This is the first time putting "glass" in windows. Not that there were really any windows in the library I built. This kit was interesting because it started with assembling a variety of shelves before you even touched part of a base.
I forgot to take a bunch of photos as I was building the magic shop because the building is just way too much fun.
This piece is a smaller scale than the library. That sometimes made it tricky to put things in place. Fingers are way too big but tweezers are not strong enough (no matter what advertisements show) to add some of the decorative elements.
There are a lot more electronics with this kit, compared to the library. There is a whole secret compartment to hide the battery pack in. I had to put in 8 of the tiniest screws I have ever seen.
I had to build portions of clockwork. This really was a very different build than the library. But it was just as fun.
These kits are kind of pricey, but I do think they are totally worth the money. The precision needed to make a bunch of flat packed pieces, that pop out of their flat packing and can be snapped together (usually with no need of glue) is not something that is simple to do. And the craftsmanship on these isn't shoddy at all. Some of the pieces are painted on both sides. And this kit came with several extra pieces. I am assuming in case you accidentally broke some of the more delicate pieces (or dropped one on the floor and couldn't find it).
I finished up the magic shop on Friday night, staying up a bit too late to do it. I was going to stop before the end, because I was tired, but then I realized that I only had about 4 steps left. So I finished.
I tested out all the electronics and lights before I put everything together, and it all worked great. But when I first finished the assembly I had some of the wiring plugged in the wrong places and the lights flickered and the music didn't play. Which was a bummer. I didn't know what I had broken in assembly.
However, I took some bits apart and changed the plug position of 2 wires that looked similar. After that, everything was great again. The shop has 3 settings, music and lights on, just lights on, and nothing on. The clock, which works, is separate.
It's a beautiful solstice today. Very sunny and not too cold. Travis and I went to a masquerade ball last night and had a great time. I love to see how much he smiles when we are out dancing. And I love that several people ask Travis to dance. The very last dance before we left was a merengue, not my favorite, but my friend Alice and I both danced with Travis. Alice was the first person, other than me, to dance with Travis. She was also the second dance partner I ever had, in my very first lesson. She is so sweet and kind, and I am very happy to call her my friend.
I'm looking forward to vacation, though I will have to get into the studio and force some productivity. I have been working obsessively on a secret project (yes, more than one obsession at a time, I am exhausted!) that still needs a lot of work and also has a deadline. But doll work really needs to happen. Hopefully the amount of actually extra time I will have for a couple of weeks will be enough to do all the things. And go out dancing more!
I am having a ton of issues uploading to Blogger, and have no idea how to get a video into it (especially when it keeps saying I am not signed in. So I will just add a link here.
2 comments:
Thanks for the link.
Absolutely LOVE the magic shop.
Can't wait to see what you create next.
Well that link worked! How intriguing --! I know how it is to become obsessed. I've always been interested in miniature houses; I have books on them (Thorne Rooms; Caroline Hamilton Dolls' Houses) and have been to doll house museums in 2 states. I suspect the makers of these kits are tapping into the same kind of love; they seem so perfect a 'gateway drug.'
Meanwhile my own obsession seems plain: I've purchased 3 Stones this fall and plan on another... This year it's been 5 of them (soon to be 6), against only 1 last year...
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