To make the brush, cut a piece of toothpick to the length you want the brush to be. Using the pliers, crush the end of the toothpick to make it look like a brush. Use silver paint to touch up the glue areas on the spatula and fork and to create a 'metal' band to hold the brush bristles.
Paint or stain the handles whatever color you choose.
Make a handle for the fork just like you did for the spatula.
Cut a fork shaped piece from the soft metal and crimp the handle end. Dip the metal part of the handle into tacky glue, then super glue and attach to the fork piece. The glue should be at the back.
To make the tongs we're going to use a piece of a large paper clip. Slip a scrap piece of wood into the clip and use needlenosed pliers to crimp the curve tightly. You want the curve small enough to look like tongs.
Cut the ends evenly (about 1.5 inches) and use the pliers to turn the ends in slightly. Use a craft knife to flatten one side of a round toothpick. Cut two handles of equal length. Glue to the sides of the tongs using the tacky/super glue combination.
Supplies needed: fancy or plain round toothpicks or small wood scraps; large paper clip; straight pins; soft metal (can be cut with scissors); tacky glue; super glue or glue of choice; scissors; wire cutters; needlenose pliers; emery board or sand paper; silver paint; paint for handles
Cut a spatula shaped piece from the soft metal. Lightly crimp the end that attaches to the handle. Cut an inch and a quarter length of paper clip (or use a straight pin.) Cut the end off the toothpick - approximately an inch long - for the handle.
Use a push pin or mini drill to put a hole in the plain end of the handle. Dip the pointed end of the straigght pin (or piece of paperclip into first tacky glue and then super glue. Insert it into the hole in the handle. The handle may split but that's ok. Smear super glue over any cracks and clamp until dry. Once it's dry dip the other end into tacky glue, then super glue, and attach it to the back of the spatula piece. The metal part of the handle should fit into the crimped end of the spatula.
These tools were not easy to do. I had a lot of trouble making the pieces stick together. My metal to metal glue didn't hold the metal pieces together like it should have so I had to experiment with glues. I'm still not 100% satisfied with the tongs but I do like the spatula, fork and sauce brush.
Burgers and ribs, yum!
I made the charcoal using a tutorial in the latest American Miniaturist. You use burnt wooden and cardboard matches for the charcoal. It looks very real. Of course, you can't see it once the grate is in place...but I know it looks good. ;)
I couldn't bring myself to document the awful mess of the "before" but you can actually see the floor in the "after." These two shelf units were made from parts of my daughter's bed. The shelf on the right was the headboard. The space at the bottom is perfect for storing my shipping boxes. The red basket on the floor holds bubble wrap, packing peanuts and tissue for wrapping items. The shelf on the left was made from the three drawers that were under her bed. I removed the knobs and glued the drawers together. It works really well for my beads.
The blue tub is full of miscellaneous wood scraps. My daughter and I sorted through all of it and it's semi organized now, although you can't tell by looking, LOL. At least I know what I have now.
This photo is just to show that I did find the floor. That corner behind the desk chair is a project for another day.
