Years ago in the noughties, when I was reporting Miniatura for magazines and exhibiting with an assistant, I was able to see the whole show, talk to exhibitors and meet my collectors. Now, exhibiting alone, with three hours set up time the previous day and a couple of hours in the morning, to set up a thousand items, I’m lucky if I manage to get a look at the exhibitors on either side of me.
However, some exhibitors are so good, I have to have a quick look as I’m setting up, a slight visit before the show opens on Saturday morning and as long as I can possibly manage having a good gawp on Sunday morning. Into this ‘cannot miss’ category for the last couple of shows, Cornel’s Creations have cantered, far ahead of the field.
In the Autumn show Cornel was visiting Venice. Here is a 48th scale street in Venice, complete with gondolas sailing up the red velvet tablecloth. How utterly perfect are these houses? Look at the windows, don’t they just make all other windows look rubbish? Which house do you want, or do you, like me, just want them all?
These houses are the work of Cornel Gheorgheasa, here he is:
At Autumn Miniatura I was too busy to talk to Cornel, though I did have time to photograph his fabulous houses. I had already talked to him at a previous Miniatura about his exceptional windows and had not been too surprised to learn that making windows is what he does in real life and one scale. One scale is the term used by show organiser Andy Hopwood. I helpfully informed Andy that Cornel’s windows were so good because he made windows in one scale to which Andy replied that he knew, because he’d read the side of Cornel’s van in the car park. Tricks of the trade aside, I thought it was time to talk to Cornel himself. Here’s the story in his own words:
‘My journey into the world of miniatures began three years ago when I purchased my first laser-cutting machine. At first I experimented with ready-made files from Etsy, but when clients asked me to adapt kits into 1:48th scale, something clicked. I fell in love with miniature houses – and before long we were creating our own original designs.
I’ve been very fortunate to share this journey with my daughter, Ilinca. Her brilliant talent for design makes her the true star behind our beautiful kits, while my role is to take her digital creations and ensure they are practical and ready for makers to enjoy.
Miniature making has brought me enormous joy – not only through the creative process but also through the wonderful community of makers, united by a shared passion for miniatures.
My background is in traditional joinery. I own a small company producing handcrafted timber windows and doors, and everything I know was first learned from my father, a skilled joiner now happily retired. That heritage of craftsmanship continues to guide every piece we make today.’
Seasoned miniaturists will have noticed that, in common with some of the best miniaturists there have ever been, Cornel knew all about his subject and had practised for years in full size before he became aware of the miniature world, and that he is working in authentic materials to produce the best kind of miniatures, the same in every way as the one scale item, but smaller.
Architecture in particular benefits from a bit of shrinkage, you get a different view when you can see the whole building at once.
The other question miniaturists will have is the one about the insides. Are they as good as the outsides?
Judge for yourself:
You don’t need me to tell you this is the inside of a book shop, I know you’re already in there, stacking the shelves.
I did ask Cornel at the show about scales. 48th is not really my favourite, I love 24th, as you know. Could Cornel make any of his designs in alternative scales, I asked.
Yes he can. The place to talk to him about it is at his website
though I should warn you that you are going to want everything.
This is the one I fancy, look at the windows, just look at the windows, have you ever seen anything like them, in miniature?
What complicates matters is that this house is not alone, Cornel has created entire streets, and furniture kits. On his website there are gift vouchers, you could ask for them for Christmas, and get your nearest and dearest to buy a house kit for you. There is only one massive problem.
How are you going to choose?
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