We really were spoilt for choice at the Spring Miniatura, with so many different artisans showing their amazing work. So, here’s another round-up of some gorgeous miniatures from the cute to the quirky, from fine artwork to fantasy characters – and everything in between.
One of the great things about Miniatura is that the miniaturists are always happy to share their tricks of the trade and to offer advice to help others improve their miniature skills. Jenny Kelm of Kastlekelm told us about the new kind of clay she’s working with. “It’s called CosClay, it’s from America, and has been out about a year,” said Jenny. “It has a flexibility to it – there’s slight movement. It’s both firm and soft and I’ve had to learn how to use it. But I love it. It’s the best clay I’ve ever used.” As well as learning how to use this new clay she chatted about what she’s been making recently. This includes some little 1/48 woodland creatures: hedgehogs, moles, badgers, foxes and squirrels.
She has also been sculpting people’s parents recently. “The stories that people tell me are important. People want to remember their parents as they were. Very often I’ll add my own brand of humour into these characters to that when the person looks at the figurines they smile.”
New to Miniatura was Tobacco Regrets. In fact, it was Abi Trotman and her husband Alex’s first ever fair. Abi had worked as a studio manager in design and has always loved crafting. She made the decision to quit her job and go full time with the miniatures during lockdown. “It has been my dream, but I never thought I would make a business out of it,” said Abi. “I make all sorts – but especially things that are not readily available. For example, a medical torso, medicines, sacks of rubbish, room boxes of scenes such as a cluttered office. I use a lot of recycled material, cardboard, paper, balsa wood. And everything has a story behind it. The grey typewriter under the dome is from The Shining; and the green typewriter is the one used by author Shirley Jackson.”
Asked about the unusual name for her miniatures – Tobacco Regrets, she explained that her grandmother, Sylvia, would encourage her to make things herself. “She was also a prolific smoker and so the smell of tobacco brings back memories of my grandma. I love the smell of tobacco, so when thinking up a name, using the word ‘tobacco’ seemed the right thing to do. She would have loved all this but would never have imagined selling at a fair.”
Other newcomers to Miniatura were Emmy Chan and her husband Michael who are originally from Hong Kong but now live in Bristol. They had brought along some of the miniature items Emmy makes from Japanese fabrics using unique designs. Emmy said, “I make all kinds of things: dresses for dolls, cushions, lined little baskets. I love sewing – hand sewing and machine sewing, and as well as this being a business, it’s also my hobby.”
And from Sheffield came Uniqueables – craftswoman Ursula, was accompanied by her sister Jennifer and daughter Harley. Ursula makes miniature characters and decorations in Fimo. She explained that she has been making these decorations for about ten years. Then after being made redundant 18 months ago she took the plunge to create her miniatures full time.
Also new to Miniatura was Instinct UK – a supplier of jewellery findings. Lindsey Baker and her mum have a shop in Leicester where they sell their own hand-made chainmail jewellery, leather items and lots of bits and bobs that might come in useful to dolls house owners.
Creating Masterpieces
There were some wonderful original miniature oil paintings on Dark Willow Art’s stand painted by Lara Byng of Leeds. Lara re-creates old masters by hand and also makes prints available too. She was at Miniatura for the first time with her mum Lusia. Lara explained that she has been to art college but left University to live in California where she married US Marine, Darren. The couple now have two sons.
Mum Lusia said that she knew Lara would grow up to be an artist from the age of two! “She always showed that talent for drawing and painting – and I still have those early child drawings!”
“I turned to painting miniatures literally because I didn’t have the space to paint full size pictures,” explained Lara. “And I have to paint. It’s my therapy!”
She added that she knew nothing of the miniature world, although her aunt was a massive miniatures fan – and it was her who introduced Lara to the world of dolls house miniatures. “She invited me to go to the York fair and I was amazed by what I saw there. I’ve always loved going to museums and am particularly fond of the pre-Raphaelites. So, I decided I’d try and paint one.
“I was already very much into nature and the natural world, but wanted to try and do something different. I have always admired the Masters so I decided to challenge myself. I’ve been doing Dark Willow Art for about three years and the masterpieces for about a year. The paint I use is acrylic and oils and am really pleased with the results.”
Visitors to her stand were also in awe as the paintings are amazing. They look like the classic paintings by the famous artists of bygone times, but to find they are painted at a fraction of the size of the originals is incredible.
Shirley Finlay of Paint Pot Miniatures is another excellent artist who was at Miniatura for the first time. Shirley from Northern Ireland started painting 23 years ago when she had her three children and decided she needed a hobby. “I did some classes and I was hooked!” she said. Always artistic and good at arts and crafts, her grandmother taught her how to crochet and knit using silk thread. Shirley works for the National Trust and finds herself captivated by how much detail you can get into the miniature scenes. Each picture she paints takes between two and four hours, depending on the complexity of the painting. Each one is signed, and she also makes her own frames which come with backing and cord added so they are ready to hang.
We will feature more amazing miniaturists in our next blog.
Photos by Rob Tysall – Pro Photography.