'Make it mini!' Gift guide for new miniaturists
Best in Miniature Season 3 contestants share their best gift ideas.
Do you need a present for a budding miniaturist in your life? Our Season 3 Best in Miniature contestants have you covered. Here are some of their best gift suggestions.
Tools for miniaturists
Adding to their toolkit is always a solid idea.
"I would get them some foam core, rulers, wood dowels and paint. With those materials, I feel like they can create anything!" says August, a Haitian-American artist who works out of Queens, NY.
Tiffany, a miniaturist from Sutton, Quebec, agrees, "It's good to have a decent stock of materials at hand for when inspiration strikes: balsa wood, sculpting tools, polymer clay, wire and paints."
Don't forget some quality cutting tools, reminds Susan, who creates miniature doll houses. "A good light, X-ACTO blades and a metal straight edge." And "a quality t-square," adds Mike, who has gained recognition for his hyper-realistic recreations.
And of course, every miniaturist needs some super glue, says Elliot, a U.K. artist who creates creepy scenes in miniature.
Get inspired
Supplies and tools are all something people can find on their own but inspiration is something that all artists need, experienced or not, explains Lance, an Indigenous artist and television personality.
To help with this, some craft stores sell quality miniature house kits, says Nalini, who creates miniatures to decompress from her job as a social worker. "A good gift for someone who would like to start the miniatures hobby is a readymade DIY room kit which contains everything needed to build a scene. There are many available to purchase," adds Lance.
"A good book about miniatures or a history book on costumes and furniture" can spark those creative ideas, says Arline, as well as tickets to take a class or go to a show in your neighbourhood. Arline, from Port Hope, has been creating miniatures for over fifty years.
"I think one of the best gifts you can buy a miniaturist are samples of other miniaturists' work. It's always good to support other artists online who are selling their work and it's such inspiration to see someone's little piece of art," suggests Lance.
When in doubt: get a gift card
"A good gift for someone who is already a miniaturist is a gift card for their favourite miniature store or website. Any miniaturist would love free shopping!" says Shelley, an artist from Kentville, Nova Scotia.
Watch Best in Miniature on CBC Gem. Season 3 drops on CBC Gem on December 26.
