Explore every episode of the podcast Mad About Miniatures

A "Dollhouse Takeover" is happening at the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts this fall. The collection spans three centuries and is coming out of the museum's vaults for the first time. It is a project 11 years in the making.  My guest is Lindsey Jancay, VP & Managing Director, and we talk all about this special event and the Elizabeth Johnston Prime Dollhouse Collection featured in "Art of the Dollhouse". 

Host Becky Gannon is on FB & Instagram as Mad About Miniatures, and you'll find more about the exhibit at Kemerer Museum at Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites on FB and Instagram. 

 

Miniature Model Maker Kayte Sabicer talks about how mini models are used in movies and tv shows to create realistic special effects.  She has worked on some big blockbuster movies like Inception,Hugo, Dark Knight Rises, as well as some of the Star Wars movies & tv shows. Join me as we enter the world of Hollywood and discover how miniatures help deliver movie magic. Kayte is on Instagram @Kaytesabicer. You can also find her on YouTube working with Adam Savage from Mythbusters on his You Tube channel Tested, on which she also has her own show, Model Behavior. 

Join me in a world where Barbie has as much attitude (mostly bad) and sass as she does beauty and style. That's the funny & fabulous world of Matthew Keith from Dolls On The Brain (FB & Instagram). Matthew's tongue in cheek "slap scenes" and humorous definitions have gained him a large & devoted following. Matthew discusses his filming process including how he actually "auditions" various Barbies for roles in his videos, does wardrobe tests, & more. Grab yourself a coffee and get ready to dish about Barbie, her glam retro wardrobe, and her misadventures. 

Host Becky Gannon is on FB, instagram & YouTube as Mad About Miniatures. 

Years ago Troy Schmidt took a pottery class when he was a recent college grad looking to start his career in science. By the end of the class he was obsessed with pottery and  fast forward to now where he has been throwing pottery for more than half his life. He's a teacher of both pottery and mini pottery, and we talk clay, glazes, kilns, and the joy of doing what you love! Troy is also a teacher at the world famous International Guild of Miniature Artisans School where I took his pottery class. 

Troy Schmidt is on Instagram @reddragonpottery and host Becky Gannon is on Instagram  @madaboutminiatures. 

 

Miniaturist Marie-Louise Markhorst wanted to learn how to make tiny metal hinges for her miniature furniture. Before she knew it, she was taking a three year jewelry making class to learn how to work with metal in miniature. We talk about her tiny copper pots, tiny ladles, cheese shredders and more, her time on a miniature tv show in the Netherlands,  as well as her recent project to furnish a miniature version of Anne Frank's famous hideaway during World War II. This piece is in the newly opened @miniatuurmuseumamsterdam. 

Marie-Louise is @smallscaleminidesign on Instagram and host Becky Gannon is @madaboutminiatures on Instagram & Facebook. 

After beating two separate types of cancer, Natasha was healthy but had lost her enthusiasm for life (understandbly). By revisiting her childhood love of minis and making it a priority, she found joy in her life again! This past Christmas Natasha was in People Magazine for building a dollhouse from scratch in 3 weeks for her 15 year old differently abled son. The fact that the dollhouse was for a boy caused a surprising amount of controversy and we tackle that head on! Join me as I talk to this talented miniaturist and remarkable woman. Natasha is on Instagram & FB @Vivadesignminiatures and host Becky Gannon is on FB and Instagram @madaboutminiatures. 

Miniaturist Hannah Lemon is on a  a great new television program about miniatures, called The Marvelous Miniature Workshop. It's her second tv show - she was previously the winner on Best In Miniature, season two. In this new show Hannah recreates in miniature two buildings that are abandoned and/or gone, to surprise people for whom those buildings hold happy memories. Hannah gives us the behind the scenes scoop on this heartwarming show! 

Host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @madaboutminiatures and guest Hannah Lemon is @hannahlemon_art. 

The first Annual Festival of Miniatures is underway in Brattleboro, Vermont, for the entire month of December. There are over 80 miniature window displays and a slew of activities in downtown Brattleboro.  I was invited to be a judge for the festival and was privileged to see how minis transformed downtown - bringing visitors, raising spirits, and causing a whole town to fall in love with miniatures! Join me as I talk to miniaturist Melany Kahn who spearheaded this festival with a lot of help from the Downtown Brattleboro Association and others. We talk about some of the amazing minis that came out of this festival, and how you could replicate this in your town! 

Join me as I talk to miniaturist Jonathan Steadman about his line of handcrafted miniatures in the luxury Christmas shopping room at Bergdorf Goodman. That includes a $35,000 dollhouse, which is spectacular!  He also was a vendor at Kensington Dollhouse Show where he won Best Debut. Jonathan  is on Instagram at House of Mirth Miniatures and host Becky Gannon is at Mad About Miniatures.

Join me as I talk to Crystal Cox about her business selling "spooky cute" and tiny things. Halloween has long been Crystal's favorite holiday  - she even got married in an abandoned building lit with candelabras on Halloween (Dracula vibes, anyone). We also get serious for a moment and talk about an artist's worst fear, which is someone stealing their work. Crystal talks about her experience and how you can educate yourself to get what you deserve.  Crystal is on Instagram @spookshowbabe and I'm  Becky Gannon on Instagram as @madaboutminiatures. 

Do you ever feel guilty about the time & money you put into miniatures? Well, no more! I talk with Dr. Dalia Iskander, a medical anthropologist at the University College of London about her recent study of miniaturists. We talk about why we are driven to create miniatures, the pleasure and benefits we derive from them, and why we love tiny things! 

Host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @madaboutminiatures. For more on Dr. Iskander's  study go to miniatureantidotes.com.

Join me as I talk to Niki Faller about her work with indigenous artists in the Amazon rainforest. She is coaching them to make miniatures of their traditional arts (basket weaving, carving, tapestries, etc.) thereby opening up a new market for these talented artisans. The journey hasn't been easy as many of the communities are isolated and building relationships and trust take time.  But, now in year three of this project, Niki has made great strides. We talk about her adventures, the beautiful miniatures being made in the rainforest, and the artists who make them. 

Niki is on Instagram @bigriverminiatures and host Becky Gannon is @madaboutminiatures. 

Casey started her career in fashion designing handbags and now she's designing mini totes, handbags, and other fun mini accessories that make your dollhouse feel like a real home.  She's especially known for her tiny "ugly shoes", miniature versions of Crocs, Uggs, Birkenstocks, and more!  Join us as we talk about all things mini.

Casey is on Instagram @smallishminiatures and host Becky Gannon is @madaboutminiatures. 

Master Miniaturists Kevin Mulvany & Susie Rogers are an English husband and wife team. They create magnificent miniature palaces and historic mansions that are displayed in miniature museums and private collections all over the world.  They are known for their incredible precision and accuracy in recreating historical architecture, as well as their ability to create a sense of life and beauty in their miniature buildings. 

Mulvany & Rogers talk about their start in miniatures right out of university, their favorite projects, the key to working successfully with your spouse (spoiler alert - it's separate workrooms!), techniques, processes and much more. Enjoy this fun and lively conversation with the world renowned duo. 

Kevin Mulvany & Susie Rogers are on Instagram @mulvanyandrogers, and host Becky Gannon is @madaboutminiatures on Instagram. 

Miniaturist and successful author Elise Hooper has written a fascinating book about secrets hidden in miniatures and what happens when they are discovered.  Elise and I talk about the book, The Library of Lost Dollhouses, and how she was inspired to get back into miniatures by renovating her family dollhouse as part of her research for the book. 

Elise Hooper is on Instagram @elisehooper and host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @madaboutminiatures. 

Kia is rescuing the 111 year old dollhouse made by her great great grandfather and passed down and played with for several generations. Besides scraping away paper and mildew, she has big plans for new ways for it to reflect her family history, including making furniture out of the family tartan, and turning old hand painted wallpaper scraps into art for the dollhouse walls.  

Kia is on Instagram @windyhillwhimsy, and host Becky Gannon is @madaboutminiatures. 

Marina's love for interior design shines through in her modern minis! And she's gotten a chance to make dollhouses for some high profile people including pop star Meghan Trainor, and the Bucket List Family! Join us as we chat all about her miniature journey.  Marina is on Instagram @deck.to.farm.charm and host Becky Gannon is @madaboutminiatures.

 

Author Renee Rosen takes us behind the scenes to the absolutely incredible story behind Barbie's creation as detailed in her new book "Let's Call Her Barbie". This story proves that truth is indeed stranger than fiction and is full of more gossip, in-fighting, and twists and turns than the juiciest soap opera. A fun & fact filled interview that will leave you wanting more! 

Host Becky Gannon is on Instragram @Madaboutminiatures and Renee is @reneerosen_. 

A quick rainy day trip to a dollhouse festival near her house led to the purchase of a dollhouse for her baby girl, and the start of Lucy's obsession to build the best dollhouse she had ever seen.  Then came the call that House & Garden Magazine wanted to feature it, followed by an invitation to the Homo Faber Design Festival and an exhibition at Harrods in London. Join me as I talk to Lucy about her extraordinary miniature journey!  Lucy is on Instagram @mslucyclayton & host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @MadaboutMiniatures.

They are both miniaturists, they both live in Poland, and they just collaborated on a an incredible collection of miniature cakes. Join me as I talk to Anna & Gosia about their friendship, their hopes and dreams regarding miniatures (and how they plan to accomplish their goals) and much much more.

Gosia's Instagram is @gosiasuchodolska and Anna's is @minimaniabyania. Host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @madaboutminiatures. 

 

 

Get the behind the scene scoops on the modern miniature magazine Shrunk from founder Kat Picot. We talk about what inspired Kat to start the magazine and Shrunk's re-emergence from its 2023 hiatus and plans for 2024 and beyond! 

Host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @madaboutminiatures and you can go to @shrunkmagazine for more on this magazine about modern minis! 

 

 

Esther Marker is the first miniaturist to be awarded artisan status for miniatures printed on a 3D printer by the International Guild of Miniature Artisans (IGMA). Join me as Esther details the artistry and mechanics of her process for making those amazing stained glass Tiffany inspired lamps. And yes that includes her famous 3D parrot chandeliers!  Esther is on Instagram as @esthersminiatures and host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @Madaboutminiatures. 

This time next year a unique mini musuem will be on the road - maybe headed toward you!  Jessica Oreck, who runs the Office of Collecting & Design Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada has big plans to take this museum of tiny things on the road.  In additon we will get tips from the "Queen of the Flat Lay" on how to create a beautiful and personal flat lay of miniatures. Jessica is on instagram @office.of.collecting and host Becky Gannon is @madaboutminiatures.

One day Robin's young son scribbled a drawing of a sweet mini robot. This inspired the creation of Pocket, the mini robot of leather & bolts who inhabits a world that is rusty, distressed & "beautifully broken".  Robin talks about a whole range of mini subjects - from  distressing tips to how she copes with her anxiety through creative mini play.  Robin is on Instagram @robindavisstudio and I am on Instagram @madaboutminiatures! 

Chris Toledo has been inspired by Spanish architecture since he was a little boy looking at local houses with his Dad. Today he specializes in the architecture of the 1920's and 30's, often with a Spanish influence - and always in miniature! Chris is known for his amazing tile work which is breathtaking in its beauty and realism. You are going to be surprised when you find out what his tile is made of! He also created a spectacular miniature art gallery for the National Museum of Toys & Miniatures.  

 

Host Becky Gannon can be found on Instagram @madaboutminiatures and Chris Toledo is @Ibuildsmallthings. @the.mini.museum.

YouTube sensation Ara Bentley is known for her fantastic miniature recreations of pop culture icons such as the Addams Family House and the Beatlejuice House.  Ara also built an incredible miniature house and furniture out of nothing but cardboard during Covid (when art supplies were in short supply in some places), creating a great community as people built and shared their own miniature cardboard creations with her and each other.  She gives the best advice I have ever heard on how to organize minis and miniature supplies. Join us for a great chat about tiny things!  

Ara is on Instagram @bentleyhouseminis and host Becky Gannon is @madaboutminiatures. 

How tiny can you make something? That's the challenge Julie @ridiculoustinythings gives herself when it comes to making miniatures.  She has tiny bears, for whom she has knitted even tinier sweaters. Her houses are mainly in 1:24 scale and she delights in seeing how minuscule her miniatures can get.  Recently both Julie and her husband received Artisan status through the International Guild of Miniature Artisans (IGMA).  So join us as we talk about ridiculous tiny things and the joy they bring! 

One day watercolorist Shannon Taylor walked downstairs to her art studio to find it flooded. Reduced to making art in her tiny California apartment on a small side table, Shannon started creating tiny multi-dimensional worlds in antique compacts - and the response was overwhelming! We talk to Shannon about her inspiration and process for making these mini masterpieces, her job as Art Director for Children's Fairyland in California, &  more! Host Becky Gannon is on Instagram as @madaboutminiatures and Shannon is on Instagram as @magicmakerdreamweaver.

There's a mystery to solve in Bronte's miniature mansion. From using the language of flowers, to finding hidden keys and secret doors, Bronte is a master at telling stories through her miniatures.  Join us as we talk about environmental storytelling, miniature photography tips, and Bronte's cool and creative miniature projects for tv shows.

Host Becky Gannon is on Instagram as @madaboutminiatures and Bronte is @frombeewithlove.  

Also excited to announce that Mad About Miniatures is featured in Feedspot's Top 50 Tuesday Podcasts at #17. https://blog.feedspot.com/tuesday_podcasts/

 

Hannah Lemon's miniature journey began when she made a tiny toilet. What started as a fun miniature craft project during lockdown   led to Hannah being on (and winning) Season 2 of Best In Miniature. She is especially known for her extraordinary miniature plants and koi ponds.   Host Becky Gannon is on Instagram as @madaboutminiatures and Hannah Lemon is @Hanahlemon_art. 

Miniaturist Tamar Cohen talks about life as a miniature artist, her unique architectural style, what inspires her, making money on Patreon, and more. Host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @madaboutminiatures and Tamar is on Instagram as @miniatureit. Enjoy! 

Join me as we talk to Chelsea Anderson about her journey from landscape architect to modern miniaturist. Along the way she was a finalist (and the only miniaturist) on the TV Show Making It, hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman. And just recently she published an amazing book titled "50 Makes for Modern Miniatures".  Host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @madaboutminiatures and Chelsea is on Instagram as @Chelseamakes. Enjoy! 

 

Join me in the glam and sometimes crazy world of New York modern miniaturist Phillip Nuveen.  Growing up in Ohio he dreamed of life in the big city - and now he's there!  We'll talk about his high-end corporate clients, what it's like to build a mini restaurant set for trained rats, and being a finalist on the TV Show Best in Miniature.  Host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @madaboutminiatures and Phillip is @phillipnuveen. 

Meet Carinne, a miniature artisan and mother of 7 who loves building miniature houses! We chat about how she loves filling every trunk and drawer in her houses with tiny treasures for people to discover, the challenges of miniature design, and revamping the family dollhouse to make it better than ever and ready for another generation. Host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @madaboutminiatures and Carinne is @my_miniature_life. 

This episode I talk to the master of miniature urban street scenes, Jordan Affonso.  He is also the force behind @tinyartexperiment on Instagram, a miniature art display involving 20 artists from 6 different countries.  So join me as we go beyond the dollhouse, to explore a little different aspect of the miniature scene. Jordan is on Instagram @oilers_workshop and host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @madaboutminiatures. 

Popular mother/daughter duo Tracy and Stephanie find joy in making, collecting and filming miniatures with each other. Using their collection of over 25,000 miniatures, their videos are filled with nostalgia, humor, and the pleasures of everyday life. 

Host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @madaboutminiatures and Tracy and Stephanie are on Instagram @myminiaturelife_yt. You can also contact Becky at beckyflairbiz@gmail.com. 

From the frighteningly fabulous Adams Family Mansion to the golden decadence of a high end bar by the famous Narcissa Thorne, the Museum of Miniature Houses in Indiana has put together a wonderfully varied collection of impressive miniatures. Hear the stories behind their amazing miniature collection from Savannah, the Museum Manager, and get the inside scoop on their big plans for expansion of this miniature museum! 

Host Becky Gannon can be found on Instagram @madaboutminiatures and the Museum of Miniature Houses is @the.mini.museum. 

Discover the tiny treasures of the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures with host Becky Gannon and Museum Board Member Chad from @myminiaturebrownstone. Chad tells us about the history of the museum and their extensive collection of unique miniatures - including a replica of "Doc's" house from Back to the Future and a Texas mansion worthy of the TV show Dynasty. We also learn about Chad's miniature inspiration, why his miniature style is nothing like his real life home decor, and his recent experience in the Guild Study Program in Colonial Williamsburg. 

Host Becky Gannon can be found on Instagram @madaboutminiatures and the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures is @theminitimemachine. 

We get the behind the scenes scoop on the world class school for miniaturists located in beautiful Castine, Maine. The one week long summer program is run by the International Guild of Miniature Artisans, and people come from all over the country - and even the world - to attend. From the incredible teachers to the annual lobster celebration, Katie La Fortune tells us all about this amazing school where miniaturists can learn new skills and master their craft. 

Host Becky Gannon can be found on Instagram @madaboutminiatures and the Guild School is on Instagram @igmaguildschool. 

Marina talks about using miniatures as a way to preserve memories - she created a dollhouse filled with her mother's crafts and decor style to hold her mother close to her heart.  Marina and I also talk about tackling the world of 3D printing as a "non-techie", how we feel when real life gets in the way of the mini world, her childhood dollhouse, and the joys of creating tiny things! Host Becky Gannon can be found on Instagram @madaboutminiatures and Marina is @marinas_mini_life. 

Life is just another day at the beach for miniaturist Theresa Parker. She lives near the beach in real life and has built a miniature beach house and waterfront restaurant. We chat about her 3D printing, her "mini-eating" dog Barley, getting featured in mini magazines, and how we both love teal.  Host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @madaboutminiatures and Theresa is @theminibeachhouse.

I chat with modern miniaturist & architect Paris Renfroe about his cool modern minis, the inside scoop on exciting changes to the IMOMA miniature show coming up in February of 2023, and how watching Miami Vice as a kid influenced his sense of style. Host Becky Gannon can be found on Instagram @madaboutminiatures, Paris Renfroe is @prdminiatures and go to @IMoMA for information on the upcoming miniature show in Vegas. .

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Join me as I talk to Kate Unver, the author of the Big Book of Mini and creator of @dailymini about her personal mini collection (think in the thousands!), her passion for discovering and supporting mini artisans, and how she loves riding her motorcycle to mini shows!  Host Becky Gannon can be found on Instagram @madaboutminiatures. Please subscribe so you'll always be the first to hear a new episode! 

Join me in exploring the miniature treasures at the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, & Toys.  Museum Director Wendy Littlepage gives us the inside scoop on their miniature collection. Hear  the story behind the Someday House, the teddy bear that flew first class from England,  and so much more!  Host Becky Gannon can be found on Instagram @madaboutminiatures  and check out the museum @minidolltoymusuem. 

Kristine has been combining her love of  photography and modern minis for thirteen years. We talk about tips for photographing your dollhouses, creating photo backdrops, 3 D printing and more!  Host Becky Gannon can be found on Instagram @madaboutminiatures  and Kristine is @paperdollminiatures. 

They were finalists on HGTV's Biggest Little Christmas Showdown where they wowed us with their Christmas Tiki Boat and modern minis!  I chat with  Amanda and Briana about what happened "behind the scenes"  at the Biggest Little Christmas Showdown, telling someone new you are obsessed with miniatures, miniatures as art, and  what to wear to Lobster Night at the IGMA Guild School.  Host Becky Gannon can be found on Instagram @madaboutminiatures  while Amanda & Briana are @pandaminiatures.

Was it murder?  Bruce Goldfarb, author of Eighteen Tiny Deaths, discusses the miniature "death dioramas" created in 1946 by Frances Glessner Lee to help train policemen to investigate crimes. Frances Glessner Lee is considered to be the mother of modern forensic medicine. Learn more about this incredible woman and how she used miniatures to improve forensic science.  Bruce Goldfarb is on Instagram @eighteentinydeaths and host Becky Gannon is @madaboutminiatures! 

From teeny tiny ice cubes to a "mini me"  Barbie, Tonya of @grandmagetsreal mirrors her real life in miniature with humor and creativity.  We discuss Barbie's influence on her childhood and modeling career, how she finds miniatures in unlikely places (like key chains and Christmas ornaments) and how she rediscovered Barbie with her grandchildren. Host Becky Gannon can be found on Instagram @madaboutminiatures and Tonya Ruiz is @grandmagetsreal. 

 

Bill Robertson is renowned for his extraordinary miniatures which are in museums and collections all over the world. But as a young man he thought his future lay in cars  until he stopped at a miniature show to buy his mom a gift, and from there embarked on  a life long career creating miniatures, designing exhibits & miniature museums, teaching, and more. Host Becky Gannon can be found on Instagram @madaboutminiatures and Bill Robertson is @wmrrobertsonminiatures.

Lauren P. Dodge has created a haunting and hauntingly beautiful dollhouse in the southern gothic style.  Lauren talks about her entry into the world of miniatures, how to create the most realistic spiderwebs, her love of everything spooky, and so much more. Host Becky Gannon can be found on Instagram @madaboutminiatures and Lauren P. Dodge is @southerngothicdollhouse.