Meet our Members - Kate Pinsent

I grew up surrounded by miniatures made by my mother, Jill Bennett. I have always loved making and designing clothes and after my marriage decided to stop working as a theatrical agent and embarked on a dressmaking and pattern-cutting course. I made clothes to order, specialising in women's tailoring, until the birth of my son and our move out of London. It became impossible to have large amounts of beautiful fabric in the house, especially after my daughter was born, so I scaled down and started dressing dolls for mum. She encouraged me to think about my own business and after a trip to Miniatura I became very excited about the 1/24th scale.

The dolls are cast in pewter with twisted steel joints, so that they are fully poseable and robust. They have painted faces and hands, shoes and hair. I enjoy making all periods and will happily make any doll to order. I use a variety of materials and am surprised at how adaptable the scale is. I try to make real people, capable of having a story all of their own, who look as if they live in their clothes.

Accessories
I now have a small range of accessories - cats, babies and some baskets - and hope to develop more in the future.

I love the 1/24th scale - it has a special charm all of its own.

Contact details

Contact: Kate Pinsent

Telephone: 01225 722685

Email: kdesigns@btinternet.com
Website: http://www.kdesignsdolls.co.uk/

Meet our Members - Linda Master

I specialize in hand carved/hand painted wood miniature animals 1:12 scale and smaller. Fully detailed with carved eyes, toes, paw pads, birds fully feathered. Each is carved entirely from one little block of wood, meaning nothing is glued on later.
I carve "your pet" from your photos, for the personalization of pet cremation urns, or for the dollhouse. Have your pet residing in your dollhouse!
I also make functioning dollhouse miniature accessories. Hand made, many different mediums used.
I make very realistic drawings and paintings that look like a photograph, full size or miniature.
I named my little business after my beloved Miracle Chicken. I hatched her, she was my child. You can read a short story, The Story of Miracle Chicken at http://www.miraclechickenurns.com/.

 

About me
My first memory as a baby was loving tiny things. I began collecting miniatures, then as a teen, I was thrilled to discover I could make minis. A friend gave me my first carving set, x-acto knives. I still use them to this day. I began carving animals from people's photos, and then when my rabbit died, I made him an urn and the business was born.

Contact details

Linda Master
Miracle Chicken Urns
37716 County Road 18
Dexter City OH 45727
U.S.A.

Tel: 740-732-0185

Website: http://www.miraclechickenurns.com
Email: urnartist@miraclechickenurns.com

Meet our Members - Robin Britton

Coombe Crafts was originally established in a small village in Wiltshire in the mid eighties … although we have moved around a bit since then …. To produce unusual and original craft items in a variety of natural materials, with an especial interest in small dolls. A chance encounter with Pat Cutforth and the Marlborough Dolls House Fair, led us into our first real miniature work, and me to polymer clay. We have not looked back.

 

A bit of background  

 

We try to juggle our time to attend a limited number of fairs as it is important to stay in touch, while allowing us to fulfil mail order and commissions, as well as continuing to develop our work. It is still fun and challenging and with the advent of the internet, we can reach even more enthusiasts and make new friends.

Our original and individually-sculpted character dolls in both 1/12th and 1/24th scales, often elderly, with a bit of personality about them, add to the story of any miniature house. We are happy to costume in all periods, and to discuss individual requirements and characters, so that can we produce the little people you have been looking for. 1/24th dolls are priced from around £13 and 1/12th from about £23.

We also make ‘interesting things’ to go with them – unusual pieces of furniture and small accessories that bring a house to life. Again, the original and handcrafted items are in both scales and we can work in 1/16th if that is what you are looking for, or craft something to your specification.

We are always happy to undertake commissions and enjoy the challenge of bringing to life someone else's ideas...

Contact details

Email:  robin.britton.uk@btinternet.com
website:  www.coombecrafts.co.uk

blog:  www.coombecrafts.blogspot.com

Meet our Members - Martin and Hilary Pearce

Willow Models was established in 1984 by Martin Pearce and is based in Golcar, a village in the Pennine Hills of Yorkshire, approximately half way between Leeds and Manchester. His experience and background in model making goes back to the very early 1960s when an "apprenticeship" was started with Airfix kits, Triang trains and then scratch built models.

Originally the business concentrated on architectural and museum model making but over the years the type of work undertaken has expanded and we have made a wide variety of models for many different clients and uses. These have included architectural models for both development and exhibition, historical models for museums, scientific models for educational and training purposes and prototypes for product design. More unusual items have included a ventriloquist's dummy in the form of an apple and grub.

Although we still work in many fields of model making, we have become more and more involved in the world of miniatures and have even made dolls houses and room boxes for use as teaching aids in schools. Martin is assisted by his wife Hilary who, as well as helping at fairs and detailing many of our accessories, makes our pewter plates and trees for architectural work. With our background in model making, we can usually make anything a customer wants however strange, obscure or difficult and in very small scales. Much of our work on the miniatures side is commission based.

In the miniatures field we make a very wide range of items. These include furniture (using mainly English hardwoods), shop & room boxes (the latter often finished and detailed), woodturnings, pewter items and an ever-growing range of accessories. Although we do make houses, apart from the occasional cottage in 24th and 48th scale, these tend to be made to order. Our range of accessories includes walking sticks & shepherds crooks, kitchen items such as wooden potato mashers & cabbage presses, and nativities. Some of these such as the nativities include our own castings.

Although we started out in 12th scale, we now specialise in 24th and 48th scales. Most of our woodturnings are available in 24th and 48th and we are slowly (as time permits) making our range of furniture available in quarter scale. New items are usually directed at the smaller scales and this is reflected in the range of 24th scale lighting that we now retail.

Martin has written for the dollshouse press including a piece (for an internet based magazine) on making a cottage in 24th scale. We exhibit at Miniatura and the Kensington Dollshouse Festival plus one or two other fairs. Full details of these are listed on our web site where many of our pieces can be seen.

Contact details

Martin and Hilary Pearce
4 Willow Grove
Golcar
Yorkshire
HD7 4RX

Tel/Fax 01484 658832

Email info@willowmodels.com
Web site www.willowmodels.com

Meet our Members - Alberto Gozzi

Green Room Roombox

I started building miniatures in 1996, my first house being Lion's Head Manor.  I've always had an interest in architecture and worked for many years with my father as a carpenter in Italy.  I stumbled on this hobby by chance one day while walking down the street and thought this would be a great way to express my interest in architecture.  So far I have built several large houses and a few room boxes but would really enjoy building some smaller houses.  I currently work in 1:12 scale which I must admit is my favorite.  I am situated in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Castle House

Website: www.aegminiatures.com
Email: comments@aegminiatures.com

Meet our Members - Debbe Mize

 

I have been a miniature artisan for over 30 years. My main specialty is creating 1/12 scale food with polymer clay. I also create flowers and prep table scenes. I have dabbled in creating all aspects of miniatures with the exception of knitting & sewing. I suppose you can say I am a jack of most trades in miniature. I feel if it's life sized, then I can create it in miniature. 

 

  

My buiness doesn't have a name per se...just Debbe Mize Miniatures. 

My email is debbem032@gmail.com  

Telephone # 770-889-1908 

I sell on ebay & MOA under the id 'trisscade'

You can see my work at www.cdhm.org/user/trisscade 

and http://community.webshots.com/user/debbem101 

I am a member of IGMA, AIM, CDHM & NAME

Meet our Members - Pauline Everett

My mother was a dressmaker by profession and my father a metalwork teacher who could make just about anything so I grew up in an environment where ‘hand made’ was normal. My childhood dolls house was a modern bungalow built by my father with my mothers help and I can remember sneaking downstairs and hearing them talking about tiling the roof not long before Christmas day arrived and it became my pride and joy. My older brother was banned from touching it but I could not stop our Persian cat from wedging herself into the sitting room on top of my precious furniture and magically she never damaged a single thing. I cannot remember exactly when I started to sew but it was definitely to make clothes for my dolls and of course as I grew up for myself. 

Over the years I have made everything from soft toys, curtains, and loose covers to lingerie, fancy dress outfits, ballroom dresses and wedding gowns, but I had never contemplated making them in miniature until my enforced retirement allowed me to recapture the magic of owning a dolls house. I try to make my miniatures look and feel as realistic as possible whether to fit a doll or for display and am proud that they are sewn together with needle and thread. I do hope you will visit my website at... 

 www.12thhousebridalcouture.co.ukpauline.everett2@btinternet.com 

...and enjoy looking through my photo album. I love making ‘one of a kind’ garments of all types and welcome a challenge so if you are looking for something special please contact me, Pauline Everett, by email at...

  pauline.everett2@btinternet.com

Meet our Members - Viola Williams

My name is Viola Williams and my first step into the miniature world was making a dollhouse for my children. i must confess that as soon as the children left for school, I rushed upstairs into their room to play with the furniture and their little house.

At that time I didn't know about miniature magazines, workshops, or mini shows so everything was made from whatever items I could find around the house or at hardware stores (there's always a lot of stuff that can be "seen" as a miniature at those shops. I also found new ways to use common craft items. For example, I removed the back from a large "wobbly eye" so I could have a curved "glass" front for my Victorian picture frame. The frame itself was a flat round black button. Inside was a miniaturized photo of our family.

I put many of my "make it from odds and ends" ideas into booklet form that I named "I Made it Myself".. That booklet is now available from Shelly Norris (shelly.norris@gmail.com).

Back to my little dollhouse that had no residents. I thought it was time for me to have some little people that were willing to become naughty or nice... depending on my mood. The eventual result was some ladies of the night, along with demure Victorian people and children. I began making dolls from polymer clay. I knew nothing about scale but managed to get them pretty close. It wasn't long before I wanted my dolls to be made of porcelain but I had no idea how to do so. I did not yet know of any doll makers in dollhouse scale, so I visited the big-doll ceramic shops to ask questions. Not surprisingly, they weren't eager to offer advice since they were in the business to give classes, NOT free advice.

I really didn't want to make a big doll. Nor could I afford the high cost that big dolls can demand and that price must be included in the cost of a workshop. I walked out of the store but not without having gleaned at least a little information. I found out what China paint looked like and learned that it had to be mixed with a medium. And... I was thrilled to know that the shop would fire my pieces for me for a price.But there was more to learn. My biggest problem being not knowing how to make a mold. Eventually I learned more about the whole process, often through trial and error. I soon discovered that porcelain shrinks after being fired. (whoops!...) but I charged on. Thankfully by now I had my own kiln. So mistakes could be made right in my own garage.

Shortly after making my first doll I found a miniature magazine and in it I saw one of Doreen Sinnet's dolls. If I'd have seen it earlier I probably would never have sculpted my own because hers was so beautiful.. I would have bought it instead... but by now I'd invested too much money and time to change direction.

Somewhere between my first dollhouse and now, I found myself devoting ALL my time to the dolls. I no longer made houses, furniture or any other small item. I fell in love with the dolls and when I learned about, and attended, my first doll show several years earlier, and found that I was able to sell my work earning enough to buy the kiln, I glued myself to my chair and spent many hours hunched over my work table creating little people.

That was 30+ years ago and not much has changed. I did start a miniature magazine named "Dolls in Miniatures" (later changed to "Dolls and Miniatures". with a partner It focused mainly on dollhouse dolls with some mini teddy bear information and patterns as well. That magazine was sold and then discontinued. I have several unused copies that I sometimes offer for sale on MOA.

You do know about MOA, don't you? It's an auction site directed exclusively to miniature items. Things are slow there now as they are also slow on eBay. But I often use it any way because it's free to list. So I consider my unsold auctions to be free advertising to its approximately 1300 members, all of whom are miniature lovers.

My next move? It will probably be retirement. So many of the supplies I've bought are getting old and it is so very expensive to begin this hobby. And that's where I'll soon be: at the beginning again…

Thank you for hearing my story. I can be reached at: Dollsmini@aol.com.
My website is www.violasdolls.com
My Space site is http://www.myspace.com/viola_williams_dolls
and my mailing address is Viola Williams, 9412 Hingham Dr., Huntington Beach, CA 92646, USA

Meet our Members - Peter Tucker

After careers in teaching, psychology and then running my own computer systems consulting company I got smart and started creating miniatures in the late 1990’s.
 

My focus is on 20th and 21 century structures, furniture and lights. Most of my items are one of a kind and are my own design. I have also been a pioneer in several area in miniatures, including the making the first scale working fluorescent light fixtures and using LEDs in lights and room boxes. My work has been featured in magazines and articles around the world including the USA, UK, Taiwan, Denmark, Spain, and the Netherlands.

Email: peter@roomboxes.com
Website: www.roomboxes.com
604 224 3928 (pacific time-zone)
3675 West 29 AveVancouver BC Canada V6S 1T5

Meet our Members - Jean and John Day

My husband John and I live in Victoria B.C. Canada.

After receiving my B.Ed in Art and B.F.A., I taught Art for a number of years. Before teaching I had worked at our Museum in the display department painting flora and fauna and helping to create dioramas. I painted Coats of Arms for a Heraldry Company and painted a number of the backdrops for the Miniature Museum here in Victoria. Weaving became a passion for me, for about twelve years and I gave workshops in tapestry weaving .

Then in 1980 I discovered Miniatures. We bought out a miniature shop and I started selling full line miniatures through my home and by mail order. This included my work with porcelain dolls, portrait dolls and original designs for teapots and figurines. I have given many workshops in most of the miniature arts from porcelain doll making and dressing to painting, fimo items and even a fairy theater. I sold at shows and through my mail order business which was called Daydream Miniatures.

More recently I was asked to display one of my miniature dolls at the Museum of Civilization in Hull, Quebec as an original Canadian doll artist, the show ran over five years so that was such an honour. I've also been delighted to have been featured in many publications. After many years looking over a magnifier my back kept acting up and I had to find some other miniatures to design. The computer was the answer, I started web designing and computer graphics mostly using Corel.

Brooke Tucker came to our studio to give a workshop and she thought I should write a miniature book. When she returned the following year to give another wonderful workshop, I  made her a miniature book instead and that was the start of my miniature book making in 2000.  She was such an encouraging miniature artist.  Making mini books turned out to be such a joy for me and has been a wonderful experience and a way to combine my love of collecting antique children's books, photo albums and miniatures. I broke my wrist in 2003 and couldn't make the mini books for a while and started designing fabric panel kits on the computer instead.  I now sell miniature reproduction books and albums from my originals and fabric panel outfits for mini settings, quarter scale furniture and outfit kits, dolls in presentation box kits and many more items.

My husband now helps with my miniature business since he retired and I enjoy working full time with him, we are delighted to sell to dealers too in many locations. We really enjoy every minute of our mini lives together, it give us freedom to travel as well.  I enjoy working on my blogs too and recently I have been offering a watercolour workshop using the techniques I enjoy for my mini and larger paintings. I'm very pleased to be a member of AIM.

Jean Day jday1@shaw.ca and jlday@shaw.ca
Jean Day Miniatures http://jdayminis.com
Jean Day Blog Spot http://jdayminis.blogspot.com/
Etsy Shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/jdayminis
eBay store http://stores.ebay.com/J-Day-Minis
Miniature Only Auctions http://miniaturesonly.kaqoo.com

Meet our Members - Tori West

I have been a professional miniaturist for the last 12 years, creating a wide variety of miniature dwellings, furniture, accessories, and animals.  I began my career with animal figures, and was awarded IGMA Fellow membership in 2001 in that category.  Although I still make some animal figures, my creative pathways have greatly diversified.  At the dawn of the new millennium I found what I believe is the perfect craft medium, Creative Paperclay®.  The majority of my miniature creations are now made with paperclay, though I also do metal work and wood carving.  My husband, Steve Weller, and I have created a number of animatronic pieces in miniature, using his skill as an electronics designer.  We have also produced a how-to DVD on using LEDs for miniature lighting.

I have been involved in teaching and doing an occasional show, although the majority of my work is handled through our web site. Some of my teaching experience includes seminars and full length classes at the Guild School in Castine, Maine, and a variety of workshops at the NAME National. In addition, I’ve given many classes to smaller groups and clubs throughout the southwest, and written magazine articles for some of the major industry publications.

In 2010 I am moving in yet another direction. Since I discovered, a few years ago, that I have a major fairy community living in my yard, I’ve been concentrating on creating fairy dwellings and household items for their use. I am also developing artwork depicting the fairies, photographing them, and learning about their lives and habits.

Website -http://www.minimotion.com
Facebook page- http://www.facebook.com/minimotion

Meet our Members - Jane Laverick

When I began dollshousering, over twenty years ago, I wanted miniature porcelain dolls that were as good as full size Victorian dolls in antique shops and museums.  I wanted movable dolls with separate fingers, pierced ears and glass eyes.  The hobby was called dolls' houses – I could see the houses, where were the proper dolls?

So I made them.  After a one day course in the basics I got started and within a few months was making my own moulds and my own original dolls.  I immediately relocated the neck joint to the base of the skull so the head could turn and have been fascinated by jointing ever since.  My early dolls had wired limbs covered with chamois leather; an in-scale equivalent to Victorian leather bodied fashion dolls that have lasted so well. At one show a lady bought a glass eyed man and at the next came to apologise that he was still sitting in a bedroom dressed in a paper bag.  When she kept appearing, still worrying and other customers said they could make wigs but would prefer it if I did it for them, I knew what to tackle next. 

In addition to dressed dolls, I now make fully articulated all porcelain dolls in sizes from 18 inches to 2½ inches, in underwear, with brushable hair, that are lovely for dressing and just as lovely for leaving that way.  I also make wired, solid and simply jointed dressed and undressed dolls in sizes to 7mm. My dolls are made of porcelain; down to 24^th scale adults they have hollow blown glass eyes that are specially made for me, that look at you.  If your friends think you are a strange adult, dressing dolls, the dolls will look at you, and appreciate you.

The latest are 12^th scale dolls with a suitcase full of changeable clothes and 24^th scale flexibly limbed children.  My dolls are for adult collectors who will always find something new; it's the invention I enjoy.

I sell at Miniatura and through my website, where you will also find humorous writing similar to my paper magazine contributions of the last 15 years.

Jane Laverick

www.JaneLaverick.com

email: jane@janelaverick.com

Meet our Members - Regina Passy Yip

I'm a former chemistry and physics teacher, graduated at USP. I gradually developed my hand skills, and what used to be a hobby became a profession that I gladly do: I'm a miniaturist and miniature teacher.

When I began this hobby, doll's house was nearly unknown in Brazil , and I had to learn it all by myself. I always try to update myself with what's new, keeping in touch with foreign miniaturists, magazines and books.

In 2000 I met Roselly Pizzolotti. We then founded MiniClube, a group with the goal to gather miniature lovers and spread this art through our country, Brazil . With around 150 members, we've already done several meetings, exhibitions and workshops. 

During these years working with miniatures, I had many works published in magazines, books and websites, and I also gave some interviews to newspapers and TV shows.

It takes whole months to finish one of my miniatures, because I insist on making every piece on it. I like to work with wood and polymerclay, but I can use all kinds of material.

Full contact details

www.reginapassy.com.br

www.minireforma.zip.net

reginapassy@gmail.com

Meet our Members - Mo Tipton

The Mouse Market is home to former pastry chef Mo Tipton's miniature food creations in 1/12 and 1/6 scale. Ranging from tea sandwich party spreads and ice cream birthday party displays to holiday turkey meals and picnic settings, the Mouse Market offers an unique variety of dollhouse foods with custom pieces available upon request. 

Website- http://themousemarket.com/

Shop- http://www.etsy.com/shop/mousemarket

Photo Galleries- http://www.flickr.com/photos/themousemarket/

Contact- themousemarket@gmail.com

Meet our Members - Elizabeth McInnis

Hello! From reproductions of personal pets to scale replicas of prize bulls, I've created a world of animals in 1/12 scale. My sculptures are first hand-carved of wood, then furred and painted for detail. Eyes are made of glass or acrylic. Look for my sculptures in toy and miniatures museums around the world. Many thanks!

Website: www.elizabethmcinnis.com

Email: dmcinnis47@hotmail.com

Meet our Members - Janet Harmsworth

My name is Janet Harmsworth and I have been making and dressing miniature 1:12 scale porcelain dolls for over 10 years now under the name of Mini Mannequins.

As a child I always enjoyed sewing and crafts and this carried on into my adult life, I have tried many different crafts over the years, in particular Lace Making at which I gained a City and Guilds qualification passing with a distinction. It was during this time I became aware of miniatures and in particular dolls house dolls and purchased a couple of doll kits and started dressing my own, but I soon realized that I didn’t want to be restricted to one period of fashion but to dress them all.

It was then that my husband uttered the fatal words “If you dressed other period dolls would you be able to sell some”……and so that was the start of it, I soon went from dressing doll kits and selling them to purchasing a kiln and molds and pouring my own dolls, firing, cleaning and finally painting them before dressing them.

For dressed dolls, doll kits and patterns please visit my web site...

www.minimannequins.co.uk

Contact me at janet@minimannequins.co.uk

Meet our Members - Julie Campbell

I have been delighted by all things miniature for as long as I can remember and have always been very creative. When I put together my first dolls house kit I became hooked on the hobby and loved to make things to go inside my dolls house.  So when I couldn’t find a doll I liked to live in the house, it seemed only natural to make one myself. I was so thrilled when I discovered polymer clay and soon made my first doll -- a strange looking baby whom I thought was absolutely beautiful!  

A self - taught artist I learned from my mistakes! Each doll was better than the last and soon friends were encouraging me to sell my little characters. I sold my first doll on Ebay and was thrilled at the response. Now I make 1/12th scale character dolls and one of a kind fantasy sculptures and fairies. 

Each doll is unique and created without moulds and I aim for as much realism as possible with very detailed features. I do take great care painting the dolls and the large expressive eyes have become my trademark.  The clothing is hand sewn and I can create a doll from any period.  I love to work from photographs to make portrait dolls. Most of the dolls are fully poseable, but I also create fully sculpted babies and fantasy dolls complete with settings.

  

I am proud to be an Artisan member of I.G.M.A.  and am also a member of the British Toymakers Guild.

My dolls are available via my website, through Ebay , Etsy and fairs. I exhibit regularly at Miniatura, Scottish Miniatura, Kensington Festival and Pudsey fair in Leeds.. I am always happy to accept commissions.  Just contact me to discuss your ideas for a doll and I can make them a reality.

Keep up to date with my news and see new dolls at my blog...

www.bellabelledolls.blogspot.com

or visit my website...

www.bellabelledolls.co.uk

Meet our Members - Glen Anderson

What can I say; I’ve been building models since I was a kid. I built Military and automotive models for years and by the time I was in High school I started building scratch house models based on famous homes like Falling Water and The Gamble home.  A number of years ago I found a book on miniature furniture building at a used book store and I’ve been hooked ever since. On and off for the last 10 years I’ve built pieces not so much in a particular stile but more from pieces that I found particularly interesting or unique.  

I guess if I was to try and put myself in a particular style, I would say I’m a modern miniaturist, although I like the federal style as well. I’ve recently started building a number of Greene and Greene pieces and have really become obsessed with their building techniques and styles. 

 

  

If I was to come up with one reason for why I build miniature furniture, I guess it would be the challenge. I love taking a photo of some piece and turning it into a miniature version of the original. I’ve done a number of pieces for customers based on a single photo, or just a description and those pieces usually end up being my favourites, until the next project comes along.

I’m looking forward to hearing from other furniture builders about their interests and ideas. I’m always open to suggestions and critiques from other builders. I tend to be very critical of my work and judging from the number of unfinished pieces in my scrap box, I still have lots to learn, so all comments or suggestions are welcome. 

www.keendersonminiatures.com

www.keendersonminiatures.etsy.com 

Meet our Members - Diane Gregory

My name is Diane Gregory and I have loved miniatures from an early age. As a child an older relative very kindly gave me her lovely dolls house which I adored. When I got older my Mum decided it took up far too much space and gave it away. I always felt saddened by this, especially when I had my own daughter. My love of dolls houses was renewed a few years ago when my hubby kindly bought me a lovely 12th scale cottage. Then the collecting began!!!

Being very creative I started to make items for my house which in turn led me on to polymer clay. My first attempt was a very ill looking set of indoor plants which any self-respecting gardener would have thrown straight on the compost heap! But the bug had bitten and I carried on and found that I enjoyed making miniature food. 

When I was pleased with my creations I began selling on auction sites and then found the courage to set up my own website. As well as the usual range of miniature food, I also have recently created my ‘Gourmet Gruesome’ which is a range of alternative food aimed at the miniaturist who likes a little bit of quirkiness in their miniature scenes!

 On my website I also sell a small selection of other accessories, which I feel compliment my range of hand crafted items.

My website address is www.dollshouseworldinminiature.com  If an item you require is out of stock please contact me via my email address or contact page on the website and I will happily make them specially for you.

I also sell a selection of my minis in my Etsy shop

www.etsy.com/shop/worldinminiatureuk

Meet our Members - Ken and Linda Batty

In September 2008 we (Ken and Linda) attended our first Dolls House and Miniatures fair, as traders, not sure what the reaction would be to their range of miniatures.

The stand displayed standard and table lamps, tables and other small turned items. The reaction was exhilarating! Since then we have developed new pieces, partly in response to customer requests / suggestions (Art Deco table lamps being one positive request) and Ken likes the challenge.

We make miniatures, from local and exotic woods, Corian, acrylics and resins. They are turned, by Ken on a full size woodturning lathe, and are wholly turned or have at least one turned component. Linda is the artistic one; she paints, decorates and finishes the miniatures.

Ken is now retired, after spending most of his working life in the Royal Navy and NHS, but still finds time to do some local voluntary work.

Linda still works full time in the NHS, so evenings and weekends have taken on a different meaning – busy!

At present our miniatures are sold at Dolls House and Miniature fairs including York, Kelham Hall, Crickhowell and at a number of fairs across the South of England.

Plans for the future include a website, and the development of our own ideas, and some requests and suggestions from customers.

Contact details:

Tel:      013 2951 7060

Email:  ken.batty@ntlworld.com

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