Model Houses
Searching her mind for Christmas present ideas, housewife Val Moir had the inspiration of giving her two grown-up sons eight-inch-high miniature replicas of their houses. Encouraged by her pottery tutor, she made a miller’s cottage for one and a pretty Victorian house for the other.
They were so pleased that Val decided to turn her hobby into a full-time job. Working from her home, she charges between £50 and £80 for her models of customers’ homes, which range from three-bedroom flats to grand country mansions.
Each house takes between 16 and 20 hours to make. Val first took up pottery in her early 20’s. She went to local classes but found she didn’t have enough time to pursue her hobby. When she took it up again, it was for good. Now most of her models can be admired in local craft exhibitions.
“Sometimes it’s a surprise present and I have to photograph the house secretly, without being seen”, she laughs.