We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chelsea Andersson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chelsea below.

Alright, Chelsea thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I’ve always been a fairly risk-averse person. Big changes, unknowns – it all scared me. So anytime I’ve made a big move in my life it’s been pretty calculated.

In college, I studied Landscape Architecture. It felt like a safe career that was both consistent and creative. In the seven years I worked as a Landscape Architect, I had the opportunity to work on some really interesting projects; National Parks, Playgrounds. The big creative moments in those projects were sadly few and far between.

In my off-time I began experimenting with miniatures. I found a workshop locally with access to tons of tools. I even got a few side jobs making miniature sets for a local stop motion artist. I loved those projects and daydreamed endlessly about doing this real creative work full time.

It wasn’t until I got myself on to the NBC Crafting Competition Show “Making It” that I finally considered being a creative full time. Until then, I never considered that I was good enough.

Leaving my job allowed me so much time to improve my art. It allowed me time to reach out to clients and publicize my work. Because of that – I was able to build a true business around my creative work. Now, I craft miniature scenes for television, ads, and collectors.

Chelsea, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Im Chelsea Andersson – sometimes known as ChelseaMakes. I’m a miniaturist, prop maker, and now, the author of a DIY miniatures book titled “50 Makes for Modern Miniatures.”

I’ve loved miniatures ever since I was a kid. I spent all of my free time making furniture and outfits for my dolls. It wasn’t ever something I thought could be a career and so my love of tiny things sort of fell to the wayside as I got older. It wasn’t until I was working full time as a Landscape Architect and building scale site models that I remembered how much I enjoyed it. From there it quickly became a way for me to design and imagine furnishings and home decor that I couldn’t fit or afford in my tiny Bay Area apartment.

The core of my business is creating miniature sets for advertising, film, stop motion, and photography. I love the challenge of shrinking a brand’s product, or creating a perfect miniature room to surround it. I’ve never met someone who didn’t like miniatures, and I feel that brands who embrace this really understand that being relatable, even a bit silly, is appealing to their customers.

I have worked with Brands like Warby Parker, Dolce Vita, Redfin, Stanley and more. For brands with a recognizable product, the joy viewers get when seeing a miniature version is overwhelming. For brands like Redfin, without a physical product, miniatures offer an engaging way to tell a story that might only otherwise be expressed with text.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The lulls between client projects can be scary. You’re never quite sure what the next project will be, or when it will come. In those moments, the time gets filled with experimenting and personal projects. These projects teach you so much about who you are, what your style is, and give you a chance to connect with your audience. One time a frog was in my studio and he became the focus of an entire miniature scene. It’s fun to be able to take any inspiration and run with it – no matter how strange or silly.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Trust them.

If you love an artist’s work, or style, you have to let go of the creative process. For the most part, when a brand hires me for social media content or miniatures, it’s because they know my style and trust my work. The end result is always delightful and fun.

Giving too much direction, or not letting the artist take the lead when you’re unsure are a quick way to snuff out the creative fire.

Contact Info:

• Website: Chelseamakes.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/chelseamakes
• Facebook: facebook.com/chelseamakes
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-andersson/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChelseaMakes

Image Credits
Michelle Gevint Colette Peri