Sunday 22 November 2020

Toys for the Toy House shelves

Four months ago, I (mostly) finished the exterior of my little Toy House. I felt, I was on a real roll and so excited about how it was all coming together. What happened, you may wonder? 

I have been tinkering a little bit, but haven't made any major progress. Having said that, the shelves in the shop are filling slowly with toys that I have gathered so far. Some I have bought, some are made from kits and some from scratch.

I thought I would start listing them here as a way to somehow log what they all are so that I can look back and remember what they all are when where I found them. 

Miniature toys ~ Where Small Things Live

These three little pieces are some of my oldest tiny toys. I bought and painted them.. many, many moons ago. I am guessing they are phoenix miniatures. I rediscovered them in a box when I was cleaning out the shed and almost threw out - before deciding to play with them instead. 

Miniature toys ~ Where Small Things Live

I painted this family of teeny wild animals more recently. As you can see, they are the tiniest of tiny. The Ark is from a very basic little kit. I made groves in sides and roof to add just a bit of details before painting it.

Miniature toys ~ Where Small Things Live


The toys look cute when piled in on the shelf. Time will tell if they stay there. 

The polar bear is just a cheap plastic micro mini - I think he might need a bow around his neck to make him look a bit more friendly. 
The Humpty Dumpty Circus boxes at the back are made with the graphics from original lids that I found online and scaled down. 
One day, I might like to make some tiny Humpty Dumpty circus figures to go in the boxes.
Some of the first toys, I made from scratch are these three. It started with the monkey seesaw, made mostly from paper, with a little bit of balsa for them to sit on and pins for the mast and for securing the wheels. The little seesaw boat is made from a bit of balsa with the tops of fancy toothpicks for the little sailors. 

Miniature toys ~ Where Small Things Live


I love antique toys, so I have had a lot of fun looking for ideas for toys to make for the little shop. So when I saw this pull-along monkey, I just had to make one like that too.  
Another paper toy - a tiny merry-go-round. I found this brilliant download and tutorial HERE. Although it is in French, the pictures are excellent so it is pretty easy to follow. 

Miniature Merry Go Round ~ Where Small Things Live

Next a few little dolls made from kits from Tower House Dolls (the website is currently under reconstruction). The larger doll was a full kit and my first attempt. For the slightly smaller doll, I just got the porcelain doll and made up the costume from silk ribbons and fine lace trim. I am not overly excited about the hair, but it will do (for now).

Mini dolls for dolls ~ Where Small Things Live

I had so much fun making these little ladies and I can highly recommend Sandra's kits if you are ever looking for a really special mini doll for your mini people. 

Toy doll & dolls house ~ Where Small Things Live

The dolls house is also from a kit - well partly. This one  is from Jacominis. The print is really excellent, but I was so disappointed when I discovered the beautiful front was just to be glued onto a wooden block! That wouldn't do. 

Toy dolls house ~ Where Small Things Live

After a bit of trail and error, I managed to create a paper interior on the computer, that when folded made four rooms. Looking at the photo, I now see the front edges are a little bit wonky (another thing I need to fix) but I still prefer this to a wooden block. Notice the wallpaper in the upstairs bedroom is a scaled down version of the living room above the toyshop :-)
I have been looking for some 1:144 furniture, but have yet to buy some to fill the house. 

There are many more toys on the shelf already, perhaps I need to pull them out and log them shelf by shelf. 

Take care everyone,
Anna 





7 comments:

  1. A remarkable collection of beautiful toys. I love the ones you made. The little dollhouse looks stunning, why not make the facade on the wooden block and a furnished open interior separately. This way you'll have two dollhouses.
    Hugs,
    Drora

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    1. Thanks so much Drora. That is a good idea with the dollhouse. I still have the block and I am certain it will come in handy for something.
      Hugs,
      Anna

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  2. Oh Anna I love the variety of wonderful toys that you've made and gathered, so far! The dolls are amazing! I can't imagine the patience it must take to make such special little dolls but you were the right person for the job! They are adorable! And I LOVE that you made a real interior for the dollhouse! I bet that was a huge challenge to get right, but it looks enchanting! What a thrill it will be to remove the front and see it actually decorated inside!
    I am so excited to see the toy shop as you continue to fill it, and I know my heart will leap when I see all the treasures you have to fill it up with!

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    1. Aww, Thanks Jodi.
      I have been in a bit of a lull with this but I have so little time to play it is tricky at times, so your encouraging words means a lot.
      Anna X

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  3. Hi Anna. All your toys are just gorgeous! I love all them. And they look great grouped together as you have done. Beautiful!

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    1. Thanks so much - still a long way to go :-)

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  4. Hello Anna,

    Old toys are adorable. Mini versions of them even more so. I love the one that you have painted. The metal ones in the first pic do look like phoenix ones.

    The three that you made from scratch really look good. I could not have made them myself in such detail. bravo.

    Huibrecht

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