Featured Etsy Artisan: SarahMaloney

When I found Sarah Maloney's Etsy shop, I was amazed at the beauty of her original hand sculpted 1/12th Scale Food. I've never seen anything like it. I want to buy a dollhouse, and get some of these incredible items! Sarah kindly agreed to be featured on my blog. Read her interview below - and be sure to check out her incredible shop on Etsy! You can also check out her blog . Isn't this INCREDIBLE? You MUST see the pictures on her site - my mouth is watering! I especially love this one: Easter Cake Selection.

Tell us a little about yourself – your name, where you live, your work.
My name is Sarah Maloney I am 40 years old and I live in the same road I grew up in, just over the street in London UK. But I am hoping to leave and move to the countryside when my 17 year old son leaves school July 2010. We just want some peace and quiet. Currently, I work 4 days a week as a Teaching Assistant at a primary school in London (4-11 year olds). The other days I try to sculpt however, there are always distractions so, I am lucky if I manage two days.

Tell us about your Etsy shop and products.
My shop is called simply sarahmaloney which I regret now unfortunately, I opened my account before reading the advice available in storque. I am very good at careering ahead without reading the instructions or the like. I sell handmade by myself 1/12th scale dollhouse food from polymer clay. I favour the new Studio clay by Sculpey, Fimo classic and Premo.

How did you get into your creating? Do you have a favorite item you’ve made? Tell us the story! (see pics above! WOW!)
As my mother put it “you have always been crafty”. From as early as I can remember I was always doing something creative from cutting out bits of my Granny’s table cloth (she never noticed) to making a dollhouse out of a shoe box to embroidery to glass painting to silk painting to dress making to interior design.
All my life I have wanted a “grown-up” dollhouse (like the ones I spotted in the Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood) but as a child my family simply could not afford it. Eventually in October 2004 I bought my dollhouse, it took ages to wire it and decorate it. Actually I still have not put the front door on or finished tiling the roof. Finally in July 2005 during the 6 week summer break I thought I would have a go at making some food for it. I acquired two books “Making Miniature Food” Angie Scarr and “Food Displays” by Sue Heaser the rest as they say is history.

A favourite piece well that could be a number of pieces however I can whittle it down to two: a beautiful Tudor swan with real marabou feathers seated on a gilded elaborate pie and the other a Strawberry Charlotte cake. (see photos above)

What advice would you give a creative entrepreneur on starting a small artistic business?
Try, try and try again I had so many disasters creatively and still do, usually items turning out the wrong colour to burning them black. Do not lose heart it can take a while to build up a good customer base. I have been selling my work for 3 or 4 years now. Join forums and read the advice given by others that have already started. Research to get the best price for supplies and where to sell your items and keep all your receipts because one day your small business will be turning over enough to interest the tax inspectors!

Do you have a person that inspires you (living or historical)? Tell us about her or him!
I am inspired by beauty whether it is aesthetic or inner where people are concerned. Yet I feel my true inspiration comes from nature itself. I crave daylight and sunshine I am never happier than when I am out in the open on a bright day. My work room opens into the garden and I often look up and start daydreaming, my work quite forgotten.

Do you have a book or movie that makes you feel creative? Tell us about it!
Looking at cookbooks usually does the trick if I see a picture I like I immediately think wow that will look great in miniature.