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Friday, April 6, 2018

Vanity Project Ta-Done!

After three months of exploration I am happy to report that 16 of the 29 vanities I had plans for are completed! The other 13 are going to have to wait for a while - I am eager to move on to something else...

There are a lot of photos, and getting them was a real challenge. I have a long way to go in my photography skills, but I'm learning as I go. The doll in the photos is a Heidi Ott. She is 5.5" so you get a better idea of the scale of everything.

Each set has varying components such as sinks and faucets, some purchased and some created. Some units started as barewood washstands and some were various Bespaq bargain basement pieces that I modified and refinished. Four of them, including Sam's, I made up myself from basswood and findings. The accessories include hemp cord baskets with fabric liners, candles on pillars, flowers in vases, soap pumps and rolled towels. Some have drainpipes, some tissue boxes. I learned so much about what works and what is fussy, what to avoid and how to improve. It was an intensive study, but a worthwhile pursuit. What I'll do with them all I am still not sure. For now, they are carefully packaged and stored away in my grandma's art deco hutch.

The Petite Square






The Grand Square






The Grand Round






The Crosshatch






The Classic Black







The Classic White





Double Black Granite





Double Glass Door Marble





Nantucket Bucket Blue





Nantucket Bucket Gray




Nantucket Bucket Pink





Old West Hotel






The Hacienda








Mermaid I







Mermaid II





Sam's






I am also happy to report that Sam's package is on it's way to the land down under! I can't wait to see photos on her blog when she's got it all set up! It's going to live in the basement tenant's apartment that she created in her San Fran 555. It's a neat project, so if you haven't already, check it out!

What's next? An intensive spring clean is going on here for the next week or so, then back to the New Orleans, I think. Right now, it's just nice to see my workroom all clean and tidy again!

Happy Spring,
Jodi

46 comments:

  1. Gorgeous! I love them all and can't decide which one I like best. The marble is amazing and those aqua tiles are so pretty! And all your accessories are just perfect! Congrats on all your progress.

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    1. Thanks Sheila! The marble was really fun and much less intimidating than I thought it was going to be! The tile idea is still going to need a lot more experimenting. People like @ibuildsmallthings on Instagram make it look so easy! But it is not!

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  2. Jodi, now you definitely have to build a bathroom shop with large showroom!!

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    1. I know, right! If the inspiration ever hits me for a shop, I'll be ready!

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  3. Fantastic job Jodi....I love all of the styles and their names...Especially The Nantucket Bucket. If you make a store, you should do a naming contest for it!
    XX

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    1. Thanks Carrie! What a fun idea! My creativity for naming stuff is either on or off, and I am sure there are some naming geniuses out there!

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  4. Son estilos diferentes pero todos preciosos.Todos los detalles encantadores.

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    1. Gracias Isabel! Fue divertido explorar estilos y acabados modernos, contemporáneos y de tipo country. Me alegra que te gusten!

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  5. Oh, Jodi! What an impressive accomplishment! As others have said, I don't know which I like best, but each of them is definitely you. Your photos are fabulous and you probably developed some techniques all of us would love for you to share. I've loved this journey, thanks.

    Fran Casselman

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    1. Thank you, Fran! I will think about a "Tips I learned while making and photographing vanities" kind of post for the future if anyone is interested. If I can save someone some time and frustration, it was worth all the experimenting!

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  6. Great work Jodi, they all look fabulous. You deserve a lot of credit for your patience and perseverence. It has really paid off!

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    1. Thank you Shannon! I definitely learned that an assembly line kind of job is not my favorite thing to do. I must have ADD because I get bored and lose interest very quickly, making me have to dig deep to keep going!

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  7. WOWEE!!! what a TERRIFIC gathering of your various sink projects!
    I love the uniqueness of each of them and their specific monikers which suits each one to a "T"!
    I KNow that Sam is going to be THRILLED with her custom ordered sink and I can't wait to see it installed in her San Franciscan but I DO HOPE that YOU TOO will be able to fit one of your Marvelous sink units into your NEW ORLEANS house Jodi-
    and I wonder which one you'll choose? ;D

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    1. Thanks so much, Elizabeth! I don't have any of them slated for any of the projects I am currently in the planning stages for. BUT, I will be able to take what I learned and apply it to the vanity I have in mind for the New Orleans bathroom. I loved doing the marble, so I anticipate using that technique again, for sure.

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  8. Un trabajo impresionante, fantásticos todos, feliz fin de semana:-)

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    1. Gracias Rosa Maria! Espero que estés teniendo un maravilloso fin de semana lleno de mini diversión también!

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  9. They are all wonderful. I particularly like the Nantucket Bucket sinks.

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    1. Thanks Keli! The bucket sink idea done in miniature was definitely a precipice for the whole project. I did not achieve exactly what I had in mind, but learned enough that the next time I try it I might like it better.

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  10. They are all beautiful, congratulations and thanks for the make along postings.

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    1. Thank you Shelley, and thank you for coming along for the ride! :O)

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  11. Just fabulous and such attention to detail. So glad I don't have to choose a favourite. Have you considered making more stuff and selling at a show? They would snapped up by lunchtime. M

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    1. Thanks Marilyn! I don't have a stand out favorite, either, but I have looked at them all for so long I have lost my perspective! :o)
      I would LOVE to sell them at a show - that would mean I'd have mini money to spend! Do you really think anyone would buy them? That would be awesome!

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    2. I am absolutely certain they would be snapped up. m

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    3. Well, I know I'd buy several! If I could afford the bidding war. :)

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    4. Thanks for all of the encouragement, ladies! Maybe one day I will make a post with all the concerns I have about becoming a "seller". Minis and the mini community are my joy!

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  12. The doll must be an estate agent, showing off such a large number of bathrooms. They are all beautiful, well done!
    Your photography skills are better than most I see on blogs. Mine still sucks, but I know how to use photoshop... Ha, I think I have figured out what you were hiding behind while photographing the stands with mirrors. Brillidant. But I'm not going to spoil the fun and tell.
    I look forward to seeing what you make next!

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    1. Thank you, Megan!
      I truly appreciate the kind words about the photos - I am really trying to do the best I can with an iPhone camera and my lighting challenges. It is as much a learning curve as making the minis themselves!
      I found that taking straight on photos with the mirrors really detracted from the scene because you could see the phone, me, and my storage drawers in the background. I used a whole punch to create an opening for the camera lens in a piece of scrap scrapbooking paper. Then I put double sided tape on the phone case, lined up the hole to the lens, and stuck the paper to it. Definitely better than seeing me in the shots! :o)

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  13. All your vanities are beautiful and perfectly equipped with lovely accessories. The marble topped ones are my favorites.
    Hugs, Drora

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    1. Thank you, Drora! The marble ones were a lot of fun to do!

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  14. Dear Jodi, this has been such an Odyssey of Vanities!!! I must admit my favorite is the Old West Hotel (I think it is the enamel bowl!) and second favorite is the Mermaid... love the color and the idea and the theme... blue will catch me every time! I admire your stick-to-it-iveness!!! It is really an accomplishment to have given so much Individual attention to each varied piece... figuring out what finish would go best with what color and then there are the accessories!!! You have accomplished so much! And now you will be able to reach into your cupboards and pull out a finished vanity ... no matter what style of build you are making! Bravo!!! And I can sympathize with your desire to move on! :)

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    1. Thanks Betsy! I had all of these pie in the sky ideas, but when it came down to making them I had to do a lot of punting with materials I had on hand. Better planning would have helped, but with so many to plan the details for, it got a little overwhelming so I just decided to go forward and see how things came out. I see many things I wish I'd have been able to do differently, but overall they're not too bad. I am glad you have a couple favorites, and I hope they will inspire future vanities for you!

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  15. Hello, Jodi - I'm just so impressed with ALL your vanities and their accessories; they're simply beyond wonderful. If I had to choose a favorite (or two) I'd choose Nantucket Bucket Blue and Mermaid II. That surprises me, because I'm usually not a great fan of blue! But I love every single one of the vanities - and what a creative variety you've made. The photos that you've taken look perfect to me; mine are usually pretty awful, and no two have the same coloration or lighting. I've just always figured that's the way it has to be, but you've encouraged me to at least explore some improvement options! I'm looking forward to seeing what your next project will be - after your bout of spring cleaning, that is!
    Marjorie

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    1. Thank you Marjory! Blue is not a real Go To color for me either, as I tend toward warm and spicy when not thinking too hard. The teals have really been making me happy lately, and when I saw the two glass bowls in my stash the idea for a mermaid theme sprang to life. It was a lot of fun to have so many vanities that I didn't have to pick just one color.
      The two best photo suggestions I can offer are light and software. I have switched to 100 watt equivalent LED bulbs in my dining room fixture which has five sockets. That has helped the photos and helped me to see better in general. There are also socket splitters so you can go from one bulb to three or more, and because the LEDs draw so much less power, overloading a circuit isn't a worry. Light has been the biggest help in better photos, then next is taking a lot of photos and using the software to make them better. I will be sure to share any other tips in a future post, as I know most of us struggle with this issue!
      As for the cleaning, my body hurts and I want to play! I'll be so glad when I can call the spring clean ta-done!

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  16. I can't pick a favourite! I really love the marble tops, but the accessories are the part that tips these over the edge into pure amazingness! So excited for your next project!

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    1. Thanks Kristine! Me too - ready and excited to move on!

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  17. Dear Jodi, It has been such an amazing and fun to watch, and learn, project. I have loved the entire process and I admire you for your commitment but mostly for your ability and talent to transform normal objects in beautiful pieces, thinking of every little detail. I love all your vanities, it´s impossible to choose a favourite one, they are all beautiful! I am excited about what´s coming next!

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    1. Thanks Alex! I am glad you were here with me and enjoyed it too! What's next began on Sunday, an unanticipated direction started purely on a whim. I am having fun tho!

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  18. Hello Jodi,
    What incredible work! your sinks are gorgeous! the units are beautifully done, beautifully finished, and beautifully accessorized. They are all unique and very stylish. Fantastic work my friend.
    Big hug
    Giac

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    1. Thanks so much Giac! It makes me happy that you like them! :O)

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  19. Wonderful work, and a great lesson in learning! I agree with the suggestions of making them available for sale. With so many variations, and the high quality level, buyers could find exactly what they didn't know they needed :)

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    1. Thanks Nancy! It really would make me so happy if someone wanted one, but oh selling is such a tangled web of emotion. I am going to need a good think on it, and loads of advice before I set sail on that ship! :o)

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  20. I love all of them, and the names are great - they fit their namesakes perfectly! Such attention to detail! I'm so impressed, as always!

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    1. Thanks Penelope! I am so happy you like them! The names for some were right in my mind, others I finally just gave up thinking so hard!

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  21. Wait.. what!!.. How did I miss this post!!... Who knows where I've been.. obviously in fairy land. :D
    Well this is a smorgasbord of splendidly stupendous sinks! So creative Jodi, I would never be able to come up with so many delightfully different designs.. Whoa!.. I'm really on an alliteration jag in this comment.. lololol. But really, they are fabulous. I have to say I'm super impressed by all your hardware.. and your bowls!... AND... wheeeee.. my package is off to Oz.. lets hope it doesn't encounter any tornados. :o

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    1. Hi Sam! Well, I hope wherever you have been that minis has been a big part of it! I saw on the way down here you've posted, so can't wait to sip some market spice tea and have an enjoyable read!
      I am so glad you like the vanities, and the four modern ones were purely inspired by your inspiration photo, so I owe you the credit on those! Thank you for sharing your ideas!
      I haven't looked at the tracking in a couple days, so I'll have to do that too - I am still praying it's safe and will get there quickly!

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    2. Squeeee... In the processing centre in Sydney.. not long now. :D

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