Miniatura’s 100th show! What a milestone in the history of this fabulous event. From its earliest times back in 1983 founded by Bob and Muriel when Andy and his brother could have been no more than mere babes in arms (!) the show has grown into one of the most recognised and respected miniature shows around.
Every year Miniatura gets bigger and better, with more to do and see in addition to stall after stall displaying the very best of dolls house miniatures created by top quality artisans – and lots more besides.
Sunday’s crowds start to line up. The queue on Saturday was 5 times bigger!
The Autumn Show, held once more at the NAEC Stoneleigh had everything – unique miniatures and displays made especially for the Centenary show, commemorative giveaways, new products and product launches, book signings, an award presentation, individual milestones and anniversaries, plus fabulous artisans and crafts-folk making their debut appearances. And of course, all the regular, wonderfully loyal exhibitors, workshops and demonstrations we know and love. In all, 135 stands, 13 of them making their debut appearance.
And the doors are open!
This Autumn was a little different in the set up as we even had our very own café within the hall, which seemed to work out very well – not so far to walk for that tasty hot snack or cake and a cuppa!
Visitors arrived through a different entrance on this occasion, all 2,000 of them! Greeting them was the usual friendly faces behind Miniatura, including Andy – and delightfully, Muriel too. For those who glanced to their left – although all eyes were focused on the sea of stalls waiting invitingly in front of them, they would have seen a display of wonderful commemorative miniatures made especially for the show including the Miniatura 100 banner created by members of the Miniature Needlework Society (International).
Miniature Needlework Society banner and other commemorative items made by individual miniaturists.
Chairman Alicia Sledge and Secretary/Magazine Editor, Carolyn Postgate explained that their members all around the world have been working on this project, which resulted in 171 individual miniature cushions, each one uniquely embroidered, which together spelt out Miniatura – 100.
“Our members wanted to do something special for the one-hundredth show, so were tasked with making a cushion measuring 1 ¼ x 1 ¼ inches, embroidered however they chose. These sewers are based all over the world – Australia, New Zealand, America, Canada, Europe and here in the UK. They are all beautifully made – there’s even one that’s a QR code, which actually works. Scan it with your phone and it takes you to our website!”
A few of the 171 cushions.
There was a pleasant surprise in store for Angela Kinnunen of Raptoor who was presented with The National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts’ Ambassador Award 2023-2024 for all her efforts to promote miniatures through education, collecting, making, and sharing skills and knowledge.
Linda Grove N.A.M.E., Angela Kinnunen and Julia Greenhalf, last year’s winner.
Linda Grove Regional Co-ordinator International received the award on behalf of Angela in Franklyn, Nashville, Tennessee, and surprised Angela with a video call at her home in Finland with news that she had been selected as recipient of N.A.M.E’s Ambassador Award.
On Saturday – Miniatura’s first day, Linda along with last year’s winner, Julia Greenhalf presented Angela with the award. Asked how she felt about receiving the award, Angela said: “It was a shock, I didn’t know I’d even been nominated. Linda and Julie rang me at home in Finland in the middle of the night – I immediately thought something was wrong! Then they were all smiles and showed me the award they’d picked up on my behalf.”
After being presented with the award at Miniatura, Angela added: “This is why I do this, I love the people. Being a part of N.A.M.E. is the best £50 you’ll ever spend!”
In addition to teaching on miniatures and making them, Angela also runs a zoom club on a Sunday from 10am to 4pm. “It’s mainly for people who would normally be on their own, but anyone is welcome to join us.”
Angela Kinnunen of Raptoor Crafting with her N.A.M.E. award.
For the first time ever at Miniatura we had a glass blowing demonstration. Leo Hancock of Entranced Glassworks based in Dudley brought along a display of his 1:12 scale handmade mouth-blown and mould blown glass vases, bowls and objet d’art plus his equipment for demonstrating the art of Lampworked Glass using reactive glass.
Leo Hancock of Entranced Glassworks.
Having always loved glass, it was his wife Beth who first introduced him to miniatures, and after discovering the lampworked glass process he decided to learn more about it through YouTube and trial and error! “It took me an awful lot of attempts before I could produce even one little bead that didn’t collapse in on itself,” said Leo who was so proud of his first successful bead that he’s treasured it ever since.
Sometimes Leo will replicate actual well known full-sized museum pieces, although generally he comes up with his own designs. You can read Leo’s fascinating story of how he got into glassblowing via his online page right here on the Miniatura website.
Leo Hancock of Entranced Glassworks with some of his glass pieces.
We couldn’t write up this blog without including this photo of Andy preparing himself for perpetuity by stepping into Modelu Ltd’s 3D scanning booth. Owner Alan Buttler of Bristol has been scanning for 10 years but this was his first time at Miniatura. As well as making 3D figurines of people in scales of 1:48 upwards, he also produces figures of animals, birds and objects.
Andy Hopwood gives 3D scanning a go with Alan Buttler of Modelu Ltd.
The 105 cameras take shots of every angle of the subject in a matter of moments. Then using specialised computer technology Alan produces the 3D replicas to the required scale.
“Lots of people want scaled models of themselves in go in their dolls houses,” he said. “The scan is pretty much instantaneous, and people can choose to have their finished model in full colour, or in the basic colour to paint themselves.” Shown below is Kitten Von Mew in 1:12 scale.
Alan Buttler with a 1:12 scale 3D figurine of Kitten Von Mew.
Check out their product catalogue for the full range of what they do. 3D figurines of Miniatura’s Andy are on a first come first served basis! (Joke!!)
Next time, we meet some of the newbies and see more highlights from the show.
Photos courtesy of Rob Tysall Pro Photography.