2008 Woodie Awards
Some like it small
Nicole Capozziello
Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: Features
As someone who fondly remembers her childhood hobbies, I am comforted when I meet fellow Lawrentians that have continued to act on their non-academic passions while in college.
While many have fallen to mislabeling practice time and reading 18th century literature as hobbies, freshman Emily Blair, a self-proclaimed hobbyist, makes up for the rest of us. Blair is not only a miniature enthusiast but also does origami, scrapbooking, and beading.
Her dedication and talent for the art of miniatures was recognized this past January when she was awarded a $500 scholarship to attend this year's National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts (NAME) convention. The scholarship will not only cover the $215 registration fee and lodging while at the conference, but will also leave her ample spending money to support fellow crafters.
Upon learning of Blair's hobby of "miniatures," I couldn't help but question "miniature what?" I soon found that the world of miniature is about as varied as the Croc color palette.
"I look at everyday life and ask myself, 'could I make that in miniature?'" explained Blair, who last year taught a group of fellow miniature enthusiasts how to make a sushi set 1/12 the size it is in real life.
As one could imagine, the world of miniatures is pretty complex. While 1/12 is the average miniature scale, some deranged souls take pleasure in creating miniature scenes at small as 1/625 of life-size, the result of which can fit on your fingertip.
Blair's interest in miniatures piqued when she was just eight years old and received a hand-built dollhouse from her grandparents. "I started making extra accessories and furniture out of paper," said Blair. "I didn't really think beyond that until I saw a polymer clay book at the library when I was 11."
She promptly checked out the book, at the encouragement of her mother the librarian, sparking an aptitude for working with polymer clay that she still holds today. While most miniaturists favor woodworking, textiles, or toothpick painting, Blair is the polymer clay expert in her club.
While many have fallen to mislabeling practice time and reading 18th century literature as hobbies, freshman Emily Blair, a self-proclaimed hobbyist, makes up for the rest of us. Blair is not only a miniature enthusiast but also does origami, scrapbooking, and beading.
Her dedication and talent for the art of miniatures was recognized this past January when she was awarded a $500 scholarship to attend this year's National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts (NAME) convention. The scholarship will not only cover the $215 registration fee and lodging while at the conference, but will also leave her ample spending money to support fellow crafters.
Upon learning of Blair's hobby of "miniatures," I couldn't help but question "miniature what?" I soon found that the world of miniature is about as varied as the Croc color palette.
"I look at everyday life and ask myself, 'could I make that in miniature?'" explained Blair, who last year taught a group of fellow miniature enthusiasts how to make a sushi set 1/12 the size it is in real life.
As one could imagine, the world of miniatures is pretty complex. While 1/12 is the average miniature scale, some deranged souls take pleasure in creating miniature scenes at small as 1/625 of life-size, the result of which can fit on your fingertip.
Blair's interest in miniatures piqued when she was just eight years old and received a hand-built dollhouse from her grandparents. "I started making extra accessories and furniture out of paper," said Blair. "I didn't really think beyond that until I saw a polymer clay book at the library when I was 11."
She promptly checked out the book, at the encouragement of her mother the librarian, sparking an aptitude for working with polymer clay that she still holds today. While most miniaturists favor woodworking, textiles, or toothpick painting, Blair is the polymer clay expert in her club.
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