Miniature Time Traveller Issue 1

GUEST MINIATURIST - Rio Cox, Lower Hutt Dolls in Doll Houses or not? Some doll houses are absolutely bursting with family members and staff. Others are filled with hand crafted furniture that are definitely the stars. It all adds to the diversity of the amazing work that is accomplished work wide by Miniaturists working in 12th, 24th or 48th scales. There are no seriously big doll houses on show in Rio Cox’s home. Instead there is an amazing collection of doll house people, in 12th scale, enough to move into any number of houses. Clearly the enjoyment for Rio comes from the creative processes. Early works in wax, then cast in bronze around 20 years ago became the foundation these figures were built on. Now Rio works mainly in polymer clays. She uses five basic fashion shapes for the ladies, and two seated options. She casts these in resin. The finishing work is well researched and meticulously done. Rio prefers to glue on the clothing at the side seams to produce a more realistic flatter finish. Okay, these ladies don’t require a large wardrobe, wearing the same old thing day in and day out but don’t they look amazing? Great care is taken to make sure their accessories are in keeping with the right decade. Time Travellers indeed. Miniature Time Traveller Magazine Issue #1/5 As Rio works other ideas bubble up and result in elegant hats and handbags, stockings and shoes, jewelry and gloves, all of which you would love to have in your own full sized wardrobe. Some of these become the basis for round table workshops at Rio’s fortunate Miniature Club. One such workshop in the pipeline this year is a fox stole. Something to look forward to. Edwardian Elegance Awaiting costuming