CHICAGO — Moments before 10 a.m., a security guard thanked the crowd for being cooperative. Instead, it was the Chicago International Miniatures Show. Despite the gathering touting itself as “the World’s No. 1 Dollhouse Miniatures Show,” there aren’t many actual dollhouses. Attendees instead sift through thousands of tiny objects that fill these tiny homes: miniature sponges, chocolate fondue fountains, rocking chairs, barbecue sets, Tupperware containers or fly swatters.

---