Packages and pastries

Buying stock for the shop is a bit pricey. I've found some food packaging labels on the internet, and have used them to cover bits of balsa covered in baking paper or foil. I've varied the size for each different product.




I've also started to make some bread and pastries. These are made from a polymer clay that requires baking. These are pre-baked and need some paint:

Cornice mitre work

The first cornices that needed to be mitred are in the left hand side of the shop. A mini mitre box is a wonderful help for this work.

I've been looking for a more suitable craft saw after a friend advised on types and uses. I really wish I had had one this morning for this work, a hack saw is fine for some tasks, but when you need sharp angles and shaping a more purpose-made saw is another toolbox essential for craft work.

A mini mitre fixed to a bench in my garage:


Cutting the angles is tricky and it took a couple of tries to do it correctly. The most important thing to remember is to cut from the top to the base of the cornice, rather than across the middle, to achieve the 45 degree angle needed for the corner.



The floor has had another light coat of walnut varnish and the skirting board fitted to the remainder of the room. This also needed the mitre box.



And that's about it for downstairs. There needs to be a handrail for the wall of the staircase, but there is no rush: I'll wait until I come across a suitable piece of wood and wall fittings.

New shop display stand

Slight change of plan. I'm going to use the polymer clay I bought a few months ago to save on stocking costs.

I'll be making cheese and bakery products, so will fit a shop theme around this. Apparently general provisions merchants were pretty normal then, so times haven't changed too much. I'm going to do more research before I start with the clay.

Ordering shopping for home delivery seems such a new development, created to help make our lives easier. But this was pretty much the norm for many Victorian families who used telegraph, mail (by hand or by post), instead of the internet, to make their orders.

I've built a new display stand which will be used for bakery products. This was made from balsa wood and kebab sticks.

The new display stand before staining:


After staining and in place:

First flight

The floor of the second half of the shop floor is complete. Here it is part fitted with just one coat of stain.



I've also assembled and stained the staircase which will be secured into place once I'm finished decorating this room. The next step is to decide on furniture and fitments, inkeeping with a vintner's, and add cornicing and skirting boards.

Posters and cheese

I've placed some of the cheese in the shop. And the victorian posters are simply printouts of internet images. And check out the cornicing!



Here's the left hand side of the shop, painted and ready for woodwork. I'll be laying a floor, adding cornicing and skirting boards, and of course building the staircase. The latter is already cut, requiring only glueing and staining.

Half of the shop is nearly finished

I've just about finished half of the shop. The fixtures are now glued in. All there is to do is cornicing, and painting the arch. Of course I'll need more shop goods to sell, so will be making miniature cheese and looking to buy Victorian groceries.

Shop fittings

The shelving unit was easy other than the curved edges which took a couple of tries as the wood split. Wood used is lime, although the backing, and side shelving units are made of balsa, much easier to cut but not as durable.

Next step is to stain the wood.