The "Sinking" Saga Continues...

In the midst of my cleaning & reorganizing campaign, my education in sink making continues. The chaotic photo below shows my homework in various stages of completion/experimentation.

So far I've played around with different Barewood pieces, built some of my own using basswood, dowels and jewelry findings, and my latest guinea pigs are some Bespaq pieces. I am having a little fun adding, subtracting and rearranging them. No need to worry too much about ruining them - they are of the bargain basement variety.

Here they are after having gone at them with a blow dryer, microwave, chisel, pliers and Xacto knife. I have a vision and a plan, so please bear with me...

Some things were a little more difficult to pry apart than others. Trying to get the glass inserts separated from the doors was a bit of a challenge, but I learned (finally) the best way was to apply a good deal of heat with the blow dryer, run the Xacto along the seam where the glue met the glass and the wood, and then slowly pry them off. I also learned how to repair a blown out hinge and reattach trim so you'd never know it came off. See? Very educational!

I had learned in a previous experiment that the best way to remove glue residue from glass (any kind f glue), was to soak the glass in acetone. Works like a dream, and if you use a coffee filter, you can salvage the acetone and add it right back to the bottle. Not that I am cheap, but I'll do just about anything to avoid a trip to WalMart whenever possible!

I wanted to add my own countertops to some of the pieces, so I took measurements and made mock ups out of cardboard. I have learned that a good visual often saves a lot of cutting and sanding.

My husband Russ is a contractor, so he is big on tools. This is awesome for me because he often buys them for me and is an excellent resource when I have a question. For my birthday in December, he bought me a small Microlux Table Saw from MicroMark. 

This was excellent for cutting the 1/8" basswood countertops, though if I could suggest an improvement to MicroMark it would be to have a wider cutting table. There is only about three inches on either side of the blade, so that's all the width you get for setting the fence. My cuts were all around 3-5/8", so I had to free hand. It did cut much smoother than my scroll saw, like butter actually. Keeping a straight line was just a matter of going slowly and keeping your eye on the blade where it met the line. The other small suggestion I would make to MicroMark is to have the miter guide lock in at the end somehow. If it lifts up out of the groove while cutting, it could ruin your day. I think I can Jerry Rig something to solve this potential issue, though. Overall, I am happy with it and excited to have an accurate and diverse cutting tool in my arsenal.

Each of the furniture pieces were of varying height, so to keep the height between 32" to 42" real life inches, some of the designs had to be modified. Some will have bowl sinks while others will be recessed.

Some tops will be faux marble, but others are going to get a little more experimentation with faux quartz and granite finishes. This will be an interesting process and I'll be sure to share my triumphs and failures.

For the next few days, I'll be busy packing up and shipping the eBay auctions which end tonight at around 5:00 Pacific time. I am super happy and so grateful with the bidding, and a little shocked at some of the bids! Most of all, I am excited that these beloved little minis are going to get a new life and a new adventure!

Have an awesome week mini friends!

xo xo,
Jodi

Sugarplum (aka The Soap Shop) Added To The Purge

In my continuing efforts to clean and organize, I listed another item on eBay. The poor little soap shop (made from a Greenleaf Sugarplum kit) has been sitting up on the shelf collecting dust for nearly two years. I just can't seem to find renewed inspiration for it, so I am hoping someone will get it and do something awesome with it!

I added a dormer with a rounded window to the roof, then added two more on either end of the gables. The gables are clad with 1/2" scale hexagonal shingles to give them some nice detail.

I extended the front porch and roof to make way for lots of display, letting the shoppers have a peek at what they can expect inside the shop. The door is made by Alessio and features arched mullions. I really like it!

The foundation and chimney are done in egg carton "stone".

I kept the interior very whitewashed so that the minis would be the star of the show.

I made all of the displays, shelving, baskets and window seats custom for the space, so they are included, too.

The fireplace is by Jim Coates...

As are the frames on the lover level windows.

I eliminated the second floor to give way to vaulted ceilings. A battery powered chandelier would be awesome in here! There's a built in shelf where the second floor would have been for more display space. The ceilings have a patterned textured ceiling paper by Jackson Miniatures.

Theres lots of display space for bottles of hair care products, shampoos, soaps, candles, jars of bath salts and potpourri and anything else you'd find in a soap shop. There's even a window seat where you could put some adorable pillows for sale.

The displays on either end were designed to hold wrapping paper rolls, ribbon spools and gift cards.

I started the bidding again at $.99 because I have no idea what to value something like this at. I'll let the buyer decide, and I will be happy knowing it is going to someone who feels inspired.

Here's the link to the auction:

Sugarplum Soap Shop Dollhouse

I am still going through boxes, repairing and sprucing up unused furniture and miscellaneous minis, so there may be more stuff to purge soon!

Have a great week!

xo xo

Jodi

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