Tabitha Corsica

Lemony Snicket!

2011-09-14T12:24:00.001-04:00

Some of you may recall that I'm in the process of renovating/redecorating a rather larger dollhouse. The only room which could even come close to being called "finished" is the kitchen. I was somewhat inspirated by the color scheme of Monet's kitchen/dining room in Giverny.

http://giverny.org/monet/home/

I had collected most of the furniture but I wanted a hutch so took some time to make one ( an initial disaster and the subject of an "Ask Tabitha" post, I think...) and I am now pleased to say that all the pieces are completed.

I wanted them "dressed", as if someone was actually using the kitchen so I prevailed on my dear friend, Kim Saulter, from Kim's Minis to provide the magic. Real life had been taking over Kim's mini life of late and she needed that extra incentive to entice the Muse to return.

As you will see, the results are breathtaking!! Kim is back in her mini kitchen and all is right with the world!!

This first piece is the sink. I no longer have any idea where I got it from or who the manufacturer is but it is metal and very substantial. The cut lemons are by Amanda Speakman, Amanspeak Miniatures.

The stove is by Bodo Henning ... another substantial metal piece. And just LOOK at the amazing sweets Kim has made!! I think the blueberry cobbler looks good enough to eat....

This little dining table and chairs (2) is by M&R Miniatures out of Rochester, NY. He doesn't have a website, sells only at shows. There is a work table in the same colors also.

Ann Ceasar made the lemon meringue pie, which I've had for YEARS and am only just now using.

If you look closely, you can see some of Kim's AMAZING lemon bars!

Don't they look real??!!

Here is the companion worktable with more of Kim's goodies!

Just look at the attention to detail! Some cupcakes finished...some just started...some waiting their turn...

This glazed Lemon pound cake is to DIE for!!

Ta Da!

This is the hutch that drove me crazy. I painted, stripped, re-painted, hated the color, re-painted, sanded.... on and on... But that is a topic for another time.

Right now, feast your eyes on Kim's splendid sweets!

This lemon trifle was made by my friend Lisa McQuaid from the Every Day Gourmet. She has an Esty shop and makes a variety of foods that one would use "everyday". But I really love her trifles.

All the rest was made by Kim. What wonderful confections! I am over the moon with the results!

In addition to all the scrumptious goodies you see here, Kim included some chocolate chip and lemon cookies. She was one busy lady. I cannot thank her enough for all the time and effort put into this.

But more than that, I am really proud of her and glad she is my friend (though we have never met...). She took all those lemons life was lobbing her way, chopped them up and made the most beautiful things from them. I am very happy for her ... and for me, too!

She can make any sort of confection you can dream up so if you are in the market for something sweet or just want to see what Kim is up to in the mini kitchen, visit her Etsy shop. You won't be disappointed.

Kim's Minis

Tabitha

Reflections....

2011-05-29T10:26:00.000-04:00

...on my best mini ever. Though you can see he is not so mini anymore!

It seems like it's been a crazy ride since way before opening night of Godspell in April.

Matt had a major role as The Baptist in this production.

That's him in the red/black stripes at Dress Rehearsal.

He's always done Tech since he was a Freshman. Lighting, sound, stage manager and Tech Director.

He's had several minor roles in the recent past but even then he still functioned as Stage Manager.

This time, he relinguished that to an underclassman and threw himself into singing, acting and dancing!

He had a blast!

He graduated from HS last weekend

and my 90 y/o mother made a plane trip here for it.

We are all so proud of him!

The white hood is for National Honor Society

and the gold/black braid is for graduating magna cum laude.

He also recieved a special award for achievement in the Arts.

Matt and his two bestest buddies

(who will miss him terribly when he is away at school!)

He's just returned from a Carnival Cruise with 8 of his good friends

(and 3 very brave parents!)

I am hoping that I will now be able to get back to "mini-ing" (and blogging about it!) but the Summer seems like it will be crazy, too. Althought the Fall term at University of Florida doesn't start until the end of August, Matt's enrolled for a Summer B session and that starts the end of June. We all need to be up there for a preview next weekend and there are several other "events" parents are expected to attend before the Fall term.

I also have a mini show the end of July to prepare for. I'd better get cracking....

Love to you all! Thanks for reading my blog. I promise to get that Conservatory finished and photographed. Hester has been mostly useless of late...

Later...

Tabs

testing...testing....

2011-05-25T06:48:00.000-04:00

Some friends are finding they cannot sign in and make a post on their own blogs lately so this to see if I can...

Tabs

Conservatory Floor - Using DAS Air Dry Clay

2011-03-19T21:32:00.000-04:00

I needed to wait for the spackle on the walls to thoroughly dry before I “washed” them so I decided to go ahead and plan out the floor. The kit came with a 12x12 piece of 3/8 inch thick MDF meant to be used for the floor. I will be making a base for this so I can meld it to the house but for now, I wanted to plan and layout something for the inside of the Conservatory.

I really dislike MDF…I’d rather use Gator board or even the paper-covered foamcore from the Dollar Store than deal with MDF. But since it was the material included, I bit the bullet and forged on.

There are two reasons why I hate MDF. First, it is heavy. Second, it warps…badly. It just sucks up any available moisture if not sealed. I used a coat of white glue to seal the little bit of MDF used on the walls but this was a large piece and I was looking for quick and easy.

I did have some spray sealer by Deft that I’ve used before but I didn’t want to set up the spray booth in the garage. I also happened upon some acrylic matte medium so I decided to see what happened if I brushed that on.

I slathered a light coat of it on both sides and all four edges and let it dry. I dried really quickly and left a slightly rough texture on the board. .. and no warping noted! I thought the “tooth” left from the matte medium might help whatever I used for flooring stick better.

I set the dry fitted Conservatory walls on the base and penciled in the interior. I only wanted the inside done; I was planning something else for the exterior. I was looking through my stash of faux marble tiles and brick stenciling kits when I heard a “tsk….”

“The inside of the Titania’s Conservatory is flagstone…like she saw in old castles on her trip to England as a child. I thought you knew…..”

I turned with a question but Hester had flounced off… I meant to ask about color. I am sure she will advise me in time. Hopefully before I start painting.

So flagstone it is.

I didn’t have any Creative Paperclay and though it is readily available in the US, I didn’t want to make the trip into town to get some. I did have some white DAS air drying clay, however, which I bought at Michaels when my UK friends said Creative PaperClay was nearly impossible to get over there. I’d wanted to see if this stuff was comparable. It certainly is cheaper. It is made in Italy, which was all the information I could get off the package as it was all in languages other than English.

It comes in a 1 kilo (2.2 lb) package. I had the “white” , though I would have called it grey...also comes in terra cotta. It is much heavier and denser than Creative PaperClay but it is not as sticky. It has a more leathery feel.

I tried rolling it out as I do PaperClay but it took more elbow grease.

I think it would have run nicely through the pasta machine which I will do if I use it again. It also doesn’t “seam” as nicely as PaperClay does if you are piecing it…which I had to do for the floor.

Before I applied it, I brushed Elmer’s Glue All inside the pencil line.

A lot of people don’t glue their air dry clay to the substrate but that is how I was taught to do it. I think it helps with the shrinkage, though I didn’t notice much with this product. I rolled it out to 1/8 inch thick on my rolling board.

When it was all in place, I spritzed it lightly with water and covered it with a damp paper towel. As I worked, I folded the towel back, bit by bit. I didn’t notice much premature drying except at the very edges.

I used the same tools as I use for PaperClay. The DAS is a little stiffer so I had to press a little harder but otherwise they all worked fine.

It took a lot longer to totally dry than PaperClay. I can usually paint PaperClay within 12 hours but this is going to be a good 24 hrs before I can do that.

The only cracking was where I had to seam it and only slightly. I filled that in with some lightweight spackle. I don’t yet know if will be apparent when painted.

Like PaperClay, it will shrink away from a cut edge. See where I made the groove a little deeper than I should have…where I didn’t cut through, the edges of the “flagstone” are fine.

I used about ½ of the package for the floor and sealed the rest in aluminum foil and put it in a freezer grade ziplock bag. I can usually “freshen up” PaperClay “ that has gotten dry but I don’t know if that will work with this clay. The fact that it didn’t seam that well using water makes me think that it won’t. But sometime, I’ll try an experiment to see.

Overall, I like this product. Despite it’s odd smell when wet (I can only describe as the smell emitted by working machinery…like ozone..), it is a pretty good substitute for Creative PaperClay. It was much less drying to my hands and required little clean-up as it really didn’t stick to my tools as PaperClay usually does.

But I will still use PaperClay, depending on the project. PaperClay is much lighter when dry.

I should be ready to paint both the “stucco” wall and these flagstones by tonight but unless I get word from “herself”, I’m a little nervous about the color of the flagstone.

I’m sure I’ll get it wrong and never hear the end of it….

Later,

Tabitha

Conservatory Walls

2011-03-17T16:45:00.001-04:00

I was quite pleased with the windows so I put them aside to tackle the walls again.

According to Hester, Titania was an accomplished musician at an early age. She played both the piano and violin. The piano was kept in the ballroom (...really MUST find out where that ballroom is...) but she often practiced violin in the Conservatory amongst the ferns, orchids and other tropical plants, not to mention the odd parrot or two. Her adoring father spent a fortune importing the exotic flora and fauna…. Strangely enough, most of them survived during the time the Conservatory was closed and are still flourishing.

Note to self: search Internet for miniature tropical plant kits; employ elves to make up kits.

Better yet, find plants already made…

Since this conservatory will be more “greenhouse” in flavor, I decided the exterior and interior lower walls would best be finished in the same way. The exterior would, of course, be more aged and dirtier than the interior.

After considering stone/brickwork, using either paperclay or egg cartons, I settled on a “stucco” look using light weight spackling compound.

I used Patch ‘N Paint, which is the store brand for the local Ace Hardware store but I have used Fast ‘N Final by DAP which is exactly the same thing. I am sure other manufacturers have their own label. This can be found in the Paint aisle of any hardware store.

It has the consistency of buttercream frosting and is very easy to work with. If it gets a little dry, small amounts of water can be added to loosen it up. I used it white, straight out of the container but it can easily be colored with powdered tempra paint or even grated chalk. Using liquid paint to color it can thin it out too much so be careful if you do this.

I wanted to seal the substrate (MDF) so it wouldn’t warp as the spackle dried. MDF has a tendency to absorb water so I first brushed on a light coat of full strength white glue (PVA) and let it dry.

I whipped up the spackle with a rubber kitchen spatula and applied it to the appropriate areas with a palette knife. I tried various means of texturing (small brush, etc.) but the tip of an old dull kitchen knife worked the best.

IMPORTANT: If you are NOT using disposable tools, be sure to wash up your tools before the spackle hardens.

First I coated all the exterior walls and then, when that was set, I turned them all over and coated the interior walls. I will wait a full 24 hours for this material to cure before I paint/age it. I am sorry these photos are not rotated properly but I think you can still get the idea.

The magazine article I reference way back at the beginning also employed a stucco medium for the outside walls only. A combination of premixed grout and tub/tile caulk was used. I cannot speak to how well the grout/caulk mixture worked or the ease of application but I’d guess it was fine. The pre-painted embellishments used on that project were applied right on top of the stucco.

I had some tub caulk but no premixed grout. However,I did have the light weight spackle. Since I’d used it before, I felt comfortable with it in this application. I vowed to complete this project using only what I had/have on hand.

Later,

Tabitha

Conservatory Windows and Roof Glazing

2011-03-07T12:43:00.002-05:00

I discovered a bit more about the mysterious Titania today...

She was the original owner’s much adored and doted upon youngest child and only daughter.There were two brothers, considerably older and out of the house when she came along. She died at age 22 during a Spanish Flu epidemic, according to the family bible (kindy delivered to my studio by Hester). And her father followed not long after. I didn’t see anything about her two brothers. Or the current DeBellows…. Hester had “things to do” so I got no further information and I returned, even more curious, to my work...

I took a break from the Conservatory walls, mainly because I couldn’t decide what to do about the lower panels on the inside but also because I was disappointed in the way the walls were resistant stain in many places, due to sloppy gluing at the factory.

I had removed all the windows… and they were just laying there whining, “Me next! Me next!”… What choice did I have??

I wanted to achieve a leaded glass look and initially thought to do away with the grids altogether and use lead or copper tape directly on the Plexi. However, that proved to be a little dicey for a number of reasons. The biggest concern was the loss of the stability of the frame. After several false starts, I chose to use the suggestion in the magazine article I referenced at the beginning and cut out only certain parts of the mullions.

The author of that tutorial used a craft knife to do the job but I stumbled upon something I’ve had around for a while. It’s the coolest little saw blade that fits into an Exacto handle.

Worked like silk off a spool! Only required a bit of touch up sanding. One of the things that happened when I tried the craft knife was that the pressure required to make the cut usually pushed the mullion right out of the frame at one attachment point or another, causing splintering.

I had copper tape left from an old stained glass project, so I tried wrapping the mullions and frames with it, in an effort to get that leaded glass look.

However, I quickly realized that the “time cost” required to cover each tiny bit and then age the copper was not equal to the outcome. In other words, it wasn’t going to look any better than if I painted them…as I had done to the roof assemblage.

If you ever make this kit, I have one word of advice concerning the windows. Before you remove them, mark where each came from. Saves a lot of time refitting because even though they might look the same…they are not.

I gave each window (including all four sides of each and every mullion…) a watered down coat of a terra cotta craft paint, except on the sides which will be glued to the inside recess of the window openings in the walls. I think the terra cotta made a good base for the faux finish.

After that coat dried thoroughly, I re-sanded each and every little mullion. Fussy, but necessary for a smooth appearance. I have this wonderful set of sanding sticks/detailers I picked up at a local woodworking shop, WoodCrafters. It is a chain store. Four different grits with replaceable belts. Great tool for miniaturists who work with wood.

After the sanding, I turned my attention to the exterior side of the window. The Plexi sets into the recess and covers this surface, so technically, it is not exposed. Yet, it would still darken over time. Except for the outer edges which are covered by the exteriors walls, all window exteriors were given a wash of metallic copper which was then dulled slightly with a heavier wash of burnt sienna, followed by a light sanding when dry.

Then I concentrated on the more time consuming interior portion of the frames.

This surface, though exposed to the warmth and humidity of the Conservatory, was lovingly cared for while Titania was alive so it did not age in the way the exterior “copper” surfaces did.

(As with many victims of the Spanish Flu epidemic, she was alive and healthy one morning and dead by the next day. Her grief stricken father ordered the Conservatory sealed, just as she had left it. And so it stayed until after Aloysius’ death several years later. Livy re-opened it and the copper windows were cleaned. Unfortunately, Hester is stretched too thin to keep up with it these days and Sir Kendrick can’t be bothered.)

When copper sheeting ages, it first loses the shine, then it darkens in an uneven pattern and only after much exposure does the green patina begin to form. This also does not occur in an even way and is often quite streaky.

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to watch a natural copper roof age on the new Science bldg at the local community college. Because of our high humidity and salt air, it didn’t take long for the roof to darken and the patina to form.

The interior of the windows took six layers of finish. First a general terra cotta wash, then a darker burnt sienna “over-wash”, some burnt sienna “low lights” (patches of darker color), a wash of the green patina color and then areas of darker patina.

I wanted a final layer with just a hint of the original luster so I used mica powders in copper and green. These are meant for use on raw polymer clay or stamping but by applying the “perfect medium” first, included with the powders, it will stick to almost any surface. When it was dry, a light buffing with a soft cloth brought out the warm glow.

The window on the left is treated with the mica powders. The one on the right is not.

This will need a spray of clear coat to become permanent.

The glazing beams for the roof received a coat of metallic copper, a heavy wash of burnt sienna and several heavy washes of the patina. They are totally exposed and would have aged naturally. I am thinking of using some of the green patina mica powder on these beams also. One board was turned over so you can see the first step in the process.

The next time you see all these roofing pieces they will be assembled into the roof structure. The instructions in the kit call for leaving this as a cover which can be removed for access. Based on my dry fit, I am not sure how this can be accomplished….

Later...

Tabitha

Moving right along....

2011-02-28T09:27:00.002-05:00

As I mentioned in the previous post, I wanted some aged looking finishes on this Conservatory but I didn’t especially want to paint it. So I tried my own concoction of stain.

I took 4 parts of Minwax Pickled Oak and ½ part of Ebony and brushed the grayish mixture on the inside and outside of the pre-fab walls of the building, after removing the doors and windows. I didn’t apply it to the MDF panels. I will use some sort of stucco effect on the outside and I am not yet sure what I’ll try for the inside.

I think the Pickling stain is meant to be wiped off but I left it to soak in. The mixture made more of a bluer gray than I wanted so I think I’ll have to go over it all with a greenish wash of some sort. Also, the pre-fab walls had some glue smoosh that I was not aware of so didn’t go on evenly in some spots. You might be able to see that in the photos…

Since it is meant to be a rather neglected looking building, I will probably cover many of those areas with moss and/or vines but I won’t be able to get away with that indoors. I may have to paint inside after all….

I did not stain any of the roof assemblage because I am planning to somehow "copperize" that all. Covering ot with copper foiling, such as is used for satined glass work is an option but I think I will probably go with a faux finish for those.

For those of you interested in what a finished product might look like, Jo Bevilacque of Spencer’s Nook has a three part article in Dollhouse Miniatures staring in Nov/Dec 09 issue. She shows both a painted one and a stained one in her very unique style. I will use some of her suggestions but I don’t care for a lot of the embellishments. She has some good information on process when building from a kit, though, so it is worth taking a look if you have access to the magazines.

For example, I like the large base for the Conservatory. She used it to hide the electrical. I will need to raise mine up some to meld it properly with the house so I will also be building a base, though I will not use 2”x4” lumber. I think that will be too heavy for my purposes. I will used some sort of foam covered with … well, I’ve yet to decided what it will be covered with but the sides of the Conservatory base will match the sides of the base of the house. I never did finish that part. We’ll see.

While I was staining, Hester, the housekeeper, materialized. I swear that woman is like smoke…

“You know,” she said. “The conservatory was a special present to Titania…”
“Isn’t that a character from Midsummer Night’s Dream?” I asked, trying not to sound too inquisitive.
“Tis… they loved the theatre”.
“They?...” This was like getting information from a teen-ager.
“Aloysius and Livy. They often held performances in the ballroom..”

Ballroom??!! Where the heck was the ballroom…?? I’d have to look into that…later.

“ and Titania?” I asked.
“Why, their only daughter. I thought you knew….”

When I didn’t hear anything more for a few minutes, I looked up from my work. There was nothing left but a bit of misty haze where she had been standing…

Later…

Tabs

And so it begins...

2011-02-27T14:33:00.001-05:00

…or at least that’s that plan…

Remember that rather larger dollhouse I posted a bit ago? The one that I’ve virtually ignored for years? Where the outside is sort of complete but the inside isn’t? The one I’ve decided to “make over” or “move out”?

Yea…that one…

After careful thought and consideration, I have created a story, and therefore, a new theme for the house. Someone had suggested a more Old European look. I was intrigued by that but no clue how or where to begin except that the outside had to change completely for the inside to work.

First, the back-story...

The owner of if the house is a gentleman…Sir Kendrick Aloysius DeBellows. I don’t yet know a lot about him. His age is uncertain, as is his occupation.

Though there are children in the house, they are not his. He is not married now nor has he ever been. It is unclear how he came to be the owner of the house but it is believed to be inherited.

The children (2) and house are cared by a somewhat batty housekeeper who seems to be “part” of the house. She has much knowledge of its history when she chooses to reveal it.

The house itself is a picture of shabby bygone elegance. There is no staff besides the housekeeper and DeBellows is too preoccupied to see the need for any.

..That’s all I know at the moment.

Back to the house. Before jumping right into a major …hugely major…redo, I thought I might try my ideas out on a bit smaller scale. Years ago, I purchased the Conservatory kit from Houseworks with the plan to add it to the side of the dollhouse. I even cut out the exiting window of the house for French doors to accommodate the addition.

Never happened. I almost brought it to the last miniature show to try and sell it off but left home without it.

I looked at today and said, “hey, why not?” The plan is to use the Conservatory as a sort of guinea pig, trying out the different ideas I have in mind for the house and see how it might all work out.

I opened the kit, sorted the pieces, read the directions, took some measurements and made some notes. I have seen these kits done up in so many different ways…even saw one example where two kits were attached back to back for a stunning result.

The architectural style of the original house kit is Italianate. I’m thinking stucco, stone and subtle grays, greens and verdigris/ copper.

I’ll keep you posted as things develop…

Later

Tabitha

The Scribe

2011-02-09T13:50:00.001-05:00

My newest project based on this painting which appears on the cover of a book called

"Scribes and Illuminators" by Christopher Hamel.

Despite surfing the web, I haven't been able to determine who the artist was but I was inspired by the image.

Here is my interpretation...

The chair has been aged and distressed and

covered with reclaimed blue leather.

The stack of reference books can be removed from the chair but they are attached to each other.

The fabric bag filled with completed scrolls can also be removed from the chair back and the scrolls can be removed from the bag if desired.

The table has also been aged and distressed.

The scribe has extra blank scrolls and inkpots

at hand and a piece he is currently working on.

There are finished manuscripts under the table

and the key to the scriptorium.

All the items are permanently attached to the table.

A close up of the left side of the table shows the illuminated candle and the magnifier used to intensify the candlelight. This can be plugged or wired directly into dollhouse or roombox wiring.

A close-up of the right side of the table shows the multiple colored inks used in the process,

including a special container for the gilding ink.

I will be offering this for table and chair for sale at the Orlando Miniature show this weekend.

If I still have it on Monday morning, I will be listing it on Etsy.

I've been thinking about this project for a while and I had a lot of fun putting it all together.

I hope you all enjoyed seeing it!

Later...

Tabitha

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen....

2011-02-04T08:43:00.000-05:00

...or at least, their hats! :-)

Here's a quick (and unedited) photo of the hats I made for next weeks show. The two I made last time were snapped up quickly and people came back asking for them so I thought I put together a few more.

They are all made from leather and do have "hardware" in the back as well. Goggles are not removable.

...and this is one of the many reasons why I haven't finished the dollhouse...

Tabitha

A new challenge...?

2011-02-03T14:32:00.002-05:00

I realized I haven't put anything on my blog in a while. I've been working on getting ready for the Orlando Miniature show next week and, while I have been trying to keep up with what others are up to, I haven't found time to update.

So today's the day.

Here's my first (and really, only) dollhouse. and, yes, I do realize it is still decorated for Christmas....
(The pictures should get larger if you click on them.)

I bought it as a kit when Matt was 8 months old. Some of you may recognize it as the Real Good Toys "Bostonian". For some reason, back then, I wanted a REALLY big dollhouse. I figured, why not? How hard could it be? HA!

It has a side entrance and I cut out a window on the opposite for French doors. The plan was for a garden or conservatory. I purchased the Conservatory from Houseworks but it is still in the box. I actually don't think it will fit without a lot of kit-bashing. Plus the cabinet it is currently on just fits so I'd have to look for a longer table. I am displaying it as a "wall" between my living room and the entrance to our bedroom area. We have a pretty open floor plan and this allows the house to be seen easily from both sides.

Here is the view from the back. You'll notice the rather sophisticated dust cover hastily thrown back :-)

You will also probably notice that it is not done. As a matter of fact, it is so not done that I've been considering getting rid of it. But who'd want a half-done dollhouse? Here are some close ups:

This supposed to be the "parlour". I moved the lefthand wall over a bit to make room for a larger staircase (which never quite happened) and decided to make it a dining room/parlour combo...with the French doors out to the garden...or whatever. I have a lovely cherry artisan made dining set to put in the front near the windows but, alas, it is still in the box. Never could find any suitable parlour furniture. Sigh...

This was called the Dining Room but because I had other plans, I made this the Kitchen. It is one of only two rooms I consider sort of "done". I do like the blue furniture... it was made by the same man who made the dining room furniture. There is a round topped table behind the work table with two pretty rush-seated chairs and the cute little high chair.

For some reason, I am missing the close up of the room to the right of this one. No loss...it isn't done... It was designated as the Kitchen but, of course, I already had one so I'd thought it could be the gentleman's office with a private entrance. Maybe he was a doctor... or a lawyer? Or something more exciting...?

This room was called the Master Bedroom and I did sort of keep it that but....then I decided to cut out the arch which is just visible on the left. It has a pretty grille work in it whic you probably can't see too well. Of course, that created a problem for me regarding a "door". And certainly one would want a door on a bedroom. Still haven't solved the problem. One isn't commercially made to fit the opening so I'd have to make it. While I am sure that I could do so (the wall isn't permanently in yet), I obviously am procrastinating.

Mmmm...maybe it could be a ballroom? Or something....else.

On the other side of the hallway is another room designated Bedroom.

I could be considered "done" except for window trim and treatment. I was holding off as I was told that window treatments hang much better if there is no trim. Jury is still out on that but, in the meantime...not done. Except for my Gail Steffey leather wing chair, I don't "love" any of this furniture. I bought the bed already dressed. It was inexpensive and I thought it was pretty at the time. It still is pretty but..... The armoire is nice and would look great all dressed out...if I ever got around to it.

To the right of the above is a room I thought would be a nice Nursery.

Because of the layout of the house, this room (and the "Office" below it) is much deeper than the rooms next to it. To cut down on the tunnel-effect, I built the shelves in at the front. I wanted a light above the window but since it was an after-thought and I didn;t plan for it when I wired the house, I haven't devised a way to hide the wiring...bleh. And again, no window trim as no ideas for curtains.

On to the third floor.

Way on the right, over the Master bedroom, is a room with an odd shaped ceiling and a window to a balcony. It said Boy's room to me...I could just envision his 10 year old self crawling out the window to look at the stars with his telescope.

But the wainscoating was a disappointment and really needs to be removed (somehow) so I never went further with it. Truthfully, it upsets me to even look at it.

Across the hall is the Bath. Or at least that is what I decided it was.... :-)

It is the only really room I consider "Done", even thought it is missing door trim on the right. That trim is all cut and ready to install as soon as I decide what to do with the hallway next to it. I love the Victorian bath fixtures. Like the Boys room, it has an oddly shaped front wall (due to the mansard) so I built a small knee-wall and "tiled" it like the floor (which is actually wallpaper). The biggest problem with this room is furniture placement due to the opposing doors, especially the door to the left.

Yea...that door the left leads to yet another BEDROOM!!!. See, there are way too many bedrooms here and I'm thinking it's a little BORRRINGGG>>>>

Whew...anyway...here is the FOURTH bedroom. I guess it is nearly done also except for the window and door trim. But I don't think I could stand another bedroom in this house.

Any suggestions??? A library? Anyone???

Oh yes....this is the "Attic"...a small, windowless room to the left of the one above... A room for junque!

And the Hallways..... no stairs...but a single French door leading out to the front balcony.

So there you have it. A house that has been sadly ignored for almost 17 years while I did "other" miniature stuff. While I keep on doing other miniature stuff. I have to ask myself "why?". I think because I just don't like the style of this house. It is way too Pretty....starting with the outside. I thought I liked the idea of a Painted Lady. I cannot tell you the hours I spent painting the window trim in THREE colors. But now I really don't. It's all too clean, too precise, too....stuffy.

I am thinking of a major renovation and transformation, employing all the techniques I've learning over these 17 years. Starting with the outside.

The style of the house is somewhat Italianate..and I'd like to get rid of the clapboard (which was only milled into the plywood anyway) and the color. The roof and shingles are good. They can stay, but the rest is HISTORY!!

Stay tuned.... I'm off to do research!

Tabitha

Steampunk Collection

2011-01-14T15:03:00.000-05:00

I know it has been quite awhile since I last posted anything on this blog but I have been busy, busy, BUSY!

I made a 1/24 room box for my sister for Christmas (subject of another post) and that took so much time ... it is not my favorite scale to work with, mainy because of the difficulty finding accessories.

But I digress...

This Sunday is the Sarasota Miniature show and I wanted to show you the Steampunk items I've made to offer for sale. Some of you may recall that I have a rather large, and unfinished, "dungeon" type room box. After much thought, I have decided it would make the perfect workshop for a Steampunk inventor. It all started when I saw Lorraine's Steampunk wand...which I snapped even before the paint was dry. It really was my inspiration for the entire room.

In line with that, I thought I'd gather a collection of Steampunk items for the show. I have several clocks, some Tesla Electric Current devices, magnifiers and, of course, the zany leather top hats, complete with goggles!

I'll be quiet now and just let you look at the pictures....

Later...

Tabitha

Glitter house redeux...

2010-12-11T19:11:00.000-05:00

As charming as the pink glitter house was, I thought the colors just weren't right for the red and green hutch.

So I made a little red school house by modifiying the orignal pattern just slightly. (I'm not selling this so please, Martha Stewart, don't sue me...)

It is just barely 1 inch high to the top of the bell tower.

The tree is a chenille stem that I attempted to trim into a conical shape. I might try trimming it with some tiny beads if I can find them in my stash and they turn out to be the right colors.....

I used white ultrafine glitter over everything....it looks much better in person, really...

I think it looks much better with the rest of the decorations than the pink house which I am sure I will find a suitable place for...eventually. Righ now, it is residing in the Christmas Conservatory, though I already have one there so it cannot stay. It will have to find a place of it's own in time...as must we all.

In case I don't have a chance to say it later...

Merry Christmas one and all!

Tabs

Mini Club Christmas Swap.....

2010-12-08T10:28:00.001-05:00

...oh wait...! This wasn't even on my list! Oy....sigh..

But I am happy to show it to you all because it is, in fact, one of the few things I've actually finished lately.

I am new to this club and still feeling my way around. Instead of a meeting, they have a Christmas Party in December, hosted by one of the long-standing members. And there is a gift swap.

So this is what I decided to make.

It's a simple Michael's cabinet that I shabbied up a bit with a wedgewood green paint and then dry-brush with pale gold. I changed out the knobs on the non-opening drawer and added some laser-cut trim to the corners. The word "Presents" is from the scrapbook store, the red sparkly tree used to be a green flocked bottle brush tree that I beached and glittered and decorated with some gold beads.

I filled the shelves with one of the candles I made, some wrapped "pressies", a plate of bonbons from the dozens made for Alice's party, Christmas cards, and the sweetest little glitter house from a reduced Martha Stewart pattern.

(I have several little houses from Carol at true2scale that I've still to put together but that is for another post).

I am rather proud of the tree ornaments hanging from the knobs and shelf. They are made from beads.

I like the free-standing pieces I make to look interesting from all angles. Here is the back of this one...

The picture and border came on a large punch-out page with several others fromt he scrapbook store. It was from this I chose the colors for the cabinet and accessories.

It also serves to cover up the wires from the LEDs... This little cabinet lights up!

There is a 1.8mm LED in the corners of the upper shelves. These are 3 volt bulbs and are connected to a nickel-sized lithium coin battery tucked neatly away under the cabinet. The little white "thing" on the bottom is the switch which works so smoothly...like silk off a spool!

I had to add an apron, front and back, to hide the battery pack so I used my coping saw to replicate the decorative work from the top.

I think it turned out well and I hope whoever gets it at the party likes it.....

Now....back to work!

Tabs

The Christmas Cottage....

2010-12-07T21:02:00.001-05:00

Today, I sent my mother a Christmas card with this picture on it. If you don't recognize it, it is one of Thomas Kincade's Christmas cottages. I absolutely fell in love with it when I saw this card.

I want it.....in miniature of course. So I decided that I am going to make one. Or one similar to this. I have, for a long while now, planned on a Toy Shop (or something like that) and I think this would be a lovely Elves Workshop. I just love the big leaded window..the stone work..the timbers. Beautiful.

Anyway...I am going to do it.

Right after I finish my sister's Christmas present....and Prof. Pymm's Study....and the crazy inventor's lab (yet to be named)...and the Ruins of Camelot...

And do a blog post about LEDs....and an "Ask Tabitha" post about several things people have brought up..

And then there's the 200 followers give-away post....and the one about the lighted cabinet....

Mmmmm.....I am really going to have to get a girl in here to do all my other work so I can just concentrate on mini's.

Fat chance....

But before I do anything else, I really must get the ornaments on my tree. I should have done that yesterday but I spent the day "sanitizing" my hubby's office. He rarely allows anyone in there to tidy up never mind vacuum or dust so I had to strike while I could. Today I was taken up with laundry and God's knows what else...the day just flew by.

Tomorrow doesn't look too good either...sigh....

I'll keep you posted.

Tatty Tabitha

PS: Just the other day, I was referred to as a "scrappy renegade" so I guess I can add that title to the list....

Books!

2010-10-25T12:45:00.000-04:00

Check out the new Mini Q&A! You Can't Tell a Book by it's Cover...

New Q&A.....

2010-10-17T12:13:00.002-04:00

....Ask Tabitha

Wives.....

2010-10-12T07:02:00.000-04:00

...as in Merry Wives of Windsor...

For those of you who were interested in the costumes, here's a sampling from last Fall's production of this lesser known Shakespearian farce.

.....there's always one actor who seems to show up in every picture....

The boys were great sports, agreeing to the tights and knee-britches!

The last one here is my darling son....all 6ft 3 of him!

I'll make a point of getting some of the current production. Wish I had thought to get some of Midsummer Night's Dream. The Fairy costumes were great...if I do say so myself. ;-)

Tabitha

Wow! 200.....

2010-10-11T09:23:00.000-04:00

I woke up this morning to discover that I have somehow acquired 200 followers.... This actually stuns and amazes me but it is a milestone and I will have a giveaway in the foreseeable future.

Watch for the announcement!

At the moment, I am busily constructing costumes for the local HS production of Thorton Wilder's "Our Town". Unlike last Spring, there is a huge cast and I have 30 actors to clothe, including shoes. Because the tech crew will be seen onstage throughout the performance, they must also be dressed for the period. 1901-1910. This has been, and will be for a while, taking up much of my creative time and energy. Performance is the w/e prior to Thanksgiving and I am taking the entire following week "off"..just for me.

Spring musical is Godspell....I think I am going to just open the doors to the Costume Shop and tell them all to just choose whatever they want to wear.....

Later....

New post on the Q&A Blog!

2010-10-10T15:42:00.000-04:00

Go have a look!

Ask Tabitha

Yum!

2010-10-05T21:10:00.001-04:00

So this morning I decided (Lord knows why...) to try to make some miniature cherry turnovers. I went to the bakery and purchased a lovely turnover to use as a model.

Things went fairly well until I dropped the box of pastels whilst looking for the ochre. Spent over an hour cleaning up, sorting and re-packing pastels. Apparently AlphaColors' idea of magenta is a far cry from mine...

But back to the bakery.....

I managed to produce 6 tiny turnovers with which I am fairly happy.

I would like for them to be puffier so I guess I'll have to spend a little more time "fluffing" the next batch. I also discovered that I can use the red Gallery Glass for the filling before appling and baking the icing. It "cooks" quickly to the shiny red color and then I can tuck the filling under the icing a little easier. Next time I'll do that first.

I still have to figure out what to use to make the pastry itself shiny like the real thing. My pastry is a little dull. I could paint on some of the Fimo gloss but then I'd have to be really careful not to get it on the icing. I am going to see if using the gloss first, letting it dry, then icing and baking will have any adverse effects on the gloss. It is such a low temperature that I don't think so but we'll have to see.

This was kind of fun but more futzy than I like to work, though perhaps I'd get faster with time. This easily took me the better part of the day.....not counting the pastel problem.

And yes....when I finished with the photograph, Matt and I shared the pastry. Delish!

Tabitha

New Blog on the Block... "Ask Tabitha"

2010-10-02T08:20:00.001-04:00

Yep....I volunteered to mind the Miniature Q&A blog after Nikki sent out the request.

Ask Tabitha

Have a look. All the previous questions and information are there, too!

Plan to start with new question late Sunday evening (EDT).

Soooo.....anyone have a question??? I have a few I've garnered from previous comments. No pressure :-)

Just needed to add that, while I moderate this new blog, it is in no way MINE. It is for everyone to participate in by way of the comment section....which is the only way folks can post, unfortunately.

Tabs

Bella!

2010-10-01T14:05:00.000-04:00

She just flew in and I love her to death!

A few weeks ago, I asked the remarkable Kristy from Mini Menagerie if she would consider making a girl vampire bat. Clearly she was up to the task because Miss Bella arrived today and is absolutely fabulous!

Don't you just love her little pink bow? Reminds me of Dolores Umbridge.

I have introduced her to Mud Grumpus, the Forest Troll (anyone remember him??) and they are getting along quite famously. As of fact, they seem quite taken with each other. Mud has invited Bella to go trick or treating with him this Halloween. He already has his "treat" bucket at hand.

...sigh...I think this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship....

Go figure...

Thanks again, Kristy!

Tabitha

Patience.....

2010-10-01T08:14:00.002-04:00

....is not a virtue I have a good relationship with...

Ahem... If a certain fellow miniaturist does not soon post pictures of a certain miniature item recently acquired, then I believe I shall positively explode with the anticipation.....

OK...go to Kate's blog to see what I'm whining about...

Whittakers Minis

Tabs

Newest Projects

2010-09-16T18:02:00.002-04:00

Hi All! Here is a sample of some of the things I've been making for the Winter shows here in Florida.

I made a dozen or so of these book stacks with the glass ink well. I really like how they turned out. I think they would look nice in an 18th Century setting, though they could be used for a Medieval library, too. They have paper pages which open, but are blank, and are covered with scrapbook paper and some leather.

I had made a Hookah for my Alice project (someday I'll get a caterpillar) and got several requests for one so I made the orders and a few more while I was at it. The two customers both have Tobacconist Shops.

Speaking of books, I also made a few singles and stacks that would be appropriate for a Wizard or Witch. These have paper pages (blank) and are covered in leather.

I will probably not put any of these in my Etsy shop until after the shows but if anything catches your eye, just send me a message and I'd be happy to arrange a sale for any of my followers.

The most exciting thing to report is that I just finished a special request for a fellow blogger and it will be on it's way by the weekend. But I will let her have the fun of revealing it when she receives it!

Now back to work....

Edited to add....while I usally cut my own quill feathers, those two you see pictured here are from my lovely friend Nikki. She always sends some little extra thing in her packages and these were the latest. I hope she is happy I put them to good use!

Tabitha

The Butterfly Effect....

2010-09-03T11:04:00.000-04:00

Butterfly Effect

Please read this....

Just DO it.....

Insanity Chairs, Part 2

2010-07-30T12:58:00.000-04:00

Remember these?

I ended up selling the pink one (my personal favorite) at the recent miniature show and have decided to offer the other two for sale on my Etsy shop.

Both started off as rather ordinary, cast-off dollhouse chairs which I shabbied and re-upholstered and embellished. Very whimsical.

They looked quite nice around Alice's table. I am going to make her something else.

You can take a closer look at the blue and the gold chairs here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/tabithacorsica

Tabitha

Bonbons anyone?

2010-07-29T12:47:00.000-04:00

Available now in my etsy shop

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52587970/assorted-miniature-chocolate-candies

I actually had quite a few more to offer but Kate and another customer got to the store before the paint had time to dry on the sign.... lol

Not to worry. I'll have some more ready in a day or two.

As you can see, I have been busy making candy so, at the moment, I am able to do some custom orders for anyone who wants something in particular. Just e-mail me.

In the meanwhile, I have a lovely plate of tea cookies with pale pink icing and silver sprinkles.

Or some Halloween treats. October will be here before we know it!

Later,

Tabitha

Recovering.....

2010-07-28T07:50:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note to say that I am back from the weekend show and sale and finally (somewhat) recovered.

For some reason, I find these events incredibly stressful, though I am not sure why. My darling son does all the driving, hauling, packing and unpacking of the car and much of the big set up (tables and such). He fetches refreshment and takes pictures and never once complains about how tedious and boring I am sure it is for him. Most teenagers would not be so agreeable....he is a real gem, this one!

Attendance was better than last year which helped sales. Recieved many, many wonderful compliments on the Alice Project. Though it only garnered a second place ribbon, it was featured in the Entertainement section of the local morning newspaper. Debie's White Rabbit was a major hit with browsers and I could have sold him a dozen times over. Yay Debie! :-)

I still have some of the candies and a few "Insanity Chairs" which I will be offering for sale on my Etsy shop tomorrow, Thursday. Not sure what time but I'll post a blog message when I do. I've been spending the last two days (plus today) tending to everything I neglected while working on things for the show but I'll be back to mini's by the weekend.

Tabitha

Life is like a box of chocolates.....

2010-07-20T18:02:00.002-04:00

Alice was complaining that there were no fancy candies on the table.....

...cupcakes, cookies, petit fours and a great big cake. But no bonbons.

I hadn't been able to find anything except Christmas or Halloween candy and that didn't seem right. But since I was dismissed from serving Jury Duty, I had some time and decided to try my hand at candy. I had made it in real life and felt I was up to the task.

As in real life, miniature "hand dipped chocolates" are not particularly difficult to make but they are incredibly fussy.

I am quite happy with the results. I am taking them with me to the Lakeland Show this weekend. If they don't sell there, I think I'll put them in my etsy shop on Monday.

Should have put a ruler or something in for scale....drats. The larger "plates" are 7/8 inch and the smaller are 5/8 inch.

I wish they were real....I need a chocolate.

Tabitha

Absolutely Alice

2010-07-20T15:42:00.000-04:00

I know there are a lot of Alice in Wonderland fans following here so when I came across this amazing piece today, I just had to share.

The dolls are not miniature....as a matter of fact, this particular artist seems to specialize in almost life-size sculpted dolls...but they are a delight to see.

I contacted the artist and she graciously gave permission to post the picture and link to her site.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51832901/ooak-alice-in-wonderland-vignette-tea

I found it on esty but the artist, Karen Vander Logt, also has a website.

http://www.karenvanderlogt-artdolls.com/index.htm

Go check it out.

Tabitha

Mail Call!!

2010-07-16T13:32:00.000-04:00

He's here! How freaking adorable is this?? Just arrived today, this wonderful hedgehog by uniquely talented Kristy Taylor (aka Fiver) from MiniMenagerie. I luvs hims....

http://minimenagerie.blogspot.com/

...and so does Alice who has gotten him nicely situated at the Tea Party. Thank you so much, Kristy, not only for your beautiful work but for getting him completed and here so quickly.

I have received a few others things in the mail lately which I have neglected to share with you all. Got several items for Prof. Pimms' study.

Above are two pieces of turned betel nut and ebony from Mike Rowe. The little lids come off.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MikeRowe

Next are two urns by Gary Lankford from Wee Woodshoppe. The are made from red and black dymondwood. http://www.etsy.com/shop/weewoodshoppe

I also was quick on the "buy" button when Nikki Rowe from Witch and Wizard Miniatures was recently offering her newest batch of pumpkins! I got these two wonderful fellows and she included a few little goodies as usual. I just realized I also bought one of her witches brooms but neglected to take a photograph. It is already in Merlin's Retreat. :-) Visit her blog!
http://nikkinikkinikki72.blogspot.com/

Last, but in no way least, is the exquisite tea cozy I bought from Rosanna. It was one she had taken to SIMP but didn't sell. I am sooo pleased to have it! I immediately placed it into the very first roombox project I ever made....M'Lady's Boudoir where the table is set for tea...sort of. Right now there is a marble in the tea cozy to give it some body and I see there needs to be a larger table. But the colors are prefect for the room! Go visit her blog, too.

http://lastanzadigiuggiola.blogspot.com/

That's all for now...

Tabitha

....amazing wire trees....

2010-07-08T06:16:00.002-04:00

I don't know how many of you follow Ruthie's Blog, a fairie tale of inspration, but she has a link to some wire trees this morning and they are mind blowing!

http://a-faerietale-of-inspiration.blogspot.com/2010/07/kai-trees.html

Enjoy! I love her blog. She always has something beautiful and interesting to show almost every day.

Tabitha

Prof. Meradoch Emerson Pimms....

2010-07-07T08:26:00.004-04:00

....foremost Eygptologist, adventurer and detective....

Recently received the wonderful chair and ottoman from Kristy at 1 Inch Minis. She also included one of her "faux" rugs that she's been discussing on her blog. Beautiful work, Kristy! Emerson has determined that the chair is "quite servicable".

The Mission style desk came from Ron's dollhouse shop in Orlando. There is a chair to match.

This bookcase was a gift from my friend, Nikki Rowe (Witch and Wizard Miniatures). Empty now but soon to be filled!

I picked up this amazing old wooden birdcage at the Family Thrift Store for $7! I'm pretty sure a bird never lived here but Emerson has a parrot that he plans to bring along.

I'll promise I will try to keep you posted on the progress...

Tabitha

...Insanity Chairs...

2010-07-05T13:59:00.003-04:00

For anyone who is interested, I have posted some close-ups of the chairs I made especially for the tea party. They were just basic commericially produced chairs I got at the dollhouse shop....on sale. I painted and sanded and shabbied and reupholstered and embellished.....

And for anyone who had a problem getting a "big picture" visual of this project, I have included a (less than best quality....sorry...) photograph of the room box. The Tea Party takes place on the roof. The Entrance Garden is a short extension on the main box.

Tabitha

Curiouser and curiouser.....

2010-07-04T12:21:00.009-04:00

"But I don't want to go among mad people," said Alice.

"You can't help that." said the Cat. "We're all mad here...."

"Whooo are youuuu.....?" asked Absolem. "Not hardly Alice......"

"It's absolutely Alice!" cried the Hatter.

"Lost my "muchness," have I?" said Alice. "How's this for muchness!" ..... as she raised raised the Vorpal Sword and slew the Jabberwocky!

The Oraculum......the calendar of all the days in Underland...

...Fairfarren.....

Drats....! Read the post below this first....

2010-06-30T16:06:00.002-04:00

Oy! Can't believe this picture fell out of the sequence.....

Anyway.....it's the Hatter's worktable. I made a similar one to take to the July show to offer for sale. It has a Mad Hatter's hat instead of the lady's hat and the color scheme is a bit different. I made both tables...the legs are miniature spools. Appropriate, eh? The tiny spools of thread were wound onto Tiny Turnings; the larger spools were purchased and the ribbon wrapped 'round. The mirror was a give away prize from Kate Whitaker. All the lace flats were wound by hand and stacked on the shelf. The boxes are also from templates I found online.

Apparently lost this one as well....made the little upholstered bench. This is a good shot of one of Kat the Hat's primitive hats with the mushrooms. That is her steampunk hat on the window sill.

The Victorian mourning hat was made by Nancy Manders....I bought it in Chicago. I made the bride's hat and all the other's in here, including the little silk bags and the 2 parasols.

Hat boxes are from templates I got online...I traced them onto scrapbook paper. The hall tree/hat stand was an old piece that was repainted and "shabbied" for this project. The Queen of Hearts round table just sort of came together while I'll was playing with spools.

I hope I haven't forgotten anything....

Off to get ready for a tea party!

Later

Tabitha

Oh my ears and whiskers.......

2010-06-30T14:15:00.008-04:00

....it's getting very late! We must hurry!

Come.....follow me.....

We'll find the Hatter........

Perhaps in his workroom?

He's been hatter to the Court for a very long time.......

Ah.....there's his hat.....

He'd like you to join him for tea.....

But it IS getting very late......

Drink Me.......

....and don't forget the Key.....!

...or you won't be able to open the door!

See you on the other side....

Later,

Tabitha

The White Rabbit!

2010-06-30T10:14:00.003-04:00

Because he is sooo very special to me (and Alice!), I wanted to give a special post to the White Rabbit wonderfully made by our own Debie Lyons from

http://piskies-and-poppets.blogspot.com/

I've taken him from all angles, not only to show off all of his perfection but, sadly, to practice my photography skills. I cracked open the camera manual this morning and learned a few things from the basic section. Later, I'll move on the "advanced" section. Apparently this little camera has the ability to take fabulous pictures.....now it's up to the person behind the lens.

We'll see......

Later

Tabitha

Alice..........at last!!

2010-06-29T10:09:00.006-04:00

It seemed like a very ordinary English garden........

...unremarkable in every way, really....

.....until the Rabbit showed up.....

Woot! Well, here is, part 1 at least, of the Alice Project. I'll post additonal pictures of each section as I take them.....hopefully in some sort of order! And I'll explain about it as I go along. I have a few more detailed pictures of the entrance garden below but first and foremost is

The White Rabbit!!

Is he not the most amazing thing??!! Sculpted by none other than the fabulously talented Debie Lyons from http://piskies-and-poppets.blogspot.com/. Thank you again, Debie.....I LOVE him to pieces! In a later post, I will attempt to get some close ups so you can appreciate him more.

Below is a close up of the "sundial" thingy I made out of lamp parts and watchworks (I really don't have a very good name for it, do I?). The pansies were made from a kit I have had lying around for a bazillion years, likewise the poppies. There was not even a name on the package. The leaves for the poppies are laser cut ferns which came from ECI (no longer in business, apparently...you can see how long I've had some of this stuff...) The forsythia are simply natural broom bristles cover with color crumbled foam.

I have a daisy petal punch I purchased eons ago from the Mieth Co. A precision die cut tool that has lasted over 10 yrs and still punches just fine.

Those delphinium near the door are made following the recent tutorial from Nina of http://tudordollhouse.blogspot.com/2010/06/miniature-112-scale-delphinium-tutorial.html

I made mine in blue. I went back after and add tiny cream colored dots for the centers. I love the way they turned out. Thank you again for sharing that, Nina!

Stay tuned because as soon as the battery pack on my camera is recharged, I'll be back with more of the tour......

I think Alice will be following the White Rabbit through the door...

Later

Tabitha

Voila! Exhibit 1

2010-06-24T08:47:00.005-04:00

So I am calling this one "done" because sometimes you just have to...... It will become part of the Alice Project....the Hatter is pleased that at least he has someplace to park it now. :-D

While it is not exactly as I want it, I have learned a lot from the "doing" of it.

The upholstry was added because I did not like the looks of the ladderback of the chair....that worked out ok in the end, even though not planned. I am not pleased with the junctions of the trunk and branches and will work to make that transition smoother in Exhibit 2. I have some ivy that I may drape around the trunks of this one to disguise a few of the things that bother me.

I used an artist acrylic paint (in the tube) to coat the branches and that was ok but not perfect. Tallulah Belle suggested to try modeling paste which I am considering. If flexibility is not an issue, covering the wires with clay makes the best transition except I think it would be a little difficult to cover some of the thinner twigs and have them look thin. Nikki has suggested a type of thin, crimped spool wire which could hold the clay or paste better.

Thanks to everyone for their encouragement and suggestions.

I want to have a second try before I start on the "One". This time, I will make it (the chair) up as I go along rather than try to make it over an existing chair. I have a gazillion other things to do first....unfortunately...so I've made myself notes and hope I won't forget.

In the meanwhile, I'm putting all the last minute touches on the Alice Project....TG has agree to photograph tomorrow if I can get my act together by then.

And I didn't forget that bird's nest.....just have to make it....

Tabitha

Merlin's Throne..... in progress

2010-06-23T08:54:00.003-04:00

I wanted to try and give you all a better view of Merlin's Throne. This picture should pop up bigger if you poke it. If you recall the legends of Camelot, when Merlin was fed up with the world of men, he simply disappeared. Some say he was captured by the Lady of the Lake; in other stories, it is more voluntary. My friend wrote a story in which Merlin is brought back to modern times using his "Three Relics"....his staff, his cloak and his throne. Because Melin and his magic were based in nature, he wanted the throne to reflect that so he envisoned it almost made from a living tree. Since he is a CGI artist as well as a storyteller, he was able to draw that concept. I have been wanting to reproduce this in miniature for a while but wasn't sure how to start. I was also captivated by that tree bed and saw it again recently. So I just decided to do it and see what happened.

Sometimes, the hardest part is getting started. :-)

Here is where a ended up yesterday. After twisting the wire (like forever!) I attached the branches to the sides of the chair with brass spool wire. Then I coated everything with thinned white glue....I used Sobo (made by Delta) because I have a lot of it. It is a PVA type glue like Aleen's Tacky.

When the glue was dry, I applied the polymer clay. It stuck very well to the film of dried glue. I was working with a combination of ethnic brown Proscuplt and some old blue original Fimo, again, because I had it.

In my rush, I stuck it in the oven (which proved a bit of a problem itself since the piece, with branches, is taller than my oven), totally forgetting that it needed tree texture BEFORE baking. Duh!

So when it cooled, I applied yet more clay and textured. Below is a close up of the tree texture after the second round.

I wired in a few more branches and coated those with thick white glue (per the advice of our lovely Nikki) and that is pictured below.

Lastly is a full view of the back....while we're waiting for glue to dry.
Since I am unsure of the final position of the branches, I hesitated to cover them with clay because once baked, they will lose most of their flexibility. Painting over the heavily glued wire armature with a coat of artist acrylics would allow me to fuss a bit.

I think, for this chair, I am going to make the bird's nest on top and use it in the Alice Project as I have yet to decide on a chair for the Hatter. I have some ratty old green velvet and maybe I'll cover the back and seat. We'll see.

I also have another unfinished chair like this and will probably make another before I start on George's piece. I think Merlin's throne will require that I actually make the chair base ... and I need a little more practice making branches.

Later,

Tabitha

Moving on..... A new WIP

2010-06-22T07:37:00.005-04:00

So....I'm glad that was sorted out....finally....hopefully....

Anyway, in an effort to bring some fresh air, I've decided to start a new project.

...and yes, the Alice Project is nearing completion but sometimes I just need to step away for a bit. I'll be photographing by the end of the week. Er....what I mean is, I'm going to get TG to use his fancy camera to photograph and see what happens. If luck holds, I'll unveil it on the weekend.

But on to the new project.

It is based on two things. First was a full-sized bed I initially saw in an online catalogue by Shawn Lovell Metalworks http://www.slmetalworks.com/beds_a.html.

Second is a CG chair that a friend of mine who is a digital artist designed.

Right now, I am experimenting with this chair. We'll just have to see where this goes......

Yes, Jayne....I know exactly what you mean about sore fingers and callouses! My plan is to cover the necessary parts of the chair with polymer clay to simulate the tree and the wire with either clay, modeling paste or maybe just many layers of paint.

I have already had it together and apart and then back together again...... I now understand what Edison meant when he said, "I haven't failed.....I've discovered many ways in which it won't work...."

Later...

Tabitha

....I'm sorry....I do not know why the pictures are not popping up bigger when you poke them. I have dome nothing different in posting....that i ma aware of anyway......

Lord a Luvin'..I'm being stalked!!...

2010-06-20T17:59:00.004-04:00

...and so are most of the rest of you, apparently.

I mean last night I actually thought it was just me and a few others....most probably as a result of the "confrontation" I had with this individual just a week ago.

But it seems not......oh deary me! How utterly obnoxious....not to mention irritating.

Because now I'm going to have to stop posting any WIP (something I have considered recently) because one never knows who is lurking about ready to snatch the idea, throw some piece of crap together , call it "done" and start selling it on Etsy. Never mind calling it their "own made up idea" and offering a "certificate of authenticity" to boot!

It was the bogus "certificate" the recently set me off and prompted my message to this charming stalker who promptly informed me that I had cast a shadow over their day.....pity, that. Yes, of course, said she, does it really matter who had the idea first? We all often have the same ideas. She has a solid, satisfied and ever-growing customer base and will continue providing them with these miniatures at a much lower cost....

Rubbish....

So not only does she make knock-offs; she makes cheap knock offs....... I can only surmise that she is trawling for new things to make as her own. Even more galling is the fact the she has a caveat on her website that all her "handmade" items are covered by copyright laws... (ok...now I'm gagging....)

Sigh....

I have discovered that the miniature world is rife with people who have no problem taking someone else's work, blatantly copying it and then selling it. I guess it is the selling it that really rags me. I do understand if someone thinks they can reproduce a piece either because they do not wish to (or cannot afford to) spend the money to purchase it from the artist.

Some even think they can do it better....well, Bravo! to them. As long as it is for their own private collection or to give to a friend, I have no real problem with them.

It is only when they start profitting (or attempting to profit) from another's work that I get ornery. WTF??? Don't they have an original idea in their head? There is so much to be inspired by.

I don't really make many magical miniatures so I guess I have little to be anxious about except for the fact that at any given moment, the tide could turn and another miniature genre will replace it. I have decided to keep my work under wraps until it is completed....not that it will make all that much difference....and to sell my work only at miniatures shows or privately. I will no longer be listing anything on Etsy.

Oy....it's always something!

Sadly,

Tabitha

ADDENDUM: Let me clarify that while I am being "followed" by a known plageriser, I have yet to experience the heartbreak of finding copies of my work for sale by someone else. This has been the sad experience of several of my dear friends however and since the individual in question has been bold enough to add her name to my "followers" list, I felt the need to speak out and to take steps to protect my work. That is all.....

Quilling Paper Pots?

2010-06-15T11:14:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone! I am still working like madwoman on my Alice project which I PROMISE I will post pictures of soon...really....

In the meantime I have a question about a recent blog entry I read.

A week or so ago, I was scanning blogger and came across a post where the miniaturist was making plant pots out of quilling paper. I have done this before but what was different about hers was that she then coated with, I think, gesso to give them not only strength but texure. While I thought I bookmarked this interseting project, apparently I did not because now I cannot locate it again.

Does anyone follower a blogger with such project?? I know it sounds like a Casey project but I couldn't find it on her blog so I am at a loss. If anyone recalls it, could you please leave a comment?

Thanks,

Tabby

Anyone familiar with this dollhouse?

2010-05-16T07:37:00.003-04:00

Is anyone familiar with this dollhouse? It is called the "Canterbury" made by Norcraft. I cannot find any information on it but I was told the kit comes from England. The lady has 2 and is selling them for $25 each.

The descrition reads that it is pre-cut plywood. I am wondering if it is anything like the Duracraft or Geenleaf houses in terms of quality of wood or components because, if it is, I'll pass. I don't like working with those lits at all. Too flimsy and too much work to get everything to fit right.

Thanks,

Tabitha

2010-04-29T13:09:00.003-04:00

I feel like I have all but disappeared from Bloggervania. Though I have absolutely been keeping tabs on everyone's posts, mine have been absent. Mostly this is due to the strange disappearance of the download cord for the camera somewhere in the vast wasteland that is my husband's desk. But I cannot let him take all the blame because I have been up to my elbows in alligators since I returned from my trip.

I am working furiously on my exhibit for the July Lakeland show and replacing/creating new stock for the show. Little point in going if I have nothing to sell....

One of my side trips was to an amazing little fabric shop in Maitland, Florida....right smack in the middle of the state in what I always considered "nowhere". What a find!

These are the fabrics I bought...and believe me, I had to stop myself because my basket was full.

They are either 100% silk, 100% cotton or a silk/cotton blend, which I have NEVER seen before. There is even a bit of ultra suede. There all happened to be cut into "fat quaters" and I just kept filling my basket! The colors are so vibrant and just beautiful.

I also attended the three (yes three!!) miniature shows in the Chicago area in mid-April. First was the Three Blind Mice show which was small but had some really nice sellers. I bought a Robin Betterly kit which I will show when I finish it...lol...and lots of metal minis to be painted for various projects.

My best buy of that show, however, was this fabulous wicker wheelchair by Barb and Marvin Tate from Ohio. They do not appear to have a website. Marvin makes movable things like wheelchairs and prams; Barb makes stationary furniture. Marv has one of his wheelchiars in the miniature White House. This is a fabulous piece. I had never seen a miniature wicker wheelchair before. Furthermore, the price was very reasonable...under $100.

THE FLOOZIES ARE HERE! THE FLOOZIES ARE HERE!!

When I saw Jayne's Floozies, I knew I had to have a couple for my newest project and they arrived today. They are temporarily in a block of foam and Jayne was kind enough to enclose additional leaves for me to choose from. These are sooo cool. The photo does not do them justice.
Meet Rhianna (Miss Lips) and Frida.

Yet ANOTHER package came in the mail today! I was able to snag one of Kat Hazelton's newest steampunk creations which will go into the lastest project also. Sooo cool, Kat!

That's it for now. I have lots more things to show that I got at the shows and in the mail but I need to photograph them first. Hahaha....that's the worst part for me. I take such bad pictures.

.....another day....

Tabitha

Packaging/shipping strategies.....or "How to put all your eggs in one basket without breaking any of them..."

2010-04-01T09:33:00.009-04:00

I promised Nikki I'd let her know what was devised for shipping the orreries and I'm sharing it with all of you.

When my son was 13, the science class was issued a challenge: take a raw egg and drop it from the roof of the Administration Bldg without breaking. Surprisingly, (or perhaps not) his team was among the winners. The idea is to keep the egg from hitting the inside of the packaging AND to disperse the energy of the "fall" around it. They used lots of styrofoam, bubble wrap and duct tape.

This "experiment", along with looking at how my ceramic "Snow Village" is packaged, was the basis for our strategy.

See how the house is within a "cell" and, by means of the carved out areas, doesn't move within it? That is the plan. I had several pieces of the extruded polystyrene. You can use something that has been sent to you or it is available in sheets at the Home Improvement store. I believe it is used for insulation on new housing and comes in 2" and 1" sheets. I had it because I used it as a base for my Snow Village.....it makes nice "snow" and can easily be shaped with a hot tool/wire.

Below are the "hot" tools I used but anything like even a soldering iron or a very sharp knife can be used.

First I cut 2 pieces to the desired shape and siz and then made a "lid".

I measured the size of the object and cut out a hole in the center piece and a small bit out of the bottom to contain the object snugly. Then I stacked them.....at this point you could glue the two of them together.

Put the oject in the hole. I didn't show this but I put cut pieces of the small bubble wrap behind it as a cushion. The I put more of the cut up bubble wrap around and over it. Then comes the cover.

Tape the whole thing up and then put it in a sturdy cardboard box with more cushioning. And then mail.

Now to drop it off the Astromony Tower and see what happens. There is one other method I am going to try for items where the "sticking out things" (for lack of a better term) are so delicate that nothing should touch them at all. But that is for the next post....

And always work in a well ventilated area when using a hot wire because the polystyrene does emit fumes which, I am sure, are not good to breathe.

Tabitha

Glass houses.....

2010-03-31T10:29:00.002-04:00

I said I would post a picture of the "Glass House" I had a friend make. As you can see, it is a very simple design. I first saw such a thing by an artist called Lady Jane but the wait, at the time, was two years and she wanted the total payment up front. I knew my friend was just as talented and asked if he would consider a three-dimensional piece. When he agreed, I do not think he realized how large a project I had in mind :-) ... but he did a beautiful job.

The glass used was an "antique" clear...no color at all. The building itself can be carefully lifted off the base which is simply a piece of plywood that has the interior "footprint" tiled. The interior can also be accessed by the double doors in front. One of these days, I am going to attach door handles.....

I was going to use it for a plant filled Conservatory but never got around to making or acquiring sufficient plants as it is quite large. One year, I decorated it for Christmas and so it stayed. Mmm...I see I need to get out the glass cleaner.

I also picked up another "glass house" at Old Time Pottery a few years ago for very little...I think it was $10. This is about 12" square by 8" plus the peak which is about another 5". Right now it keeps the dust off little things lying around but I am thinking of using this for the flower/plant display. It has no doors. It would have to lift off a base rather like a cake cover.

You cannot tell from the picture but the metal is copper with a very pretty twist detail.

This little piece I also got very inexpensively at a home decorating store. The top comes off for access. The arches are glassed. It needs some work to get the top to fit properly and I haven't done anything with it yet but I have an idea for a table setting.

BTW, I believe I have solved the problem of safely shipping the Orreries and such, though I can take no credit myself. My son and husband came up with what I think is a great idea. If will attempt to execute it and, if succesful, I'll post about it. Well, I think I'll post about it even if it isn't succesful.....no sense someone else re-inventing the wheel.

Later.....

Tabitha

Bummer......

2010-03-26T09:56:00.003-04:00

I wasn't going to blog about this at first but who else would I kvetch to?

I mentioned that I had my first etsy sale this week, right? I packaged the thing in double boxes with lots of bubble wrap and cushioning but when the lady opened it, she said it (the Orrery) had come loose from the plastic box I had attached it to and was now in 4 pieces, one of which she lost in the packing material as it was so small.

I was using a new product to keep the thing stable in the plastic box. It is called Museum Gel and is supposed to be the best thing ever......apparently not. After 30 minutes, the item attached with it isn't supposed to so much as budge, nevermind release. But I am finding that a lot of things are over-rated. A "fabulous new glue" I bought a while ago didn't work as touted either.

So I've asked her to send it back to me for repair, which is easy enough to do but now I am a leary of mailing these items. As I recall, the one I sent to Nikki for Debbie' Get Well box arrived with a piece off. I don't remember if she said that one came loose inside the box but that was one of the reasons I looked for something other than the wax I was using.

The Orreries are pretty sturdy with normal handling but they will break apart if they get knocked around....I know....I've accidentally dropped one off the display table myself. When I get this one back, ( and I haven't heard back from the customer as yet) I will know better where the attachments/glue failed.

Until then, I think I will pull the others off Etsy and try to figure out a better way to secure them in transit or to improve the holding power of the glue. Actually, I will investigate both.

I use a pretty aggressive jewelry glue which dries cystal clear and cures fairly rapidly. I didn't have good luck working with a 5-minute (2 part) epoxy. I solder the balance scales and thought of doing that for the Orreries but some of the metals in the watchworks won't solder very well and of course the beads don't solder at all. :-)

So I am back to the drawing board on this at several levels. Grrr......bummer.

And it will take me away from Alice's place for awhile which is even a bigger disappointment. :-(

Bleh!

Tabitha

Hat Stands.....

2010-03-24T09:20:00.002-04:00

Since the project includes a rather large hat shop, I realized I'd better get cracking on some hats stands. I wanted something a little unusual so I raided the house trim stash and just let loose.

These are a sampling ( I made quite a few!). The largest can easily stand on the floor. Next I'm looking through my bead stash. I think some metal and bead stands might be intereseting.....

I also found a hatbox printie and a pattern online and am making a bunch of those to scatter about. I have a few larger sized ones I found in a box which will have to be covered but will be quite useful, too.

I think I have sufficient furniture to adapt one way or the other. Some will stay wood stained; some will be painted. All will be made to look well-used. This shop has, after all, been around for a vey long time. :-)

Next big thing on the list is hats! I am out of town at a family gathering this weekend so that will have to wait until next week.

Later...

Tabitha

Flamingos......

2010-03-23T08:32:00.003-04:00

You ladies are way too smart for me......believe it or not, this project does have an "Alice" theme. I guess the flamingos were an obvious clue.

When I saw the film last week, I was quite taken with the imagery and reminded of Lize's beautiful Wonderland Tea Party garden which she featured on her blog recenly. The Summer Lakeland Miniature Show always has an area for exhibits. I entered one last year and wanted to do so again but I really had nothing that I liked well enough to exhibit. Then I realized that I had this box sitting around doing nothing and decided this was it.

Above is the interior of the larger of the two rooms. The rug will be tea-dyed to age it. The plan is for this to be a crazy hat shop. The smaller room through the curtain will be the workroom.

Below is the exterior entrance. A long time ago, I attached the box to a longer piece of plywood so I could make a garden entryway but it had accumulated so much dust it had to be removed. The walkway bricks are the type that go one with a stencil. I recall it being very easy to do at the time.

This is the exterior of the "backside" of the box. I put plexiglass in the windows to keep the interior dust under control...I hope. You can see the "aging" on the clapboards though it is still too shiney, I think. The paint was a satin house paint but I may have to overspray with a matte finish to dull things down, though it is doubtful this side will be seen very often. The flash makes the shine really noticable. (Sorry for the crooked photo.....)

And now for those ceiling details......

I used a playing card paper that I downloaded to cover the ceiling (and hide the electrical) in the larger room. The "medallion" around the lighted fan is simply four wooden heart shapes that are painted red and glued under the light. It is not exactly the fixture I love but it was there, somewhat hard to remove and serves the purpose which is to prove light. I also added 2 flourette bulbs for indirect light.

The smaller room has the paper "coffered" ceiling detail which I framed out in stained wood. This rooms light is provided by a super-bright flourette. To hide these lights, I used a decorative molding on the front of the box. (you can see this on the picture above showing the curtained doorway.) This molding does block the view of the ceiling in both rooms which is why I made the comment about standing on one's head to be able to see it. :o)

More later......

Tabitha

Times flies.....

2010-03-22T20:04:00.002-04:00

Things have been a little hectic here the past week what with tech weekend. tech and dress rehearsal all week and then the performance this weekend. Things went very well but I am glad it is all over until the Fall.

I had hardly any time to work on the new project except for removing all the old foliage and aging the outside. I used a Minwax Golden Oak stain and just dabbed and wiped until I got the degree of "antiquity" I wanted. I was, at first, a little leary of doing that...the creamy paint was sooo pretty. But too pretty for the new purpose.

There was small problem with the existing electical wiring so while I was into the repair, I decided to redo the ceilngs in both rooms. When I can get a decent picture, I will show you the detailing (which no one will probably ever notice unless they stand on their head) in the smaller room.

In the meantime...here is a small hint regrading the nature of this project. And do not dispare...soon all will be revealed!

BTW....had my very first etsy sale this morning! Really exciting for me.

Tabitha

New project.....

2010-03-11T09:04:00.002-05:00

Yes, yes....I know I have plenty of unfinished projects lying around but right now the Muse is not speaking to me about them. She has made it perfectly clear that THIS is what must be dealt with now. Who am I to argue?

So I dragged this out, dusted it off, took a few "before" pictures and am plunging in...so to speak.

I have had this roombox for eons. The original plan was to make a fine Victorian lady's dress shop with a workroom but that, sadly, never happened. Now I've been inspired to do something really whimsical and fantasmical with it and I'd like to share the progress here.

I have taken a page from Casey's book and am keeping notes of what I plan and what I actually use.

I'll be re-working the inside and outside and giving hints along the way as to how it will end up. I do have a deadline of the 1st of July as I want to enter it into a judged exhibit mid July.

Onward!

Tabitha

Update on my "perplexion" (?)

2010-03-06T08:58:00.002-05:00

(I don't think that is a word...)

Anyway, just to let everyone who offered their support know that, although she did not reply to me, the dealer did add my name as artist to the listing. A friend sent me an e-mail the day after I told her it was important to me to be mentioned as the artist. He said my name was now prominently displayed with the tables.

So all is well. But I do think I may refrain from selling to dealers who only sell on-line in the future.

Tabitha

Perplexed.....

2010-03-01T13:15:00.002-05:00

I am... perlexed..... after mulling this over for several hours, I have decided that perhaps my followers could share their thoughts and insights with me.

Several months ago, I sold 2 of my "wizard's tables" to a lady at a show. I learned that she was a dealer herself, though I did not know if she planned to re-sell the items. I explained to her (as I do to all my customers) how I make the tables, that they are all handmade by myself and OOAK.

This morning, I saw the tables for sale online. I was a little surprised to see them (especially since it has been a while since they were purchased) but what set me back a bit was there was no indication anywhere that I had made them. I know I am not exactly the Andy Warhol of the miniature world but I thought a little recognition might have been appropriate, no?

She doesn't imply that she made them....in fact there is no reference that I could find to the artist at all.

Don't get me wrong....I was thrilled to see my work online....except no one but me knows it is my work :-(

So should I drop her an e-mail and ask her to identify the pieces? She did buy them outright so I guess she can do whatever she wants with them. And if she doesn't care to identfy "unknowns", I suppose that is her perogative. But then how will an artist become "known"? Obviously, I did sign and date the piece but that will be apparent only once it is purchased.

I really hate to stir up the pot with this one. Perhaps I should just let it go and not sell to people know are dealers anymore. But ideally, a dealer would handle my things so I wouldn't have to schlep all over the country to shows. Is it really worth getting someone annoyed with me?

Perhaps I should just be grateful that she bought the things at all and move on.......

...so I am, as previously stated, perplexed......sigh.....

Tabitha

Go ask Alice....

2010-02-28T18:49:00.004-05:00

I needed some "filler" for the large book shelf I've made for the Laboratory in the "dungeon". I thought a pot a 'shrooms might do the trick so I hauled out the polymer clay this afternoon, did little online research and fussed around with it.

I now know more about psychedilic fungi than I ever thought I wanted to know....and I am a child of the 60's.....

Anyway, I made about a bazillion of these teensy things and lost easily half of them in the carpet... Bleh! But the ones that surived turned out quite nice and I believe I have enough for the project.

While I was at it, I decided to make some white and brown button mushrooms (for what purpose I have no idea but I am sure some need will arise... Alas, many of them also ended up in the carpet...). You can see them mixed in with the fly agarics. Just don't mix them up in the kitchen!

I think I will have to dust the brown and white ones with a little "dirt". Then I think I'll put them in a little market basket for the kitchen. Cute, eh? Not that hard to make either...just fussy.

I'll post a picture if I ever get them in the basket....

(PS: I have another project going for the "bones" in the background but more about that later...)

Tabitha

Centennial....

2010-02-28T15:35:00.003-05:00

Oh my goodness! It seems I have gone over 100 follower mark this weekend!

I actually find that rather amazing. But I am thankful for those who are interested enough in my ramblings and occasional tip to keep tuning in. I admit, I am not the world's best blogger. Time seems to run away. I don't take very good pictures and I find that stopping to pictorially document any progress I make on projects takes most of the afternoon....I'm dreadful computer illiterate, I'm afraid.

Thank you all for taking the time to stop by and see what I may be up to! I will continue to try my best to keep this updated and who knows...maybe my picture taking will improve. But probably not.....

Tabitha

Stay safe Kiva and Cheryl....and all friends in OZ

2010-02-27T10:11:00.003-05:00

Hope both these lovely ladies are not in harm's way due to the tsunami generated by the Chilean earthquake. Just heard that there is an evacuation warning for Hawaii starting at 6am their time. Don't know exactly where either of them are but my prayers are with eeryone there.

My brother and sister in law are currently in Chile on a photography tour (my bil is a photog). Heard this AM via e-mail that they are 400 miles to the south of the epicenter so have not been effected. Whew.

Also understand that Australia (not sure what areas) is in the path....lots of mini friends there too.

Everyone, be safe.

Tabitha

Venetian Masks on Etsy...

2010-02-24T05:59:00.002-05:00

Below is a preview of some of the Venetian Masks I will be offering on Etsy over the next few weeks. They were very popular at the Orlando show but, as usual, I got carried away....still each one is different from the next. Enjoy!

We have a collection of birds like this wise old owl.......

...and this "nosey" tucan....

...and then there are a couple of crazy feathered ones!

..one seriously silly elephant....

...and my personal favorite....The Phantom of the Opera!

They will be on my etsy shop by 12 noon today. Please stop by and have a closer look!

Tabitha

Orlando Miniature Show....

2010-02-22T12:54:00.003-05:00

The worst thing about having a table at a miniature show is that one does not get to be a shopper. I was manning the table alone this time and as business, while not brisk, was steady, I wasn't able to get around to any other vendors except quickly to the pottery guy for a few teapots right before the doors opened and the ribbon purveyor at the close of the show.

But as I took the long way around when entering the ballroom, I got a brief look at some wonderful artisans. In the future, I really must insist on a helper.....

I sold all but 2 of my wizardy tables/cabinets. I also have an assortment of planetary devices and gizmos which I will be offering for sale on Etsy later this evening ,since I will not have another show until mid-July. I thought I 'd give my blogger friends a preview.

Please stop over to the shop later to have a closer look....

http://www.etsy.com/shop/tabithacorsica

I will also have some Venetian Carnival masks in the shop, probably by tomorrow. It is just a matter of taking the pictures and writing the copy.....in between laundry, changing the linens, grocery shopping and dinner preparation.

Later.....

Tabitha

Masquerade! Paper faces on parade.....

2010-02-18T12:45:00.002-05:00

Look around - there's another mask behind you !

I have been absent from BlogWorld for a time but it is not without good cause. This weekend is the Orlando Miniature Show and I have been working like a mad woman to get ready.

Because the Saturday Fun Day workshop this year is a Mask Shop, I decided to throw caution to the wind and make up several dozen masks, each one different. These masks are traditionally made from papier-mache' but I have used Prosculpt. Some are Animagus like the ones above.

Some are feathered, beaded and glittered with unusual features like the one below:

...... And some are full-faced like you see on my friend Rinaldi here :

I am not a dollmaker but I do enjoy dressing dolls occasionally. I thought the table display might look a little spare so I put this Venetian gentleman, on his way to Carnivale, together. He looks better in person, I think ;-). One of the reasons I don't costume dolls very often is that I do not like wigging ( just not very good at it)... but I was able to keep him bald so it was all jake.

I will also be offering my collection of wizard gizmos, tables and cabinets. If you are in Florida, this should be a great show. Come stop by and see us!

Tabitha

Organize, organize, organize.....

2010-02-08T08:59:00.005-05:00

Years ago, before I had a designated work space for miniatures, I was at the hair salon and noticed just how convenient the stylist's cart was for her "stuff". This salon didn't have permanent work stations for the girls and they moved around frequently....and their personal carts went with them. Now I had used various carts on wheels for storage before but none of them had all the features of the salon carts. So I bought one. The brand I bought is pictured below.

What I especially liked was the storage on either side for bottles and jars with brushes and whatever. The four drawers are very roomy and there is sufficient clearance for things that are bulky. I was able to keep everything I needed for most projects in this cart. Tools of all kinds including my dremel, all manner of glues and sprays, sewing supplies, brushes, etc, etc, etc.... Before my paint collection got enormous, I kept that in it also. The lower bin was great for stashing big items and I put a square ceiling tile on top to create a flat surface and used the compartments for odds & ends. When I wasn't crafting, I just rolled into the closet or elsewhere out of the way. Easy , peasy, lemon squeasy......

Even though I do have a space to call my own these days, I still use and love this cart. I actually have a plastic turntable I usually put on top but I recently bought this great craft tote bag for taking to classes. It has a magnetic rotating base and room for tons of necessities for playing "away". Since it seems I continually acquire more tools and various other things to make what I make, I have transfered a lot to the tote bag, freeing up more room in the cart. I am even thinking of putting the paint back in it.

So I thought I pass this along to whomever may find it useful. (actually just looking for an excuse to take a break from housework....bleh!) :-)

Tabitha

Paper Clay Stuff....

2010-02-06T06:32:00.007-05:00

Wendy, from Wendies Mini World showed her lovely fireplaces for Hagatha's Skool on her blog...quick go see; they're really nice: http://wendiesminiworld.blogspot.com/2010/02/chimneys-and-roofing-problems.html

Several people commented that they couldn't find PaperClay or had difficulty working with it. You can always order it directly from the manufacturer in 16 oz packages...which is twice the amount you get at your local hobby shop http://www.paperclay.com/

Here are my favorite tools for working with the stuff. The rolling jig was made by my friend, Larry Bolduc from Unicorn Studios. He is a master at PaperClay stonework. See his work: http://www.larrybolduc.com/

The jig is simply a wood frame around a square of plywood into which a square of vinyl floor tile fits nicely. The top of the frame is a scant 1/8 inch above the tile when it is in place. The length of PVC pipe is such that it rides on top the frame, rolling out a perfect 1/8 inch thin piece of paperclay. It's very slick, really. The tile can be removed for clean up and the pipe comes squeaky clean with water.

I treat the papercly like pie crust. If it is too sticky, I dust it lightly with talc; too dry, add a drop or two of water and knead it up a bit. I work fairly quickly with it and always seal whatever I am applying it to first. You can actually used a PVA glue to do this and it serves the second purpose of assuring a good adherence. Remember, since this is an air-drying clay, the "substrate" (your wall or whatever) will also absorb the moisture as the clay dries and eventually warp if not sealed....except probably for 1/2 inch plywood. :-)

Until it has been painted (sealed) you can spray it lightly with water to rework the texturing but after you've painted it, that won't work. I tend to texture as I go and cover the area with a damp paper towel if I am not going to finish at one sitting. I also try to wait to paint until the stuff is completley dry as the paint does two things:

#1. It adds more water back into the mix as I usually uses washes to achieve the "look" I want;

#2. As a result of #1, the possiblity of warpage increases because once sealed with paint, the moisture has no where to go but into the substrate.

I know people who have given up on paper clay because of this but if you take just a few steps to avoid warping, the results are dynamite! It's lightweight and very authentic looking.

Have fun...!

Tabitha

Those Elusive Flower Petal Punches....

2010-02-04T08:48:00.004-05:00

Casey, over at Casey's Minis, was making geraniums on her blog yesterday. She mentioned that she got the flower-shaped punch from an online manufacturer whose name she couldn't recall right at the moment. Go see what she is up to....

http://caseymini.blogspot.com/2010/02/

I have that very same punch (plus about 6 more!) and I remembered that I got it from the PJ Mieth company which, at the time, was located in New Jersey. I tried to find them online and discovered that the brothers (PJ and MC) parted ways a while back. MC has kept the punch manufacturing alive in Florida.

These are high quality, heavy duty, die-cut percision punches. Your favorite coffee house may still use them for their customer reward cards. I know mine does...

Anyway...they have 1645 different shapes to chose from...WOW! 120 are always in stock and the rest have to be ordered. They will also make a custom shape for your particular needs if one of the 1600+ doesn't suit you. But the price, I noticed, for their stock punches has gone up to $48!

You can see what they offer here: http://www.ticketpunch.net/

I used to belong to a club that enjoyed making flowers. We would each buy a punch and then get together to punch petals and make flowers. The cost of a punch back then was $30 which wasn't bad if you made and sold a lot of roses.

I am not a purist about these things. I know there are folks who only cut their own petals...and God bless them for their patience. I have a punch that makes beautiful rose petals...and I can punch faster than I can cut.

Which reminds me...I must see if I have any red roses to display with my Phantom Mask....

Tabitha

Ren Faire Finds....

2010-01-30T13:59:00.002-05:00

Chalk this up to "you never know where you will stumble across miniatures..."

I went to the local Medieval Festival with my son last weekend. It is a charity thing and I always enjoy seeing how folks are dressed up and watching the Joust and the live Chess Game.

Matt likes the food and the other vendors. While browing through the lapidist's tent, he exclaimed, "Look Mom! Little bowls!" Sure enough, these precious little bowls turned from amethyst and malachite with ruby were nestled in little fluffs of cotton. They are beautifully done and, at only $6 a piece, I had to have more than just one. They are just a bit smaller than a quarter and will go perfectly in any miniature room.

So you never know where miniatures will turn up and it always pays to keep your eyes peeled. Apparently I have drummed this into my son quite well since he was the first to spot them.

Tabs

It's a Very, Very, Very Good Beginning...

2010-01-26T15:46:00.006-05:00

...or so the song goes at the beginning of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the Spring Musical at my son's school which I have yet again found myself involvd in up to my elbows. But it's a fun little show with only half the usual numbers of cast members, decreasing the costuming requirements by half. It's also comtemporary clothing which actually makes it a breeze. At least that is what I am telling myself. :-)

Anyway, here's to wishing everyone who reads this blog the very best of 2010! It' going to be a wonderful year!

I realized that I've been very remiss in publically thanking Linda Carswell from Une Petite Folie. I received the most beautiful lily from her in Rosanna's Christmas Swap. In Australia, where she is from, these lovelies bloom at Christmas. It went immediately into my Christmas Conservatory, as you can see below. Thanks Linda! Looks great in there..

visit Linda's blog: http://une-petite-folie.blogspot.com/

On January 10th, I participated in Molly Cromwell's Sarasota Miniature Show. It was a very nice show and I was pleased with my sales. A dealer bought two tables and a few others items which made me quite happy. The little planetary orries were also quite popular.

I have, however, decided to dip my toe in the waters of internet selling and I have opened an Etsy shop. You can visit it here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/tabithacorsica

Below is one of the three items I have there now. In the weeks to come, I will be adding things regularily. There is one more show in Orlando coming up at the end of February. After that, I will be offering items for sale only in the Etsy shop until summer, when I may do another show.

This is Madam Delcroix's Elixirs and Restoratives. It includes one of the little balance scales I made as well as lots and lots of dusty old books, scrolls and various other magical gizmos.

If you visit the Etsy shop, you can see a larger picture and more views. The back is finished, as it was it was intended to be viewed from any angle.

I have another project in the works and, with any luck, I'll be back tomorrow with a preview!

Thanks for visiting!

Tabitha

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T08:46:00.002-05:00

My friend Merlin, his magical Polar Bear and I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and healthy and Happy New Year. To those who have followed me, thank you so much your encouragement and comments. I'm not that great of a blogger but I enjoy reading what everyone has to say and read what you all have to show. Looking forward to more in 2010!

Tabitha

...ooops...dropped it.... ;-)

2009-12-07T19:42:00.003-05:00

Nah..I'd never do that! My dear friend Nikki from Witch and Wizard miniatures tossed this ball my way and I was happy to catch it. As I understand it, I have to answer 8 questions about myself, so here goes:

Names that I am called: Well, Mom, of course. “Oh, Honey”, for another. Susan, Aunt Sue, occasionally Bubbela. Mrs. Wener (at school). Unlike HS and college, people no longer call me by names I do not like…..because I simply do not answer .

Three Items I am wearing: I am currently wearing denim capris, a white t-shirt and sneakers…basically my uniform.

Three things I did yesterday, last night and today: Yesterday I put up all the outside Christmas lights that I had planned to…and they all seem to work for now.
Last night I made a week late Thanksgiving Dinner. We were invited out on Thanksgiving but I always like to make a turkey and they are so dang cheap at this time of the year.
Today I made some kind of “Brazilian Rice” for my son’s Spanish class. Why do these teachers give assignments to students that only their parents can complete?? I mean how is a kid supposed to make a dish and serve it up hot for 8th period??? Weird.

Name two things you have eaten: Left-over Turkey and gravy and left-over “Brazilian” rice (I guess it wasn’t a big hit with the class. I thought it was quite tasty…

Two people I have rung today: The Sears repairman since my refrigerator doesn’t seem to be cooling properly (yet again) and my dearest friend Jill to complain about said refrigerator and the fact the I have been given a “window” of 8am to 5pm for the repair guy to show up…grrr.

Two things I will do today: Well, today is already over….so. Tomorrow I will wait patiently all day for the repairman to show up and I will put the lights on my Christmas tree whilst I wait. In-between, I’ll do laundry. An utterly thrilling day…

Three Best Loved Drinks:
Meridian chardonnay…extremely well chilled, a well made latte, and ice cold water on a hot Florida summer day.

Three Things I Intensely Wish:
1) I wish for my son to grow healthy, wealthy and wise…actually, healthy and wise would be adequate, though it would be nice if he could take care of his mother in her dotage.
2) I wish that my husband’s family would stop making him feel guilty for every little thing….
3) I wish everyone could realize their most cherished dreams without interference from outside influences….to experience the joy and satisfaction of being all they ever wanted to be.

Thank you Nik! I enjoyed doing this. I am going to pass the ball to......

Ara at http://afminimansion.blogspot.com/

She actually has two blogs, one for the Addams family and one for Bentley Mansion.

Have fun Ara!

Tabitha

Minaiture Glittered Houses

2009-11-23T15:25:00.006-05:00

Let me start by saying I am not a big fan of Martha Stewart but I often bought the Holiday issues of the magazine because they were so pretty....

Now, onto business. Yesterday, I stumbled across some little cardboard glittered house in a local gift shop. They were to be used as Christmas tree ornaments and I remembered that my Grandmother had some that were her mother's.... and now my mother's. I think they came from Germany.

I recalled seeing an article about making them in one of the old MS Living mags so I started hunting through my collection and found it in the Christmas 2000 issue. I reduced the template by 45% and copied it onto colored cards stock. The directions say to paint both sides but I chose the colored cardstock instead. I didn't cut out the doors or windows. I will glue on a different color. Here are my steps:

I scored on the lines and glued the basic house toegther (this is actually the church). The I put the roof on, first one side then the other.

Then I made the steeple. and glued it to the roof followed by the steeple roof. This was a little futzy.

I also made a roofed entry ....

Not bad for a quick and dirty sample. I think I will use a different color for the roofs. I will stick with card stock, though and not paint it. I will thin the white glue just a bit, brush it on and then glitter.

I think I will reduce the template down to 35%. This church is 1in by 2in by 2.5 in high. It is ok for a table decoration but I think I'd like it a little smaller. There is a smaller house template that may be ok. I haven't tried it yet.

I would love to share this template with you but I am not sure how to do that. I have the fullsized template saved to my 'puter as a pdf. Any advice how to make that availlable?

Actually, I have found the article on line and it includes the template. You can reduce it to any size you wish. Just go here:

Glittered Houses

Tabitha

Remember Mug Drumpus....?

2009-11-16T09:29:00.004-05:00

...The snarky little Troll went Trick or Treating by himself...no adult supervision! Bad boy..

....and look where he headed first thing!

But there were lots of nice treats inside...event though a the remains of who knows who were lurking off to the side. The resident witch has left her new broom from Kat leaning against the door so I imagine she'll be back to hand them out soon. He'll have to be patient...a trait he, like most trolls, is in short supply of. :-)

Seriously... Remember back to the first show I did way back in July? The pitiful one where the highlight was winning the purple ribbon for best overall exhibit? This is the little "inside/outside" roombox that won. I couldn't get a really good longshot so there isn't one but I think the close-ups are good.

The outside porch light, smoldering cauldron (see in the corner behind the cobwebs) and inside chandelier illuminate with a battery pack hidden under the roof (not shown but it is a mansard with gargoyles and a vulture on the top).

The pumpkins on the table and floor also light up. I made the vignette from a tutorial I found on line. The lights are a string of 10 with a battery pack used for Christmas decorations.

Kat the Hat Lady made the broom. Mug's trick or treat pail and the skeleton parts are from Micheal's. Other that I made everything else. I've had the box for ages. Used styrofoam trays from the grocery for the stone on the inside and outside of the box. Light weight, cheap, easy to use and paint.This weekend, I traveled to another miniature show.

Very few dealers (with little stock) and only 3 artisans but I did manage to pick up a few items. My biggest coup was this Abbey corner from a company called Earth and Tree. There was a club table where members could sell things they no longer wanted or needed. Someone started this project and decided it wasn't for them. I snapped it up for a song. It's a sturdy piece but not too heavy.

My friend Larry Bolduc from Unicorn Studios (designer of the Great Hall and class instructor) was there with some of his new medieval castings. I love this fireplace surround and will probably add a third wall to the Abbey and use it there.

You can see Larry's things at www.larrybolduc.com

I am sorry that I haven't been blogging much myself lately. I've been up to my elbows in alligators (as they say) with costuming for the Merry Wives of Windsor. This tech week so it's crazy and opening night is Friday. All I can say is that it is a boatload of work for three performances. I have been reading what everyone else is up to though....so many busy people!

Tabitha

Artisan Thomas Saunders

2009-10-28T17:39:00.005-04:00

When the maillady showed up today she brought me a package from Canada. In it were two of the cutest little boxes....notice the message on the one.... from Tom Sanders. He does beautiful turnings in stone, wood and acrylic. Health problems have prevented him from "turning" much this year and he thought he might not be able to return to it at all. So imagine my surprise when I stumbled across these pieces of his on Esty. Naturally, I snapped them up!

One of the really cool things he does is the little certificate of authenticity. Each piece is numbered and signed. I bought two bowls, a serving platter and a mortar and pestle. You can poke the pictures to make them bigger....

Here're some better side views......

I put the morter and pestle on the serving tray to show better against the pale grey stone.

I haven't found a website or blog for him but you can visit his Esty shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6056208 Enjoy!

Tabitha

Grace White....amazing!

2009-10-19T06:57:00.002-04:00

I stumbled across this extremely talented lady this morning whilst surfing the Net. Her minatures are inspired by "Master and Commander" (film/book?) and I am blown away by her skill and imagination. She is a book conservator by training and I this attention to detail shows in her miniature creations.

Below is just a teeny example of what she has done in the form of books but there is so much more that you all must go to her photostream and see for yourselves. I love all of it!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/graceewhite/

On the right side bar, click on either "Aubrey-Maturin" miniatures or "Other mini's". You are in for a real delight! I looked for a blog or website but couldn't find one.

Tabitha

Brass "stuff" from the hardware store...

2009-10-17T15:46:00.007-04:00

For Nikki...and anyone else who is interested. Sometimes I spend hours at the hardware store looking for things suitable for mini's.

In the Chronographoscope below, I used lamp bits and pieces for the stand. All found at my local hardware store and all solid brass. Makes for a nice sturdy stand. I have no idea what this is called or what it is really used for but I think it lends it self to something. It is metal and it comes in several sizes. This is the smallest.

This is a compression fitting for gas line hook-ups. It also comes in several sizes. This is the middle size, I think. I used it on the end of one of my large telescopes.

This is called a knurled nut. It comes in three sizes. This is the middle size. I've used these for lots of things. Again, solid brass.

So you never really know where you are going to find "stuff" for mini's. Give your neighborhood hardware store a try. Poke the pictues for a closer look.

Happy Hunting!

Tabitha

Of super bargains and super friends!

2009-10-14T07:34:00.002-04:00

I have been such a bad, bad blogger of late. Life, in the form of costuming the HS production of The Merry Wives of Windsor, has truly gotten in the way of my "mini-ing". But I have kept up with each and every one of you and I'm incredibly awe-inspired when I see what you're up to.

Meanwhile, yesterday was a very excellent day for several reasons. In scouring the thrift shops for appropriate shoes for our characters (any idea how HARD it is to find a pair of size 13 wedgies???), I discovered this little mirror. Not mini but only about 8" around. I collect unique or unusual mirrors and this fit my criteria. I couldn't reach it to see the price and when I asked the clerk she said that is was $10 (excellent!) but because it had been around awhile, she would take $8 (even excellenter!) and then, because she noticed a few dings, she made it $5 (wow!).

When she took it down to wrap, the backing came off ; not a big deal for me, but she then said:

"mmmm....ok, this is how I'm going to handle this", and she handed me the bag and said "no charge. Hope you can fix it. Have a great day!" Whoa!! I love this little mirror!

When I got home, I found a package at the front door and inside was Mr. Scroll Pot!! (that is a pretty lame moniker...have to come of with something else..) But regardless of what he's called, he is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! The pictures simply do not do justice to Nikki's beautiful work. It is hard to believe she hasn't been sculpting all that long. He is exquisite and I am thrilled beyond words to own him.

She also included some of her fabulous wrapped scrolls. I don't know where she gets her printables for these or how she gets them so crisp and clear and readable. I am almost ashamed to put them next to my paltry attempts in Merlin's Retreat where everything had found a home.

Back to costumes for now. And thank you, Nikki for your wonderful creations!

Tabitha

The Joys of "Bug Pins"....

2009-09-14T06:30:00.004-04:00

I have been a terrible blogger of late but non-mini things seem to be taking up far too much of my time. I have been trying to keep up with everyone else though and when I read Liberty Bibberty's latest blog entry about draping fabric using the pin and spray method, I had an epiphany.

Bug Pins!

She commented that there were pin holes in the fabric after it dried which needed to be dealt with. Easy with cotton but not so easy with silk or other fine fabric. However, these holes can be eliminated entirely with the use of entomologist's pins instead of regular straight pins.

I have been using them for years, even since a woman I know introduced me to them during a class in mini-doll costuming. I use the finest ones.... 0, 00 or 000. They do not rust, are flexible if you need them to be and supersharp. They never leave little pulls in the fabric and because they are so very thin, there are no holes to be seen! Cool, eh?

I got mine at a museum shop about 10 years ago but, like most things these days, they are available on line from a variety of sources. Here's one:

www.thecompleatnaturalist.com

Just click on "insect pins". Or google for other sources.

Tabitha

Oy! Such challenges....

2009-08-06T12:52:00.004-04:00

I find that going away, even for a short while makes for lots of catching up to do! I spent the week convincing my 88 y/o mother to downsize her living arrangements and taking my son to visit Northwestern University.

Now I find I have several photo challenges! One from Casey and the other from Marsha so I'd better get on it. Because there were two, I counted 4 and then 4 more for the second challenge.

Ok..first I have a rather bad photo of a telescope I made a while back out of brass tubes, jewelry findings and a knurled nut. Somewhere there is a better picture of it. I needed something for my Astronomer's table. It is a little over 2 inches long and stand about 3/4 inch high. If I locate the better picture, I'll post it later.

Four folders down, I found only contained one picture....that of my wonderful son when he was inducted into the National Honor Society last Fall. They all received a yellow rose from an upperclassman (school colors are black and gold). We took this picture quickly right before we left the auditorium since he isn't much for posing.

I know I'm supposed to pass this along to four more friends. Seems it's been around and around for awhile. I'll have to look for someone I know who hasn't yet been so "challenged". :-)

Tabitha

Man plans.....and God laughs...

2009-07-27T07:46:00.002-04:00

What can I say of this W/E miniature show and sale except that the highlight was the hotel room and the restaurant my son and I went to Saturday night after the Preview??

The preview on Saturday evening was attended by approximately 15 people (by my son's count of ladies with a white "goody" tote bag). Everyone else wandering around (and also NOT buying, I might add) were members of the sponsoring club. It was a very long 3 hours. The public show on Sunday had more attendees but it was definitely not crowded. I had a lot of traffic because I was next to a lady who sold ribbons, trims, fabric and such. But my sales were nearly non-existent.....oh, there was lots of "ooohing and aaahing" and compliments galore but few open pocketbooks. In the end, I had 3 small sales and, were it not that I won a monetary prize for a judged exhibit (more about that in another post), would not have even covered my table fee. Even the seller with all the trims said it was by far the worst show she has been at and she did not cover her expenses. Apparently that was the case with many, if not all, the vendors.

On top of that, just as the show ended and we were packing up to leave, the skies opened up and it absolutely deluged... What a mess!!

So what's to do? My son says not to throw in the towel (but he's 17...teenagers never know when to quit) just yet but I have to say I am very discouraged. The next opportunity of any worth is not until January. Maybe the economy will pick up by then. In the meanwhile, I got lots of advice and encouragement from other vendors and made a few new friends...so it wasn't a total loss.

And then there was that Grand Prize award.....so I probably shouldn't complain.

Tabitha

Sculpey Sale!

2009-07-18T14:46:00.003-04:00

To all of you who have JoAnn's Etc. in their neighborhood...starting tomorrow they have a 50% sale on Sculpey. Sorry to my friends in the UK... While it is not my fave brand (really do prefer Fimo), I will try to get to town and pick up some translucent and some of the other light colors.

Lord knows I have plenty of blue.....

Tabitha

Skull Candelabra

2009-07-15T09:30:00.007-04:00

Sorry to have been so scarce lately. I 've been working fast and furiously on getting things in order for the upcoming show in 10 days. I just finished these two skull candelabras and thought I'd share since I was so pleased with how they turned out.

I saw a picture of a full-sized 5 arm one on a Goth Accessory website and thought I'd like to see if I could do it mini.I had to antique the bright brass base (which was more a pain than it should have been) but I had the beads left over from a Halloween party and, of course, I have lots of fimo around... ;-)

Tabitha

help!!! Candy corn fiasco....

2009-07-06T16:45:00.003-04:00

I need someone to tell me how to bake fimo canes for slicing. Obviously baking them the usual time is too long though I saw no indication of reduced baking time or temp in the tutorial I read...course I could have missed that part.

I made 6 canes to cut up for candy corn and they just crack and break apart when I try to cut them. I tried putting some back in the oven to heat them up a bit cause they seemed to cut easier when warm but overall that didn't work too well either.

Oh what have I done wrong??!!

Joy of Reading Award

2009-07-05T08:02:00.003-04:00

Just the other day, I received this lovely award from Mary over at Miz Mary. She passed it along to me after she received it from Dora. This award is about the joys of reading and asks that the recipient pick up a book at hand, go to page 161 and post the 5th full sentence. Then the award is to be passed on to 5 others.

I usually have several books in progress lying around my house since reading a good book is my next favorite thing to minis. At the moment, there is only one where I am past page 161. The book is "The September Society" by Charles Finch. The second Sherlock Holmes-type book by a new, young author. I like to read new authors....sometimes you discover real gems. This fellow is good. At least I think so. I enjoy his style. Here we go; a murder has occurred and "the game's afoot!", as Holmes would say:

"Lenox's suggestion had been well reasoned, Goodson said when the two men met, not adding that it had failed nonetheless".

Later, I'll pass this on to a few other bloggers, as requested.

Tabitha

Happy Birthday Kat!!

2009-07-03T06:35:00.003-04:00

Happy Anniversary of your 21st Birthday to my friend

Kat the Hat Lady!

Update....on my Fimo "situation"...

2009-07-01T08:29:00.006-04:00

Still haven't had any takers on the Fimo but in researching ways to condition old clay (because we must all be frugal in these times, yes?) I stumbled upon this website. All you old hands at polymer clay use have most likely visited this site many times but for those few (like me) who are somewhat new to this endeavor, I thought I'd pass it along.

Garie's Place (just click on the name)

They test all these products in various ways and post all the results. It's quite extensive and I found it very helpful. Their tips were interesting and I liked how they compared different brands and tested post-baking strengths, giving ways to strengthen the clay during conditioning.

I think I'm becoming partial to the "rubber mallet" approach....

Tabitha

WHAT was I thinking....anyone interested?

2009-06-30T13:32:00.005-04:00

Yes folks...that's a lot of blue Fimo, not to mention the neon yellow, pink, blue and teal Sculpy. :-)

It was a blistering hot and humid SW Florida so I decided to take the time to look through my stash of polymer clay (mostly Fimo.....old Fimo at that) and see if I couldn't condition some it to use for , well, something....

I had some of the lovely original orange which was so nice for pumpkins and some caramel. I sliced it up and ran it through the pasta machine I bought from Michael's with a coupon last year. It started out as a crumbled mess but after 8-10 passes through the machine, it became quite pliable. This stuff is easily as old as my son so I was surprised but I figured, nothing ventured, nothing gained. I could always toss it if it didn't work.

I was pretty happy and think I'll try and make some pumpkins or jack o'lanterns since all the Halloween stuff comes out in July around here.

As I continued to excavate the Fimo bin, I discovered all the above colors. The larger blocks are Sculpy III. Came in a box of assorted colors so I cannot be held responsible. The others are the original Fimo. There are 2 cakes of plain old blue, 1 of lt blue, 1 of turquoise, 1 of lilac and 1 of dove gray. The Sculpy doesn't have a color name on the pkg but the blue is a standard plain blue, and the darker one is a drk teal-like....and then there is the 2 neon colors. Do not ask why I have so much blue Fimo...I do not have a clue. :-)

I cannot imagine what someone would use these colors for but I am happy to give any or all to anyone who wants them. I guess you could paint over the color... Just give me a shout...first come first served. Because I have been successful in conditioning the Fimo with the pasta machine, it seems like it is workable. However, I would not attempt to condition it by hand.

Tabitha

...a new award...

2009-06-29T09:06:00.004-04:00

An award of friendship passed on by Casey to all who read her blog. Thank you Casey! I look forward to your tutorials, progress reports and the ongoing adventures of Tessie and Zar.

Tabitha

Another little hag...

2009-06-27T08:55:00.003-04:00

The lastest from Primdolly.

The coolest little witch ever. Pop over to her blog, here ,to see additonal views.

Tabitha

Creepy....

2009-06-23T05:55:00.004-04:00

Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton's upcoming film interpretation of Alice in Wonderland.

Hey doll makers! Wouldn't he make a great doll??!!

Tabitha

Stanley...

2009-06-22T07:47:00.004-04:00

Stanley is almost, sort of, done. He still has bug pins in his cloak and some clamps in an attempt to keep the thing draped. I will have to spray the whole outfit with something to get it to stay...steam is just not doing the trick, even though the sleeves are silk. I gave him a Russian-esque hat. Still undecided about facial hair. There is a close up of his tasseled boots.

While he wanted to be a wizard, he was very fussy about his "look". Costuming these little people is clearly as difficult as making them. Almost as difficult as buying clothing for teenagers...

Speaking of which... I can remove "taxi service" from my list of responsibilities. My son, Matt, has acquired his permanent driver's license. He and his Dad when car shopping yesterday. I have suddenly gained back 3 hours of my life per day. I have mixed feelings about the whole thing now that it has come to pass, though.....sigh.

Tabitha

An eHag....

2009-06-21T11:44:00.008-04:00

Since I was going on about dollmakers just a post ago, I want to share this with you all.

I was surfing eBay this morning just to see what turned up and stumbled upon this little gem. Actually, I found her under "completed sales" for a dollmaker called "primdolly". Most of her things are much smaller in scope, usually just heads (calls them "witchlets') but she has a few complete dolls and this was one that recently sold at auction for an astounding $445!!?? Well, it was astounding to me, anyway, especially since it was ebay. I am going to assume she has a following but I have not heard of her till now. I've never seen her at a show or read about her in a mini mag. Does anyone know her? The work is really cool, I think.

The pictures should enlarge if you click on them. Look for her over on ebay so you can see the other things she does.

Tabitha

Odes and awards and what not...

2009-06-20T20:03:00.005-04:00

OMG...I got an award! From my friend Kat. It is always my pleasure to read your blog and see what you might be up to. You inspire me as well. Thank you, Kat. It is a beautiful award!

On to Odes.....

I have an deep respect for doll makers...of all kinds. From the sculptors to the porcelain pourers to the ladies who dress these little people. I salute you all. I have taken many classes over the years. I have had teachers who spray everything with hairspray to get it to stay put and those who use some kind of product called Stiffen (which I've never been able to find) and one who only used steam from a Rowenta iron (which I immediately ran out to buy...works great on shirts, btw). I've been taught to sew, to glue, never to glue and all things in between. I've had wigging classes and shoe classes and construction classes. In the end, my things never looked as good as those of the wonderful teachers I've had. Yes, I know it takes practice but it also takes a certain amount of talent and skill. I am in awe of the things I see (well..most of them.)

Worid is complete and I am happy with him, though he is not as I originally expected. Stanley is another story. He didn't like the ..ahem..dress (under tunic) so that had to be re-done, nor was he happy with the sleeves or the robe. I almost put him back into the box he's been in for the past 13 yrs! He is now muttering something about a different hairdo....we are not making that movie. I might consider a beard and possible some sort of hat. We'll see.

Later...

Tabitha