No matter whether you’re an experienced miniaturist or a complete novice, it’s always nice to learn something new. Christine ‘Kit’ Meggitt of Queen Elizabeth Dolls House workshops at Miniatura always has something different going on that will appeal to all ages. Kit has been running workshops at Miniatura for more years than she cares to remember. She has never had to run the same one twice.
Kit particularly loves to see children taking part and learning new crafts. She says: “My workshops could possibly be the noisiest and untidiest stand at Miniatura. But so long as everyone enjoys them, that’s what matters!”
Like everyone, she was disappointed that the Spring Miniatura Show was cancelled due to Coronavirus. Now, as lockdown eases, she’s thinking ahead and planning themes for her workshops in the Autumn. She looking forward also to experiencing the new Stoneleigh venue.
“I’m considering a few possible ideas at the moment,” says Kit of Spalding, Lincolnshire. “I’m never stuck for ideas or materials to use in my workshops as I never throw anything out! I wouldn’t say I’m a hoarder, I’m just an undiscerning recycler!”
Volunteering
As well as running workshops, Kit involves herself in charity work and volunteering. She has found herself busier than ever during lockdown. Not being out and about but talking to people living alone and needing a friendly voice on the phone. She is also often in demand to give talks to dolls house groups. One of her talks is the History of Dolls Houses,. Another is on a more humorous note called, The Madness of Miniatura Mania.
Kit says she blames her mother for her dolls house mania. Her father made her a dolls house when she was 6-years old. She loved it and was always making bits and pieces for it. But when she went off to art college her mum gave it away to a local family. They were going through a difficult time and needed cheering up.
Kit admitted that she needed cheering up after losing her treasured dolls house. But she set about getting another… and another and another! At one point buying a ‘job lot’ of 50 dolls houses. She now has over 100 mostly in 1/12 scale but a few in other scales too.
On parade!
Her involvement with other people and charities has over the years seen her taking part in lots of events. One being the famous Spalding Flower Parade which ran from 1959 to 2013. She recalled that was a very exciting time. She was given a huge trailer for her dolls house display which included 5,000 hand-made tulips. Plus she was accompanied by about 14 children from local dolls house clubs that she belonged to.
In the news
Last year Kit’s local newspaper, The Spalding & South Holland Voice, wrote an article on her just prior to her exhibiting at the Autumn Miniatura. The story mentioned her latest project at the time. This was a series of dolls house miniatures incorporating puns, with each piece taking three weeks to complete.
She is now looking forward to the September 2020 Miniatura and her workshops. Cheerfully she said: “My workshops might be noisy and untidy but we stay in line with Health & Safety! And so long as people laugh and have fun that’s all I ask for. I love craftspeople!”
An appeal!
Kit would like to make an appeal to a little girl who attended one of her workshops at last September’s Miniatura. The girl whose name was Ella or Etta came from Nantwich with her family. They made Santa Clauses at the workshop. This girl who was about 7 or 8 later wrote a lovely letter to Kit. However, the letter went missing before Kit had chance to answer it. That has troubled her ever since. So, if this young lady would like to contact Miniatura, Kit would love to hear from her again.