A CALNE miniatures expert is preparing herself for an international miniature festival in Kensington.

Karon Cunningham, of Mile Elm, Calne, runs Karon Cunningham Miniatures from her home and was one of the exhibitors at the Kensington Dollshouse Festival on Saturday. Mrs Cunningham attended the festival with her collection of miniature art that she has collected on her travels to festivals around the world from Japan to America.

Mrs Cunningham said: “The persona of a general miniatures dealer isn’t a reputation I want to have. Tripling the makers’ prices without giving any recognition to the person who has committed many hours of painstaking craftsmanship isn’t something I want to do.

“I want to give credit where credit is due, acknowledging the efforts of the makers and buying their work for a fair price. I’m not in this for the money, so my customers can be sure that they’re getting a good price too.”

Mrs Cunningham’s interest in miniature collections began when she bought a gift shop nearby in Bath where she then discovered a tiny cabinet tucked away at the back. After a visit from a collector, she was then taught all about what is now her passion, miniature models.

Mrs Cunningham added: “I love it, I really do. I get to travel all over the world, it’s really social and I just have massive appreciation and respect for what these people do. I am not a big fan of the modern trends for Art Deco and Art Nouveau. I buy what I like. I am quite traditional in my tastes for Georgian and Victorian things. Maybe my time in Bath had something to do with that.”

For more information on Karon Cunningham please visit www.karoncunningham.com