I was going to think of a snappier title than ‘Things for the Min’ but as the subject matter is things for the Min, that might be the right title.
If you have found me via the link from Miniatura, hello and welcome. Before the show I plan to show you my new stuff, if I get a chance. I am a bit old fashioned, I take photographs with a camera (I know, so quaint) which involves a bit of work to get them on screen, it’s all time I could be making rather than showing, so there will be just a few previews.
However, some items are already ready and raring to go. If you have joined me via the link you’ll be aware of the new dragons. I had a bright idea, I thought we just needed dragons. As it’s me doing the modelling and inventing, they are going to be cute.
You may have seen them in the Miniatura email, sitting on a plug.
The three on the pins and the floor have turning heads. The one on the top pin is sitting on a pile of books, ideal for a library. The one on the floor is very interested in everything,
and the one on the top was the first one I sculpted and he just came out very nice. I think he might be a juvenile.
These little items are china painted porcelain. They have had five firings in the kiln and will, consequently, look like that for hundreds of years. If they get a bit dusty, wash them.
There is also a new thatched cottage, which is a box.
You could put it on your doll’s house mantelpiece and keep things in it.
Quite small things probably.
Like everything I’ve ever done, you can get to my table at the show, (I am M5, like the motorway) have a good look and then actually pick things up. Please be careful with the dragons with turning heads (I may sticky wax them on) and the thatches off the cottages, but I know you are a miniaturist and love tiny things, so have a good look. I do appreciate visitors who request their children who have sticky fingers, not to touch. There will be a bottle of hand disinfectant on the table, please feel free to avail yourself of that.
Freedom to touch does not apply to all exhibitors, some people have glass cases, or do not like you touching their work. You should always ask before getting your itchy mitts on things. Many years ago (about 35) I was at a different show, new and wet behind the ears. I spied upon a stand the most terrific, tiny, three drawer chest. As I had gone with someone and wanted to show it to them, without asking the stand holder, or even introducing myself, I just grabbed it off the table and made off into the crowd, crowing: Look at this! This is amazing! The poor stand holder aged about three years, had kittens and all the kittens had heart attacks. Of course I went back and bought it, but she didn’t know I was going to do that, poor woman.
I would rather at my stand that you didn’t make off into the crowd, but you most certainly can pick things up and have a good look. One visitor, when encouraged, remarked: You just want me to fall in love with it. Whilst this would be a desirable outcome, I really would like you to have a good look. In all the years I interviewed artists working in miniature I learned that the price has very little to do with the quality of the miniature. Have a good look and ask yourself some questions. 1) How easy would it be to make this yourself? Does it require special tools or materials? 2) How good a miniature is it; if it is in period and you are shopping for a specific house, how accurate is it? 3) How durable is the material? If you are making an heirloom house, how long will this last and 4) the most important – how badly do you want it?
I could write you a very long list of all the great stuff I missed at shows because of things that did not fit with the house I was shopping for. I have a lot of houses but, after over three decades in the hobby I have a little collection on my mantelpiece of things I love that I bought just because I love them and they are tiny and lovely and a very good little piece of art. They were all bought at Miniatura. Some were bought from artists who loved the show and made an effort to exhibit but then had to stop, for family reasons, or geographical reasons. Some of the artists are no longer on the planet. I love the miniatures in my houses, but these are special things, bought for love.
If you would love to be there and find things you will love forever you may wish to visit www.miniatura.co.uk where you can buy the tickets. I have been taking my grandchildren to various attractions over the summer and can tell you with great authority that you won’t get much change out of fifty quid per person for most of the good ones. Now go and have a look at the ticket prices for the Min and be very pleasantly surprised. Just like the prices of some of the art for sale, the ticket prices do not reflect the first class quality of the show.
It’s epic!
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