Miniatura

My name is Jasmine Simpson of Sweet Briar Rose Miniatures and I specialise in miniature cold porcelain flowers in various floral arrangements and hand sculpted creatures.

I have always loved to make things and figure out how things work, miniatures are a more recent love of mine although by far the greatest. In 2022 my Dad and I joined my local group ‘The Wye Valley Miniaturists Club’ held monthly within The Pedlars Tray Dolls House & Miniaturist Shop in Hereford, where I have met some great people who are amazingly talented, all with different skills, ready to inspire, encourage and support me in trying new techniques and finding my own style. Mum followed us soon after, proving nobody can resist the miniature world. We all soon found our specialities, Dad began woodworking smaller than he ever had before, making furniture and dolls houses using his knowledge as a builder and turning vases which is very useful for me, whereas Mum began knitting and cross stitching giving her a new challenge to old hobbies. I was particularly interested in the beautifully delicate flowers made by Diane Gould of ‘Plants, Flowers & Trees’, and the level of detail possible with cold porcelain. Diane kindly agreed to teach me and I instantly loved this new material and the skills it required, it very much helps that she is such a nice person and a joy to work with and I would like to thank her for teaching me and supporting me and my creativity. Diane is the best teacher I could ever have wished for.

Now on a different subject, I know it doesn’t sound like I have been making miniatures for very long but I hope my work will speak for itself, however I have never heard clay speak so I guess I should say something about my sculptures. I have always had an interest in sculpting but I am now taking it more seriously as a great thing to do in my spare time. I have no idea who is going to appear in my clay, they just do and their personality soon becomes obvious and strong. You cannot make an angry sculpt happy, just go with it and figure out how to work with it, sometimes I see a cute little character in my head and I just have to sculpt that creature right away.

I am excited to have this opportunity to exhibit at Miniatura and look forward to talking to you all.