Thursday January 26, 2012
The Printable Red Heart Design Dollhouse Canister Set is part of a set of co-ordinates for dollhouse kitchen, pastry and coffee shop, and valentine's tea displays. The canisters come in several sizes and can be made from lightweight card or photo paper.
These little sets are easy to make in three dollhouse scales and can be filled with a range of items to suit your scene. If you'd like me to set up the printables for fashion doll scales, please just ask!. Other printables that co-ordinate with this set (available in 1:12, 1:24 and 1:48 scale) include:
Monday January 23, 2012
Now that it is New Year's on the Chinese calendar, I'm thinking about what I've resolved to do January 1st. I often hear people at miniature fairs exclaiming how difficult it must be to make..... The truth is, with miniatures, technique and knowledge of materials are the key to making items tinier and tinier and improving the realism with each attempt. The photo of this pendant necklace illustrates this perfectly. A section of a dead fall arbutus branch becomes a wonderful piece of art in the hands of the skilled artisans from All The Time In The World Handcrafting.
It takes a lot of practice to get this good at using a jeweller's saw or piercing saw but you can certainly see how care allows an artist to create something wonderful out of a simple tool and basic materials. Just look at how the sun effect was achieved on this piece using the natural rings of the wood.
The same is true with other basic techniques. If you can peel a carrot, you can make simple miniature woodcarvings. The instructions for carving a basic rope molding from toothpicks were used with great effect by Tina on the fireplace in her miniature roombox. You can see photos of her creation in the miniatures forum
Even if you have never sewn before, you can learn to do petitpoint from the many Miniature Needlework Charts designed for beginners. Or experiment with easy handsewn dollclothes based on a toddler sock.
If you want to make your a dollhouse to yor own design, make custom dollhouse windows and doors, whether opening or non opening. If you want to make miniature "stained glass" windows, use gel / glaze pens
Pick a simple skill and don't expect perfection with your first try. The new year beckons and it looks like a good one!
Photo © 2012 Lesley Shepherd
Friday January 20, 2012
When I set up the gold heart tea set and coffee service printables I didn't realize they'd be popular for a full dining service. I've added the casseroles, plant pots, serving tray and other printable miniature serving pieces to the set this week, and should finish off with the kitchen cannisters in the same design next week.
I've set these up as printables in 1:12, 1:24 and 1:48 scales. 1:48 is difficult but not impossible to make, although print it on paper not light card! If you'd like these in 1:6 scale, please let me know! Fashion dolls may need romantic dinnerware as well.
Photo © 2012 Lesley Shepherd
Thursday January 19, 2012
I'm having fun these days experimenting with coloring / dying tibetan lambswool for custom wigs for my tiny ball joint doll. One of the great things about miniatures is the ability to experiment with a few materials and make a big impact. Setacolor one of my favorite fabric paints for customizing miniature doll clothing, is doing double duty for me these days as a hair dye for my tiny wig experiments. It is easy to use, doesn't require me to soak the hide I'm using for tibetan lambswool wigs, and lets me blend colors before I apply, or by adding easily controlled streaks and tip effects.
Easily controlled, no fuss materials certainly make experimenting a lot more fun! I can custom dye doll hair to match clothing or accessories, or just for the fun of it. If it wasn't this easy, a lot of dolls wouldn't have cotton candy coloured hair!
Photo © 2012 Lesley Shepherd
