Sunny Yellow Pram

Hello mini friends,

I've been super busy since last time I posted... I've been making some things with my 3D printer.  I know some of you are very technical and others not so I'll tell you a little bit about what I've been up to.  I got my printer about two years ago, I cannot believe how quickly time passes but I had wanted one for a while and even though it took a bit of mastering I got there and now I'm addicted lol.  Now before you rush off to buy one be aware, if you are not technical it's not quite as simple as printing something 2D in ink.   While this is my new fave toy atm, it is very time consuming and I wish I didn't have so many ideas because I don't have enough time to make everything I think up.  The fact is that it takes days, weeks, months even to design and scale any new project and this is on top of the general research, then when you come to printing something you need a printer that can handle the task and the variables are immense! Once you start to print there are lots and lots of settings that one has to get right and this process results in many, many wasted prints that are not quite right in one way or another.  However, once you have mastered all that, if you have any hair left lol you can print some rather cute components that help to enhance your minis... although most of the time you have to print everything in sections and then construct it later which can also be a pain - not to mention working out how to un-construct it and make it into kit form in the first place.

Anyhoo... this week saw me make a twin pushchair; one side has a carrycot and the other a seat for a toddler.  I wanted something bright so I opted for a sunny yellow with a grey base for contrast.  So far this one hasn't got a new owner so is up for sale on my website.  I wanted to make something a little different so I used my printer to create the parts which meant the parts were precise sizes (give or take a few hundred failed prints lol).  Usually the bit I hate most is bending metal and not getting it exactly right on the first attempt. Being as I have to make these in kit form anyway I decided I am going to make up some kits for single pushchairs that should be pretty reasonable in cost and sell them in my shop, that way more people can own their own mini pushchairs in the colours they choose. 

1/12th Scale twin pushchair.

Dollhouse Stroller

I/12th Scale twin pushchair.

Dollhouse Pram

Next I made a cash register, I wanted one with an opening drawer that had space for change and paper money and included a little receipt - sticking out the top mid sale.  I printed these in several pieces and then constructed them.  Not perfect yet but I think I may bring them out as kits for people to make up in a few weeks.  Everyone seemed to like them and I found new homes for some of the prototypes so that was positive.

Dollhouse Cash Register

1/12th Scale Till

Then I had decided to make some old 70's TV sets the ones with the huge back panels and wooden surrounds.  I figured I'd use actual wood for the outer edge and pop a light inside so they would light up.  I've included a pic of the prototype again for you.  As you can see it's a little rough so it will need a few adjustments but I think they will look good eventually.

Well that's it for this time... hope you like all my mini makes :) Next time I may have mini baby car seats and high chairs if I get time.

Big mini hugs,

Gill x

Moses Baskets and a Sofa

Hello mini friends,

It's been a long time (again) since my last post.  I think since I became a grandma and consequently had to do a little bit (just a teeny tiny bit) of growing up my life has been taken over with grandchildren and that coupled with caring for adult children and my mum and well all the important people who are closest to one's heart, doesn't leave much time for minis at the moment.  Which is just as it should be of course because as much as I love what I do, family always come as I'm sure you'll agree.   Indeed we have recently had a new addition to our family, my son (who you may remember had a little girl born sleeping a few years ago) has just had another baby girl, she is happy and healthy and she is almost three weeks old now.  As you can imagine my son and daughter in law are overjoyed and basically spend their days just looking at her, she is so loved.  Here's a little picture of her, she's called Olivia Grace...

...isn't she just adorable.  I doubt I'll get to look after her much because her mummy and daddy can't put her down haha, but I'm happy either way, she's loved and that's all that matters.

Well on the mini's front I have managed to make some new things.  I decided to change my website a little so as to just sell mostly the things I make, some craft items and a couple of other small bits and bobs, that done I am trying to get all those ideas that have sat on a back burner for years and actually create them.  So here is my first sofa, I did roughly make a chair some time back but I wanted to test this shape of sofa because I intend to print my own fabrics and make some more but as always there is a process of trial and error to go through before you end up with something that makes you really happy.  

1/12th Scale Floral Sofa

1/12th Scale Floral Sofa

1/12th Scale Floral Sofa

I also made four Moses baskets, each one comes with a matching coverlet and a folding stand and these are available in my shop.  

1/12th Scale dolls house Moses baskets

1/12th Scale miniature Moses basket

1/12th Scale dollshouse Moses basket

1/12th Scale dollhouse Miniature Moses basket

1/12th Scale Moses Baskets

I hope you like them; I intend to make up a few prams and pushchairs in matching fabrics.  I have got several modern prams on the table but as I'm making modern pram kits these are taking a long time to perfect because I have to keep testing to be sure all the parts fit together easily.  You might remember I made the carriage pram kits a while back, these have sold really well but because of the nature of the pram they are not for the faint hearted but more for the experienced crafter. 

1/12th Scale Carriage Pram Kit

My modern pushchairs and prams on the other hand will be much simpler to construct and anyone should be able to make them up.  I've got most of the parts working but making up the instructions that accompany them is what takes the time. 

After the prams I want to make some bedroom furniture then some working lights and slowly go down the list of mini makes I've been waiting to create for ages.  Hope you like this month's mini makes, they are available in my shop now and with a bit of luck I'll soon have some matching pushchairs or prams to go with them.

Big mini hugs,

Gill x