The World Through Mouse-Sized Windows
A little reflection on my conversation with Kamilla from Our Craft Nook
Every now and then, I get the absolute pleasure of sitting down with a fellow creative—and within minutes, it feels like you’ve stepped right into a little storybook together. That’s exactly how it felt chatting with Kamilla, the incredibly talented maker and storyteller behind Our Craft Nook.
I’ve been following her work for a while now—especially those beautiful, personality-filled mice she brings to life—and when we finally sat down for a virtual cuppa, our conversation unfolded in the loveliest way. One of those chats that stays with you.
We talked about all sorts—mice (of course), imagination, motherhood, creativity, the ups and downs of running a small business, language barriers, the magic of stop-motion, and that wobbly-but-wonderful journey of learning to believe in yourself.
So, here’s a little reflection on our time together broken down into easy-to-read, gentle little sections. Grab a brew, settle in, and enjoy.
Finding Our Flow (Even With a Few Nerves)
As with all the Podcast episodes I do, we began with a gentle chat—and Kamilla admitted she was feeling nervous. English isn’t her first language, and she was translating her thoughts in real time. But if I’m honest, her warmth came through so clearly that I think she very quickly forgot about the nerves completely.
She spoke with such warmth and clarity, and by the end of our chat, she said she felt like dancing. That alone made me smile for the rest of the day.
We talked about how so many women I’ve worked with have said similar things—“I can’t do that; English isn’t my first language.” But the truth is, creativity has no borders, and Kamilla is living proof of that.
Kamilla reminded me once again that creativity speaks a language of its own.
Of Forest Roots, Gnomes & the Origins of Mice
When I asked Kamilla what inspired her to make mice of all things, her answer was like a scene from a fairytale. She grew up in Hungary, in a wonderfully creative family where making things was a way of life. Childhood walks in the forest turned into hunts for fairies and gnomes. She imagined tiny creatures living under toadstools, nestled among tree roots, or peeking out of mossy hollows.
Years later, Kamilla’s daughter began making little diorama houses from bits and bobs around the home—and naturally, Kamilla began making the inhabitants. At first, she used shop-bought teddy bears. But when their limbs started falling off mid-play, she decided to learn needle felting and create her own creatures from scratch.
Enter the mice. Structurally better suited to miniature scenes—thanks to their tails and tiny feet—they quickly became Kamilla’s main focus. And not just any mice. Kamilla’s mice have names, stories, and sometimes even passports! Her “mouse family” is a miniature reflection of her own, travelling across Europe and getting into all sorts of adorable adventures. The love and detail she pours into these tiny characters is just heart-melting.
And, as she beautifully put it, before she knew it, her desk was overrun with them.
From Passion to Purpose: When Creativity Becomes a Business
Kamilla spoke about something many of us can relate to—how hard it is to transition from creating purely for pleasure to stepping into the role of business owner. Of course, it’s not all whimsy and wool. Kamilla talked candidly about the challenges—the time management, the admin, the “I just want to make cute mice but I also need to do accounts” feeling. And don’t we all know that one?
For a long time, she was a full-time mum of three. Craft fairs were family affairs—tables shared with her kids, artwork proudly displayed, and little ones playing under the stall.
But as her children grew and needed her a little less, Kamilla found the space to put more energy into her creative business. She realised that people loved her mice, but many of them wanted to make their own. So, she began teaching workshops, offering others a chance to step into her tiny, wonder-filled world. And so, her workshops were born.
What Happens When a Mouse Finds Its Voice (Or a Deer, or a Cat…)
When I asked Kamilla about her favourite piece, she lit up. Her most beloved creation? The “mouse family”—a miniature version of her own, complete with mum, dad, and three kids. She’s documented their travels across Europe (including a hospital visit after her son’s accident—all captured through the mice!). It was her creative way of sharing family stories without putting her children directly in the spotlight.
More recently, Kamilla’s been exploring other animals—tiny cats, elephants, deer—all crafted at just a few centimetres tall. But she admits it’s not always smooth sailing. Some days, nothing goes right, and her desk ends up littered with abandoned limbs and squashed faces. (We’ve all been there, haven’t we?) Other days, the magic flows, and a character appears with just the right tilt of the head or the softest flick of an ear.
Stop Motion: The Mice Begin to Dance
I was absolutely delighted when Kamilla started talking about her stop-motion animations. Imagine these tiny mice dancing, sweeping, decorating little Christmas trees—all lovingly brought to life frame by frame. It took me straight back to my childhood, watching magical shows with characters that felt real like Bagpuss and the Clangers.
She told me how she wanted people to see what she saw—the movement and personality within these tiny beings. So she taught herself how to animate, frame by painstaking frame. A 30-second clip can take hundreds of photos and hours of editing. But the result is timeless. It feels like something straight from a 1970s children's programme—charmingly imperfect, gentle, and brimming with soul.
And when she talked about one of her favourites, “Mrs. Tittlemouse” (who lives in the tiniest, most peaceful vintage kitchen), I could almost hear the kettle whistling. Kamilla said she sometimes wishes she could shrink down and sit in that kitchen, just having tea and chatting. I think we all need a bit of that gentle magic in our lives.
On Teaching, Encouragement, and the Ugly Duckling Stage
Kamilla’s background is in teaching, and you can tell. She holds space for others with such care. One story that really stayed with me was about a shy 16-year-old girl who came to a workshop barely speaking. Fast forward a few weeks, and that same girl was creating stunning needle-felted animals—and chatting away with confidence. That, I believe, is the power of creative spaces.
Kamilla has a gift—not just for crafting, but for helping others to believe in themselves.
There’s a moment in every felting project—what Kamilla and I call the ugly duckling stage—when things look wonky, strange, or downright hopeless. But if you keep going, if you push through and add those little ears, that tiny nose, suddenly the piece comes to life. “Oh hello,” I always say when that face appears. And Kamilla does the same. That’s the Beatrix Potter moment, isn’t it?
The Balancing Act of Business
We also talked about the reality of being a creative business owner. Kamilla was refreshingly honest about how hard it can be. Time management, admin, social media, organising fairs, making kits, following up with students—it all takes time. And as she said, “If I’m not careful, I’ll just end up with thousands of mice and no one to sell them to!”
She’s now gearing up to launch her own website and step more boldly into the online space—creating tutorials, building visibility, and reaching a wider audience. It’s daunting, but as I told her, it doesn’t need to happen all at once. A little step here, a little step there. Just like building a mouse, one tuft of wool at a time.
Kamilla also shared a few tales from the trickier side of making—like the time she was commissioned to make a stag’s head for a dollhouse. It turned out beautifully… but getting it to the right (tiny!) size involved a lot of trial, error, and a whole corner full of discarded heads.
Advice for Beginners (And the Finger Protector Tip That Might Save Your Sanity)
I asked Kamilla what she’d say to those just starting out. Her first tip was wonderfully practical: use finger protectors. Especially if you’re working on miniature pieces. Needle felting needles are sharp and painful, and a few good stabs can really put you off.
Her next tips? If you’re struggling, find a tutor. Online videos are great, but having someone beside you—able to spot the moment your wool goes wonky or your mouse starts to look like a mole—is invaluable. And finally, don’t give up in the “ugly duckling” stage—every creature goes through it!
The Joy of Community
Beyond her own creations, Kamilla is building a lovely creative community. She teaches children and adults, runs after-school clubs, and even hosts craft-themed birthday parties. And everyone, she says, comes because they want to be there. There’s no pressure. Just joy.
Unexpected Magic at the Miniatures Festival
Kamilla also shared one of her biggest surprises: just how much grown-ups—particularly grumpy-looking husbands dragged to craft shows—fall in love with her mice. She recalled seeing their faces light up, turning from sceptical observers into wide-eyed little boys. That moment of transformation, she said, never gets old.
If She Could Talk to One Mouse...
I had to ask: if one of her mice could come to life for a day, who would she chat with?
Her answer? Mrs. Tittlemouse. A five-centimetre-tall mouse who lives in a tiny kitchen Kamilla crafted from scratch. The kitchen is vintage, peaceful, and reminds her of her grandmother. Kamilla said she’d love to sit at the little table with her, sipping tea, chatting, maybe watching her make jam.
I hope one day we do see that in stop motion.
What’s Next?
Kamilla’s next chapter is all about visibility—getting online, sharing tutorials, telling more stories. She has a whole universe of characters waiting to be introduced to the world. And I, for one, can’t wait to meet them.
Parting Thoughts: Believe in Yourself
As we wrapped up, I asked Kamilla what advice she’d give her younger self. Her answer was simple: believe in yourself.
I think that’s something we all need to hear now and again. Trust your instincts. Be brave enough to share your work. And surround yourself with people who see your magic—even when you don’t.
Final Cup of Tea... and a Message of Wonder
If I had to wrap up our chat in one word, it would be “wonder.” Kamilla creates spaces—through her art and her teaching—where people can reconnect with the playful, curious part of themselves. That part that believes in magic. That wants to make tiny mice dance or sit in a miniature kitchen sipping tea with a jam-making grandma.
She reminded me, once again, that creativity is not just about making something pretty. It’s about remembering who we are, what brings us joy, and how we share that with the world.
So, thank you, Kamilla—for your time, your honesty, and your mice. For sharing not just your work, but the heart and humanity behind it. You reminded me why I love this creative community so much.
And to those reading—maybe you’ve got an idea you’re sitting on, a craft you’ve been meaning to try, or a little mouse of your own whispering in your ear—it’s never too late to begin. Just take a small step. Add a tiny ear. And say, “Oh hello.”
With love,
Sally x
You can find Kamilla and her lovely mice for sale here: Etsy Shop: https://ourcraftnook.etsy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/szots.kamilla?mibextid=wwXIfr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/our.craft.nook?igsh=MWxwcXgwanBodmt5bA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourcraftnook?_t=ZN-8uBPElUJBYo&_r=1
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ourcraftnook?feature=shared
** Podcast out soon! Find it here **