So where have I been lately on my 'globe trotting' (!) ventures. A big calendar event for many miniaturists is Miniatura. Held at The National Exhibition Centre for two days and holds over hundred stalls it is attended by both British and Overseas visitors alike. This fair is held twice annually in England and once a year in Edinburgh, which I do plan on making a weekend of one day. This show attracts hundreds of visitors, is always jam packed with both exhibitors and visitors alike and never fails to disappoint. For anyone interested see the link below.
The quality of goods that can be found at Miniatura is second to none and a price tag to suit all pockets from a few pounds to a few thousand pounds! The one gripe I do have and this is not confined to Miniatura but seems to be a common trend with most fairs these days; many artists do fall back on safe territory and opt for Regency, Victorian or whimsical. Now there is nothing wrong with this and I will perhaps have a go at these myself eventually but I am currently planning a New Age Magic shop with very retro living abode above. No whimsy involved so I do not want severed hands or eyeballs in jars! It is even harder to find retro or pop art but I did find this sofa which is my pride and joy at the moment!
Colchester - Museum of Childhood
I like to travel round the country supporting local miniature businesses when I get the chance and cash!
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Molto internazionale - That's Birmingham to you! |
The quality of goods that can be found at Miniatura is second to none and a price tag to suit all pockets from a few pounds to a few thousand pounds! The one gripe I do have and this is not confined to Miniatura but seems to be a common trend with most fairs these days; many artists do fall back on safe territory and opt for Regency, Victorian or whimsical. Now there is nothing wrong with this and I will perhaps have a go at these myself eventually but I am currently planning a New Age Magic shop with very retro living abode above. No whimsy involved so I do not want severed hands or eyeballs in jars! It is even harder to find retro or pop art but I did find this sofa which is my pride and joy at the moment!
Colchester - Museum of Childhood
I like to travel round the country supporting local miniature businesses when I get the chance and cash!
Last year a trip was made to Colchester, the main attraction for us that day was a dollshouse shop situated in an original tudor building. It was a little like becoming Alice and taking a trip to Wonderland in a very strange building which was quite twisty and turny and you couldn't escape the feeling of being slightly oversized in certain corners of what once must have been a house.
Whilst in Colchester we came across the Museum of Childhood which housed many wonderful displays of historic playthings, including a very old Dollshouse. Upon talking to the staff we learnt that it originated from Victorian times Circa 1800's and was a replica of the house which now houses the museum. As with many old dollshouses, this was never really a toy but an educational piece used to teach girls how to keep house.
Still in excellent conditon, though clearly touched up here and there and sporting some newer furntiure, it is pleasantly still being used to teach children on school excursions where the house, which has rooms that can be pulled out, is shown and rooms explained as to their original use to a captive audience.
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| Display Case |
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| Centre of House |
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| Kitchen, Dining Room & Nursery |
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| Whole House |
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| Bedroom & Bathroom |
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| Dining Room |
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| Hall & Parlour |
If you ever happen on Colchester I recommend a visit to see this lovely old house, I think it is more a collection of room boxes now rather than a static building but all the same a nice way to spend half an hour!
East Carlton - Heritage Dollshouses
For anyone who ever happens to be in the Midlands area Heritage Dollhouse's is worth a visit. It is set inside the parkland at East Carlton, a lovely little hamlet between Corby and Harborough.
The park itself is a really nice stroll with surprising panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, very family orientated and dog walking heaven!
The shop unit is set inside the old refurbished barn buildings. There is also various craft and stitching shops alongside the Dollhouse Shop. Downstairs is a cheap but friendly coffee stop run by the County Council.
The shop isn't the largest shop in the world but my is there a lot to look at! The lady who runs the shop has set up various room box displays and I applaud how much choice there is in wares on sale. I think it is one of the better quality shops I have visited. The owner is also extremely friendly and helpful.
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| Upstairs in the old barn building is Heritage Dollhouse's to the left (nice ladder!) |
Harrogate
Recently I have been to Harrogate which for anyone not familiar with British Geography is sort of Northern Yorkshire heading up the country towards Lake District and Cumbria (kind of!). It is just past York and Skipton. There was no particular reason for going other than I nice weekend away from home but in a very brief visit before I knew there was a small toy shop who had dedicated a corner to miniatures. If you happen to be that way it is in a Victorian Shopping Arcade, very small but you can't miss it as it is very ornate just on the main street of Harrogate to your left as you head up the hill.
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| See what I mean about not being able to miss it! |
The toy shop is called The Rocking Horse and though it really is aimed at pre-school there is a few choice items on four walls and definitely worth a visit. I purchased a couple of items including a lovely tea set which I intend to use in my next project which is to be loosely based on a Greek / European holiday home (I like the idea of owning lots of holiday homes all over the world ha, ha!). I have actually seen similar tea sets in Greece in Stoupa, a small village in the Peloponnese but I'm unsure where they originate from.
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| Tea set, I love it's simple and cheerful design |
Petwood Hotel - Woodhall Spa
The latest fair that I have attended was this Sunday at Petwood Hotel in Woodhall Spa which was built at the turn of the century for Lady Weigall. During the Second World War the hotel was requisitioned by the Royal Air Force and in 1943 it became the Officers Mess for 617 Squadron - the famous "Dambusters". Today the Squadron Bar is dedicated to this famous group of men.
Model Village - Blenheim Palace
I thought it would also be of interest to see the rather small but quaint model village that can be found at Blenheim Palace, famous for its residency of Sir Winston Churchill. We wandered across this surprise whilst during a visit to the set of a recent gardening show being filmed for BBC.
