Alan says: 

The height of miniature craftsmanship in the UK, in my opinion, was in the in the late 90’s/early 2000’s. That’s when manufacturing and artisanal craft was still really strong in this country, until the 80’s under Thatcher. So, the people making miniatures in the 90’s were master craftsman who were specialists in their trades in large-scale – industries like carpentry, glasswork, jewellery, mechanics. When they retired, they needed something to do, to keep busy and maybe earn a bit of money, so they went into miniatures. And you can see the quality in their work. That is the stuff that is really high value because it has taken years of that person perfecting their craft to get to the standard where they can replicate it in miniature. People appreciate that level of craftsmanship and will pay for things that are handmade. Through my role as a Tutor in a technical college I have seen how these sorts of practical skills are declining again because of all the problems in higher education. That job was too stressful. Now, I have quit, and I make miniatures full-time at home. I am learning new things all the time, including from all the lovely people I meet. I am still working with my hands, challenging myself with new techniques and processes, whether it's 3D printing, woodwork, plaster casting or mechanical work. There is still a lot of skill and creativity involved. Even though it is stressful having your own business, it is so much better for my mental health doing this, compared to teaching; so much more satisfying.