Dec 29, 2010

See ya!

I take holiday. I'm going to post again about the middle of January next year. Thank you so much for reading and commenting my blog this year. :-))))

I wish happiness for everyone.   :))))

See you next year!

Dec 21, 2010

About clay

I tried another air dry clay "Modena", this clay is be strong and water-resistance after dry. It would be good to make charm. Today, I report about clays of Modena and Grace (I usually use this clay), and compare with this two clays and Fimo soft.

Well, this photo is before put color in clays. People reading my blog would know about Fimo soft well than me, so I don't write detailed about it.
It couldn't show well in this photo, Modena is a little translucent, and Grace is a little white before put color in clay, and Grace is stretch and very soft than Modena. Modena is a little bit hard, but it's so soft more than Fimo soft. And twisted, Grace has twisted mark clearly but Modena hardly has mark. When make a shape, it can make easily Fimo soft, next easy make shape Modena and Grace.

I made miniature Stollen by using each clay one by one. (not used technique of copy this time.) Oh, it is different color only Fimo, but never mind. :P (this is for painting to test) Air dry clay have a characteristic of shrink about 10% after dry. I made same size each other when I started make those. Two stollen of air dry clay after dried was be a little small than stollen of Fimo soft. This photo is before put color on Stollen.  I guess Grace has characteristic of swell a little bit, so stollen of Grace looks like softly. But the texture of Modena and Grace are not different.
I guess Fimo soft is best that to make detailed texture (like a sand) on the surface. 

After put color. Stollen of Fimo soft looks like heavy, It seems that's German bread!  :-9 And other Stollen looks same, don't understand how different each other. But these seems just real bread.  :-9  Shape of every Stollen made this time seems real existence. 

If I was asked which clay I like, I like Grace. Because I am used to this clay. :) I want to use Modena to make charm or fruit etc., and also Fimo use to make charm. But Fimo is very hard to me. :,-(  After all, I like Japanese soft clay. hehehe

Thank you for reading! 

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I listed new works on Etsy today. 


Dec 10, 2010

Cupcakes of FIMO

I tried FIMO work, I used this clay for the first time.  It's very hard clay and very different clay that I use usually. I made charm, cupcakes with whipped cream and smile cookie, those are large than 1:12 scale. Oh, cute! hehehe I guess it's good work. :)

And I made miniature baskets. I listed these on Etsy



Dec 2, 2010

News :D

I hardly could make miniature last month. Why? Because I had prepared to open my web shop. :) I already prepared  my miniature works to Etsy, but I had a hard time to write description in English XO, besides I still had any questions about some things on Etsy. But I could settled those by wonderful helping.  :,D I am grateful her! Thank you sooo much!

And at last... I opened my shop on Etsy. :-))) If you have some times, please come there. There are not a lot of merchandise yet, but I will list little by little.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LaCocinaAlegre 

Nov 24, 2010

broken cup with plant

Sometimes I mistake copy work to miniature plate and cup etc. by resin. Then if it is possible to restoration by putty, I do it. But if it is difficult to restoration, those go to wastebasket. X( Other day, when I did copy work, I made a few bad cups. I was going to throw those to wastebasket, but I had an idea. It call broken cup and these cups might be able to be used as a plant pot.  I plant miniature ivy. I guess it is not bad. :)
And this time, I enlarged a hole than old cup in handle.

Ok, this is normal cup. I put illustration of cupcake on the cup.


I guess this design could use to real cup. :-)


Nov 11, 2010

Plants again and Rosemary

I made miniature plants again, but these size are little than the old plants.

And also, I made miniature rosemary. This photo is an image that see at a distance. It's nice looking. But...

Camera zoom in, ummm~~~ a little bit rough. Leaves and stem are out of balance.  Leaves are about 1mm width, stem made from wire to make art flower, I used so thin wire. If I hope more thin, I must to find the material with strength that more thick than a hair and more thin than a thread. I don't have an idea now. X( In addition the stem's color is right yellowish green, this color has swelling effect. (Does it say "swelling color" in English? I'm sorry, I couldn't find the word in dictionary. If somebody know better word, please teach me. :)) So... I guess that seem the stem is thick.

ummm~~~~ OK. It's good, no problem with see at a distance.
 I took some photos my real rosemary plants and observed a leaf figure.  I had tried three ways to make miniature rosemary. I chose making by clay (mixed clay "Grace" and "Hearty"). 


Nov 2, 2010

Christmas cookie (REAL)

I went to a cake shop. I found there some christmas cute cookies. :) There are Santa Claus, reindeer, angel and snow man. I chose a snow man. It's so lovely! I will display in the living room to best before.
I bought this that was charmed by his lovely smile, but I always am betrayed by smile design. I haven't ate delicious. :,-(
I thought that those cookies were made in the shop, but it's an import (Made in Vietnam). :0 Oh, some cake shop nowadays don't made these. I wonder if it will cost a deal. 

Oct 31, 2010

Food etc.

I finished making a work. :)


The work above is to sell domestically, but this work is to sell overseas. :) I'm arranging now. I will put more pieces on the display board.



Oct 27, 2010

Kitchenware and cup

I made miniature kitchenware. Well, this is tongs. This design that silicon rubber style in the tip have a popularity recently. I have one in my real life. :) It's very good because it don't scratch pots and pans. I will arrange this with orange frying pan, so I made orange color. The tip made from clay.
I remembered that I made a measuring cup a few years ago. I found silicon rubber mold of measuring cup from drawer, and I made in the usual way. Of course, this graduations is inaccurate. hehehe :P It's a just design.

Last one! I gifted a real size cup in the give away the last month. I made the cup in miniature. Wow! Very good! :)) A cheese on the left side of cup is an ornament. 
I will arrange some miniatures on display board. I especially am happy and enjoy in this moment. :-)



Oct 23, 2010

Little pot

I made miniature colorful little pot. These can't open, the cap put on the pot by glue. Because it will come off and is hard when display.

Oct 19, 2010

Ivy (handmade & ready made)

I made miniature ivy. This is my handmade. 

 I felt tired that making a lot of leaves by myself at first, so I got ready made paper ivy sheet. This ivy sheet is generally for use in diorama. This is first try. The ivy sheet don't have color as white paper at first, and already are cut by laser, have connected a few point in the sheet. A runner, stem and leaves were a group. It cut a few point when take a group out sheet. I don't like paper runner, so I cut stem and leaves from runner, and I used a wire to runner. ummmm.... the leaves are thickness and unnatural. 

First try paint was not good. I tried again. I made curl to leaves strongly. This is just try and see, I didn't paint carefully. ummmm... paper is thick.  
Ready made ivy is beautiful figure. I think that this will not fit my miniature world, because my miniature style has handmade feeling. This ivy is too excellent, it will be conspicuous in other miniatures I made. So, I decided to use my handmade ivy this time.  

This sheet is produced by Kamizukuri, there are a lot of other plant leaves sheets, this site is only Japanese language, I bought in this site.  But Tasca modellismo Co.,Ltd. has introduced in English and sold to overseas from Japan. 

If you have interest, please visit these site. :) Tasca give the detailed explanation of products of Kamizukuri in English.   


Oct 14, 2010

Tomato pasta

I made miniature tomato pasta. The pasta look thick in this photo. :(  But it's about 0.6mm in diameter, it see thin in the naked eye.
I had made miniature basil as I see real basil leaf about a hour. Then I felt bad and had headache by the smell of basil, only a leaf. X( The smell of basil unfit for aromatherapy.... (-_-;)


Oct 13, 2010

Can's contents

I made peeled tomates in tomato juice. A lot of cans has easy open end, but notched can look nice and cute in the miniature world. :)


Oct 11, 2010

Tokyo Sky Tree and Food

I went to Sumida-ku, Tokyo, there is Tokyo Sky Tree (television and radio broadcasting tower, the height will be 634m), it is constructing to 2012. This tower will be one of the world's tallest. This day was too rainy day, so it couldn't see to the top by cloud.

The height is 478m now. The tower is being tall little by little every week.

I took this photo from block. The tower is too big! it don't notice just walking by contraries. 

And I visited a soba shop (buckwheat noodle shop) to eat one food. It's this! ta-dah~!
This is Ebi ten don! "Ebi" mean lobster or shrimp, "ten" mean about tempura (deep-fried),  "don" mean a bowl of rice. "Ebi ten don" in English is a bowl of rice topped with deep-fried shrimp. This Ebi ten don is not normal! It looks like tower! What a crazy dish up! ha-ha! This food of this shop often is introducing by TV. The owner contrived this Ebi ten don in the image of tower. It's very delicious! :)) I hardly ate breakfast to eat this food this day. When I arrived, I was so hungry. I ate all. :D

These are food samples (Japanese imitation food). A lot of restaurant has this imitation food menu in the show case beside enter their restaurant . 
A few restaurant sometimes serve a little different real food from the imitation. For example, the imitation food has a lot of ingredients, but in real food has little etc. 
The shop's food I visited was almost same design that real and imitation. :)) 

Oct 8, 2010

Grissini

I made miniature grissini by air dry clay and wire basket. This bread is thin and long, it's difficult making this with a technique of making mold and copy. So I made this one by one. It's very difficult to make same size by hands.


Oct 5, 2010

Canned peeled tomatoes

October 6th
I remade the label, and changed the logo that received good advice. :-)) Thank you!

I made miniature canned peeled tomatoes. I wrote the description of ingredients on the back that I did an example to real canned. But it always can't see well in the miniature world. I put the Italian word "El Fascino" on the label, I searched it in google translate. Oops! I noticed spelling mistake now!!! There is not "c"!  I think Japanese people don't notice it, but I can't deceive Italian people and the people that understand Italian language, right? So.... I must remake the label.... (T_T)

Sep 30, 2010

Girlish minis :)

I laid out miniature sweets etc. on board.  And I made miniature paper craft of toadstools. :) I love the design of toadstool. :D I guess a lot of girls love it.  Image of this work is autumn. If the flowers are orange, yellow and brown color, it will has more autumn image, I guess. Ok, make it on the colors next time.  


Sep 25, 2010

Lace paper

I made miniature lace paper. It need too patience to make this. XO I gave up four lace papers in one day, two papers are to experiment and practice. It only two to use. :,-( A lace paper on the right side looks like a biscuit. :D I like this. Simplicity is good.

Sep 23, 2010

New container

I made new version of miniature cake container. I made also chocolate cream this time. :)
My favorite is chocolate cream. :D


Sep 21, 2010

Arrangement flower

I made miniature arrangement flower that learning by watching others. I'm poor at arrange flower and plant. :-( So... it's doubtful sense. he~he~he~ But it's no problem, because it seem like good looking. :D A part of my character is inaccurate. :P
The part of flowers and plants made from clay, paper and miniature (diorama) materials.

Private message:
Dear a parson (ari____) that ask me a question about the product I use in e-mail. 

I received your question. :) I wrote you my answer, but it mail return to me, because the sender's address is error. Therefore I write answer on my blog. 

Is "the products" about miniature arrangement flower I made? Roses,leaves and little apples are I made. A part of green (like a sponge) and little white flowers are I use the material of diorama. This sponge is used to make tree or bush in diorama. I'm sorry, I don't know the website that sell diorama material. But I guess you will find the store that sell those. Please search with the word "diorama material" in Google etc. 
I just know a website that sell clay I use.

My English is not good. If I misunderstand your question, please tell me. Thank you. 


Sep 19, 2010

My treasure

I received wonderful gift from Italy two days ago. Caterina sent me wonderful miniature Italian food packages she made! :D (Oh My God! Her package already arrived in Japan, but my miniature don't arrive to her house yet. :,-( I think that my packages already are in Italy. Hey! The custom! Please through my packages! Mail carrier! Please deliver hurry up!) I first have foreign handmade miniatures. :) This is my treasure!


I told her that I love Italian food. She made me these. :-))) I guess this is hard work to a lot of packages! Grazie mille! Caterina! It can hear sound from some packages when shake it. :) It's like real. 

I love Italian food, and I am interested in the ancient Roman's life (Pompei) and history of gladiator. I enjoy watching American TV drama "Spartacus Blood and Sand" now. :D This is the story of gladiator.

This day I received these minis, also I received American stationary of Halloween design from my Illustration teacher. (She went to USA for a few days. This is souvenir. :D) It was wonderful day with I felt foreign wind. :-)))


Sep 11, 2010

Thanks. And Kouglof

I finished sending give away and other lucky gifts. :) I hope all gifts will arrive in good condition in each country. I had sent packet to overseas, but it's many years ago. I forgot how to send. So, I learned it in the web of Postal service before sending my packets. But I had little occurrence in the post office. I was made to do useless work (writing to unneed documents), it was post office worker's mistake. Boo! ):-(  But he apologized to me, and I could sent off my miniatures pleasantly. :)

After sent but I received advice about how to write description inside pack and some information of Italian delivery from Sonya. Grazie! Sonya! I thank you for your kindness! :)))

Well, I already showed you new kouglof, but zoom in it again.
This new kouglof has ten hills. (Kouglof that made past has 11 hills. See the photo in old post, Sep 8. )



Sep 8, 2010

The winner and the second lucky people :)

Thank you a lot of people for participate in give away! I drew lots by free lottery software. :)

OK, the winner for overseas is....
(come on! drum roll!)
.
.
.
.
Sans!
Congratulatioooooons.!!!

And... I drew lots the second lucky three people in haste. :D
I gift them little gift. Little gifts are these. Please look forward to that which gift arrive to you. :) (Two miniature works are for domestic.)

(click photo to bigger )

The second lucky three people are....
(come on! drum roll again!)
.
.
.
.

Anthoula        Sonya Rottella       cockerina
Congratulatioooons!!

Four people! Please tell me your nickname, real name, address and your country by e-mail quickly or within a week. :) I reply you.



I'm sorry for not winners. If I have other give away someday, please participate again.

Thank you soooooooooooo much!!! :-)))

Sep 1, 2010

Give away

September 6, 2010
Participation for give away finished. I'm sorry, I can't accept comment participate date of 6. Please understand it. 
Thank you so much for your participation in my give away! I was surprised that a lot of people participate in my give away! I'm sooooo glad! Thank you! :-))))
Please wait a little for announce the winner in September 8th. :)


Thank you for waiting. I do give away~! I prepared give away for two people, one for overseas, and another for domestic someone (Japan).

Give away are...this! (click to bigger photo)

Plus... ta-dah!


Cup and my favorite flavored tea! Illustration of cup is I drew. :D (These cups are not miniature.)
Have a fun your teatime while see my miniature. hehehe. :P Miniatures, cup and tea are one set.

*Please read carefully.* 
If you participate in this give away, please comment "participate!" in this post, or send me e-mail. If choose sending e-mail, please write "give away" in subject, and tell me your nickname. It's OK that choose whichever you like better putting comment or sending e-mail.


If you have resided in Japan, please comment "応募します" or "ouboshimasu" and your nickname in my Japanese blog, or send me e-mail, subject "応募します" or "ouboshimasu" and tell me your nickname. You can also send me mail in mail form that under there is in my home page .
日本国内にお住みの方は必ず「応募します」と書いてください。海外在住の日本人の方は、当方の英語ブログの方にコメント"participate!"と書いて頂くか、メールの件名に「give away」と書いてお送り下さい。なにかメッセージがあれば、もちろん日本語でOKです〜。

Each miniature set are a little different. One is olive oil, and other is extra virgin olive oil. And mug cup's illustrations too. I choose which set send to winners. If you are winner, please look forward to it!  I hope you'll like it. ;-)

I promise that I do not share winner's personal information to third parties.

Participation term is From September 1st to September 5th. I will announce of the winner on September 8, Wed. on this blog.

(Same explanation is also in my home page. :D)

I will send give away to the winner by small packet with registered mail or EMS. I do packing carefully, but if something trouble happened (missing pack or damage etc.), please claim to your country's post office. I'm sorry, I can't prepare same set again.

OK! GOOD LUCK! AND HAVE A FUN!




Aug 29, 2010

Notice :)

My home page come 5th anniversary soon. :) And this English blog also come 2nd anniversary in this November. :) My character is get excited easily but soon cool down. :P But I can keep making miniature for long time! It's miracle!
And, at first I thought that couldn't keep writing in English for long time. I had idea that I was going to stop writing on three month. But various countries people see to my blog and sometimes some people send me glad e-mail. :-)) Therefore I could writing this blog in English for two years! I am thankful for everyone!

It come 5th and 2nd anniversary, I have plan give away with thankfulness. :-) I am preparing for it now. I will write about detailed explanation on this blog after a few days. Please wait for a few days.


Aug 25, 2010

Vacuum forming

I have tried vacuum forming, and I have practiced now. Today, I report still in progress.

To start vacuum forming, must to prepare tool of vacuum forming. This tool sell at the shop of plastic model, but it's expensive. So, I make by my hand in economy. :D I got little wood box and crevice tool of vacuum-cleaner in 100 yen shop.  (this store is like an one dollar shop or 99 cent shop in USA) And I bought a punching sheet and sponge tape in other store. The cost of materials is under 1000 yen (about $10). :) 

Next, I assemble a vacuum forming tool.
1. Cut short crevice tool, make a hole in the box for crevice tool. insert a crevice tool in the box, and fix by glue.
2. Put a punching sheet on the box by glue, and moreover gummed tape. And put sponge tape. 
Box size is 11cm X 11cm. The inside diameter is 9cm X 9cm. But this inside area is a little wide to miniature. So, I made frame that made in paper and sponge tape to make little area.


Prepare two plywoods (11cm X 11cm), make hole 6cm X 6cm each, sandwich a sheet of plastic 7cm X 7cm (0.3mm thick) between plywoods, and fasten with a clip. This photo is plastic sheet after heat and vacuum. I have tried and practiced some various mold. I practiced in the mold of kouglof in this photo.
I guess that this hole is still a little wide. I will make new frame that inside area 5cm X 5cm. 

Well... I have made a lot of trash now. XO I understand:
simple form(circle or square plate etc.)could vacuum forming well.
detail and very little or thin line etc. could not or difficult. 

But I guess I could do it. I need more time to succeed....