Bored retiree creates supersized household objects
Retired Engineer Builds Enormous Household Items
Steve Wainwright, a 62-year-old former electrician with a passion for hands-on projects, has turned his post-retirement downtime into a creative endeavor. Instead of simply lounging, he’s crafted massive replicas of common household objects, ranging from a towering pencil to a colossal clothes peg. These oversized items, which resemble the whimsical scale of the 1980s film *Honey, I Shrunk the Kids*, now fill his home in Peterborough, where he and his wife reside.
From Routine to Recreation
After retiring from the East of England Ambulance Service in 2020, Wainwright found himself with more free time than he anticipated. “You can only cook and clean for so many hours,” he remarked, explaining how the monotony of daily chores inspired his new venture. His creations have become a way to stay engaged, though his wife often jokes about the practicality of their size. “Men usually say it’s impressive, but women ask, ‘Where does your wife store it all?'” she added, highlighting the humor and surprise his work generates.
“I just got bored and needed something to do,” Wainwright said. “I decided to make things 10 times bigger because I’m not great at maths.”
The artist’s workshop, a self-built garden space, serves as the hub for his craft. Using wood, metal, and plastic, he has spent over £2,500 on his creations, each taking up to two weeks to complete. Some items, like a giant tape measure turned into a coffee table, have found functional purposes, while others remain purely artistic. Despite occasional sales to neighbors, Wainwright emphasizes his motivation as a personal hobby.
Unexpected Appeal
His wife, Cat Thompson, 53, admits she enjoys the change of pace. “He keeps his work on the garage wall and stores more in the summer room,” she said. “It mostly keeps him out of trouble.” However, the most surprising feedback came from a charity event where blind attendees connected deeply with the tactile nature of his oversized designs. “The public’s favorite is the five-foot HB 2 pencil,” Wainwright noted, underscoring the unique charm of his work.
Wainwright’s creations will be on display at the Feel the Force Day comic book convention in September, offering visitors a chance to experience the novelty of giant everyday objects. For now, he continues his craft, driven by curiosity and a love for invention.
