DIY Miniatures: Oil Lamp, Candle and Jewelry Tray

diy miniature oil lamp

After scouring Pinterest for ideas for a do it yourself oil lamp, I finally settled on a plan.  One, because it was the easiest and two, because I had all the parts.

diy miniature oil lamp

The result.  I'm happy with it.

miniature desk

However, shortly after taking this picture, it fell apart.  I need to figure out a better glue.  What kind of glue do you use for tiny parts?

diy miniature jewelry tray

So I have an empty makeup tin, the kind you have left over after you've finished off the last of the blush or eye shadow.  I asked for suggestions and a cookie sheet was the most popular one.  But I wanted something different, so I tried for a jewelry tray.  However, I don't like it, so it might still end up as a cookie sheet.  What do you think?

And last but not least, a candle.

diy miniature candle

I used a couple of beads and cut the top off a birthday candle which I painted a more desirable color and glued them all together.

miniature desk

I like it and am considering making some more.

So there you have it, a day of miniature making with a couple of fails.

On another note, I've been on the search for some new miniature blogs.  If you have one, and I haven't found it on my own yet, post a link in the comments.  Thank you.

Trash to Treasure: DIY Miniature House Plant

We had our air conditioner replaced a while back before the cold set in.  After the installer left, I found this on the floor.  I have no idea what it was, but with my mini eye, I saw what it was gonna be.

making miniature plants

First, I painted it, then I dug through my bag of fake plants that I pick up at yardsales for change.

diy miniature house plant

After finding the right greenery, I glued them in.

miniature house plant

What do you think of the results?

Another Miniature Lady's Bedroom

I really need to come up with better names for these miniature scenes.

miniature bedroom

I brought my mini screen back out and used the colors in it to create this bedroom scene.

Both of the dressers were from the Dollar Tree.  I made the lamps, the bottles and the tissue box.

miniature nightstand

The nightstand is a napkin ring with a mirror from a broken makeup compact.  I also made the bottle and book.

I should also mention that this is the same temporary room from previous posts, but I've added some paint to the walls and the carpet is some scrap carpeting from my husband's workplace.  And the carpet is removable if I ever want to change it out.

miniature bedroom scene

I made the bed using broken pieces and cardboard.  The bedding is a handkerchief and the orange blanket on the bench is a eye glass cleaning cloth also from the Dollar Tree.

Miniature Playroom

miniature play room

I've been playing around with ideas for a toy shop or another kid's bedroom so I'm calling this scene the play room.

I stole a few of my kids toys for this one.  Including the mushroom and alligator erasers.

miniature stool

I thought the hacky sack looked a bit like a stool.  

miniature shelf of toys

I got the little animals from the Dollar Tree and if you remember the cabinet liner from my Dollar Tree mini haul last week, flooring.  The little dinosaurs were from a Dollar General toy egg last Easter.  The globe was a keychain.  There is a hot wheels car and the other two cars are from those quarter toy machines.

Do you sometimes play with your minis for inspiration?

Trash to Treasure: Diy Miniature Art

magazine pictures for miniatures

I ordered my kids a free local Conservation magazine that we use for our homeschool activities (if you are interested in such things click here to check out my mammahood blog One Clever Mom).

The pictures above are ones that I cut out of those magazines.  I then added card stock to the back of them.

Diy miniature art

I may add frames later.

diy miniature pictures

I love free/affordable minis and I love sharing them with all of you which is why I do these Trash to Treasure posts.  I hope that you find these ideas helpful.

Trash to Treasure: Miniature Diy Lamps

diy miniature lamps using lids and game pieces

I keep a collection of toothpaste caps and cosmetic lids for making my mini lamps.  Also, a while back I purchased a bag full of random game pieces for $2 at a 2nd hand shop that are great for mini lamps as well.

diy miniature lamps

I added little beads on top of the lids.

diy miniature modern lamp

diy miniature lamp

I'm pretty happy with the results.

I've also considered, but haven't tried yet, putting washi tape on the lids?  Or maybe modge podge some napkins or small print material on the lids for patterned lamp shades?  What do you think?

My Mini Dollar Tree Finds

Dollar Tree Miniature Makings

Do you see what I did there?  Mini finds/many finds?  Haha, I think I'm punny.

Anyhow, it seems I find something every time I'm in the Dollar Tree but with my most recent visit, I feel like I found more than usual.

My favorite find would be the pill boxes.  I think I can cut the lids off and use them as mini wall shelving.  Maybe cut one off, paint and use as a jewelry box?

 I also picked up some mini clear containers.  The ideas for those are almost endless.  I'm thinking I will try a mini terrarium first however.

And of course I picked up a pack of the mini Christmas drums.  And I'll probably be going back for the mini Christmas presents.

As for the cabinet liner, I'm thinking flooring.

The rolls of material will be great for pillows, bedding, furniture covering, curtains, etc.

And I always pick up the Eyeglass Cleaning Cloths when I see them in new colors because they are the perfect size and material type for miniature bedding and such.

What are some of your favorite miniature finds from the Dollar Tree?

Trash To Treasure: DIY Miniature Books

I cut up the edge of an old magazine.

diy miniature books

Then I covered them with scraps of paper, some scrapbook paper and some from the inside of envelopes.

miniature books on shelf

I love how they came out and plan on making a bunch more.

Miniature Well Traveled Room Scene

miniature room

Playing with the minis again.  This time I created what I'm calling the "Well Traveled Room".

miniature bird cage

I'm calling it that because I have a lot of items that display different parts of the world, like this little Eiffel Tower statue and my oriental vase.

miniature figurines

I got to use a few of my tiny figurines.

charms for miniatures

My favorites are the tiny charms I have on the desk.  They include a canoe, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Roman Amphitheater. They are so tiny that they can sit on my finger nail.

miniature office

Miniature Oriental Screen Scene

This is a short but sweet post.

Oriental screen scene

I've been playing with the minis again.

miniature scene

I have had this beautiful oriental screen for some time.  I just love it.  So for this scene, I tried to pair it with similar art and colors.

Trash To Treasure: Modern Dollhouse Build

I built a dollhouse in like, 30 minutes.  I know, it doesn't have a lot of wall space, that is why I'm calling it modern.

It was mostly free though.  I used scrap wood from a broken desk and wood blocks that I bought at a yard sale last year.  A little bit of wood glue and Voila!

Now, here is where all you come in.  What color do I paint it?  I was thinking white?  Or...

Miniature Living Room Scene

miniature living room

Been playing with the minis again.  When I do a serious project I'll be sure to let you know haha.  This time, in my temporary display room, I made a living room space.  The T.V. stand was an incense container.

miniature decor

I have mini landmark toys that I used to homeschool my girls that I decided to try out with my dollhouse minis.  I think the Eiffel Tower suits this room fine.

diy miniature couch

I made the couch but am not very happy with it.  I think it's too big and the quick cushion I made for it doesn't fit very well.

dollhouse living room

All and all, I'm still happy with the results.  I do however, need to replace the picture on my magnet television.