In The Dock...
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Artisans cross examined!...
IN THE DOCK:
Bea (Fiona Broadwood)Owner of Petite Properties Ltd
- When and why did you become involved with miniatures? In 2001 a serious illness forced me to leave my full time employment. What followed was a long period of recuperation. Boredom quickly set in and so to fill the empty days I re-awakened an old love of making models… I had made miniatures during my time as an architectural illustrator but never an actual ‘Dolls House’.
- Is this a full time occupation for you? The last time I calculated it, I found that I work on average about a 90 hour week… so I think that more than counts as full time…!
- Have you ever had any special training for what you do, or are you completely self taught? A combination really, I was formally trained in fine art and graphic design, but most of the techniques and skills that I use to make my houses come from my childhood and from my continual experimentation along the way…
- Do you own a dolls house? Strangely – no!
- Do you collect miniatures? I don’t seem to find the time to start, I keep telling myself – one day!
- What do your family and friends think of what you do and do they encourage you? I think they are mostly confused by it all as none of them are miniaturists themselves. Despite their confusion they are amazingly supportive and I couldn’t do what I ‘do’ without them.
"This is when I could quite cheerfully start lobbing houses from a first floor window ..."
- Do you ever get times when you think of giving it all up? In truth - often!! Mostly just before a big show, such as Miniatura as I am normally exhausted with building houses and my workload, as a whole, goes through the roof…!! This is when I could quite cheerfully start lobbing houses from a first floor window – building 50 odd houses can do that to you! What customers don’t see is that it isn’t just the sheer volume of houses that I have to get done in time for the big shows, it's also making all the furniture by hand, the organisation & paper work, the website updates combined with general day to day office work that also has to be ticked off the ‘to do’ list. At these times I often think of retiring… but then again, I would miss it all so much… so it only ever remains a passing thought when I am at my most depleted!
- Do you keep a notebook of ideas or future projects, or is everything you do, done on an impulse? To be honest, it is a bit of both! I am a very keen amateur photographer so I always have my camera with me, in case I see a building or element of vernacular that inspires me. As an architectural illustrator I also carry my trusty and somewhat 'dog-eared' sketch book with me. However, there are many times when I am in the workshop and inspiration strikes, then it is all done on impulse and is guided by what both feels and looks ‘right’…
- Do you have a purpose made workshop? Yes... Last year we moved house to a new home - Bumble Bee Cottages. Here I was lucky enough to be able to have a purpose built studio sited at the bottom of our garden. My mum aptly referred to it as Bea’s Hive and the name has stuck ever since… It now feels like my second home!
- If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out in miniature making, what would it be? Anyone who knows me, knows that I couldn't just stop at one bit of advice!!! So I would have to say: Stick to what you do best…
- Do you think there is much, if any, rivalry between makers? I think that many artisans are finding times tough. There seems to be a re-shuffling of the miniature industry and times are changing. Those who are original and who offer top quality products at competitive prices will continue to do well. It is also vital for artisans to be aware of the changing market place and proactively react to developments within it. This is not a time to sit and rest on old laurels, it is a time to work harder and try new approaches, the internet is proving to be a key element in these potentially exciting times of change.
- Is there anybody from the miniature world whose work you really admire? I am always gob smacked by the work of Vic Newey – awesome!
- If a competitor came to you for advice, would you give it freely? Lol…yes I would and yes I have…
- Do you think the Dolls house hobby needs more publicity? Yes... we need to attract more younger miniaturists into the hobby. Publicity and a raised profile for the industry could only be a positive, welcome opportunity.
- Do you consider yourself lucky to be able to do what you are doing? Everyday, I do something I love… I go to work… I get paid to play… I get paid to write about playing… I am my own boss… I decide my own fate… I work at the bottom of the garden… Life doesn’t get much better than that!
"Trust me… The future's bright… The future’s half scale! ..."
- What was the first record or CD you ever bought? Oh my… !!!??? (waiting for the mist of time to part…)
- One inch to a foot (1/12th scale) is the accepted standard, but more smaller scales are now becoming available, do you make anything in smaller scales and if so what scales do you make in and what is your favourite scale? Well for me this is an easy question to answer as my whole business is based on the 1:24th scale (Half Scale) For me it is just the most perfect scale, big enough to retain the detail, yet small enough to fit almost anywhere – perfect!
- Considering how long the 1/12th scale has been going, how do you think the smaller scales will do in the long term? (Lol) Trust me… The future's bright… The future’s half scale!
- If you were told you were to be marooned on a desert island and you could only take one CD, one DVD and one book, what would you choose? The CD – Purple Rain, by Prince...
- Do you think there is anything that cannot be produced in miniature? A good dry Australian Chardonnay =0)
- What is the strangest thing you have ever made or been asked to make? A half scale funeral Parlour…
- Do you exhibit at Dolls House/Miniature fairs? Yes, you can see the Petite Properties stand at all the major fairs within the
- Do you think working in Miniature has changed your life in any way? Well I am certainly more tired than I used to be! I am also very content and happy. Life is good…
- What would you consider to be your greatest achievement, in your real life and in the miniature world? Have got to say that I loved being a cover girl for The Dollshouse Magazine a couple of years ago – vane, but definitely a tale for the grandchildren!! Also holding my published books for the first time reduced me to tears… Much more importantly though in real life, I would have to say my daughters are my greatest achievement… At 19 and 17 years old I am very proud of the young women they have become. Quite simply they will always be the best miniatures that I have ever made!
- Where do you see yourself in the miniature world in one year’s time? Hopefully I will have released many more books, A.I.M will be going from strength to strength and if it is ‘exactly’ one year's time – then I will probably be completely shattered getting ready for Spring Miniatura and daydreaming about retiring (again)…
- Do you actually foresee a time when you will stop making miniatures? Yep, when I am the one in 'the' box…
- And finally, if someone wants to commission you to make something how could they contact you? Right now… I reckon smoke signals would be their best and only bet!
Questions by Dave Williams of Harvington Miniatures
Copyright Lumo publishing 2008
