An in depth look at Moran’s miniatures
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Christina Moran poses with farm-scape.
Since she was a child, Christina Moran has had a creative mind.
“I was in 4-H growing up and did ceramics, making everything from scratch,” Moran said. “That’s carried over throughout the years.”
Like most little girls, Moran had a fascination with doll houses. She won a doll house when she was little and took the time to decorate it for every holiday.
“I decided that I wanted to make my own.”
The morning of our interview, Moran told her husband, Shane that she would like to start building larger full scale dollhouses from scratch. “I just go in and get scrap pieces of wood and start building. I used to make ceramic furniture for my dollhouses, so I’ve got that if I wanted to do something like that.”
Through the years, Christina has done some painting, photography, ceramics and flower arranging to occupy her free time.
“If it’s creative and crafty, I will try it,” Moran said.
Recently, Christina began the process of designing a mural for the Chrisman Community Garden, which she will paint on the back wall behind the garden plots.
Around four years ago, Moran began making miniatures out of cardboard, then worked her way up to working with wood and other materials.
“I actually like the wood better than I do the cardboard,” Moran said. “It gives me a better result.”
Walking through Hobby Lobby can strike inspiration in Moran. Something as simple as a blank canvas.
“I don’t really have to see anything in the world to get my inspiration, it just happens.”
Getting in the creative mindset is as simple as listening to Christmas music. “It inspires me and reminds me of happy times, family and times past.”
Just the other day, a design for a new miniature came to mind while listening to Christmas music. This miniature will feature a dimensional waterfall that comes out of the frame.
Depending on the size, a smaller mini can take three or four days, while a bigger piece can take three weeks of working on and off.
The possibility of constructing a small town has bounced around in Moran’s head, but space is currently an issue.
Christina does have an Etsy store named ‘South For Winter’ to sell her miniatures.
“If somebody had a custom request, I might think about it,” Moran said. “I just really like to make original works. I do better when I’m just creating from scratch.”
With shipping far distances being a hassle, Christina does prefer local shopping and is looking at the possibility of setting up a spot in ‘Sweet Vintage’ in Paris and doing vendor shows.
Making the miniatures is a stress relief for Moran and her way to escape.
Starting back up has helped her get through this year as her husband was in a car accident in April and has been off of work.
“It’s a great way to escape and sometimes the miniatures are mini places that I would love to escape to,” Moran said.
Christina hopes to sell some of her miniatures to supplement their income that’s been lost.
Now that she’s back doing what she loves, Moran can focus on the positive things in life.
“There’s something about small minis that I just love to create,” she said. “I could sit and for hours and not realize what time it is. I really enjoy it.”
