Tiny worlds, Big Stories – Details, episodes & analysis

What does it take to turn childhood creativity into a full-time artistic career? In this inspiring conversation, Lara sits down with Chelsea of Chelsea Makes. Chelsea is a miniature artist whose journey spans cardboard Barbie house renovations, landscape architecture, and building intricate tiny worlds for major brands like Warby Parker, Barbie, and L’Oreal.

Chelsea shares the behind-the-scenes reality of brand collaborations, the courage it takes to leave stability for creativity, and why tiny objects can hold enormous emotional power. In this episode, they explore persistence, creative community, and the surprising opportunities that can come from being just a little strategically persistent.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late, too risky, or too unconventional to follow your creative instincts, this episode is your reminder that imagination is often the most reliable compass.

Website: https://www.chelseamakes.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/chelseamake...
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chelseamakesc...
Book: https://www.amazon.com/50-Makes-Moder...
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChelseaMakesCA
Domestika class: https://www.domestika.org/en/chelseamakes

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Visit Lara's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lara_miniaturist

https://www.instagram.com/tinyworldsbigstories

Visit Lara's website: https://www.larablairartstudio.com/

In this engaging conversation, Kylie White shares her journey from a childhood fascination with miniatures to building a successful business centered around her passion. She discusses the healing power of her hobby, the importance of community, and the tools that have helped her along the way. Kylie emphasizes the significance of authenticity in her work and offers advice for aspiring miniature artists. As she reflects on her evolving style and future aspirations, listeners are inspired by her story of creativity, resilience, and personal growth.

Chapters

00:00 Kylie's Early Fascination with Miniatures

02:53 The Healing Power of Miniature Design

06:00 Balancing Content Creation and Miniature Projects

08:58 Turning a Hobby into a Business

12:02 Father-Daughter Collaboration in Miniature Building

15:03 The Emotional Attachment to Miniature Creations

18:01 Building a Community and Marketing on Etsy

21:02 Advice for Aspiring Miniature Artists

24:02 Future Collaborations and Aspirations

27:05 Manifesting Dreams and Future Goals

30:03 The Journey of Creativity and Hobbies

32:55 Embracing Technology in Miniature Making

36:03 Finding Inspiration and Sources for Miniature Projects

38:58 Evolving Styles and Personal Growth

42:06 The Healing Power of Creativity

46:01 Community Connections and Collaboration

48:59 Honoring Childhood Dreams and Aspirations

Visit Kylie at:

instagram.com/kyliewhitespace

tiktok.com/@kyliewhitespace

https://www.kyliewhitespace.com/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/WhiteSpaceMiniatures

https://www.youtube.com/@kyliewhitespace

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Tiny Worlds, Big Stories YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/@tinyworldsbigstories

Lara's art:

https://www.larablairartstudio.com/

https://www.instagram.com/lara_miniaturist

Tom Haney, a skilled artist and teacher, shares his journey from childhood fascination with mechanical art to becoming a full-time automata artist. He discusses his training, transition to entrepreneurship, and the evolution of his creative process. Tom's unique approach to automata and his teaching experiences are highlighted, along with the challenges and rewards of his artistic career. Tom Haney, a creative artist, shares his journey of creating marionettes and kinetic sculptures, his influences, and the importance of curiosity in his work. He also discusses the challenges of showcasing his unique artwork and the significance of creativity in his life.

Takeaways

• Mechanical Artistry
• Transition to Entrepreneurship Creativity as a driving force
• The value of curiosity in artistic expression

Chapters

• 00:00 Evolution of Creative Process and Artistic Career
• 22:16 The Creative Collaboration
• 27:25 Navigating the Art World
• 33:58 Honoring Creativity and Curiosity

WATCH THE VIDEO RECORDING of this podcast: www.youtube.com/@tinyworldsbigstories

Website: https://www.tomhaney.com/

Youtube channel: https://youtube.com/@tomhaneyartwork?si=OwGIJOb6qN6pTv0j

IG: https://www.instagram.com/tomhaneyartwork/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/people/Tom-Haneys-Artwork/100057975912434/#

YouTube Little Tybee band video: https://youtu.be/-erw7PWJqDU?si=2EIJ43mUbTqBpgWR

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Visit Lara's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lara_miniaturist

https://www.instagram.com/tinyworldsbigstories

Visit Lara's website: https://www.larablairartstudio.com/

What happens when a master furniture maker is asked to make something small — and takes it just as seriously? Paris Renfroe is a lifelong craftsman whose hands have always been drawn to precision and beauty. Before miniatures, he built custom furniture and cabinetry — full-scale pieces made with the same care and perfectionism he brings to his miniature worlds today. In this episode, we talk about the moment a single request for a tiny version of his work changed everything, the discipline behind his mid-century modern aesthetic, and how his miniatures grew into museum-worthy pieces collected around the world.

WATCH THE VIDEO RECORDING on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tJaiGJIkJWg?si=xXxZJWRtUOdp4ZUw

Paris' website: https://prdminiatures.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/prdminiatures/

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Visit Lara's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lara_miniaturist

https://www.instagram.com/tinyworldsbigstories

Visit Lara's website: https://www.larablairartstudio.com/

In this debut episode of Tiny Worlds Big Stories, host Lara Blair introduces her passion for miniature art and the community surrounding it. She shares her personal journey from a childhood love of dollhouses to becoming a full-time artist, creating meaningful miniature scenes. The podcast aims to celebrate the creativity of miniature makers and explore the diverse world of miniatures beyond just dollhouses, including dioramas and fine art.

WATCH THE VIDEO RECORDING ON YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZnHV7xkVZks?si=5OfNsEgmKVmTAIHI

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Visit Lara's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lara_miniaturist

https://www.instagram.com/tinyworldsbigstories

Visit Lara's website: https://www.larablairartstudio.com/

What happens when a high-powered tech career collides with burnout… and turns into tiny worlds filled with wonder?

In this episode of Tiny Worlds, Big Stories, I sit down with miniature artist and former VP of Design, Erica Meade, to talk about creativity, career pivots, and the surprising power of making things with your hands.

After being laid off from a fast-paced tech startup, Erica found herself in an unexpected pause and used it to build something magical: a custom dollhouse for a “Tiny Client.” What followed was a creative awakening that reshaped her life.

We talk about:
✨ The moment burnout turns into breakthrough
✨ Why creative hobbies are powerful self-care
✨ The joy of making miniatures (and why details matter)
✨ Her viral dollhouse reveal and the “joy transfer” effect
✨ Building a creative life without monetizing everything
✨ The rebirth of Creatin’ 2.0 with two fellow miniaturists
✨ How her background in tech led to a new app for makers

This conversation is for anyone who has ever wondered:
“What would happen if I gave myself permission to create?”
If you’ve been craving more creativity, calm, or meaning in your life, this one’s for you.
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https://www.minihouseontheline.com/
https://ericameade.substack.com/
https://www.practicemaking.com/
https://www.creatinchallenge.com/
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Small By Design Newsletter Sign-up:
https://larablairartstudio.myflodesk.com/smallnews
Lara's art
https://www.instagram.com/larablairartstudio
https://www.instagram.com/tinyworldsbigstories
https://www.larablairartstudio.com/

What happens when curiosity, creativity, and a box of dead bugs collide?

In this episode of Tiny Worlds, Big Stories, I sit down with artist Emma Oberle (Emma Bug Studio)—the brilliant (and delightfully unconventional) mind behind miniature scenes starring real preserved insects. Yes… bugs. And yes… you’re going to fall in love with them.

Emma shares her journey from a creative childhood filled with sewing, crafting, and tinkering, to studying at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), to navigating post-grad life during the uncertainty of 2020. What began as painting plant pots to cope with anxiety turned into a thriving art business—and eventually, the tiny, wildly imaginative bug worlds that captured the internet’s attention.

We talk about:

• How creativity can carry you through hard seasons
• The surprising joy of tiny things
• Building a business from scratch (and learning boundaries along the way)
• Why her art is intentionally silly, strange, and deeply human
• Balancing a full-time job, chronic illness, and creative work
• Letting go of the pressure to “be one kind of artist”

And of course… we talk about the bugs 🐞

If you’ve ever felt pulled to make something—anything—this episode is your reminder that your curiosity might just be your compass.

✨ Don’t forget to watch on YouTube to see Emma’s work—photos included:

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https://emmabugstudio.com/

https://www.instagram.com/emmabugstudio/

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Small By Design Newsletter Sign-up:

https://larablairartstudio.myflodesk.com/smallnews

Lara's art

https://www.instagram.com/larablairartstudio

https://www.instagram.com/tinyworldsbigstories

https://www.larablairartstudio.com/

What if joy could live on your sidewalk?

In this episode of Tiny Worlds, Big Stories, Lara sits down with Rachael Harms Mahlandt, co-founder of the Sidewalk Joy movement, to talk about tiny dioramas, mug exchanges, dino swaps, and the radical act of creating whimsy in public spaces.

From growing up making miniature worlds out of cardboard boxes to studying neuroscience, working in marketing, navigating early motherhood, and eventually building a worldwide map of nearly 800 community joy spots, Rachael’s story is one of courage, creativity, and choosing connection over cynicism.

They talk about:
• The fleeting nature of time — and how it shaped her childhood
• Motherhood, burnout, and reclaiming creativity
• The first Dino Exchange (and what happened when it was vandalized)
• The Mug Exchange that sparked a movement
• Going viral on The Kelly Clarkson Show and NPR
• Why joy is not frivolous — it’s necessary

This conversation is about more than miniatures.
It’s about belonging.
It’s about community.
It’s about keeping your heart open when it would be easier to close it.

If you’ve ever felt the urge to make something small that might mean something big — this episode is for you.

https://www.instagram.com/pdxdinorama

https://www.instagram.com/sidewalkjoy

https://www.tiktok.com/@pdxdinorama

https://www.pdxsidewalkjoy.com/

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Small By Design monthly newsletter: https://larablairartstudio.myflodesk.com/smallnews

Lara's art:

https://www.instagram.com/lara_miniaturist

https://www.larablairartstudio.com/

What does it really take to build a creative life that lasts?

In this deeply honest conversation, British miniature artist Lisa Swerling of Glass Cathedrals shares the unexpected path that led her to create thousands of tiny boxed worlds over the past 22 years — and the mindset shifts that sustained her long before success arrived.

Lisa opens up about:

• Growing up creative but controlled — and how perfectionism shaped her early identity
• The broken architect figurine that changed everything
• Why she didn’t call herself an artist for the first decade
• The enormous responsibility of creating commissioned pieces that hold people’s most precious memories
• How trust between artist and collector makes or breaks the work
• Why building a mailing list matters more than chasing algorithms
• The quiet power of “gentle shifts in perspective”

This is a conversation about vulnerability, business, motherhood, resilience, glitter, grief, and the courage to keep making what feels true.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re “really” an artist… if selling your work feels exposing… or if you’re trying to build a sustainable creative career without burning out — this episode will feel like a steadying hand on your shoulder.

Because sometimes, changing the world doesn’t require shouting.
It requires small, meaningful acts of empathy — one tiny world at a time.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Early Creativity

06:49 Life Transitions: From South Africa to London and California

12:10 The Artistic Process: Creating Miniature Worlds

20:21 The Meaning Behind Glass Cathedrals

28:17 Art as a Medium for Empathy and Connection

36:53 Advice for Aspiring Artists and Navigating the Art World

YouTube video of podcast with images:

Website: https://glasscathedrals.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/glasscathedrals

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Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/tinyworldsbigstories

Small by Design newsletter for miniature lovers -

https://larablairartstudio.myflodesk.com/smallnews

Lara IG: https://www.instagram.com/lara_miniaturist

Go behind the scenes with Roy Tyson, the contemporary artist known for his miniature figures interacting with iconic works of art. In this creative podcast episode, he shares how he evolved from tiny photography scenes to highly detailed shadow box installations featuring miniature people painting, erasing, and transforming famous art references — including his Damien Hirst–inspired dot series.

We also dive into his commercial collaborations with major brands, how corporate commissions expanded his visibility, and how he founded and ran an artist-led art fair to create more supportive opportunities for emerging artists. Roy opens up about building gallery relationships, growing on Instagram, navigating the art market, and protecting creative time while traveling internationally.

A must-listen for miniature artists, contemporary art lovers, creative entrepreneurs, and anyone building an art business with momentum.

https://www.royspeople.com/

https://www.instagram.com/royspeople/

https://www.tiktok.com/@royspeopleofficial?lang=en

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Subscribe to Small by Design newsletter, a monthly review for the miniature community: https://larablairartstudio.myflodesk.com/smallnews

Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/tinyworldsbigstories

Lara Blair's art: https://instagram.com/lara_miniaturist