INSPIRE: Creative Collaborations

Over the past few years, Kirsten Miller of Quernus Crafts has worked with a number of talented artists to create wonderful collaborations where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Working with other artists is not only tremendous fun, it can bring fresh insights to your own work. In this article, Kirsten shares with us her inspiration behind some of her favourite collaborations.

This beautiful copper wire and bead tree was made for me by Eirini of Drømme Lund, which means "Dreamy Grove". She had included a tiny swing, and as soon as I saw it, I could immediately picture a small mouse being pushed by a larger mouse - perhaps his big brother, or his dad? The overall height of the tree is just over 10cm.

I find that when I see certain objects, I can picture how the wee creatures can interact with them - a perfect example of this is when I saw Pete Moncrieff-Jury's work on his website, Bodrighy Wood. I got chatting to Pete by email and he sent me this amazing turned wood goblet. What I find most rewarding is to create a scene for the creatures where you can  just imagine that they will move the minute your back is turned.

Another example of this is with the stunningly detailed miniature work of Louise Miller of Dinky Delights. I first came across Louise on eBay, and we got chatting by email (there's a bit of a theme developing here!) Louise's dolls' house miniatures are the perfect accessories for the wee mice I make - as well as these tiny Pumpkins, the mice have been lucky enough to have sweeties...

...pizza...

...and Christmas crackers!

Most of the artists I collaborate with are based in the UK. I love seeing what other artists are making, and sometimes this can spark of ideas for a collaboration. I met Sam Hutchinson of HutchPotch in this way - I saw her beautiful handpainted houses with a heart aperture, and I immediately saw a little mouse living there! The houses are only 10cm tall, so the mice are pretty small.

Sam has become a great friend, and we have worked together on a number of other commissions - we both have very similar approaches to work, and there are plans afoot for 2012 for a joint venture called QuernusPotch!

Quite often, I will buy something from another artist with a view to incorporating it into a new piece. I did this with this tiny little dog that I bought from Claire of Fairy Factor. 

Sometimes, a random act of kindness can lead to a collaboration - last year, I bought a card from Jenny of Jenny Rose Crafts. She sent me a lovely crocheted heart as a little gift, and I immediately saw it as a mouse rugs! 

Occasionally, I am contacted by other artists with a proposal for a collaboration. The very talented Paul Jones of Phoenix Glass got in touch last year with an idea for a Chorister Mouse perched in front of a miniature stained glass window. After chatting through some ideas, we made a number of single window sets, as well as this stunning five-pained window with three Chorister Mice.

But this review of my favourite collaborations would not be complete without mention of Glenda Bennett, a very good friend of mine who is also a wood carver and artist. She made 16 stables for the Mouse Nativity set in 2011 (that's a lot of stables)... 

...and has made many miniature items for the mice, including these very sweet mouse playpens.

But the most satisfying collaboration so far has been this stunning Nutcracker Ballet stage.

Glenda made this incredible stage, complete with parquet flooring, flickering fireplace and handcarved grandfather clock. For me, this epitomizes what I try to achieve with these collaborations - a window into a miniature world filled with cuteness and love. We will be working on more self-contained scenes later this year - I can't wait!

Working with other artists is fulfilling, exciting and above all, fun. I'm lucky in that the sculptures I make lend themselves to interacting with objects, but I have no doubt that collaborations can be found anywhere and with anyone. It's a great way to find friends and learn more about other craft disciplines. Why not see what magic you can create when you work with others!

See more of Kirsten's work at the following sites:

Website: www.quernuscrafts.co.uk

Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/QuernusCrafts

Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/quernuscrafts/sets/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/QuernusCrafts