Preview of the New Hat Shop Location

I have seen so many wonderful aged effects done on dollhouse exteriors that I thought I might give it a shot too. So I can get the look of stone without much hassle? The plan is to experiment on the smaller corner shop before trying things on the larger townhouse. I was using spray paint but I soon realized it was less expensive to purchase a gallon of sandstone texture interior paint for both houses.The color I am using is called "Weathered N Worn" by Valspar. I just used it on the shell and  "Caribbean Sand" textured spray paint by Rust-Oleum around the doors, windows, etc. I used a combination of wood appliques, architectural elements from the Chateau Kit and $1 plastic frame from Michaels to add additional architectural elements to the kit. I used soft pastels and acrylic paint to age the places that I thought would show the most wear. I wish the wrought iron stair rail on the box actually came with the kit but it didn't so I am using part of the railing from the Chateau stairs. The kit goes together really fast, take a look at what I have done so far

 

Plastic $1 picture frame

Spray with stone effect spray paint

plastic clock face numbers 

I used this as a base only because it was a $1 but acrylic paint works

I used this for the rust effect

I used skinny sticks to create the "seams" in the roof

These are the colors I used for the copper roof

I may add more patina later

Flower Basket made from a Champagne Bottle Top

I asked for all of the champagne bottle tops from my brother in-law's wedding last year, at the time I knew one day I would figure out something good to make with them. I was looking for material to try to make hanging baskets for the townhouse balconies and I found the bag and I knew finally what to do with them. I snipped the top round part in half, pulled it out and turned all of the "loops" so I could tread it back through, twisted the wire and made a hook and cut off the extra wire. I just stuck that flower remnant in to get an idea of what it might look like with the ferns I plan to make later and I also plan to paint it black.

 

Things I Picked Up Browsing and Recycle Projects

Michaels had these cactus floral picks for $1.99 for the large one and $1.59 for the small one and these wooden laser cut dollies for .49 for a pack of four. I am going to use the cactus as landscape around my bashed ranch/loft dollhouse, it always had a southwest feel to me. I'll use the dollies for iron fretwork inside round and small square windows. I had such a hard time finding something to go in the bakery/coffee shop windows. http://jocelynsdollhouse.blogspot.com/2012/03/round-window-with-filigree-iron-work.html I got the idea to spray plastic brick sheet scraps with left over stone effect spray paint to see if it would look more realistic, it did. The wood is floor samples were free from Home Depot.  I use as them as floor samples for ideas of wood stains to try on mini floors. I put the furniture on top to see how it will look. I like to paint the wooden floor finishes with acrylic paint, so this allows me to match the colors better. http://jocelynsdollhouse.blogspot.com/2011/06/floors-and-doors.html

Complete Hat Shop Display Cabinets and Counter Set

While cleaning out my craft room closet, I "rediscovered" the Corner Shop Dollhouse that I own. http://jocelynsdollhouse.blogspot.com/2012/04/my-new-corner-shop.html I had moved all the furniture out of the Creole Townhouse to do some construction work and decided to place the hat shop furniture inside the Corner Shop Dollhouse just for fun. The furniture was perfect for the small space and it will give me a workspace on the second floor to make the hats. I made two small display stands for the windows and designed them to match the mirrored display cabinet. I also recycled a sideboard I had as center display counter

the inside of the drawers is the original color of the piece

A Miniature Bike Rack

I always wanted a bike rack for the bakery/coffee shop. I found one on Miniatures Marketplace's website but I debated if I wanted to pay $14 for it and not be certain if my bikes would fit properly.

So I decided to try to make one first to see how it goes, if not I can always buy it. Initially, the idea came to me while looking at a piece of fencing I have, so I started to cut away the unwanted parts. Then I needed to figure out a way that it could stand on its own. I searched through my wood stash and found this porch/stair rail and trimmed off the top edge to allow it to stand flat. As I was doing this, it dawned on me to just use two pieces of railing and a wooden dowel. I used the bikes to figure out the height and the spacing between the dowel railings and made the cuts. I turned the porch rails on their sides and inserted the glue dipped dowels in between the top and bottom rails. I spaced them out and let it dry. I used wood glue, my favorite, because it sets up fast and allowed me to turn the bike rack upright in a short time without falling apart. I took some "Aluminum" colored spray paint and covered the whole rack. I wish I had sanded the pieces before painting for a smoother finish and not spray so heavy but I was in "creative thought mode to see it finished". I think I will live with it for now.

The middle piece, I later removed to reduce the height 

I used the doll to figure out the final height

and make sure the bikes would stand on their own inside the rack

I found these little tie/fasteners at Home Depot that I though would work as mini bike locks

 

Lets Ride a Bike!

I bought these bikes on clearance in ToysRUs for $3. This is also were I purchased the other two I have. I think they carry these in other stores in the boy's toy section, as well. I wanted to get one for all the "kids" I have right now. This purple and black one was the largest they had at the time and came with a second pair of handle bars that look like the old 10 speed bike handles, they all have two pair of handle bars. I think this one would work for an adult bike. They are perfect for 1:12 scale and the wheels roll and the peddles turn by the plastic chain on the bikes. They are very realistic in detail and the frames are made of metal.