Page 97 - 2010 - AOUT
P. 97
ham was also asked if he had any claim to fame? Their “C “ range of tile sizes are perfect for the 24th
His answer, with typical modesty: “I don’t have a claim scale floors. He is working on a new range of turnings in
to fame really, the only thing I can think of is that a even smaller scales but they aren’t available as yet.
magazine once did an article on my work and
mentioned me on the front cover, there on the same They are constantly expanding their range but the old
cover was a large photo of the Queen looking at a dolls favourites are still there, the counters that he designed
house as she attended an exhibition. So, I can say I have when he first started are still popular. Whilst they do
been written about on the same page as the Queen of not make unique ‘one of a kind’ items in the shop
England. But, the thing that has made me most proud is counters and shelving, they will customise “one‐off”
not a claim to fame but when I first exhibited at the floor patterns and adapt the tile patterns to suit
Miniatura, we had our stand next to a gentleman customer’s requirements. As mentioned above, Graham
named Keith Marden. He specialised in treen, and his will gladly make up packs to suit a customer’s own
work was beautiful, I couldn’t get over the attention to pattern for a floor or border.
detail and craftsmanship, the turning was perfect, and
in fact every item was a small treasure. Over the years When Graham started working full time in miniatures in
we met at various fairs and I always marvelled at his 2002, he realised that he was doing the thing he most
work. He retired a few years ago and at the last show wanted to do. Since turning professional, he has been
he did, he asked me if I would like start making any or able to add a lot more items to both of their websites.
all of the items from his range. He has more time to research and time to spend on the
computer drawing the patterns and converting them
He said that he liked the accuracy of my work and from the hundreds of original floor patterns he has
turning, high praise indeed. He gave me all of the acquired from the Victorian catalogues. He has several
information on his work, research, drawings, projects on going at the moment, including making
measurements etc. and even gave me a copy of Pintos “how to” videos on tile laying and construction and the
treen, which is the bible for small household wooden laying of the Victorian mosaics. (These will be on the
objects. I only hope I can live up to his example, the bar website soon). Also he is creating a design CD, which
is set high but I am trying for it.” will show lots of the original pattern from the vintage
catalogue, and also a few colour variations of each
At the moment Graham works in 1/12th and 1/24th pattern. Graham is also always looking for different
scale. When he started making the shop counters it was vintage counters to add to their collection.
all 1/12th but over time he has been asked for lots of
24th items so he decided to duplicate most of his range Graham and Ann Marie sell their work mostly by mail
in this smaller scale. The tiles have always been suitable order, although they do exhibit at Miniatura twice a
for both scales. The smallest tile he makes is a ¼” x 1/8” year. They have two websites.
triangle, and four of them form a ¼” square.
TILES ‐ www.dollshouse‐tiles.co.uk
Here you will find loads of photographs of the Victorian Mosaic patterns, information on all the available
shapes and ranges.
SHOP COUNTERS www.ann‐marie‐miniatures.co.uk
This site shows all the counters, butchers blocks, shelving and treen.
Mail order catalogues can be downloaded from the sites or are available on CD.
Text and photos © Graham & Ann Marie Simpkin Artisans In Miniature 97
Formatted by jdayminis
His answer, with typical modesty: “I don’t have a claim scale floors. He is working on a new range of turnings in
to fame really, the only thing I can think of is that a even smaller scales but they aren’t available as yet.
magazine once did an article on my work and
mentioned me on the front cover, there on the same They are constantly expanding their range but the old
cover was a large photo of the Queen looking at a dolls favourites are still there, the counters that he designed
house as she attended an exhibition. So, I can say I have when he first started are still popular. Whilst they do
been written about on the same page as the Queen of not make unique ‘one of a kind’ items in the shop
England. But, the thing that has made me most proud is counters and shelving, they will customise “one‐off”
not a claim to fame but when I first exhibited at the floor patterns and adapt the tile patterns to suit
Miniatura, we had our stand next to a gentleman customer’s requirements. As mentioned above, Graham
named Keith Marden. He specialised in treen, and his will gladly make up packs to suit a customer’s own
work was beautiful, I couldn’t get over the attention to pattern for a floor or border.
detail and craftsmanship, the turning was perfect, and
in fact every item was a small treasure. Over the years When Graham started working full time in miniatures in
we met at various fairs and I always marvelled at his 2002, he realised that he was doing the thing he most
work. He retired a few years ago and at the last show wanted to do. Since turning professional, he has been
he did, he asked me if I would like start making any or able to add a lot more items to both of their websites.
all of the items from his range. He has more time to research and time to spend on the
computer drawing the patterns and converting them
He said that he liked the accuracy of my work and from the hundreds of original floor patterns he has
turning, high praise indeed. He gave me all of the acquired from the Victorian catalogues. He has several
information on his work, research, drawings, projects on going at the moment, including making
measurements etc. and even gave me a copy of Pintos “how to” videos on tile laying and construction and the
treen, which is the bible for small household wooden laying of the Victorian mosaics. (These will be on the
objects. I only hope I can live up to his example, the bar website soon). Also he is creating a design CD, which
is set high but I am trying for it.” will show lots of the original pattern from the vintage
catalogue, and also a few colour variations of each
At the moment Graham works in 1/12th and 1/24th pattern. Graham is also always looking for different
scale. When he started making the shop counters it was vintage counters to add to their collection.
all 1/12th but over time he has been asked for lots of
24th items so he decided to duplicate most of his range Graham and Ann Marie sell their work mostly by mail
in this smaller scale. The tiles have always been suitable order, although they do exhibit at Miniatura twice a
for both scales. The smallest tile he makes is a ¼” x 1/8” year. They have two websites.
triangle, and four of them form a ¼” square.
TILES ‐ www.dollshouse‐tiles.co.uk
Here you will find loads of photographs of the Victorian Mosaic patterns, information on all the available
shapes and ranges.
SHOP COUNTERS www.ann‐marie‐miniatures.co.uk
This site shows all the counters, butchers blocks, shelving and treen.
Mail order catalogues can be downloaded from the sites or are available on CD.
Text and photos © Graham & Ann Marie Simpkin Artisans In Miniature 97
Formatted by jdayminis
