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National Dollhouse Gallery

"The Wonderland of Tiny Treasures"

Gallery of Miniatures & Dollhouse Museum

U N I Q U E   N E W   B U S I N E S S

This new Art & Craft gallery has opened in Swan Reach, Victoria, Australia featuring Australian handcrafted dollhouses, dollhouse furniture, figurines and thousands of tiny treasures. Desma & Peter Payne chose the old Rosewood Pottery property opposite the Swan Reach Primary School for their new business venture NATIONAL DOLLHOUSE GALLERY.  The gallery is located on 3/4 acre in a lovely rural setting. 

This gallery complex is an extension to their business in Mornington called HOUSE OF MINIATURES. In discussing the new proposed venture with some of her clients in Mornington Desma discovered a strong connection between the communities of the Mornington Peninsula and the East Gippsland area.

The three round buildings (based on the YURTS in Mongolia) located on 3/4 acre gives a natural framework for Desma and Peter’s vision for their new venture.  The large off street carpark at the front for buses, RV's and vehicles, along with picnic area and orchard out the back, gives a wonderful ambience for tourists and locals to enjoy.

The first round building is the retail gallery of miniatures which features over 40 dollhouses, dollhouse furniture and accessories. Many of the items have been hand made by very talented miniaturists throughout Australia as well as locally. There is something for everyone including children, miniaturists, tourists and locals.  The second building houses the Dollhouse Museum and temporary exhibition area. In addition to the display of many older dollhouses, miniature furniture and collectables, the museum also exhibits special temporary exhibitions featuring the work of specialist miniaturists.

The third area is the (temporary) workshop area which caters for beginners as well as the more experienced hobbyists. This workshop is available for anyone who wants to spend a few hours working on their hobby. There are structured classes as well as unfinished project sessions for a nominal fee for the use of the facilities, tools and tea/coffee on tap. Plans are underway for the construction of a purpose built Workshop scheduled for completion mid year.

Once we have re-located our Workshop, we will then be able to open our Tearooms in the third Yurt.  Arrangements are now well underway for the installation of our new commercial kitchen and dinning areas.  Initially coffee & cake in addition to light lunches will be served of a weekend.  It is expected by Summer 2008  the Tearooms will function 7 days a week.

Group bookings are available for interest and community groups.

NATIONAL DOLLHOUSE GALLERY is open daily from 10.00am to 5pm daily. During the Victorian School Term the complex is open Wednesday to Sunday or by appointment. Entry to the Gallery and Museum is free for children, adults $2 each. Desma said “we just want everyone who comes to be able to enjoy this “wonderland of tiny treasures”. It’s a fascinating hobby and I look forward to sharing this hobby with everyone who visits us.

The complex was officially opened by Mr Craig Ingram MP, on Sunday, 8th March, 2008. 

The online store is expected to be launched by the end of March this year.  In addition to the online store, there are lots of other aspects to our new website such as the DIY Project Sheets, information on EGMA (East Gippsland Miniaturists Association Inc) which was also launched on the 8th March, in addition to our Charity Fairs, International Tours, and so much more.

We encourage our clients to forward ideas and projects which we can upload for others to view and enjoy.  Desma went on to say that she is really wanting the website to be a very effective and interactive site which clients can have ongoing input into submitting ideas and suggestions for its ongoing relevance to miniaturists everywhere.

NATIONAL DOLLHOUSE GALLERY

24 School Road, Swan Reach Vic 3903
Tel: 1300 791 099 (local call throughout Australia) 
Desma’s mobile 0412 878 354

Miniatures, Dolls Houses, Collectables, Dolls and Teddies

Workshops, History of Dollhouses Museum & Temporary Exhibitions