Erik Polumbo, co-owner of Mini Materials, started the miniature building company with his college buddy Mat Hofma. Together, they’ve created a successful company, selling realistic miniature items such as bricks, cinder blocks, pallets, lumber and more. For those who enjoy the world of mini dioramas and art, the Mini Materials will definitely come in handy. Here’s the story of two men who set out to become the leaders in miniature building materials.
“Our mission is to create, manufacture and scale miniature building materials in realistic format throughout the world,” Erik says.
It seems that they’ve accomplished this goal, selling their items made in the US to a global audience. On their site, they offer everything from masonry items to furniture, woodworking supplies, fingerboard parks, cement mixes and molds, and more. No matter what you want to build, they can help you turn your vision into reality!
All the products have the scale listed (ex. 1:12 scale) so you can get an idea of item sizes. The company also includes a quarter in most pictures of the items for reference. You can even order custom-made red bricks, pallets, and cinder blocks with your logo on them!
The miniature building company has come a long way since its inception six years ago. What started out as just a dream turned into something much bigger than the guys could’ve expected. The miniature art scene has exploded over the years; there are even festivals and shows worldwide dedicated to this art form. It may still be considered “underground,” but clearly, there’s enough of a demand to yield a thriving business.
The miniature building company had humble beginnings, now it’s anything but small
“[Mat] started the company in 2015 working out of his garage. He looked everywhere [and] couldn’t find anyone else doing realistic miniature building supplies at scale,” Erik says.
“[He] decided there was a little niche there, brought me along, and the rest is history. The most rewarding thing we do is we nail our designs, we add some humor to the cause of what we’re trying to do, and we do everything in our power to exceed the customer expectation and experience.”
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According to an interview on Starter Story, their best-selling product by far is the cinder blocks. They even provide molds for you to pour your own cement! What started as Erik making a few cinder block molds from 3D prints for fun transformed into a full-fledged business. With a background in graphic design, he knew he wanted to start his own e-commerce store.
However, he couldn’t think of what to sell until he stumbled upon a guy making his own mini cinder blocks on Reddit. That inspired him to make his own molds. When Erik posted his development story on Reddit, many people seemed interested in the idea. They didn’t even know they wanted or needed mini cinder blocks in their life until Erik mentioned it!
A few years later, their business really took off. Now they’ve expanded the product lines to include mini masonry and even DIY kits to build models. Some people buy them as fun toys for their kids, while others use the miniature building materials to create art. Either way, it seems that the mini art world continues to grow and inspire thousands all over the world!
Anyone can enjoy the miniature building materials, from kids to adults alike
Miniature building materials aren’t just for art collectors or hobbyists. They have plenty of other uses, from teaching tools to fun gifts. On the company’s Instagram page, it’s interesting to see what people create with the products. One man even constructed his own mini hospital and apartment! Miniature artists have a knack for creating realistic, meticulously detailed scenes. It’s amazing to see what they come up with!
Here’s a little more background about the Mini Materials company, taken from their website:
“Our journey began in 2015 when we noticed the world was lacking realistic versions of the most common building materials used today. We set out to create the most appealing approach, avoiding plastics and paint, rather than working with the same recipes used for the larger versions. we have expanded our line to include various scales and products familiar to the construction world.
“We are now the world’s leader in manufacturing and selling the most realistic miniature building supplies available. Supplies like cinder blocks, red bricks, jersey barriers, pallets and lumber all made the same way their replicated versions are made, using real cement, wood and nails. These are all handmade in the USA.
“These make for great fidget toys on your desk, gifts for the people in your life that have just about everything, fantastic teaching tools for math & architecture, and for those hobbyists that like to build realistic dioramas, dollhouses or models.”
Erik says: “In the future, we hope to be a household name in the miniature art and building world. I appreciate you listening, and go build something!”
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Miniature art has been around since the sixteenth century. Back then, it was mostly limited to paintings and drawings. Nowadays, sculptures, scenery, and dioramas have become more popular as people’s interests have changed. There’s endless possibilities for new creations due to our diverse and magically creative world. From movie scenes to city parks to cute cafes, artists can draw inspiration from myriad people, places and ideas.
Final thoughts on the artist who runs a successful miniature building materials business
Who knew that miniature versions of everyday items would become popular one day? They’re not only adorable to look at and play with; they’re essential for miniature artists to complete their work. However, you don’t need to be Picasso to enjoy mini art; anyone can find amusement with these tiny materials. Whether you need a fidget toy while working or want to teach your kids about construction, the Mini Materials can benefit you.
Have you ever made miniature art before, or known someone who does? We’d love to hear more about your creations in the comments!
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