Thursday, November 7, 2013

What a little Putz!

Today I have spent time making some little Putz houses for my current project. I didn’t have these in mind at the beginning but that’s part of the excitement – seeing how things evolve in the process. I think and hope that they will be a nice addition to where this piece is going. I rather like it so far.

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These little houses are so fun to make that I thought I would show you how I made them. First a caveat. This is the first time I have made them so I am no expert. There is probably a better way. Also, if you want to make some regular sized Putz houses of your own – there are lots of instructions/how-to’s on the web. Here are a few links for you.

http://www.littleglitterhouses.com/Default.aspx
http://christmasnotebook.com/2009/10/29/building-a-putz-house/
http://www.bigindoortrains.com/primer/glitterhouses/glitterhouses.htm

Now here’s how I made them little:

I began with drafting a pattern that allowed me to cut two out at a time. Here it is. If you click on it, it will take you to the full size image which you can print out.

glitter houses miniature template

Then I took the pattern and made it into a template.

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I traced the design onto a very thin (like cereal box cardboard/chip board). Solid lines are cutting lines. Dotted lines are folds. Score the fold lines to make sharp and accurate folds. The tab at the end is what I used to glue them together.

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Then I cut the designs out as carefully as I could – small errors = big problems. Here I have all the pieces ready to be painted. You can search the web for ideas and color schemes if you need some inspiration.

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I chose to use printed scrapbook papers because they go with my project already in progress. Is it easier? I don’t know. Six of one, half dozen of the other.

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Once the paper was attached, I cut out windows and doors. It is much easier to do these at this stage before they are assembled. I wonder how I found that out.

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The photo below shows the pieces ready to be assembled. As you can see one is already stuck together without its roof.

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Here are both houses ready for their roofs.

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At this point, I was going to show you the houses with their roofs glued on but I think I got caught up in the process and forgot to take a photo. Anyway . . .

The next step is to add the glitter. I like this part though it may drive you crazy. Glitter is what sort of defines these houses. I simply brushed on thin layer of white glue and sprinkled it with crystal glitter.

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It was a good choice on these tiny ones. For a larger house, you might choose a glass glitter or something with larger flakes.

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The last thing I added was some artificial snow. I don’t know if I did things in the right order or not but I am happy with the way they turned out.

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There is so much you can do with these houses; lots of details I can think of adding, like whether or not to put them on bases like the bigger ones. But I have to keep to the task at hand and these houses are just a part of the piece not the focus. That’s what I keep telling myself.

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I have a feeling that this might not be the only time I explore these little Putz houses. Now – back to work. Have a great Thursday!

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15 comments:

  1. unas casitas preciosas, me encantan , muchas gracias por el tutorial , es muy util

    besitos

    Mari

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  2. They certainly look like Christmas houses with all that beautiful glitter and snow. What fun they would be for the grandies to make. Hugs

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    Replies
    1. Hi Kay,

      If they make some - either these or some of the others - I hope you'll post photos! That would be a fun project with children!

      hugs,
      ~ginger

      Delete
  3. Your blog is a constant inspiration. I love reading it :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Awww these little houses are soooo cute, I'd like some to go with my tiny bottle brush trees that I brought on a certain craft shopping trip in the summer!!!!!!! xx

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    Replies
    1. Hi Elanor,

      If I didn't know better I would think you have been spying on me. Alas, I think it's just down to the "great minds" thingy!

      :)
      ~ginger

      Delete
  5. Aww, so cute! Wonder who will live in them...

    Hugs

    LT

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    Replies
    1. LT:

      All I can say is that they would have to very teeny tiny!

      hugs,
      ~ginger

      Delete
  6. These houses are very cute! I feel a nice Christmas spirit looking at these =)
    Hannah

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    Replies
    1. Hi Hannah,

      A Christmas spirit, eh? That's a good thing. Maybe it will infuse my studio too!

      Thank you!
      ~ginger

      Delete
  7. Very fun and festive tiny putz house.
    One tip,. on tiny glitter houses of this scale don't bother with those overlapping tabs. A butt joint works better with less pattern error and distortion. Easier to cut and faster assembly time too.

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  8. I love your tut. I am glad I found this post. I'm making some 3.5" - 4" houses and will be displaying on my antique cake plates... these minis will be fun to make for under the plate part. Thanks.

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