Monday 9 February 2015

"In The Pink" My Cake Box Showcase......

I have decided that my real life house will always be in a state of chaos as I am a permanent sorter and we definitely have too much stuff. So, I am going to find time every day to enjoy my new workshop and play with my toys. All I have to do is walk down the garden and leave the washing behind, perfect.
This is how my little box looked this morning.
 A few gaps to fill but the interior shelves are on the wall.
 I have made a little wreath for the door.
I bought the raffia centre a few years ago at a fair and the roses are simple paper ones from my stash. They are a little over sized but I think they look ok.
 These are two basic whitewood shelves painted white and covered with some wall paper off cuts.
 This shelf is full of the work of some of my favourites artisans. The lovely tea for one set is from the lovely Ana of Mundo Rosa whose stand at KDF inspired this mini project. The doughnuts are from Paris Miniatures. All the baking books are from Baking in Miniature, I know I could have made these myself but they were really reasonable and I wanted some witchy cookbooks from this seller so I just popped them in my basket, like you do.
The white vase is by my favourite potter Elizabeth Causeret whose work I have only ever seen at the big shows.
 This shelf is slightly less glamorous! With the exception of the cute cupcakes by Nikki Rowe of course. The lidded pots are plain bisque pieces that I have painted white and decorated with flower punches and the jar of sweeties has been 'borrowed' from my Honeydukes stash. 
The top window shelf is full of goodies including the wonderful bamboo cake by Lory. I love the tiny cupcake dome but I can't for the life of me remember where I bought it. The little jar of pink biscuits has also been liberated from Honeydukes. I have a definite tendency to over dress my projects so some of these items may not stay........So hard not to fill every gap but I will try and resist. One more piece for this shelf maybe.
 The middle shelf is only half full with goodies including a jar of cake pops by Paris Miniatures. While I like to collect beautiful miniatures I do like to have a go myself too so I have also made my own jar of cake pops. I am not sure where this stands in the whole copying vs inspiration debate but as I both collect and make for my own personal use I feel using pieces I have bought for inspiration is ok. I am sure there are many people who might disagree with my view point and I don't want to offend any artists out there but as a collecting hobbyist I like to shop and to make.
Every time I play with Fimo my admiration of those who create beautifully scaled miniatures increases. Today has be no exception. I had some round, pink lollipops that were given to me by Nikki Rowe a while ago so I decided to play with these. The first problem I had was the glue. I thought dip the pops in glue and then dip them in glitter or fluff or caviar beads. So naive. 
The first dipping was with PVA that was much to think and I ended up with some very strange shapes and the caviar beads just slipped straight off.
Eventually I worked out that a thinner PVA mix worked much better but I could not get the beads to stick at all. The jar is still a bit glue damp in this photo but not too bad for a first attempt. Will certainly making some colourful jars of cake pops for Honeydukes. 
I also made some mini meringues for another jar. I cannot tell you how long this took me, well I can, two and a half hours!! I ran out of time, dog walking duties beckoned, to actually put them in the jar so I will save that for tomorrow. 
The sun has been shining all day today so I am really feeling 'in the pink'.......

18 comments:

  1. This is utterly gorgeous Janice! Perfection all in a teeny tiny shop box! I love the pink and all the wonderful minis you've collected and made! Scrumptious! ;o))

    We are hoarders and collectors in our family too. Every time we move, we all have a massive clear out. This house move was no exception, except I've continued as I unpack (yes, still a bit more to do! I have a friend who has a great apt saying....'use it, or lose it'! So true! ;o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am definitely in a 'use it, or lose it' frame of mind at the moment Michelle. My house is exploding with stuff I have't got rid of because my kids might need it one day. As if, they'll all be off to Ikea!!

      Delete
  2. Hi Janice! I must say, this tiny cake shop would definitely be on my list to stop off and visit, after a long day at work! How sweet and yummy everything looks! I love your cake pops and thanks for sharing some valuable tips regarding the glue. Paris Miniatures's Donuts look Wonderful but then so does your entire window display. Love the lace edging on the shelves too! :D
    Excellent!!!
    Oh,...By the way,....
    Swan House miniatures has a number of Elizabeth Chauseret's items in their on-line store.

    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, they do don't they I had forgotten that they are a great supplier of European miniatures. I am lucky because she always does the London shows so I always pick up a few of her pieces then. I learned today that Judkins Diamond Glaze is great for the tiny beads to and I think Aleen's do a similar glue too so I might try them next time with greater success.

      Delete
  3. Oh !! Janice !! I remember you in KDF. Beautiful showcase painted in light pink !! truly, I love everything !!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh thank you Ana, your comment means so much. I love your work and your whole stand was the inspiration for this little showcase and I hope I have done you proud. I hope to be able to say hello again one day.

      Delete
  4. I love the way it looks so delicate and airy. It is the color scheme that does it. The goodies look delectable. Funny about the cake pops. I was thinking hmmm those are cute I think I will make some. LOL It is the nature of art and crafts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mine are a bit clumpy and I will definitely make them smaller next time, with longer sticks. Apparently I needed to use something like Judkins glaze or a gem stone glue for the caviar beads. Next time.....

      Delete
  5. Te está quedando preciosa!!! Esos caramelos de palo están geniales,deliciosos!!
    Besos.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Uma cena de sonho, Janice! Tudo é muito delicado e muito bem executado. Realmente um ótimo trabalho! Parabéns!

    ReplyDelete
  7. It's looking so pretty and sweet! I think it's fine to take inspiration from others' work. Everything has been done before anyway, and we see so many pictures of so many things that I don't think anything we make is ever 100% original. Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind comment. I am aware that it is a tricky subject so I always like to come clean.

      Delete
  8. Hi Janice
    This is such a 'sweet' project in every respect!! It's so lovely, so romantic and 'tasty'!
    All the best
    Vivian

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am having great fun with it Vivian. Very 'sweet and short' the best of all worlds!

      Delete

I really appreciate all comments that readers take the time to leave. I try to reply to all of them.