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Custom dollhouse lights


SewMini

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So I'm getting close to the point of needing to run all my tapewire and start the initial steps of lighting my Orchid dollhouse BUT I'm running into a problem. I just do not like any of the lighting options I'm finding online. I've got a vision for my house now which is a French farmhouse that has been renovated and modernized so I'm looking for more modern lighting options with silver or black finishes OR rustic finishes. The vast majority of what I'm finding is Victorian style or fixtures that are brass. I know I can buy a screw in bulb line from Cir-Kit. Has anyone made their own working lights? Honestly, I'm just looking to do some modern style pendants and chandeliers so they would be simple designs.  I'm pretty fearless when it comes to building things so I'm up for anything. Do other miniaturists have advice on where to go from here?

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Pendants are the only thing I can recommend. The craft stores have metal pieces that a bulb can be easily set into. 

I few of us have tried multiarmed chandeliers which remain in boxes as failures. Bending metal tubing is difficult. Inserting wires in the metal tubing without stripping the wire of its covering and causing shorts is another risk.  

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Since you know what you want, my suggestion would be to print out photos of real life fixtures and start looking for mini-sized components to approximate the look. (This is in keeping with my "If you can see it, you can replicate it" mantra. :D )  Once your "mini-eye" starts functioning, you'll be amazed at the amount of odd objects, table trash, etc., that can be adapted.

Keep in mind that you can always change the finish on ready-made mini fixtures with a bit of paint. 

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You can find many of the lights in more modern finishes like copper, silver, black though they do tend to be the same design as the brass ones.  However, there are more modern lighting options to be purchased.  You can find battery or 12V fixtures.

Some links:
http://www.miniatures.com/Ceiling-Fixtures-C189.aspx
http://www.elfminiatures.co.uk/MODERN+LIGHTING+PWtETXdBVE02a25jdmRXWjBGMlk (there are links under this category on the left)
 

You can buy LEDs from a couple of suppliers and make your own, too.  It's best to just experiment, draw out what you want and see what parts you need.  Chrysolite kits are also a nice way to get parts and make things your own. I've taken apart Lundby lamps to reuse with 12V LEDs.

Here are a few of my examples.

http://www.otterine.com/blog/blog1.php/scratch-built-lamps
http://www.otterine.com/blog/blog1.php/scratch-built-kitchen-pendant-lamps
http://www.otterine.com/blog/blog1.php/handmade-sunflower-lamps
http://www.otterine.com/blog/blog1.php/chrysolite-kits
http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/?app=gallery&module=gallery&controller=view&id=109756
http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/?app=gallery&module=gallery&controller=view&id=115809

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1 hour ago, KathieB said:

This is in keeping with my "If you can see it, you can replicate it" mantra. :D 

This has ALWAYS been my mantra with sewing. Whenever I've made something and someone says "I can't believe you made that" my response is "Someone, somewhere, makes your clothes. If they can make it, so can I." That's how I ended up doing a screen accurate Kylo Ren costume. That said, I never again want to hand pleat 15 yards of duck canvas.:crazyeyes:

Stuff like this is what I have in my head

f70dbdd019e6e21ede6b49a1213c401a.jpgsea-gull-lighting-Kitchen-Traditional-wi55751_XXX_v1.tif&wid=480&cvt=jpeg

Edited by SewMini
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2 hours ago, SewMini said:

...Stuff like this is what I have in my head

f70dbdd019e6e21ede6b49a1213c401a.jpg

Next time you have to have an outpatient procedure done, or if you know someone who gets IV treatments, get them to save you their IV tubing.  You can cut it into sections (like the picture) and thread gor bulbs through them.

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I found this on Etsy 

 

Here's a few options from MinimumWorld. They are in the UK but if you spend $50 dollars shipping is free on selected items (ie: no bulky stuff like dollhouse kits. :D )

https://minimumworld.com/shop-by-product/dolls-house-lighting/wired-lights/lt6100-modern-3-arm-pewter-chandelier  I think they have this in a single pendant and a couple of lamp options too.

https://minimumworld.com/lt4006s-silver-ceiling-globe-light-de155  A simple globe light... picture is brass but it says it's silver

https://minimumworld.com/lt2111-modern-pewter-wall-light

https://minimumworld.com/shop-by-product/dolls-house-lighting/wired-lights/lt7002blk-3-arm-chandelier  I think you could lose some of the crystals on this to make it more modern industrial/shabby.

https://minimumworld.com/shop-by-product/dolls-house-lighting/battery-led-lights-no-wiring/lt7532ww-copper-lantern-with-warm-white-led-bulb

https://minimumworld.com/shop-by-product/dolls-house-lighting/wired-lights/lt5027-bird-cage-lamp you could deconstruct and spray paint these birdcage lamps black to modernise. 

You actually can paint brass fixtures. I've seen people have a lot of success at it.

 

This blogger makes the their own lights kind of in the style you are looking at. I'm not sure if she blogs the actual process but you might be able to ask her some questions.

pantry%2Blight%2Band%2Bjar%2Blights.jpg

 

This blogger made a mason jar light also.. her process is at the bottom of the page

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1 hour ago, SewMini said:

This has ALWAYS been my mantra with sewing. Whenever I've made something and someone says "I can't believe you made that" my response is "Someone, somewhere, makes your clothes. If they can make it, so can I." That's how I ended up doing a screen accurate Kylo Ren costume. That said, I never again want to hand pleat 15 yards of duck canvas.:crazyeyes:

Stuff like this is what I have in my head

f70dbdd019e6e21ede6b49a1213c401a.jpgsea-gull-lighting-Kitchen-Traditional-wi55751_XXX_v1.tif&wid=480&cvt=jpeg

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World market has some cool string lights that you might be able to use the decorative part from, to rewire for single pendants.

http://www.worldmarket.com/product/clear+orb+solar+led+20+bulb+string+lights.do?&from=fn  These are 1.5 inches in diameter so would be like a large ball pendant when hung

http://www.worldmarket.com/product/clear+orb+solar+led+20+bulb+string+lights.do?&from=fn these are super cool, but are 2.75 inches in diameter so about the same size as a 10 arm dollhouse chandelier. They would definitely be a large ball cage light feature. You would need high ceilings to accomodate it. :D

They have other super cool edison fairy lights and cage fairy lights, but they seem to be a bit large for 1/12, they would probably work great in 1/6 though for anyone contemplating modern lighting for their playscale house.
 

Pier 1 has awesome modern string lights too but I can't find any dimensions.

 

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28 minutes ago, Samusa said:

This blogger made a mason jar light also.. her process is at the bottom of the page

That is PERFECT Samantha! Just what I was looking for. 

I popped into the art store during my lunch and boy is that a light building wonderland! They had all manner of tubing perfect for miniatures. Looks like I need to take a detour into miniature lighting land :D

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So I have a question. I have a string of battery powered LED lights left over from making a light up dress for my daughter (oy that was a project). Would it be safe to cut those up to use the lights and directly wire them into the house? If so, I could use those rather than having to buy a bunch of GOR lights. 

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1 minute ago, SewMini said:

So I have a question. I have a string of battery powered LED lights left over from making a light up dress for my daughter (oy that was a project). Would it be safe to cut those up to use the lights and directly wire them into the house? If so, I could use those rather than having to buy a bunch of GOR lights. 

I think it would depend on their voltage. 

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Just speaking as a diabetic, but insulin vials could be I think easily transformed into your first option. I know I save these thinking I'll use them in mini, and have yet to -- but do have them in a few sizes. If you would like I can go ahead and measure them, and if you want real glass hanging pendant lights just msg me your address and I can mail you a few.

 

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I never thought of that! Ironically, I work at JDRF International. We're the largest non-governmental funder of type 1 diabetes research. You'd think I'd know how big insulin vials are. 

Well I futzed and futzed and futzed today once I got home from working a JDRF event this morning. On the way home, I stopped off at Joann's and looked for some interesting jewelry findings. I happened upon these cool rectangular sliding clasp that reminded me a lot of the metal lanterns I've seen in various souks around North Africa and the Middle East: http://www.joann.com/blue-moon-findings-clasp-metal-slider-rectangle-5-loop-antique-silver/12120655.html#q=clasp&prefn1=prod_type&sz=90&start=91&prefv1=Product

So I bought two and glued/soldered them together (though the soldering didn't really want to stick for some reason.) Then I took some chain from an old necklace and attached that with some jump rings. Add in a salvaged dollhouse light bulb and I have my first chandelier! Well, technically second but the first attempt was hideous so lets pretend that didn't happen.

Edit: Forgot to add pics!B58BDAC1-6E09-4530-9CC2-E9E64CF384F6_zps

 

684136EE-373E-402E-BA13-282143A50ABA_zps

 

 

 

B219D1E8-FCCD-4539-A87E-954FC7DA7F2A_zps

Edited by SewMini
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