Modern Miniatures by Dragondee

Another Craft Tutorial for the Re-ment Meeting!

2011-10-09T14:40:00.000-07:00

The Re-ment meeting was a blast yesterday at Robin Gee's house in LA. There were again tons of prices and giveaways and non-stop fun and laughter the whole day. Robin has outdone herself again! Also during the meeting, my good friend Caroline Swing made an excellent demonstration on how to repaint Re-ments and I had another miniature craft presentation. :)

The theme for the event was 'Kawaii' - the Japanese for 'Cute'. ^^ I realized from the last meeting that not all participants are crafters, so I opted for a no glue and no scissor cutting kind of craft. Which led me to making an origami project with a twist.

I decided to make use of Lucky Stars. Lucky stars are folded strips of paper shaped into a star that you can put in jars and make a wish when you've made 100 or 1000 pcs. It is said to bring you goodluck. Although some people think the 'quality' of your wish varies from the quantity you make. ;P

Anyhow, back to our tutorial, I turned the lucky stars into a kawaii mini decor. I guess it's something you don't really see in real life, but it is kawaii nonetheless. ^^ It kinda reminds me of those bouquet or balloon gift arrangements. Here is a sample picture of the craft I had the Re-ment addicts make yesterday.

For the First Step of course, you need to prepare your materials. I created kits again for the presentation and the picture below shows what's inside a kit. It is composed of fairly simple materials that you can find anywhere.

A. The paper strips are pre-cut and can be bought in Japanese stationary stores or online. You can buy them for like 99cents for a 100pcs or something, or you can just make your own by cutting scrapbook paper, gift wrappers, etc.

B. The candy looking thing is actually just a piece of clay that I wrapped so it wouldn't damage the paper strips incase it bleeds oil in the kit.

C. The small plastic cup is actually tattoo ink cups that I just got from Ebay for really cheap. I found the #16 size to be the perfect size for this project. You can also use other miniature containers you can find or even bottle caps.

D. The small sticks are just toothpicks. The blue string is a plastic ribbon.

Here is the video of the tutorial.

Here are pics of this craft project used in dioramas. You can see it at the end of the video, but I thought I should post the actual pics too. ^_^

Enjoy!

*By the end of the event. I was convinced that the Lucky Stars do work! I won 2 raffle prizes at the meeting! ^_^

How to Make a Miniature Notebook

2011-09-26T22:32:00.000-07:00

I just thought of finally posting this tutorial online. I originally created it on power point as a short craft workshop/presentation for the Re-ment Fan Club Meeting last March. I made small craft kits for everyone, so they can make their own mini notebooks as I walk them through the tutorial during my presentation.

Here is my staff creating the kits. ^_^

I turned the presentation into a movie clip, but sorry it doesn't have words. I thought it would at least give an idea on how this little notebook is made. I guess I should call it a demonstration rather than a tutorial huh? Is there really a difference?

Here is a picture of the materials. You can make it any size you wish. The DISTANCE GUIDE is any material that's around 2mm thick. I included it just so people would have an idea on how far away the card stocks should be from each other. You can just eyeball the distance if you like.

For the card stock I actually used a bristol board, but you can always recycle cereal boxes or other 0.5-1mm thick cardboard you can find.

I use wood glue most of the time as it dries a little faster than ordinary glue. Since it dries faster, the less the paper absorbs it, the less wrinkle it creates.

I chose to use Washi paper since you can never go wrong with washi, but you can use any pretty paper you want. Just try to use less glue if you're using ordinary paper as the glue will wrinkle the paper (which is rarely a problem with washi paper).

HERE IS THE VIDEO TUTORIAL

And for the last step....use them in your dioramas!

Enjoy! :)

If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message or leave a comment.

My Green Guy Series Blog

2011-09-24T23:57:00.000-07:00

I created another blog for my Green Guy Series. Please drop by and say hi! Green Guy will be happy to see you! ^_^

Click here to see Green Guy and his friends

FACEBOOK LIKE PAGE

2011-09-05T22:05:00.000-07:00

By the way, I post more often and more pics in my Facebook Like Page. If you're also an FB addict please Like me!!! ^_^ Thanks!

You'll also see my "Kawaii Stuff" / "Green Guy Series" there. Here is a sample.

Introducing GREEN GUY and his Gang...

After hours of Green Guy's continuous begging and pestering, Totoro finally decides to bring them to his secret magic place - the convenience store.

You can also see them in My Flickr

The Little Penthouse

2011-09-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

This is the set for trade that I mentioned on my past post. I promised a friend awhile ago that I'll trade with her but it has been put on hold as I haven't been making miniatures regularly. So finally, I just decided to trade this 3rd set that I finished.

As you probably have noticed, I am a fan of white furniture. Even my work station at home is all white. There's just something about it that makes your mind feel fresh and serene. I believe white also makes clutter look minimal and I love small knick-knacks in real life and in miniature. :)

See more pictures in My Flickr

This might be the last set I make for now and will resume again by mid October. So I'll probably post again around that time. Cya then! ^^

The Quirky Room

2011-09-05T20:52:00.000-07:00

I saw the 'Patch Sofa' by Creative Affairs and completely fell in love with it. I knew it was going to be tedious work to make it in miniature, but I just had to make one. It was modern but kinda "Etsy-ish". Which is the style I'm fascinated with at the moment. I ended up making 2 sections on the sofa instead of 3. Later on I'll probably make a 3 section for my own personal collection.

Here is a picture of the original Patch Work Sofa (not my picture)

However, making the look of the room was not easy. The different patterns on the sofa was quite a challenge to pair with walls and other accessories and make it look eye pleasing for the pictorial. No matter what I did, it felt like there was something missing. Luckily, I remembered Yoshitomo Nara's artworks and thought it would be perfect to complete the look! ^_^

more pictures in my Flickr

The Loft

2011-09-05T20:23:00.000-07:00

I made 3 Sets this month. Actually I've made the wood parts awhile ago, but I've been busy with some graphic projects that it took awhile to complete these sets. 2 of the Sets are going to be listed in my Etsy Shop this week. 1 set is for trading with a friend. I'm getting a Lati Yellow from her! Weee! New addition to my QC team. ^^

Without further ado. Here are the new Loft pics!

THE LOFT

See more pictures in MY FLICKR

Dining Set 2

2011-04-30T16:39:00.000-07:00

Just completed a new dining set that consists of a square dining table, 2 Eero Saarinen Tulip chairs that are reupholstered in gray fabric and a butchers block (or shelf) with a couple of basket weave boxes and other accessories.

It is now listed in My Etsy Shop !

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy. :D

More pictures on my Flickr page

Desk Set Completed!

2011-04-22T13:06:00.000-07:00

I listed the Desk Set last night before going to bed and Chris a Flickr friend purchased it this morning! Lol. I will make another set for those who also wants a desk for their dolls. So please keep checking my My Etsy Shop! Chances are if I post a Set in Flickr I'd be listing it in Etsy soon. ;)

Here are some pics of the desk set.

The computer monitor is patterned from the Apple Cinema Display Monitor and is my first prototype. I didn't make a keyboard but I did include some cube speakers that is now one of my fav pieces. :)

I also made another set of Reading Area with cube shelves. But it also has been sold just a few mins ago. The first Reading Area set from my other post is still available in the shop. ^_^ Get it now while you can! I don't really have anymore plastic chairs to upholster, so I dunno if I can make more of those.

Here are some pics of the 2nd Set...

I think I'm getting obsessed with Murakami Art! :D

Reading Area

2011-04-20T22:42:00.000-07:00

A few collectors have been asking me to make a desk for their dolls. I still have one in stock and I decided to turn it into a desk set to list in my Etsy Store. I wanted to include a book or two in the set but I ended up mass producing a few. Lol. It was just so addicting seeing all the mini books all stacked up. I couldn't resist not to take pics of them on a book shelf.

The Desk Set is nearly complete. I'll be posting pictures and listing it in Etsy by the end of this week! (Along with some new mini photo boxes and furnishings.) ^_^ Can't wait for you guys to see it!

*The knockoff looking Arne Jacobsen Egg chair is actually just one of those china made plastic cellphone holders that I upholstered with red fabric. :)

Dragondee Etsy Store Reopened!

2011-04-03T14:32:00.000-07:00

Finally got to list a few items in My Etsy Store! I'm planning to list some more in the days to come. Please come and check it out. :)

Here are the pics of the ones that are listed at the moment.

See more Photos in My Flickr

The Kitchen Prototype

2010-06-03T21:13:00.001-07:00

To complete my so-called "Bachelor's Pad" creation in my previous post, I made a new modern kitchen unit! Yey! :) Well, actually, I made the kitchen first. hehehe. It took about 3 weeks to complete which includes a few days of going around and hunting for materials to use. I'm keeping this kitchen for myself as a prototype though. I still need to figure out how to make it cost effective for my buyers. The labor and material costs would just be way too high to put out in the market. :/

The Bachelor's Pad!

2010-06-03T20:53:00.001-07:00

Ok ok, so this isn't totally a living space for a guy. :P I created the black modern couch in hopes that I can make a masculine living room, but my feminine touch just keeps coming out. Lol. Doing this set also confirmed that my personal style tends to integrate modern furniture with organic furnishings. I just love that homey-earthy-feel incorporated with modern styles as opposed to minimalist modern. :)

The Denim Couch

2010-05-11T21:47:00.001-07:00

I created this couch with my Blythe doll in mind. It looks smaller than 1:6 scale but for me it is a cute size for Blythe. My Momokos love it as well. It is just a little cuter in size than my usual couches. ^_^

This Denim couch + coffee table set is now available in my Etsy Shop!

Birds and Branches

2010-04-27T20:52:00.000-07:00

I was doing my Saturday morning walk (more like yard sale hunting day ;P) along Magnolia street when I spotted this charming stationary shop called The Attic Door. They were selling custom and pre-made invitations, packaging, post cards, notebooks and specialty papers in all the pretty styles you can think of! Upon entering I noticed this wrapping paper with cute little tree and bird patterns made by SNOW & GRAHAM. I was even shaking with excitement while trying to extract it from its roll holder. lol. They're a little pricey but it's really rare for me to find paper that catches my eye and with smaller patterns to go along with my 1:6 scale creations. ^_^

Here are pictures of the wrapping paper used as a wall decor for another living room set I made...

Modern Country Charm

2010-04-26T03:41:00.001-07:00

I wanted to show a different setting for my couch creation and lately I have been having this fascination with modern country charm (that I have been seeing in some Korean movies). I tried to think what gives that country appeal and concluded that hardwood floors, natural materials/colors, bright lighting and comfy couches with colorful throw pillows are some of its major factors. Although I didn't have much time and space to do my set up, I still like how my shots turned out. Here is my interpretation of this style. ^_^

Elizabeth, originally uploaded by leneUx8.

Caroline's Living Room

2010-04-21T21:42:00.000-07:00

A custom modern living room for my friend Caroline. ^_^

Pantone Chair

2010-04-10T01:32:00.001-07:00

kim, originally uploaded by leneUx8.

I got one of those plastic Pantone chairs made in china and upholstered it with red fabric. I think it gives it more value don't you think? :)

After A Long Hiatus

2010-03-24T23:37:00.001-07:00

The red chair, originally uploaded by leneUx8.

Yipee! Finally got the chance to just sit back and catch up with the world of minis. Been busy with a few graphic design projects lately but I still got to create a few furniture pieces during my spare time. I haven’t had the chance to take pics of all of them, so for the meantime here’s a pic of the most recent chair I have finished. ^_^

My Handmade Le Corbusier Couch

2009-10-18T02:14:00.000-07:00

Finally finished.^^

80% finished

100% finished

1:6 scale

Current Project

2009-10-13T20:27:00.000-07:00

Been working on a 1:6 scale of this lately... I'm pretty sure you have an idea what it is ^_~.

will post finished product soon...

First Kitchen Creation

2009-10-11T22:05:00.000-07:00

I have been avoiding creating a mini kitchen for awhile now, thinking it would be hard to make one and that getting that elusive My First Kenmore Kitchen playset by Sears in Ebay would be nicer than what I would be able to make. Well I haven't had luck winning that kitchen even with the help of my skilled Ebay-sniper-husband who really rarely looses a bid. Lol. (Some people are just willing to pay way more for it.) I was still expecting to get my hands on one in the future, but just recently a friend requested for a custom kitchen for her own collection and I just couldn't say no. Turns out it wasn't really harder than the other pieces I have worked on. In the end, it may not seem as great as the Sears Kenmore kitchen, but I do believe it has a charm of its own. ^_^

Here are some pics...

White Barcelona Day Bed

2009-09-29T23:08:00.000-07:00

Made the bed for a Flickr Friend. ^_^

A Newly Grad's Apartment

2009-09-26T19:13:00.000-07:00

Thought of creating a room setting that will appeal to a hip single newly grad girl who's looking forward to a more independent life. ^_^ Why this style? *shrug* No real reason. ;)

Another Blog Feature

2009-09-18T17:55:00.000-07:00

Talk about the great power of cyberspace. I am meeting more awesome people for the past month than I have for the past 5 years! Well ok maybe not that exaggerated, but BuzzBeast a blog featuring interesting design trends and products sent me a message through My Etsy account and informed me that they featured my Barcelona day bed in the blog. It really feels amazing when unexpected people randomly discover your works. I couldn't be happier!

+2 Skill Points Earned!

2009-09-18T01:46:00.000-07:00

I was busy creating 2 couches for 2 Flickr friends these past 2 days. (Talk about 2s! Lolz.) I basically copied the design from the first couch I made and did a few modifications. I made it slightly closer to 1:6 scale to fit their Blythe and Pullip Dolls better. I was happy with how the two couches turned out. Placing my first couch beside these new couches made me realize my skills are improving. Even my hubby thinks they look cleaner and better. Which makes me feel really ecstatic. It's the same feeling when you learn a new yoyo trick. ^_^

Here is a picture of the new couch. I also gave it a little graphic layout just for fun. :D

Momoko on the Barcelona Day Bed

2009-09-17T03:11:00.000-07:00

I made this Barcelona day bed few weeks ago and listed it in My Dragondee Etsy Shop. Fortunately, no one has bought it yet ;P, so my new Momoko doll had a chance to try out the day bed for herself. I spent so much time making it that I'm kinda having second thoughts letting go, at the moment anyway. I wonder if Momoko will beg me to keep it. Lol. O_o

My first Ebay!

2009-09-12T08:32:00.000-07:00

Finally decided to give Ebay a shot! I'm an ebay addict and just love finding great bargains in it. Just yesterday I got a whole Lot of Re-ment for just $7 (and that includes shipping!). I figured I should try to start listing items on ebay to make more sale so I could buy more materials and invest on more tools. Funny how business works, funds just keep on revolving. Lolz.

I listed one of my best sellers, the Modern Brown Bed. You can see the ebay auction HERE.

I hope it gets sold so I can sell some more and wouldn't need to start looking for a corporate job right away. heeheehee. O_o I'll prolly list more items in ebay soon. More to come!

I'm the 500th Photo Uploader in MiniTreasures!!!

2009-09-10T15:15:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to upload the 500th picture in Mini Treasures . I didn't really win any prize but Johanna the group's amazing moderator sent me a message and asked for a written interview! Something I haven't really done since autograph books hit big in grade school. It was a fun experience and I was deeply honored to see myself in the site's Blog.

You can see my interview here.

And here is the photo I uploaded that got me the interview. :D

Apartment for Rent Fully Furnished: Playscale

2009-09-05T07:14:00.000-07:00

Apartment for Rent:
Fully Furnished:
Lot Area: 150 square inches
2 Bedrooms No Bath
1 Living room and 1 Family room

Address: by the windowsill in my house :D

These are just sample set-ups for some of my furniture creations. Most furniture are on their way to their new owners. Yey! I'm super excited to see how they're gonna set them up. Brb...Gonna make some more...

My dream Design Studio

2009-09-03T16:05:00.000-07:00

I made a pact with a former colleague and close friend a year or two ago. We were both migrating to other countries and so we made a promise to come back to the mother land in 10 years and establish our own design agency. We both love working in a laid back-homey type environment and I always try to imagine what our dream office would be like. A few days ago I felt like taking a break from "miniaturing" and just play with my Re-ment collection for awhile. I had a couple of saddle foot desks made to sell in Etsy at that time and I just got excited with visualizing my dream design studio in 3D miniature!

Here are some shots...

Ofcourse I would prefer a really spacious office with a great working area and a place for prototyping machines and printers for the real thing! For the mean time, I am happy just to dream about it in miniature. ^_^

Couches

2009-09-03T15:36:00.000-07:00

After selling my first line of playscale miniatures in My Etsy Shop, my first buyer requested for me to create a couch that will go along with the stuff she first bought. Unfortunately, we both never wrote back to each other when I finished the two couches for her to choose from. Something I still feel guilty about, being the seller I should have followed up on her if she still wanted it, but I feel I'll be too pushy if I did. :/ I'm really not a sales person. (There wasn't any payment made yet for the record). I ended up selling one of the couches to someone else and keeping one for myself. But I'll be creating new ones soon again. Hopefully, I'll have the courage to message my first buyer by then.

Here are pics of some of my first couches...

A Test Post and How This All Started (Personal Story)

2009-09-02T03:11:00.002-07:00

I moved to California from the Philippines just four months ago to marry my seven-year LDR boyfriend. So now, I’m a newbie housewife stuck at home with no driver’s license and a cat lady for a neighbor. This isn’t really how I envisioned my life at age 26, at 40 maybe. I know I'm just in limbo right now due to some legal paper works to process, but having worked in the design world for the past years, my hands actually need to constantly do something creative or it tells my brain to get bored and depressed. So with a little help from a friend who went through the same thing, culture shock symptom as she calls it, I realized I could actually use this opportunity to do personal projects I have always wanted to do. One of which is creating mini furniture to go with my Re-ment collection. As most re-ment addicts would know, re-ment doesn’t really create a whole lot of furniture. In addition most modern miniatures made and sold online are either pink or made in 1:12 scale. This is how I decided to make my own.

Here are some pics of my first creations...

*After finishing the furniture I ended up creating some handmade furnishing to go along with them, but that's another story.

They eventually got sold in ETSY. I needed the funds. Lolz. But I will soon post more pics of other creations that followed.