“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens; Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens; Brown paper packages tied up with strings; These are a few of my favourite things.”
This classic tune from The Sound of Music sung by Julie Andrews might as well be the official anthem of the Miniaturia Guild of Cape Town, which held its annual fair on Saturday 2 September, at St Thomas’ Anglican church hall in Rondebosch.
The fair was a fantastical journey in the world of all things miniature that fascinated those in attendance – men, women and children alike, young and aged.
One simply cannot comprehend the bespoke detail finely crafted into each teeny, tiny item. They were from teddies and confectionary to flowers, crockery, cutlery and books handmade with genuine leather . . . anything one can imagine is carefully copied in miniature with minute features that would match the head of a pin.
One of the fair’s coordinators and fellow member of the guild, Jenny Cole, told People’s Post it is the highlight of their year.
“We looked forward to seeing newcomers and showing some of our amazing detailed work in miniature,” she said. “It’s quite breathtaking,” Cole beamed.
Based in Cape Town, the guild is a non-profit organisation (NPO) committed to the promotion of miniature craftsmanship in the Cape Town area.
Cole outlined its vision: “Our aim is to promote the love of miniatures, teach basic skills and accumulate a library of magazines, books, dollhouses and furniture plans. “We are a group of warm and generous people who help one another and share one another’s joys.”
Each year, the profits made during the Guild’s Annual Fair are donated to a different charity, with this year’s proceeds going to Heartlands Baby Sanctuary.
“With the help of members, a charity was chosen for this year – Heartlands Baby Sanctuary in Somerset West, which does wonderful work rescuing at-risk and abandoned babies,” stated the guild’s chair Jeanette Bromley in the NPO’s latest annual newsletter.
“We have collected items on their Wish List throughout the year, which we (handed) over during the fair.”
The day saw curious and wide-eyed children poring over each display of miniature craftsmanship, most of whom were handmade.
The guild’s members also participate in a friendly competition and group display for the fair.
This year the theme was “Fairy Tales, Folk Lore and Nursery Rhymes”.
A favourite was voted and won by the guild’s leading lady, Bromley, for her crafty Alice in Wonderland display.
The guild’s origins date back to 1990, when an American professional miniaturist, Nick Nichols, came to South Africa.
According to its website, he had come to present a series of lectures on the theory and techniques of making miniatures and room boxes at the University of Cape Town Summer School.
This event coincided with an exhibition of dollhouses and miniatures at the Natale Labia Museum and contributed to the founding of this NPO.
Also at the event, Heartlands Baby Sanctuary promoted bookings for its golf day on Friday 27 October, which are officially open. It is a day said to be “an event of excellence” at the De Zalze Golf Club.
Every R6 000 contributed to its golf day will pay for 15 tins of formula, 10 packets of nappies, 25 meals and toiletries for 25 children and babies.
Enquiries and bookings can be sent to Nikki Bower by emailing golf@heartlandsbaby.org or call 021 852 3527.
