Vie Miniature
Handpainted furniture and ceramics. Handthrown pottery.
I was drawn into the world of miniatures around 25 years ago. Although I had always been fascinated by tiny things it was only when I inherited a doll’s house that I started to make small items for that house.
I like to try and ” have a go” at everything so that was what I did. I started making furniture, soft furnishings, food, flowers and even figures. All kinds of things. I use cold porcelain for some and sculpey for others, I particularly like to paint miniature water colour paintings and also items of furniture. I use enamels to “Japan” items of furniture in oriental style and also small decorative accessories. Some things are painted using acrylic paint.
I am very much a collector too, my favourite periods are the Victorian and Georgian eras and never anything later than Edwardian. I have many books, history, art and design etc to inspire and and the internet is loaded with even more ideas for me along with period dramas with their wonderful settings and clothes.
After enjoying collecting and making in my home workshop for years I opened my own shop selling houses and miniatures and have a small workshop at the back of the shop so I can make and create in between customers. I then began to make my own miniature ceramics. I turned my home work shop into a pottery studio so now I throw my pots on a wheel, fire them in my kiln and then hand paint with glazes before a final firing. It’s quite a long process over several days but I feel the extra effort is always worth it as it lends a hand-crafted authenticity that you can’t create any other way.
I use all kinds of materials including wood, metal, clay, fabric and various painting mediums and some items I buy as kits which my partner Steve and myself assemble before I paint and finish.
I enjoy making and painting whilst also meeting lots of lovely people through the shop. I follow lots of makers and artisans on instagram who inspire me to create things. There are so many wonderfully talented people out there to inspire everyone. The miniature world is a very friendly one.
