Michele Volonino - Vintage Vibes Boutique

Thrifty Threads and Tiny Treasures

by Pam North

Michele Volonono lives near Nashville, Tennessee. She previously taught yoga and was the owner and designer of Mishogawear Yoga Couture, but another interest always has been ingrained as a part of her life - dollhouses and miniatures. Now, as a young retiree, she has the time to make anything and everything she desires in 1:12 scale, and has dedicated one room in her house to pursuing that passion. “My work space is a huge mess,” she admitted, “but everything is within an arm’s reach.”
A supportive family make it easy for her to combine home life and miniatures. While her husband and sons view her miniatures as just her hobby, Michele confessed that miniatures have a much higher importance than that for her; they are her creative outlet and a needed challenge. “The biggest difficulty in working in 1:12 scale is having to figure out how to replicate a particular item, and I love it that one can create a space or scene in whatever genre one desires.” Her 1:12 scale dolls inspire her to create a little world for them to come to life. “I’m always adding onto my doll world. Everything is based around my dolls, so if I have an idea of something or someplace for them, I create that space as best I can.” She encourages miniaturists to realize that there are no limitations when creating a space, and for them not to give up when they are unsure how to execute a style or a miniature. “Give yourself time; sit and look at the space; draw the layout of furniture, windows, doors; and create a ‘look board’ (a type of collage consisting of images and samples of objects in a composition).” Her step-by-step process reflects the formal training she has had as an artist, having graduated from the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan, NY, and she also majored in architectural engineering. 
She finds inspiration for miniatures everywhere, and loves sharing her processes and techniques on how to create miniature items. Sometimes she takes photos in the steps she uses, then posts them with descriptions on her Instagram feed. She bemoaned the absence of a local major miniature group, and the lack of opportunity to teach workshops. “I did teach one class at Hobby Lobby on how to make miniature paper flowers, but unfortunately there is no demand here for classes.”
Michele’s latest piece is one she calls Vintage Vibes Boutique, a diorama scene which she created to provide a nice backdrop and props to highlight the miniature clothes she had been making. She planned  its atmosphere to be similar to shopping in a funky shop. Her vision is nicely realized, with enticing little treasures and trinkets tucked into every niche to beckon a miniature clientele.
Nearly everything in the scene was made by her: the room box, display racks, shoes, chair, lighting, and she did all the sewing for the clothing, using thin draping fabrics. For the decor, she searched on Pinterest for inspiration for farmhouse, shabby chic, and industrial decors. “I feel that filling the center display with shoes was my biggest challenge. Shoes are very difficult to make, and it’s not as if there are 1:12 scale patterns for shoes online. I think artists keep those designs close and don’t share them. The handbags, luggage, and shoes are my favorites. All my shoes look functional and are made to scale. I love the way they bring the display to life, and how each pair of shoes fits and looks on my dolls. The jewelry and jewelry display also were a lot of fun to make. The final result exceeded my expectations. I was trying to throw together a decent room box quickly. but when I look at it, I want to refine and add more character on all pieces.” Michele doesn’t plan on selling her room box. “I will sell some of the shoes and clothes, but the diorama is a keeper.” She recently has starting selling some of her miniatures, and she offers her creations on Etsy exclusively, with her prices ranging from $12.00 to $350.00.
She shared her thoughts on her perception of the future of miniatures. “I think that world is growing, with a substantial number of collectors and miniaturists on all platforms of social media. We all inspire one another, and it does seem that there are new people creating great scenes, dollhouses, and miniature items.”
As with most artists, she has many ideas for new projects. “I am planning on a beach house next. I went away this summer to Destin, FL, where we stayed in a house on the beach. It was so gorgeous, and I immediately knew that I wanted to recreate that house in miniature, and I’m really excited to venture into a different style. I mostly create spaces that are vintage, industrial, or farmhouse inspired. But this new project will be a 100% modern, chic, farmhouse style in shades of white and turquoise. I also have a barn, a nail salon, and a pet shop on my ‘to do’ list.”

Contact information
Name: Michele Volonino ( Mish)
Business Name: Etsy-AlliesHomeGoods
Email: mwyogacouture@gmail.com or mishoga@optonline.net
Phone: 631-278-5717
Address: 105 Nogs Garden, Gallatin, TN 37066
Website:
Instagram: AlliesHouse, alliesvintagevibes