Monday, August 19, 2019

Sea Urchin Dollhouse Miniature Lamps

When I came across a beautiful sea urchin shell some months back, I thought it would make a wonderful lamp in my mini world.

Over the months I have experimented with how to mount the lights and assemble them. I have also changed the color by using a translucent nail polish or a clear to protect and strengthen the shell as well.

I have used battery operated LED party lights easily purchased online or a craft store. I have bought through Hobby Lobby in the wedding section and on Amazon for the lights that have a hanger.

I have used a large grommet which I bend to conform to the shape of the shell and allow me to insert my light.  I did not need to bend it for the green shell but I have for the other shells. Glues used include E6000 and super glue gel and sometimes hot glue to fill space in a bead and to help stabilize.

I have bought sea urchin shell from online from Save On Crafts and Etsy.




















The video shows how easy it is 
to turn it on and off, just twist!

                                         

Sunday, October 28, 2018

DIY Dollhouse Miniature Tutorial for Paper Mini Blind

I've been exploring several options for paper curtains for dollhouses. The patterns are fun and diverse and it can be a fun way to create a new look. I decided to try to make a mini blind that could be pulled up and would hold in a variety of positions. So this is what I came up with and how I approached it. I thought I would share for others who might like to try it.


 Basic tools I used for this project - 
paper or cardstock, cotton crochet thread, 
1/8" hole punch, scoring board and bone folder 
for creasing, pencil, ruler tape, and patience!

 I used a 3" x 12" strip and scored it at 1/2" intervals

 Score lines

 Accordian fold all the way up

 At the bottom I measured in about 3/8" and a 1/4" from 
the bottom to have a guide for punching my holes.




 I use the first holes to mark the next and cut through two layers 
and mark again. I do find it better to not punch too many 
at once because the hole pattern doesn't always 
fall quite in the center and I adjust to get it as close as possible.

 Punch holes all the way except for the top one. 

 Cut off one long piece of crochet thread.


 One continuous string, half up one side
 and half up the other. From the bottom
 I feed through the holes on both sides.

 One additional step that I forgot to include. 
Pull the string out of the top holes and put a layer
 of invisible tape on the front and back of that section 
and repunch your top hole on each side. 

This will help reinforce where most 
of the tension is felt when pulling the thread.


 Now I cross each thread to the opposite top hole and pull it through.


 Now your ends should be hanging out the front.

 To test pull, I pinch together the top fold as shown. 
You should be able to grab the strings 
with your other hand and gently pull.

 A small piece of double sided tape will be used. 
I find Scotch tape most dependable.

 See the little piece of tape in the center? 
Make sure it isn't overlapping your holes. 
This is only done on this one layer.

 For additional strength, I use invisible tape 
on the outside edges also taking care not to 
overlap the holes. Then trim excess.

 It should look like this. 
Make sure you strings move easily. 
Hold from the back like before to test movement.

 The purpose of this is to create friction and 
help your blind to hold wherever you want.

 Tape the bottom where the string wraps 
around so the thread does not shift.


 This one next to my first completed one!
 Now I make the header using foam board though 
some may prefer wood, whatever is handy and preferable. 

I am creating a U-shape to have an opening 
where my thread moves freely. The shorter ends 
are about 3/8" high and glued to the front and back 
at the top and the larger piece is glued on them.


 I trimmed an edge because of where my holes were. 
Wood edges would be thinner and less like to interfere.

 My two shorter outer edges glued with clear tacky glue


 Here is a side view of the U-shape. 
This is the top of the blind.

 I test to make sure no glue has seeped out 
and glued my thread down.



 I cut another 3" piece of my paper to cover the foam 
on top and scored it and cover all three sides 
meaning the front, top and back. 
That leaves the open sides to cover.

 I cut a 1/2" strip and glue it on and 
then trim with my knife. 
I do this mainly since it may 
not be a square as I think, lol!


 This last step is another piece of double sided tape to attach 
the next fold to the top so it will hang correctly. 
This is the view from the back. After adding that tape 
I took additional invisible tape and taped across 
the back of the header where you would attach 
it to your wall or window to help protect the paper. 

Also extended a small bit of tape around 
the layer I used the double sided tape on 
between the strings and on the 
outer edges for reinforcement.


 I had another sheet of this paper so I cut 
out the matching part and glued it to 
the bottom of my blind to cover the string.

 Side view


 I had not cut my thread yet so extra long but 
when your blind is pulled up you may 
want to guide it to one side. 
I gently push it in near the 
top slat to hold it off to the side.





 When you trim your threads, pull it out all the 
way to make sure you have enough length. 
I tied tiny knots where I thought I wanted
 the length to be and then cut off the excess.

Have fun creating your own special look!