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Friday, December 28, 2018

The monumental disasters of doll housing

Hi all. As you can tell from the post title, things haven't gone well of late. I had set this very tenuous goal of finishing the Coxwolds by the end of the year. Two weeks ago, I finally got some weekends at home, plus Christmas and Boxing Day, so spent a good deal of time finishing stuff off. I am excited to say that I DID get stuff finished off. Many stuffs. But for every three steps forward, I had at least one back. There are two things I think are highly over-rated in dollhouses:
1) hinged doors (with proper hinges of the metal kind)
2) working lights.

After countless attempts, I finally got one of my Coxwolds exterior doors attached, only to find the other door had come loose. I was going to properly hinge the shop doors (which are currently hinged with model aircraft hinge tape) but am rethinking that idea. It will wait whilst I stew.

And also after countless attempts, I got some lights installed. I am even more excited to say that some of their globes work! Wheee! But here are some photos of (one of) my monumental lighting disaster (this is aside from OTHER lighting disasters).

Photo 1: bedroom floorboards ripped up to access wiring which I had broken off:


Photo 2: A big hole dug into the MDF to accommodate a little bundle of wires:


Photo 3: The offending light installed at last (those other two wires were removed. I had intended hanging three smaller lights, but due to more lighting disasters, those lights were dumped):


Photo 4: the other offending disaster light installed. A little crooked. And too long for the ceiling height, but it is installed. Again, wiring issues and having to use heat shrink tube that was a little too thick for this application.


The fireplaces in the bedroom and shop both have glowing red globes installed, but they have VERY thick wires and are gonna be hard to hide. Anyway, beggars can't be choosers. I was going to make some pretty, fancy lights for upstairs but rethinking that strategy now. I can't fix the roof on until I have lights up there so a very large portion of what needs to be done is done, other than some accessories (such as bathroom fixtures) and furnishings. Also need some supplies I can't currently find, like door handles, but this is so close to being done, I am giddy! Haha! The end is nigh, it just won't be 2018 nigh. Sigh.

The upside is I successfully installed Cirkit ceiling canopies (go me!) despite MUCH swearing, and I came up with plenty of ideas for making lights from findings and beads. so all was not in vain.

Will leave it there. I think the vodka bottle is calling. Hope you are also having some mini wins right now. All the best for 2019 if I don't get to post before the end of the year! xx

PS will try to get some more photos soon, when things are even closer to being DONE. Loving how things are looking!!!!!

14 comments:

  1. Oh Shannon, I chuckled with sympathy when I read this. I think we've all struggled at some point with similar dilemmas. You've done a great job though, especially in only a couple of days. I have to say I love the cream cabinet against the wall. It looks perfect.
    Have a great New Year - and stay on the vodka...

    Xx

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    1. Hi Si. Thanks for the vote of confidence! To be honest, it's more than a couple of days. Probably about 4 weekends? I think. Anyway, I thought I'd get more done in that time than I did. Never mind. And happy new year to you! Hope to see some progress soon. xx

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  2. Shannon, lights can be a pain at the best of times, and in every install I've done my main thought was 'what am I going to do if they stop working?'. Fortunately, lights seem to last a long time. Even if it's a bit chaotic right now, the rooms look promising. I look forward to seeing what you do next!

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    1. Hi Megan. Lights are fiddly and temperamental aren’t they? Maybe that’s part of the joy when they do work! I will persevere. Happy new year to you. X

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  3. Después de tus desastres con las luces se ven muy bien, siempre se aprende de los errores, así que ánimo ,entrando en el año nuevo lo verás todo mucho mejor y el suelo lo podrás reparar.Feliz año nuevo:-)

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    1. Thanks Rosa Maria! You are right, there is always something to learn from these problems. Hapoy new year, I hope it is a good one for you. X

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  4. Oh man! Shannon I feel your pain! Hinges and electric can just kick your butt until you're ready to throw things. Definitely vodka o'clock.

    I'm so glad you did get the things you wanted accomplished though. So you have something to point at and say 'See! It's done!'

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    1. Hi Sheila, yes, these things can be an exercise in anger management! Haha! I am getting so close. Perhaps today I will finish off a few more things! Happy new year to you. X

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  5. Lighting can be the biggest joy or the greatest agony and one only has to have tested, installed and concealed the wiring then have the lights not work, to understand the full experience of the title of this post!
    Even so, the pleasure that you get when the lights DO WORK and the ambiance that they create all do to your own efforts and persistence, makes it a worthwhile endeavour.
    Your Coxwold Cottage is thanking you already! :D

    I am eagerly looking forward to seeing more photos of this DELIGHTFUL little dwelling. I Absolutely Love the Beautiful wallpapers and the painted cupboard in the dining room and the fireplaces. But perhaps if you painted the bulky wires black then tucked them under the fire, you might be able to hide the remainder with less stress. :D
    Wishing you a Wonderful New Years Shannon. I never tire of seeing All of your Fantastic Work- "disasters" and all! ;D

    elizabeth

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    1. Hi Elizabeth. So many little things we do are trial and error, aren’t they? But we persevere and when they do work, it is encouraging and rewarding. So I will continue with my lights and try ti make some I am happy with and that WORK!! And good idea for the wires. I have my little ‘embers’ so will have a fiddle with them. Happy new year to you and your family. Xxx

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  6. Oh Shannon, I read the title of your post and I felt a familiar pang... we have all been there haven’t we? Lol.. On the upside, your lighting looks great and that built in is fabulous. I’ve never tried to hinge a door, but haven’t felt the need, so I think highly over rated too.. but lovely if you are brave enough to attempt it. :) Happy New Year! I think a nice refreshing Moscow Mule is in order :D

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  7. Hi Sam. Yes we have! And we persevere (mostly) and learn stuff and eventually have something we are proud of. And glad I am not alone on the hinges - some things in miniature aren’t deal breakers for me and lighting and hinges fit in that category. But when done, they do look good. Happy new year - I hope you enjoyed some Moscow Mules (or any other cocktail for that matter) last night! X

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  8. All these little inconveniences seem to happen at once, don't they? Lighting for me can be an exercise in bad language and knowing that can put a person off before they start! Despite the little set backs your progress is good and I too really like that little cabinet at the back of the room. Lovely to see progress on this and I'm looking forward to more. Happy New Year to you Shannon.

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  9. I keep hoping that electrical and hinges will get easier for me as I gain more experience....If you still have trouble, it seems I'll just have to accept the fact that it is always going to be a pain in the rear!....It is a good thing that dollhouse people are dreamers and optimists. Your Coxwold's is lovely!

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