Bunga Meisari

Bunga Meisari: From a Curious Hobby to a Full-Time Diorama Career

For Bunga Meisari, the world of diorama building started back in January 2018—not from a business plan or a career shift, but from a happy accident. “It all began unintentionally,” she shared. “I’ve always loved miniatures, so I gave it a try. Never imagined I could make money from it—it was purely a hobby.”

But that hobby slowly grew into something much more. Over time, it turned into a full-time job, and today, Bunga proudly calls it her one and only source of income.

🛣️ The Humble First Build

Her very first project? A simple curved road diorama, made with nothing but styrofoam, sand, sawdust, and a sheet of sandpaper. “It was a tiny piece,” she recalled. “No trees, no grass, no bushes. I didn’t know much about diorama building back then—I wasn’t even in any diorama-specific groups yet.”

The diorama was created for a friend from a Hot Wheels photography group. A basic scene, but it marked the beginning of what would become a much bigger journey.

🎓 From Interior Design to DIY Queen

While Bunga does have a background in interior design, most of her diorama skills come from hands-on experience and community learning. “I ask a lot of questions and share ideas with fellow hobbyists,” she said. Her curiosity and DIY attitude keep her learning and experimenting.

Each project starts with inspiration hunting, often on Pinterest. Once an idea clicks, the building begins—structures, trees, bushes, grass, and even lighting (still simple ones powered by batteries). All done manually.

Her favorite materials include styrofoam, sand, copper wire, various paints, plywood, and glue of all kinds.

🏞️ Realism over Fantasy

Bunga gravitates towards realistic-style dioramas, often inspired by natural surroundings. “Fantasy stuff? I get stuck. No ideas come to mind—I just sit there staring, not knowing what to make,” she laughed.

🛠️ Not Always Open for Orders

While she does take custom orders, it depends on her schedule and energy. “If I can handle it, I’ll take it. If not, I’ll refer it to other diorama friends who are more skilled for the request,” she explained.

💪 Most Exhausting Project? Off-Road Diorama for the Army

While Bunga hasn’t pinned down her most “favorite” project yet, she does remember the most exhausting one. It was a 1:10 scale off-road diorama, measuring 80x60x60 cm, commissioned by the Indonesian Army (TNI) as a gift for a commander’s farewell ceremony.

The deadline? Just two weeks. “We worked day and night with barely any sleep. It was massive,” she said. But they pulled it off—on time—and seeing it completed was a moment of pure relief and satisfaction.

🤝 A Mini Collab

Bunga once collaborated with a brand that sells minifigures, but aside from that, she’s mainly focused on her own builds.

She enjoys seeing how diecast and diorama communities in Indonesia continue to stay active. “There are still plenty of groups on Facebook that regularly meet up and hold events. That’s great—it needs to be preserved,” she added.

🌍 Big Dreams for Local Diorama Artists

Looking ahead, Bunga hopes more people—beyond just diecast collectors—fall in love with diorama art. “Hopefully more people, locally and globally, get interested,” she said. “And I really wish shipping from Indonesia becomes easier, safer, and more affordable. That way our dioramas can travel the world.”

🐟 Current Project: Mini Scene with Koi

At the moment, she’s working on a miniature diorama featuring a small canal with koi fish swimming inside—a peaceful, charming scene that’s full of her signature handmade touch.