Ian Naylor’s our geekiest maker with a passion for Superheroes
What’s the story behind your name?
The name came around as a bit of a play on words. I have been a massive comic book fan for years, love all things Superhero. I started using Super hero ‘mini figures’ and putting them in frames such as ‘Superman vs Batman’ I used the vs symbol and used the word ‘Verses’ (only one person has ever told me I had spelt verses wrong for the way I was using it in my frames.) we all know that there is this Mini universe where toys can come to life and our imagination is limitless.
Who runs your business? do you have time to do any other jobs or is this full time?
I’m Ian. I run ‘Mini Verses’ alone, started doing this to keep me occupied due to ill health, I love doing the markets, get to meet lots of wonderful people. There is a great social side to doing the Markets that I really miss at the moment. We can’t wait to get back to the Worker Bee Markets. Things will be different for a while but we will adapt and prosper!
Where do you find your inspiration?
I am inspired from every kind of pop culture going, I think it’s really great to be passionate about something and be able to share it with others. No matter what you love, be proud. My passion is super heroes and comic books. If you look at the character there is so much more than most people realise, a way to relate, whether it’s the hatred of the mutants in X-men because they are different to having lost loved ones like Bruce Wayne and that his parents are always on his mind pushing him forward to be better (there are so many more examples too).
During 2020 we started a new range of framed action figures, moving away from the Mini figures, this opened up what I could actually acquire, using larger frames can fit more in. I really love finding all the new toys I can get my hands on!
Do you have any tips for anyone wanting to start their own creative small business?
Motivation has been low within the past year but my advice for any one wanting to start up and get on to the markets, is make a way! If you put your passion into what you do, people will see that in your products and your stuff will shine. When you make a quality product and people see you at markets, make sure you give out your information and people will come to you.
It’s been a rough year but we have to stay positive. There will always be someone/something to put you down but you will come out of it stronger
Where can people find you?
We have tried a few online markets but nothing is as good as being there on the day. We’ll be at all the Worker Bee Markets in 2021, unless there are any Comicons announced as those are where we do our best sales!
Miniverses can be found on Facebook and Instagram
And you can email me: Miniverses@hotmail.com
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