Express & Star

Doll's House Fair returns to Staffordshire

It is a big event for miniature collectables that will be taking place over the weekend.

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Doreen Vincent with her Stately Home Box Room

The 2017 Doll's House Fair is coming to the Staffordshire County Showground on Sunday for exhibitors and collectors to meet like-minded people and showcase the work of miniature artists.

It is one of two fairs organised by Doreen Jeffries throughout the year. Her first one started up in 1982 in Leeds at the Pudsey Fair and following that continued success, she took over the Stafford Doll's House Fair in 2001. It is held twice a year in Stafford.

It is an event for beginners and enthusiasts alike and claims to have the most diverse choice of miniatures for sale with well-known doll house makers and talented miniature furniture designers.

Ray Storey Lighting will be exhibiting at the show after he took a break for a few years. He will bring hand made lights and lighting supplies from the Victorian, Georgian, Tudor, Art Nouveau period.

He claims no two items he hand-makes are ever the same and the shades are mouth blown from glass whilst all of the brass furnishings are hand turned.

Amanspeak Miniatures will also be there with a selection of realistic food made by Amanda Speakman.

This will be the last time Kate Milton will be there from Ladybird Miniatures because she will be retiring soon. She specialises in fine knitting and other unusual accessories. This includes cushions, tea cosies, socks, dresses and over gloves for dolls.

Other specialist craftsmen that will be there includes miniature basket weavers by C&D Crafts.

There will also be a prize draw on the day which visitors will collect on arrival. The prizes this year are a miniature wheelbarrow, a wooden garden house and a set of sofas with a fireplace.

It will take place from 10.30am to 4pm and there will be food and refreshments to buy there.

In previous years the show has been a big success. Last year saw the likes of Shoebutton Bears run by Sue Wilkes who makes toy bears and friends.

Masters Miniatures will be revisiting again this year to exhibit hand made furniture in 1/12th and 1/24th scale along with Puffin Designs which make laser cut furniture kits for houses and shops and sell a range of dolls’ house miniatures.

There is free parking for the event and it can be found in the Members Pavilion at the Stafford County Showground.