~Mini Tips and Hints~

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May

Miniature bathrooms are special -- why would I say this? Well, for one, you can decorate without worrying "will the steam ruin this?" For two, you can do what you want without hearing "honey, I don't WANT a winged cow looking at me in there". For three, your guest towels stay clean as you want them too, and nobody undoes your carefully tied ribbons on your decorative towels to clean up a sewer leak. Four, you don't ever have to clean the tub/toilet/vanity! Sounds like the perfect room to me:).

• Toilets: This depends on what look you are going for. A clever idea is to go to your local corner store, particularly one with a lot of novelty candy. Take a child with you, they will know all the best places! Apparently one candy company makes a very inscale toilet (filled with candy) in a variety of colors. You can use it as a modern toilet, or you can bash it a bit to make something a little more old fashioned. If you prefer to make your own, I have seen some clever toilets created from a toothfloss container and a fimo bowl.

• Tubs: Again, depends on what sort of look you are going for. Most modern tubs are a metal box covered with porcelain. This means they are fairly easy to sculpt (do not give me that look! I know of what I speak). With an air drying medium (like milliput or air drying clay) make a box with a tub dent in it. It might be a bit easier if you have a bubble pack the right size, and you can sculpt around it. For decorations, roll ropes of air dry medium and flatten it decoratively on the side. Allow to dry, paint in color of your fantasy as smoothly as you can (try a small sponge brush, or spray with aresol paint). Allow to dry and varnish for a shiny porcelain look. Victorian era tubs can either be encased in a wooden box, or try your hand at sculpting a more rounded clawfoot type. For decorations on Victorian tubs you can either paint a simple border or rose with simple blobs of paint (check tole painting books for techniques), or use fingernail transfers/decals.

• Vanities: A pedestal sink can be made with a sculpted bowl, a column from the cake decorating aisle, and a sculpted base. If you prefer a vanity, build a box with supports at the top. Sculpt a top, or bash a premade condiment container (such as jams come in).

• Mirrors: Frame a small cut down mirror/acrylic shiny with picture framing or weave a "wicker" frame and glue around. A modern mirror/medicine cabinet can be as simple as a wood block with a shiny surface glued on. If you use glass, you can make interesting frames with fimo, though *do not* try this with acrylic (it will melt!).

• Fixtures: jewelry findings/ hand sculpted taps/ small snippits of metal.

• Rugs: Modern bathrooms often have a "set" to go with the colors. Design your own with terry cloth (baby terry is much finer and more in scale). I have also seen rugs made from velvet and fancy braids from the notions department.

• Shower curtains: Look for a clear plastic that has a bit of weight to it (like a freezer wrap) but also has enough drape so it looks right. Paint a design on the bottom. Or use a piece of fabric and cover it with the clear plastic for a more modest look.

• Soap: pieces of real soap can be wittled down, or make interesting pieces with transparent fimo and a little color. If you have a metal shell earring or another shape that is punched with good definition, you can make novelty soaps. Soap dishes can be made from real shells, jewelry caps, and charms.

• Wall and counter decorations: look for jewelry with a nautical (or your favorite) theme. Repaint with an suitable enamel to get a cute wall plaque. Look for small dried flowers, glue onto a bit of raffia with ribbons for a wreath type decoration. Novelty beads are great places to find decorative jars, perfume bottles and vases.

• Towels: baby terry cloth and aida even-weave can be decorated with bits of lace or even a simple embroidered shapes. Towel bars can be made from bamboo skewers or brass tubing, metal jump rings attached to a decorative charm.

• Toilet Paper: Make a cardstock tube. Wrap an amount of real toilet paper around and glue. Make a roll holder with a couple of decorative jewelry findings and a wooden toothpick.

• Toiletries: Soap bottles, etc. can be easily sculpted with fimo, with a label added later. Make yourself some oil beads in a jar by putting holeless translucent beads in a length of clear straw that you have made a bottom for (air drying medium). Add a lacy or fabric top to it.

...And that is it. If you have an idea for a tips and hints section, please write to me. So far I have done a few reader's ideas, perhaps you can be next! Please also check the archives , as there could be an old theme that might jive with one of your own current projects!:) Also, if you have a good tip hint that you would like to share, don't hesitate to give me a note about it, You could become famous...

For older tips, check out the Mini Tip archive.

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