The Lucy Seiler Collection: A World of Witches, Mice and Halloween Miniatures!

Unpacking Lucy Seiler’s Spellbinding Collection of Magical Small Scale Wonders

As I continue unpacking the Lucy Ungerman Seiler Collection, one theme has emerged in a way that feels both unmistakable and deeply personal: Halloween. Lucy was born on October 31st, and it’s clear she carried that spirit with her throughout her life. Not just as a seasonal celebration, but as a lasting source of inspiration—one that found its way into the miniature worlds she created, collected, and brought to life.

A Collector Drawn to the Spooky and the Playful

Lucy had a natural affinity for the whimsical, the mysterious, and the slightly offbeat—and nowhere is that more evident than in her extraordinary and extensive collection of Halloween-themed miniatures. This is not a casual assortment of seasonal pieces.

This is a deep and carefully thought out and curated collection that spans:

• Artisan character dolls—witches, sorcerers, angels, fairies and fantastical figures crafted by some of the most talented doll makers in the world (Julie Campbell, Marcia Backstrom, Todd Kreuger)

• Decorated and Embellished furniture that feels as though it belongs inside a story

• Accessories and Vignettes filled with personality, humor, and imagination

• Food Miniatures—cakes, plated dishes, and tiny treats that bring a sense of life (and mischief) to each scene

  
  

Every piece contributes to a larger world Lucy was building—one rooted in creativity and delight.

A Haunted Dollhouse—Inside and Out

Among the most exciting discoveries is a fully realized haunted dollhouse, decorated both inside and out with super attention to detail. This isn’t simply a structure—it’s an environment. From its exterior presence to the smallest interior embellishments, the house captures Lucy’s love of storytelling through miniatures. It’s layered, immersive, and filled with carefully chosen elements that create mood, character, and narrative. You don’t just look at it—you explore it (more to follow on this including photographs)

And Then… the Mice

And then there are the mice. Lucy loved mice—and her collection reflects that in the most charming and unexpected ways. Throughout the estate, I’ve uncovered mice in every form imaginable:

• Sculpted polymer figures

• Soft felted creations

• Resin characters

• Vignettes

Each placed into different scenearios—some playful, some humorous, some quietly detailed.

They appear throughout the collection like little discoveries waiting to be found, adding yet another layer of personality to Lucy’s world. and cats of course, there are many dozens of cats in this collection from various makers, but the black ones are the most charming and fantabulous!

A Collection That Feels Alive

What makes this part of Lucy’s collection so special is not just the theme—it’s the commitment to it. She didn’t just collect Halloween pieces.She built a world around it. There is cohesion here.There is imagination.There is joy. And there is also a wonderful sense of freedom—Lucy allowed herself to explore, to mix styles, to combine the refined with the whimsical, and to create something entirely her own.

Curated for Discovery

As I prepare to bring these pieces to auction, I’ve taken great care in how they’re presented.

In addition to individual lots, I’ll be creating themed groupings—curated assortments of furniture, accessories, dolls, and vignettes that I believe collectors will enjoy discovering and acquiring as complete moments or scenes. I encourage you to expand your personal zones and get inspired and opening yourselves up to new possibilities in your miniature collecting journeys, These curated lots reflect not only Lucy’s vision, but also my own perspective on how these pieces can come together in meaningful and exciting ways for today’s collectors.

A Rare Opportunity for Collectors

This upcoming offering represents an extensive array of Halloween and witch-themed dollhouse miniatures, including both artisan works and high-quality crafted pieces.

For collectors who love this genre, opportunities like this are rare to find:

• this level of depth

• this range of materials and makers

• and this sense of cohesion

• Crazy creativity!

  
  

all within a single collection is something I don’t come across often.

From Lucy’s Halloween World to Yours...

Lucy’s love of Halloween wasn’t just about the holiday—it was about imagination, storytelling, and the freedom to create something a little different. As I continue to share these pieces, I hope you’ll take a moment to explore them not just as individual items—but as part of a larger, joyful, and magical world. Because collections like this don’t just offer objects— they offer inspiration. And perhaps, just a little bit of Lucy’s spirit as well.

👉 Preview the collection and upcoming auction here and be sure to sign up for my newsletter updates so you're first to know the latest about my events, auctions and sales!

Collect What You Love: Lessons from Lucy Seiler’s Collection

What the late Lucy Seiler Can Teach Us About Miniatures—and Ourselves

As I continue unpacking the Lucy Ungerman Seiler collection, one thing has become abundantly clear to me: Lucy didn’t collect by rules. She didn’t collect by price.She didn’t collect to impress. She didn’t collect to stay within a single lane or aesthetic. She collected what she loved. And in doing so, she built a collection that feels...ALIVE!.

An Eclectic Eye—and a Fearless Approach

There is a wonderful unpredictability to Lucy’s collection - you'll find fine artisan miniatures alongside whimsical pieces, beautifully crafted furniture next to something playful or unexpected. Carefully executed workshop pieces alongside objects that, one can tell, simply made her smile. At first glance, it might feel eclectic. And while most would consider this an ececltic collection, the more time I spend with it, the more I realize—it’s not random at all. It's personal.

It appears as though Lucy bought what felt right in the moment. What spoke to her. What sparked an idea or fit into a project she was working on—or one she imagined she might explore someday. There’s something incredibly refreshing about that.

She Collected for Herself

What I admire most is how unapologetic her collecting was. Lucy wasn’t chasing trends.She wasn’t worried about what something might be worth later. She wasn’t limiting herself to what she already knew she liked. She was collecting for herself. For her projects. For her curiosity.For her joy. And that gave her the freedom to say yes to things that were a little different… a little unexpected… even a little “out there.” And those are often the pieces that now feel the most exciting.

Expanding the Edges of a Collection

Lucy didn’t just build a collection—she expanded it constantly. She added to what she loved, yes—but she also stretched beyond it. She explored new materials, new makers and new themes. New ideas! She allowed her collection to evolve. And in doing so, she created a body of work that reflects not just taste—but growth. That’s something I think many of us can learn from.

An Invitation to Look Differently

As I begin offering pieces from Lucy’s collection in my auctions, I find myself thinking about how we all approach collecting. It's easy to stay within our comfort zones and to look for the same styles, the same makers, the same categories we already know. But what if we didn’t?

What if, just for a moment, we approached collecting the way Lucy did? With curiosity. With openness. With a willingness to explore something new.

From Lucy’s Collection to Yours

There is something in this collection for everyone. You'll find pieces that will fit beautifully into what you already have—and others that might push you just a little further. Those are the ones I hope you pay attention to. Because sometimes the piece that doesn’t quite “match” is the one that opens up a whole new direction. A new project. A new direction with a new story of creation. A new way of seeing your collection and bringing new miniatures in your world

Collect What You Love

If there is one thing I take away from Lucy Seiler’s collection, it’s this:

Collect what you love. Not what you think you should love. Not what others tell you is important. Not what feels safe. But look for things that brings you joy. What sparks your imagination. What makes you want to build something new. Lucy did that—again and again.

And now, as her collection begins to find new homes, I hope a little bit of that spirit goes with it.

Ready to Explore?

I invite you to take a look at the collection now coming to auction. See what speaks to you. See what surprises you. See what might take your collection somewhere new. Because the best collections aren’t built by following rules. They’re built by following your heart. Learn more about Lucy, take a look at the latest auction gallery and bid now on items in Lucy's collection:

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Meet the Miniaturist: Michael Reynolds — A Story of Art, Legacy, and Imagination

One of the things I love most about the miniature world is that behind every great collection — and every great maker — there is always a deeper story.

When I sat down with Michael Reynolds for my latest of Meet the Miniaturist, I knew there would be history, artistry, and amazing objects in small scale. What I did not expect was just how much this conversation would reveal about legacy, family, and the emotional power of miniatures.

Michael’s journey began early — at just fifteen years old — when he built his mother her first dollhouse. That single act sparked something much bigger.

“For about four years, she and I heavily got into miniatures and began collecting.”

But like many artists, his path wasn’t linear. He went on to build a career in theater as a costume designer, stepping away from miniatures entirely.

“I walked away from it — lock, stock, and barrel.”

And yet, miniatures have a way of calling people back. After retiring from theater, it was his mother — still deeply immersed in collecting — who nudged him to return.

“She said, why don’t you try your hand at going back into miniatures?”

What followed was not a slow re-entry — it was a leap.

From Theater to Tiny Worlds

Michael’s background in theater didn’t just influence his work — it shaped it completely.

“I worked with incredible set designers, prop designers… it all translated. Just on a tiny scale.”

That idea — translation — is key to understanding Michael’s work. His miniatures are not simply small objects; they are staged, composed, and designed with the same visual storytelling sensibility you would find on stage. There is also something deeper at play.

Michael shared that as a child, he had once dreamed of becoming an architect, but severe dyslexia made the technical path difficult.

“I wanted to be an architect… but I could never handle the engineering math. But for some reason, I completely understood scale.”

Miniatures became the bridge — a place where creativity could override limitation.

The Work: Beyond the Dollhouse

Many collectors will remember the impact of Michael’s work on the show circuit — I certainly do. I still recall walking past his table years ago and being completely stopped by what I saw.

One of his most iconic creations — a dramatic dragon bed — has since taken on a life of its own.

“People equate that as my signature piece.”

The piece even crossed into unexpected territory.

“I had a woman message me and ask if it came in king size.”

That moment says everything. His work doesn’t just live in the miniature world — it breaks out of it. Over time, Michael intentionally pushed in that direction.

“I evolved into fantasy pieces and standalone pieces… something somebody could put with other artwork.”

This is where his work becomes especially important in the broader conversation around fine art miniatures — not as accessories to a dollhouse, but as complete artistic statements.

A Collector’s Legacy: His Mother’s World

At the heart of Michael’s story is his mother — a collector whose impact reaches far beyond her own home. Her collection, now in Michael’s care, represents over fifty years of deeply informed, instinct-driven collecting.

“She always treated her miniatures as works of art.”

And she lived that belief.

Rather than confining pieces to traditional settings, she displayed them throughout her home — in curios, on pedestals, integrated into daily life.

“She never really built room boxes… she exhibited the pieces as works of art.”

Her eye was extraordinary, and her timing even more so. She supported artists early — often before they became widely recognized.

“If she found someone she liked, she made absolutely sure she bought from them.”

That approach resulted in a collection that includes foundational names in fine art miniatures — from early pioneers to masters of silver, furniture, and decorative arts.

But what moved me most was not the scope of the collection — it was the meaning behind it. Michael shared a deeply personal story about one piece he plans to keep intact:

“What I love most about collectors is the story behind them… there’s always a backstory that rarely gets discussed.”

In that single statement, he captured something essential about this entire world.

Making, Collecting, and Creating Together

This was not just a story of inheritance — it was a story of collaboration.

Michael and his mother inspired each other constantly.

In one moment that perfectly illustrates this, she purchased an altar and crucifix at auction.

His response?

“That inspired me to actually build the chapel.”

That is the magic of miniatures — one object becomes the seed for an entire world.

His mother was also a maker herself, creating elaborate working chandeliers and lighting fixtures.

“She loved diamonds and shiny things.”

Many were sold, but many more remained — not because they weren’t good, but because she chose to keep them.

“If it didn’t sell, she never put it out again — she just collected them.”

As a result, Michael now holds not just a collection — but a hidden archive of her work.

Creating Without Compromise

When I asked Michael about his process, his answer was as honest as it was revealing.

“If I make something specifically to sell, it’s not remotely as creatively inspired as something that comes off the top of my head.”

That philosophy explains everything about his work.

It’s why his pieces feel unexpected, imaginative, and deeply personal — from fantasy furniture to painted miniatures to entire conceptual environments. Even now, his ideas continue to evolve.

“I’ve become obsessed with owls… I want to make ones where you pull a pin and their head spins.”

That sense of curiosity — of following an idea simply because it fascinates him — is exactly what keeps his work alive.

What Comes Next

At the moment, Michael is focused on completing a novel he has been working on for eight years — a creative pursuit that feels entirely in line with everything else he does.

But he is also returning.

“I’ll be back.”

And for those of us who remember the impact of his work — or are just discovering it now — that is something to look forward to. He is reconnecting with the community, revisiting shows, and exploring what comes next creatively.

Why This Story Matters

What stayed with me most after this conversation is not just the artistry — it’s the reminder of what this world really is. It is not just about objects. It is about memory.It is about storytelling.It is about connection — across time, across generations, across creative lives.

And perhaps most of all, it is about imagination. As Michael said so perfectly:

“Miniatures are where dreams become real.”

And conversations like this remind me exactly why I believe that too.