The Miniatures Trend Is Having a Moment—Try One of Our Favorite Kits

Miniature art is having a moment and it's not hard to see why. Equal parts sentimental and innovative, the miniatures trend pays homage to old-school craft traditions—think dollhouse décor and mini portraits—while challenging conventional artistic mediums. "There is an intrinsic desire to pick up and play with miniature objects and to embed ourselves in these small worlds," says artist Aleia Murawski, who, along with artist Sam Copeland, creates mesmerizing miniature art scenes that have attracted the likes of Nike and Opening Ceremony. "There's a pleasure in feeling slightly outside or above these scenes, too."

And like any art form, learning how to work with miniatures requires patience, skill, and raw talent. "It usually takes us a few days to a few weeks to construct a single scene," Murawski says. "Right now, we are building a tiny neighborhood and all of the houses are made from recycled pizza boxes. Working in miniature allows me to process, arrange, and synthesize concepts of the larger world. I love being able to create or reconstruct stories about my lived experience (or sometimes an imagined past or future) through the lens of a snail."

Of course, miniature art also offers plenty of voyeuristic appeal. "Utilizing the small scale, I can make the viewer become a voyeur," explains miniature artist Tracey Snelling. "They're are able to peer into many windows and the lives of the characters that inhabit the work."

Feeling inspired by the miniature art trend? Click through to see the kits—constructed rooms and accessories, included—to help you create your own small scene at home.