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Thursday, August 15, 2019

Autumn's Pantry: Stocking The Shelves

With a name like Autumn's Pantry, customers will be expecting a bountiful variety of freshly harvested fruits, vegetables and baked goods. This week's focus has been all about filling the Pantry's shelves!


I had a bunch of great ideas but needed to get them organized and onto paper. Making up a rough plan for each of the nine shelf cubbies helped, and I decided that getting the canning done was a great task to start with.


First, I gathered my supplies. I have two different brands of two part clear drying resin. They call it two part because there is a Part A and a Part B. One is the resin, and one is the hardener. Neither will harden unless they are mixed, in equal amounts, together. I like the results equally well, though the ICE resin smells less than the Amazing, and is easier to pour. Both take pigment (alcohol ink, artists chalk, acrylic paint) equally well, set in 24 hours and cure in three days. I like to use disposable medicine cups because the measurements are embossed and easy to read. I like using coffee stirrers to mix them because there is more stirring surface than with toothpicks.


I have a variety of canning jars and bottles bought from many different miniature online retailers and tend to pick them up whenever I see ones I like or there is a sale. When I make mini foods in them, I tend to make a lot at one time.
Before I mix up the resin, I like to have everything ready to go. I use double sided tape to hold my jars onto a paper plate. I label the paper plate with what resin is going into what jars so things don't become confusing. In French cooking, they call this "mes en place". I call it me's in place! :O)


I always start with a cup for the Part A resin and the Part B resin. This ensures you are measuring the exact amount of each. Once you have them poured perfectly equally into their separate cups, you can add your pigment to Part A. I like to begin with the lightest color, because if you have resin left over for the next color, you can just mix a darker pigment in and not have to waste it. Start with a drop on a toothpick and keep adding until you like the color. Remember that mixing Part A into Part B will dilute the color slightly, so plan for that. Once you like the color, mix Part A into Part B per the directions on the label, usually five minutes. You will generally have 30 minutes of working time before the resin begins to harden, so don't feel too rushed.


You can see below how much the resin lightened after mixing it with Part B. These are jars of honey, so I have some leeway with color. Because the mouths of the jars are small, I fill them by dipping the end of a toothpick into the resin, letting excess drip back into the cup, then carefully moving it over to fill the jar a drop at a time. It's a job for the patient, but I find it fun and relaxing. If you happen to over spill or are a bad aim, do not worry. Continue to fill your jar. After about 30 minutes, when the resin has begun to solidify, simply wipe off the jar with a paper towel, followed by a baby wipe, and you're good as new. Just don't set the jar back into the puddle! :O)


Changing to the strawberry jam was easy. I just added a couple drops of red to my yellow mixture. Tip: if you want some "fruit" pieces in your jam, cut up a strawberry polymer clay cane and add some slices in the jar. Add some resin, mix with a toothpick and then do the next layer. You can also just add in no hole beads of a similar color. This works in pie making, as well. I am saving my strawberry canes for another project.


After filling the strawberry jam jars, I needed to make blackberry jam. Adding in a couple drops of blue turned my resin into the perfect dark purple/red.


I had to start with a fresh batch for the apple butter jam. For this, I used a tiny drop of brown alcohol ink. Because apple butter jam is not clear, I lightened up and clouded the resin with a couple tiny blobs of  buttercream acrylic paint. You can achieve the color you're after in several ways. Using shaved artists chalk in the exact color you want is one of them. That will give you a slightly opaque quality, as well. It's a lot of fun to experiment with many of the mediums in your craft drawers. Who knows? You may just discover the next major crafting breakthrough!


Here are the four different types of jams/honey using just the resin. I set the plate up on an undisturbed shelf to let it set for a day. If you are working in a dusty area or have a larger area of resin exposed, you may want to cover your pieces with a clear condiment cup individually, or cover the entire plate with a large food storage container.


Now for the fun jars! I had collected many different food canes for the Glencroft kit's autumn themed project. Because there are at least two projects in the queue ahead of that one, I decided to pilfer these from that stash.


I started with the pepper canes. When I ordered them, they were out of the green pepper canes and I forgot to go back and reorder them. So these jars will have only red and yellow peppers. I tinted the resin with a yellow/orange alcohol ink. Often, the liquid in real life canned jars will become slightly colored by the leaching of pigment from the vegetables/fruits in them. Tinting the resin slightly looks more realistic. I slice the canes in half and then keep halfing the pieces until they are as thin as i think they should be. Sometimes, letting the canes warm up in your hands for a few minutes makes them easier to slice.


Filling the jars can be as simple or as complex as you like. Doing a layer of resin then a layer of fruit/vegetable allows you to arrange them, while other things like blueberries can be dropped and mixed right in. For detailed fruits/vegetables, I like to arrange them a bit.


From the top center clockwise there are black olives, two pickle jars, two pepper jars, two jars of figs, orange slices, lemon slices and carrots. At this point you'll want them to cure completely before adding on the tops.


Some of the tops for these jars have really long stoppers. This means you'll either have to fill the jars lower than looks natural or make an adjustment. I have resorted to breaking off the glass stoppers with pliers (please be careful of the glass!) or replaced the tops altogether with cardboard and fabric covers. This is also a great solution for the jars that come with corks instead of lids. I like the look of both and in combination on a shelf with one another. This is what you'll find in a real life pantry because who has a totally matching set of canning jars? You use what is available when whatever you're canning comes into season. Trust me, I spent many an August helping my grandma can everything grown on their farm in Montana!

For my fabric tops, I chose some fabrics with extra small prints, then cut 5/8" circles from cardboard packaging.


Then I cut a one inch square piece of fabric.


Glue the lightest side of the packaging circle onto the center of the wrong side of the fabric. Add a line of Tacky glue to the rim of the jar.


Center the jar, upside down onto the circle. Let dry.


Once dry, round the corners.


My hemp cord has three strands. I like to separate them to be more in scale. You can also use embroidery floss or tiny rubber bands topped with raffia strips ripped to size.


Tie and trim excess fabric.


Viola! A tiny jar of jam!


How do you know what's in the jar? You make a simple label. I always feel as though I am being redundant with my tutorials, but if anyone wants a really in depth graphic making education, I will be happy to do my best. I use free images and programs that most everyone already has. I know some simple tricks such as setting the background transparent or exactly matching colors that may be helpful to those who are new to graphic work. Just lmk in the comments.


There was a time when I was going to make a wine shop with one of my Street Of Shops kits. Why not? I'd already done a Starbucks! But that idea has hit the waaaaayyyy back burner, so I decided to use these really large, cheap wine bottles and turn them into apple cider. The old labels were stubborn, so I decided a night soaked in alcohol might make them more cooperative. You should have seen their faces when they realized that by "night soaked in alcohol" I meant the isopropyl kind. :O)
It worked great, and they no longer argued about getting naked!


So here's part of the gang that will be going onto the pantry shelves. I hope every customer will find a seasonal delight to take home with them!


And next week, I hope to share how I (successfully) made real wax jar candles!


Have a great week, everyone!

xo xo,
Jodi

48 comments:

  1. What a great tutorial! And what a wonderful selection of items for your shelves!

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    1. Thanks Deb! I hope all these jars won't be lost among all the other stuff going on way back on that shelf - we'll see! :O)

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  2. que bueno el paso a paso, gracias

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  3. Hi Jodi. Interesting tutorial! Resin is one of those things I have tried and gotten annoyed with! Largely because the stuff I’ve used sets very quickly so it is hard to do fine, careful work such as filling jars. I also have the scenic water stuff and it takes longer to set too, but I haven’t tried colouring it. Perhaps now I will, using your tips as a guide. Thanks for the ideas!

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    1. Hi Shannon! I started out using the five minute stuff when I first began experimenting. It was nerve wracking having it get warm and start hardening as you were trying to work quickly. It also turned yellow with time so I gave it up except for using it to actually affix things like the Phoenix Models kits. Working with the longer acting stuff and playing with the tints is actually fun and I hope you do give it a try!

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  4. This is a great tutorial. I have never tried using resin and you have made it less intimidating should I find a need for it. Your step-by-step approach and tried-and-true tips are extremely helpful. Thanks so much.

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    1. Thanks Sherrill! I hope you will get the opportunity to give resin a try because I think you'll find it enjoyable and interesting!

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  5. JODI, I'm in Love with your canning!!!! Each jar of preserves looks good enough to eat and pretty enough to display inside your Delightful little shop!
    I KNOW that you will be selling out of your stock just as soon as the store doors open, so please ensure that you have PLENTY of your EXQUISITE Preserves stored away in the cellar!
    BRAVO! :D

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    1. Thanks Elizabeth! I probably should have let the glue dry and adjusted the canning wires better for the photo, but was trying to hurry! :O) Hopefully, I have made enough to give the impression of a good supply and choices! :O)

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  6. Oh Jodi, not only does your wee jars of canned goodies look fabulously inviting, but the tutorial of how you got is just wonderful. I have never messed about with resin and that kind of stuff, so this no doubt going to come in VERY handy some day.
    I have been looking at my toystore shelves, wondering how to fill them in a slightly organised way - now I know and am heading straight over to plan.
    Thanks Heaps,
    Anna

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    1. Thanks Anna! It's always great to hear that my post has been helpful in some way. I hope the shelf filling process goes great for you, is fun and that you'll share photos! Toy shops in mini are so much fun to look at!

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  7. That is a great tutorial. I always wondered how it was done. It is very useful and you should send it in for publication. I'm think other people are curious as to how it is done as well. Now I am craving olives and pickles, they are so realistic!

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    1. Thanks Carrie! It's just great to let everyone know that you can make these ourselves at home, it's pretty easy, and fun! Especially now that they sell for upwards of $40 for really detailed jars! That's just out of reach for some of us.
      My grandma canned the best home grown pickles, pickled beets and all things choke cherry this time of year! Seeing the little jars makes me crave them too!

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  8. Que estupendo tutorial! las mermeladas y envasados han quedado geniales,tu despensa está bien abastecida para el otoño-invierno,bravo!!!!
    Muchas gracias,creo que tendré que empezar a abastecer la mía!
    Besos.

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    1. Gracias pilar! Es un proyecto muy divertido de hacer y si amas los pequeños frascos, ¡una oportunidad de ahorro para hacerlos tú mismo! ¡Espero que puedas hacer algo!

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  9. What fun - how lovely to spend a fun afternoon and end up with such lovely things. Maybe dripping the resin into the jars might not qualify as fun as such but so worth it.

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    1. Thanks Marilyn! It was fun, but the key is being organized and having a plan. If not, it can be stressful and wasteful. But then, you and I enjoy a good controlled environment when we work, lol!

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  10. Never feel your posts are too long. I read every word. I would like to try and work with resin. Your project directions are so easy to follow. Thanks!!

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    1. Thanks Pat! That is nice to hear, and I hope you do get a chance to play around with some resin! A fun first project would be to make an open topped pie. Make the crust with air dry clay and color the edges with chalk. Then fill with red tinted resin and arrange strawberry slices on top. Then make a whipped cream lump in the center with white puff paint. It's simple but you get a really cute pie in the end!

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  11. Delighted to read and learn from your excellent tutorial...big inspiration in small jars! The finished results look very realistic and will inspire any miniature shoppers visiting the shop to browse and purchase...every piece looks just lovely! Cheers, Alayne

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    1. Thanks Alayne! I am glad you found it helpful and like the results! I hope they are as charming when shoved way back on the shelves in the shop, lol! We'll see!

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  12. Great tutorial!
    have a nice day!
    groetjes van Marijke

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    1. Thanks Marijke! Hope you have a great day, too!

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  13. Un tutorial magnifico y un resultado fabuloso.
    Estoy deseando ver como has realizado las velas.
    Un saludo

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    1. Gracias marian! ¡Espero tener buenos resultados con las velas para compartir!

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  14. Oh this is very cool! I might have to try some of the cane veggies. I've only worked with the instant water so far so I'm curious to try other products. I'm sure I'll be referring back to your tutorial soon.

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    1. Oh Sheila I hope you get the chance to try them! They are a lot of fun!

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  15. yum yum! Thank you Jodi for these beautiful explanations!

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  16. Thank you for this well explained and illustrated tutorial - I'm already looking forward to the new one about how to get colored wax out of tealights via a huge pot into small jars. ;O) And of course I'm looking even more forward to see all of your beautiful cans, jars and bottles in place. Like Elizabeth already said, let's hope there will be enough in store to re-fill the shelves after the big opening!

    So far I have not dared to give this 2-component-resin a try for different reasons, one of them being not needing so many filled cans anymore since I gave up selling. But even back then I helped myself by using the old window color bottles, they work quite well for magical potions, pretending cups to be filled with coffee and even for jar candle look alikes… if you're patient enough to add layer by layer for day by day while comforting yourself "This saves me money… it's ecological to use what you have… this saves me money…" *LOL* I really admire your collection - but I'm glad that Fluby and Rosey are not around. This post should have had an "adult content" warning because of the bottles' striptease. *grin* I'm glad they were cooperative in the end... although you fooled them about the night bath in alcohol.

    Hugs
    Birgit (who can't leave without mentioning how impressive it is to see how organized you are… this paper plate with the marked sections made me feel so small and chaotic… *LOL*)

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    1. Thanks Birgit! I hope I have predicted correctly and made enough, too! I have used gallery glass in the past for jams, coffee and honey, too, and they do produce a nice result so saving time and money in those situations is smart! I am sorry about not adding the "Mature" rating on the post and am glad you saw it before those sweet and innocent bearys did! Having to be organized is a weakness and I really do admire people like my husband who can work just fine in utter chaos! I become overwhelmed and can't think straight! :O)

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  17. Wonderful stock of unbelievable lifelike mini preserves! Thanks for the very clear, step by step generous tutorial! Stunning work!
    Hugs, Drora

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    1. Thanks Drora! I am glad you like the canned goods and the process post! :O)

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  18. Un estupendo tutorial. Me encanta como ha quedado todas esas conservas.

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    1. Gracias isabel ¡Me alegra que te guste el tutorial y los resultados de enlatado!

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  19. Such wonderful tips and tricks here Jodi! I've always been a bit frightened of the two part resins, but you have explained your process so well.. I'm almost ready to give it a go. Your finished products are so darling it's really spurring me on. Really love the idea of replacing those ridiculous large corks on mini bottles with card and fabric. They look brilliant and so much more to scale. Another project to add to my list. :D

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    1. Thanks Sam! I hope you do give them a try because I have no doubt that just like your amazing talent for micro painting, you'll find you have a natural knack for this type of craft, as well! It seems like a big chore until the mood (or necessity) strikes you and then it can be a lot of fun!

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  20. Very beautiful, seems fun to make, looks great in the store.

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    1. Thanks Gonda! They are fun to make and I hope you get a chance to try them!

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  21. Hello Jodi, That is a lovely tutorial. I was always curious how this could be done. A real eye opener. :-)

    Huibrecht

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    1. Thanks Huibrecht! They are really interesting to play around with and I imagine you could get really proficient if you kept practicing for a few weeks. I seem to make them up every couple years for one project or another.

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  22. Io sono senza parole ... Mi piacciono moltissimo le tue provviste per l'inverno! Adoro l'effetto della resina, Soprattutto quando ci sono piccoli Oggetti immersi dentro ... ma non mi sono mai decisa a provare ad usarla!
    Credo Che, se avessi qui tutti Quei MERAVIGLIOSI barattoli pieni di Cose Buone da mangare, passerei il tempo ad osservare in trasparenza Quello Che c'è dentro.
    Bellissimo tutorial ... * _ *

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    1. Grazie Elenè! Sono così felice che ti piacciano i decori e i barattoli e spero davvero che tu abbia la possibilità di lavorare con la resina! Penso che lo troverai molto divertente e che i risultati siano facili da ottenere!

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  23. Perfect canning jars! You make it all look so easy. :D

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    1. Thanks Brae! They are pretty easy though perfection evades me!

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  24. Hi, Jodi - I'm so sorry to be way late in leaving my comment, especially since I've been so eager to see the first "goodies" that you've chosen to display. Your work (or is it play?) with the resin is amazing, and I appreciate the clearly explained tutorial. All the jars and bottles of bounty look incredibly realistic. What a beautiful beginning for Autumn's Pantry!
    Marjorie

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    1. Hi Marjorie! You are always right on time! I am happy that you like the jars and the tips! I hope you get a chance to give them a try because they are so much fun to make and so much fun to have in a project!

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