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.
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.
Then I took the pattern and made it into a template.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The photo below shows the pieces ready to be assembled. As you can see one is already stuck together without its roof.
Here are both houses ready for their roofs.
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.
It was a good choice on these tiny ones. For a larger house, you might choose a glass glitter or something with larger flakes.
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.
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.
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!
unas casitas preciosas, me encantan , muchas gracias por el tutorial , es muy util
ReplyDeletebesitos
Mari
Hi Mari,
DeleteI am happy to share! Enjoy!
~ginger
They certainly look like Christmas houses with all that beautiful glitter and snow. What fun they would be for the grandies to make. Hugs
ReplyDeleteHi Kay,
DeleteIf 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
Your blog is a constant inspiration. I love reading it :)
ReplyDeleteAw Heather! You're so sweet! :)
DeleteThank you,
~ginger
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
ReplyDeleteHi Elanor,
DeleteIf 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
Aww, so cute! Wonder who will live in them...
ReplyDeleteHugs
LT
LT:
DeleteAll I can say is that they would have to very teeny tiny!
hugs,
~ginger
These houses are very cute! I feel a nice Christmas spirit looking at these =)
ReplyDeleteHannah
Hi Hannah,
DeleteA Christmas spirit, eh? That's a good thing. Maybe it will infuse my studio too!
Thank you!
~ginger
Very fun and festive tiny putz house.
ReplyDeleteOne 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.
oh, good tip. thanks
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDelete