One gift of social media is keeping track of someone that you wouldn’t otherwise stay in contact with. For over ten years, I watched the evolution of my former officemate Margie Criner with eager anticipation.  When I saw that Margie started selling magnets with miniature toys, I was intrigued. When I admired her tactile handmade sculptures embedded with miniature dioramas, I was impressed. When she announced her gallery shows, installations, and features in national newspapers, I was THRILLED that her artwork was gaining such recognition.

My day-to-day has shifted in the past year and with a home office and work that requires less collaboration, I have missed meeting new, interesting people and learning about their lives. One of my 2025 resolutions is to reach out  and connect with people that interest me and in some cases, share my conversations on Whipped. Afterall, this blog has always been about food, drink, AND conversation. Margie Criner popped into my mind immediately. When I emailed her after not speaking for ten years, she was equally enthusiastic about reconnecting.

Margie creates unique pieces of sculptural art and runs her business Itty Bitty Mini m(Art) selling a myriad of handmade miniatures from vintage record players to 1:12 scale Fender guitars.  Her artwork has been included in dozens of shows around the country.  Margie gives art lectures, designs film sets, and has received multiple awards. Thanks to the unique nature of her work, she has been featured in national articles including this one from the New York Times, Esquire Magazine’s exploration Inside the Weird and Wonderful World of Miniatures, and a Chicago Magazine feature of her work.

Margie graciously invited me to her shop and studio where it became clear on many levels that we were meant to find each other again. Our energy and excitement continued to elevate as we discussed the past decade from personal tragedy to artistic triumph and all the lessons and learning in between. Below are snippets from our conversation and links to Margie’s inspiring work.

Margie, what inspires your unique artwork?

I am first and foremost a storyteller. My work is often fueled by nostalgia and the desire to explore my own life experiences while offering viewers room to explore their own. My sculpture-in-sculpture narratives include an external structure that is handmade with wood, rope, wool, and even hornet’s nests. Within the sculpture, there is a lens or viewing portal that offers a window to the miniature diorama inside. It invites the viewers to physically lean in as they explore the piece and its meaning more deeply.

Did you say hornet’s nest??

Yes, it’s sort of a crazy story… I had seen a hornet’s nest hanging from a tree in Logan Square when I was walking my dog and wondered what the material was like. I was a textile major and have always been drawn to materials.  A few days later when I was walking, it fell right out of the tree in front of me! It was old, there were no hornets to reckon with. But, it almost fell right into my lap. I took it home and used it with wool to wrap around a sculpture I was working on.

Wow, there are so many layers of discovery to your art. The outside has unique shape and interest and then you peek into the inside and discover this entire miniature world!

Yes, I love to build an evolving experience. While my art is inspired by my own life, my hope is to spark curiosity and create something that others can relate to it. People who look into the sculpture find something familiar, and recall their own memories, thoughts, and feelings. When viewers look at miniature dioramas, they often imagine themselves in the space. I’ve found that the physical perspective shift can stimulate a mental shift as well.

Why do you think people love miniatures? They are magnetic and spark such awe. Why do you think that is?

Oh, there are a lot of things that come to mind. At my company Itty Bitty Mini m(Art), we make mostly vintage items, so nostalgia is definitely part of it. I think miniatures are a memory touch point. Also, that perspective shift is huge. Miniatures offer an alternative perspective that draws you in with familiarity. You are outside yourself and in yourself at the same time. And, we are so much bigger than these little worlds we are looking at, I think that on some level that is empowering. For all the miniatures that are handmade, there is also a draw of energy from things that are made with such intention and care.

Tell me more about Itty Bitty Mini (m)Art.

I have a team of four artisans and we create miniature items that we sell and produce in larger quantities like vintage televisions, guitars, plants, food items… a huge range of objects. We also do work for stop motion animators, dollhouse enthusiasts, filmmakers, real estate agents, other miniaturists, vintage tech collectors, art addicts, bands that want tiny merch, ad agencies, action figure photographers, and basically anyone that wants to collaborate creatively… on a miniature scale.

I absolutely love your 1985 Mall that you have here in the studio. People can come visit you in Chicago and shop the Itty Bitty Mini (m)Art collection?

Yes! Our studio and miniatures shop are open to the public. We welcome people to stop in, wander around, and find treasures to buy. You can shop at our miniature 1985 mall and actually pick things out of the stores and buy them! For those not in Chicago, you can see our work on Itty Bitty Mini (m)Art on Instagram

What are your most popular items at Itty Bitty Mini (m)Art?

Probably our music-related objects – instruments, record players, record albums. I am a musician myself so I’m drawn to these objects and love making them. When we were making the keyboard, it took some time to figure out how to make the foldable stand. Part of the fun is working together as a team to determine what sort of material or process we can create to reproduce life-like miniatures. 

I’m so inspired and excited by seeing all of your work. I’m sure other people will be too. Where can we find more of your work? What’s next?

Find my personal artwork and information on shows on Instagram @margiecriner

Follow Itty Bitty Mini (m)Art on Instagram to see products and learn about workshops @ittybittyminimart

If you are in Chicago, come by and visit our studio at 4200 W Diversey Ave in Chicago. Park in the parking lot, on Diversey, or on the east side of Tripp Ave. Enter at main double doors on Tripp Ave. They are the first studio on the right.

And, if you really want to immerse yourself into the world of miniatures, visit the Tom Bishop show in Chicago on April 27-28. It is a huge convention with amazing miniature artists and dealers.