One of the down sides to my leisurely approach to big projects is that my abilities change. I find myself questioning what I’ve already done. A good example is my Princess and the Pea miniature, also known as The Gift of Sensitivity.
In 2004, I made a bed frame and two ladders and collected fabrics. It sat until 2009, when I made forty mini mattresses using colorful fabrics to mimic a story book illustration. I decided that the mattresses would be taken from all over the castle and therefore vary in size and style.
Another long hiatus occurred. Then the pandemic hit and I started watching miniature-making videos. I was particularly struck by the work of Ara at Bentley House Minis (check out her Addams family house.)
Inspired by the realistic look she achieves, I added carved details to my bed frame using a technique I learned from her. I also painted my ladders to make them look well used.
Now I’m worried that the parts are no longer a whole. The mattresses are highly colored, like an illustration from a picture book, while my ladders show realistic wear.
I love the more realistic look. Do I need to do something to the mattresses to make them “match?” Aging the fabric to make them look worn would help, but I’m not sure it will be enough. Am I willing to reconstruct them? Make new ones from scratch? (The last option is not my favorite, as I don’t want to waste materials.)
Ara does have a video on how to make miniature beds, but I’m not sure her modern bed style is right for my project. As I try to decide what to do about the mattresses, I will tackle painting the bed. How it turns out may decide things. If I’m lucky, it’ll tie everything together.
What do you think I should do?
