08/11/08

Assorted Projects

I've worked on assorted projects from time to time.  Dollhouses are difficult to complete because I'm always getting diverted on something else, but I really like to try different things.

Tom Bishop Chicago International

Great show! I took a class with Geoff Wonnacott and made a Louis XVI French writing desk. I will definitely take another class with him. Highly recommended.

Along with some supplies including faux leather, material, and landscaping materials, I purchased some books for my upcoming witch's cottage and some cranberry glass for my collection.

Sue Veeder Cats

I ordered a couple of Sue Veeder's cats for my children for XMAS. They are representations of each girls real cats, Kitty and Spot. She did an excellent job capturing each cat's individual personality.

I had a difficult time finding something to put them in, so I used a couple of glass canisters turned upside-down and I inserted a floor.

Georgian Roombox

I created this Georgian roombox for a miniature show here in Indianapolis. It is kind of a prototype for the "Sense & Sensibility" inspired house that I will be starting soon. I have tried to re-create the room down to the look of old plaster and wear.

I just started this project 3 weeks before the show. I started with a desire just to show my furniture, but since there was no category for that, I decided to create a box. Instead of building a box, I decided to re-use something I already had. I had an old library, or barrister, box in my garage. I cleaned off the dirt and spider eggs and pulled off the back of the box. I learned a lot that I will apply to the real house. I'm pleased with the result.

See more photos and the project in progress...

Miniature Gardens

I made this miniature garden for my Dad's birthday. I was inspired by an article in Dollhouse Miniatures. I used an assortment of miniature plants and made a garden walk out of Paper Clay. I made a small fountain with some Koi fish. Funny story...who knew you had to line items before filling them with resin water. When I came back to check on things the next morning I had fountain water all over the floor, table, and my toolbox. Luckily, I had enough water left over to fill the fountain up again.

Mini Mouse House

I made this little mouse house at the Spring Tom Bishop show in Chicago.  The class was taught by the most interesting couple from the UK, Toad Hall Productions. 

Diorama

My daughter, Alex, is in a junior miniaturist club and they have just completed a diorama for the upcoming Indianapolis show in September.  As she is working on the veterinary clinic, she continued on that track and built a pet shop area. The scene is titled, "Bad Cat" and its about a cat that gets out of its cage.

Sleigh Bed

Using the scroll saw and dremel I received for Christmas, I created a miniature sleigh bed out of bloodwood.