Thinking inside the box............

Further to my last post, I've been gradually adding to my growing pile of little vintage boxes, destined for the shop.  However I've set myself the unenviable task of having something INSIDE each and every one.

I don't know what I was thinking.  It seemed like A Good Idea at the time.

If I thought making dozens of individual boxes and lids was fiddly, then making contents for each one is fiddly²

However, once I've set my mind to something, I have to go through with it, so for the past few days I've been making loads of little cards for buttons, hair ornaments, jewellery threads, needles etc etc etc.

For the doll haberdashery counter, boxes of silk threads, scissors and needles

Slowly, slowly, the myriad boxes are being filled, with everything the miniature dollmaker could possibly need, and as a result I've been able to start planning my shop counter displays and deciding what will go where, for maximum impact.

I have a total of 7 counter display units like this, in different shapes and sizes.  However they all have the same design, having perspex counter tops, sides and fronts, one perspex shelf and mirrored doors at the back.  This means that whatever I put inside each one can be seen from all angles.  This makes my painstaking box filling marginally less frustrating, as I can be sure that artfully placed open lids will reveal the contents.

I keep changing my mind about what each display will hold though......  Here's my initial list.

1. Baby doll clothing and accessories
2. Footwear  (see note below)
3. Jewellery and hair ornaments
4. Bride doll accessories - veil pins, headdress/tiara, flower posy/bouquet
5. Doll's sewing accoutrements and haberdashery
6. As above
7. As above

Counter numbers 5, 6 and 7 form the main display area in the centre of the shop.

I'm confident that I can make everything I need for all of the displays except for footwear. It's relatively easy to make shoes and boots from silk or leather directly on tiny half scale dolls, but making them off the feet will present a challenge.  If anyone knows of an artisan cobbler who works in 1/24th scale please let me know.

Doll's millinery and wigs will be displayed in/on the corner unit at the back of the room. Again I've chosen units with mirrored backs to reflect the back views.

Dressed dolls will be placed around the shop, on the counter tops and on stepped doll stands. Counters against the walls have mirrors on top, to show the back of the doll costumes.

So far so good.  However I have a feeling that once I start filling all those counters, I might expect some 'help' from Smallest Dog and Archimedes, who have been uncharacteristically absent for the past few days.  I have a sneaking suspicion they're planning something.......