miniatures by auralea

Monday, March 6, 2023

Making dollhouse windows and doors

Posted on March 06, 2023 by Auralea Krieger with No comments

I'm starting a new build (a small 3 room farm cottage) and decided to do something a little backwards for me. I'm making my windows and doors from scratch first. This way I'm not restricted by specific measurements. Instead, they will dictate the space that's cut out from the walls.

Windows are done! hey are non-working windows. Now onto the front door!

This shows the progress of my front door. I wanted it to look like someone salvaged an old door. It stays open so I will need to add a little more to the jam to give it a snug close. A few strips of cover stock will do the trick!

I can't be happier with this beautifully mitered corner for a door frame! I used the Miter-Rite™ sold at miniatures.com.

The blade has no wiggle to it and makes perfect cuts!

The more contemporary door will be the pantry door. Hey! Who is that cute little guy?

I have the lower level of my farm cottage assembled. The base is Gator board to prevent any warping and because the second story floor will also be Gator board I was able to use half inch thick foam board for the walls. Wood glue and long nails are used to hold everything together I am in the process of cutting bristol board strips to use as shiplap on the walls downstairs.Finished the doors! I wanted a vintage Victorian door that looked like it was rescued for the front door. Here is the space before I installed the floor.

Tool kit for miniaturists

Posted on March 02, 2023 by Auralea Krieger with 2 comments

I remember back when I first started making miniatures my father gave me his little tool kit. I was allowed to use the saw but he would help with the knife work for safety. I loved all those mini tools. He used to build ships in miniature from his own design.

Here, I am showing a builders tool kit from miniatures.com. I seriously recommend this for not only beginners but also for anyone who is making miniatures. I am very bad about treating myself to new tools. I see them all the time but never get them for myself. But this year I decided to step it up with tools that will make my building experience a little easier. So this was a good place to start.

The first thing I love about this tool box is it keeps everything in one place! This is really a great investment and you can easily close it up and take it to your mini meetings.

This Deluxe Dollhouse Tool Kit includes a light duty knife, heavy duty knife, three assorted blades, pull saw, pin vise, miter box, fixed point awl, sanding stick and block, flat head screwdriver, large and small clamps, 6" metal ruler, and three assorted drill bits.

Clamps always com in handy and the ruler even has decimal to fraction conversion on the back!

This sanding stick will be very handy for fine shaping and sanding.

There is also a long sanding block for larger flat surfaces. I am excited to use this for my farm cottage build. Click here and go get yours now!

Merry Christmas Mouse

Posted on December 22, 2022 by Auralea Krieger with No comments

Miniatures.com has these fantastic display platform kits that are super easy to put together.

It took me a while to think of what to do with mine. I have always loved the thought of living on a farm so I thought it might be fun to make a barn front that can be used for all seasons.

I just made a really big move by selling my family home and the very last thing I made there was this little felt mouse. Luckily my old dining table was still at the house while it was showing so I packed up my felting supplies when over and and made this little mouse.

The display assembles very easily with wood glue. Before I assembled it, I traced the back wall so I knew where the floor would start and built the wood barn front before I assembled it. This way I could add weight to the wall while it dried flat on my table.

The board on this kit is nice and thick so there was no warping!

I cut and glued basswood then once the glue set I added steeped tea (let it dry) then brushed on vinegar. I let my vinegar sit a little too long in a jar with some steel wool, so it came out dark. I have also skipped the steel wool and just applied the vinegar on its own and it comes out a little lighter. It can go from brownish grey to light grey depending on your combinations.

I glued down some sandpaper for the gravel and had some landscaping material from a fall village at the craft store and used that as grass.

Then I cut black cardstock for the barn handles and painted n some ‘rust’.

Little Miss Mouse is ready to slide open those barn doors and join a fabulous holiday party!

I made her hat from a little red button, some plastic pearl beads and a feather from my boyfriend’s African Grey Parrot. When he grooms they fall to the base of his cage. I was thinking about making a miniature down pillow with them! Haha

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and the New Year brings you everything you need for a happy and full life!