Tiny worlds, Big Stories

Lara Blair

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VISUAL ARTS

Here we celebrate the artists who craft small-scale magic — miniature makers, diorama dreamers, dollhouse designers, micro-world builders — and uncover the stories, creativity and techniques that bring these tiny worlds to life. If you love tiny art or create it yourself, you’re in the right place. Tiny worlds. Big stories. Endless wonder.

2 DAYS AGO

Erica Meade of Little House on the Line

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. * * * https://www.minihouseontheline.com/ https://ericameade.substack.com/ https://www.practicemaking.com/ https://www.creatinchallenge.com/ * * * 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/

57 min
12 MAY

Emma Oberle of Emma Bug Studio

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 seasonsThe surprising joy of tiny thingsBuilding a business from scratch (and learning boundaries along the way)Why her art is intentionally silly, strange, and deeply humanBalancing a full-time job, chronic illness, and creative workLetting 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: **** https://emmabugstudio.com/ https://www.instagram.com/emmabugstudio/ **** 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/

34 min
5 MAY

Chris Petersen of Scale Model Homes

Chris Petersen builds more than miniature houses—he builds memory. In this episode, Lara talks with the artist behind Scale Model Homes, who transforms real homes into intricate, hand-crafted replicas filled with meaning. What began with childhood blocks and evolved through a career in healthcare has become deeply personal work rooted in nostalgia, loss, and storytelling. From recreating homes that no longer exist to crafting pieces that hold a loved one’s ashes, Chris shares the emotional weight behind his commissions and why no two builds are ever the same. They explore creativity later in life, the intersection of craftsmanship and art, and the surprising ways our homes stay with us long after we leave them. We talk about: The emotional power of recreating childhood homesWhy people cry when they receive their miniature housesThe challenge of turning architecture into artHis process—from Google searches to laser-cut precisionWhat happens when a custom commission doesn’t go as plannedThe most meaningful builds he’s ever created (including homes lost to fire and models that hold ashes) This conversation is about more than miniatures. It’s about memory, identity, and the places that shape us. ✨ If you’ve ever loved a home, lost a home, or longed to hold onto a moment—you’ll feel this one. WATCH ON YouTube: https://youtu.be/UeGcPSxykjM https://www.instagram.com/tinyworldsbigstories ****** 🔗 Find Chris: Website: scalemodelhomes.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scalemodelhomes ***** Small By Design Newsletter Sign-up: https://larablairartstudio.myflodesk.com/smallnews Lara's art https://www.instagram.com/larablairartstudio

48 min
28 APR

Kate Anderson Singer of Tiny Doors Atlanta

What started as a kid making tiny furniture out of modeling clay turned into one of the most beloved public art projects in Atlanta. In this episode of Tiny Worlds, Big Stories, I sit down with Karen Anderson Singer, creator of Tiny Doors ATL, to talk about her journey from a self-described “art kid” to building miniature doors that have become part of an entire city’s identity. We get into: -Her childhood obsession with creating (and making everything by hand) -Why she sees miniatures as a way to interrupt everyday life -The surprising origin of her first tiny door -How the community began interacting with and protecting the work -The reality of public miniature art (spoiler: it’s not easy) -Why imagination matters more than what’s actually behind the door Karen also shares what it really takes to install public art—from permits and insurance to navigating city bureaucracy—and why she doesn’t recommend it lightly. This is a conversation about scale, storytelling, and the quiet power of making people pause.https://www.tinydoorsatl.com/ https://www.instagram.com/tinydoorsatl/ Shop & retail: https://www.tinydoorsatl.com/shop-retail The books: https://www.tinydoorsatl.com/book ***** Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bB4R14v3skY Lara's IG: https://www.instagram.com/lara_miniaturist Small By Design Newsletter Sign-up: https://larablairartstudio.myflodesk.com/smallnews

52 min
21 APR

Nomxian - 18 year old prodigy diorama maker

What happens when your very first diorama goes viral overnight?In this episode of Tiny Worlds, Big Stories, I sit down with Nomxian, an 18-year-old artist whose abandoned building diorama captured millions of views and launched her creative journey in a way she never expected. We talk about:How a high school art project turned into a viral momentWhy she’s drawn to abandoned, weathered spacesBuilding detailed dioramas using recycled materialsThe pressure (or lack of it) after going viralChoosing to be a faceless creator and let the work speakBalancing architecture studies with a growing art platformWhat makes Nomxian’s work so powerful isn’t just the craftsmanship, it’s the feeling. Her pieces explore nostalgia, time, and the quiet beauty of overlooked places.If you love miniatures, storytelling through art, or seeing the world a little differently… this one’s for you.https://www.instagram.com/nomxiannhttps://www.youtube.com/@nomxian ******** Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LNPdbs9g3sw Small By Design Newsletter Sign-up: https://larablairartstudio.myflodesk.com/smallnews Lara's art https://www.instagram.com/lara_miniaturist https://www.instagram.com/tinyworldsbigstories https://www.larablairartstudio.com/

37 min
14 APR

Kate Davenport Hilgenberg of Davenport Construction

When Interior Design Meets 1:12 Scale Mastery | Kate Davenport Hilgenberg In this episode of Tiny Worlds, Big Stories, I sit down with miniature artist Kate Davenport Hilgenberg— a retired interior designer whose dollhouses feel so real, you’ll question your eyesight. Kate shares how her journey began with a small black suitcase filled with “little fiddly things,” a father who was a meticulous builder, and a dollhouse rescued from the attic for her granddaughters. One magical moment — LED lights glowing inside a handmade cabinet dollhouse — changed everything. We talk about: • How her background in interior design shapes every build • Why she redraws floor plans like a real contractor • The perfectionism behind her Clue room series • Learning laser cutters and 3D printing in her 70s • Shipping disasters (including a Santorini house lost in transit) • Why photographing your work reveals the gaps • The emotional healing power of miniatures Kate’s Adobe house, Hawaiian beach house, Storm Cove, and Clue rooms show an extraordinary attention to detail — from scratch-built cabinetry to 200 individually wrapped miniature books. If you love miniatures, craftsmanship, or the magic of small things, this conversation is for you. 📌 Subscribe for more conversations with master miniaturists. 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. https://www.instagram.com/davenport1_12construction/ ******* Lara's art: https://www.instagram.com/lara_miniaturist https://www.larablairartstudio.com/ Small By Design Newsletter Sign-up: https://larablairartstudio.myflodesk.com/smallnews

42 min
7 APR

Tammie Knight of Small Matters Miniatures

What does it look like to carry your passion with you no matter where life takes you? In this heartfelt episode of Tiny Worlds, Big Stories, Lara sits down with master miniaturist Tammie Knight, whose work is as emotionally rich as it is visually stunning. From a childhood spent wandering New York City museums with a mother who believed art belonged to everyone, to building a decades-long career that spanned both corporate leadership and deeply personal creative practice, Tammie’s story is one of devotion, resilience, and purpose. Miniatures were never just a hobby. They were her constant. A place to play, to express, and to tell stories. A defining moment at Parsons affirmed what she already knew deep down: this was her path. And yet, like so many artists, she navigated a world where creativity and career don’t always align, she continued to build her miniature worlds quietly, persistently, and with extraordinary care. In this episode, we explore: The influence of childhood creativity and access to artFinding belonging and identity through creative expressionHolding onto your artistic voice while building a careerThe emotional and storytelling power of miniaturesAnd what it means to truly live in your purpose Tammie’s work invites us to slow down, look closer, and reconnect with a sense of wonder. This conversation is a reminder that the things we love most—especially the ones we loved as children—often hold the key to who we’re meant to become. https://www.smallmattersminiatures.com/ https://www.instagram.com/tammieknightminiatures/ "Beyond Color" Exhibit: https://www.bedfordgallery.org/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/beyond-color-the-language-of-black-and-white 2021 Mic Drop Minis interview: https://anchor.fm/miniatureobsession/episodes/EP-30--Tammie-Knight---Small-Matters-Miniatures-e1bhdh6 "Raise Your Floor" article: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lathamturner_a-good-society-needs-floor-raising-institutions-share ****************** Lara's art: https://www.instagram.com/lara_miniaturist https://www.larablairartstudio.com/ Small By Design Newsletter Sign-up: https://larablairartstudio.myflodesk.com/smallnews

1hr 7min
31 MAR

Kristine Hanna of Paper Doll Miniatures

There’s a moment in every artist’s life when creativity stops being optional—and becomes essential. In this episode of Tiny Worlds, Big Stories, I sit down with Christine of Paper Doll Miniatures, whose journey into miniatures began not as a career move, but as a lifeline. Originally a photographer, Christine turned to building small-scale worlds during a long period of chronic illness that left her unable to work. What started as a way to stay connected—to purpose, to community, to creativity—slowly evolved into a deeply personal and professional practice rooted in storytelling. Today, she creates intricate, cinematic miniature scenes for major brands, blending design, filmmaking, and narrative into work that captivates both clients and audiences. But behind the beauty is a process that is both demanding and deeply intentional—projects that can take over 100 hours, built under tight timelines, all while navigating the realities of creative burnout and balance. In our conversation, we explore: – how creativity can carry us through difficult seasons – the evolution from hobby to profession – the art of storytelling through miniatures – the unseen labor behind brand collaborations – and the growing importance of the human touch in an AI-driven landscape Christine’s work invites us to slow down, look closer, and remember that even the smallest worlds can hold immense meaning. 🎧 Tiny Worlds, Big Stories is a podcast about the artists who build small—and the stories that make their work feel anything but. https://www.paperdollminiatures.com/ https://www.instagram.com/paperdollminiatures/ https://www.tiktok.com/@paperdoll_miniatures ********* Lara's art: https://www.instagram.com/lara_miniaturist https://www.larablairartstudio.com/ Small By Design Newsletter Sign-up: https://larablairartstudio.myflodesk.com/smallnews

1hr 2min

Here we celebrate the artists who craft small-scale magic — miniature makers, diorama dreamers, dollhouse designers, micro-world builders — and uncover the stories, creativity and techniques that bring these tiny worlds to life. If you love tiny art or create it yourself, you’re in the right place. Tiny worlds. Big stories. Endless wonder.

Creator

Lara Blair
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

18
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2025 Lara Blair

Hobbies

Hobbies

Updated Monthly