About me
Wilna
Who am I?
That sounds like an Alice in Wonderland question!
But if you have not met me personally, then you would ask who are you?
I am a Wife (51years this May), Mother of five - the last two twin boys and a Grandmother of 11.
I am 71 years old but I feel like a 17 year old when it comes to miniatures!
I started with miniatures 17 years ago and wish it was much earlier, but when I started with this amazing hobby I had no more kids in the house and my husband, Johan was working for a company that was renting crew and Hercules Aircraft out to the United Nations.
Miniatures saved my sanity from the constant stress and worry, as he was in all the areas where the USA engaged in war with Iraq and Afghanistan.
All the places you as a wife do not want to hear about. Fortunately he is retired now and at home.
I live in Kempton Park in the province of Gauteng in South Africa.
I have been involved in Horse Training and riding. And lots of different crafts - its been part of my life since I was a little girl.
I remember making and designing shoe boxes full of Paper Doll clothes since there were no Barbie dolls at that time.
My interest in miniatures started when a doll house was sold by a news agency and I started to think that there was more to this hobby than what they were selling. I discovered three Miniature Clubs in the next two months. Well, then I had no Saturday or Wednesday to myself! We also had a permanent date at the end of August for our Yearly Fair and smaller Fairs during the year where my husband’s hard earned money was funding my new discovery. But then I realised that making your own “stuff” was so much more fun!
I have learned various skills from many Mentors, some who have passed on to the Giant Miniature Workshop, and others who I still have the privilege of working with. New upcoming Artists and Teachers are so badly needed in South Africa. My Wednesdays freed up and with Johan going on late retirement has resulted in me working at home more.
I started Di van Niekerk’s embroidery with ribbon and embroidery floss. I completed big pictures and was told I work very fine and tiny, well that was an invitation to see how small I can go! This is one of my great passions at the moment.
I remembered going to one of the Monthly Fairs and thinking - “Oh! I want to learn to make all this!”.
Well if you are involved in miniatures you know this covers a very, very large range of subjects. This is still the problem with me - I want to do everything! - Fimo clay, Flowers, and all accessories you can think of.....
I was introduced to Miniature Porcelain doll making. And was given the opportunity to access a large stack of molds, and be taught by a wonderful teacher Margaret Hugo. The opportunity arose to take a class with Dana Burton a long time ago, and again about 2 years ago. Two classes in two weeks and I have loved it. I am a member of the MSATMiniature doll group on internet and am still learning new Doll Tricks all the time.
Unfortunately health problems arose. I have been for a couple of back operations, shoulder and hip replacement. Still have one shoulder and knee operation to go.
My website is still under construction with new pages to be added soon.
Please enjoy my website dedicated to my love of all things miniature!
Wilna.
That sounds like an Alice in Wonderland question!
But if you have not met me personally, then you would ask who are you?
I am a Wife (51years this May), Mother of five - the last two twin boys and a Grandmother of 11.
I am 71 years old but I feel like a 17 year old when it comes to miniatures!
I started with miniatures 17 years ago and wish it was much earlier, but when I started with this amazing hobby I had no more kids in the house and my husband, Johan was working for a company that was renting crew and Hercules Aircraft out to the United Nations.
Miniatures saved my sanity from the constant stress and worry, as he was in all the areas where the USA engaged in war with Iraq and Afghanistan.
All the places you as a wife do not want to hear about. Fortunately he is retired now and at home.
I live in Kempton Park in the province of Gauteng in South Africa.
I have been involved in Horse Training and riding. And lots of different crafts - its been part of my life since I was a little girl.
I remember making and designing shoe boxes full of Paper Doll clothes since there were no Barbie dolls at that time.
My interest in miniatures started when a doll house was sold by a news agency and I started to think that there was more to this hobby than what they were selling. I discovered three Miniature Clubs in the next two months. Well, then I had no Saturday or Wednesday to myself! We also had a permanent date at the end of August for our Yearly Fair and smaller Fairs during the year where my husband’s hard earned money was funding my new discovery. But then I realised that making your own “stuff” was so much more fun!
I have learned various skills from many Mentors, some who have passed on to the Giant Miniature Workshop, and others who I still have the privilege of working with. New upcoming Artists and Teachers are so badly needed in South Africa. My Wednesdays freed up and with Johan going on late retirement has resulted in me working at home more.
I started Di van Niekerk’s embroidery with ribbon and embroidery floss. I completed big pictures and was told I work very fine and tiny, well that was an invitation to see how small I can go! This is one of my great passions at the moment.
I remembered going to one of the Monthly Fairs and thinking - “Oh! I want to learn to make all this!”.
Well if you are involved in miniatures you know this covers a very, very large range of subjects. This is still the problem with me - I want to do everything! - Fimo clay, Flowers, and all accessories you can think of.....
I was introduced to Miniature Porcelain doll making. And was given the opportunity to access a large stack of molds, and be taught by a wonderful teacher Margaret Hugo. The opportunity arose to take a class with Dana Burton a long time ago, and again about 2 years ago. Two classes in two weeks and I have loved it. I am a member of the MSATMiniature doll group on internet and am still learning new Doll Tricks all the time.
Unfortunately health problems arose. I have been for a couple of back operations, shoulder and hip replacement. Still have one shoulder and knee operation to go.
My website is still under construction with new pages to be added soon.
Please enjoy my website dedicated to my love of all things miniature!
Wilna.