Life on a cork: watching tv and having a beer

I do like 1/144 scale and the very different challenges it presents. The first challenge is scale; establishing sizes is much trickier than with 1/12 scale, and I do a lot of it on gut feel. It helps if you have a constant checkpoint, and these N scale railway figures that arrived last week have certainly come in useful. 

The second challenge is that you have to make everything. In larger scale you can complement bought furnishings with your own creations. Granted there are products on sale but I’ve yet to find something that’s worth buying. If you spot any good products I’d love to know. 

With these little cork projects you can do them in one day, and one thing I do love is quick results!

This guy in my model is taking it easy with a beer and watching tv.

If anyone would like a step by step guide to creating these still life’s on a cork, let me know and I’ll capture the key steps and add these to my next one. On that note, any ideas for my next scene gratefully received!

My new shop name - Dinky Designs

My little Etsy shop has had a makeover, it’s now called Dinky Designs by Julie. Creating the new site header stirred me into action so here are a few items that I have just loved making these last few days. What a treat our love of miniatures really is 💕 

Visit DinkyDesigns by Julie 

Painting people for the pub

These N scale people seemed like a bit of a bargain from eBay. I received 25 for less than £2!

Their quality is a bit iffy but that gave me a new opportunity and a new challenge, so I started to paint them.

These are my first two, a pleasant couple. They are certainly enjoying their visit to the Swan, my 1/144 scale miniature pub. 

Plenty more to go!

As they arrived and before they are painted...

Oranges and lemons... and Braeburns

I’ve rekindled my relationship with Fimo. Making mini food is quite tricky and I’m yet to try the more adventurous creations such as those by the brilliant Angie Scarr, her book on mini food is amazing.

These little fruit offerings are this evening’s work. And not forgetting my avo and tomato sandwich, pret style  

Etsy shop now open!

I’ve opened an Etsy shop with some of my food and fruit/veg crates. Do take a look!

Tiny things by Julie 

A winter wonderland

A rather nice bottle of Malbec led me to this little project. The wine cork was cut in half and a snowy scene created over a few hours. This scale is incredibly fiddly but very satisfying. 

Everything was made from scratch: the snowman was made from Fimo, the rocks were made from model railway slate, And the trees were ends of pipe cleaners. 

Now I need a plan for the other half of the cork…

A Christmas forest

 Christmas trees are so magical. I saw a picture once of a mantelpiece covered in miniature Christmas trees of all shapes, types and sizes. My blossoming collection isn’t quite as grand but it’s growing. 

This year I decided to make some of my own. A little tutorial by Martha Stuart guided the way. Mine aren’t as intricate as hers, and they are half the size. But I think they are equally as charming.