I'm using muslin that i've aged with our favourite stain (coffee and tea, lol). So far so good.
At the moment they are wet and so will dry a little lighter than the photos are showing. I'm also using hairspray to set them and lots of it, so they will permenantly stay as they are.
Using hairspray is all i could think of to fully stiffen the material and it really does work, but is there a better product i could use? Maybe somebody will know.
Im not sure as yet what to place on each shelf. I was thinking potted plants.
Here's what they started off like. You dont see the stitching once they are stained.
The window shelf and curtains.
Wish they would hurry up and dry. I now can't use my desk until they do and should have worked on the glass slabs i usually use... gutted!!!
I see what you mean now! lol I couldn't quite see in my head what you meant - exactly!
ReplyDeleteYou could do them differently themed. One pot plants etc another sewing items another books and a jar of something (sweets).etc
I've not fathomed out how NOT to make fabric stiffen if you need to seal it. :o(
Will email you when I can. :o)
Michelle xxxx
I think i'll do just that Michell. The sewing shelf would look wonderful and could hang the threads and ribbons coming down etc.
ReplyDeleteThe shelves are not deep enough for books which is a shame because that would look lovely.
Thanks Michelle.
Nikki xxx
I think I've missed something - is that a new project you're working on? Don't know that but I like the idea of the windows with shelves :)
ReplyDeleteGracias por la explicacion. El resultado es perfecto. Besos Clara
ReplyDeleteThey are a fab idea, wish my witches house had windows! Will you be making any filled shelves without curtains too Nikki? Im sure my good and bad witches would love filled shelves for their walls. I for one would love a needlework one , and maybe a witches kitchen shelf. Oh and Lola says she'd love a shelf with mouse things on??!!Kate xxx
ReplyDeleteEwa, ive made these for my etsy shop.
ReplyDeleteMy own projects are still in the loft waiting for when i have time to work on them.
Hope they are a good idea and will sell. Ive tried to make them to fit most windows, but i think they would also look nice around doors. But its hard to make them for a door because of getting the right measurements.
Nikki xxx
Kate, hopefully will make some shelves too... im in a woodwork mood at the moment. Mind you, my tools are limited so it takes me ages to cut it all by hand.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the mouse shelf, do you mean like bramley hedge? If so that would be a lovely idea.
I'd quite like to make items for a mouse house and was inspired by Lola house and ideas.
Nikki xxx
Clare, glad this info was useful for you and glad you like them so far.
ReplyDeleteNikki xxx
Oops soory Clara, i know you are not clare.
ReplyDeleteHi Nikki, my lovely pieces arrived safe and sound today. Gorgeous as usual.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of a sewing shelf too, with the hanging threads etc.
Photographs might look good too, a family collection with cobwebs? A sleeping dragon?
I am always amazed by how you take a simple idea and make it into something unique.
Nikki - the curtains are excellent! You've done a great job - fabric is so difficult in 1:12, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI stiffen natural fabrics in a PVA/water mix, anything from 1 part PVA to 4 parts water for a really stiff mix, to 1:10 or 1:12 for a looser mix. You soak the item and blot it to get rid of the excess glue, then shape it. It needs to be dried while hanging - if it's lying on a surface the glue can get glassy patches if it pools. The nice thing is that it's mostly reversible if you goof up - just soak the lot in water.
This works with any natural fibres, for example threads or hat straw.
Glenda
Nikki they are fab...really like them.
ReplyDeleteI am thinking of doing a similar shelf thing in real life in my Indian bedroom.....just not with tea stained muslin :-)
I used to have a pair of iguanas that loved to sleep on top of the curtain pole...they liked the heat up there....so I think a sleeping dragon would work well. Not much difference really :-)
Wow...I totally mis-read your post initially. I thought you were making real curtains for the windows in your workroom! What a dumb bunny I am... :-( Anyway, the mini ones look very nice. You keep having these flashes of imagination...cool! Lots of possiblities for these curtain shelves.
ReplyDeleteThey look great! Maybe I should try something like that for the windows in my wizard`s cottage, if you don`t mind? I`ve used tea dye before, but thanks for the tip on using coffee :-) My cottage has smaller windows, but I think they would look good with some old curtains like that.
ReplyDeleteHola NikKi. Aquí en España hay un producto para planchar que se llama TOKE APRESTO SPRAY de Jhonson. Puedes planchar la pieza de tela o dejarla secar y conseguiras la firmeza que desees. Espero te sirva.
ReplyDeleteBesitos, May
Thank you Janice, Glenda and Jayne for advice and ideas.
ReplyDeleteIve now found a new way, wet the material and dry slightly then totally soak in the hairsray, shape and then dirty with the tea and coffee. Just takes ages upon ages to dry.
Nikki xxx
Lol Susan, what are you like!
ReplyDeleteHi Mimmi, glad the little i know has helped you.
ReplyDeleteI think all witches need these curtains.
Im going to have a go with different materials too and maybe make a fairy set with flowers and teapots on the shelf
Nikki xxx.
May, thank you for the product info, i'll have a look on ebay and see if i can find some.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks!!!
Nikki xxx
Hi Nikki, yes like in Brambley haege. We have come to a halt on the house at the mo in the holidays, we dont get much time as the younger ones always want to go out but once back to school Lola and I will work on it weekends. I have a lovely shelf to show off by Lory that she made for Lola with baskets of berries and Lola now would like others in the house and I know youd make a fab job of it! I can see you suiting mouse house minis down to the ground. Love Kate xxxx
ReplyDeleteThank you for the explanation,Nikki! :D
ReplyDeleteHave you tried Paverpol?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.paverpol.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86&Itemid=54&lang=en
Another fab and unusual project Nikki, I have missed your minis and did have a look back at all the new things you put on Etsy. Wecome back xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteLorra Luffies
Debie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi!
ReplyDeleteThe curtains look great! There is a product on the market that I have used quite sucessfully. It's called Stiffy made by Plaid. You can get it at fabric stores and many craft stores. You can either soak the fabric in it or spray it on. Always test the fabric before using, of course, but it works great on muslin, cottons and makes fabulous little ghosts with cheesecloth! Hope this helps!
I love trhe curtains, I have just done an article on aged fabric for American miniaturist magazine ha ha great minds think alike. Sorry I haven't visited your blog for a while been a bit tied up with my Nan's illness, her funeral is today.
ReplyDeletePity I missed out on your sale on Etsy :-(.You sold some lovely witchy things. Glad you did so well I wish I sold my hats as fast as you do ha ha! But your creations are brilliant so that's why. Hope you made some money to treat yourself to something nice after all your hard work :-). Take care and keep up the good work.