Thursday, September 27, 2012

DIY Dollhouse Miniatures: Modern "Glass" Art Tutorial




dollhouse miniature modern art
1:12 scale miniature "glass" art made with plastic and glass seed beads

DIY Dollhouse Miniatures: Modern  "Glass" Art Tutorial

I am designing a modern dollhouse loft.... or now maybe some miniature shipping container pods... I have been wanting to do some modern minis for years!  I started with some of the accessories and furniture first;  that was years ago and I haven't done any miniature work since! These "glass" bowls are perfect for a modern dollhouse, plus they are fun to make!

 I love the look of Dale Chihuly style glass art along with pottery, sculptures and my modern paintings. Someday I will build a lighted glass shelving unit to display my miniature "glass"art. 





Materials and  tools needed:

Plastic produce containers like those rectangular ones for herbs or spinach
Colored Sharpies
Foil
Scissors
Seed beads
Krylon clear acrylic spray
Super glue
Tacky glue
Toothpick



dollhouse miniature modern tutorial

Step one: Cut out ovals or circles of various sizes from plastic produce containers. Using permanent markers draw circular patterns. You can smear patterns with a toothpick or blot with a paper towel; be creative. Note the plastic will shrink a bit.

Step two: Place one piece on crinkled foil (the crinkles make it easier to pick up the plastic) and place in preheated  275F oven  for 45 seconds to one minute.







dollhouse miniature modern art


 Step three: Quickly remove from oven and shape with fingers by cupping the plastic in the foil ( it will be cool enough).  If it hardens before you get the desired shape, place back in oven with foil pinched around to hold its shape for about 30 more seconds. You can rework the plastic for a total of  about 3 minutes before the plastic will start turning white which creates interesting effects.


Step Four:  Touch up with markers if necessary and spray with Krylon Acrylic Gloss. Super glue any pieces together and glue glass seed beads inside using tacky glue.








chihuly style dollhouse miniatures 




 




DIY dollhouse modern art


My other minis: 1:12 scale Antique Shop 1:12 scale Dollhouse Tea Shop 1:12 scale miniature clock and jewelry shop 1:12 scale Conservatory 1:12 scale Victorian Dollhouse Living Room
Dollhouse Bedrooms 

Do you love miniatures or have you tried this tutorial? Comments welcomed!
at

39 comments:

  1. HawaiianLibrarianFebruary 4, 2013 at 2:36 AM

    This is absolutely amazing! Wouldn't they make outstanding spring flowery pins for Mothers' Day? Or bulletin board magnets? Great way to recycle. Mahalo for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BluKatKraftFebruary 4, 2013 at 7:46 AM

      HawaiianLibrarian, Thanks so much! I've seen cool upcycled plastic necklaces.....never thought of using this method for jewelry LOL! Great idea!!!

      Delete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 4, 2013 at 11:53 AM

    What are the plastic produce containers? Can you give me an example? Where do I find those?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BluKatKraftFebruary 4, 2013 at 4:49 PM

      I get them at the supermarket; my fresh herbs and salads come in rectangular plastic containers...maybe bakery containers could work...here in the US they put everything in plastic!

      Delete
    2. morsel81May 20, 2016 at 5:45 AM

      you'll want to look for #6 recyclable plastic.

      Delete
  3. Mary Ann MajerskiFebruary 12, 2013 at 3:48 PM

    My concern would be......is there toxic fumes/smell from the plastic melting ? Reminds me of "Shrinky Dinks" from years ago.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BluKatKraftFebruary 12, 2013 at 4:24 PM

      Mary Ann, Me too! There is no smell unless the oven is too hot & burns so I would make sure the fan is on and windows are open!

      Delete
  4. Drora's minimundoFebruary 14, 2013 at 8:52 AM


    A most wonderful tutorial, thank you for sharing. I am anxious to try it right away.
    I am your new follower. Do you mind if I show your work on my blog? Giving you full credit, of course.
    Hugs, Drora







    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BluKatKraftFebruary 14, 2013 at 3:13 PM

      Drora, Thanks so much! Love it if you used my work on your blog! Let me know when you do so I can tweet it :)

      Delete
  5. MaryFebruary 18, 2013 at 9:08 AM

    Hi Heather, I followed Dora here. Thank you, for this great tutorial, I will be adding a link to my tutorials list at
    http://mslists.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownFebruary 18, 2013 at 12:19 PM

    I, too, followed Drora. What a marvellous tutorial, and what a grand idea. I've been to see the exhibition in Tacoma and walked across "his" bridge plenty of times, when I lived in Pt Townsend. I should come down again sometimes soon :)

    ... in "stalker mode", I'm now following you on FB, Pinterest, Twitter... and I "Liked" your page, and pinned this to my tut collection board...

    Thanks, Drora for finding this, and thanks, Heather for sharing <3

    Kundry's miniworld

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BluKatKraftFebruary 18, 2013 at 2:45 PM

      Thanks so much K Douglas, I will have to "stalk" you now :)

      Delete
  7. Maria IrelandFebruary 18, 2013 at 3:04 PM

    Another Drora fan :D Your work is fantastic. Thank you very much for the tutorial.
    Hugs Maria

    ReplyDelete
  8. afairytalecometruewyrnaFebruary 19, 2013 at 8:49 AM

    Welcome to my blog, A fairytale come true. Very interesting what you do in glass.
    There is so much I want to do, but it takes time to learn new techniques, so it is great to be inspired by your work.
    Hugs
    Wyrna

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousMarch 1, 2013 at 12:50 AM

    this is so cool!i drool over dale chihuly's work,so i can't wait to try this fun,affordable facsimile!i make colorful 'glass/porcelain' bowls that i cut from the 'dimple' in the bottom center of CRUSHABLE plastic water bottles,then paint with nail enamels.miniaturists are the truest recyclers!:) Kat

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BluKatKraftMarch 1, 2013 at 8:15 AM

      Kat, Your bowls sound fabulous! Nail enamels come in so many cool colors; they are very handy:)

      Delete
    2. AnonymousMarch 11, 2013 at 9:02 AM

      i don't have the tech skills yet to know how to post pix,but when i do,i'll show u what i've done with my little bowls.family thought i was nuts,til they saw the results!i see your art glass tut just about everywhere!:)Kat







      Delete
    3. BluKatKraftMarch 11, 2013 at 6:53 PM

      Thanks Anonymous :)

      Delete
  10. AnonymousApril 3, 2013 at 4:57 AM

    I've been using recycled plastic containers for years. So many things to make with the stuff and it's free.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BluKatKraftApril 13, 2013 at 8:59 AM

      Thanks Anonymous, so many things to make with plastic containers!

      Delete
  11. Roberta MannMay 29, 2013 at 5:50 AM

    What happens if you don't use foil but use something else that's non-stick and put it in the microwave instead? I don't have use of a conventional oven.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BluKatKraftMay 29, 2013 at 4:17 PM

      Roberta, I have not done this with a microwave, you could try heating in microwave & shape with your hands then maybe dunk in cold water to "set". Let me know if you try this & how long to heat or if it even works. Good luck :)

      Delete
  12. UnknownJune 8, 2013 at 10:33 PM

    it is beautiful tutorial.. very good idea..
    i love your project, thanks for sharing with us.
    can u please tell me, what type of plasti can be use ? and can we use plastic bottle/ juice bottle?

    thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BluKatKraftJune 9, 2013 at 9:24 AM

      Thanks so much Asha. I am not sure about plastic bottles, but you could give it a try & let us know how it works!

      Delete
  13. The Beading GemDecember 24, 2013 at 5:41 PM

    That's just amazing! Thanks for letting me know about this fabulous tutorial! I will link up on my blog post!

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownFebruary 9, 2014 at 4:49 PM

    Hi, Is the set of blue bowls near the top something you made or is that some of Chilhuy's? I love those colors.

    ReplyDelete
  15. BluKatKraftFebruary 9, 2014 at 7:43 PM

    Grammy, Thanks, those are my mini plastic ones :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. piebirdsueJune 24, 2015 at 6:49 AM

    I am still confused as to what a plastic produce container is and looks like -- there are so many. Do you mean clear plastic? Is it possible to show a picture of one? I so badly want to do this project with my twin grandchildren.

    ReplyDelete
  17. BluKatKraftJune 24, 2015 at 7:23 AM

    Sorry I don't have any photos right now, I've been growing my own herbs but if you look in the produce section (USA!) you will find rectangular containers with fresh herbs in them, some of the bigger salad containers work but some don't, water bottles will work also! Hope this helps :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dramatic ImagingJuly 2, 2015 at 7:10 PM

    Can we use clear large plastic bowls instead?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BluKatKraftJuly 2, 2015 at 7:50 PM

      Not sure, but you can test a piece of it out. If it shrinks and is firm when it cools it should work; some plastics get floppy and soft. Let me know how it goes!

      Delete
  19. Emily (Laundry and Lullabies)September 2, 2015 at 1:19 PM

    My boys and I did this for an art project this afternoon. Fun and easy "upcycling" project. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BluKatKraftSeptember 2, 2015 at 4:07 PM

      Emily that is so great to hear! Thanks for letting me know :)

      Delete
  20. Savories of lifeDecember 20, 2016 at 1:36 PM

    Tried berry container and did not work. was plastic. Any tips?

    ReplyDelete
  21. BluKatKraftDecember 20, 2016 at 4:06 PM

    If you can find the herb containers.. those will work or maybe try salad containers. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete