Sharing dates of Fairs


If you click on one of the months above it will show a list of fairs usually held that month.PLEASE, PLEASE let me know of any fair you know about and I'll add it to the list.
I apologise for not making any attempt to keep it current this is just an attempt to have a list of as many dolls house shows that I can find. Even if you see a show with an old date you can just google the name of the show to find out the date of the next one.

It would be great if you'd let me know of any I can add to the list.

Thursday 6 June 2019

Dollshouse & Miniatures Fair, York



This is a well-established fair (2002) and is still going strong. 

There were around eighty vendors and many customers!  If you buy a ticket in advance it allows you into the show half an hour before the folks who pay on the day, so you do get a bit of a breathing space for a while.  Having said that it is a large venue and spread over three floors so you can pretty much always get to a table to look at the items and get served fairly quickly,


It is a particular favourite of mine as it is held at York race course and York is an interesting  place to visit and is surrounded by pretty countryside and several NT places to visit too.  We usually stay in a hotel adjacent to the race course but as we left it to the last minute this year we discovered that very many of the hotels were fully booked.  It appears there had been a large concert the previous night so that is probably why there 'was no room at the inn' for us.  We stayed out in the boon docks at a much more laid back affair.  Aldwark Manor








We always build a short break into visiting this show and that was even more necessary this year.  Now we have moved to Scotland we have a four-hour drive rather than the less than two hours which we had from Bury.  We headed down there (rather than up there) on Saturday.

Our cunning plan was to stop off at an NT place for lunch on the way up and another one on the way home.  At the eleventh hour I happened to check on Washington Old Hall only to discover the cafe was serving limited menu due to a problem - quick diversion to a garden centre, some purchases for my 'other' hobby and a decent enough lunch and we were off again to York..... well the hotel in Alne, technically.

So to the next day and the show....

I arrived at ten and left at one - that is just enough time (for me) to get round all the vendors once.  In my fitter days I would have done that and then gone back to a selected few for a good old rootle and would have been thrown out at closing time (4 pm).  My limbs and stamina are not up to it now but I would recommend you allow a full day for this show if you are a serious mini person.

For me, the bulk of the vendors are very familiar faces now, so not many surprises.  I did think there was an increase in the number of vendors who are adding quarter scale to their tables, which is good news for UK 48th folk who have struggled compared to our American counterparts.

Here are my purchases:

Some lovely quality one eight inch square wood trims to edge my mansard roof when I get up there to finish it off.  I was in the vendor's good books as I bought ten strips making the maths easy.  10 x 26p each = £2.60







Y Hunt for Miniatures and Bears


I have always admired this trader's work but never bought from her as I didn't really have a way of working her items into my projects.  Finally I decided I was having one of her exquisite bears and would make a spot for her.  This bear measures one and a quarter inches top to toe - the scale and the detail is incredible.  The limbs are jointed, a lovely fluffy (mohair?) texture, the face so characterful and the overall style is absolutely a Steiff bear of great character and prestige.  I am so pleased I did it.  The price is also remarkably low for the work involved in making such a creature.  She cost me all of £12






Rainey's Small World Minaitures


From Rainey's  I picked up some things for the house that I bought my three year old grandson in April.  On closer inspection I think I may steal (or rather swap for something of mine) the little dishes as they nicely made and 'thin'.  He was pleased with his books for his shelves. These blocks of books have been around as long as I have been in this game but, incredibly this packet of them was the one and only one I could find in the whole show - I need more for him.  Total spend £5.25






Jaybee Minis


This was my first purchase of the day for the grand total of £1








How to become a vendor's friend:  When they sell teeny items at 35p each on a pick and mix basis - buy them in multiples of ten!  Twenty veggies ready to make a beef in red wine casserole.  Total cost: £7




AmanSpeak Miniatures

I was lucky enough to find Amanda at her very first show and have seen her many times since of course.  She has made me some super special orders and her attention to detail is excellent.  Here are the rest of my ingredients for my beef in red wine casserole.  I particularly like the braising steak in its plastic box.  Princely total sum of £4.50







A huge favourite of mine is Mini McGregor.  Her work decidedly needs to be seen.  I became a fascinated fan of her absolutely accurate 1/12th matchbox that actually opened!!! An item that you have to see in the flesh to fully appreciate the work involved.  This show's delight was her paper clips!!  Just pick up a paper clip and then imagine one twelfth of it.  She was my biggest spend a the show with a miscellany of things to dot around the place.  Total spend £39.30















Jacqueline Wheatly

This husband and wife team offer a lot of very different items so there is always something there for me.  I have all of their fabulous wooden spoons and brooms and other items that the husband makes - they are exquisite and such great value for the work which must be involved.  My PhD French student needed a Sunday outfit and the pyjamas will do as a blouse.  It was the buttons that got me! Bargain tea-towels and a cute outdoor tap to attach to the wall - hopefully somewhere near a water supply????  I liked the idea of each of the coloured pencils being in their own space in a stand, it would make it so quick to find the one you want.  They are much tinier and finer than this photo implies.  Spent £11.00









Dolls House Draper

As I hadn't spent all the money I took with me to this show I decided not be mean with myself and splurge on a Pretty Pleater in anticipation of all those drapes.  I did have a wooden one but I quickly gave up on it as it seemed to grab on to the fabric and refuse to let it go.  I saw this was a silicone one and flexible and decided it would probably do the job better.  We will see.  

This vendor has lovely fabrics and lace.

The pleater cost £26




So, that's all my buys from York.  I was shattered but went off to lunch at my favourite eatery (Trinacria) a very happy mini person.

On the way home the next day we broke our journey with a trip to an NT property for lunch and a quick tour of the house and its collection of dollshouses.  We are pretty familiar with   Wallington having been there a couple of times and the dollshouse are historically interesting if you are in that neck of the woods.

The Hammond house is the centre of its collection.  Here is the Trust's description of it and a couple of my photos.

The Hammond House, a late Victorian doll's house, circa 1890, with paper and painted exterior, of 39 (thirty nine) fully furnished rooms on three floors, three connecting corridors (which run the full length of the house) and three staircases. Comprises about 1,500 pieces of furniture and seventy seven china-faced dolls ranging from a master and mistress, a large family to a full staff of servants. The dolls are all original to the house and most of them were in good condition when they were acquired. Only a few had to be redressed with spare clothing that came with the collection. The furniture is original and much of it is of the Duncan Phyfe type made at Walterhausen in Germany. Some of the other furniture is from Diessen and there are also examples of French furniture. The wallpapers are original and in some cases hand painted as are the floor coverings. There are lace curtains at each window. It is papered on the outside in red brick paper and the wood is painted in off white. There are five chimney stacks. The furniture is not individually numbered. The items in the house are original. There was a lift and running water in the bathroom and scullery. The water being piped down from a tank on the roof. The rooms are lit by electric light, which has been re-wired by a Newcastle firm of electricians. The name Hammond comes from the fact that 'Ruby Hammond' appears on a tiny towel and in a miniature copybook. There have been suggestions that there may be a link with the Hammond department store in Hull, but no link has been established despite inquiries.








In summary ....... the York Fair is a particularly good event to attend because:
  • location is easy to find - York Race Course
  • good parking
  • great tourist area, plenty to see if you want to make an extended break of it
  • spacious setting so you don't get 'overcrowded at the show
  • cafeteria serving a reasonable range of food for lunch
  • less used,  there is a small servery on the top floor where there is a smaller choice but still some nice things like their picnic boxes, plus drinks plus a ton of seating with pleasant views
  • usually a class or two you can sign up for
  • often a free talk by the delightful Jane Harrop
  • there are hotels pretty much on site - book early!
  • not to mention good bathrooms 
The next York Fair is 10th November 2019.  

Pre-booked tickets: £4.00 (Adult) £1.50 (Child)
Tickets on the door £5.00 (Adult) £2.50 (Child)

Opening times 10.30am - 4.00 pm.  Doors open to advance ticket holders at 10 am

Free prize draw 


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If you want to see where these things will end up please visit my Dalton House Blog 





Friday 5 January 2018

MGM Fair Schedule for 2018

Dollshouse and Miniature Fairs for 2018  
 

MGM's  2018 Fair schedule is available and listed on their website at:
www.mgmfairs.co.uk/dolls_house_fairs.html

We have four brand new Dolls House and Miniature fairs for 2018 in :

  • TATTERSHALL, Lincolnshire,
  • HENLEY IN ARDEN, Warwickshire
  • CHIPPING SODBURY, Bristol,
  • SOLIHULL, West Midlands,


We have moved two fair venues:

  • Our Tiverton Show has moved to The New Hall, Barrington Street, TIVERTON, Devon, EX16 6SH

  • Our  Llandudno Show has moved toThe Craig-y-do Community Centre, Queens Road, Llandudno, North Wales, NP30 1TE
We are also returning to BELFAST  on Bank Holiday Saturday 5th May 2018.


Whilst continuing with our other shows in:

  • ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT
  • MARKET HARBOROUGH
  • SHOREHAM BY SEA
  • MATLOCK
  • HOLT
  • SHERBORNE
  • CWMBRAN
  • PORTHCAWL
  • GLOUCESTER


In 2018 we  have organised shows on both Saturday's and Sunday's and in 15 different counties. We make full use of social media and our extensive databases to let you know of our shows, plus of course we still publish the shows not only in all the national dolls house magazines but also in the local press, a week before each event. We also continue to  list all traders attending our shows on our website, with links thru to their own sites, where appropriate.

We pride ourselves on organising some of the best, smaller shows in the UK, working hard to make sure that we all benefit and enjoy the day.  We aim for good quality craftsmanship and a good range of items for the customer and I am pleased that so many established traders have supported us and continue to do so, while we attract new traders onto the fair circuit.

I do hope you will consider coming along to one of our fairs and find a fair location close to you, as we always aim to make the day enjoyable for everyone.


I look forward to seeing you in 2018.


Gail Tucker - Fair Organiser
MGM Fairs, Lyndhurst, Beckford Road, Bath, BA2 6NQ.
www.mgmfairs.co.uk   -   enquiries@mgmfairs.co.uk
UPCOMING EVENTS


Porthcawl Fair
Sunday 25 February 2018
 

Royal Wootton Bassett Fair  

Sunday 18  March 2018

Tiverton Fair
Sunday 8 April 2018

Belfast Fair
Saturday 5 May 2018 
(Bank Holiday Saturday)

Gloucester Fair
Saturday 19 May 2018

Matlock Fair
Sunday 10 June 2018

*NEW*  TattershallFair
Sunday 17 June 2018

*NEW*  Henley In Arden Fair
Sunday 8 July 2018

Llandudno Fair
Sunday 22 July 2018

Holt Fair
Saturday 11 August 2018

Sherborne Fair
Saturday 1 September 2018


Cwmbran Fair
Saturday 16 September 2018



The rest of our shows are listed on our website, do check them out atwww.mgmfairs.co.uk.

Saturday 14 October 2017

Market Harborough DH & Miniature Fair, 21 October 2017

MGM Fairs Market Harborough Dolls House Fair

The
Market Harborough
Dolls House & Miniature Fair 

The Jubilee  Hall,
Congregational Church
Bowden Lane,
MARKET HARBOROUGH
Leicestershire, LE16 7JD



SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER 2017

Fair Opens 10.30am - 3.00pm

Hi Everyone,
 

We are delighted to bring our Dolls House and Miniatures Fair  back to  Market Harborough on Saturday 21 October 2017   the fair opens 10.30am till 3.00pm.  

 We have some great  traders attending this one, including a demonstration being done by  Fredona's Miniature Dreamsthat will take place throughout the day. Do  check out  our website for the complete list  of those attending at http://www.mgmfairs.co.uk

Hopefully you will find everything you need for your dolls house projects, whether it is  furniture, wallpaper, dolls, tools, lights, wood, fabrics, shop items and Romany Caravans plus  even some dolls houses or kits. Many of the items are hand made or one-offs, see some of the traders work below.


There is a large Pay and Display car park, next to / behind, the venue, and  light refreshments will be available  throughout the day.

We are also delighted to welcome back the  Small Scale Fiddlers  Dolls House Club, who will not only be displaying their lovely projects, but will also be doing some demonstrations throughout the day.  A bit of fun for everyone attending the show.

W
e shall also have our usual Free Prize Draws, so you could win something,  just for coming along.

The Entrance fee  for Adults/Seniors remains at   £2.50 with accompanied children at 50p, children under 7 will be free.  


Unfortunately we won't be able to accommodate children's push chairs inside the fair rooms, but we will look after the chair, if you wish to take your child into the Fair with you. The fair has access for wheelchair users. 

A map, venue information and a list of traders are all available on our website at www.mgmfairs.co.uk

I look forward to seeing you on 
Saturday 21 October 2017 and hope we all have a really great day.

Gail Tucker
Fair Organiser

Monday 2 October 2017

Miniatura Autumn Fair, NEC, Birmingham, 30 Sep/1 Oct 2017

I am sure there must be very, very few mini-mad folk who would not want to be indoors wandering around 140 dollhouse miniatures shops on a rainy day.  This is what a large show like this brings you.  That said, when I tell you I purchased items from only eleven vendors you might be wondering why I bother going.  

However, these wonderful shows are more than just a collection of 'shops', they offer a miniaturist the chance to see masses of things that they hadn't even thought of.  They are inspirational in many senses of the word.  

A lot of us can not afford to buy from the top level crafts people who are producing the most exquisite museum quality furniture and silver and glass (and other) items; but this is our chance to see them and to dream and to give ourselves a standard to work towards, if that is what interests us.

For straight-forward collectors of miniatures it must be a little slice of heaven.

We often see ideas that can spark a notion for our project and even see things that can set us off on the next build!!

It is also something of a social event.  Most vendors are hugely generous with their time and will happily help and answer any questions you have.  At this show I spent a long time speaking to the man who is Escutcheon about his wonderful finishes that he achieves on his furniture.  He carefully explained how he did it.  Graham of Barbara's Mouldings was also generous with his time and we discussed what I might want for my next build.

I spend a lot of time just saying hello to vendors I now sort of know such as Jane Harrop, Mini McGregor, Amanda Speakman, Jennifer and Andy (Jennifers of Walsall) and others - all of whom are happy to say a quick hello and have a catch-up whether you are buying or not.  It is also fun to come across visitors you might know.  I always see the indomitable Molly Cromwell (a show organiser from the USA) and like to say "Hi".  I am shy about meeting new folk but am happy to keep in touch with those I know.

For anyone who is gregarious it is a great opportunity to meet new people.  I spent a jolly hour at lunch (compelled to table share) swapping interesting real life and mini stories with a delightful Kathy from Arizona.

You will have noticed this isn't really a review of the show as I have done that so many times.  If you are curious as to how to get there and its amenities just click on last year's review over in the left column.

I didn't take photos of the show and hope to scrounge them soon from the super-helpful and charming Mr Andy Hopwood (one of the show organisers)  Meanwhile you might want to see photos of what I bought.  They do give you some idea of the breadth of stuff available to you.  You can do that over at my Dalton House blog.

Not sure if this is a bit of a no-no but if you would like to see some lovely photos of some vendors work Alison Davies has done an excellent blog piece.  I have half a dozen of her pieces and can't praise them enough - so pop over to her site and take a look at what she does if you don't know her.



Friday 1 September 2017

Cwmbran Dolls House & Miniature Fair

MGM Fairs Cwmbran Dolls House Fair

New Venue for our Cwmbran
Dolls House & Miniature Fair 

The Parkway Hotel,
Cwmbran Drive,
CWMBRAN
South Wales, NP44 3UW



SUNDAY 17 September 2017

Fair Opens 10.30am - 3.00pm

Hi Everyone,
 

Another great dolls house show from MGM Fairs is coming  back to Cwmbran, but this year we have moved from the Stadium to the Best Western Parkway Hotel, Cwmbran Drive, Cwmbran, NP44 3UW  on Sunday 17 September 2017 .  The Fair opens 10.30am till 3.00pm. 

We have another great show this year with some really special miniature traders attending;  some of them new to the fair, so please check out  our website for the complete list at : http://www.mgmfairs.co.uk/cwmbran_traders.html

You should be able to find everything you need for your dolls house projects, whether it is  furniture, wallpaper, books, dolls, food, lights, wood, tools, fabrics, shop items and even some dolls houses.  See some of the traders work below.

There is free parking at the venue, who will also be happy to provide light refreshments, all in a  4* setting.

W
e shall also have our usual Free Prize Draws, so you could win something,  just for coming along.

The Entrance fee  for Adults/Seniors remains at   £2.50 with accompanied children at 50p, children under 7 will be free.  


Unfortunately we won't be able to accommodate children's push chairs inside the fair rooms, but we will look after the chair, if you wish to take your child into the Fair with you. The fair has access for wheelchair users. 

A map, venue information and a list of traders are all available on our website at 
http://www.mgmfairs.co.uk/cwmbran_dollshouse_fair.html

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday 17 September 2017 and hope we all have a really great day.

Gail Tucker
Fair Organiser

Tools, Wood and Electricals from Mini Lights


Tools, Wood and Electricals from Mini Lights

Tudor Houses from Kevin Jackson

Tudor Houses from Kevin Jackson

Haberdashery Unit from Yvonne's Miniatures

Haberdashery Unit from Yvonne's Miniatures

1:48th House from Magic Minis

1:48th House from Magic Minis

Tuesday 22 August 2017

Whibleys Dolls House Fair & Exhibition, Rochdale

Time for Whibleys August show near Rochdale.  Click here for full information

Whibleys Dolls House Fair & Exhibition

This is a smashing show.  If you can get to it, do try to - not only a chance to buy things for your project but a wealth of miniature things to look at and get ideas from.  You might even come home with a house!


DESCRIPTION

Whibleys Dolls house Fair is now in it's 4th Year.we have exhibits of Club models including Back o' Terrace Houses and a complete beach scene in 12th scale and a 6th scale railway camping coach along with many other exhibits to inspire your own creations in small scale modelling.
Also come along and enjoy a coffee, cake and sandwich in the 150 year old House formally owned by Thomas Watson (Silk Manufacturer)
A great day out for all the family at only £2 adults and £1 accompanied children

DATE AND TIME

LOCATION

Horse Carrs
Shawclough Road
Rochdale
OL12 6LG