American Miniaturist Magazine Issue 248 Back Issue

This month I have been thinking about what goes into creating a storyline for your upcoming build. For some, the building process is simply to create a world they would like to disappear into. For others, recreating a specific time and place in history is rewarding. My personal favorite has always been to create a piece that reflects a story I make up from my imagination.
My very first scratch build was for
a couple with a little girl who lived in the Mediterranean in a villa. I remember the mother was a flamenco dancer and had a wardrobe full of very vibrant dresses with ruffles. Since then, I have made houses for broken antique dolls, tree elves, a retired French farmer and
even goblins!
In order to create a scene with depth and mystery, you really need to think about the residents of your build. Once I figure out who it is, I like to imagine what they see when they first wake up in the morning. From there, I imagine what their day is like. Then things start to unfold and so many fun ideas for the house come to mind – you get to know them in more depth with each room you make.
So take a little time before your next build and think about who you are creating for. Your imagination is such a gift so be sure to nurture it every day!