Issue 52 February 2026

Miniature Time Traveller 15 Wonderful work in wood Terry Facey gave up his day job when 23 years old and starting making and restoring furniture because that is what he loved to do. Now, several decades later, he is making miniature furniture, 8th and 12th scale, using old techniques and wood gathering practices of old. This is a piece he made based on an original table in the Victoria and Albert museum. He used yew wood for his figured top and oak from a centuries old chest of drawers for his carcass. The piece was polished using coloured wax. This painstaking process took several applications. If you want to watch terry making this lovely little table the link is. https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXSLII1gRhA Inlaid wood on miniatures lends them a special quality and they instantly become heirlooms. If you are planning on doing this use thin veneer: Select wood veneers (walnut, cherry, maple) or specialty inlay materials that are very thin (often 1/32" or thinner) to keep the work in scale. Try and keep the grain narrow so it fits in with the scale. Sharp knives are a must. Precision tweezers. A magnifying glass. Simulated Inlay (Alternative): For a faster method, use veneer strips glued onto a plywood base (essentially creating your own "fancy plywood") and then cut your pieces from that, which provides a similar look to inlaid wood. Some examples of inlaid miniatures made by craftsmen.