American Miniaturist Magazine Issue 219 Back Issue

My full scale shed needs a new door and frame so I asked my boyfriend, who has carpenter skills, about it. His reply was, “You can build a door, you make miniature doors all the time!” I had to think about that one for a few seconds, then realized, yes I could figure it out, but a miniature door is much lighter and I don’t have the physical strength to heist a full scale door to its hinges.
As miniaturists we really do learn a lot about building while creating. In fact, when I make structures I do a lot of research to try and keep things close to how they would be in real life. Fortunately we can pick and choose when to make alterations to keep life simpler. This art form can teach you so much if you research while creating. History is another great subject that can shape your project. Different tools and furnishings served their own purposes throughout time.
One of the best things I learned was that building materials change based on the region. Certain stone was used in certain areas as well as lumber. Today transportation is simpler so everything is more accessible. As you are working on your projects take a little time to Google what you’re making. You could learn all sorts of great facts to help inspire and bring more realism to your pieces. Then, when finished, you’ll be able to educate others. Meanwhile, I’ll need to coax the boyfriend into fixing my shed door!