Jenny Kelm
D-A-M-E member Christine Davies put these questions to Jenny Kelm.
Amazingly I never yearned for a dolls house but then when I was young
all the dolls houses I came across were thick wooden ones with
oversized furniture. Had I seen the ones created today I'm sure I would
have wanted one. I remember wanting a small rubber doll (about 2 ½
inches in height) in my stocking. First miniature I bought was as an
adult in my 30's a tiny little tortoise which I still have.
Are miniatures your full time occupation or do you have to fit them around other commitments?
I work from home as a Gymnastics artist but now its more 50/50 withminiatures. Gym competitions are not on all year round so there are
times when I don't have so many to go to and that's when I work on my
miniatures.
Have you had any special training or are you completely self-taught?
interested in the arts and crafts. From a young child I was always
staying behind at school to show the teacher my next painting usually
of a Disney character. But no special training just 'have a go' and see
how it turns out is my method. Also looking and observing what's around
you and in Galleries.
Can you tell us a little about your workplace? And any favourite tools or gadgets?
piece of work to go and get a cup of tea. It measures 12 x 7 feet and
was built by my husband. My table is usually got a number of different
creations going on all over it. I have a engineers toolbox with all my '
bits and pieces' in. Also an old Scientists test tube holder and pipe
rack which are great for holding paint brushes/rulers/etc. As for tools
I like my modelling tools at the moment but also love my paint
brushes/Paints and have a thing for glue. Have super-glued my fingers together so many times!
How do you photograph your miniatures?
always. I photograph with a card background and sometimes use material that's looks like a Wizards cloak.
Yes/No/No/Yes My website as follows www.kastlekelm.webs.com
I do sell on ebay and my ID is jenny kelm (original!!) I like people to
know exactly who it is they are buying from. The Kastle Kelm web site
is very new and we would love to sell in the future at Miniature fairs.
Is there anything you most enjoy making?
At the moment it's fantasy faces for picture frames. Love making my
little books and the bookcases and have recently been dabbling in 48th
Scale items.
Have you made anything that you simply had to keep for yourself?
flowers etc to add to it. Also love my toy stall and want to add as
many toys to it that I remember from my childhood.
Where does your inspiration come from?
to visit film sets occasionally as that is where my husband works.
There are loads of creative ideas there and I wander around thinking if
only it were in 12th Scale. Also enjoy going to craft shops to find
different items to create with and a great place for more inspiration
apart from the internet is antique shops. Love books not miniature ones
but many different books historical/design/art/children's where you can
find some beautiful illustrations to inspire I do have a notebook when
I can find it to jot down ideas.
Do you have a dolls house or other miniature collections? Or maybe a completely contrasting hobby?
stall. I sold my large Victorian house as I was really more interested
in the small items inside and couldn't easily see them so I put all my
favourite pieces into the antique shop. Upstairs lives an old artist
and he has many paintings and arty pieces.
Is there anybody from the miniature world whose work you really admire?
So many so little time! I do admire all the artisans on the Damewebsite and have started buying a few pieces from them. I admire Kerri
Pajutee who makes the most fantastic animals. Penny Thomson's brilliant
24th scale figures and fairy houses. Laurence & Angela St.Leger who
make the tiny automata's (I have a few of those) There are so many
brilliant artisans in miniature there just isn't enough space here!
Do you have any special future plans and ambitions for your miniature making?
larger pieces for sale such as Witch/Wizard houses. Cornish
cottages/lots of castles and of course all the lovely items to fill
them all. Just need a bigger workshop and more time!!
If you would like to see more of Jenny's work please take a look at her website. You can also view her members page, gallery and shop!
http://www.kastlekelm.webs.com/
If you missed past featured members you can see them here