Tiny worlds, Big Stories

What does it take to run a miniature business, produce two major miniature shows, raise a family, work full-time jobs—and still create tiny worlds people love? In this episode of Tiny Worlds, Big Stories, I sit down with Parrish and Kris, the couple behind some of the Pacific Northwest’s favorite miniature flooring, siding, and custom miniature creations—and now the new owners of the PNW miniature...

Can you really build an entire business around miniatures? This week on Tiny Worlds, Big Stories, miniature artist Katie (@kayteekays.minis) shares how she transformed her love of tiny things into a thriving creative business with thousands of Etsy sales, brand partnerships, a loyal audience of over 192,000 followers, and a recognizable presence within the miniature community. From handmade miniat...

What starts as a childhood escape… sometimes becomes the thing that changes everything. In this episode of Tiny Worlds, Big Stories, I talk with Susan Canaday Henry — a miniature artist whose work feels cinematic, emotional, and completely her own. We talk about: – Growing up creative in a practical household – Studying art in New York and trying to “fit” into the art world – The moment a dollhous...

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 hers...

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...

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 tha...

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...

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 moment Why she’s drawn to abandoned, weathered spaces B...

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 bu...

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...

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...

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 g...

What 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 fo...

What if joy could live on your sidewalk? In this episode of Tiny Worlds, Big Stories , Lara sits down with Rachael Harms Mahlandt, co-founder of the Sidewalk Joy movement, to talk about tiny dioramas, mug exchanges, dino swaps, and the radical act of creating whimsy in public spaces. From growing up making miniature worlds out of cardboard boxes to studying neuroscience, working in marketing, navi...

What does it really take to build a creative life that lasts? In this deeply honest conversation, British miniature artist Lisa Swerling of Glass Cathedrals shares the unexpected path that led her to create thousands of tiny boxed worlds over the past 22 years — and the mindset shifts that sustained her long before success arrived. Lisa opens up about: Growing up creative but controlled — and how...

Go behind the scenes with Roy Tyson, the contemporary artist known for his miniature figures interacting with iconic works of art. In this creative podcast episode, he shares how he evolved from tiny photography scenes to highly detailed shadow box installations featuring miniature people painting, erasing, and transforming famous art references — including his Damien Hirst–inspired dot series. We...

What does it take to turn childhood creativity into a full-time artistic career? In this inspiring conversation, Lara sits down with Chelsea of Chelsea Makes. Chelsea is a miniature artist whose journey spans cardboard Barbie house renovations, landscape architecture, and building intricate tiny worlds for major brands like Warby Parker, Barbie, and L’Oreal. Chelsea shares the behind-the-scenes re...

In this engaging conversation, Kylie White shares her journey from a childhood fascination with miniatures to building a successful business centered around her passion. She discusses the healing power of her hobby, the importance of community, and the tools that have helped her along the way. Kylie emphasizes the significance of authenticity in her work and offers advice for aspiring miniature ar...

Tom Haney, a skilled artist and teacher, shares his journey from childhood fascination with mechanical art to becoming a full-time automata artist. He discusses his training, transition to entrepreneurship, and the evolution of his creative process. Tom's unique approach to automata and his teaching experiences are highlighted, along with the challenges and rewards of his artistic career. Tom Hane...

What happens when a master furniture maker is asked to make something small — and takes it just as seriously? Paris Renfroe is a lifelong craftsman whose hands have always been drawn to precision and beauty. Before miniatures, he built custom furniture and cabinetry — full-scale pieces made with the same care and perfectionism he brings to his miniature worlds today. In this episode, we talk about...

In this debut episode of Tiny Worlds Big Stories, host Lara Blair introduces her passion for miniature art and the community surrounding it. She shares her personal journey from a childhood love of dollhouses to becoming a full-time artist, creating meaningful miniature scenes. The podcast aims to celebrate the creativity of miniature makers and explore the diverse world of miniatures beyond just...