Miniatura

I have always been fascinated by the world of miniatures, especially model cars and model  trains and period fashion. I have always loved dress-making and am fascinated by the skill involved in the creation of highly-detailed, tiny things.

I made dolls clothes as a child, using my mum’s sewing machine, or by hand-sewing them. My mum was a dressmaker who made bespoke, made-to-measure garments for men and women and I learned my first sewing skills from her; she is a real inspiration to me. I’m also inspired by walking through my city, looking at the beautiful period architecture. I often create stories and characters in my head when I see lovely houses. History, fashion books, museums, exhibitions and period dramas are also great sources of inspiration.

In 2015 I received a dolls house as a present and enjoyed many hours decorating it.  As life became busy, I got disconnected from miniatures for a while. Then, during 2020, I reconnected with them again, and my heart and soul were renewed by being in touch once more with the miniature world. Having reconnected with miniatures and hand-made things, I began to make ladies’ accessories in 1:12 scale and to dress porcelain dolls made from commercially available moulds. In Gertie’s Miniatures I can do something which combines my two passions: miniatures and sewing/dressmaking.

For some time now, I’ve been wanting to sculpt my own dolls and miniature little children ever since a friend of ours had his first child named Felix, who I call ‘little master’ as he’s gorgeous, and bright and funny. And so, being very excited about the forthcoming 100^th Miniatura show, as part of the celebrations,

I’m launching “Lucia’s Little People” a brand new range of hand-crafted and sculpted little characters.

I love sculpting and assembling each little character and I have a growing sense of excitement at the next stage of the process, the actual creation of the outfit. There is nothing I love more than spending hours absorbed in making these tiny people. The first thing I do when creating a tiny character, is to imagine which period they belong in and then give them personality and a story. This really helps me in the process of their creation.

My dolls, clothes and accessories are hand-made and I like to predominantly make them with natural fibres such as silk, cotton, English cotton lace and antique laces.

As well as making my hand-made miniature items and little characters, I have, for some time been selling pre-loved miniature furniture and household items, which will be also available at my stand at the Miniatura show