My favourite Miniatura yet

I think the latest Spring show was my favourite Miniatura yet – and not just because I spent a small fortune and managed to get lots of things from my list. After a three-hour drive to Stoneleigh, my mum and I arrived just after lunch and as usual, there was a lovely friendly atmosphere. It was extremely busy but because of the way the stands are laid out, it never feels overcrowded.

I was the most organised I’d ever been, printing out the floorplan and working out the three exhibitors I wanted to visit before anyone else. I’d spent £108 just 10 minutes after we arrived but I’d been eyeing up some beautiful lights on Etsy for a while and was delighted to find out Small Fixtures were attending the show so I could view them in person. The lights are so delicate and unlike anything else for sale so well worth the money; they’re going to be perfect in my Malibu beach house.  

The Small Fixtures stand (above) and the five lights I splurged on (below) - more on those when I install them.

Next we headed to Scrappy Create but the stall is so popular we couldn’t get anywhere close so it was over to Dr Mini Designs to secure this amazing artist’s mannequin – another ‘tick’ on my shopping list. 

I have a lot of shelves to fill so I’d drawn the height on paper to make sure any vases, books, bottles or similar would fit where I needed them. This didn’t prove foolproof, but with a little adjusting my shelves aren’t completely empty now. 

After picking up several other bits and pieces from various stallholders, we made it back to Scrappy Create shortly before the show closed for the day. I’d wanted a modern ironing board for a while so that was first in my basket but it was joined by a vice (which is incredible), some paint tins, a lovely round shelf and the most incredible Lego brick that is storage for the tiniest toy bricks you’ve ever seen.

By the time we returned to Scrappy Create the next day and popped a few more bits in the basket, I’d spent well over £100. Everything is beautiful though and very reasonably priced – it just adds up so quickly!  

The family that lives in this house runs a miniatures business so I'm pleased to see their workspace taking shape.

  

Look at the tiny bricks! 

Once the show had closed we headed to a Q&A with three of the artists from The Marvellous Miniature Workshop. We’d already stopped by their stall earlier in the day where I have to confess I was a little bit starstruck and completely in awe of their work. Hannah from Lemon Miniatures, Lee from LNR Models and Ethan from Mon Studios all starred in the BBC show presented by Sara Cox, recreating models of buildings that have become dilapidated or no longer exist at all, but that hold special memories for individuals. If you’re a fan of miniatures, I’d highly recommend catching up on iPlayer.  

Tiny Sara Cox with the workshop that was used in the show.

Ethan, Hannah and Lee with some of their amazing work.

Hannah's art studio is so detailed - seeing it in person was a real treat.

I believe this was the first time there had been a Q&A at Miniatura but I hope it won't be the last. Very ably hosted by Andy, who organises the whole exhibition, it gave us a real insight into the BBC show, how they've carved careers out of a love of miniatures, as well as a few tips on making minis. 

I was really pleased I got to ask my question about the show attracting new people to the hobby, particularly younger ones. Miniatures definitely attract an older audience so I think it's really important that we spread the word and get the next generation in collecting and crafting. Being on a mainstream channel (and then being seen on Gogglebox!) will certainly help. 

Host Andy with Lee, Hannah and Ethan.

After a night at the nearby Premier Inn and a huge breakfast, we returned to the show for a final look round. It turned out we hadn't done all our spending and or browsing but that's the beauty of a weekend ticket - you can pop back the next day and buy all the things you were deliberating over on day one.

As well as the many stands to purchase from, there's always a few that are displaying models just for pure enjoyment. My husband is a big fan of the Forbidden Planet shop so I had to snap this little diorama, complete with Daleks and Storm Troopers.

Overall, it was very successful weekend for us. We couldn't make it last year so it was great to be back! A huge thank you to Andy and the team for organising such a fantastic event.
   

My mum and I all shopped out!