Artisan Made Dollhouse Miniatures
My Method:
The Valentine's Day Sweets photo above is a great example of how I like to work. I make a series of objects to fill a particular scene. Often, the photos in my Etsy listings feature only the item I am selling, or a small area of a larger scene. When possible, I add extra photos of the overall scene to Pinterest and Facebook. But it takes time to make so many little pieces and that time can add up. This results in gaps (sometimes long gaps) between adding new listings to my shop, especially if I'm on a streak of inspiration.
About Me:
As a longtime miniature artist, I specialize in handcrafted one-inch (1:12) scale dollhouse miniature bird's nests. Although most of my items are one-of-a-kind (OOAK) creations, I sometimes submit limited edition items for sale, too.
I am a member of The International Guild of Miniature Artists (IGMA) and a member of the following Etsy teams: Dollhouse Miniatures Team! Vintage and Handmade, Miniature Art, Business Success, Calculated Shipping Prototype, ETSdiscount and Etsy Success.
I work in several mediums, including air dry clay, polymer clay, wood, fabric, paper, metal and, whenever I can, elements foraged from nature and other found objects.
I love to don my mini chef's hat and make mini food out of clay as much as the next miniaturist, but I also have a green thumb, which enables me to produce a number of plants and flowers, insects and other related items in one inch scale.
Over the years, I've been inspired to make various other items in miniature scales such as: architectural elements, books, pottery, sculpture, soap, clothing, upholstery, cabinetry, doors, windows, enamelware, knives and other kitchen accessories, decorative bottles, baskets, etc., and will likely continue to do so going forward.
I very rarely produce furniture, but sometimes the mood strikes. I occasionally offer miniature vignettes, but these are very time consuming to assemble, so I don't get to make them as often as I'd like to. I also paint miniature paintings, primarily landscapes, though not exclusively. I sometimes enjoy painting and/or faux finishing furniture and fixtures. In fact, I am quite adept at producing faux finishes on a number of different surfaces, to replicate various realistic effects. Some examples are: three-dimensional hand painted brick work peeking out from behind a crumbling plaster wall, a stone edifice replete with signs of aging and weathering, rusty metal, battered wood trim, lichen covered tree stumps, verdigris streaked copper, or other metal finishes similarly affected by the elements. I've produced water flowing from a faucet and a fountain. Using faux finishes I've turned wood into marble, paper into metal, and all sorts of other things into their elemental opposites. I am particularly drawn to reproducing things that are marred by imperfection.
Since entering into the wonderful world of dollhouse miniatures, my toolkit of knowledge and my skill set have both benefited from my ever-expanding interests. I feel fortunate to be able to share these things with fellow miniaturists worldwide.
Though I do have some very basic artistic training in my background, I am entirely self-taught in the realm of miniatures and clay. I've read many books on many subjects in an effort to figure out how to miniaturize everyday items down to one inch scale, but, for the most part, I've had to learn through trial and error and, most importantly, through the generosity of other artists who have been willing to share their knowledge with me.
When I see some of the early pieces I made, I wonder how I ever thought I was good enough at this to keep going! But something inside me wouldn't let go of the desire to create tiny treasures. Since that time, I have honed my creative impulses into an ever growing archive of finished pieces I am now proud to call my own. But there is always so much more to learn and improve upon. Pastry chef quality desserts are not my strongest area, yet they are what I want to make most of all, and so I keep working at it.
I have completed five miniature structures for my own personal use, including two doll houses, a fortune teller's caravan, a French Quarter balcony (which I made entirely from scratch out of a cardboard box) and a garden shed.
Like most miniaturists, whatever I am creating, I always strive for realism.
I occasionally dabble in other miniature scales, as well as popular whimsical miniature subjects, like the fantasy worlds of fairies, mermaids, witches and wizards, but rustic and/or real is where I find most of my inspiration. I love when people can't tell from a photo that the item they are looking at is something I made in 1:12 scale. It's my favorite compliment.
Please keep in mind that my items are for adult collectors only and are not intended for children. Although, I must point out, I do fervently believe one is never too young, nor too old to be introduced to this wonderful art.
