Monday 30 November 2020

Making knick-knack

I had thought, I was going to log the building of the Toy House and its contents in some kind of order that made sense...


As much as that seems a logically and sensible way to go about things, that is never going to happen :-). I make things higgledy-piggledy, when I feel like it, when a great new idea comes into my head and when time allows. 

This week I made this 'thing'. Any guesses? 

It is tiny. Only 15mm (5/8") wide. There are three holes in the top piece and tree corresponding diverts in bottom piece. 

It is tiny. Only 15mm (5/8") wide. There are three holes in the top piece and tree corresponding diverts in bottom piece. 

Another clue...


I bought these Tiny Resin Pipes from Nalladris some time ago and painted them. (Obviously, Thomas Tjørngren would enjoy a pipe in the evening). They are minute and I needed to somehow keep them together and make sure they wouldn't get lost. I had thought perhaps a wall mounted shelf or rack of some kind, but then I found a few pictures of antique pipe racks and was surprised to see just how elaborate and clever some of them were with built-in tobacco drawers and detailed decorations. 

I settled for this more modest version as a model for my mini version. 


The little pipe stand fits beautifully on the shelf in front of the top row of books. The beautiful little vase is by the talented Lorie Marsh of Lorie Marsh Ceramics - I was so lucky to win this and a larger pot.

~ ~ ~ 

I built a small bookcase for the upstairs apartment from scratch a little while ago. I couldn't find one the size or height I wanted - sort of half way up the wall. Those I looked at were either way above my budget or clunky and 'ugly' looking so I figured... It's all just rectangles, how hard could it be?


The bookcase is made from basswood with timber mouldings for the trim at the top and front edges. 
I took the photo before it was varnished - or rather, I use layers of French polish. It takes time and layer upon layer but I find it easier to control the final look of the piece. 


The top moulding doubles up as the front of a shallow drawer. My grandmother had a cupboard with a very shallow drawer at the top like this. Just out reach of little people but not so high grown-ups couldn't reach it easily. I found it most intriguing as a child.
In it, she kept special things.. 


... like photo albums and medals. 


Like the pipes, the tiny medals are from Nalladris. I threaded the medals onto tiny pieces of silk ribbon before popping them into little boxes. The boxes from black card, with ribbon for hinges and silk ribbon for the little 'pillow'' inside.

 
To fill the shelves, I first made a pile of books. Books are fun and easy and filled the shelves quickly. A couple of them open, but most are made from covered balsa blocks. 


To make the wood look like pages, I scored the block multiple times with the tip of my craft knife before painting them cream/ivory and then rubbing a bit of chalk pencil onto them. I think it works.

There are way too many books and I need to find more knick-knacks, but this is a start. 

I hope you are all keeping well, staying safe and looking after yourself and those around you.
Anna X






11 comments:

  1. The absolute best tiny things are born out of inspiration and certainly not on a schedule. Your amazing pipe holder, bookshelf and accessories are shining examples of this! Amazing work, as always, Anna!

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    1. So true, Jodi. It was mostly because I thought it would be nice to have a nicely sorted record for me to remember when, how, where and what. But nothing in my life works like that LOL Besides, sharing is nowhere near as much fun long after the excitement of have created something has worn off.
      X

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  2. What stunning little pieces! I love the pipe holder and the little book case.
    Great work!
    Hugs, Drora

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    1. Thanks so very much. I enjoyed the challenge of making them.

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  3. Wow, great work on the bookcase with the little drawer! It looks great, as do the books. And love the pipe rack. It helps draw attention to the pipes too, as well as keeping them together.

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    1. Both were a bit of a challenge, but I am pretty chuffed with the results. You are right about keeping the pipes together - they are tricky to get into the rack, so now I won't loose them unless I misplace the whole lot...
      X

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  4. I didn't know you had your blog of your miniature works, Anna, I now see it because I clicked at the link at your other blog. I wanted to subscribe here too, for following, but I don't know how this works.
    I love every bit I see here, you did a great job on the cabinet with the shallow drawer, but also on the books and pipe rack. I didn't know that Nalladris was selling medals as well as pipes ;).
    Hugs, Ilona

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  5. Dear Ilona, I think you can easily follow more than one blog from by the same person.
    Your miniature work is my inspiration - I found Nalladris from one of your posts, Thank you.
    Anna x

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  6. Hi Anna, love the bookcase and pipe rack! You did a great job on them. I too use french polish for my furniture to "control" the way it finaly wil be ;-) I never found a better varnish. Monique

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    1. Thank you so much Monique. So true about the French polish, isn't? I find there is nothing that lets a nice mini piece down more than a coat of gluggy varnish LOL.
      Best Anna X

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  7. Hello Anna,

    mr. Tjørngren will be very happy with this bookcase and this piperack. After a day of working in the shop it will be nice for him to read a book and smoke a pipe.

    Both pieces really look good. And the french polish takes more time but gives much more control indeed. I am experimenting with it too. The scoring the balsa for the pages are a good way of imitating paper. A tip I will remember when filling the library of Swinnendael. Thank you for sharing that.

    Huibrecht

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