Honey, I shrunk the kids

Hi everyone,

It's been a while since i last posted and there is so much to tell, i don't know where to start. Ooh well, i think i'll just continue where i've left, so first things first; a short break. In July we've been to Germany.

As I took pictures of the surroundings i played a bit with my camera settings. Then the 1989 movie 'Honey, I shrunk the kids' came to mind. Because it was as if we walked into a miniature railway scene.



Doesn't that look funny and surreal? You've all probably seen or know these kind of settings, be it your own dolls house garden or maybe even railway scenes with a village like these. And when you see a picture with limited depth, you automatically think what's in it must be small. But here is so much detail to see here (cos it's actually big, life size) and we all know how hard it is to put as much detail in our miniatures as we can, it looks superb! It looks like 'the perfect miniature'.... I was familiar with this kind of manipulation in photography but never did i run into a situation where this joke lend itself better then here. 




On breaks like these i always like to bring a miniature job along for relaxation and to make use of the abundance of spare time that define a holiday. This time it was a bunch of legs. Bed legs to be precise. They needed some details carved into them. I'll post about them soon, cos they deserve a posting of their own. But here's a little snapshot:

Past couple of months my library of reference books has seen a bulk of additions, amongst were some really cool gifts. Thanks to all who gave 'm, you know who you are :) I'd like to mention a few though; a reprint of the Third Edition of The
Gentleman & Cabinet- Maker's Director by Thomas Chippendale. Very inspirational! But also books on netsuke, Top 100 places to visit in Canada and French Impressionism. Books on (puzzle) lock mechanisms and Art Nouveau Architecture. Wood turnings and many many more.

One thing i was really keen on were a few good books on chip carving to get me started. Most of what i've carved so far is more or less free hand and this technique requires a bit more organized approach. So with the aid of some literature i've made my first practice pieces. Turned out the soft wood that is best used for this type of carving (lime wood etc), is of no use in miniature. It just doesn't 'hold' the carving as it so small and vulnerable. Pear did the job better. I've really grown to love pear for small carvings. It has a wonderful combination of very fine tight grain whilst being gentle on the tools. And it leaves you with a smooth shiny cut.

And that leaves me with one final item i want to share with you. The Clip Chair. It's a design for MOOOI interior design in Amsterdam (The Netherlands). I rather liked it so i arranged to take measurements from an original in their showroom. I've build it in 1:6 as a test piece to see if its construction would lend itself for 1:12. Sad to say it doesn't hold up to what i'm looking for but still it is a nice and fun piece in its own right.






If you want to see more pictures of it, and/or want to see it being build, click here to see the album.
Pfff, feels like a lot of chit chatting from my side, but there you have it. And now i desperately need some catching up to do!!!

Have fun making mini's,



34 comments:

  1. Que buenas vacaciones, su silla es magnífica!
    Un abrazo
    GRACIAS por no tener palabra de verificación

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  2. Hello Debora,
    It's great to see a new post. The pictures you took are wodnerful .They really look beautiful/ creepy in a way. I can't wait to see more of your work showcased. you are an incredible woodworker and it's always a pleasure to see your fantastic pieces...that bed post alone is gorgeous.
    Big hug,
    Giac

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    1. Thanks for your kind and generous comments, and for your faith in the bed. Still loads to do on 'm. But I'm sorry to hear you say the pictures seem a bit creepy to you. That was not intended, but understandable. Your mind is fooled and that wipes you off your feet perhaps?

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  3. Hi Deborah,

    Great to see another post from you...The train set up is so charming! I hope I can see that, someday, in person --it must be like you are a giant! Your carving is amazing...looking forward to seeing more on that subject. But that Clip Chair is REALLY COOL! I wonder why it didn't work out in 1:12 scale? Oh, well --your wooden figure seems to like it :)

    Big Hug,
    John

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    1. Cool isn't it? It's an exclusive designed for MOOOI by Blasius Osko and Oliver Deichmann. I was taken by it too, and i'm glad i could show it to you all.

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  4. I am fascinated by those photos and similar I have seen in movies, not knowing how it was done, they really do look like miniatures. Your carving and woodworking is great as usual, perfect for whittling away at while on hols. Will enjoy seeing the finished bed.

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    1. You can create your own Margaret, even if your camera doesn't do it for you. Simply go to http://tiltshiftmaker.com/ , upload and manipulate your own photo's and get that same miniature style effect. Read some of their tips on how to get the best results and have a go at it. I'm sure it will all reveal itself and become clear to you on how this effect works. And yes, these legs were perfect for whittling away. Perfect pastime and relaxation.

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  6. What a wonderful place to visit and the pictures with the special setting look really great! (That's the main reason I usually step back and use a little zoom to take pictures of my minis, so that there is more depth and also less "fisheye" effect on them)

    And to see you "playing " with the woodwork (the carving and the chair you made 'for fun'), wow!!! I feel so small!... But in a good way, because your work is really inspiring and I feel pushed to make better minis. :)

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    2. You are so clever, that is indeed the best way to get around that fish eye effect. Miniatures can look more real that way and you can avoid it in the way you described. The only trouble is you have to make sure to have more then sufficient lightning so you're able to use the smallest aperture possible. That way you'll reduce 'noise' while zooming in, maintaing as much detail as possible.

      And thank you very much for your kind words. It's awesome to hear you're inspired by my work. It's flattering but at the same time I can really relate to what you're saying. There are so many great Artisans out there, creating amazing and outstanding high quality stuff, that i'm humbled too when i see what people are capable of. Inspired also and energized to make that extra step too!

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  7. Hi Debora, Your carving is just gorgeous! The photos are just a touch creepy (as Giac said also) and really do look like the sets toy train people build. Never knew an 'ordinary' camera could do that, I suppose we should all try out more settings on our cameras, who knows what interesting things we could capture! Look forward to seeing the posts about the bed posts.:)

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    1. I'm so with you all the way :) The camera I use is a Canon G12, a lovely compact with tremendous settings freedom. I's a joy to play with and thus get to know it. Cos imho it's a necessity to know your camera if you want to portrait your hard labour through this medium (blogger). Unfortunately it's such a shame to sometimes spot really lovely and gorgeous miniatures, only to see them being let down by fuzzy pictures that don't do justice to their quality and their maker! So yes, we should all play more with our camera's :)))

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  8. Wow Debora you've been away for a while but this post is packed with wonderful stuff!! Well worth the wait. LOVE the photography, it certainly does looks like perfect mini scenes, I just stared! Your carvings are wonderful---beautiful as always :) And the chair, it's an interesting design---

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    1. Linda, as you've seen i had a go at this chip carving, but my ooh my, talking bout something interesting! If i can get only half as good as you are at it i'll be delighted.

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  9. oooops it got sent before I could say I can't wait to see the bed!

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  10. Moooi Debora!

    Those photos are really fun! I have seen these kinds of photos before but never tried it myself. You did have the perfect viewpoint though as you're looking down on the landscape just as you would with a trainset. Looking at these photos it is hard to imagine that this actually is real, even with all of the detail.

    Your miniature work is, as always, a feast for the eyes. I'm not sure what you're not happy about with the Moooi chair (love the little stamp you did on the back) but I love it. Great folding action! You must have a mathematical mind to accomplish this from scratch, all of those complicated angles!

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    1. Josje, i still have some 'normal' photo's of that same viewpoint if you wanna see the 'real' thing. And as for the chair, the reason why it doesn't work will soon be revealed to you ;-)

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  11. The village photos are great! I want a full size version of that chair. Keep up the good work! - Troy

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    1. I've you're serious; MOOOI has a showroom in New York :D

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  12. Those phots are pure magic! The camera settings sure make it all look like it is in miniaure scale.

    I am in total awe of your carving. I going to LOVE that bed!!!

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    1. How we can be fooled no? As for the bed, thank you. But still a long way to go Catherine

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  13. ik doe het even in het Hollands... wat een prachtige boeken heb je erbij en wat ziet die bedpoot er super uit!
    Dat stoeltje is ook hartstikke gaaf.
    Bedankt voor je uitleg waarom perenhout zo geschikt is; hou zelf ook erg van vruchtbomenhout, of het nou rechttoe rechtaan stukjes zijn of bewerkt, vind er alles geweldig aan: de nerf, de kleur, de geur...
    Leuk weer zo'n inspirerende post te lezen, fijn dat je een goede vakantie hebt gehad en blij dat je weer trug bent!
    Groetjes,
    Gee

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    1. Heb je ook zo'n voorliefde voor boeken en naslag werken? Net als mooi hout... Heerlijk toch, dat we kunnen genieten van zulke kleine dingen.

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  14. Les photos sont vraiment étonnantes: c'est quand même fantastique de réussir a fabriquer un "vrai monde miniature"!
    Je suis toujours aussi admirative de votre travail de sculpture et j'ai bien hâte de voir la suite.
    Le fauteuil est très réussi. J'aime bien l'assemblage à l'aide de fils, comme un collier.
    Nathalie

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    1. Please except my apology for responding in English Nathalie, my French isn't nearly good enough to do so :$ I'm glad you like the chair, especially the necklace like string assembly. It does have a sort of mesmerizing quality, don't you think?

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  15. Hi Debora,

    Your village pictures are amazing. I really had to study them to believe that they were real.That first one in particular is incredible.
    Your chair looks amazing and it looks in the photo like you have had a bit of fun with it. It's always great to see your beautiful work.

    Fi xx

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    1. The village and hills surrounding it were perfect to try this camera feature out. You live in England, don't you? Certain area's there are quite similar, one of the reasons why i adore your country. I fell in love with the Highlands around Glasgow 20 years ago and can't wait to return again somewhere soon! And Thank you very much for your kind words. Don't we all like to have fun with our miniatures??? :D

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  16. Double oops, sorry Fi. Where i said England i should have said Australia, of course! Geography has never been my major (blush blush)

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  17. Thanks for the link to the clip chair. Really interesting to see each section put together. Hope you had a good holiday =0)

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