THE INTELLIGENCER, Monday. August 20.1979-] Miniature assemblies a challenging hobby By PENNY GORDON Staff Reporter It's contagious. Collecting miniatures is one of the largest hobbies in North America-and still growing. To talk ty Irma and Karl Volkert, owners of the Doll's House on Front Street in Belleville, it's easy to understand why a person can get so wrapped up in tiny pieces of furniture and houses built on a scale of one to 12-threequarters to 12 in Eurooe. There's more than the pride and satisfaction of comp l e t i n g or assembling something in miniature. It's a challenge. As a matter of fact, the Volkerts began creating miniatures as a hobbysomething for their granddaughter. More than a year ago they opened a store to sell miniatures and accessoriesthe only store between Toronto and Montreal, and the lone store to sell only miniatures. T h e y also f o u n d e d a miniature club in Belleville. Now, Volkert devotes his time to the store and his special projects in miniature, although he is an electrician by trade. It makes him the resident electrical expert. And yes, miniature buildings do have electrical outlets and lighting. "In miniature," he adds. Right now Volkert is building a two-story house for the miniature club's first show in September. When that's done, he says, he'll people to get back to the start something else. He's got basics-to work with good blueprints ready for the next materials, create something project, whether it's a one to be proud of and to have room box or a keepsake something which can be hutch. handed down from genera"So they'll be there when tion to generation. She likes I'm ready, "he says. to call it Heritage in And clientel is growing. It Miniature. represents a cross-section of Mrs. Volkert says some of almost every social and the people getting interested economic level of society. in miniatures are young Volkert says even men are couples who are just starting beginning to come into the out and who don't have a store where before they home of their own as yet. She would just stand outside and says they build a minaiture of let their wives come in. a home they want and get to "As soon as we got the iron; out the bugs before they building supply (section)," look for or build the real says Mrs. Volkert, "the men thing. got interested." The Doll's House will have There are kits and pieces a display at the Quinte Exand accessories and furniture hibition this year, especially settings at the store. Many of appropriate, says Mrs. the small items handcrafted Volkert, in the International for the miniature collector, Year of The Child. such as glassware and She's also looking forward ceramics, come from local or to the miniature show on Canadian craftspeople. But Sept. 29 at the Four Seasons all building supplies come Hotel where she works as from the U.S. and Mrs. comptroller. She says she Volkert is disappointed really hasn't any goals for the because with the dollar ex- show except, perhaps to change rate and duties, it make people more aware of makes these items very ex- miniatures. pensive. She says she thinks But be warned. It doesn't these items should be made in matter what your age. Once Canada-perhaps manufac- you have picked up that first turers aren't aware of the de- tiny brick or door or balsa mand. eavestrough or scale model Mrs. Volkert says she wood stove, you're hooked. thinks part of the attraction Collecting miniatures is seof miniatures is a trend of cond only to stamps. -