This page originally was for promoting my latest kits. But since this is after Christmas, I am making it an update post combo.
First the Tree Shelves
I was inspired by real life shelves designed for displaying a village on. Photos of these were being shared on Quarter Connection. I really liked these and have considered making one before. I just didn’t know what I would do with it if I did. Their photos helped me with that.
I designed two styles. One was bigger and not to a particular scale. It fits in a 12 inch tall glass dome. I see it as being used for villages or just any Christmas items. Or if the greenery is left off as a shelf in a dome for anything mini.
I also designed a second size that is 1:12 scale. I even considered 1:48 scale but then couldn’t figure out a greenery option. Here’s the 1:12 scale tree shelves.
The greenery is different on each of these because I couldn’t decide which was better. If you order, you can pick which one you would like to have. The green and brown was from sticks and the other ‘green only’ was a long garland.
I sold both of these during Create’s Find the Perfect Gift event. So I was busy doing that. Both of these kits are currently in my etsy store and will be cut on demand.
Diode Laser Cutting
The reason it was so easy to make them is because of a diode laser Gene bought in the summer. I would not have attempted these kits without it as cutting circles is not easy. Cutting wood is not easy without a saw. I do have a table saw for minis, but it doesn’t cut circles. I am not into using a jigsaw either nor did we have one at the time. We used the table saw to cut the dowel and the slot for the star.
That laser has changed my mini time. For the tree shelves, I left Gene to do the designing. But I have been busy designing other things. I am using my Silhouette software to do my designing which I then send to Gene to do the cutting.
We have had some deep discussions on how to design and I have taught him a few things since I use computers more than he does. I should say I use software more. He is better at the operating system level. Lots of learning on both our parts.
One major design besides the Tree Shelves was for a pre-convention workshop for NAME Convention in Cincinnati in 2025. Submissions were due in Nov. I can announce I was accepted. I am not sure when they will be shared with the public, but it will likely be after the first of year. I plan to share more about the workshop later next year.
The other thing taking my time from minis is doing the bi-monthly newsletter for NAME. I really enjoy doing it. It isn’t a significant time, but it has been an adjustment to making sure I pay attention to timing. Both holidays have thrown me off a bit. Holidays should pause the calendar just like they pause my normal everyday life. But no, that is not how it works. If you are a NAME member you should be getting this newsletter. Check your spam folder. If you aren’t getting the newsletter from NAME that includes Create events too, you can request it via this form.
Christmas Time
Decorating for Christmas also put a dent in mini time. I started much earlier than ever before by putting up the tree before Thanksgiving. Gasp! It was only a couple of days and it helped so I may do it again. I also added new greenery to the house. Gene made a new stable using sticks he saved and the corn stalks from his fall corn.
Future Plans
Looking to next year, I am already designing furniture for the workshop, a proto type for another workshop and possibly another, plus I am thinking about these things constantly. I may not be doing minis that are shared, but I am doing minis often.
Comments are welcome.
Happy miniaturing!
Preble
