I Did It!

OMG I can't believe I actually did it! I finally got 20 lots full of items listed on eBay! Let me just tell you - it's a whole heck of a lot easier (and funner) to buy stuff than it is to sell it. Maybe instead of downsizing my mini collection, I ought to just buy a bigger house!

It was really fun to relive the dreams, challenges and successes going through all the little things I made and added to the barn, Bigfoot shop and dispensary. I remembered how much I loved each thing, and I hope the new owners will get as much joy and excitement from them as I did!

I started the bidding on each auction at $.99, so it will be fun to see if that will generate any excitement. I hope so! Here are the listings (just click on the words and it will open up a new window to the eBay auction page):

Garage and Shop Tool & Equipment Lot

Garage or Shop Work Bench with Tools & Accessories

Craftsman Type Rolling Tool Chest & Shop Stool

Handcrafted Rustic Log Double Bed and Furniture Set

Farmhouse Sink and Cabinet Unit Plus Stools

Loaded Fridge. Oven and Spice Shelf Set

Modified Modern Kitchen Set

Farmhouse Living Room Set Sofa Ottoman Tables and 12v Lamp

End Tables, Craftsman Bookshelf and Television Lot

Shop Fittings Triple Bookshelf and Two Tables

Bathroom Set w Custom Vanity, Shower, Mirror , Toilet. Accessories

Red Kitchen Miniatures

Grocery, Food and Cleaning Items

Diner or Cafe Miniatures

Bongs or Water Pipes and Marijuana Related Accessories (this auction has been removed by eBay, as it violated their drug paraphernalia policy. If you were interested, email me at jodihippler@gmail.com and I'll make you an excellent deal! :O)

Bigfoot or Sasquatch Gift Shop Items

White Store Counter with Mirrored Doors

Camping Scene & Equipment Miniatures Lot

Handmade Miniature Ice & Firewood Bundle Display for Your Store

Handcrafted Miniature Store Counter, Stools and Fridge

Click this link and it will open the page that shows all the auctions I currently have on.

Now my house is in desperate need of a good cleaning before I can get back to any more fun mini projects. Hopefully, though, I'll get some good spray painting weather and finish those sinks up soon!

Stay warm and have a relaxing weekend!

xo xo
Jodi

Binge & Purge

I've been on a bit of a bender. A mini bender that is. Since about June of 2012. That's when I allowed myself back into the world of my beloved miniatures. Prior to that, minis were completely out of the picture for nine years. Once I began indulging again, I fell totally off the wagon!

Mini Projects from 2012 - 2013

There were just so many possibilities. So many things to make for the worlds I could create. I just had to have it ALL! I was compelled to try! There was so much to learn! I am sure a lot of you can relate.

Mini Projects from 2014 - 2015

While all this mini love can give you a full heart, it can also lead to a very full house. When some of my finished structures, out of necessity, started matriculating into my bedroom last year, I knew I was going to have to make some tough decisions. Why keep things that were not going to be enjoyed? So, like any difficult decision, I had to let it marinate. But finally, I came to the realization that in order to continue to fulfill my future dreams (and I have plenty), I had to let some of the finished ones go. And really, I am surprisingly at peace with that.

Mini Projects from 2016

But how do you let things go? eBay? Some of the structures would be too cost prohibitive to ship. Plus, who'd want my vision and design choices for their new mini home? Craigslist? There aren't a whole lot of mini enthusiasts in my area, so finding someone who'd be willing to buy a completed project for a fair price seemed pretty implausible.

Projects from 2017

So finally, an idea hit me. What if I separated the minis and furniture from the structures? I could group like items and have fun with $.99 auctions on eBay for the furniture and accessories, then list the structures as "rehabs" on Craigslist. Sounds reasonable, right? The only way to know is to try...

So, I began last weekend with the Real Good Toys Contemporary Ranch. It was a funny project idea to me at the time, but somehow, a marijuana dispensary wasn't funny to me any longer. I began removing all the little wonders, and boy were there a lot of them, trying to cause as little damage to the wallpaper and flooring. Let's just say I learned a lot through trial and error and each room got progressively better. A heat gun and putty knife are essential tools!

I removed practically everything, including all of the landscaping. You'd never know it was once a place where nefarious happenings went on. The wallpaper will have to be replaced or just removed and walls painted. I damaged some spots on the wood flooring in two rooms, but those can be easily filled in and repaired. I am going to leave that up to the new owner. I am even going to leave the hideous green color scheme in hopes that some kind hearted person will want to enjoy the pleasure of it's obliteration. We'll see if there are any takers.

I was surprised how much I enjoyed deconstructing. Maybe just knowing things I'd loved were going to get new life someplace, and that I'd feel free to begin new projects guilt free has something to do with it. Once I had it gutted and the mini items cleaned and sorted, I started on the Real Good Toys Ruff & Rustic barn.

This was one of the projects that I never really finished. Didn't even shingle the roof. Poor planning on my part resulted in unfulfilled visions, and complete loss of passion for the whole project. I learned so much throughout the process, that I still consider the experience a good one. I am just ready to let it go. I am really enjoying and excited about reacquainting myself with every wonderful mini thing I made or specially purchased for the project! Some things I won't be able to let go in this one.

My work table looks like a mini flea market, and with the whole upstairs left to go, I may have a good number of eBay auctions to put together.

The other project that will get dismantled and sold is the Bigfoot tourist shop. I have three more after this, but those structures are smaller and may be better off sold as dioramas. We'll see. Just making progress in organizing and purging feels good to my soul.

xo xo,
Jodi

Confessions of a Mad Miniaturist Plus Some Exciting News!

Before I share the exciting news, I feel that I owe respect to honesty and therefore, need to first make a confession. You see, I seem to be suffering from (que dramatic music)... Project completion impotency! To prove my point, I will list off for you the projects that are started, some pretty far along, and yet not fully satisfied. Ahem...

1. Real Good Toys Barn Bash - trimming out the back opening, attaching it to a foundation, roofing and landscaping are all that she needs to be completed. Why have I stalled? Because I am a fickle be-otch and began fantasizing about Alki Point. There she sits, dusty and disheveled. If you listen closely, you can hear her say "cheater"!

2. Alki Point - She is done! Finito! Terminus! Only, she needs to have her power strip tidied up and concealed. Then she needs to have her glamour shots taken at the real Alki Beach. Why is this not done, since February you ask? Because. I got busy with (and excited over) the Shabby Chic Soap Shop. Plus, driving to Alki from Spanaway means traffic. Lots of it. I. Hate. Traffic! Oh, and see that building next to her on the right - that's next on my list.

3. Starbucks - this is the first in the set of three Street Of Shops. I stopped work on her because I wanted the brick facade to be continuous, and therefore would need to complete the other two in the set first. Yeah... That was like three years ago... I just need to finish it by itself and be done. She's all finished inside. I even built on a replica bathroom which is also finished inside. If/when I ever get to the next two shops, I'll improvise on brick continuity.

4. The Shabby Chic Soap Shop - I got stuck and frustrated trying to make the chandelier, which turned out to be way too chunky and completely horrible looking. Then I stalled out on whether or not to drop $60 on a real battery operated chandelier (even though I have wired wall sconces) and just forget trying to make one. Then I decided maybe it didn't need to be electrified at all. Then I felt lazy about not doing the wiring. Then I walked by it one day (it currently sits on the shelf so I'd have room to work on the Creatin' Contest build) and HATED the outside color scheme including the shingles!!! Now I've decided it all has to be repainted. As soon as I figure out what and how to do it.

And of course on top of all those, I am currently working on the Creatin' Contest build. See that list there? There's sooooo much left to do on this project! You'd think all of this wanton mini lust and the associated guilt would be enough to make me just stop and FINISH WHAT I STARTED!

Nope. I can't...

I have a serious addiction! It is a disease, you know. I can't be blamed for that. Can I? I'm not trying to hide anything. The blog name says it all...

Ugh... Now that I've admitted all of my shame, I'm a little hesitant to share my good news. Maybe you'll all be really mad at me. Maybe you will all want to come to my house and take these poor unloved projects away from me. Maybe you'll all think I'm a really bad person. :O(

But wait! YOU guys are my peeps! We are all completely and madly codependent! We support and enable each other all the time! You! You glorious comrades totally get it! You probably have a dozen or so mini skeletons on your shelves or hidden in closets, as well. In fact, you have probably purchased something in the last couple weeks that you totally did not need but wanted really, really bad!

Phew! Thanks for being in this with me! I love you guys!

Okay - so finally out with the good news!

A few posts ago I mentioned that Hobby Lobby had the RGT Beachside Bungalow kit for $119, then had the 40% coupon. I got it for half the regular price, so there was no way I was letting that opportunity pass me by.

I told myself that I was not even going to open the kit until I at least had the contest build completed. Then one day I was sitting at the computer, minding my own business when the kit's finishing page just pops up on the screen! I didn't think there would be any harm in reading it, right? But it got me so excited! It has already finished wood floors! I wondered what they looked like. I opened the box. I looked at the pictures online. I wondered if I could swap the stairs to the other side of the house. I drew out the dimensions and made a first floor layout in my design program. That got me to thinking about the kitchen. That got me looking for cabinet kits. That got me looking over at Elf Miniatures to see what they had available and what the pricing was like. That got me talking to Elizabeth (I love her!) and totally coming up with an affordable and awesome kitchen plan!

The Wall Of Cabinets Layout

The Island Layout

I was shocked at how quickly Elizabeth got back to me. She asked me so many important questions and clarified every detail to be sure I would get exactly what I wanted. She offered options to me that weren't even listed on the web site, and ended up saving me even more money so that I could afford the fridge cabinet enclosure. Then, to put the cherry on top, she said they would go out airmail from the UK on Wednesday!!! What?!?

I just don't deserve so much happiness, but I am so grateful for it! My "Notes From The Universe" this morning said:

"The secret behind miracles is that the person performing them begins without any knowledge of exactly how they will succeed... yet still they begin.

When you move, I move -
The Universe"

Thanks for sticking through all my rambling to the end! I'll post photos of the new loot as soon as it arrives!

As for when the project will actually start - that remains to be seen...