With little formal training it's sometimes hard to believe the beauty Pilar is able to infuse into her work, but as with most miniature artisans, she draws from her real life experiences, then scales it down to size.

"My mother taught me sewing and when my children were babies I made their clothes, including dresses, so now this helps me to make dresses for my dolls and wardrobes, plus I took classes some years ago on painting dolls."

Pilar finds the inspiration for her work in books, other doll artisans, shop windows, and in movies.

"I like watching films based in the Victorian and Edwardian periods, to catch up ideas for dresses or furniture."

Not surprisingly, she loves to watch the classic film Gone with the Wind.

"I think like a miniaturist, so I like to watch 'Gone with the Wind' because I love the dresses in the film. But my favorite movie is 'Out of Africa.'"

Pilar's miniaturist's eye is always on the lookout for new ideas and new challenges.