Jane's attic, update XXVI: a phonograph.

For the past few days I've been working on a white metal kit of an early Edison phonograph for Jane's attic. Below is a picture of the kit before I started putting it together.

The phonograph is a device for mechanical recording and reproduction of sound, which was invented in 1877 by Thomas Edison. His phonograph originally recorded sound onto a tinfoil sheet (later wax) wrapped around a rotating cylinder, or drum barrel.

When it came to choosing the color scheme of the phonograph, I let myself be guided by two criteria, namely: the results of historical research on the subject, and -maybe more pressing-  the wish that the colors to be used should match with the rest of the furniture in the attic. The idea was to allow the phonograph to 'blend' with its surroundings, making it only 'visible' when inspecting the contents of the attic.

Overall, I think the result looks pretty nice. The phonograph got a very convincing 'vintage' look, and it blends very well with the rest of the stuff in the attic. Please scroll down for a pictorial account of the project.

This image: Carrier deck, carriage guide rod, and music cylinder.

This image: close up of the belt driving the music cylinder (drum barrel).

This image: close up of the music cylinder and carriage guide rod.

Thanks for visiting and see you next time!

© José Pereira Torrejón. All rights reserved. No part of the content of this blog may be distributed, published or reproduced without prior authorization from the author.

Frederica

Today, in my living room.

© José Pereira Torrejón. All rights reserved. No part of the content of this blog may be distributed, published or reproduced without prior authorization from the author.

Jane's attic, update XXV: Let there be light!

A very important milestone was reached in the construction of Jane's attic: the installation of a wall lamp in the room where the staircase is located.

I know that to the average doll's house builder, this is not such a big deal at all, but for a relative novice (rookie) like me it was something really special! To see the (still empty) room being illuminated by the faint glow of the lamp... wow, it was a great experience, and I felt as happy as a pig in mud!(witness the extensive coverage of the damn lamp in this blog!).

 

The electrical wire comes out of the back wall and runs through a metal pipe which is attached to the wall with glue, metal 'saddles', and teeny weeny nails. I could have easily saved myself the trouble and hidden the wiring inside the wall itself, but I thought that a pipe on the outside would add more detail. Again, walking the extra mile surely does make a difference! Below are some images of that for you to review. I hope you like it!

Thanks for visiting and see you next time!

© José Pereira Torrejón. All rights reserved. No part of the content of this blog may be distributed, published or reproduced without prior authorization from the author.

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© José Pereira Torrejón. All rights reserved. No part of the content of this blog may be distributed, published or reproduced without prior authorization from the author.

November morning sun

Not exactly a miniature, but delicate and beautiful nonetheless: a Lladró figurine of a girl playing with her puppy, catching the pale rays of the November morning sun, as she runs past a century-old vase and a vintage oil lamp. A magical scene in a corner of my living room.

© José Pereira Torrejón. All rights reserved. No part of the content of this blog may be distributed, published or reproduced without prior authorization from the author.

 

Jane's attic, update XXIV, a vintage mannequin.

Dear reader,

This update offers a pictorial account of something that many of my female readers surely will find appealing: a mannequin that I just finished for Jane's attic, seen here standing next to a coal kit made earlier for the same purpose.

The basis for the mannequin model was a kit made of plastic; a material which I'm not very fond of, preferring instead the use of more 'natural' materials like wood, metal and stone. Yet I saw it had potential, so I decided to give it a try and see what I could make of it.

The above image shows the original kit. It doesn't look like much, does it?! Well, to me as a miniaturist, the challenge is to try to transform something as unappealing and 'dead' as these pieces of plastic into something 'alive' and interesting to look at! Below images illustrate the result of my endeavors, which I hope you will like. Your feedback is always welcome!

This image: front view of the mannequin.

This image: back view of the mannequin.

This image: close up of the mannequin's iron squirt frame.

This image: view from inside of the frame out.

Thanks for visiting, and see you next time!

© José Pereira Torrejón. All rights reserved. No part of the content of this blog may be distributed, published or reproduced without prior authorization from the author.

Sunday morning, November 11.

All is quiet in my living room. A day of remembrance, the end of the Great War. It was supposed to be the 'War to end all Wars', but it wasn't. It was just malice catching its breath.

© José Pereira Torrejón. All rights reserved. No part of the content of this blog may be distributed, published or reproduced without prior authorization from the author.