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Saturday, 14 October 2017
Market Harborough DH & Miniature Fair, 21 October 2017
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.
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
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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!
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
Tuesday, 4 July 2017
July - maybe shows?
When I compiled this list in 2014 these were the shows I could find for July. You could google any that might be of interest to you to find their 2017 dates, or contact the organiser.
12th 2014
Fogelsville , PA, USA Lehigh Valley
Fogelsville , PA, USA
Missouri , USA
St Louis ,
20th, 2014
Kent, UK
The inn on the Lake Hotel, DA12 3HB
D & M Fairs
20th, 2014
Kelham, UK
Kelham Hall & Country Park, Kelham, nr. Newark, Notts, NG23 5QX
Dolly's Daydreams
26th, 2014
Mooresville , NC North Carolina Dollhouse Show and Sale Sale
0810
13th, 2014
The 37th Annual Dollhouse and Miniatures Show and Sale
South. 7736 Adrienne Drive , Breinigsville , PA 18031
Free children's class on Sunday. Show info: Jo Roseberry 570-620-0810 jolen1@verizon.net or Mary Breidinger 610-762-8370 mbreiginger4547@gmail.com . Website:
www.lehighvalleyminiatures.com
13th, 2014
Copdock, UK
Cameo Hotel, London Road, Copdock, nr Ipswich, Suffolk, IP8 3JD
Dolly's Daydreams
13th, 2014
Copdock, UK
Cameo Hotel, London Road, Copdock, nr Ipswich, Suffolk, IP8 3JD
Dolly's Daydreams
17th - 20th 2014
NAME National
26th, 2014
9 AM -3 PM. Admission $1. Door prizes, free classes for children. South Iredell Lions Club, 630 Brawley School Road ,Mooresville , NC
limited, call early for a reservation. Info: Maria Cannizzaro, (704) 230-0569. Donations will be made to NAME and the Lions Club. Show your NAME card at the door for a free gift.
26th, 2014
Dedham, UK
The Assembly Rooms, High Street, Dedham, nr Colchester, Essex CO7 6DE
Dolly's Daydreams
26th, 2014
Dedham, UK
The Assembly Rooms, High Street, Dedham, nr Colchester, Essex CO7 6DE
Dolly's Daydreams
Monday, 3 July 2017
Dolls House Fair, Holt, Norfolk
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Sunday, 18 June 2017
Dolls House & Miniatures Fair, York, 4th June 2017
As I used to write for Dolls House and Miniature Scene magazine and this fair is associated with them I have gone to both fairs each year since I started in this hobby, initially to write a review for the magazine and then because 'that's what I did'. I have to confess to having a difficult time with the last one and more so this time. I suspect it is a case of York Fair fatigue. It is probably not advisable (if you have a choice) to go to the same fair every time it comes round. It will bring, in the main, the same vendors who are pretty much selling the same things so you can get jaded - not to mention sulky (!) when you find yourself wandering around unable to spend money. That noted do not let me turn you away from an excellent venue.
If you can turn your visit into a long weekend break and actually spend time in and around York it will be even more enjoyable. We go to York on Friday and leave Monday morning so the actual fair is only part of one day during a lovely weekend break. York and its environs has a ton of things to see and do so every show you can find something different to occupy your time. It is also is home to my absolute favourite eatery on the planet. Not posh but the best Sicilian food ever - arancini to die for.
The fair housed eighty vendors with a wide range of products. It will cover your 1/12th hobby ten-fold but there is also a decent amount of quarter scale to go at with large vendors like Petite properties but also others selling quite a lot of their things in mixed scales. Anyone new to the game will be utterly thrilled with the size and variety of the show and will be able to get pretty much everything they need to be able to crack on with their build.
There were two workshops at this show - I wish we did more of those at all shows here in the UK. This is one thing the American shows do 'big time', indeed they can start a week before the show - take a look at Tom Bishop's shows for example. I wonder if we could rouse that enthusiasm here? In the morning the Miniature Needlework Society did a workshop on pattern darning technique. I sort of intended to do that one but arrived a nano-second too late - they were 'full'. Don't leave it until the start time in case it is going to be a popular one. The afternoon workshop was making a basque on a display mannequin with Hazel Dowd's Little people.
Even if these classes aren't making something useful to your current project you will certainly acquire or improve skills you can use in another way.
Jane Harrop always gives a free talk around half two (just when you really need a sit-down!!) These are worth the entry price in themselves.
If you can turn your visit into a long weekend break and actually spend time in and around York it will be even more enjoyable. We go to York on Friday and leave Monday morning so the actual fair is only part of one day during a lovely weekend break. York and its environs has a ton of things to see and do so every show you can find something different to occupy your time. It is also is home to my absolute favourite eatery on the planet. Not posh but the best Sicilian food ever - arancini to die for.
The fair housed eighty vendors with a wide range of products. It will cover your 1/12th hobby ten-fold but there is also a decent amount of quarter scale to go at with large vendors like Petite properties but also others selling quite a lot of their things in mixed scales. Anyone new to the game will be utterly thrilled with the size and variety of the show and will be able to get pretty much everything they need to be able to crack on with their build.
There were two workshops at this show - I wish we did more of those at all shows here in the UK. This is one thing the American shows do 'big time', indeed they can start a week before the show - take a look at Tom Bishop's shows for example. I wonder if we could rouse that enthusiasm here? In the morning the Miniature Needlework Society did a workshop on pattern darning technique. I sort of intended to do that one but arrived a nano-second too late - they were 'full'. Don't leave it until the start time in case it is going to be a popular one. The afternoon workshop was making a basque on a display mannequin with Hazel Dowd's Little people.
Even if these classes aren't making something useful to your current project you will certainly acquire or improve skills you can use in another way.
Jane Harrop always gives a free talk around half two (just when you really need a sit-down!!) These are worth the entry price in themselves.
York always has a good turn out of customers and this was no exception. The weather was sunny and there seemed to be more than usual bodies filling the halls. I think all shows are 'shrinking' in terms of vendors - this one had ninety plus vendors two years ago and now eighty...... but the customer base seems to be there. Indeed with less shows around there may be pretty much the same number having to travel further for a show but therefore increasing the number of buyers at each show (????) I am sure we all prefer touchy-feely to buying on the internet if we can get to the goods. Even if I can't afford to buy everything I'd like at a show it gives me a chance to suss out the vendors I will buy things from between shows when my pennies allow. So these events do act as a showcase as well as a purchasing fair for vendors. This is their shop window.
Even with a lot of buyers the York fair doesn't seem overcrowded like some shows can be. You can usually get to see what you want easily and move around with some breathing space. It is spread out over three floors so you can always find places to sit down with a drink or your shopping list.
There is a main restaurant right alongside the show - very handy - the food is OK and not expensive so no need to leave the show if you like to take a proper break and get something to eat.
York is easy to get to by road or rail and the venue is easy to find as it is held at York race course. There are a ton of places to stay immediately around it if you want to make a short break of it.
Parking at the course is fine, and even better if your 'driver' drops you off as mine does. Unless you really must be the first person over the threshold and you arrive early, just sit in the car until the show opens. There is always a very long queue outside the building (which then moves very slowly!) and, unless the weather is perfect, that's not a fun way to start the day. I buy the preview ticket which lets you in half an hour before the pay-on-the-day folks.
One caveat, and it applies to several shows, the phone reception is almost non-existent deep inside the building so you need to make some clear arrangements (not phone dependent) with anyone who is not at the show with you.
Apologies for no photos this trip - I will contact the magazine and see if they have a press release I can scrounge.
If you want to see what I bought go to my (click here for link) Dalton House blog.
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Friday, 2 June 2017
Thursday, 1 June 2017
The Matlock Dolls House & Miniature Fair
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