The Little World

And it’ll be the kind you understand.

There were a number of trade tables at the WA Miniatures Association weekend show. They were selling furniture, clothing, foods, art supplies, and building materials…all in very small sizes.

I counted paper craft and modelling, doll clothing, accessories, furniture, food platters, and any number of other temptations. I work in a different scale and with different models myself, but I could appreciate the beautiful craftsmanship of the items on offer.

Some, of course, come from overseas makers. There is a thriving trade in commercial doll furniture from Asia as well as Europe, but a surprising amount of it also comes from North America. I have no idea how tariff nonsense affects this, but it is bound to make things more difficult somehow. Fortunately local makers are very skilled and imaginative – and they sometimes make things that have an absolutely Australian flavour.

As with the plastic scale models and the model railways, I think local makers should be encouraged. And local dealers, too. We all benefit when there is a lively trade in our area and we would be ill-served if we were forced onto interstate and overseas sources all the time.

We also have an opportunity to contribute to what gets made by requesting and requiring. A bespoke suit of clothes or furniture piece in full-size can be expensive, but is generally very well made and can give far more value than a rack item. So, as well, with miniatures.

Imagine having an absolutely unique item.