Meet our Members - Robin Britton

Coombe Crafts was originally established in a small village in Wiltshire in the mid eighties … although we have moved around a bit since then …. To produce unusual and original craft items in a variety of natural materials, with an especial interest in small dolls. A chance encounter with Pat Cutforth and the Marlborough Dolls House Fair, led us into our first real miniature work, and me to polymer clay. We have not looked back.

 

A bit of background  

 

We try to juggle our time to attend a limited number of fairs as it is important to stay in touch, while allowing us to fulfil mail order and commissions, as well as continuing to develop our work. It is still fun and challenging and with the advent of the internet, we can reach even more enthusiasts and make new friends.

Our original and individually-sculpted character dolls in both 1/12th and 1/24th scales, often elderly, with a bit of personality about them, add to the story of any miniature house. We are happy to costume in all periods, and to discuss individual requirements and characters, so that can we produce the little people you have been looking for. 1/24th dolls are priced from around £13 and 1/12th from about £23.

We also make ‘interesting things’ to go with them – unusual pieces of furniture and small accessories that bring a house to life. Again, the original and handcrafted items are in both scales and we can work in 1/16th if that is what you are looking for, or craft something to your specification.

We are always happy to undertake commissions and enjoy the challenge of bringing to life someone else's ideas...

Contact details

Email:  robin.britton.uk@btinternet.com
website:  www.coombecrafts.co.uk

blog:  www.coombecrafts.blogspot.com

Meet our Members - Martin and Hilary Pearce

Willow Models was established in 1984 by Martin Pearce and is based in Golcar, a village in the Pennine Hills of Yorkshire, approximately half way between Leeds and Manchester. His experience and background in model making goes back to the very early 1960s when an "apprenticeship" was started with Airfix kits, Triang trains and then scratch built models.

Originally the business concentrated on architectural and museum model making but over the years the type of work undertaken has expanded and we have made a wide variety of models for many different clients and uses. These have included architectural models for both development and exhibition, historical models for museums, scientific models for educational and training purposes and prototypes for product design. More unusual items have included a ventriloquist's dummy in the form of an apple and grub.

Although we still work in many fields of model making, we have become more and more involved in the world of miniatures and have even made dolls houses and room boxes for use as teaching aids in schools. Martin is assisted by his wife Hilary who, as well as helping at fairs and detailing many of our accessories, makes our pewter plates and trees for architectural work. With our background in model making, we can usually make anything a customer wants however strange, obscure or difficult and in very small scales. Much of our work on the miniatures side is commission based.

In the miniatures field we make a very wide range of items. These include furniture (using mainly English hardwoods), shop & room boxes (the latter often finished and detailed), woodturnings, pewter items and an ever-growing range of accessories. Although we do make houses, apart from the occasional cottage in 24th and 48th scale, these tend to be made to order. Our range of accessories includes walking sticks & shepherds crooks, kitchen items such as wooden potato mashers & cabbage presses, and nativities. Some of these such as the nativities include our own castings.

Although we started out in 12th scale, we now specialise in 24th and 48th scales. Most of our woodturnings are available in 24th and 48th and we are slowly (as time permits) making our range of furniture available in quarter scale. New items are usually directed at the smaller scales and this is reflected in the range of 24th scale lighting that we now retail.

Martin has written for the dollshouse press including a piece (for an internet based magazine) on making a cottage in 24th scale. We exhibit at Miniatura and the Kensington Dollshouse Festival plus one or two other fairs. Full details of these are listed on our web site where many of our pieces can be seen.

Contact details

Martin and Hilary Pearce
4 Willow Grove
Golcar
Yorkshire
HD7 4RX

Tel/Fax 01484 658832

Email info@willowmodels.com
Web site www.willowmodels.com

Meet our Members - Alberto Gozzi

Green Room Roombox

I started building miniatures in 1996, my first house being Lion's Head Manor.  I've always had an interest in architecture and worked for many years with my father as a carpenter in Italy.  I stumbled on this hobby by chance one day while walking down the street and thought this would be a great way to express my interest in architecture.  So far I have built several large houses and a few room boxes but would really enjoy building some smaller houses.  I currently work in 1:12 scale which I must admit is my favorite.  I am situated in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Castle House

Website: www.aegminiatures.com
Email: comments@aegminiatures.com

Meet our Members - Debbe Mize

 

I have been a miniature artisan for over 30 years. My main specialty is creating 1/12 scale food with polymer clay. I also create flowers and prep table scenes. I have dabbled in creating all aspects of miniatures with the exception of knitting & sewing. I suppose you can say I am a jack of most trades in miniature. I feel if it's life sized, then I can create it in miniature. 

 

  

My buiness doesn't have a name per se...just Debbe Mize Miniatures. 

My email is debbem032@gmail.com  

Telephone # 770-889-1908 

I sell on ebay & MOA under the id 'trisscade'

You can see my work at www.cdhm.org/user/trisscade 

and http://community.webshots.com/user/debbem101 

I am a member of IGMA, AIM, CDHM & NAME