How xTool P2 Is Expanding My Dollhouse Miniatures Business

by xTool online store Updated on June 12, 2024

About the Author:

USA Today bestselling fantasy author and artist, Michele Barrow-Belisle, is the enchanting force behind Bella Bewitched Miniatures. As a professional dollhouse artisan and former contestant on the hit TV series "Best In Miniature," Michele's eye for exquisite detail shines through in her custom miniature furniture and decor, featuring charming French Country, Vintage, and Modern Farmhouse styles.

How I Got into the Miniature Hobby/Business

I've loved dollhouses and miniatures since childhood. I was reintroduced to them when my husband surprised me with a huge vintage dollhouse he purchased for me at an antique shop. Needless to say, it ignited my mini passions all over again. I tapped into my inner designer and began creating decor and furniture to fully complete my 12th scale dream home, making everything for my dollhouse by hand.

That was many years ago, but I found myself called to start creating miniatures again in 2019 when my parents both became ill. It was a difficult time for our family, and I began making minis again as a way to destress, and focus on things that brought me moments of joy.

When I got back into making miniatures, I discovered the Cricut Maker cutting machine, which changed my whole process. I taught myself how to use Adobe Illustrator to design furniture pieces. Then I created SVG vector files to load into Cricut Design space and have the Cricut Maker cut out the files. I decided to open an Etsy shop to sell some of my designs. To my surprise, everything started selling really well!

I created more and more designs, but the major drawback was that cutting the parts using the Cricut machine took a very long time. And I was very limited in the type and thickness of the materials I could cut.

How xTool P2 Has Been Boosting My Minature Business, and Life

As the demand for my mini designs continued to increase, I started looking into lasers. I purchased the xTool M1 first, and then quickly moved on to the xTool P2. That's when things really shifted in my business and everything took off.

It increased my productivity exponentially. With the vast selection of material it could cut,(including clear acrylic for my windows) plus the intricate designs it could handle, made it my dream machine for working with miniatures!

I can honestly say that xTool has changed my life in the best possible ways. It has been a positive contribution to not only my creativity and my business, but also my income and my overall joy.

Plus it has freed up a lot of my time, so I'm no longer working lengthy hours in my studio to complete the projects I need to get finished.

Juggling the stresses of life, medical appointments for my parents and running a home business started to take a negative toll on my health. Obviously xTool might not eliminate every challenge life can throw at you.

But for me personally, I can create so much more in far less time, and still have energy left over for the truly important things in life... my family, my friends, and myself. I'd say that's a change for the better.

My Vision for My Miniature Business

My vision for Bella Bewitched Miniatures is to create a thriving, inclusive community where miniature enthusiasts can find inspiration, resources, and support to bring their tiny dreams to life.

By offering a wide range of digital SVG files, detailed instructions, and exclusive content through my Mini Membership, I aim to empower crafters of all skill levels to create stunning miniature pieces.

In the near future, I plan to expand my product line to include highly sought-after miniature furniture kits, providing customers with everything they need to build their own exquisite creations.

I also envision adding 12th and 24th scale kits to build mini houses, catering to the diverse preferences of the miniaturist community.

Ultimately, my goal is to foster a space where creativity and passion for miniatures can flourish. I look forward to collaborating with and inspiring more miniaturists worldwide, helping them to discover the joy and fulfillment that comes with crafting enchanting, tiny worlds.

Through Bella Bewitched Miniatures, I'm committed to being a driving force in the dollhouse miniatures industry, continuously innovating and providing top-quality resources to my beloved growing community of enthusiasts.

For more questions. Please join our Facebook group to get inspired!