Why do we love miniatures?

Discussing big thoughts about small things while unpacking an estate sale haul of miniatures.
I'd love to keep this discussion going in the comments. Let me know why you find miniatures endearing!
We are a museum of diminutive, lost, forgotten, and obsolete objects, based in Las Vegas, NV. We're most often described as a "nostalgia machine," or "a mix between Hogwarts Castle and your grandparents' attic."
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[@elizabethscruggs1622]

I've been collecting since I was 5 and I'm 62 now. It's an obsession and I have no idea why. I just love them. I have no idea why. I'm just loving them!!

[@office.of.collecting]

You must have an amazing collection!

[@lemfam4693]

Growing up, I loved The Borrowers and The Littles. I loved the idea of tiny people or creatures using items that we use daily, but in miniature. A neighbor had me convinced that there were little people living in the house she had in her chameleon enclosure. She said that they came out at night. The Smurfs were a favorite, too. I just love your channel, I found you through Kit and Caboodles. If I am ever in your area, I will be making a visit!

[@office.of.collecting]

I looooved The Borrowers. I hadn’t thought about it until you mentioned it. That book was magic!! And I love the story of the chameleon house! Hope you’ll come visit someday!

[@almaharnett7416]

I can create a world I never had.

[@office.of.collecting]

Exactly!!

[@TPayne-fm8ie]

Your narration of this video is spot on. I think you covered most reasons why we are so intrigued by mini versions of things. I would add that creating miniature scenes is a way to reconnect to a time when we enjoyed imaginative play simply for the fun of it. Nostalgic yes, but for the person we once knew before the world beat us up.

[@office.of.collecting]

Yes. I love that take. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@rheahoover7004]

Its a feeling i cant explain when i see miniature things. I love the miniture bathroom items , like medicine bottles and purfume bottles. It makes you feel all gooey inside 😊❤

[@office.of.collecting]

I totally agree!

[@annestyn]

I love your thorough exploration! I think an aspect of our fascination with small things, as with enlarged things and multiples, might be in being enabled to 'see with fresh eyes' what we have stopped noticing in everyday life.

[@office.of.collecting]

Ooo, that’s a great point. I think that’s definitely a part of it!

[@AllieBielawski]

I like how you expressed that. My thinking was similar, that it is because we realize the magic of everyday things… “new eyes,” as you put it, seems to say it in a more vivid way.

[@littlegretchensworkshop7665]

I Enjoyed this video so much, especially the commentary..... "Anything is possible in Miniature" YES that part, bundled with the Precious Memories of Childhood, Nostalgia and Fantasy........ this was Great! Thank you for Sharing!

[@office.of.collecting]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed!!!

[@nildarodriguez3974]

Teeny tiny items are cute and take us back to when we were tiny people experiencing a huge world. Thank you for sharing your collection with us.

[@office.of.collecting]

Yes! Love that! Thanks for watching!

[@paulmagus2133]

minitures encourage pure fantasy and novelity of the tiny

[@office.of.collecting]

Definitely!!

[@gregdaprato1296]

For me it is because I can fix and create little things and just enjoy being in their company.

[@office.of.collecting]

Yes! I feel that!!

[@plus_phase]

I love them for the exact same reasons you just beautifully put into words 🤏❤

[@office.of.collecting]

So glad you agree!! (And that you enjoyed!)

[@melanieneill3398]

I think miniatures are just soooo darn cute for sure! Something about an object that is intricate and tiny delights me to no end. When I look at a miniature item I can't believe something can be replicated in such great detail and be that dang little. Miniatures are also convenient---a stack of mini dishes takes up very little space! I can still get my hoard on without cluttering up my place. I am all for contained collecting and miniatures are very containable! (The Office of Collecting and Design is on my 2024 bucket list!!!)

[@office.of.collecting]

Yes! Exactly!!! And so looking forward to having you visit!!

[@suzanne529]

I enjoy working with my hands to create things, and also the way that doing this takes my mind off of my problems. (Procrastination tool, lol).

[@office.of.collecting]

Oo, yes. I feel that for sure!!

[@AdinaKasa-jt3fn]

Yes, I agree that miniatures are really darn 🥰 ❤cute

[@office.of.collecting]

That’s all it takes!

[@Tracey_triesjournaling]

You are such a wonderful storyteller! Watching your videos is mesmerizing. I believe the love of miniatures is two things: first it’s nostalgia. Memories of childhood and our love of play. Secondly, I think it’s our chance to have so many of the things we love but maybe can’t afford or showcase if it were actual size. Anyway, keep telling us the stories of treasures you find!!!🥰

[@office.of.collecting]

Thank you for the kind words! So glad you enjoyed! And yes!! Both of those are great reasons!!!

[@kathyburke2437]

Every piece of art you make is so beautiful and unique ❤.

[@office.of.collecting]

Aw, thank you!!!

[@ayemdismantld]

many people build their dollhouses around the victorian theme, a time of beauty, family centered, craftsmanship. I wonder sometimes if it is an escape, a need to express ourselves creatively or identifying with the emotion of it of a times past. Just watching open these mini's sets to mind the question how would i use this item? Such good fun!

[@office.of.collecting]

That’s a good point, a lot of miniatures do feel tied up in another time. I can imagine for some people it’s a little bit of all of those things!! Thanks for watching! So glad you enjoyed!!

[@ayemdismantld]

🙂@@office.of.collecting

[@Perkcasso_the_mundane]

I often quote Chandler Bing : " Sometimes I like to hold stuff like this and pretend I'm a giant." Initially, my comment was as long as a short story that could basically be summed up by my simply saying that there is magic in miniatures.

[@office.of.collecting]

Ha ha! It’s true! But I love that quote! Thanks for sharing!

[@lindalatoza8334]

RIP Matthew Perry😢

[@Perkcasso_the_mundane]

@@lindalatoza8334 indeed. He was the best part of the show for me. I’ll always remember him as “Miss Chanandler Bong”.

[@salishseaquest7952]

All of the sources you quoted are partially right....but the reason that I love miniatures is because they bring that sense of nostalgia, memory, contentment, joy in all things small. My inner child knows they are magic. It brings back the hours spent with my inherited dollhouse that was all lovingly crafted by hand by the father of a family friend, who we lost all too young long ago. I only wish you and the Office had been in LV when I lived there over 25 years ago.... I doubt that I will ever visit but love to see your videos. I certainly envied you that unboxing and when I realized how many treasures were inside that "SMALL" box, I was doubly envious. Keep on sharing!

[@office.of.collecting]

Thank you for watching and for sharing! Glad to hear those sweet memories.

[@salishseaquest7952]

@@office.of.collecting I'm sure someone else has mentioned a book by Simon Garfield, named "In Miniature: How Small Things Illuminate the World". But he may have more answers for you to why we love miniatures.

[@office.of.collecting]

@@salishseaquest7952yes! I quoted him in the video!!

[@salishseaquest7952]

@@office.of.collecting I thought you might have but was too lazy to go back and watch the whole thing. Forgive me for my redundancy.😁

[@office.of.collecting]

@@salishseaquest7952ha ha! Not to worry!! Great minds think alike!

[@marionkalina1511]

They're just so darn cute!!!!

[@office.of.collecting]

Truth!!

[@TeaMany]

I love the details in miniatures. I love creating something I’ve always wanted but couldn’t afford in real life. I love that after I clean up the mountains of supplies I needed there’s just this tiny example of my hard work. I love the look on someone’s face when they hold something in their hand and ask how did you do it? I love that I can create and decorate a fantasy then create another in the same space.

[@office.of.collecting]

Yes!! Those are all great answers and little bits of magic in themselves! Thanks for sharing.

[@connieroberts9601]

I so enjoyed this video. I’ve always loved miniatures. They bring me so much joy. I think they’re simply magical. You hold something that mimics something in the real world that you hold in your hand and admire. They can become dreams come true. I love Victorian homes but I can’t afford a real one but I have three in miniature.❤

[@office.of.collecting]

Exactly!!! Thanks for watching!!

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Thank you.

[@KarenWilkinson-j6k]

Oh joy, where can I buy miniatures in the UK ❤❤ love the video ❤❤ thank you for sharing ❤❤

[@office.of.collecting]

So glad you enjoyed!!!

[@robertine.atelier]

Your text is very poetical. Why do we love miniature ? 1. Why not ? 2. It's so cute 3. You can be as poetical as technical when doing minis 4. Why not ? 😂 Have a nice time ! 🎉

[@office.of.collecting]

Thank you!!! And yes! Exactly!

[@LedgerAndLace]

I'm struck with the idea that every basket is woven by hand, even in our super-mechanized world. I love miniatures because you can create a whole world. Also, they are adorable!

[@office.of.collecting]

Right? I was so astounded by the idea! And yes! Adorable is the perfect word!

[@coby9896]

The world is big and can be challenging and confronting, by creation a small world we can find comfort, not necessarily control. We can focus on how things were when life was simpler by recreating tiny replicas of objects familiar to us. On a lighter note it is easy to swap things around, redecorate or upgrade without the expense and disruptions to our full sized existence

[@Toddypkc]

That mini tool set is amazing. Such a great great video

[@office.of.collecting]

So glad you liked!!

[@perpetualmaker]

One time I had a friend say to me, “you have a lot of chairs that no one can sit in.”

[@office.of.collecting]

Ha ha! I love that. Also guilty!

[@MattCrossleyPhoto]

Would you shrink yourself -- if you could -- to be with/in your miniatures or would it ruin everything? Asking for a friend...

[@office.of.collecting]

Ah ha ha! That’s *such* a good question!! But I think… maybe it would ruin it???

[@office.of.collecting]

Would you?!

[@MattCrossleyPhoto]

@@office.of.collecting Oh most definitely not. I saw honey I shrunk the kids early in life. SCARRED.

[@office.of.collecting]

@@MattCrossleyPhotoah ha ha! I feel that!