Tuesday, January 26, 2016

A house call

When Lorraine from Fairy Meadow Miniatures came to my public programme at Goulburn Regional Art Gallery (GRAG) last month, we got talking about the trials I was having with my HBS Creatin' Contest build, and she kindly offered to come to Canberra for a day or so and give me a hand getting back on track plus teach me to solder and how to sort the lighting out.

It took a while to find a date that suited both our schedules but, thanks to my understanding new boss who granted a day off between the weekend and Australia Day, we finally agreed that Lorraine would come to visit yesterday morning and head home this evening.
Woman looking at a dry-fitted modern miniature doll's house shed on a kitchen bench.
The first point of business (after making a cup of tea) was doing a dry fit so she could get a feel for where I was up to and what I was trying to do.
Woman rearranging furniture in a dry-fitted modern miniature doll's house shed on a kitchen bench.
Then I learnt my first of many things from Lorraine: that I needed to choose my lights before I started anything else to do with wiring. Silly me had just assumed that you worked out where they were going, then attached whatever you ended up deciding on to the wiring right at the end...

So I had to head upstairs, collect the options I had in stash and we made some quick decisions on what might work where.
Woman holding a miniature light up to the ceiling of a dry-fitted modern miniature doll's house shed.
Woman holding a miniature light up to the ceiling of a dry-fitted modern miniature doll's house shed.
Woman holding a miniature light up to the ceiling of a dry-fitted modern miniature doll's house shed.
Woman holding a miniature light up to the ceiling of a dry-fitted modern miniature doll's house shed.
Modern dolls' house miniature floor lamp next to a rocking chair in a dry-fitted miniature kit shed.
Modern dolls' house miniature floor lamp next to a rocking chair in a dry-fitted miniature kit shed.
Because some of the options were wired for 4.5 volt systems, and we were planning to run on the standard 12-volt system, there was some speedy rewiring, using some lovely pea bulbs from the package Elvira sent me 18 months ago (that's definitely a gift that keeps on giving!)
Woman drilling a hole in a modern miniature lamp shade being held in a vice.
Woman holding a modern miniature lamp shade in front of a vice on a workbench.
Woman holding a modern miniature wall lamp in front of table with a second woman working with wire in the background.
Two modern miniature wall lamps, light by a 9-volt battery, on a table.
By the time we'd done that, and some spray painting of pieces it was time for dinner and chatting and then, finally, bed.

This morning we were both up bright and early and while I made us tea, Lorraine set the breakfast table:
Table set up with supplied needed for soldering, plus two mugs of tea.
My soldering and lighting lesson started at 7.30 am (with us both still in our PJs!)

First up, a demonstration of when polarity matters and how to check that you have it right (first takeaway for the day: using a 9-volt battery is an easy way to run tests on 12-volt systems).
Woman holding a modern dolls' house miniature lamp, lit from wires connected to a 9-volt battery.
Then I was formerly introduced to copper tape and its properties,
Woman sticking a run of copper tape to a tile.
reminded of how to split and strip wires and how having the ends at different lengths helps ensure they don't accidentally touch and short out, 
Woman placing wires onto a run of copper tape to a tile.
and shown why sticking the wire down with tape before you start soldering is a good idea. 
Woman about to stick down a length of wire onto a run of copper tape to a tile.
 Touch the wire with the tip of the soldering iron,
Woman placing the tip of a soldering iron onto a length of wire on a run of copper tape.
 introduce some solder wire stuff (that's a technical term, I'm sure), 
Woman adding flux to length of wire on a run of copper tape.
tap off once it starts to melt (if there's no melting happening, turn your soldering iron tip around a little, as one side's hotter than the other) and remove the iron once the solder 'flows'.
Woman soldering a length of wire onto copper tape.
 Voila! One neat and tidy join.
Two wires soldered onto a length of copper tape.
Then it was time for me to have my first go (top)
Four wires crudely soldered onto a length of copper tape.
 and second, much neater version (bottom).

At which stage Lorraine handed me the wires attached to one end of  a 12-volt transformer she happened to have in her work box and showed me how to solder it on the other end of the copper tape and suddenly there was light!
Lit dolls' house light held in front of a length of copper tape with wires soldered onto both ends.
 (I felt ever so chuffed...)

We celebrated by showering and dressing before running a couple of errands, including buying more mat board (I'd used my supply up building the scenes for the GRAG exhibition).

Because, it would seem, I hadn't needed to spend days on end undercoating my pieces and waiting for them to dry before spraying the next coat on, as Lorraine told me that the neatest way to run wires is behind false walls made of mat board.
Woman measuring dolls' house kit walls on top of a large piece of mat board.
Having seen my appalling cutting skills, Lorraine decided that the only safe thing to do was measure and cut the board for me, fixing the worst of my mistakes along the way (bless her!).
Woman tracing dolls' house kit walls onto of a large piece of mat board.
Woman positioning dolls' house kit walls onto of a large piece of mat board.
Woman test fitting dolls' house windows in a piece of mat board cut to size.
Finally, about mid-afternoon, she declared it was time to start gluing the floor and walls together
Woman holding the side wall of a modern dolls' house shed kit up against the floor.
(and visit James at Victorian Dollhouses while we waited for it to dry...)
Several clamps along the back edge of a modern dolls' house kit shed.
We're not finished yet, but Lorraine has already said she wants to come back and play again soon, and that she's sure I'll be fine carrying on the build by myself...

*gulp*

#HBSCreatinContest2015

Saturday, January 23, 2016

An exciting delivery (and a new project)

It's been a bit quiet around here: most of my energy has been focused on a six-month contract that I started at the beginning of last week.

I've been getting used to a new rhythm to my days, learning as much as I can in the new role and I've been getting home at night exhausted, which means no brain space to thinklet alone do anything—miniature.

I'm working in the city for a change, and on Wednesday night I was pleased to be able to trot down the road from work to the opening of Ampersand Duck's latest exhibition (long-time readers might remember she was part of the Call of the Small exhibition I curated at Craft ACT way back in 2010.)

At the exhibition we chatted about what our plans were for 2016, and I mentioned that I wanted to build and manage a teeny tiny gallery, or a chain of teeny tiny galleries (something I've been talking about and working towards since the close of Call of the Small), and had been talking to a couple of people about places for it to live.

And she said 'I've got Bette Noir in my studio: perhaps that would work for you?' And I had to admit I had no idea what she was talking about. She explained it was a miniature gallery that was well-known in the Canberra arts scene many years ago and that she'd been given custodianship of some time ago and hadn't had the time to devote to because of other commitments.

'I'm clearing out my studio this weekend', she continued. 'Would you like to become its curator?'

And so it came to pass that my assistant Wendy is, once again, assessing a gallery space.
Modern dolls' house miniature doll standing on a wooden floor and leaning against a white wall.
Modern dolls' house miniature doll standing in a miniature art gallery. On the front of the gallery is a sticker with the name 'Bette NOIR' on it.
And I've had to find room (temporarily) for another (large) miniature in my flat
Dolls' house miniature art gallery on a stand, in a hallway.
(And space in my schedule for a pile of research on its history...)

Monday, January 11, 2016

For the love of miniatures

Modern dolls' house miniature table at a cupcake cafe with a laptop, camera, spectacles and magazine on it, plus a cupcake and cup of tea.
The theme for the February issue of The tiny Times made me decide to 'visit' a cupcake café to 'work' on it.

The cupcakes I received (made by the Miniature Enthusiasts of Tasmania) in my Convention goodie bag helped a bit, too...

Saturday, January 09, 2016

Saturday scene: It's a jungle out there

Modern dolls' house miniature lounge scene in colours of black, white, orange and teal.
 This is a scene I put together and photographed in late November last year, planning to create a video on how I put together a scene and show it as part of my public programme at Goulburn Regional Art Gallery.

I took a kazillion photos of the process, drew lines all over some of the photos showing how the eye travels across and around the scene. And even recorded several versions of the intro to it.

And then I completely changed directions on what I wanted to do for my presentation, telling myself that I'd finish the video and post it on my blog very soon.

Long-time readers know how long my lead times can be. So I figured I'd share the final scene today and if, eventually, I get the video done, I'll load that up for your entertainment.

Friday, January 08, 2016

Finish it off Friday fail

I had all the best intentions in the world this morning. I'd decided that this week's Finish it off Friday project should be a Farrow Industries freezer/cooler that, when finished, would fit beautifully into the modern kitchen scene that I'm building.

Even the lack of plastic cement in my stash didn't bother me: I planned a trip out to the hobby shop to buy some this afternoon, after I'd had lunch with a friend.

A miniaturist friend.

Who brought these for me to borrow:
Three Mouse Mansion children's books on display on a table top.
Oddly enough, any thoughts of making miniatures today
Inside spread from the book 'Mouse Mansion: Sam and Julia", showing a miniature dining room.
have flown right out the window...
Inside spread from the book 'Mouse Mansion: Sam and Julia", showing a mouse playing the violin in a miniature music room.

Thursday, January 07, 2016

On the tiles

 While pottering with yesterday's kitchen updates, I started thinking about the idea of not using the plastic shelving units (I realised they were too big to fit under the saw, and I'm not interested in trying to cut them by hand). And instead creating some bench space on each side of the stove.

I pulled out my Miele kitchen appliances, swung the 'pressed steel' around so it ran along the wall above the benches rather than up the wall behind the stove, and started rummaging for something to use as a bench top to tie the under-bench bits together.

Thought of rustic wood, but that was heading too far away from the original idea. Then I decided on cardboard with some of the wallpaper samples I picked up last time I was at Masters on top.

While I was pulling them out, I noticed the vinyl samples I'd got at the same time . And had a eureka moment. 
Modern dolls' house miniature kitchen with grey laminate bench.
The tile scores and snaps easily and cleanly, is the perfect thickness, is self adhesive (if you're in the mood for some permanence in your miniature life), comes in a (limited) range of colours. And it's FREE!
Two grey self-adhesive vinyl tile samples.
I'm feeling rather chuffed with myself.
Modern dolls' house miniature kitchen with grey laminate bench and silver pressed-tin splash back.
(Miele dishwasher and fridge: Mini World. Steel stove: ELF. Herbs, olive oil bottle, salt and pepper grinders and pans: Lundby SmÃ¥land kitchen accessories set (60.5089))

Tuesday, January 05, 2016

All miniatures, all day...

This morning I had a meeting about an arts festival I'm hoping to be part of
Cafe table from above, with empty coffee cups, glasses and a Filofax planner on it.
 (and then, of course, had to go home and make a scene about it!)
Modern dolls' house miniature cafe table corner with cups of coffee, glasses, note books and pens.
This afternoon friends and I went on a road trip to Goulburn to pick my work up from Goulburn Regional Art Gallery.
Two girls and a woman with two miniature roombox scenes in the back room of a gallery, being wrapped in plastic.
 Followed by a spot of op shopping, during which I found this for $2.50:
Toy arcade game in its packaging, being held up in an op shop.
(Much cheaper that the $65 I'd been eyeing them up for at the May show.)
Modern dolls' house miniature arcade game, being played by a doll wearing jeans and a hoodie.
 It's a great size, apart from the joystick, which is way too big (but hopefully easily fixed).
Aerial view of a modern dolls' house miniature arcade game, showing a slot for a mobile phone to be inserted into it.
An added bonus when I got home was the discovery that you can slide a mobile phone into the rear and possibly even play it. Alas it only works with iphones.

Monday, January 04, 2016

Having a play on this grey old day

It's a grey old day today, so I was ever so pleased that I'd arranged to go to the cheapy Monday movies with a friend this morning.

But after I'd arrived home and had lunch, that nagging sense that I needed to feed the blog crept up on me, even though I complained that I was tired and unmotivated and just wanted to sprawl on the sofa with a book rather than be creative.

And I heard my inner wise voice whisper gently 'Just have a play on this grey old day. And see what happens.'

So, after sighing loudly and rolling my eyes, I headed over to my pile of unused treasures and stared blankly at it for a few minutes.

Until my brain decided to take the suggestion literally (as it's wont to do), and I found myself focusing on these Kaleidoscope House kitchen stools, given to me in 2012 by Mini Dork.
Two modern dolls' house miniature white and grey bar stools from the Kaleidoscope House.
Then I spotted the SLICE Tilt coffee table that Mod Pod Miniatures sent me in November last year. And the wheels started turning. A futuristic-style cafe, maybe?
Two modern dolls' house miniature white and grey bar stools from the Kaleidoscope House and a SLICE Tilt coffee table.
Next I pulled down the silver sleigh bed (last seen a couple of years ago, and since painted silver)
Two modern dolls' house miniature white and grey bar stools from the Kaleidoscope House, a SLICE Tilt coffee table. and a silver sleigh bed.
which didn't seem quite right. At which stage  I stepped back for a moment: and remembered the Daiso 'shelves' I bought in Melbourne in 2014 and which have ended up quite buried in the stash. Much better!
Two modern dolls' house miniature white and grey bar stools from the Kaleidoscope House, a SLICE Tilt coffee table. and a white perspex shelving unit.
Then I spied the ELF kitchen units that Elvira had sent. And realised two things at once: 1) this scene was turning into a showcase of miniature gifts from blog buddies (yay!) and 2) it wasn't a cafe at all, but rather a private kitchen.
Modern dolls' house miniature set up with a metal kitchen unit with stove, white and grey bar stools, grey and perspex coffee table and a white perspex shelving unit.
 I kept playing.
Modern dolls' house miniature set up with a metal stove and kitchen unit with sink, and two white perspex shelving unit.
Modern dolls' house miniature set up with a metal stove and kitchen unit with sink, and two white perspex shelving unit. To the side are a grey fire surround and a white floor lamp.
Emboldened by my success in cutting the bath, I  wondering how I would go if I tried cutting the depths of the shelves down. I also wondered if it would drive me nuts knowing that no one in their right might would install a stove in a kitchen without room to place hot pans beside it.
Modern dolls' house miniature metal stove between two white perspex shelving unit
By this point I was pretty sure I had something I wanted to develop further, so pulled out my trusty concrete paver for the floor.
Modern dolls' house miniature white and grey kitchen set up, with concrete floor.
And also the roll of white IKEA VARIERA drawer mat I picked up at Canberra IKEA on my first visit, although I'm fairly sure that it will scream 'space station' if I use it in this scene.
Modern dolls' house miniature white and grey kitchen set up, with concrete floor. In the foreground is a roll of white IKEA VARIERA drawer mat.
Which may or may not be a bad thing. We shall see...