Miniature Book Stand and Open Book

 Hello Mini Friends!  I decided that my apothecary needed an old-style book stand and possibly an open book.  I say possibly because I've never made an open book and for some reason couldn't wrap my head around how exactly to do it.  I watched a tutorial or two but was still intimidated.  After my stand was finished, I decided to just jump in and try it.  

I am pleased with the way they turned out!  Let me show you!

I'll show you the process of making the stand first.  I used a dollhouse wooden spindle, chip board four beads and a piece of lace.

These are the cut pieces of chip board.  I layered to pieces for each part for depth and strength.

I sanded the edges with my fingernail file.

Just to help the spindle stay in place I added some pieces to make a frame underneath the top.

I cut the edge off of a piece of lace and also used a piece of embroidery string to go around the bottom of the spindle to clean it up a bit.

She needed a little wear and tear so i scuffed her up a bit.

For the book, I browsed the internet for some book pages that I liked.  I figure I only needed the top pages that were going to show.  I printed some in different sizes and then sprayed them with a clear coat to seal the ink.

I cut two strips of copy paper and then cut them down to size to match the book pages.

I stacked the pieces and folded them all in half.

I used my ice pick to make two holes then used a needle and thread to bind the pages together just like when making a life-sized book.

Next, I let my sewn pages take a good dip in some leftover coffee.

Then while the pages are wet, I used my tweezers to curve and wrinkle the pages.

Next, I let the book dry overnight.  This is the hardest part lol... waiting.

The next morning, she looked like this and is dry and kind of crispy.

I went over the edges with a little dark brown paint to age both the book pages and the colored top pages.  I did cut the apart and trim them before I glued them on top.

I also added a bookmark made of three strands of DMC floss or cross stitch thread.

This is what the back looks like.  I originally made a book cover but didn't like how stiff it made this book look.  I might try something like this again and make it with a cover.

And here she is!  I actually made a second book for this tutorial.  I didn't take any pictures the first time because I wasn't sure my method would work.  

The final measurements are 3 1/4 inches tall by 1 1/2 inches wide.

I think she turned out lovely!  What do you think??

Thanks for visiting!

XOXO ~Laurie

Miniature Curiosities

 Hello Mini Friends!  Thanks for stopping by today!  

Lately, I've been having some fun in my mini making craft room but sadly I have not been taking many pictures for tutorials.  At any rate I thought I would miniature show and tell!

I've been digging through tiny seashells I found in Florida a few years ago, dissecting an owl pellet for the tiny bones inside, and even framed my kitten Spooky's baby tooth that he lost.

I made the two cabinets below from chip board, balsa wood, Etsy bought wooden spindles, along with clear plastic from packaging

The tiny frame with Sppoky's tooth in it measures 3/4 inch by 3/4 inch square.  

The feathers are from my hen Aunt Bea.  

These shells are very small but the ones I picked to use are even smaller.

Here are some of the ones I used for my curio shelf.

I guess I did make a few pictures of making the curio shelves using balsa wood.

They both measure 2 1/4 inch long by 1 1/2 inch tall.  

This sort of gives you an idea on how small the shells are in this miniature glass jar.

I also made a gothic looking curio cabinet for my mermaid skull.  I added some hair and tiny shells for a headdress to a Halloween skeleton garland skull.  The cabinet measures one inch wide on all sides and six inches tall.  I added lace and a beaded finial on top.  The skull was just about too big to fit inside the case, but I made it work. 

Here is the owl pellet and all of the bones that came out of it.  I found the owl pellets in my father-in-law's barn where an owl roosts often.  I actually have had these for several years but now want to go find more. 

Here is another miniature glass jar that I filled with some of the tiny bones.

I think it looks spectacular!

This is the display cabinet I made for two of the tiny mouse skulls from the owl pellet.  

It measures two inches tall by 2 inches wide and one inch in depth.  The top doesn't open but appears like it does.  

Well folks, that is what I have been working on lately!  After I made the Apothecary Cabinet my mind went in more of a curiosities direction.  So much fun!

What tiny things have you been making lately??

Thanks for stopping by friends!

Happy mini making!

XOXO ~Laurie