When did you start making?
I’ve always made things. As a child, I was constantly creating, but that all stopped when I discovered boys and nightclubs!
I didn’t start making again until after my son left home, when I turned his old bedroom into a craft room. It hasn’t been a spare bedroom since!
What inspires you?
Firstly, a large glass of wine! 😂
But before that, my biggest inspiration was a Reader’s Digest book I had as a child called Things to Make & Do, which I still have today. It showed you how to make amazing dollhouses from everyday things you could find around the house.
These days, I’m always trying to think of things that haven’t been done before. My brain runs on overdrive with ideas, and then I have to work out how on earth I’m going to make them!
What was your first make?
I was given an old dollhouse, which I turned into a haunted house.
That was quickly followed by a huge model of the Magic Faraway Tree, standing around 3½ feet tall and made entirely from papier-mâché. It even had a slide running from the top room, all the way through the house to the bottom!
I also discovered Fimo around this time and made all the characters to live in the tree. Once I added the branches to the top, the whole thing stood about four feet tall.
What do you enjoy about exhibiting at shows?
I don’t know yet! But all the shows I’ve displayed at in the past have been brilliant, and everyone has been so friendly.
Where do you do your work?
In my spare bedroom — which is no longer remotely spare!
It’s now completely full of dollhouses, 3D printers and floor-to-ceiling cupboards crammed with things I might need or use one day.
How long does it take to make something?
It really depends on what I’m making.
I’ve made caricature models of people in Fimo that can take around six weeks, while some of my larger-scale dollhouses take several months to complete.
What skills, tools and materials do you use?
These days, my 3D printer does a lot of the work, but I still love working with Fimo and paints. I also enjoy experimenting with electrics and motors to make things move.
I worked in engineering for over 40 years, so I have a very mechanical brain — but absolutely no electrical skills whatsoever!
Learning that side of things has been a steep curve, involving plenty of blown fuses… and quite a lot of swearing.
Any funny stories?
After I made my Motorcycle Mansion, a renowned motorcycle club contacted me and asked if I could make a caricature of their president.
I created an 8-inch model of him, and he has since travelled all over the world, appearing in photographs in various clubhouses.
I’ve received pictures of him in all sorts of places and on tour — although the little man always travels by car, complete with a seatbelt, rather than by motorcycle!
How much research goes into your work?
Tons!
I scour the internet looking for miniatures of anything I’m thinking about making. If I find that someone has already made it, I’ll generally try not to make it myself — and certainly won’t copy it.
I’m much more interested in coming up with something new.
Which other craftspeople do you admire?
Julie Campbell is probably my first choice, particularly for her amazing dollmaking skills.
I also admire Juliana LePine for her fantastic YouTube videos and the help and advice she shares.
But there are so many incredibly talented artists at Miniatura that it’s difficult not to admire them all. Everyone has their own skills, knowledge and ideas, and I love how willing people are to share their help and advice.
