

Other hobbies you enjoy?

I have many hobbies: fishing, hunting, doing professional firework displays, playing banjo and bird watching. I also grow, harvest and make different products from sugar cane.

Lance Abernethy is based in Auckland, New Zealand. Watch his miniature creations in action on YouTube.

Daily Mini Interview: Sharon Harbison Miniature Food

September 16, 2015September 16, 2015 admin

Miniatures by Sharon Harbison

| Shop on SP Miniatures | Shop on Etsy |

What’s your earliest memory with miniatures?

My first memory of miniatures is when my family visited relatives in Chicago. We went to the Museum of Science and Industry which has Colleen Moore’s Fairy Castle. Needless to say, I was quite delighted, but I think any ten-year-old girl would have been, so I can’t say I was motivated to make miniatures when I grew up.

How did you first get started making miniatures?

I got involved originally with miniatures when I got a job in 1978 with my local recreation commission. They were running a small local miniature show and I was assigned to contact dealers, make the arrangements, etc. My boss commended me on a good job, and suggested I should go to the show to see the fruits of my labors, so to speak. I was quite awed by the excellence of some of the craftsmanship, but I couldn’t help but think, “I can do this, and I think I can do it better.”

Do you remember the very first miniature you made? How has your work evolved?

For some reason I can’t remember, I decided to make plants and flowers. Ironically, my debut was at the same show a year later… I had remembered Nutshell News from organizing the show, and I found other shows to attend. From there I was invited to other shows, and I was even featured in Nutshell News in 1989. Around 1998, I was burned out, and phased out the business.

Not until about 5 years ago, after I had retired, I decided to try again. But I didn’t want to do plants and flowers again. I decided on food, because I love working with polymer clay. I was gratified that considerable advances had been made in the quality and colors of the clay, but also for the many tutorials available online. I felt there was much more scope for miniature foods than for flowers.

Favorite miniature you’ve made?

I don’t think I have a favorite miniature… usually my current favorite is whatever I’m working on at the moment, if it’s going well.

Favorite tool or technique?

As far as tools and techniques, I have by now accumulated my own molds, and I look for new things to use everywhere I go. I would like to try my hand at making my own clay.

How did you become involved the International Guild of Miniature Artisans and the annual Guild Show?

I sent pictures of my work to the Guild and they offered me a contract. This is the second year I have attended. I especially enjoy the opportunity to speak to artisans I don’t usually see, and find interesting things to buy (I don’t collect miniatures but I buy things for my own work).

Advice for beginner artists and miniaturists?

I would give the same advice to people wanting to get into making miniatures that I give to people I see at shows: get started, watch tutorials, just mess around making things. The most important thing is, if something isn’t working for you, PUT IT ASIDE! If you persist, you’ll get discouraged. If you put it aside, maybe a few weeks or months later, you can pick it up and try again. The advice to “sleep on it” is actually true.

What is the most memorable miniature you have ever seen?

The most unusual mini I have ever seen was a tin can, complete with worms, for a miniature fisherman. A toilet that actually flushed stands out too.

New minis in the works?

As to what’s new, who knows? I never know what I might be doing next. I do welcome suggestions from customers—after all, I can’t think of everything!

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

What appeals to me most about miniatures is that I love doing it. There are new things to learn, new problems to be solved, and it’s never, ever boring. A lot of people aspire to things, but in the end you have to do what you’re good at. I never visualized when I was in art school that I would be doing this, but I truly feel this is what I was meant to do.

Sharon Harbison of Sharon Harbison Miniature Food is from Union Beach, NJ. You can purchase Sharon’s work online through SP Miniatures or on Etsy.

A photo posted by The Daily Miniature (@dailymini) on Sep 30, 2015 at 9:08pm PDT