The Spring Show introduced us to more newbies to Miniatura, and we’re delighted to share their stories and let you know of how their first experience of Miniatura went for them.

So, hello to Sheila Slaughter and Say It With Flowers. Sheila had travelled up from Brighton, bringing her grandson Ashley and his partner, Jay, along to lend a hand. Sheila has been into crafts of all kinds for as long as she can remember; always making something nice out of nothing! “Crafts are my love,” she said. “I’ve always been creative. Sewing was my first job, then I became a florist – I love flowers! In later life I had a craft shop in Brighton and I used to teach crafts – everything from embroidery to tapestry, people would come into my shop and I would do demonstrations.”

Sheila got interested in Miniatures in the 1990s and made her first dolls house with a climbing rose and a window box. Since then, she hasn’t looked back. Everything is hand-made from scratch, the only things she buys in are the terracotta pots. Her flowers are made from paper and are very intricate, taking quite some time to create them. Christmas trees for example can take 10 – 11 days to make. She went on to say the inspiration for the name of her business, Say It With Flowers, was her late husband’s suggestion, as that was the title of his favourite song. Sheila continued. “My grandson had been telling me to do this for a long time. And I must say being at the show has been very nice – the space around you is amazing, and the people are very friendly. Exhibiting at Miniatura has been a really good experience.”

Lizzie Vickery of Small Fixtures made her first visit to Miniatura as an exhibitor, although she had been as a visitor beforehand. She makes contemporary battery-powered miniature lamps and light fittings in 1:12 and 1:6 scale. Lizzie is originally from Vancouver but now lives in London. She works as a photographer of fine art, and it was because she could never find the lights that she wanted when creating dioramas for her still life photography that she decided to design and make them herself.

“I’d spent years looking for good, modern, miniature lighting, so eventually, in 2024 I decided to launch my own business – called ‘Small Fixtures’. It took about 18 months to research materials, find suppliers, plus working out the perfect proportions for my lamps and lights, but I found designing to be great fun. Mostly they are made from glass and resin, some are a collaboration. It’s all about trying different things. Having a stand at the Miniatura Show has been great, everybody is helpful and the whole vibe is really positive.

The craftsperson behind Miniatures by Dee, is Denise from Gloucestershire, and she has been crafting for 50 years in various ways but has only been making miniatures since last year. “I have always loved tiny things,” says Dee who has a real passion for painting techniques, making things look distressed, and loves buying things that are second hand and elevating them.

Dee is a regular buyer/visitor at Miniatura but the Spring Show was her first Miniatura as an exhibitor – and only her third show ever! Although she did have a cabinet of curiosities workshop at the 100^th Miniatura which she says was great fun. On her stand were her handmade and altered miniatures with a distressed or vintage feel. “I started making spooky and grungy, then moved on to gardens and shabby chic. I have a couple of very different styles but they all lean into paint techniques which add distressing and ageing, like peeled paint, crackle and rust. I want to give items that old ‘lived-in’ vibe.”

On stand G2 was Karen Tadman Dolls. Karen works in 1:12, 1:24 and 1:48 scales, making children and babies with their toys, accessories and teddy bears – all 100 per cent hand-made. Karen has always been fascinated with anything smaller than it should be! And her earliest memories are of collecting anything tiny and seeing how many could fit into a matchbox. “Our mum would make us our toys and bears, and we would furnish cardboard dollshouses with matchbox drawers, make tiny toilet rolls and clay fruits. So, it was a natural progression to go into making miniatures.”

Karen certainly gets lots of support from her family in her venture, as she explained: “My son, Liam  makes miniature bears and paints 3D printed miniatures; my daughter, Gemma makes fabric beanbags for my babies to sit in; and husband Gary made the stand, so it really is a miniature family affair.”

Leading up to the Spring Miniatura, Karen was very excited at the prospect of meeting other makers and collectors, greatly admiring all crafts folk, knowing how much thought and love has gone into each creation. And her experience of her first Miniatura Show, she said, “I’ve loved it. It’s been fantastic. Everyone has been so helpful and welcoming.”

Andy – the creative maker behind ThreeDAndy is thoroughly enjoying the challenges of creating a range of highly detailed 1:12 scale miniatures and dollshouse accessories, combining traditional miniature inspiration with modern 3D design techniques. His aim is to complement traditional miniature craftsmanship rather than replace it.

With 3D printing he offers both modern and classic dollhouse miniatures and is particularly passionate about creating pieces that feel realistic, functional and unique.  His current ranges include a pub and bar collection complete with miniature fridges, bar taps and bar accessories, as well as commercial style chiller units and food display cabinets; also, modern bathroom fixtures and even gym equipment.

Miniatures have always been a part of his life, often helping his mum, Sue Edwards with her dollshouse builds. Earlier still as a child he was always into building Airfix kits, experimenting with LEGO and other crafts. At school he studied graphic design with a focus on 3D drawing, which naturally led him into the world of digital modelling and design. When professional quality 3D printers became more accessible, he took the plunge in 2025 and bought his first printer. It was after visiting Miniatura that he knew he wanted to exhibit his work and connect with other creative people. “This has been fantastic – a real learning experience! And it’s so nice to know that things you make will live in people’s houses for years to come.”

Penny’s Preloved Miniatures. Many people will know Penny from being a member of the Rugby Miniaturists group. But at the Spring Show, Penny had her own stand as she downsized with some of her treasured miniatures she has collected since attending her very first Miniatura back in 1984 at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, where like many others, she was instantly ‘hooked’. From her first Georgian house in 1:12 scale, came many more plus club projects with the Rugby Miniaturists – until the time finally came to downsize!  And her stall was a treasure trove with everything from a 50p box to a 3’6” lighthouse.

Inspired by nature, folklore and magic, Amy Freeman’s Whimsicle Toadstool is a fantasy world of mystical creatures and mysterious scenes. This mum of two discovered her love of miniatures from watching her grandad making beautiful dolls houses and intricate miniature furniture. Amy’s step into modelling as a child was by decorating cakes that her mum made with fantastical scenes – and that developed into crafting with polymer clay – a passion she has never lost.

Inspired by nature and nostalgia, she loves to incorporate natural or eco-friendly materials in her dioramas, much of which is collected from the forest floor such as twigs, moss and bark. Amy says that her work sits somewhere in between real-life and fantasy, often just using her imagination to create a feeling or aesthetic. She adds: “I am also inspired by folklore and magic, so I often include this in my larger pieces but nature features in all my work. My hope is that my work resonates with people’s inner child and inspires a bit of whimsy.”

We also said hello to Thierry of Minutiae Miniatures, who hand-makes a range of decorative furnishing pieces and accessories inspired by antique and contemporary design. He mostly works in 1:12 scale and loves to work with repurposed materials such as old jewellery, silver, crystal, semi-precious stones, natural materials and salvaged items giving them a new life in miniature. “If I see something which inspires me, it tells me what I want to do with it,” said Thierry who only launched Minutiae Miniatures last year.

His journey into the miniature world started just before the pandemic when he began converting an old radio cabinet into a Parisian style house and making furniture for it.  He posted his progress on Instagram and was greatly encouraged by followers. With 30-years experience in furniture restoration, upholstery, interior design, retail and working with specialist paint finishes; as well as hobbies of fashion, art and design, this all set him in good stead for his miniature work.

As with all of our miniaturists, you can read more about Thierry and Minutiae Miniatures on their own pages right here on the website. And I’m sure a lot of makers feel the same about the Miniature world, as Thierry, when he says: “Wow, what an experience, I’ve found a whole new “family” of people passionate about tiny things, made great friends and felt truly welcomed into the most amazing community of collectors, hobbyists, artisans, makers, creators and retailers.”

The next show is Autumn Miniatura Show which on 10^th & 11^th October 2026.

Photos by Rob Tysall Pro Photography.