Minitures
Tiny · Intricate · Irresistible
Whether you're a dolls' house enthusiast, a miniature collector, or simply someone who appreciates beautiful craftsmanship, it's difficult not to be impressed by the extraordinary amount of detail John manages to squeeze into something so very small.
Each miniature is a tiny, accurately scaled recreation of one of John's full-sized turned pieces. Because John rather enjoys the maths as well as the making, proportions aren't simply judged by eye , the miniatures are scaled down from the real objects, preserving their shape and proportions in wonderfully tiny form.
They're created on the lathe using the same skills and techniques as their larger counterparts, but at this scale there's almost no room for error. Every tiny curve, hollow and edge requires incredible control and precision, sometimes working at just a few millimetres.
In fact, some are so intricate that ordinary woodturning tools simply aren't small enough for the job. So John makes his own. He creates specialist miniature turning tools specifically to shape and hollow these impossibly tiny pieces. Apparently making the object wasn't quite challenging enough.
Bowls, vessels, spinning tops and other familiar designs become perfectly formed little works of art, complete with the natural grain and character of the timber. And they're not just for looking at. If you're feeling particularly brave and have very steady fingers even the miniature spinning tops really spin.
Each miniature comes in its own little vial, partly to display and protect it and partly because something this small really doesn't need to be given the opportunity to disappear into the carpet forever.
They're perfect for dolls' houses, miniature collections and unusual gifts, or simply for anyone who finds tiny things inexplicably delightful.
All the craftsmanship of John's full-sized work, with considerably less wood, considerably more maths and considerably more squinting.
You can find John's miniatures, along with the rest of his work, at The Craft Kiln in Charlestown, Cornwall, or browse his latest pieces through his Etsy shop.
