Meet our Members - Lisa Johnson-Richards

As I sit here trying to write a piece about how it all started, I really do wonder where to begin…

Looking back, I guess my whole life has been a preparation for doll making. I always knew I wanted to be an artist and as a child I spent many hours with my father in his studio drawing or painting. Following in his footsteps I attended Art College where I trained as a Graphic Designer/Illustrator for four years. filling my portfolio with many paintings of faces & fashion illustrations. I worked as a serious artist in the Advertising field, before leaving only to start a family some eight years later.

With the birth of each of my children came beautiful Christening gifts, gifts which were hand-crafted by my father. The first was a Rocking Horse for Christian, the second gift, a dolls house for Rebecca was a very special gift indeed as it opened the door in to the wonderful world of miniatures for me.

Doll making soon followed and if I am honest it was something I ‘knew’ I could do – however, with each newly completed piece I am continually amazed that it actually came from my own hand.

I sculpt in to the wet clay which originally came from a commercial mould and this is a constant struggle to me - yet an affirmation of my talents & skills. Painting is a time when I breathe life in to my dolls using special techniques I have developed during the 10 years I have been creating my dolls... which allow me to create life-like appearances. Only when I am entirely happy do I begin costuming preferring to use only vintage materials which somehow spill out of my numerous drawers in my studio.

To me, doll-making, is such a multifaceted art form, thus it allows me the opportunity to utilise every skill I have within me to create a beautiful work of art.

Very possibly the reason I cannot imagine doing anything else is because I find it deeply satisfying and I continue to grow as an artist as I keep searching and learning with each new piece…

Lisa

Lisa Johnson-Richards
150 BEDE BURN ROAD
JARROW
TYNE & WEAR
ENGLAND, UK
NE32 5AX

Telephone: 0191 421 4910
Mobile:- 0789 977 7078
International: +44 191 421 4910

e-Mail: lisajohnsonrichards@blueyonder.co.uk
Website: www.lisajohnsonrichards.com
Blog: www.lisajohnsonrichards.com/blog/

Meet our Members - Marianne Colijn

Hello, I am Marianne Colijn from the Netherlands. I call my business Furry Friends by Marianne because it all started with my little bears.  These days I also make knitted and crochet items as well as polymer free mini food.

The Furry Friends are made out of humble chenille stems that I turn into bears using my very own special technique. Every bear is one of a kind because I have never been able to make the same thing twice. I love to dress the bears in tiny clothes when they allow it and I like making little things for them to play with etc. That is how I started to make other minis as well.

I have been making bears for about 10 years now and I still have ideas for more bears. I started making these tiny bears when I was at a rehab centre where I did not have acces to interesting materials or patterns for making fabric bears. The chenille stems proved to be a great medium for me and the bears became very popular with the other patients , so much so that I was known as the Bear Lady . A friend placed pics of my bears on a website and people actually wanted to buy the little bears which I found totally amazing. Now my little friends travel all over the world to new homes and through them I have met a lot of very nice people. The bears I make these days are totally different from the earlier ones for I have learned many new techniques . I also love make little Furry Friends in crochet whenever time allows.

Over the last 5 years I have also been a regular contributer to American Miniaturist magazine. I did desing projects and how toes in all kinds of different techniques and I love the challence of coming up with something new  all the time.

My bears needed mini food and because I really admire all those talented people who can work with clay that is what I tried to use too. But I soon found that I am totally hopeless with clay. I have tried all kinds of different techniques and over the last year I have been able to make some pretty good food without using any clay at all. I have even been asked to teach workshops about it.

I am selling my mini food through my website now and I am planning to do some fairs as well. And I am currently working on a little instruction book that will be available on my website too.

My current speciality is cakes , puddings, cookies, different kinds of breads and fruit pies. I am currently developing a range of vegetables and salads.

Over the last 5 years I have also been a regular contributer to American Miniaturist magazine. I did desing projects and how toes in all kinds of different techniques and I love the challence of coming up with something new  all the time.

 

You can see all of my work Bears and Food at:-  www.furryfriendsbymarianne.com Or you can contact me directly by using one of the following email address’s:-

email : furryfriends@onsnet.nu 

or email@furryfriendsbymarianne.com

Meet our Members - Graham Warrick

I have spent most of my life as a mould maker and designer and it is these skills that I have built up over many years that I use to design and manufacture high quality dolls house building materials in an exciting and ever expanding range.

Minaco has been producing a range of 1:12and 1:24 miniature scale dolls house building materials and moulds for many years. The fantastic range of 1:12 and 1:24 realistic building materials including roof tiles, bricks, slips, paving, ridge tiles are available in a range of colours and with the option of weathered finish free of charge. Our first class products are easy to use and will enhance any miniature building they are used on.

Also available is a unique range of 1/12th Scale moulds to enable you to produce your own bricks, tiles, paving etc. saving you many pounds and giving you the pleasure and achievement of casting your own building materials.

One of the latest additions is the range of otium roof tile sheets and weathered corrugated roof sheets. Offering excellent value for money and quick method of fixing.

The range has continued to expand and any suggestions are most welcome.

Do visit our website to view the full range.

Contact details: 

Email: minaco@hotmail.co.uk 

Website: www.minaco-uk.com
Telephone: 01424 442485

Meet our Members - Janet Smith

 

Janet Smith, of Desert Minis, Inc.,  specializes in high quality small scale miniature foods, with a goal of including all of the little details that you would see in larger scale miniatures including stems on the apples and seeds in the tomato slices.  We offer family style food (like a sliced ham or pan of enchiladas) to grace your miniature dining room table or single serving plates (like eggs and bacon or a taco salad) for your miniature restaurant or bistro.  We have foods inspired by today's cooking shows, with an emphasis on "plating" and flavors like a plate of grilled salmon with mango salsa, beans with almond slivers and herbed new potatotes.  And we offer an array of fruits and vegetables that can be incorporated into your own arrangements for produce stands or wreaths or centerpieces for your holiday table.  While the focus is on quarter scale, any item sold can be made in any other scale by request.

Contact

Website – www.desertminis.com

E Mail - desertminis@gmail.com