Sunday, June 2, 2019

1zu12 Rheda Show Report

Just when the awesomeness of Germany started having a comfortable lived-in feel, there was the 1zu12 miniature show at Rheda. I went as a spectator this time, but I hope to exhibit there in future.
I met some of my greatest miniature heroes in person at the show and I spent an entire day marvelling at the variety and the quality of miniatures on offer.

This is one of those times when a picture can't do justice to the subject but I'm going to try, with lots of comments added. Grab a cup of tea and walk through the show with me.

The show started with a squeeze to get in the doors at 11am. For my South African friends, this is something like the frantic first day of HobbyX, nothing like strolling into a miniature show at home. But also not like HobbyX because people here are well behaved and they keep a polite distance.
(In an aside: I've noticed this sign in several places like the bank and hospital. Now I know what that gap in the queue is called - a discretion zone. You don't need to worry that someone is going to sneeze down your neck).

Some super cute needle felted dolls and teddies. Unfortunately, I didn't get the exhibitor's name, she was very busy selling her wares. (Birgit thinks the creator is Natasja Woord of Creahobby).



Miniature babies and the most exquisitely dressed dolls by Victoria Heredia from Spain. She doesn't have a website and doesn't speak a word of English or German but we communicated mini just fine using gestures and facial expressions. I hope to meet her again.


One perfect teacup from Elisabeth Causeret. Every dollhouse needs her pottery.



The incredible porcelain painting of Rita and Horst Kruger. The tiles measure 10mm square and are paper thin. Knowing a little bit about porcelain painting, I can appreciate the fine work and many firings needed to make just one perfect tile.

Will Werson's wickerwork. Delicate but sturdy and oh so evenly woven.



Vonas Miniaturen. Using exotic wood, antique ivory, and precious metals, this artist crafts one of a kind miniatures on a lathe. Perfectly proportioned and to scale, I could only stare in wonder.



 Gerd Felka's stand was a blaze of colour. Impossible to resist.


Shirley Scheibehenne doesn't limit herself to teddy bears. Her tiny birds and bats were fascinating.


And here's an icon of the miniature world I wanted to meet for a long time. Ray Storey's miniature lighting and glass are the stuff dreams are made of.

Helga Sadowski's miniature people and mice have so much character. We had a good chat about the best types of clay to use, and where to shop for supplies in Germany. Thanks, Helga!


If you don't know the work of Vera Rijgensberg yet, visit her website. I was impressed by the evocative style of her work.


The literature of Kathrin Hohensee. Her displays are as neat and precise as her miniature books.


The amazing work of miniature doll artist Daniela Kiefhaber. Look closely. The doll in the tiny nutshell is a Hitty. She's carved from wood and fully jointed.


Eric's wooden home furnishings reminded me of my friend Maryna's work. Everything a well equipped dollhouse needs.


A glut of the most perfect micro dolls in polymer clay. This is the work of Paola Ojeda and Alvaro Rodriguez of Taller Targioni in Spain. They don't have a website so if you see them at a fair, don't miss the opportunity to visit their stand.


Valerie Casson. I met her, in person. My heart sings! Some day I hope to have the privilege of attending a workshop she presents.


Doris Tussing's little people were definitely the most life-like dolls at the show. I couldn't stop looking, and every time you shift your eyes, you notice a new detail.

Whew, you made it to the end. Are your eyes aching? I can assure you not as much as my feet. There were more than 200 exhibitors at the show and I visited all of them two or three times.

31 comments:

  1. So you call this long??? Not long enough… *LOL* It was fun to visit this special fair together with you - you've offered a variety of outstanding miniature artists of all sorts and I'm happy for you that you've been able to meet some of your "heroes" in person. And not to forget about learning a valuable lesson - the meaning of "Diskretionszone" *LOL* Oh, and I'm almost sure that the stunning felties are made by Natasja Woord / Creahobby. ;O)

    Hugs
    Birgit

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    1. Thank you for the felties info Birgit, I'm adding it to the blog. The show was amazing, I went away from there feeling so good. And inspired to start working. I've brought 45 mini projects to Germany with me and I've hardly touched them in the three weeks I've been here. There are so many things to do, not least my German language class homework ;-)

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  2. Wow! A whole different world! It must have been amazing

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    1. Cheryl, one can't describe it. You've done international shows so I think you have a bit of an idea what it's like to see influences from a wider circle than just the few people in your home town. I feel as though I need to take a completely different direction with my work. Only problem is, I want to go in ten directions at once, haha!

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  3. I'm so envious of you right now,wish I was there with you,so amazing! Enjoy every minute my friend.

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  4. Oh WOW!!!.... Love those tiny toy dolls... they're right up my street! Looks like an amazing fair... thanks for sharing :)

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    1. Sandra, I feel as though my representation of the show was a bit one-sided. I focussed much more on dolls than many other things but the truth is that the quality of work was outstanding. I can't believe those Spanish doll artists who aren't on the internet at all. Maybe that's why their work is so good... not squandering their time on social media like the rest of us!

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  5. FANTASTIC Meg, thanks for sharing, so happy to see you're doing so well over there! :)

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    1. Thank you, Sharon! This world is poles apart from South Africa. Everyday things from the way you open a window to the way the toilet flushes is new to me so imagine the feeling when you're in a hall full of people who share your occupation and they're all doing something different to what you're used to...

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    2. Is that the Sharon I know and love? :)

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  6. How nice of you to share this wonderful experience and photos. Fantastic artists and stunning miniatures. I can name this show the Mecca of minis and only hope one day to be still able to attend it.
    Thanks for sharing and Hugs,
    Drora

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    1. Drora, let's hope we both get to see it several more times! Are there good mini shows in your corner of the world?

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  7. What a treat for you to attend such an amazing show with such incredible artisans! I hope you got to come away with some very special treasures, and I hope next year you'll be sharing a post about your success as a new vendor/artisan here!

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    1. Ha, Jodi, if I had enough money, I would have left the show with empty tables. Many of the vendors tell me that it's not their best selling show, but one with the nicest vibe. I feel so privileged to have been part of it, even if it's just as a spectator, and it was lovely that people took the time to get to know me and have a chat. Valerie from France says it takes her longer to get to Rheda than to the Chicago show. One forgets that most places are just a hop away when you're in Europe. When I live in Germany one day, I'm definitely coming to some American shows.

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  8. I'm so happy for you that you visited the show in Rheda, Megan, thank you so much for the pictures of the variety of artists who were attending this show and their very exclusive work. Glad to read that you enjoyed it so much!
    I see you still learns a lot of typical German habits, such as the Diskreditionszone ;O! But it's something we also have here in The Netherlands, of course, because we're neighbors ;).
    Hope you're still enjoying your stay in Germany, your study and family, enjoy!!
    Liebe Grüsse, Ilona

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    1. Every day is an adventure for me here in Germany, Ilona. My husband, who grew up here and talks about the country all the time, has a completely different view of things. Having lived in South Africa all my life, my frame of reference is somewhat inconsistent.

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  9. Replies
    1. Thank you, Drew! It was lovely to meet you through your Facebook page.

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  10. The babies! The teacups...! Show-stopping stuff!!!!

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  11. Thank you for a wonderful tour and for the links!! An amazing fair for sure. Keep enjoying your time in Germany and please keep telling us all about it.

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  12. Gracias por compartir esas fantásticas fotos.
    Las miniaturas que se exhiben son preciosas !!

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  13. Oh Megan... looks like heaven! So many amazing artists, and amazing stuff. Did you buy another suitcase to take treasures back home?? Haha! What a wonderful opportunity for you.

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  14. Hi Megan!
    What a fabulous exhibition of creativity. I love seeing posts like this as miniatures are so hard to come by here in Australia. Now that I have found your blog I shall keep a close eye on you. :)
    Big hugs,
    X

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  15. Hi Megan, I hope your arm is much better. I love miniature shows. I recognise a few of the exhibitors from the Kensington Dollshouse Festival.

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  16. Hi Megan. What an awesome experience. Thanks for sharing. Are you still in Germany? Just asking because I am missing your blog posts. Thanks Louise from Stellenbosch ;)

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    1. Dear Louise. How sweet that you're missing my posts, thank you! I'm back in SA since September but very caught up in life. I have been feeling very inspired since my trip though, and am working on all kinds of beautiful things in the evenings. I will share it on the blog soon.

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  17. Oh good, glad you are back and can't wait to see what you have learnt and made in the meantime. Thanks for your reply. Take care and enjoy yourself.

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  18. UNlimited Eye Candy and I LOVED every moment!
    Thank you for taking the time to post this Megan, viewing the Incredible Craftsmanship of these various artisans, give each of us, another level to try and aspire to!

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  19. A show I don't think I have even heard of and a 200 seller size. Thank you hugelt for sharing - I am off to Google it some more. I miss my large American shows and don't want to do long-haul any more but I could make it to Germany????? Thanks again. So many really talented artists out there.

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  20. Ooooh how lovely, a miniature show, it brings back such memories to me of when I used to collect miniatures for my dolls house. I remember one of the people from this post too, Ray Storey, I remember seeing him at a couple of shows, his beautiful lights and glasswork! It's just so amazing what people can produce in such a tiny form!
    x

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