1zu12 – Die Messe ’26 (May 23-May 24)

Last year, 1zu12 was the very first dollhouse fair I ever visited. It is a biennial fair in Germany, about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from where I live (so I turned it into a little weekend getaway as well). As a newcomer to the world of miniatures, I hardly knew where to look first. The fair is large and, fortunately, spans two days. It felt as if I had stepped into paradise! There was never any doubt that I would return this year.

I even added an extra day to my trip: on Friday, I signed up for the “Little Cook” workshop led by Silvia Leiner. We started with a doll body frame, which we first wrapped in cotton wool to give the body some structure. We then sewed all the clothes, starting with the underwear and continuing through the underdress, the dress, hat, and apron. Along the way, we also gave our little cook some hair. Honestly, it was quite a challenge to keep up! I am not a quick seamstress, and because the instructions were always given in German first and only afterwards in English, it meant the others had a few minutes’ head start each time. The workshop was scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but we did not finish until around 6 p.m. With only a half-hour break, it was a very intense day! But fun, so much fun!

I had already made the shoes here

I am happy with the result, although I would have chosen a different fabric for the dress myself.

During the weekend itself, I completely immersed myself in all the beautiful things the fair had to offer. Here is an overview of my purchases:

Two tea sets. I really love the beautiful wooden box that the left one comes in. The lid—with real glass in it—can be slid out from the side. Just imagine what a lovely display table I could make from this! The label on the back says it is by Vega Miniatures Denmark. However, I haven't been able to find any information about it online.

A picture frame and a ceramic bird—both from Netjes Miniaturen—for the morning room of Huyze Herkert.

Copper household items from the stand of Christel Schneider. With the exception of the serving bowl, they are all quite heavy, which indicates good quality.

Two bottles with lids and a vase by glassblower Gerd Felka. The large vase also came from Christel Schneider.

A wooden side table by Marlies Eberhardt. Several turned-wood pieces by Hermann Straeten: a lidded pot made from the fruit of a rattan palm, with a base and central section of ebony; a vase made of ebony and curly birch; and a bowl made from white ebony. The pedestal bowl was purchased from woodturner Gerrit van Werven. I forgot to ask which type of wood it is made from. The glass vase with black motifs was bought from Elsner von Gronow.

Two Oriental baskets from My Thai Miniatures.

A 1:144 scale kit for making candlesticks and chandeliers, as well as a tiny cello, by Volker Arnold.

A wooden cabinet, also by Volker Arnold. The other 1:144 scale pieces of furniture are by Francesca Vernuccio. All of these are, of course, intended for my baby dollhouse in the morning room of Huyze Herkert.

This beautiful, extremely thin porcelain was purchased from Daniele Falvo.

I also bought a number of fabrics and a stock of supplies to equip Huyze Herkert with lighting. I have the feeling that the more fairs I attend, the worse I become at keeping my spending under control… (Is this something I need to work on? It literally feels like I’m buying little pieces of happiness. And are we really supposed to cut back on happiness itself?)