Join me in a world where Barbie has as much attitude (mostly bad) and sass as she does beauty and style. That's the funny & fabulous world of Matthew Keith from Dolls On The Brain (FB & Instagram). Matthew's tongue in cheek "slap scenes" and humorous definitions have gained him a large & devoted following. Matthew discusses his filming process including how he actually "auditions" various Barbies for roles in his videos, does wardrobe tests, & more. Grab yourself a coffee and get ready to dish about Barbie, her glam retro wardrobe, and her misadventures. 

Host Becky Gannon is on FB, instagram & YouTube as Mad About Miniatures. 

Years ago Troy Schmidt took a pottery class when he was a recent college grad looking to start his career in science. By the end of the class he was obsessed with pottery and  fast forward to now where he has been throwing pottery for more than half his life. He's a teacher of both pottery and mini pottery, and we talk clay, glazes, kilns, and the joy of doing what you love! Troy is also a teacher at the world famous International Guild of Miniature Artisans School where I took his pottery class. 

Troy Schmidt is on Instagram @reddragonpottery and host Becky Gannon is on Instagram  @madaboutminiatures. 

Miniaturist Marie-Louise Markhorst wanted to learn how to make tiny metal hinges for her miniature furniture. Before she knew it, she was taking a three year jewelry making class to learn how to work with metal in miniature. We talk about her tiny copper pots, tiny ladles, cheese shredders and more, her time on a miniature tv show in the Netherlands,  as well as her recent project to furnish a miniature version of Anne Frank's famous hideaway during World War II. This piece is in the newly opened @miniatuurmuseumamsterdam. 

Marie-Louise is @smallscaleminidesign on Instagram and host Becky Gannon is @madaboutminiatures on Instagram & Facebook. 

After beating two separate types of cancer, Natasha was healthy but had lost her enthusiasm for life (understandbly). By revisiting her childhood love of minis and making it a priority, she found joy in her life again! This past Christmas Natasha was in People Magazine for building a dollhouse from scratch in 3 weeks for her 15 year old differently abled son. The fact that the dollhouse was for a boy caused a surprising amount of controversy and we tackle that head on! Join me as I talk to this talented miniaturist and remarkable woman. Natasha is on Instagram & FB @Vivadesignminiatures and host Becky Gannon is on FB and Instagram @madaboutminiatures. 

Miniaturist Hannah Lemon is on a  a great new television program about miniatures, called The Marvelous Miniature Workshop. It's her second tv show - she was previously the winner on Best In Miniature, season two. In this new show Hannah recreates in miniature two buildings that are abandoned and/or gone, to surprise people for whom those buildings hold happy memories. Hannah gives us the behind the scenes scoop on this heartwarming show! 

Host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @madaboutminiatures and guest Hannah Lemon is @hannahlemon_art. 

The first Annual Festival of Miniatures is underway in Brattleboro, Vermont, for the entire month of December. There are over 80 miniature window displays and a slew of activities in downtown Brattleboro.  I was invited to be a judge for the festival and was privileged to see how minis transformed downtown - bringing visitors, raising spirits, and causing a whole town to fall in love with miniatures! Join me as I talk to miniaturist Melany Kahn who spearheaded this festival with a lot of help from the Downtown Brattleboro Association and others. We talk about some of the amazing minis that came out of this festival, and how you could replicate this in your town! 

Join me as I talk to Crystal Cox about her business selling "spooky cute" and tiny things. Halloween has long been Crystal's favorite holiday  - she even got married in an abandoned building lit with candelabras on Halloween (Dracula vibes, anyone). We also get serious for a moment and talk about an artist's worst fear, which is someone stealing their work. Crystal talks about her experience and how you can educate yourself to get what you deserve.  Crystal is on Instagram @spookshowbabe and I'm  Becky Gannon on Instagram as @madaboutminiatures. 

Do you ever feel guilty about the time & money you put into miniatures? Well, no more! I talk with Dr. Dalia Iskander, a medical anthropologist at the University College of London about her recent study of miniaturists. We talk about why we are driven to create miniatures, the pleasure and benefits we derive from them, and why we love tiny things! 

Host Becky Gannon is on Instagram @madaboutminiatures. For more on Dr. Iskander's  study go to miniatureantidotes.com.

Join me as I talk to Niki Faller about her work with indigenous artists in the Amazon rainforest. She is coaching them to make miniatures of their traditional arts (basket weaving, carving, tapestries, etc.) thereby opening up a new market for these talented artisans. The journey hasn't been easy as many of the communities are isolated and building relationships and trust take time.  But, now in year three of this project, Niki has made great strides. We talk about her adventures, the beautiful miniatures being made in the rainforest, and the artists who make them. 

Niki is on Instagram @bigriverminiatures and host Becky Gannon is @madaboutminiatures.