Miniatura

Abi Trotman from Tobacco & Regrets gives us some insights into how she manages to conjure up such original ideas with a realistic, sometimes darker, perspective.

When did you start making? – I’ve been making miniatures for most of my life, but particularly after my grandmother gifted me an incredible dollshouse to renovate . I loved browsing the shops for miniatures to buy but my pocket money would never stretch to them, so with the encouragement of my nanny, and seeing her do it herself, I started to experiment with wood, paper, clay and fabric and realised that I could make anything.

What inspired / inspires you? – I’m inspired by storytelling, the unexpected, the often dark or overlooked sides of life. I like to celebrate the things that others don’t like to show. Making miniatures has been a massively therapeutic pastime for me and has helped me to deal with my own mental illness. I see beauty in the things that others don’t.

Where do you do your work? – I work from my home studio which is FAR TOO SMALL! You’d think you only need a small space to make miniatures but it’s not true – between my paints, tools, material supplies, computer and the cat, there’s not a lot of room for much else!

How long does it take you to make something? – Sometime it can take a few hours, other times it can take a few years. I like to have a lot of projects running at the same time as things dry/cure and so I lose track of actual time!

What special skills / tools / materials do you use? – I wouldn’t say I use anything ‘special’ or unconventional; but I do like to recycle as many materials as possible. Aluminium from drinks cans, cardboard, tissue paper, plastic containers, toothpaste tube caps, capacitors, electrical wiring and other bits! Let me loose in a garage and I’ll have a field day – there are so many every day things that can be turned into minis that other people just don’t see. I walked around Halfords the other day dreaming up things I could do with glass fuses.

Any funny stories? – I show my grandpa photos of my miniatures all the time and I’m not sure he’s actually realised how small they are! I take it as a compliment really haha.

What research do you need to do? – I research a lot – even if I’m not on my computer, I’ll no doubt have my phone to hand in case I get an idea. My camera roll on my phone is full of thousands of screenshots of amazing items/locations from around the world that inspire me, it’s just a matter of time before I make them.

What other craftspeople do you admire? – So many! Too many to name. A few of my favourites are Lydia Ricci, Julie Warren, Bentley House Minis, what the Hell, Joshua Smith and SouthernGothic Dollshouse but there really are so many!