Miniature Mantle Clock Tutorial

 Hello all!  Isn't it funny how one little thing can inspire a miniature piece??  That is what happened with this cute little mantle clock.  The faux gold oval ring with plastic probably came from an old piece of jewelry, maybe a watch.  I found it in an old sewing box I bought at a yard sale.  But it totally inspired me to make a purpose for it again.  

I do not have proper measurements, I never do, because I made the clock around the oval piece.  I would say it is about an inch and a half tall.  For the back I used black card stock, in two solid layers then two layers with an oval cut out for depth.  I found and printed a clock face from the internet.  I also used layered card stock for the base and top.

I used beads for the columns and trimmed down lace for the edging design.

I used wire to hold the beads together while the glue dried then trimmed the excess wire.

I painted it all black first then decided to paint it brown.

Not too shabby don't you think?!  

Oh, and as pretty much always, I used Elmers wood glue to hold everything together.  

Thanks for visiting!  

Happy mini-making!

XOXO ~Laurie

Miniature Bird Nest Tutorial

 Hello all!  I noticed a branch on the outside of my fairy pumpkin house that looked like it needed a little something.  So, I thought I would try and make a teeny bird nest to go there.  I wish I would have taken pictures of the first one being made because I think it turned out better than the second example.  They both turned out precious in their own way. 

The first step that I took, no pictures, but I used two shades of DMC floss (cross stitch string) in tan and brown.  I dabbed school glue on my pointer finger and thumb and ran the string through the glue then let it dry.  This just stiffens the strands.  I then cut it up into small pieces about a half inch long and also cut pieces a little longer and a little shorter because the "sticks" would naturally be different sizes.

I then used a very small button and dabbed wood glue on it then placed some "sticks" on the glue.  After that I just used my tweezers and would barely dip each stick into the glue and stacked them up around the edge of the nest until I came to what looked like a nest.  

Of course, I had to make some tiny bird eggs out of air-dry clay :) 

Have you ever made a teeny bird nest?  What material did you use?

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day!

XOXO Laurie

Miniature Antique Coal Skuttle Tutorial

 Hello my mini friends!  I felt like my fairy house needed a coal skuttle alongside the tiny wood stove.  I searched the internet for something I could replicate and found an antique coal skuttle that looked pretty simple.  So, I broke out my cardstock and got to work.

First, I will show you the picture of the antique on I found by just doing a Yahoo search.

Pretty simple in design.  My fairy isn't real picky either. :)

I also made a template to share with you.

Feel free to copy and paste or screenshot or whatever.  Adjust to the size that you need and print directly on cardstock.  Or, since I was going to use black cardstock, print, trace and cut out.  I cut out two patterns and glued them together to make it a bit more sturdy.  I gave both or the pieces a couple of rolls on the edge of my countertop to begin their curl.  Then used wood glue to glue them together.  When that dried I curled it into shape and glued the one edge.  Patiently hold it together while it adheres.  I like using wood glue because it dries fast.

While I waited, I cut out a leaf for each side to cover where the wire will be glued.  I made the curved by using the end of a paint brush or one of my clay tools on something soft.  

When the skuttle adhered, I simply glued it to a small piece of cardstock for the back and cut it out after it dried.

 For the stand, I traced a nickel on cardstock and cut it out.  Then i used a hole punch for the center and cut a slit.  You will need to round out the circle so it will curve easily.  Glue it and cut off the excess.

Here is where I glued the wire on.  I just bent it around a paint brush and trimmed it until I got the right length that I wanted.  Then glue the leaves on each side to cover the wire ends.  You can use something else here besides leaves.  Get creative!

I used Metallic Bronze paint on these.  Then aged them a little with black paint.

And there you have it!  A tiny coal skuttle to go with my tiny wood stove.  

I guess it'll be used to tote ashes instead of coal truly.  

Thanks for stopping by!

XoXo ~Laurie

Easy Foliage Tutorial

 Hello Friends!  Ever find yourself in need of foliage for your projects?  My latest project, Fairy Pumpkin House, while it is filled with miniatures and the inside of the pumpkin is about 1/12" scale, the outside is a different story.  I wanted the outside and landscape of the pumpkin to be more life sized.  Sort of like the fairy house is just sitting outside.  So, I needed bigger than miniature items.  

I often scroll through IG and one day, on a mushroom tutorial, I noticed there was a quick glance on how the artist made a leaf to go atop her mushroom.  It was simply wire and masking tape.  So, I broke out some very thin wire and my roll of wide masking tape.  In no time at all I had made enough leaves for a plant to go outside of my pumpkin and I just love them!  I wound up also making some fern leaves which I also love!  Careful!!  They're slightly addictive to make!

I think it's pretty self-explanatory.  Cut two pieces of tape, lay your wire down on one piece and put your other piece of tape on top.  Sticky sides together.  Draw and cut out your pattern on the tape.  Paint to desired color.  And that's it!  

I've never needed large items for a miniature project until now.  This method worked perfectly!  I am sure your can make miniature plants this same way, although, I haven't tried yet.

Thank you for visiting!  Have a wonderful day!

XoXo ~Laurie

P.S. I also made a few leaves from duct tape.  While it worked, the paint does not want to stay on the duct tape as well as the masking tape.  :)