Doll’s House Miniatures

All the miniatures that I make are suitable for 1 inch or 1/12th scale dolls houses. I do make 1/2 inch or 1/24th items, but only on commission. Some items are ‘stock’ items as it were – breads, fruit, veg, candies etc.

Where did it start? I was running a very large, very successful ceramics business which took all my focus and energy. I decided I needed “me” time and thought that it was high time I fulfilled one of my dreams to own a dolls house with “real” furniture and looking exactly as my dream home would have looked, had I lived in the Victorian Era. Yes…well….. I still don’t have the house – it’s half made! Instead a collector spotted the bookshelf and books I made for myself, along with the dinner service I’d made for myself and the fruits and veggies I’d made for the future kitchen. Before I knew it I was making miniature food and accessories for sale at fairs and on commission, with no time to enjoy my hobby for myself. I was fortunate in that I had training in plastic icing and cake decorating – those techniques were invaluable in creating realistic mini food. I knew basic furniture making techniques – my father was a carpenter and builder, so I grew up around dove-tail joints and butt joints and a hundred different types of wood. I trained and worked as a draughtsman, so I had strong design skills and knew how to design a dolls house or furniture. I met loads of wonderful people, all equally passionate about this crazy hobby of ours. They were all so encouraging and I learned so much from them. My friend Maureen had taught me to make miniature flowers using paper and punches years before I got involved with dolls houses. Suddenly they became an extension of the dolls house products I was producing. I wound up teaching at clubs and guilds and running private classes for mini enthusiasts.

After years of working without a break, things came to a head when my brother was killed in a car accident. For a long time I couldn’t bear to look at crafts. The dolls house I was working on with my father went into storage when he died 2 years after my brothers accident. It’s still there. The time will come when I’m ready to complete it. For now – I’ve started making minis again – on my terms. As much as I feel comfortable making. My price – sorry, no discussions – it’s darn hard work and many hours of research. It reached a point previously where everyone was undercutting prices, copying ideas etc etc and it became more trouble and unpleasantness than it was worth. That was never why I started making minis. I make every effort to keep my prices realistic and affordable – I do realise not everyone can spend hundreds of dollars on an item! No rushed deadlines to get from one fair to the next. I now do only one fair a year. I prefer to work on commissions and if it’s more than I can take on – I’ll tell you. That much honesty I owe people. I’ve learned to say no! LOL. There is too much research involved in making authentic pieces to rush the process and turn out an inferior product!

Additional Photos of Room Boxes:

The Tudor Cottage

The Cottage Shop

Halloween Room Box

Robyn’s Halloween Room Box

Petleys

This was a guild project where I challenged members to create a scene inside a discarded household/grocery container or packet. Lots of fun!

Ollivanders

Christmas Vignette

Magical Menagerie (1:24)

As yet unoccupied. The shop needs surgery – curios fingers (adult ones!) destroyed the painfully constructed stained glass front door, so that needs to be re-done. Then I’ll tackle the occupants. Being half inch this is really tiny!

Corner Store Diorama