Dog pile!

Sherwood is a handsome model, no? Pillows available in my etsy shop.

Categories: Animals and birds, Miniatures
January 29, 2024 | 2 comments

new otterine’s miniatures blog

Most of the content has been moved over from the old miniatures blog, more each day. You can still access the old blog for now by clicking the link at the top. If you run across broken links, it might be I have moved some but not all related posts. Or, it might be an oversight on my part.

Feel free to contact me using the form at the top if you see something wrong or can’t find what you are seeking. To leave a comment, you’ll need to click on an individual post title; the form will be at the bottom of the post.

Categories: Miniatures
January 24, 2024 | 0 comments

New Pillows and free ship over $35 is back!

There are always new designs being worked on behind the scenes, and below are a few samples of the most recent listings in my etsy shop!

I also have brought back free shipping on orders over $35. For orders under $35, there is flat rate shipping.

Categories: Miniatures
September 24, 2023 | 0 comments

Cat mummies

Many moons ago, I bought a cat mummy kit from L Delaney. One thing I didn’t realize about the kit was that it contained air dry clay. It was hard as a rock, so I used Sculpey terracotta color polymer clay since I have a lot of it and you paint the mummies anyway. It’s also soft and easy to work with.

The paint included was also dry but I was able to reconstitute it with water. I made a swatch of it, so I could mix more of a similar color in the future. The kit comes with a lot of paper to use as mummy wrap, and you use 1/16″ wide strips. I could make a lot of mummies, but I started with a pair hoping to get at least one good one.

I ended up with two that complement one another well, don’t you think?  :D

Ra and ibis statues by Neil Carter; ceramics by Carberlin Minis.

Categories: Animals and birds, Miniatures, Polymer clay
July 2, 2022 | 0 comments

Bunny pull toy

I found these kits at a local mini show years ago. Each kit comes with all the things you need and detailed instructions.

I added wood pieces for the hands and a bead for the pull rope. I skipped the whiskers, because I worried it would ruin his face if there were any mishaps, but I’ve since painted the tiny heart on his chest like the kit drawing. :D

It was a fun, quick and cute project!

Categories: Miniatures
April 17, 2022 | 0 comments

An indispensable dispenser

A. Third hand
B. Swearing reducer
C. Masking tape dispenser
D. All of the above.

I can’t believe it has taken me so long to get one of these. :D

I’ve been swearing at minis for years trying to hold something in place while tearing off a piece of masking tape from a tape roll I can’t find, even though I just had it in my hand a moment earlier. I’m already happier having this new tool for my workspace.

Categories: Miniatures
February 27, 2022 | 0 comments

Beatrix Potter vintage books

This Beatrix Potter book set from Art of Mini makes 20 books, but I have finished only 10 so far.

I love the vintage, well-loved look.

Categories: Miniatures
January 15, 2022 | 0 comments

Happy New Year 2022

I spent some time over the New Year weekend making a mini scene and cleaning up my workspace for new projects. I’m excited to work on new minis for myself and for sale. :]

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Chester the cat by 2014erok; sideboard by Minterior; sunflower blanket by Gweaneth’s Dream; slippers by Freedom Miniatures; mouse toy by A. Smith Arts; bacon sandwich by Sugar Charm Shop; grapes by Rina Vellichor; mug by Woodland Trail Whimsy; water bottle from Shepherd Miniatures; painting by blueprintminiatures; coffee table by minisx2.

Categories: Miniatures, Roomboxes and Mini Scenes
January 3, 2022 | 0 comments

A Coral Pink Christmas, part 4

Wishing you a very Merry Coral Pink Christmas! I finished just under the wire.

I had so much fun playing and digging through my stash for retro inspired minis! :D

I opted for silver thread from my stash of sewing supplies. For being so fine, the thread is very strong and easy to work with.

I glued the strings to the tree since the ornament beads are heavy and would not stay put on their own.

Here’s the new tree base to replace the original wood round. Just some scrap basswood cut to fit and glued to the center wire.

I used a tree skirt and presents from past scenes since I didn’t have time to make something new.

The retro clock (and the wood cats) were made by the talented Cyd of Mod Pod Miniatures.

———
Sideboard from Minterior. Sunflower afghan by Gweaneth’s Dream. Bear in red hoodie by Obscurely Small; pink bear by LugArt Petit. Calico cat by Paizley Paws. Snowman figure by Sherry Moller; plant pot snowman from Just Miniature Scale. Egg nog punch bowl and cups by Sue’s Little Things. Pink vase by Lorie Marsh. Doily from Stewart Dollhouse Creations. Coffee table by minisx2. Wrapped dollhouse by A Pocket Full of Wishes.

Categories: Miniatures, Roomboxes and Mini Scenes
December 25, 2021 | 0 comments

A Coral Pink Christmas, part 3

Continuing work on the coral pink Christmas tree. On a side note, I had a big project come up in the past month, so I won’t be able to make two trees. I do still plan to make a second to sell, but it might not be this year.

In getting back to the tree I had started, I did make a quick change to the lighting. I’m still using warm white string lights from Evan Designs, but I swapped out the 3V 26-light string for the 7-19V 26-light string (listed as 6-18V 26-light string on the website). The reason for this is the 7-19V string has a smaller circuit pack than the AA battery holder. I can make a faux gift box to hide the circuit more easily.

I used a 9V battery while working, though this string can be plugged into the 12V dollhouse system. The lights are plenty bright with the 9V battery. The switch can be purchased from Evan Designs as well.

I opted for the silver Kreinik Micro Ice Chenille for the garland, tacking it in place with light glue here and there.

We are ready for ornaments now.

The various tones of the ornaments should work well with the pink and silver.

Categories: Miniatures
December 19, 2021 | 0 comments

A Coral Pink Christmas, part 2

Continuing work on the two coral pink Christmas trees. Time to make ornaments. I’m using Swarovski Elements 8mm beads.

A tiny crimp bead serves as the topper.

I had some thin wire in my stash that worked perfectly for the loop, formed with round tip pliers.

I don’t know if I will tie strings on the loops or just glue the ornaments in place.

Categories: Miniatures
November 18, 2021 | 0 comments

A Coral Pink Christmas, part 1

I’m planning a coral pink Christmas! If all goes well, there will be one tree for me to keep (I mean, for Chester to climb) and one for sale. I bought these bottle brush trees last year but had no time to work with them.

These have large wood bases that I don’t want for the final display.

I used a drill to make holes around the center wire while trying to not break through too harshly and grab the brush fibers.

It loosened the hold just enough where I could twist the base off without damaging the tree. I will use the bases to hold the trees upright during decoration but will figure out a better, smaller solution for the end display.

I bought retro looking tree toppers from WCD Miniatures at the local mini show. I needed to shave off some brush from the top to get it to sit well, but I will wait until the end to glue in place.

I’m using 3V warm white string lights from Evan Designs. These have 26 “bulbs” over 29.5 inches of wire, with a few inches of wire at the end.

After determining which side I wanted for the front of the tree, I wrapped the lights around and gave it a test. Love it! :D

I bought monochromatic beads for the ornaments. My plan is to add small gold or silver toppers with wire to hang, but we’ll see if my sanity holds out for that. :D

And, of course, there is garland. These are Kreinik Micro Ice Chenille spools, but I’m not sure which variation I will use.

Categories: Miniatures
November 14, 2021 | 0 comments