Creating Miniatures with Worbla – Workshop with Artist Ara Bentley

Worbla is a heat-activated plastic material that has been used in the costuming world for many years, but it can also be used in creating miniatures with organic shapes!  If you would like to give Worbla a try, this class will be a great introduction.  In this class, you will create 2 types of hats, a pair of sandals, a purse, and an umbrella with Worbla.  Also included is a Hall Tree (kit to be constructed in class) to display your miniature pieces, 2-3D printed canisters and a few books.  You will have enough Worbla left over from this class to try out some of your own designs and ideas afterwards.

Ara Bentley’s foray into miniatures stemmed from her experience building models as an architecture student. When she began working in the field, she soon realized that making models was not a common architectural practice, and it became something she missed. Seeking to share her passion with others, Bentley joined an online group of miniature enthusiasts which provided a forum for indulging in her new project and an opportunity to enhance her skill. When the online forum closed in 2016, she started her own YouTube channel to share miniature tips and tutorials. The popular channel, Bentley House Minis, currently has over 93,000 subscribers.

Ara resides in Texas with her spouse and two children and balances motherhood with being an artist on a daily basis. She recently completed the mega Addam’s Family Mini Mansion which is now on view at The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures. For more information about this exhibit and to connect with Ara, visit us here.

This workshop is geared towards adults with some miniature making experience but open to older teens wanting to build their skills. (16+)

Materials Provided by the Instructor:

• Printed instructions

• Worbla

• Hall Tree kit

• Hat molds and templates

• 3D printed accessories

• 1 heat gun for every 4 students to share

Supplies and Tools to Bring:

• Heat gun (if you prefer not to share)

• Acrylic paints and various paintbrushes

• Tacky glue

• Cutting mat and craft knife

• Strong scissors (capable of cutting thick materials)

• Ball Stylus tools (in various sizes)

• Finger protection (to safeguard hands from the heat gun)

Photography, audio, and video recording may occur at this event to document the program or promote similar events in the future. By participating in this program, you consent to such recoding and its release, exhibition, or reproduction by The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures.

Refunds will generally only be issued five or more days in advance of the class unless the refund is necessary due to a sudden illness. In the event a class is cancelled by the museum, a full refund will be issued.

Questions about this program? Please contact our Director of Education and Engagement, Djamila Jean-Charles by email at djamilajc@theminitimemachine.org or by phone at 520-881-0606 ext. 105.