Re:Something really different Update Sept. 20, 2010
This is a short one, but I have quite a bit done. First, the billiard table is finally finished. I had thought about what I would use as cue sticks, and hit a wall. Then it occurred to me, just whittle them! Yes, I said whittle them. I took round toothpicks and, using an exacto knife, whittled them down to the right taper and length! I was going to make a wall rack with many more. Sorry, that was enough whittling for me!
Then there was the problem of the billiard balls, with the solids and stripes. I described to Susan what I needed in terms of size and shape. She found some almost microscopic beads. I attached them to toothpicks, filled in the hole on top, painted them with all the classic colors, and let them dry overnight.
Then I painted the circles and stripes. After drying, I used a very tiny brush I modified and made an attempt to paint the black numbers on them. Under extreme magnification, they are not so great, but to the human eye, they are passable.
I stained the top of the pool cues with mahogany, then the bottom with light maple. Then with that same brush, I painted in the fancy stuff, the logos, the tips, etc. Here they are on the table.
Just for reference, here is the original product I bought!
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If you guys think our hobby is expensive, you should look into the doll house industry. Absolutely outrageous! This set of contemporary living room sofa and chairs retailed for $150. Yes, $150. The lady had ordered it for someone who never came to pick it up. She said that she had it for over a year and thought she would never be able to sell it. Doll house people are into traditional only. With a little horse trading, (I didn't need the three walnut coffee and end tables as mine will be glass), I got the three pieces for $50. Yes, I could have made them, but I am in a hurry. They are handmade from genuine leather and brass rod. The color and style fit the decor perfectly!
That weird looking blob in the pics are stacks of burnt twigs which will represent logs in the fireplace. Guess I'm gonna have to get out the good camera, some of this doesn't photograph well with the $200. cheapo!
These last two pics are of the bedroom furniture, modified and painted. Note the box art boom box on the bedside table. That was an old Custom Dio product that I painted for the box art and found a use for it. Also, the marble tile was a 1/35th product I painted and designed years ago, so, instead of doing them from scratch.........
Anyway, moving right along, I'll probably have more a couple of days from now!
Bob
I haven't caught up on this for a while - wow! Thats just some crazy detail. Great job Bob and an amazing BD present. I think my favourite trick that you have used onthis is the flooring effect - brilliant.
