Miniature Time Traveller Issue 1

Tools for Miniature Work by a reader Here is a tool for this week - a handy little tool I made myself. This tool consist of an old wine cork and a medium size darning needle. Stab the needle into the end of the cork then cut the top off the eye of the needle. It is better to secure the needle into the cork with some sticky glue as it will twist around with use otherwise. It ends up something like this: Here's a list of things I have used it for: * Making ribbon roses - use silk ribbon - hold the tool and one end of the ribbon in one hand, bring the ribbon through the eye. Twist the ribbon, wrap the ribbon around the eye, dab a tiny bit of glue where it overlaps, twist, wrap dab, twist wrap dab etc. few wraps = a bud, many = full bloom. Clip in place with a peg or small clamp and when dry slide off the needle. * Making flowerpots. Get some terracotta quilling paper (or cut a strip from coloured paper) - I usually use 2 lengths of quilling paper and carefully peel it off the bundle so the gum holds the two strips together , but you can join paper to make a strip about 3 foot long. Slip the paper through the eye about an inch from the end, twist the paper around and around to make a dense disk, glue the length of the last wrap to the disk, let dry. When dry slip off the needle. Put the flat end of a pencil against the middle of the disk and gently push the disk into a flower pot shape. Paint the entire outside with white glue for a glazed effect. Great for 24th and 48th scale dishes and pots. * Planting "grass" - Make up the base of a scene using foamcore, polystyrene, builders or florist foam, cover in pva glue then sculpt the surface with air drying clay or polyfilla. Take tiny clumps of Woodland scenic field grass and hook it into the eye of the needle. Then fold the grass in half, holding the grass and cork in one hand. Apply a tiny bit of glue near the eye then push the needle into your base to plant the grass. Draw the needle out leaving the grass in place. Repeat with many tufts to make a clump of grass. Miniature Time Traveller Magazine Issue #1/26 VERY HANDY TOOLS Small sliding clamps that are ideal for miniature makers. Available from hathawaytreasures@gmail.com A compact little drill, battery powered, available at Mega Mitre for not a bad price. Advice from experienced Miniaturists—You can’t do without a good craft knife, good clamps, a Miter Saw, an inch ruler and fine sable brushes. $5 + postage Metal jigs with square magnets that hold 24th and 48th scale little pieces perfectly in place while glue dries etc. $15 -$10 plus postage. Available from Marie Scott Email: petsco@xtra.co.nz