Watch the video of the adorable hamsters.
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Some pet owners like to dress up their pets and take photos of them in a staged environment. However, Beverly Borrill has taken the hobby to a new level by setting up dioramas of typical British scenes and taking photos of her hamsters in them.
Beverly got the inspiration for her hobby when her 14-year-old daughter Isabel was crafting a mini hot air balloon as part of a school project. The 52-year-old teacher then decided to pose the family’s pet hamsters Max and Lulu on a whim and took a photo because she thought they would look cute.
Following that project, Beverly started getting more ideas and decided to breed the hamsters until they numbered 14 in 18 months.
Beverly normally spends hours at her kitchen table painstakingly creating archetypal British scenes using cardboard. She then uses peanut butter, their favorite treat, to lure them into the sets for their photo session.
Some of the scenes include playing tennis at Wimbledon, partying at Glasto, recreated scenes from Doctor Who, and even The Great British Bake Off and Masterchef.
The mother-of-four from Devizes, Wilts, said: “I usually do British scenes because I am inspired by what goes on around me every day.
“Despite having lived abroad for several years, it’s easy to take inspiration from everyday life.
“All the action happens on the kitchen table, so it’s a regular thing to see the family eating their supper around a half-constructed golf course or MasterChef set.
“People ask how to get their hamsters to sit still or how to tame a hamster so they don’t bite or destroy the set.
“The simple answer is patience and lots of perseverance. And a little bit of peanut butter!”
Mother and daughter have even set up a Facebook page named Harcourt Hammies and it has become an instant hit.
Each set can take anywhere from a few hours to even a few days to create. Inspiration comes from topical events or suggestions from friends.
Beverly said: “Isabel is now 14 and has become more interested in YouTube than crafting with me.
“She still very much enjoys her hamsters and through the trials and tribulations of teenage angst, the hammies have been wonderful therapy.
“So now I can honestly say the hamsters are my hobbies.”