pond. Sometimes we play with the dogs. My daughter also has a black cat that likes my workshop and my little things. I like this cat, but I don't like his funny habit of pushing my things off my table!"

In almost every artisan interview there is a heart-warming story and Cristina is no different.

"I have had a nice experience with a customer from the USA: I sold a blue micro-house with a small garden, then after two weeks I received an E-mail from another lady who asked me if I could make her a house like the one I had just sold. She then told me that this blue micro-house was identical to her childhood home! I made it for her and she was very happy, and so was I."

Not sitting on her laurels, Cristina is constantly trying new techniques, learning new ways to enhance her skills and working with different materials in her quest to perfect her craft.

"My work is a craft and I feel like an artisan; I like to try each new technique, each new object that I can know. I also enjoy teaching my personal 'tips' and writing tutorials."

An enthusiastic blogger, Cristina gives tips and some tutorials to up-and-coming artisans.

"I also show and sell my work and some kits and supplies to make flowers. My miniatures cost between US$10-$40, not too expensive, I think."