Bored retiree creates supersized household objects
Bored Retiree Crafts Oversized Household Items
Steve Wainwright, a 62-year-old retiree from Peterborough, has found a creative escape from boredom by constructing massive replicas of common household objects. His workshop, nestled in a garden shed, is filled with giant versions of everyday items such as a colossal pencil, oversized clothes pegs, and a 13-amp plug. These creations, reminiscent of the 1980s film *Honey, I Shrunk the Kids*, have become a central part of his life since leaving his job at the East of England Ambulance Service in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, in 2020.
Retirement brought a shift in routine, leaving Wainwright with limited time for tasks like cooking and cleaning. To fill the void, he began designing objects that are “10 times the size, because I’m not very good at maths,” he explained. While some of his projects have been repurposed into practical items—a giant tape measure now serves as a coffee table, and a large plug has been transformed into a cupboard—others remain as whimsical displays. The cost of these projects has reached approximately £2,500, with each piece taking up to two weeks to complete.
A Hobby Born from Boredom
Wainwright admitted he initially felt reluctant about becoming a house husband after retiring. “I just got bored and wanted something to do,” he said. His wife, Cat Thompson, 53, has been a supportive figure, appreciating his enthusiasm. “He puts his stuff mainly on the garage wall,” she noted. “We have a summer room where he keeps more of his stuff—but it’s manageable. It mostly keeps him out of mischief.”
“Men generally say my stuff is amazing, but women normally ask, ‘Where does your wife keep it all?'”
His work has also drawn attention from the public, particularly those with visual impairments. Wainwright shared that blind individuals have shown a fondness for touching the oversized items alongside their standard-sized counterparts. Among his creations, the five-foot HB 2 pencil has become a fan favorite, according to the retiree. This fall, the public can experience his unique artistry at the Feel the Force Day comic book convention in Peterborough Cathedral, where the oversized objects will offer a humorous reminder of their tiny scale.
Wainwright’s passion for crafting continues to thrive, driven by a desire to keep creating rather than seeking financial gain. His wife, while initially surprised by the scale of his projects, now sees them as a source of joy and purpose. “When I saw the plug, it was just complete joy,” she said, highlighting the charm of his unconventional approach to domestic life.
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