Kathy Shepard shows one of her detailed miniatures. Picture by Jennifer Burton.
PEOPLE often say it’s a small world. And for one Newport craftswoman, it really is.
From small but perfectly formed chairs and tables, to miniature hand-sewn dresses and tiny plates of food bristling with detail, Kathy Shepard’s work fits snugly in the palm of your hand.
In her world, attention to detail is everything and peering into Kathy’s dolls’ houses, one cannot help but be impressed by the time, effort and patience that goes into these miniature works of art.
Kathy’s work stems from a lifelong interest in all crafts and miniatures in particular.
She said: "I came from a very craft-orientated family, both my parents encouraged us to 'make and create’ with lots of glue, card and fabrics. My dad taught me to sew and for many years I made all my clothes."
As a child, Kathy had a passion for Plasticine and would spend hours producing multi-coloured meals for her dolls.
"I like to think this has helped me to become adept at all my present miniature food production but now I use Fimo, a polymer clay, which is extremely versatile and helps to achieve realistic results.
"The projects are all my own design and I am always pondering on new ideas."
Kathy, 59, of Alderbury Road, Newport, who worked for the Singer sewing company in the 1960s, has an extensive collection of dolls’ houses and miniatures dotted around her home and enjoys trying out most crafts — woodwork, needlework, clay work, knitting and crochet.
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| Some of the intricate miniatures by Kathy Shepard. |
"However, I do bow to superior skills and have collected some beautiful items by incredibly clever craftsmen and women."
One of her most recent creations depicts a cosy Christmas living room scene with neatly wrapped parcels under a Christmas tree, a Christmas pud sitting on a table decked out in red and gold tablecloths, a comfy armchair by the fire and brightly coloured trimmings draped from the ceiling.
Another piece depicts a table laid out for Christmas lunch with a plump turkey and all the trimmings. The detail is exquisite, with tiny, handmade crackers and knives and forks placed neatly around miniature place mats.
Kathy is passionate about the Victorian era and a Victorian kitchen is the subject of another piece, with saucepans and tiny blue and white china plates.
With each era having its own style, from the heavily carved wooden furniture of the Tudors to the highly symetrical and classical pieces of the Georgian period, Kathy does her research before starting a project.
And with each piece representing many hours’ work, it’s not unknown for her to work late into the night and into the early hours of the morning.
"Any hobby is extremely therapeutic and, speaking from personal experience, losing yourself in what you do can bring so many positive results.
"You can forget all your worries, it can produce a great sense of wellbeing, you can be with like-minded people and it also brings forth such a positive result."
Her hobby has become a business in a small way — pardon the pun — for, as well as making miniatures to sell, Kathy also undertakes commissions for special orders and runs workshops, which are always popular.
"I enjoy teaching workshops and have great fun and we have all become very good friends. We go on trips to fairs and exhibitions. Some of the ladies have been coming to me for nine or ten years," she added
• People interested in taking up the hobby, or who would like to attend one of Kathy’s workshops, can contact her by e-mailing KathyShepard@btconnect.com.
Reporter: martinn@iwcpmail.co.uk