Mad About Miniatures

A "Dollhouse Takeover" is happening at the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts this fall. The collection spans three centuries and is coming out of the museum's vaults for the first time. It is a project 11 years in the making. My guest is Lindsey Jancay, VP & Managing Director, and we talk all about this special event and the Elizabeth Johnston Prime Dollhouse Collection featured in "Art of the Dollhouse". Host Becky Gannon is on FB & Instagram as Mad About Miniatures, and you'll find more about the exhibit at Kemerer Museum at Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites on FB and Instagram.

Miniature Model Maker Kayte Sabicer talks about how mini models are used in movies and tv shows to create realistic special effects. She has worked on some big blockbuster movies like Inception,Hugo, Dark Knight Rises, as well as some of the Star Wars movies & tv shows. Join me as we enter the world of Hollywood and discover how miniatures help deliver movie magic. Kayte is on Instagram @Kaytesabicer. You can also find her on YouTube working with Adam Savage from Mythbusters on his You Tube channel Tested, on which she also has her own show, Model Behavior.

Join me in a world where Barbie has as much attitude (mostly bad) and sass as she does beauty and style. That's the funny & fabulous world of Matthew Keith from Dolls On The Brain (FB & Instagram). Matthew's tongue in cheek "slap scenes" and humorous definitions have gained him a large & devoted following. Matthew discusses his filming process including how he actually "auditions" various Barbies for roles in his videos, does wardrobe tests, & more. Grab yourself a coffee and get ready to dish about Barbie, her glam retro wardrobe, and her misadventures. Host Becky Gannon is on FB, instagram & YouTube as Mad About Miniatures.

Years ago Troy Schmidt took a pottery class when he was a recent college grad looking to start his career in science. By the end of the class he was obsessed with pottery and fast forward to now where he has been throwing pottery for more than half his life. He's a teacher of both pottery and mini pottery, and we talk clay, glazes, kilns, and the joy of doing what you love! Troy is also a teacher at the world famous International Guild of Miniature Artisans School where I took his pottery class. Troy Schmidt is on Instagram @reddragonpottery and host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @madaboutminiatures.

Miniaturist Marie-Louise Markhorst wanted to learn how to make tiny metal hinges for her miniature furniture. Before she knew it, she was taking a three year jewelry making class to learn how to work with metal in miniature. We talk about her tiny copper pots, tiny ladles, cheese shredders and more, her time on a miniature tv show in the Netherlands, as well as her recent project to furnish a miniature version of Anne Frank's famous hideaway during World War II. This piece is in the newly opened @miniatuurmuseumamsterdam. Marie-Louise is @smallscaleminidesign on Instagram and host Becky Gannon is @madaboutminiatures on Instagram & Facebook.

After beating two separate types of cancer, Natasha was healthy but had lost her enthusiasm for life (understandbly). By revisiting her childhood love of minis and making it a priority, she found joy in her life again! This past Christmas Natasha was in People Magazine for building a dollhouse from scratch in 3 weeks for her 15 year old differently abled son. The fact that the dollhouse was for a boy caused a surprising amount of controversy and we tackle that head on! Join me as I talk to this talented miniaturist and remarkable woman. Natasha is on Instagram & FB @Vivadesignminiatures and host Becky Gannon is on FB and Instagram @madaboutminiatures.

Miniaturist Hannah Lemon is on a a great new television program about miniatures, called The Marvelous Miniature Workshop. It's her second tv show - she was previously the winner on Best In Miniature, season two. In this new show Hannah recreates in miniature two buildings that are abandoned and/or gone, to surprise people for whom those buildings hold happy memories. Hannah gives us the behind the scenes scoop on this heartwarming show! Host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @madaboutminiatures and guest Hannah Lemon is @hannahlemon_art.

The first Annual Festival of Miniatures is underway in Brattleboro, Vermont, for the entire month of December. There are over 80 miniature window displays and a slew of activities in downtown Brattleboro. I was invited to be a judge for the festival and was privileged to see how minis transformed downtown - bringing visitors, raising spirits, and causing a whole town to fall in love with miniatures! Join me as I talk to miniaturist Melany Kahn who spearheaded this festival with a lot of help from the Downtown Brattleboro Association and others. We talk about some of the amazing minis that came out of this festival, and how you could replicate this in your town!

Join me as I talk to miniaturist Jonathan Steadman about his line of handcrafted miniatures in the luxury Christmas shopping room at Bergdorf Goodman. That includes a $35,000 dollhouse, which is spectacular! He also was a vendor at Kensington Dollhouse Show where he won Best Debut. Jonathan is on Instagram at House of Mirth Miniatures and host Becky Gannon is at Mad About Miniatures.

Join me as I talk to Crystal Cox about her business selling "spooky cute" and tiny things. Halloween has long been Crystal's favorite holiday - she even got married in an abandoned building lit with candelabras on Halloween (Dracula vibes, anyone). We also get serious for a moment and talk about an artist's worst fear, which is someone stealing their work. Crystal talks about her experience and how you can educate yourself to get what you deserve. Crystal is on Instagram @spookshowbabe and I'm Becky Gannon on Instagram as @madaboutminiatures.

Do you ever feel guilty about the time & money you put into miniatures? Well, no more! I talk with Dr. Dalia Iskander, a medical anthropologist at the University College of London about her recent study of miniaturists. We talk about why we are driven to create miniatures, the pleasure and benefits we derive from them, and why we love tiny things! Host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @madaboutminiatures. For more on Dr. Iskander's study go to miniatureantidotes.com.

Join me as I talk to Niki Faller about her work with indigenous artists in the Amazon rainforest. She is coaching them to make miniatures of their traditional arts (basket weaving, carving, tapestries, etc.) thereby opening up a new market for these talented artisans. The journey hasn't been easy as many of the communities are isolated and building relationships and trust take time. But, now in year three of this project, Niki has made great strides. We talk about her adventures, the beautiful miniatures being made in the rainforest, and the artists who make them. Niki is on Instagram @bigriverminiatures and host Becky Gannon is @madaboutminiatures.

Casey started her career in fashion designing handbags and now she's designing mini totes, handbags, and other fun mini accessories that make your dollhouse feel like a real home. She's especially known for her tiny "ugly shoes", miniature versions of Crocs, Uggs, Birkenstocks, and more! Join us as we talk about all things mini. Casey is on Instagram @smallishminiatures and host Becky Gannon is @madaboutminiatures.

Master Miniaturists Kevin Mulvany & Susie Rogers are an English husband and wife team. They create magnificent miniature palaces and historic mansions that are displayed in miniature museums and private collections all over the world. They are known for their incredible precision and accuracy in recreating historical architecture, as well as their ability to create a sense of life and beauty in their miniature buildings. Mulvany & Rogers talk about their start in miniatures right out of university, their favorite projects, the key to working successfully with your spouse (spoiler alert - it's separate workrooms!), techniques, processes and much more. Enjoy this fun and lively conversation with the world renowned duo. Kevin Mulvany & Susie Rogers are on Instagram @mulvanyandrogers, and host Becky Gannon is @madaboutminiatures on Instagram.

Miniaturist and successful author Elise Hooper has written a fascinating book about secrets hidden in miniatures and what happens when they are discovered. Elise and I talk about the book, The Library of Lost Dollhouses, and how she was inspired to get back into miniatures by renovating her family dollhouse as part of her research for the book. Elise Hooper is on Instagram @elisehooper and host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @madaboutminiatures.

Kia is rescuing the 111 year old dollhouse made by her great great grandfather and passed down and played with for several generations. Besides scraping away paper and mildew, she has big plans for new ways for it to reflect her family history, including making furniture out of the family tartan, and turning old hand painted wallpaper scraps into art for the dollhouse walls. Kia is on Instagram @windyhillwhimsy, and host Becky Gannon is @madaboutminiatures.

Marina's love for interior design shines through in her modern minis! And she's gotten a chance to make dollhouses for some high profile people including pop star Meghan Trainor, and the Bucket List Family! Join us as we chat all about her miniature journey. Marina is on Instagram @deck.to.farm.charm and host Becky Gannon is @madaboutminiatures.

Author Renee Rosen takes us behind the scenes to the absolutely incredible story behind Barbie's creation as detailed in her new book "Let's Call Her Barbie". This story proves that truth is indeed stranger than fiction and is full of more gossip, in-fighting, and twists and turns than the juiciest soap opera. A fun & fact filled interview that will leave you wanting more! Host Becky Gannon is on Instragram @Madaboutminiatures and Renee is @reneerosen_.

A quick rainy day trip to a dollhouse festival near her house led to the purchase of a dollhouse for her baby girl, and the start of Lucy's obsession to build the best dollhouse she had ever seen. Then came the call that House & Garden Magazine wanted to feature it, followed by an invitation to the Homo Faber Design Festival and an exhibition at Harrods in London. Join me as I talk to Lucy about her extraordinary miniature journey! Lucy is on Instagram @mslucyclayton & host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @MadaboutMiniatures.

They are both miniaturists, they both live in Poland, and they just collaborated on a an incredible collection of miniature cakes. Join me as I talk to Anna & Gosia about their friendship, their hopes and dreams regarding miniatures (and how they plan to accomplish their goals) and much much more. Gosia's Instagram is @gosiasuchodolska and Anna's is @minimaniabyania. Host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @madaboutminiatures.