Podcast
Tiny worlds, Big Stories
Hosted by Lara Blair · EN
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.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Erica Meade of Mini House on the Line
2w ago00:57:24Tap to summarizeWhat 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 makersThis 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/smallnewsLara's arthttps://www.instagram.com/larablairartstudiohttps://www.instagram.com/tinyworldsbigstorieshttps://www.larablairartstudio.com/
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Emma Oberle of Emma Bug Studio
3w ago00:34:18Tap to summarizeWhat 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/smallnewsLara's arthttps://www.instagram.com/larablairartstudiohttps://www.instagram.com/tinyworldsbigstorieshttps://www.larablairartstudio.com/
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Chris Petersen of Scale Model Homes
May 500:48:20Tap to summarizeChris 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/UeGcPSxykjMhttps://www.instagram.com/tinyworldsbigstories******🔗 Find Chris:Website: scalemodelhomes.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/scalemodelhomes*****Small By Design Newsletter Sign-up:https://larablairartstudio.myflodesk.com/smallnewsLara's arthttps://www.instagram.com/larablairartstudio
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Kate Anderson Singer of Tiny Doors Atlanta
Apr 2800:52:29Tap to summarizeWhat 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 doorKaren 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-retailThe books:https://www.tinydoorsatl.com/book*****Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bB4R14v3skYLara's IG:https://www.instagram.com/lara_miniaturistSmall By Design Newsletter Sign-up:https://larablairartstudio.myflodesk.com/smallnews
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Nomxian - 18 year old prodigy diorama maker
Apr 2100:37:01Tap to summarizeWhat 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/LNPdbs9g3swSmall By Design Newsletter Sign-up:https://larablairartstudio.myflodesk.com/smallnewsLara's arthttps://www.instagram.com/lara_miniaturisthttps://www.instagram.com/tinyworldsbigstorieshttps://www.larablairartstudio.com/
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Kate Davenport Hilgenberg of Davenport Construction
Apr 1400:41:40Tap to summarizeWhen Interior Design Meets 1:12 Scale Mastery | Kate Davenport HilgenbergIn 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 miniaturesKate’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_miniaturisthttps://www.larablairartstudio.com/Small By Design Newsletter Sign-up:https://larablairartstudio.myflodesk.com/smallnews
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Tammie Knight of Small Matters Miniatures
Apr 701:07:18Tap to summarizeWhat 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 purposeTammie’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-white2021 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_miniaturisthttps://www.larablairartstudio.com/Small By Design Newsletter Sign-up:https://larablairartstudio.myflodesk.com/smallnews
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Kristine Hanna of Paper Doll Miniatures
Mar 3101:02:18Tap to summarizeThere’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 landscapeChristine’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_miniaturisthttps://www.larablairartstudio.com/Small By Design Newsletter Sign-up:https://larablairartstudio.myflodesk.com/smallnews
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Anna Carey - fine artist
Mar 2400:37:31Tap to summarizeWhat 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 motherhoodThis 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_miniaturisthttps://www.larablairartstudio.com/Small By Design Newsletter Sign-up:https://larablairartstudio.myflodesk.com/smallnews
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Miriam Stone Wilson of Miniature Werewolf
Mar 1700:45:49Tap to summarizeWhat if the girl who was swallowed by the wolf… grew up to become one?In this episode of Tiny Worlds, Big Stories, Lara talks with Seattle-based miniaturist Miriam Stone Wilson, the imaginative force behind intricate public dioramas, including Postmaster Wanda, an octopus running a hidden mailroom inside a neighborhood parcel locker. We also talk about a stunning two-era Seattle home created for Vanishing Seattle at Bumbershoot.Miriam grew up in the Pacific Northwest imagining tiny woodland creatures, magical cottages, and bedtime stories told nightly by her father. These stories would later become her first miniature build: "Mrs. Witch’s Cottage".In this conversation, they explore:• Growing up in Santa Fe and the Olympic Peninsula surrounded by handmade dollhouses• Why miniatures take longer than full-scale art• Public art, parcel lockers, and honoring the USPS• Research as a creative superpower• Why libraries are perfect places for tiny worlds• Tutorial Tuesday and the generosity of the miniature community• The difference between being “artistic” and calling yourself an artist• Creativity in turbulent times• And her ambitious new project: a perimenopausal retelling of Red Riding Hood through a Jungian alchemical dollhouseThis episode is about magic.About transformation.About humor in the face of chaos.And about building the worlds we want to live in — even if they fit inside a box.If you’ve ever believed tiny things hold enormous meaning, this one is for you.********https://www.miniaturewerewolf.com/https://www.instagram.com/miniaturewerewolfhttps://www.tiktok.com/@miniaturewerewolf*******Lara's art:https://www.instagram.com/lara_miniaturisthttps://www.larablairartstudio.com/Small By Design Newsletter Sign-up:https://larablairartstudio.myflodesk.com/smallnews
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