Vic’s Teeny Bits
When did you start making? – I only recently started making a couple of years ago – some simple, but effective small things – so a bit of a novice. I want to start making furniture – so just invested in a suitable table saw & tools – so who know what the future holds.
What inspired / inspires you? – I think from a creativity perspective, seeing other artists work – some intricate and some minimalist – I thought I’m sure I could do something like that, so one day I just got the urge to have a go. I’m a creative person in general, so always willing to give something a go.
What was your first make? – My first make was a pub tray with beer glasses glued on!!! Then someone bought it in the shop so made more and before you know it they were flying out – so from this simple seller, I began to dabble cheese, grape and wine boards, then with food and plate settings of a Tudor theme. Next thing I’m doing garden & potting benches, church bell bulls – so im branching out into multiple things.
If you sell at shows what do you like about that? – Years back when we had Top Corner Miniatures Dolls House Shop in Penkridge, we used to exhibit at various local fairs, but rents doubled and simply was not viable to continue and of course life happens and took time out, bought our first home, got married & had our daughter Evie and completed our family with our loving labrador Millie. Since Vicki stopped the shop, she has always had a passion to start up again – this is when Vics Teeny Bits was born in Oct 2022. What is great about exhibiting is not only being part of the event, meeting like-minded stallholders and having the opportunity to showcase our items – but its all about the customers, talking to & meeting new ones and hopefully seeing some of our online customers to meet in person. All of this and a sneaky look round ourselves to buy things for our own Dolls Houses at home!
Where do you do your work? – Normally done at home indoors – although I did take some materials to our Caravan in Wales where I made some things there.
How long does it take you to make something? – It really does differ, depending on what I’m doing – but I like to make multiple things so I spend 2-3 hours at a time. Working full time, running a house & business and also running round after a 12 week old puppy leaves little time to create, so sometimes I start things, but then revisit to do it in stages.
What special skills / tools / materials do you use? – Mainly wood, fimo, glue and a creative mind!
Any funny stories? – Not really funny – but one time we did Stafford Fair and my husband took a load of things from home that he wanted to sell at the fair. He sold lots of items and I had no sales at all – although I spent his money at other stalls for me!!
What research do you need to do? – Well having a shop these days is a real luxury and a privilege as most of the long standing shops from my visiting days have shut – so in some respects, sadly there is not much choice out there if you wanted to visit a shop as most tends to be online – which is the real issue – but I also have to be thankful that I don’t have lots of shop competition as it really can be a very unpredictable niche business to have. So I am always on the lookout for different & unusual stock – that’s not from Streets Ahead or DHE – and of course looking to see what’s out here in the dolls house community.
What other craftspeople do you admire? – Without a doubt Master Miniatures, Lyntel, Celia Mayfield – their work is truly breath taking and glad to own many of their pieces over the years.
