minicrafts

Minicrafts is a term used to describe small-scale craft projects and miniature works created for display, play, or collection. The practice encompasses a range of disciplines, including dollhouse furniture, scale figures, dioramas, jewelry, origami, and other tiny works. Common goals include creating detailed, scaled representations of real objects or imaginative designs at a reduced size. Materials vary widely from polymer clay, resin, wood, metal, and fabric to paper and cardboard. Techniques include sculpting, painting, assembly, 3D printing, laser cutting, and casting.

In popular culture, the term may be encountered in reference to Minicraft, a 2011 indie video game by Markus Persson. Minicraft is a top-down, survival-crafting game where the player gathers resources and crafts items in a small world; the title is usually written as Minicraft. The plural "minicrafts" is rarely used for the game but may appear in discussions about multiple titles or fan-made games. For most hobby contexts, minicrafts refers to miniature crafts in general rather than the game.

History and practice: Miniatures have a long history in art and hobbyist communities, from medieval model making to modern dollhouses. The rise of affordable 3D printing and digital design has expanded possibilities for precision miniatures. Communities form on craft platforms and at conventions, sharing tutorials, kits, and finished works.

See also: Miniatures, Dollhouse, Model making, Diorama, 3D printing, Miniature gaming.