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.

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.

The New Llandudno Dolls House & Miniature Fair

The Assembly Rooms, Town Hall, Lloyd Street, LLANDUDNO North Wales, LL30 2UP SUNDAY 25 June 2017 Fair Opens 10.30am - 3.00pm

Hi Everyone,   MGM Fairs are returning to Llandudno after an absence of about 12 years  on Sunday 25 June 2017 at the above address.  The Fair opens 10.30am till 3.00pm.  It is a smaller venue than we have had previously, but we hope to be able to revive and promote this fair as the must-come-to-show in North Wales. We already have some  really great miniature traders booked for this year  including, Mini Lights, Yvonne's Dolls Houses, ABC Miniatures and Loverseeds, so please check out  our website for the complete list at http://www.mgmfairs.co.uk You should be able to find everything you need for your dolls house projects, whether it is  furniture, dolls, food, lights, wood, tools, fabrics, shop items and even some dolls houses.  See some of the traders work below.   There is Pay and Display car parking, behind the venue, and free parking just up the street. We 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

MGM Fairs

MGM Fairs have many shows all around the country throughout the year so, if you are lucky one is likely to turn up near you.  Click here: MGM Fairs for more information

I will do my best to remind you when they are due and will be adding next years list to the months above when I get them.

The Matlock Dolls House & Miniature Fair  The Imperial Rooms, Imperial Road MATLOCK, Derbyshire, DE4 3NL SUNDAY 11 June 2017 Fair Opens 10.30am - 3.00pm Hi Everyone,   Another great dolls house show from MGM Fairs is coming  back to Matlock on Sunday 11 June 2017 at the above address.  The Fair opens 10.30am till 3.00pm.   We have some  really great miniature traders attending this year, some of them new to the fair,  such as Valerie Claire Miniatures, Lazy Days and Dateman Books, as well as previous traders such as John Peck, Wallflower Miniatures, Tee Pee Crafts and Angie Pyatt, so please check out  our website for the complete list at http://www.mgmfairs.co.uk You should be able to find everything you need for your dolls house projects, whether it is  furniture, dolls, food, lights, wood, tools, fabrics, shop items and even some dolls houses.  See some of the traders work below.   There is Pay and Display car parking, next to, and across from, the venue. We 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 Sunday 11 June  2017 and hope we all have a really great day. Gail Tucker Fair Organiser

Haberdashery & Other Items from Valerie Claire Miniatures Soft Furnishings from Wallflower Miniatures Miniature Books and Magazines from Dateman Books  Cane work Demonstration and Sales from C & D Crafts Ribbons, Braids, Jewellery Findings, Threads, Silks and Filigree items from Tee Pee Crafts Romany Caravans and Narrow Boats from Lazy Days