Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Charlotte, NC; however, about 5 years ago I moved to the wonderful town of Shelby.  Talk about culture shock!  Moving from the exciting and energetic big city to a smaller, close knit Southern town took a bit of adjustment.  There are some interesting differences, but I love both places very much.  I think I’ll stay!

If you have a business, what is the name of it?

I do not yet have a business, but keep watching for it!  As of right now, I am building up stock to sell on Etsy.  If I do name the business, it will probably be Diminutive Dwellings, the same name as my blog on Icklebits.

Feel free to provide a brief description if you wish.:

I will be selling 1:12 scale miniature food, and whatever else I am inspired to create!  I have discovered that playing with polymer clay food has fewer calories than working with the real thing!

Tell us a bit of random stuff about yourself (not your miniatures!)…: 

I have always loved to create with my hands – in fact I come from a very creative family.  I remember as a child, sitting on my father’s lap, his arms around me guiding my hands while he showed me how to wrap custom fishing rods with brightly coloured thread; sitting at the dining room table while he worked with stained glass to make the large light fixture, which hung over that table for many, many years.  I remember about 8 years ago, I had come down with pneumonia and was bored, oh so bored from just laying around – my mother came over with a ball of yarn and knitting needles.  I haven’t put down the needles since!  Ha, she even gave me her sewing machine when she realized I had an interest in working with fabric!  All my life I have been turning to crafts for comfort. That is where I go to shut out the stress of the world; to have a few minutes or hours of calm and relaxation!   Other random stuff about me, hmmm.  I worked in a pet shop for 10 years and did aquarium maintenance on the side.   My house doubles as a zoo: we have 2 large dogs, 2 cats, 1 macaw, 1 python and a hamster. Oh yeah, I am a middle-aged college student, and love it!

Collector, creator or both?

I am definitely a creator, but in time, hope to become a collector.  I only received my first dollhouse this past Christmas.  It was a gift from my fiancée’s parents.  I have wanted a dollhouse my whole life, but being rather thrifty, couldn’t bring myself to make that kind of a purchase.  Imagine my surprise when I opened that huge box!  That dollhouse kit gave me an excuse to begin working more with miniatures.  Previously, my miniature work was limited to gardening, which I still love.

What do you specialise in?

So far, I have concentrated my work on miniature food.  As I’ve only been at this a short time, I am still learning as I go.  I have made other miniature items, such as quilts, rugs, and some small wooden items.  I am now learning how to make some rustic furniture pieces.  We’ll have to wait and see how that goes! 

When did you first get interested in collecting/creating miniatures and why?

I remember my interest in miniatures began when I was just a child.  My mom gave me this tiny toy dog, which I named Jonquil.  She helped me get started making him a house out of an old shoebox, markers, glue and emerald green sequins. I made him a bed from an old gift box, and a table from a wooden spool.  I spent hours playing with that little dog and his miniature house!

Where do you create your miniatures?

I am fortunate enough to have a very large kitchen, and every wall has counter tops and cabinets.  I staked my claim to about ¼ of the cabinet space, hung a fluorescent light over one of the countertops, and got to work!  I do most of my building on our back porch, which is really a 3 season room.  I learned that if I keep the cats off the porch, there is less cat hair to pick out of the paint!  One cat in particular likes to “help” me work in my kitchen area, so I am always tweezing black cat hairs out of polymer clay.

What is the oddest thing you have created/collected?

Who inspires you?

My sister, Laura is one of the people who inspire me.  She is so is so talented it seems as if whatever she touches turns into gold.  Seriously, she is an amazingly creative woman, with skills in crochet, knitting, sewing, beading, and on and on... We were raised with very creative parents who encouraged us to use our imaginations.

When your mind is blank…what inspires you?

Smells inspire me!  I love the smell of polymer clay.  Whenever I smell Kato, something gets made, even if I wasn’t really in the mood.

What does your family think of your obsession?

Fortunately, I have a very indulgent fiancée!  He is interested in my creations, gives me honest feedback (so valuable!), and has never complained about the messy house- which I should have been cleaning instead of making minis!

Do you plan each creation or do you run with your imagination?

At best, I have a list of things I would like to make; however, I have to be in the mood to create.  I can be a perfectionist to a fault, so if my head is not in the right place, I get easily frustrated.  Sometimes, especially when I am stressed, I like to make things that I can just crank out, easy-peasy.  Other times, I want to make things which have more detail or are more time consuming – those are the times I like best, when I find creating most rewarding.  I particularly enjoy making things for friends and family – when I have a special person in mind it seems as if my imagination takes flight!  That reminds me; a few weeks ago I made a miniature “BIRDday Cake” for a close friend.  I inquired as to her favourite colour, which is yellow, then let my fingers get to work!  I made three tiny birds to perch on the cake.  I am glad she liked the gift.  It was fun to think of her as I was baking in miniature!

Do you do fairs?

Goodness, no.  Not yet, anyway.  I am really new to all of this!  I must admit, though, I am now quite obsessed!

If you could change anything about the miniature profession what would it be?

More shows in my area!!!

If you could create one particular miniature, what would it be?

An exact replica of my future wedding cake.

Is there a miniature task/project that you’ve been putting off or procrastinating about for a long time?

Definitely.  I frequently procrastinate cleaning and organizing my workspace.  I am such a “messy Marvin”.  I love working, but the cleanup afterwards is such a drag...  Having a messy work station has prevented me from starting new projects in the past, so I am really working on being a tidier crafter!

What is your ultimate goal?

 My ultimate goal is to never, ever stop learning or creating!

Describe yourself in 3 words...

shy, loyal, opinionated

Thank you for your time Terry!

If any of you wish to contact Terry or find out more about her work, here are her details:

Etsy Shop: Terry doesn't as yet sell on ebay, but has just recently opened a shop on Etsy. Visit her shop to view her fantastic work.

Blog: Terry also writes a blog which you can view at http://icklebits.co.uk/blogs/diminutivedwellings.php

Contact: Click here to contact Terry Bee through her profile.

Terry is offering a whopping 10% off exclusively to icklebits members, at her Etsy store. To take advantage of this offer, you need to be a member of icklebits and signed up to the weekly updates newsletter. The code will be in the newsletter on Friday 10th June.

To become a member click here (don't forget to register for the newsletter at the same time!)