A Kensington Virgin...
Written by Debra Jackson...
'the thoughts of a 1st time exhibitor…!’
When I started making miniatures, less than 2 years ago it quickly became apparent that THE place to exhibit would be Kensington Dolls' House Festival (known from here on in as KDF).I was lucky enough, at my 2nd fair to meet the lovely Chris Sturgess-Leif. He's long been associated with KDF and said he thought I should be exhibiting there! I nearly passed out!
He contacted Charlotte, who runs the festival and a few emails later I had a space booked at this most prestigious event!
I felt quite relaxed as the months turned into weeks, happy with the stock I'd amassed and really quite looking forward to the experience.....then the weeks turned into days...then suddenly I was packing....and panicking! Luckily I was taking my best friend Juliet, I really couldn't have done it on my own. When the day finally arrived I was a wreck, we didn't leave for
When I finally went to collect Juliet my 1st words to her were "are we mad doing this?".....with such a big financial outlay,6 kids between us, should we really be leaving them behind (albeit with their more than capable dads) for 3 days, while we go to gallivanting to London?
"I managed to sleep thanks to a rather fine bottle of France's best..."
‘Sat navs’ are wonderful things, until they warn you that your battery is low "re-charge now" 17 miles outside
On the 1st night in the hotel, pre-set up for the 1st day, I managed to sleep thanks to a rather fine bottle of
"there is something there for every taste and pocket..."
We sold a fishing rod and fly wallet to a ‘royal’ visitor who is apparently an enthusiastic and avid collector and regular visitor at the Kensington Dolls House Festival and Miniatura.
One of the personal highlights for me was meeting a lady who I knew from Ebay. Her name is Joyce and she's a big Tudor collector, I know some of the other AIM members know her too and I'm sure they'll all agree that it was inspiring to see her there. She is severely disabled but managed the whole trip by herself, what a lady.Now if I could just win the lottery in time for the 6th of December, I'll be there buying, not exhibiting and I'll have Juliet following me with a shopping trolley and a BIG wedge of £50 notes!
Debra Jackson of Debra Jackson Designs
