1:6 Size Halloween Haunt Shoppe

The Beginning of Halloween Haunt Shoppe

What will be the street side of the shop..

Beginning of the inside of the shop.

Gathering and starting to put together pieces for the outside look.

Small window with paper towel curtains.

Left side is unpainted, right side has its first coat of paint.

I painted some vague details in black a blue.

I used clear plastic from a doll box for the window glass.

Starting on the bricks for the front. 

Foam core board scored with a broken tip pencil and a straight edge.

Top piece shows first coat of paint.  Bottom has

more colors added for better detail.

I want them all to look a bit different.

Door is made from cardboard, plastic from front of doll box and metal duct tape.

Hole is cut for door.  Door soon to be attached.

Swinging!

Inside view.

Sign attached, door, bricks and walls distressed.

Started making products for inside the shop.

I am still working on the inside of the shop. 

 My next post will be of the inside and more products and shelves and such. 

Sneek Peek: 

We are also working on the Curl Up and Dye Salon and Day Spa.

Its busy around here!

Cheers, PB





Letters From BlogLand

To all of my Followers, Lurkers, Comment Writers and Searchers out there in Blog Land, I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Bright New Year.

This has been a very challenging year for me and for my family, as it has been for many I am sure. 

One of the challenges I am facing right now is Meniere's disease.  I have terrible vertigo and am spending my days trying to accomplish things all while being dizzy and nauseous.  It is not easy.

Currently I am in the process of re-vamping my etsy shop.  I am painting new back drops, painting furniture and making props.  It should return by Jan. 1st 2014. 

Recently I have had several people contact me through my etsy shop. 
Unless it is a short but sweet question or involves business on etsy, I would prefer you did not do this. 
I love it when you use the Comment section here- there is some really good stuff in the Comments on several of the Monster High custom tutorial pages where you can learn more about doll customization.  When you comment, and I publish it, it reaches a larger audience.

Also, unless I have used a technique myself, and can document it here in writing and with photos, I will not be posting what it is that you do yourself for your own customs.  I have my own sense of integrity about things of this nature and will not advise anyone to do anything I have not also done.  One should know what the results will be with certainty before telling you to try it.

Over the last 2 years I have put in a lot of time and energy to make this blog helpful.  My posts have slowed down recently as I have faced the challenges of just finding the time to do the things I need to do, let alone the things I like to do.

Lastly, to those of you who have said Thank You, who have told me they have gone on to do their own custom dolls - you have made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.  I am grateful.

If you have photos of your doll customs you want to share, send them here: pb.maximus@gmail.com

Cheers, PB Ray

Yes, I know, not Monster High :)~  But these are some of my other girls ready for Christmas.

1:6 Furniture For Our Dolls

 

 

 

There is a new store on etsy and it is offering some 1:6 doll furniture that is really special.  I could not resist the Living Room set, and the photos here are of that set.  One of the things I found special about this furniture is the weight.  The pieces are heavy enough that they don't tip over or move while posing your dolls.  What follows is my interview with Debbie, the owner of Napkin Maps on etsy.

 

Q: The name of your shop is unusual, how did you come to choose Napkin Maps?

Debbie:

My husband and I were coming up with a list of names for another business we are interested in. Napkin Maps ended up on the list and I just loved it! The name really has nothing at all to do with my work but something about it reminded me of "me".

Q: When did you start creating 1:6 furniture?

Debbie:

Last year one of my granddaughters was showing me some doll furniture she wanted for Christmas. I felt as though we already had enough plastic in the "doll area" and wanted it to look more "real". I made a lot of furniture for her and everyone loved it. After enough people said "you should sell this", I decided to give it a whirl. So, really only a few months.

Q: What is your process? Do you make drawings? Do you start with one thing and go from there?

Debbie:

It's all about color for me. I usually start with a fabric swatch, and then start thinking about the wood. Light wood, dark wood etc. I start assembling fabric, wood scraps, paper, different textures, and start building a story. I do some photography as well and that is one of my favorite parts of this - getting the good picture. When I think I'm finished with some of the dioramas I have built, I sit back and ask myself what I would put in there if it were my house.


Q: The Fireplace set I purchased from you is exceptional in its detail. The chopped wood is to scale and looks perfect.
I noticed that you have re-purposed wood in some of your offerings. How do you choose your materials?

Debbie:

I used to do a lot of assemblage art and so have some old wood in my shop. Modern fabric mixed with old wood is really appealing to me. Everything I make is something I would want in my home (on a larger scale of course). 

Q: Your style is a wonderful mash up of Mad Men meets Today’s Modern. Is that what we would find in your home?

Debbie:

Yes, in some rooms of my home. The fireplace wall is something I've always have wanted to build in my living room. Until that day comes my motto is "make it small".

 

Thanks so much Debbie for taking the time to answer my questions.  I love my Living Room.  I am saving to buy the Spa Style Bathroom...!

 

 

Visit Napkin Maps here:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/NapkinMaps

 

 

Next Up:

For awhile now I have been wanting to do a circus theme with my dolls.  My doodles include props and fashions and animals...and I have finally started.  The photos that follow are a peek into what will be coming. A work in progress.

 

 

 

 

 

Remember that comments made in April and May will get you entries into the next drawing.  The prize will be one of my handmade creatures- I have not decided which one yet.  When I do, I will post a photo :)

 

Cheers, PB