Hobby turns trash into tiny treasures

For Janet Bycroft, someone else’s trash is a treasure.

Bycroft is a miniaturist. She creates miniature scenes, either from a memory, or a display in a kitset.

She is exhibiting a collection into the Matamata Society of Arts Inc annual exhibition next month.

Bycroft finds most of her kitsets and other bits and pieces on line or in catalogues, and others she uses her imagination for.

She says she will often find useful items on the roadside or footpath while out walking and turn someone’s trash into a treasure for her houses.

‘‘I just look at things in a completely different way.’’

Bycroft became interested in miniatures from a good friend, and former Matamata resident Margaret Ward.

At that time, Bycroft was making teddy bears and porcelain dolls, so it was a segue into something new, but not totally foreign.

‘‘Margaret had a wonderful display and it fascinated me. I was doing porcelain dolls at the time and one thing led to another and of course the doll house dolls were available at that time, so I got hooked.’’

Her first display, an outdoor scene from a personal memory took months to create. She created two scenes in six years and then lost a bit of enthusiasm. By then, there was no one in Matamata creating them and no one she could bounce ideas off.

That soon changed just after the new millenium when she took it up again and then Janet says she became more enthusiastic.

The introduction of two other miniaturists in Matamata also renewed her passion.

‘‘We have been bouncing ideas off each other.’’

She says the accessories are her favourite part, and she is always looking at how to create things in miniature.

‘‘It involves a wide range of variety and technique.

‘‘Over time, I go to a dolls show and buy and buy. I’m always adding more, always changing them.’’

The exhibition next month will be the first time Bycroft has displayed them for the public. She will have 10 miniatures going on display.

The Matamata Society of Arts Inc exhibition will be at the Matamata Memorial Centre from October 14-16, it also includes an art competition for which entries must be in by September 30.