Now that it is New Year's on the Chinese calendar, I'm thinking about what I've resolved to do January 1st. I often hear people at miniature fairs exclaiming how difficult it must be to make..... The truth is, with miniatures, technique and knowledge of materials are the key to making items tinier and tinier and improving the realism with each attempt. The photo of this pendant necklace illustrates this perfectly. A section of a dead fall arbutus branch becomes a wonderful piece of art in the hands of the skilled artisans from All The Time In The World Handcrafting.
It takes a lot of practice to get this good at using a jeweller's saw or piercing saw but you can certainly see how care allows an artist to create something wonderful out of a simple tool and basic materials. Just look at how the sun effect was achieved on this piece using the natural rings of the wood.
The same is true with other basic techniques. If you can peel a carrot, you can make simple miniature woodcarvings. The instructions for carving a basic rope molding from toothpicks were used with great effect by Tina on the fireplace in her miniature roombox. You can see photos of her creation in the miniatures forum
Even if you have never sewn before, you can learn to do petitpoint from the many Miniature Needlework Charts designed for beginners. Or experiment with easy handsewn dollclothes based on a toddler sock.
If you want to make your a dollhouse to yor own design, make custom dollhouse windows and doors, whether opening or non opening. If you want to make miniature "stained glass" windows, use gel / glaze pens
Pick a simple skill and don't expect perfection with your first try. The new year beckons and it looks like a good one!
Photo © 2012 Lesley Shepherd
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