JANET Kisch joined the Durban Association for Miniature Enthusiasts (DAME) many years ago after discovering them at the Durban Hobby Fair.

The Queensburgh resident said she was so excited to meet others who were passionate about collecting and making miniatures. She said the club has grown rapidly over the last few years as interest has grown and many have been exposed to the joy of tiny things.

“Our miniature fair, which is held each year in May, has brought several new members to the club and proves that miniatures and dollhouses are not just for children which, unfortunately, seems to be the common belief.”

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Kisch has always been enchanted by the idea of ‘life-sized’ things made tiny.

As a child, she said the thought of tiny homes tucked away in secret places would have her dreaming for hours.

“I studied fine art in the early 80s and, since then, have experimented with many mediums, and now, miniatures have me hooked.

“I don’t have the space for dollhouses and have never really wanted to take on such a big project. Decorating all those rooms seems daunting. There are several DAME members who have created the most incredible houses, and there is just so much talent and inspiration available at our monthly meetings.

“I lean towards the rustic charm of nature and the fantastical beings to be found there, so dioramas are what I find myself working on most frequently.”

Asked about materials needed to do their miniatures, she said they are difficult to find in South Africa, but this makes you more inventive and creative as you have to work with what is available.

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“Even household items can be re-invented. A miniaturist looks at the big world constantly to find small things that have the potential to become something new in a tiny scale. We can be seen bending down in unlikely places, picking up ‘potential’ – anything from a rusty screw or seed pod to an abandoned marble. I often work in cold porcelain, which is a clay I make myself using glue and starch, and I find papier-mâché is perfect for terrains.”

She proudly said she was honoured to win in the ‘fantasy creature’ category at the DAME fair this May, and she is now inspired to create more miniatures based on nature and the magic found there.

“Creating in miniature sizes has challenges, of course, and frustration raises its head when it seems you will never get something glued in place or looking authentic. Whether you create miniatures as a hobby or a career, it is a wonderful escape from all the challenges faced by the world today; it is a way to nurture that often-neglected ‘inner child’.”

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