The Tiny World of Terrariums

Inspired by a book I read, I decided to make a few moss terrariums. A terrarium is a glass jar or container in which you create a tiny ecosystem. I love all things tiny, so I thought it might be an interesting change from the usual dollhouse projects.  

I needed some some moss, so I went on a hunt through the small blue stone alleyways around my house. 

I used a few small jars, some peat moss soil, some sphagnum moss (for a filtration layer) and some pebbles to help drainage at the base. 

I found some railway figures and placed them in their tiny world; then placed their world on a shelf.

These hikers are comparing maps, they must be lost. 

A little herd of cows enjoys its hilly pasture. 

I found a very small jar. 

It now has tiny lovers in it. 

A Little House with Little Legs

I have always loved dollhouses which have legs. It makes a little house seem more like a piece of furniture in its own right. This seems to give a dollhouse a purpose in the decorative scheme of a room. 

These antique houses are all in the V & A Museum in London.

This house (below) is in the Nordiska Museum in Stockholm.

So I decided to give my little Scandinavian house legs. I bought a set of four turned legs from the hardware shop. 

I made a frame by doweling the  legs and cross frame piece together.

It was a challenge to make the frame square and straight. We employed four large clamps and spent a lot of time fiddling with it. 

 In the end we got it right. The house looks quite good already I think - even though it is yet to acquire a facade.

Little Etsy Shop

Hi everyone, I have created an Etsy shop. Why don't you all check it out here!

Little Stairs Continued

I continued my staircase today. Because my workshop is at my parent's place (I live in a small apartment in the city) I don't get to it as much as I would like. So when I do visit, I do as much work on my house as I can. 

I agonised over the choice of balustrade - round? straight? turned? In the end I decided on a flat stencil type cut. I have seen a lot of these type of balustrades in Scandinavian houses, so it seemed a good choice. 

I decided to use iceypole sticks because they are just the right size. I drew out the pattern on each stick and then cut them on the mini band saw.

I wanted to make the balustrades with a decorative hole, so a drilled holes to make it easier to cut.

Because iceypole sticks aren't the best quality wood, some split while I was cutting them. I glued them back together easily though. 

The result was quite pleasing.

Capping the posts made it look quite finished.

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Still some work to do. Look out for the next post!

Little November Christmas Trees Ready for Market

Today I went into the city and bought some more coloured beads to finish off the trees. 

My baubles also got a bit more sophisticated, with the use of fine jewelry hook rings rather than the more chunky wire I used earlier. 

The tinsel I made by unwinding some glittery cord. 

They look quite pleasing on parade:

 

...and in the parlor. 

Check out my trees on eBay.http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/121017697910?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1138

Little November Christmas Trees

It is a little bit premature, but I decided to make a Christmas tree for the dollhouse. I decided the best course was to buy HO railway pine trees because of their realism.  

I bought a pack of seven trees with the view to making them all up and putting the six I don't use on eBay. I went to a craft shop and bought a selection of beads and other shiney small things to decorate them with.

I had to glue the bases on, and it was a challenge to get them straight..

I made the stars on top with by glueing two star shaped split pins together (above).

I made baubles with beads and wire as hooks.

Because they are quite small trees, I bought two little tables for them to sit on, like Victorian Christmas trees.

I haven't decorated the rest of the trees because I am going to go back to the shops and get some different coloured beads for some variety.  

For now though, they look very sweet in the parlour.