A Miniature Escape: My Weekend at Europe’s Largest Dolls House Fair

 Hello everyone!

How are you all? I hope you had an amazing weekend. I have to say, mine was absolutely mind-blowing—especially after just getting back from Germany. I'm so thrilled to share that I attended the largest Dolls House and Miniature Fair in Europe for the very first time!

I visited the 1 zu 12 Die Messe 25 in Rheda-Wiedenbrück, Germany, and it was simply incredible. There are so many reasons why I love traveling and attending dollhouse and miniature shows, and this event reminded me of every single one of them.

It’s always wonderful to reconnect with artists and old friends—especially those you rarely get to see. Coming from the little (and often forgotten) island of Malta, where dollhouses are still considered a bit of a taboo, I often feel isolated in my miniature-loving world. That’s why visiting these shows uplifts me so much. They remind me that there’s a whole world out there that sees what I see, especially when it comes to miniatures.

When I attend a show, I’m no longer the “weirdo” who loves playing with dollhouses—I’m part of a vibrant, creative community. I meet people who think like me, who share my passion, and with whom I can discuss and exchange ideas freely. It’s incredibly encouraging, and one of the best feelings is when someone recognizes me, we strike up a conversation, and I walk away with a new friend.

My favourite part is always finding the friends I’ve made through the years—and I’m happy to say, that number keeps growing. Two days never feel like enough, but I always leave with a full heart and something to look forward to: the next show.

Of course, the biggest disadvantage of the show—apart from how quickly it flies by—is the temptation to spend! Unless you’re very disciplined, you might as well throw in the towel and wave goodbye to your bank account. 😄

That said, I was more mindful this time—especially since I’m hoping to attend two more shows abroad before the end of the year. I also try to remind myself that I love creating pieces myself whenever I can.

Still, I couldn’t resist picking up a few treasures!

Here’s what came home with me:

• A handmade vintage pram by the Dutch duo Han Goergen and Jeanet Dekker. Han crafts the pieces, while Jeanet adds her charming shabby chic style. 

Han, Jeanet and me.

I’ve known them for years, and it’s become a tradition to collect one of their creations.

• Some beautiful laser-cut kits from Melissa’s Mini World. Melissa Verhoeven is an absolute delight—always smiling and full of positive energy.

• Printed miniature fabrics by Italian IGMA artist Susanna Alberti of Fashion in Miniature. Her warm personality is as lovely as her delicate fabrics.

• Supplies for chandelier-making from Bindels Ornaments by Marijke Bindels. I have a big project in mind and can’t wait to see how they turn out—fingers crossed I do them justice!

• A tiny, intricate pop-up book by Japanese artist Yuriko Kitano of Miniature Pop-Up Book—a true gem that becomes a miniature paper house.

• And finally, some hand-painted miniature pottery by Danish artist Lisbeth Pedersen of Minipot. Her work is always stunning and incredibly detailed.

And now for the biggest surprise of all…

I’ve been invited to exhibit at the fair next year in 2026!

At first, I felt completely overwhelmed by the idea. The pressure! The expectations! I almost said no. But in the end… they won me over. So yes, it’s happening! I’ll be exhibiting for the very first time, and I’m both nervous and excited. It’s going to be a completely new experience, and I can’t wait to share that journey with you as it unfolds.

I’m sure all these beautiful pieces will eventually find their perfect spots in my miniature scenes. But for now, I’m off to get back to my workspace and dive into some mini-making!

Thanks so much for reading, and make sure to stay tuned for the next update—I’ll be sharing a sneak peek of my latest ongoing project and some exciting things on the horizon.

Take Care and See You Soon.

Hugs,

Rebecca xxx