More on the shop (1/24th)

I have done a little more on the shop box. Finished all the brick work, painted outside and almost finished painting inside.

I have used a different door to that which came with the kit as this did not have a window. I used a cheap wooden Georgian door and removed the top 4 panels by simply cutting through with a craft knife. Then used some thin strips of wood for a frame and some plastic off some packaging for the window.

The floor tiles are terracota paper clay with an antique wash. This my first attempt at floor tiles using this method and it was a little tricky as I was going to use plastic tiles so I'd already put the walls together. None the less I was happy with the result.

The walls are painted a lovely Victorian green which I can't get to show up too well on the pictures so you will have to take my word.

This picture show the inside of the front wall..

Here's a close up of the brick work. I love the result of this brick method. Looks very realistic but then it is called "Realistic brick compond".


Below is a video from the makers of this product, showing the process of stencilling the bricks.

I want to just add one thing to the video. They say you can add the stencil back on before the first lot of bricks is dry, but I found I was squashing some of the wet bricks, so I quickly dried the overlapping area a llittle with a hair dryer.

Small Shop Box - 1/24th scale

What a bad blogger I am, I can't believe it is a month since I last posted here. I have been really busy but I don't seem to have too much to show for it. Now the kids are on holiday and between keeping them happy and sorting out orders there's not much time left.

I have only done a little more on the caravan so I will save the update until I have more to show. I have also been working on a couple of shop boxes which I will be adding to my online shop, hopefully in time for Christmas sales.

This shop box I have had in a box on a shelf for quite a few years an it is really good to finally see it getting some attention. It is 1/24th scale and I will be selling it empty so I want to keep the shop type option fairly open so the buyer can decide the type of shop but I am trying to aim for a Victorian look.

After an undercoat of white paint and a base paint of a mortar colour, I used brick stencils from Bromley crafts to add brick work to the front and 2 sides. I used masking tape to mask off the areas where the door and window frames would go and the moulding above the front.

I have now added windows and done some painting so will get some fresh pictures today and post another update asap, hopefully before another month has passed.

For Sale Page

I've added a for sale page for all the odd handmade pieces I have that are 1/12th scale (the wrong scale for my shop). The first item is a sewing box/table and was made by a friend.

The link is at the top of the page and all the info you need should be listed with more pictures.

Ledge Caravan - 1/24th scale

This is the ledge caravan as it stands today. It has it's background coat of paint and I will be adding some tiny painted decoration to the outside. I have attatched the carriage lamps and they are working lights, with the wiring passing invisiably through a hole at the back to the inside. No door at the moment - well it did have a door but I took it off because it opened the wrong way.

The oil lamp inside is also a working light. The wires passing around the back of the mahogany cupboards, out onto the seat area and through a hole in the corner or the side of the bed. The back of the seat was intended as the seat, but as I wanted an upholstered seat, I am using it as the back. The wire on the seats will be covered up with upholstery.

The opposite side showing the stove which needs some bling.

The under bed area provides a perfect space for the wiring and battery. I have also cut out a hole for a tiny switch - I didn't want to be taking the roof off and the bed out to put the lights on.

Next job is to solder the wires to the switch and the battery clip.

Current Project

My house (that's my real house) is awash with UFOs. No, not the sort that may contain little green men, but the "UnFinshed Objects" of the miniature sort. One of these UFOs is a 1/24th scale Gypsy Caravan or a Ledge Wagon made from a kit from McQueenie Miniatures - they are not cheap but they are well made and have good, clear instructions and I have them on my web site if you're interested.

The idea was to quickly make it up and paint it to give my customers a picture of a finished wagon. But, being me, it was never going to be so simple.

I started to put it together as the instructions and while waiting for glue to dry I researched colours and interiors ready for painting. That's when I saw the panelling on the exterior of the caravans - "that would be so easy to add to my wagon". So out came my tiny strips of wood and my chopper and I chopped and stuck and chopped and stuck.....it wasn't too difficult, but very time consuming. The result was so worth it.

The caravan is never going to be an exact replica but I hope by spending a little more time and a little research, it will give more of a feeling of the Romani life than if I'd just slapped a coat of paint on it.

I have done quite abit more since this last photo and tomorrow I will try and add some more recent pictures.

Hello Dolly

Here are just a few of the little 1/24th scale doll's dolls I have recently added to my web site. Of course they would also work as smaller dolls in 1/12th or 1/16th scale. These are the same ones I posted undressed, a few weeks ago. They are made from polymer clay and dressed with fabric, lace and trims.

I only made a couple of little clowns as I wasn't sure these would sell as well as the cute dollies, but, low and behold, I sold one straight away. I will definately make more.

They are shown sat on a 1/24th scale chair which gives you an idea of the size in scale.

If you want to see them all, you will need to look on my shop web site - A Trifle Small

Enjoy :o)

Grandpa and Grandma

Do you remember the 1/48th scale dolls I made along with the "MuffinDolls"? Well I finished dressing them a few days ago and thought I should add a picture.

Grandpa and Grandma. They would be a little under 1.5" if they were standing.

I will be definately making more next time I have the clay out and will be adding some to add to my web shop.