Make, do and mend Monday: Big C, little c, what begins with C?

 As I pulled out contenders (geddit?) for today's Make, do and mend Monday I realised that there was an unexpected theme.

Because first out of the pile (mainly because they were taking up a bit of room and I knew they should be an easy fix) were a set of chairs that I picked up at a Canberra mini show: one of 2 sets (the others I shortened and used back in 2017 in the Bluebird cafe).

I've been planning to shorten their legs and spray paint them black (surprise surprise) for a bit of a Charles Rennie MacIntosh look, and it will be nice to have them done.

Next was a Dolls House Emporium black ghost chair with arms and one leg broken off

(and last seen on the blog late 2016).

In a container next to that was my coffee machine, with one missing knob: another easy fix that's taken far too long to get my attention, and may well have been broken while the Kaleidoscope House was being exhibited, either in 2008/9, or in 2021/22.

And it was about now that I realised the theme that had developed, so threw in some cans waiting for labels

(although I wondered if this was a good idea because what happens if I need a can and I've put labels on all the ones I have already haven? (Answer? I'll rip a label off, or order some new blanks!)), and a cheeseboard kit given to me at the 2015 AMEA convention:

Alas, plans to get stuck into them came to a screaming halt when a situation arose with a neighbour and their missing package, so I'm hoping to get back on track with plans for these tomorrow lunchtime as I have no concentration for anything more to do than blog while I wait for the police to arrive.

So that rounds things off nicely: C for cops.

Stupidly quick for something that was stalled for so long

Four quick bits of gluing and a few folds, and my miniature concertina book kit was completed in record time.

Leaving me wondering: why did past me abandon this kit when so close to finished, and end up making a handful of different books instead?

One word Wednesday

Finally.

Doing the do*

 For today's Monday make, do and mend I chose do: because yesterday I found myself going through some drawers full of paper which lead to a quiet yet productive afternoon and evening assessing what I had, sorting it by type and spending the time to cut out the bits I want to keep, and creating piles of bits heading to the recycling and other bits (mainly out-of scale scrapbooking pieces picked up as part of a discounted pad), that will be heading to the op shop.

I'd like to keep working on this task this evening while I'm in the mood.

Which, alas, doesn't lead to a very exciting blog post (or picture) for you, but it's giving me a great sense of satisfaction, and another level of studio clearing.

(I fear I've been rather influenced by my recent watching of The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning on SBS on Demand, so am taking advantage of this flurry of activity. Long may it last!)

* ...and there's nothing you can do.

Win some, lose some: a kit review

After pulling out a selection of kits to consider which would work best in the scene I had in mind to make around my newly jazzy chair, it seemed silly to put them away again, especially as I'm trying, this time round, to make some progress and some room.

(Let's ignore the irony of putting together a kit to make some room in the kit stash, and ending up with an object that takes up more room, but somewhere else, shall we?)

Of the kits, option 4 (the Mid-century modern dresser (walnut) by Mini Materials, priced at US$20, but now discontinued) seemed the best place to start, as I already had all the pieces laid out, and it looked like it had been designed to basically snap together. 

I ignored the tiny tube of super glue that they had supplied with the kit, and instead went with my trusty Weldbond.

As I thought it was a very quick build (I put the first parts together during a half-hour lunch break, and also managed to make and eat lunch as well as start on option 3), and the instructions, although very clear, were hardly needed (even, so they also provide a video to guide you through construction!)

Because the walnut plywood pieces had the woodgrain on both sides, I was able to choose which side of the piece I wanted showing on the outside: and I was impressed that they chose to use the walnut plywood for internal structural pieces (and the base) that I would never (or seldom) see again. In fact I did have a moment where I considered how much extra work I'd be creating for myself if I replaced them so I could use them later in another project.

I was impressed with the added struts on the inside to hold things steady, but wished that they didn't have tabs showing through to the outside of the dresser, and that since they did, the designer had chosen to locate them so it looked like they were at the bottom of both 'drawers', not just the top set.

While I'm showing you a close-up view, I do like the fact that they have routed the front piece deeply enough to make it look like they are real drawers, and the handle details.

I struggled again with the look of the slots on the top of the dresser, feeling that they detract from the sleek mid-century modern line, but much admit they are growing on me:

Speaking of struggles, the only time I struggled with putting the kit together was when putting the back on: it didn't want to slot into place, but worked when I turned it around and then gave it a wiggle.

To sum up: I thought this kit was brilliantly sturdy and easy to construct for the price, and also liked that it needs no finishing once constructed. I'd be tempted to purchase some more of their kits (especially the walnut ones) if I wasn't so focused on killing off my mortgage, and the postage and exchange rates weren't so vile at the moment.

As I mentioned earlier, I also started on option 3 (the Modern dresser by The Tiny Timber Co, priced at US$12) at lunchtime, figuring I could leave both builds to dry for the afternoon and finish them off after work.

I kept having to tell myself that this one was almost half the price of the Mini Materials kit (and that I've probably been well spoiled by the pricing and contents of the JWT Dollshouses & Miniatures kits) because I was struggling with it from the start.

The kit contained just 5 pieces (so no base), and no instructions. The wood was thinner and it was very obvious which was the outside of the kit as only one side of each piece had the nice wood grain.

As I started glueing it together (using my jig, as the carcass didn't self-support) I wondered if I should glue wooden block into the internal corners to give it some extra strength and support, but decided that the designer probably knew what they were doing.

I felt quite chuffed as I glued the back on to it after work, giving myself a pat on the back that I'd completed not one, but 2 kits that day.

After I returned from running a few errands I unclamped both dressers in readiness for the after photos: and discovered this:

It would seem that lack of instructions had lead to me making a booboo when putting it together, and I thanked (just)past me for not adding the blocks inside, Because it made it much easier to convince the still-curing glue to let go.

Leaving me with this:

Guess it's back to the drawing board with this one.

To sum up: Although I like the look of this kit generally, its apparent ease of construction tripped me up, and overall I found the end result was flimsy, so I'd be concerned that it might easily break, especially as it doesn't have a base to provide support. (To be fair, the company does give you the option when buying from them to have the kit assembled, but that would almost double the price, and probably increase postage cost significantly as it would take up more room than a flat pack).

I'll have another crack tomorrow, before I become too tempted to just shove it in a bag and back in the kit stash, and after I've done a focused dry fit.

In related news, I've been thinking about a JWT Dollshouses & Miniatures sideboard kit I have, and how easy it would be to add sliding doors (or the suggestion thereof) to the front, and if the end result would work with the jazzy chair. Watch this space...

One thing leads to another*

Last night, as I considered options for my now-deconstructed Daiso miniature Eames chair I was drawn to the idea of not painting it, as I'd first thought, but covering it with some black and white patchwork fabric (rather like this fine example, or even this option).

I even went so far as to spend some time trawling the interwebs for pictures of patchwork to harvest for the project, and was feeling rather pleased with my imagined end-result.

But while I was making dinner I received a comment on my Instagram post of Tuesday's scene, saying "I think you're a monochrome expert".

Which was lovely, but also made me wonder if I was going with the easy option, and should perhaps push the boundaries a little (while at the same time remembering a tutor when I was studying design telling me that there's nothing wrong with sticking with what you're good at, and enjoy).

Feeling content that this was not something I needed to think about right then because I had already social-mediad for the day, I went to bed.

And at around 3am the next morning, helpful brain piped up (for the first time in years) with a suggestion: perhaps I could go in completely the opposite direction and 'skin' the chair with the (very) colourful duct tape I bought from Daiso back in 2017.

Which is what I did at lunchtime yesterday (yay for working from home and being able to duck into the studio at lunchtime!):

It worked well enough for a proof of concept, and got me thinking about the rest of the scene that the chair would live in. Could I be bothered skinning a whole set of four to make a dining room? Or perhaps (and more easily) could it be a desk chair in a bedroom or study?

I went with the latter option, and pulled out my stash of kits to see what I had in the way of drawers and dressers, as I felt that the chair needed a mid-century-modern vibe option in white.

I felt like goldilocks.

Option 1 (not really a kit but in there because I wanted to make changes to it) was too traditional, plus when I picked it up cheap from a show I had plans for it which I'd still like to try. And, if I were to use it , it would have to go through the microwave, which would possibly cause more work putting it back together. 

Option 2: a kit I bought from JWT Dollshouses & Miniatures

got a thumbs down from me, due to the number of pieces involved, and the fact that I've found their kits generally run too run large.

Option 3, by The Tiny Timber Company, made me think the wood was too nice to paint

(and wonder when on earth it entered my collection).

Which leads us to option 4: a kit by Mini Materials.

It looked good.

The wood wasn't spectacular, so I wouldn't feel bad painting it.

Until that is, as I took it out of its package and saw this:

and took a closer look, only to discover that this kit has the best wood of all:

So I guess I'm back to seeing what I can do with option 2,

 or contemplating a complete change of direction.

* It seems that I'm also getting my 1980s earworm back this year.

Saturday: sorting it out

The best use of time when starting a kit is to sort out all the bits and bobs into separate bags or containers for each part of the kit, not just to make sure you've got all the bits, but also to help make life easier for future you by having each component together and ready to go and gaining an understanding of what all the pieces are, and how they fit together.

And that's what I did today: slowly, because of the heat, but also enjoyably because the gentle rhythm of sorting out a (potential) mess sooths my inner librarian.

I now have one (large) ziplock bag containing the pieces for the base and cover, which I'll be tucking away in my studio cupboard for possible future use (for example, if I ever display at a miniature show again, it could be useful to keep sticky-fingered people at bay), the kitchen bench unit I made back in May 2021 which needs to be repaired and completed. and a tray full of kits pieces for the accessories.

Some of which I'm not terribly excited by,

and some of which I am,

not only because I like the competed pieces but also (and possibly more so) because the kit includes the jig pieces which I can use to make more stools in the future if I want to.

Throwback Thursday: still stuffed

Yesterday's one-word post not only alluded to the fact I was yet again catching up on completing a stash of half-made cushions, but also to my general state of mind after a draining day at work spent firefighting and untangling messes.

So it was lovely to spend a quiet evening on the sofa mindlessly turning and stuffing cushions, especially as the temperature finally decided to rise to standard Australian levels after a blissful month of temperatures where I could happily function.

Tonight includes more of the same (both in terms of cushion-stuffing, and temperature). And as I picked the task up again, I suddenly recalled the soft furnishing shop scene I threw together over 10 years ago (10 years? Where did the time go?!)

And since it's Thursday, it's the perfect subject for a throwback Thursday post.

If you need me I'll be back on the sofa.

One word Wednesday

Stuffed.

Fun(damental)

Sheila made a very good point in her comment on yesterday's post when she said "I hope you still have fun with minis even if you don't blog about it. That's the whole point of a hobby after all right?".

This particularly resonated with me, as over the summer break I decided that 'fun' was going to be my theme word for this year, after a number of years that most definitely haven't been fun (although have had a few spots of it here and there).

One of the fun things that's happened this year is that I received a fabulously generous mini swap parcel from Cyd, the first swap parcel I've had since I settled on this flat five and a half years ago.

As I opened the parcel and admired all the treasures Cyd thoughtfully put together for me I felt a stirring of excitement and joy, which made me realise how much I missed both receiving boxes of mystery treasures, but also (and probably more), having the budget to put them together for my blog buddies.

Yesterday I started playing with a few of the pieces in the shelves above my computer, unwittingly choosing pieces that have all been gifted to be by blog buddies over the years:

(and sending myself a hidden message: don't forget how much you love minis. And blogging. And blog buddies. And swaps. While also remembering my visit to the original Love sculpture way back in 2006, and being pleased I now have a tiny souvenir of it!)

But there was a problem. I needed a candle for the lantern, but couldn't find my stash of miniature candles.

After 15 minutes I gave up and decided they'd turn up eventually, and it would be a better use of my time to make some more.

Which I did, thus guaranteeing the missing stash will show up very very soon.

Checking in

In my end-of-year clean up I was shocked to discover that it's been over 2 years since I last blogged, and wondered if blogging is even a thing anymore. And, for that matter if miniatures is even my thing any more.

Fortunately, I had a decent and relaxing summer break this year, which gave me the time to think about if it was time to decide to put the blog to bed once and for all, and seriously consider doing the same with minis.

The decision that I've come to so far is really an anti-decision: since I've been telling myself for 2 years that I'm not buying any more minis because a) I don't have the budget and b) I'm not using the backlog of ones I already have in stash, but then continue to come home from trips to New Zealand with just a few things I couldn't resist (mainly from Daiso), perhaps it's time for a recalibration.

I'm not sure if I'm making much sense, but am being gentle on myself because my blogging voice is very very rusty, and there's a jolly good chance I'm writing to myself.

(Which suddenly makes me realise that one of the things I miss about blogging in the good old days is that sense of community and regularly checking in with what other blogging buddies were up to. And makes me wonder how long it's been since my collection of RSS feeds disappeared, and why that happened. Microblogging, I suppose, but it's something that I should make time to look into and see who's still around from those times).

So my idea is to start by doing a round up of the small amount of mini stuff I've done since December 2021: mainly Instagram challenges which I'd hoped would kickstart my mini mojo, but deteriorated into a recycling of old images, which sometimes made me feel worse about the whole situation.

Here we go:

In February 2022, the Kaleidoscope House that I no longer own returned from its extended visit to the Doll house: Miniature worlds of wonder exhibition in Melbourne, and along with it, this carefully-wrapped parcel which contained the originals of the prints that they'd made for the exhibition:

(Unfortunately, they're still stacked in the corner of the library as I have no wall space to hang them: although someone did suggest I have a nice large empty wall in the garage!)

In March 2022 I had discovered a fabulous handywoman and as that year's (early) homeversary gift to myself, got her to come in and finally hang the art on my horribly hard plaster and brick walls (after almost 4 years in the place, that was quite a relief).

While she was here I also got her to hang some cube shelving that I've had for ages on the wall above my studio desk, with the plan that if I had minis staring at me at eye level directly above my computer, it may inspire me:

(Alas, It only seemed to inspire me to dwell on how little I was doing with them, and fill the rest of them with half-completed and abandoned projects in the hope that having them at eye level just above my work space would inspire me to work on them. It didn't.)

In July 2022, I finally made a thing, finishing the salad I'd started working on in August 2020, along with a few other small things that had been banging round for far too long:

And I didn't do anything else until the beginning of 2023, when I made a mini copy of a book a friend took the photos for:

(And photographed it in front of one of the bookcases in my library that I was pulling apart, dusting and reorganising at the time).

In March 2023 Canberra Modern's exhibition Model modern: Iconic design at miniature scale at Manning Clarke House during the Canberra heritage festival enticed me to try venture out to it, so I booked myself a ticket to the exhibition launch and panel discussion, but alas the number of unmasked people jammed in a very small (but quite fabulous) house, and the realisation that my skills with small talk had disappeared during lockdown, meant I felt deeply uncomfortable and left after only 20 minutes. And although I took quite a few pictures of the models, only one was worth sharing:

(It didn't help that I was on the scooter as I no longer own a car, and hadn't considered how cold and dark it gets in Canberra at that time of the year early in the evening :-/)

Things looked up in July 2023, as I joined in the July Mini Fun challenge on Instagram and was delighted that I not only finally used the wooden heart pieces I 'discovered' in December 2021,

but also threw together a very basic scene for a later day's Instagram post:

I was pleased that I also made a new scene for day 3 of the challenge, 'Magical thinking', but not so pleased with the result, although I consoled myself that it was a theme I'm not drawn to, and I'm very unpracticed at scene making these days:

But with the 'done is better than perfect' approach I pointed out that I'd finally used the plastic octopus I was given as a mini challenge back in 2013, that the Issey Miyake perfume bottle top I'd had in stash for about as long works perfectly as a modern crystal ball stand, and one of the chopsticks I'd received in a swap a few years ago worked just fine as an emergency wand.

I'm also still really struggling with the light in my not-new-anymore flat, and the studio in particular.

Finally, in August, while having coffee with a friend, she introduced me to a friend of hers, who happened to be one of the artists that originally created Bette Noir, the miniature gallery that lived in my downstairs hallway for quite some time and which I last bumped into back in early 2020.

He was pleased that I kept it safe and told me that it now lives in Tuggeranong Library, and that I was welcome to exhibit in it any time I want.

So I took a trip down south the following weekend to say hello and see how she was going, which was a bit weird as I've not been to Tuggeranong Library since I used to occasionally work there well over 20 years ago.

So that's me pretty much caught up mini-wise, although I've not mentioned the small number of purchases I've made since I last blogged, or mini gifts I've received (although while pulling out the photos for this post, I discovered some pictures I took of my purchases and gifts from my mid-2022 visit to New Zealand, so perhaps I can cobble together a show and tell).

If you happen to be reading this: hello! And thank you! How are you going? How's your mini-world looking these days? Are you still blogging?

A week start

It was an early morning, and a long day, including a 2-hour meeting starting around the time I'd usually be logging off, especially as I'm now officially on summer-but-not-on-leave time. :-(

Because I woke up at sparrow's fart and couldn't get back to sleep, I got up at 5am and spent an hour before my day officially started reacquainting myself with the contents of my stash, and pulling out bits and pieces that might work with the pictures I pulled out yesterday (and some stuff for a couple of other ideas I've had).

Then I returned to bed with my morning mug of tea and my phone, and found a message from Call of the Small, with a link to a new Australian miniatures show*, due to air on ABC early next year:

(How on earth did I not know about this, while someone on the other side of the world did? But speaking of miniatures and the other side of the world, there's currently  another miniature-related TV show in production in Canada...)

So in terms of making progress back here, I did whitewash the coffee-stirrer frames at lunchtime, and pulled together an inspiration board for the next miniature beachside getaway:

But I'm thinking I need another layer of white, and less wash...

(*For my Australian readers, you may be delighted to recognise Jimmy Rees, of Meanwhile in Australia fame. Or was I the only one trying to stay sane over the past 2 years by cackling with laughter at his regular updates?)

Sunday funday (and I-fell-in-love day!)

 I had plans. I did indeed. But a text from a friend just after 9am suggesting brunch (alas I'd just finished breakfast, so it changed to coffee and cake), meant the plans were tossed out the window and I went out instead.

Coffee and cake resulted in an impromptu trip to Spotlight (I was strong), followed by lunch: both of us remarking how oddly normal it felt, and yet, at the same time,weird in its normalness...

So it wasn't until the afternoon that I made it home again, reminding myself that this is what weekends are supposed to be for, and, since it's Sunday, I can play.

(The vanity is looking much better today, you'll be pleased to hear, and I'll be returning to finish the scene next week.)

Today I unearthed my workspace, and in the process found a sheet of scrapbooking paper I'd picked up at the Kaisercraft store back in May (and yes, that's the second half-completed scene cluttering up my worktable at the moment!), and decided to spend some time cutting out and framing the images using some coffee stirrers I had on hand.

As I went digging for my mitre box and saw, I remembered that I'd bought an Easy cutter back in 2016 at the NZAME convention, and this would be a perfect, low-risk chance to try it out.

And I'm amazed! It was brilliant, and I love it (and not just because I realised that I could make tiny heart art from the ends of the coffee stirrers!) But I now feel a bit silly that I didn't get one decades earlier, or try this one out sooner.

So frames ahoy, and now I need to take the bits downstairs to the garage for some whitewashing (and, perhaps, some bluewashing), and then set them aside for my traditional creation of a miniature holiday house to virtually visit over the summer break.