No doubt miniaturists are getting back into their normal routines after the excitement and activity of the Autumn Miniatura. many will be busy replenishing their stocks and fulfilling orders taken at the show.

With it being such a successful event, some exhibitors may have been too busy to get to visit other stands over the weekend. Miniatura photographer, Rob and I had wanted to take a photo of everyone at their stall, but there simply wasn’t enough time. It was great to speak to so many of you, however. Here’s some of the highlights from the weekend and a glimpse of just a few miniatures that you talented people have been making.

Our featured image was made by  Enchanted Dolls, and it was a weekend of celebration for Timea Vajonne and Janos Vajon, who have just been accepted by IGMA. The couple are originally from Budapest  where Timea explained there was no opportunity to have a hobby. But when they came to the UK in 2005 and discovered an amazing world of miniatures, she bought a book on how to make miniature dolls and has never looked back. Congratulations to Enchanted Dolls!

Glitter and Glamour

Top to toe there was fashion galore. For instance, Perri’s Miniatures who specialise in 1/12 and 1/24 shoes, boots, hats, bags, lingerie and accessories had brought along a one-off pair of rainbow shoes in 1/12 scale with a matching opening handbag. Perri said that her granddaughter, Summer, inspired her to make them as Summer herself was wearing some really nice rainbow party shoes one day, so Perri decided to make them in miniature. “Each colour had to be hand painted separately, allowed to dry, then glue applied before being covered in glitter,” said Perri, who added ruefully, “Not sure I’d make them again, they took forever to make, and the house was literally covered in glitter!”

There was glamour too on Suzanne Williams’ The Hat Boutique stand. She had brought along some fabulous hats as well as lingerie and accessories. However, exhibiting at the show all came as something of a surprise to her. Her daughter, Kimberley, booked her spot at Miniatura without telling her mum! Aware of how talented but modest Suzanne was, Kimberley set the wheels in motion for her mum to have her first ever exhibition of her work. It turned out to be a great success and once over the shock she relaxed and thoroughly enjoyed the two days.

“It was nerve wracking at first,” said Suzanne. “But it has been lovely, and I’ve had some fantastic comments.”

Robert Stubbs, famous for more than 35 years for his Tudor dolls houses, cottages, mansions, shops, tea rooms etc., has now passed the mantle into the skilled hands of Chandresh Khati. They had adjacent stands at Miniatura with Robert now exhibiting his hand carved lamp bases, made in the image of what else, but dolls houses. His new business is Old Git Lamps.

Vanessa of Vanalan Miniatures who was also new to the show, was delighted to know that Robert Stubbs was at the show, as she had 13 of his Tudor houses at one time. Now Vanessa and husband Alan are making unique miniature furniture using traditional and ultra-modern methods. They create their beautiful furniture in 1/12, 1/24 and 1/48 scales. It was their first time exhibiting at Miniatura and loved the whole experience.

Rose and John Hodges of Hodges Haberdashery also exhibited at Miniatura although they are no strangers to the miniature world being related to Veronica of Little House at the Priory. The couple had come all the way from Devon, where they run the Chough’s Nest Hotel in Lynton. Their speciality is in supplying high quality fabrics and soft furnishings for miniature houses plus a wide selection of trimmings, lace, braid and edgings to match their fabrics. They also offer a range of items in 1/12, 1/16 and 1/24 scales.

As always, Pat Cutforth drew in the crowds to her Cancer Research UK charity stand. Pat raised a brilliant £4,909 over the weekend, and in total over the years she has raised £350,000 for Cancer Research UK, 90% of it through her stand at Miniature.

We will be focusing on more exhibitors next time. And don’t forget, the next Miniatura Show takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, on 19 & 20 March 2022.