Early in the pandemic, I discovered that I really liked watching people make models and tiny little scenes out of whatever materials they could get their hands on. Sometimes they’ve gone out and purchased fancy-schmancy technology like 3D printers and laser cutters; sometimes, they just collect sticks and garbage. But they all make some really nifty stuff, and most of them are pretty damned funny. These are some of my favourite crafters — maybe they’ll become your favourites, too.
His name is Adam and he likes to make tiny nerdy things. And I am here for it. His creations are primarily made of polymer clay, but he makes detailed dioramas using a number of materials that bring fantastical scenes to life and/or destroy your childhood. (My childhood sucked, so do your worst, buddy.) Some of my favourites include Kirby eating the “tetanus-mobile” and the hard-drinking, head-smashing Thor from God of War: Ragnarok. Additionally, I decided to ruin my sister’s childhood by making her watch the cursed Winnie the Pooh video. Don’t worry — she still talks to me.
Martina and Hansi are true nobles in the world of geekdom. Martina is largely the face of the channel, showcasing her many skills in painting, model making, bookbinding, and costuming, using everything from 3D-printed figurines and epoxy resin to fabric, glue, and stones pilfered from the neighbour’s driveway. And like any blue-blooded maker, she’s missing a finger, which I didn’t even realize until she made herself a cyberpunk replacement digit. Periodically, Hansi shows up to tackle electronic components and prove that he’s still alive.
This channel boasts some pretty impressive makes, but if you decide to watch only one video, I suggest you absorb the epic transformation of their workshop into a fantastical wizard’s study, complete with winding staircase and a “window” that looks out across a digital landscape.
Meanwhile, Studson Studio and Bill Making Stuff are my favourite trash collectors.
Studson Studio was a gateway into maker-verse with early gems like the Spirited Away bath house. His cheerfully dry humour amuses me to no end, and he has the most fantabulous way of turning trash into treasure. Check out the detail on his all-garbage rendition of Howl’s Moving Castle. There’s a reason he doesn’t upload videos every week, but every video is worth watching.
Bill’s attic workshop looks like the treehouse of a mad teenage scientist, and it forms the perfect backdrop for turning deodorant containers into cars from a dystopian future or torturing children’s toys into monsters. And like his fellow trashman, Bill exhibits a delightfully dry sense of humour, although he seems to be perpetually bemused. Maybe he just can’t believe that you actually watch his videos. But I can.
The creator here makes more traditional sorts of miniatures, but the details are amazing and the subjects are darkly delightful. I mean, check out this magnificent Beetlejuice-inspired collection that includes both the Maitland’s house and the ghastly social worker’s waiting room, complete with the ghosts of some of life’s unfortunate victims.
This channel features many marvellous miniatures, some of which are also wee feats of engineering, such as Aunt Josephine’s precariously perched house from A Series of Unfortunate Events. (If I tried to make that, it would very quickly become a pile of rubble at the base of the model cliff.) This former film student also plays with paint and clothing, so there’s a little something for everyone — especially if you share their love of all things BTS.
If you’re into beautiful, imaginative dioramas that could fit on your shelf, this is the channel for you. Many of these creations are taken directly from the world of science fiction (see the 60+ videos on the channel’s Star Wars playlist), but there are also plenty of fantastical and historical-ish scenes to enjoy.
For those who prefer supersized miniatures, Real Terrain Hobbies may be more your style. The absolutely magnificent scenery and detailed structures he produces will blow your mind. And maybe your budget. These are the sorts of tabletop scenes that require the whole table top, such as the Shire wargaming board.
What does Knarb make? Lots of sci-fi and fantasy tabletop gaming models, but also whimsical little scenes, such as the Ratatouille diorama he built into his daughter’s room. And when you’re done ogling those cute little dishes, take a look at the Dwarf forge made from … uh, bits of plumbing.
Anyhoo, I hope that sparks your imagination. Go forth and make cool stuff.
Una Verdandi, author & artist 