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Recap/Tips from FR Convention '06
Posted by DeeinNJ on November 7, 2006, 11:13 am
208.20.251.27
| Hi, Gang
Today, I’m going to review some diorama-related stuff from last month’s Fashion Royalty convention. First, I’ll recap some diorama tips from Jakki Peters. Lucky you… afree and a reader’s digest condensed version of all the juicy good stuff. Thanks to Jakki for all of her awesome tips. In this discussion, I tried to cover things that we didn’t cover in Jakki’s workshop recap from last year. If you missed them, check out the discussion archived in the Diorama portfolio at the top of the board. I’ll also post photos of some of the dioramas entered in the diorama competition. Let’s get started! JAKKI'S TIPS: • Foam core is an inexpensive and easy-to-use material to construct walls. When doing archways, doorways, etc, try to use the thicker width foamcore for more realism and stability. Don’t think you need more… foam core works! • For in-scale flooring/carpeting, shop Walmart! Jakki picked up some amazing in-scale, lightweight upholstery fabrics that look perfect for dioramas. There are different textures and patterns, so it works really great. Craft and fabric stores also offer a nice selection, but may be pricier. Go scour the craft dept. at Walmart. • Adhesive-backed felt is another option for carpeting that’s quick since the adhesive is already there. Use it to cover ottomans or other furniture, too. • Contact paper is also perfect for floors and furnishings. Checkers, wood grain, marble prints, etc. all can be found cheaply. Use the marble or wood-grains for drawer fronts or table tops, too! If you are lazy, use two rolls of marble contact paper as columns – just take off the wrapper and they’re ready to use! • Stainless-steel look contact paper is available at Target and can be used on appliances or other high-tech surfaces. Mirrored contact paper is also available at craft stores to back display cabinets, make lightweight custom mirrors and craft a night club or dressing room set. • Sheets of cork make great inserts for chair backs or seats, or use them as flooring, floor mats or wall covering. You can buy rolls or sheets at the craft store. • Jakki constructed the most amazing staircase from stacked pieces of Styrofoam faced with balsa wood. The foam is easy to cut and glue together. She suggested making a template first to measure how many steps you need and how high each step would be. Once she had all of her steps stacked and the treads/risers faced with balsawood, She then drilled holes into the steps and made ralings from wooden spindles she bought at the craft store (the perfect scale… I’ve seen these spindles at AC Moore stores in the wood dept). Paint or stain your spindles to your liking. Her staircase was winding, so to create a winding railing, she used clear plastic aquarium tubing and then sliced little X holes at each interval where the spindle would be inserted along the railing. She then painted the tubing and viola! A realistic curving rail for her stairway! • Elegant columns or pillars for displaying art/vases, etc can be made from cake decorating pieces. Leave them white (as most come) or paint or marbelize them for more realistic looks. • Want an elegant table? Wooden spindles painted and topped with any type of small mirror make great fancy tables. • Old cosmetic compacts or travel mirrors are great for dioramas. Leave them together and sit them atop a vanity or console as a double mirror… or break them apart and hang the individual sides on a wall above a console or fireplace. • You can pick up amazingly detailed frames for mini artwork at the dollar store… check it out! • Want a quick bed? Cover a man-size shoe box with fabric to make a double bed. Add carved wood trim from the home store to use as a fancy headboard. Or make a quilted/tufted headboard from foam core squares or fun foam. • Turn candle cups over for lamshades. Mini salt/pepper shakes make great little crystal vases for you rooms. • Cut smaller blooms off larger bunches of silk flower arrangements to make in-scale blossoms to fill your vases. • Cut larger leaves to scale to make mini plants for your rooms. You just need some scissors to make a life-like plant. • Got glue dots? If not, you should. These little gems available in adhesive depts. Or scrapbook/stamping departments hold EVERYTHING. They come in large size, super strength, mini size and dimensional. They hold things on walls, on tables, and even hold stuff together. You gotta get ‘em. They are even great for having your dolls hold props because they leave no residue. They can also be cut and stretched to suit your purpose. But, touch them as little as possible (instead, touch your object to the dot and then remove it from the roll or vice versa. The oil from your hands makes ‘em less sticky) • For window scenes or views into adjoining rooms, take a digital photo with your camera and enlarge it on a color copier to the size you need. • Now’s the time to shop for Christmas ornaments for all sorts of miniature reproductions: chandeliers, musical instruments, lamps, tiny accessories, etc. Fridge magnets and key chains also offer a wealth of little items. Don’t be afraid to cannibalize pieces and repurpose them. • Add lighting to your diorama with strings of mini lights used for Christmas or Halloween. They come 10 on a string and work great up in ceilings (use above frosted drop-ceiling sheets to illuminate an entire room), under dance floors, inside chandeliers, etc. to illuminate your room. Small lighted pins or flasher pins work in chandeliers and disco balls, too. Even a fireplace. • The scrabook section of the craft store is great for decorator touches for your rooms and furnishings. Embellingments, brads, studs, frames, etc. work great as architectural details or to adorn furnishings. Browse these departments with a new eye.
• Use plastic primer to paint pastics with any paint you wish… at last, you can paint ANY color you want… or buy paint made especially for plastic (but color choices are limited).
It's a wild time here! Check out the cool wall decor and hand-painted props.
This was Jakki's entry. Amazing real sand, a rotating table, the sound of the surf and the smell of suntan lotion. You should have heard/smelled it!
Isha takes a dip in the hot tub. Maybe she had too much bubbly! This was a more modern twist on the tiki theme.
This was my entry. I was going for that retro suburban patio party thing. I won second place (and was totally shocked). It was fun just to enter!
This entry had Vanessa praying to the tiki gods. This was a very different approach to the theme and was amazing in the detail of the hut and greens.
This one had me wanting to join in. It reminded me of a cool night on the beach with a fire going. I could smell the marshmallows in my head. I like the "weathered" look of the bar and the real sand and seashells.
This was another fun one. The roof on the bar is awesome! And how about the stools made from napkin rings (see, you can make doll furniture from ANYTHING!) Those dolls are partying to the max. If you pushed the button on the little boom box, you'd hear limbo music! Loved that!
This was a very colorful entry with a customized Gloria bar and some cool decorations from found objects. I like the colorful approach... very exotic.
Last is the first-place and people's choice winner Karen Vail. My mouth dropped when I saw this one. Bubbling fountain, lighted tikis, multi levels and a very pleasing design. I can't wait to tell you more about how she put this great diorama together. Rare Creature never looked more lovely. OK - that's it for now. Hope you learned a few neat tips for crafting your own doll decor! Til next time, |
