Episode 9: Miriam Stone Wilson of Miniature Werewolf
An octopus postmaster.
A Seattle home split between the 1990s and today.
A peri-menopausal werewolf retelling of Red Riding Hood.
Welcome to the brain of Miriam Stone Wilson. In this episode of Tiny Worlds, Big Stories, I sit down with fellow Northwesterner Miriam Stone Wilson (Seattle-based, Olympic Peninsula-raised) to talk about the magic of miniatures, public art, research obsession, and why storytelling is at the heart of everything she builds.
We talk about:
- The replica adobe house her mom built when she was two
- Growing up imagining magical creatures in the woods
- Honoring the USPS through “Postmaster Wanda”
- How work at Bumbershoot with Vanishing Seattle
- Why miniatures are wildly time-consuming (and why that matters)
- Calling yourself an artist — and what changed
- Creativity during uncertain times
- Failing forward
- Her massive in-progress project: a Jungian alchemy-inspired dollhouse retelling of Red Riding Hood as a peri-menopausal werewolf story
This conversation is funny. It’s thoughtful. It’s deeply Northwest. And it’s about reclaiming the magic we once saw everywhere as children. If you love miniatures, public art, storytelling, dollhouses, creative process, or women reclaiming transformation narratives. You’ll love this episode.
Tell us in the comments: Where do you still find magic in the world?
00:00 – Introduction: Meeting Seattle miniaturist Miriam Stone Wilson
00:29 – Childhood miniatures & growing up with handmade dollhouses
02:26 – Her unexpected path: linguistics, social work, and creativity
03:33 – The story behind Postmaster Wanda, the octopus running a secret Seattle mailroom
04:45 – Turning a broken parcel locker into joyful public art
07:02 – Building the infinity hallway illusion inside the installation
08:22 – How the project went viral and led to a King 5 feature
10:09 – The Seattle time-capsule diorama: Lucky to Have Met You
11:26 – Creating the piece for the Vanishing Seattle exhibit
14:04 – Where miniature ideas come from & the importance of research
15:02 – Creating miniature installations for libraries and public spaces
20:20 – The storytelling power of miniature suitcases
21:27 – Tutorial Tuesday and sharing techniques with the miniature community
23:07 – When Miriam began making miniatures seriously
23:36 – Mrs. Witch’s Cottage and honoring her father’s bedtime stories
25:12 – Rediscovering miniatures during the pandemic
27:08 – Why miniature art takes far longer than people expect
31:08 – Learning new tools: 3D printing and laser cutting
34:56 – Why creativity and joy matter during difficult times
37:57 – Finding time for art while raising kids
40:43 – Her biggest project: a Red Riding Hood–inspired transformation dollhouse
45:10 – Advice for beginners: start with imagination and recycled materials
47:36 – What success looks like as an artist
48:33 – Honoring the magic she believed in as a child
50:30 – Her very first miniature (a Barbie bed made from maxi pads!)
52:42 – Where to find Miriam online and closing thoughts
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https://www.miniaturewerewolf.com/
https://www.instagram.com/miniaturewerewolf
https://www.tiktok.com/@miniaturewerewolf
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