And so it begins...

This was today's project - a piano and stool for the saloon. I got the pattern for the piano from a book about making Victorian miniatures. It's made of cardboard, clothespins, chopsticks, a wooden flower, various wood scraps, and some gold cord. The keyboard is a printie.

I think the piano looks just beat up enough to look at home in a saloon.

Now I'm off to ebay to see whether I won the auction for Brimble's Mercantile. Wish me luck!

Rethinking the project

I've been doing some research on old west saloons and found that saloon girls were rarely prostitutes. They made a commission on the drinks they sold and their purpose was to entertain the men and encourage them to drink. Sometimes they would dance with the customers but only in really seedy places were they prostitutes. So, in order to remain somewhat historically accurate I think I will make Rose's saloon a bar/gameroom place with an area for dancing.

New project

Well, it's mostly in the idea stage but I think I want to make an old Western saloon/house of ill repute. I already have a name for it - A Rose Among Thorns Saloon. The owner/madam is Rose, of course.

I spent some time this afternoon sketching nudes with chalk pencils. I came up with a lady reclining on a red chaise that I'm happy with. Luckily, with minis, you just have to give the illusion rather than have each little detail. I can draw but I'm not a trained artist.

I know I want a poker game, a piano, the bar, of course, swinging doors. If I just use a crate for the saloon I'll just have to imply that there are other activities that take place upstairs. If I can find an inexpensive kit that works I'll do more with the madam and saloon girls.

Let me know if you have ideas for this project.