Tiny worlds, Big Stories

Lara Blair

0.0 (0)
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.

12 HRS AGO

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
MAY 5

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
APR 28

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
APR 21

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
APR 14

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
APR 7

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

1h 7m
MAR 31

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

1h 2m
MAR 24

Anna Carey - fine artist

What happens when memory, demolition, and neon light collide? In this episode of Tiny Worlds, Big Stories, Lara sits down with Australian artist Anna Carey, whose miniature architectural sculptures blur the line between reality and illusion. Known for her meticulously constructed small-scale buildings — later photographed with cinematic lighting — Anna creates motel rooms, suburban houses, and glowing psychic storefronts that feel both nostalgic and slightly eerie. At first glance, they appear to be real spaces. Look again, and you realize you’ve been fooled. In this conversation, Anna shares: • Growing up in 1990s Australia and the imaginative play that shaped her • Why she builds models instead of photographing real architecture • The emotional pull of demolition and disappearing buildings • The origins of her “Psychic Works” series during COVID lockdown in Los Angeles • Why imperfection and deterioration make a model feel more believable • The meditative stillness of working in miniature • Returning to art after motherhood This episode explores illusion, nostalgia, and the psychology of scale and how small, constructed worlds can hold deep emotional truth. If you’ve ever felt drawn to abandoned buildings, neon signs glowing in the dark, or the quiet intimacy of looking into a tiny room, this conversation will stay with you. Because sometimes the smallest spaces echo the loudest memories. Art: https://annacarey.net https://www.instagram.com/annacareyhere/ Merch: https://www.roomservice444.com/ Holiday home: https://www.rainbowbayretreat.com/rainbow-bay-retreat ******* Lara's art: https://www.instagram.com/lara_miniaturist https://www.larablairartstudio.com/ Small By Design Newsletter Sign-up: https://larablairartstudio.myflodesk.com/smallnews

38 min

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

17
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2025 Lara Blair