Victorian Toy Theatre pt.2

So you have all your supplies now, what's next? Well, I just spent some time thumbing through the few Dover books I had ( if you don't have any, the local library probably has some and it's free. You can also sign up for the Dover Sampler online. Also a freebie.).

Unfortunately, I don't have any of the architectural books, so I just chose images I felt would work and did some altering/covering. I did some of this in a photo program on the computer; you can use photocopies if you don't have access to a computer/ scanner. I printed out my front wall and back wall images on cover stock, rather than regular bond paper; it's heavier and it tends to attach to the foam core a bit better and doesn't bubble up as much. I used matte medium instead of white glue for this for the same reason. It spreads more evenly.

The size of your theatre: well, you can be like me and just wing it or you can be organized and already have you front, back and foam core floor all nicely cut to size, so you don't end up with a pile of foam core in foam core purgatory ( I have the photos to prove it!).

Just for the record, the front and back of my theatre are approximately 7 x 9.5 inches. The floor is approximately 8 x 12 inches. This is just the way it turned out. Just remember, measure twice, cut once or you will end up with many pieces of mis-cut foamcore (which I guess you can always use for other projects.).






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But I digress...

This morning, I locked my keys in my car. Click. My keys and my celphone sit on the backseat with my groceries, taunting me. Now, before you think, "how the heck did she manage that?", I would like to point out that I am obviously not the only one on planet Earth to accomplish this rare feat.
Believe me, when my neighbour, who I approached to use a phone to call my husband about this asked me why it happened, I had to really refrain from telling him the truth. That I actually wanted to spend 40 minutes (each way) riding the subway, to visit my husband at his work to get the spare key and read the local free rag of a newspaper on the way home at my leisure.
Click.

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Victorian Toy Theatre pt. 1

Over the holidays, I picked up a copy of "Artist's Cafe: Best of Somerset Studio Art & Design" (Volume 3). Inside there was an article on an artist who wrote about making a Victorian Toy Theatre ("Model Behavior" by Michelle Ward). Upon further reading I thought to myself' "Ahhh... I need to make one of these." As the instructions were rather vague, but the photographs lovely, I did what I always do when trying to figure out how to put stuff together. Google it. I found some really great information and even some fun patterns. But, like the author/artist of the article, I wanted to make this theatre my own. So, what's one to do, but to dive in.
As I am writing this, it's still under construction, so I'll be writing this as the work progresses. I guess the best place to start would be to give you the tools and materials I used:

-Craft knife, always use a fresh blade.
- Tacky Glue
- Matte Medium
- Foam Core (2-3 sheets, because if you're like me a miscut is always possible.)
- Dover books for images or any images that inspire you.
-Access to a computer/photo program or photocopier
-Cork back metal ruler
-Straight pins (to hold structure)
-Pencil
-Self-healing cutting mat

Anyway, this is the start. You might discover as you work better ways or tools or materials that work for you.
Below are some of the images I picked for the front side of my theatre.
See you in a few days.

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The Art of Victorian Collage

I love collage and being a self proclaimed sucker for Victorian costume drama, I couldn't help but having to post this. I thank the friend who emailed me about it. I only wish that the Met was a bit closer. Anyone have a Time Machine or Portal I could borrow?




http://www.metmuseum.org/Special/se_event.asp?OccurrenceId=%7B07E0F589-3CF2-4929-9F71-469BC40A403E%7D


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