3 Blind Mice, day 1 – 2015

Attended the 3 Blind Mice show this evening.

T&D Miniatures and Dollhouses.  This was a wacky penguin, and I just had to have him.  The peat moss bag is weighted to stay in place.

A Little More in Miniatures.  This glass vase has such a fabulous mid century modern shape.

Patricia Wehmeier Miniatures.  Pat made both of these lovlies.

Jacqueline Kerr-Deiber.  There were few things I was specifically looking for on my shopping list…one was a frog.  :D  This is made by Amanda Skinner.

Custom Dollhouse. I have a weakness for white ceramics in real life and in mini.

Hartland Miniatures.  Lots of goodies here!

Also from Hartland — a lobster trap kit (I bought a croquet kit, too).

All About Miniatures.  Rocking Horse by Steve Panner.  Oops – forgot to straighten out the stirrup. This is a gorgeous piece.

Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
April 16, 2015 | 0 comments

Miniature cinder blocks on a pallet

I was recently contacted by the folks at Mini Materials offering me a free sample of their miniature cinder blocks to try. Quite awhile ago, there were some cinder block fridge magnets for sale elsewhere but I missed out on those. I was overjoyed to know Mini Materials was making the real deal in 1:12 scale with no pesky magnet I would need to remove. They sent me a 24 pack on a wood pallet and a bag of loose broken blocks.

Awesome possum. April used that expression recently, and I have to say that perfectly describes these miniature cinder blocks. :D

The 24 blocks come on a wood pallet…also awesome.  :D

Yes, you can buy the pallets alone.

They even sell the random broken bits, which I think is brilliant. If you’re doing an old scene, like Milo Valley Farm, having broken bits is especially useful. Cuts down on waste for them, too.

The pieces were well packed.

Thanks so much, Mini Materials, for sending along the blocks and pallet. I already have some ideas spinning. Who wants me to leave off a wheel on the 240ZG and prop a block under it? How else will I show off the fabulous work on the inner wheel parts?

Categories: Miniatures
April 15, 2015 | 0 comments

Arjen Spinhoven Miniaturen

I apologize in advance to your wallets. I recently discovered a new kit supplier Arjen Spinhoven Miniaturen and all I can say is, “Wow!” Even if you resist spending the cash, you will be spending plenty of time admiring the beautiful offerings. He has a direct website and an etsy shop.

Tree firescreen

Tree surrounds in bar square and square holes.

Arts & Crafts table and chairs kits.

Plant stand kit – Clock – Coat rack.

Oval doormat

Categories: Furniture, Miniatures
April 13, 2015 | 0 comments

Making minis with Shapeways

One recent and amazing development in the world of miniatures is 3D printing. Shapeways gives designers and shoppers a way to meet and mingle. There are so many custom miniatures in different sizes and materials available. Shapeways held a contest featuring miniatures, and I made a mini crafting scene to enter.

I started with a miniature reproduction of the Shapeways shipping box shown here at Baxter Pointe Villa.

I split apart a real one then reproduced the wording and logos through scanning, manual type-setting and clip-art alteration.

I even made a tiny USPS label.  :D

The shipping tape dispenser left the best detailing on the ends, so I kept that intact.

The tiny X-Acto knife is by Ulus Miniaturas.

Open the box to find Shapeways 3D printed items wrapped in thin foam (many thanks to Peggy for the foam supply). Maybe one of these days I’ll figure out how to make bubble wrap in 1:12 scale. I did at least include tiny pieces of masking tape to hold the foam secure. :D

Inside were a 3D printed swimming pool in N scale from TheDallesHostler and a 3D printed N scale bridge from railNscale, bought just in case of disaster with the pool. I will likely use the bridge for the tiny Hampton House.

My mini craft room is also the laundry room. This beautiful washer and dryer set from Barbara are accented by a wonderfully detailed 3D printed laundry basket by MarionRussek. I spray painted it flat white.

Ophelia likes to hang out in the laundry room when there is crafting going on.

The 3D printed bookshelf which I painted Liquitex Iridescent Bronze is from modernminifan. I added various miniatures to fill the space, using the largest of the books in my collection to make the best use of the space.

The modern vase is from modernminifan and was molded in white. I painted it Testors Gloss Teal, a gorgeous metallic blue green.

I removed the ladder from the pool since the printing was slightly off and painted the pool using acrylic paints. The 3D printed desk accessories are from modernminifan. They were printed in a lightly metallic grey, so I left them as is. I added accessories and even a tissue for the tissue box holder. The 3D printed stacking bins are from MarionRussek, designed by Pepper. These were molded in green. I made the masking tape roll and sketch pad.

Then it was time for the resin (Acrylic Water from Walmart). I’ve included a tiny dispensing cup and stir stick. I tried putting measurement lines on the cup, but that’s apparently above my pay grade. :D

The 3D printed overhead lampshade is by MarionRussek. I painted it soft tan to mimic a bamboo shade, added a Novalyte can LED and fed the wire through a length of aluminum tubing. The window was originally in the Newport and has my custom café shutters. Yes, they open, too. :]

Burning the midnight oil. Yeah, I’ve never done that before. haaaaaaaaaaa!

Hooray! Done with time to spare. :D

—–
UPDATE: My mini craft station in the laundry room took first place!! eeeeeeeeeeeee!!! :D *wrings hands and starts shopping list*

Congratulations to Alice, Kristine and Cyd on their winnings and a huge pat on the back to all the contestants!!! You can see all of the entries here and the winners announcement here. Thank you to the judges: Carol, Kacie and Megan!

Many thanks to Shapeways for the opportunity to participate and for the wonderful minis brought to life through 3D printing. I’m so thrilled!!!!

Categories: Roomboxes and Mini Scenes
April 6, 2015 | 0 comments

License plates in 1:12 scale

I’ve been trying out some new ideas for random farm junk and thought some old license plates would be appropriate for a barn find car. My first go around has been a success!

They are made from paper but look like metal with the embossed detailing. The letters are raised on the front, and the backs are metallic silver. They are somewhat flexible but need to be treated gently.

The GO GET EM plate is for the Datsun, so right now it is cleaner than the others. I will age it when I get to that part with the car. I also need to make another for a match set. :D

I’ve made a listing in my etsy shop for mini custom made license plates. There are some limitations for reproducing the plates in miniature. The image generator I use doesn’t have all years and some images work better than others, but with a good image I can try my best. The old tattered ones tend to look the most realistic as well. :D

Categories: Model Cars, Vehicles
April 4, 2015 | 0 comments