Miniatura

I work from home in Stratford upon Avon Where I live with my four children & doodle dog. When I’m not running around after them or them after me I retreat to my own little wonderland of imagination where we are all mad.

I have loved modelling since I was a child, when good old plasticine was my favourite toy, the possibilities were endless. I started making miniatures in about 2012. I have found it to be a constant learning journey, whether it’s finding the right glue for the right material to always working on refining detail and scale. Always experimenting with new ways to costume characters.

My first attempt at 12th scale were two dolls, ‘in love’, a elderly couple who still hold a special place in my affection ( I get far too attached). I love working with polymer clays and mixed media and find it very therapeutic. If I find a process that is frustrating I put it down and come back to it later,  after a coffee

The majority of my work will include a sculpted element. I have found Cos Clay a joy for sculpting more robust pieces like hands/tails/horns on dolls and characters. Household items like pins and cocktail sticks can be just as useful for making minis as a set of fancy tools. Although my favourite tool has always been a small rounded, silicone cone shape on a handle.

My Favourite technique is dry brushing. I took my youngest son to a steampunk festival a few years back. We did a dry brushing workshop to turn nerf guns into steampunk blasters. Since then dry brushing has been my go to when bringing out detail and texture on a mini scale.

I draw inspiration from illustrations and especially my 5 year olds daughter’s library of story books. To the point she will often ask me mid story ” mum can you make me that” like Playmobil (another miniature world) isn’t enough 🙂

I am a slow worker/procrastinator/over thinker and it can take me up to three days to complete a character. I often come back to it and add a little something. My personal goal is to add a sense of movement, character, story or emotion to make the dolls interesting and more lifelike which is what miniatures is all about for me.

I have met some lovely crafters at Miniatura and through social media over the years who I hold great admiration for. Not just their work but also making me laugh, sharing techniques and being so helpful, welcoming and friendly. 

I am very much looking forward to my first show as an exhibitor (Spring 2023).