Kitchen Part 3 - Tiny things from Odds and Ends




Just a quick post to show you a few things that I have been making for the kitchen - I didn't write a tutorial for them, as they are fairly self explanatory - but if anyone would like a tutorial for something, just let me know!  

Most of them have been made out of odds and ends, tiny bits of wood, beads, jewellry findings and old handkerchieves - the sort of things I guarantee you have lying around your craft desk.  I like making these types of things, as when I have an idea to make something, I hate waiting for the post man to come with the order... better to Make Do and Make Mini!


The laundry basket hidden under mounds of laundry (just like my RL home!) was made with "Things I Had to Hand"... no special linen thread or wires, just embroidery thread, toothpicks and an oval of foam board.  After a couple of coats of paint, it looks surprisingly ok, though probably best hidden under the dirty sheets!

The peg bag was embroidered on a cotton handkerchief, and I used a small screw eyelet for a hook on a match stick.  It is filled with tiny 'pegs' made from pieces of cocktail sticks, until I have the time/patience/skill to make better ones!



Here's a nice peg rack, waiting to be filled with aprons etc., made from a left over piece of lime wood.  I NEVER throw tiny bits of wood out, which usually makes a lot of clutter, but then sometimes, they can be useful.  I bent head pins and added seed beads for the hooks.  The wood was painted with watercolours and waxed with clear wax.


I pulled out some feathers from a pillow and used the end of a fancy toothpick to make a feather duster.  I remember telling my family to put the toothpicks in my handbag when we were eating olives in a restaurant... they thought I was completely mad, but the fancy toothpicks are hard to get in France, and I'm very glad that I did!  


Some tiny, tiny off cuts of walnut were transformed into a chopping board, wooded spoons and a spurtle (for making porage) just by sanding them with a fine nail file.  I tried this as I had been tempted to buy some lovely spoons on Etsy, but the postage to France was five times the price of the spoons, so I decided to have a go.  They're not bad for a first try, I think I'll make more.

Silly postage costs also prompted me to make the biscuit cutters out of tea-light tin.  I'm so glad I made them myself!  Very easy to do, and they look really sweet!


Here are the coat pegs after a coat of enamel paint... a little wobbly but fine for the kitchen...


I made the egg keeper a while ago (I'm sure you've seen it before), but it was worth including, as it was also made out of Things I Found When I Finally Cleaned My Craft Desk... wood, beads, canvas and paint.  And the blue light shade is what happens when you find a cheap light that is out of scale, take it to pieces, lose it, find the shade and say 'Aha!  Maybe glass paint will work....'  I'll be doing the electrics for the kitchen soon, so I'll tell you more about that then,


I hope you have been inspired to rummage through your Bits and Bobs to make something new and exciting out of practically nothing,

Thanks, as ever, for all your wonderful comments,

Jonquil

Comments

  1. those are so cute, I really like the hanger.

    Hugs
    Marisa

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    1. Hi Marisa, Thanks! I just need to fill them up with general kitchen clutter, just like my RL kitchen hangers!

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  2. Hi Jonquil! I must say I Love Love LOVE all the tiny things you made from leftover pieces ready to hand! It is Very inspiring to see what others make from scratch! (I always think I should make more from scratch myself!)And Bravo for bringing home those Valuable and Rare cocktail toothpicks!!! It is little things like that which set the determined creative type apart from the casual builder! LOL! That little egg safe is adorable... I would love to see it close-up, and your cookie cutters are so charming and much better than mass produced ones! And believe it or not, I would Love to see those tiny clothes pegs too!!! I just love the feeling of all these accessories you have created.... they have that quality of well loved items that cannot be bought! Thank you for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, thank you!! yes, I was delighted to see the cocktail sticks on the table, I think I'll have to make a trip back to the restaurant to get some more... though I think that makes them the most expensive little pieces of wood in the world! ;) I probably should make more things from scratch too... I wish I could say that it is because I am motivated by all the Right Things, but sadly it is mostly because of postage costs and penny pinching!

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  3. Hi, Jonquil! What beautiful little things! These little things create a real comfort in the kitchen. Very creative and economically, I love it!

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    1. Thank you... I think a kitchen is the best room to make as you can put so many tiny details in - I can't believe I almost didn't have a kitchen!

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  4. I Really enjoyed reading this post because of all of the creative content contained within. The variety of your kitchen and household gadgets are a the products of great imagination and the willingness to take the time to make what you need from the bits and bobs that you have around the house. The end results are a Joy to behold and make me smile because I Love them ALL! :D

    elizabeth

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    1. Hi ELizabeth, thank you, but you do realise that it's All Your Fault ;) without the wonderful things you sent me to start me off, I don't know if I would have made a kitchen... I'm so glad that I did! The motivation was definitely, now where shall I put all the lovely things Elizabeth sent...? :D

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  5. Hello jonquil,
    Those are beautifully crafted and unique items for your gorgeous kitchen! I am glad you made them instead of purchasing them because they are fantastic! You are incredibly creative!
    Big hug
    Giac

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    1. Hi Giac,

      Thank you! THey do add a little something extra, mostly clutter, but they were great fun to make, and finally I could justify keeping lots of plastic bags of Bits and Bobs!

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  6. What a great selection of accessories those are - all important because they add the beloved detail and, of course, every home should have a spurtle!

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    1. H ha Irene, I wondered if you'd pick up on that! Your probably the only other miniaturist I know that has one, let alone knows what it is! That was definitely inspired by The Tenement! And the proper spelling of porridge!

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  7. How lovely to fill your kitchen with your own creations - as in real life nothing pleases the heart so much as smiling each time you look at something you made and love ..... like a dolls house maybe! They are lovely creatures, Marilyn

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    1. Thank you Marilyn, it's true, a house is more than a toy or hobby, there is something so very special about a miniature collection, I can remember all the stories related to each item, when they were bought or made, and by who, and the particular moment in my life...

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