OK, here we go

Some relevant and some not so but still min-ing, well mini related might be more the truth

Here’s the relevant bit:

The 30s-50s store departments

So far on the ladies’ hats and haberdashery side of things

and on the toys and books side too

I really enjoy mini shop displays, particularly food or hat related stores but I’m discovering that if I’d wanted to make one I should have done it years ago.  I think I’ve lost (or am losing) the patience with all the very little fiddly things and shops have lots of fiddly things.

Working on the puzzle of building the display cabinets and counters was fun but trying to squeeze all that I’d like to see in the given spaces is getting really messy.  It’s mainly because of the depth of this room box compared to its height.  I’m going to have to do some remedial work on a number of the ceiling lights as I keep catching them and knocking them around as I try to reach around the box.  Shouldn’t have actually fixed the ceiling lid in place when I did – that would have made it so much easier or at least have done less damage to the lighting.

As you can see there’s a fair number of things been added to the hats and gloves, some seems to look OK and some needs further thought

Started on the bolts of fabric but still work to be done there

Next to them is a small area of knitting patterns and wool

And rather low down is a merchandiser for thread, zips and tape measures.
It’s the only place I could sqeeze them in where it could be seen clearly

Also playing around with what the customer may wish to buy. So far a couple of knitting patterns and some fabric(?)

I’d like to have added a dress pattern catalogue or two and a selection of patterns but space is becoming very tight.

I need to add something to the hanky boxes and scarves at the front on the left, probably some loose hankies perhaps; it generally needs tidying up and making a bit more definite.  Also need to sort something out for the curved front shelves of the central counter on the left side; am working on it though keep changing my mind

Possibly swap the hankies down to the shelves and make space for catalogue and patterns?  Will still need something with a little height in that space too – scarf stand?

Toy additions

More soldiers, a Jack in the Box a small teddy etc

and a Dinky Toys catalogue added down the front

Taking photos with the lights on makes for blurry pics for which I apologies but have found that using external light makes for a ‘search lights’ look to the photographs

The not so relevant

As a relaxation when puzzling out the mini problems I cause myself i.e. mostly when stuck making a choice, I like to think about what I’d like to work on next even if I know that I probably won’t do it or it’s an impossible build.  At present I’m leaning towards non-building tasks and instead dress some of the trinket boxe I like to collect when in charity shops or window shopping on line.

Here’s a few of the ones I’ve done and some that I’ve half heartedly dressed a little.  The photos show a mix of 2D and 3D which I rather enjoy as an optical puzzle.  Some items are related and some just seem to go together

Bit museum-like and terrible dust catchers

The 3D interpretation of the Dutch Still Life goes with the Flemish painting and the little box below with the figure peeping out, all roughly the same period

and that in turn seems to go with women’s work anywhere

Why the ship …

The ship is part of a pile of random scenes in boxes that I try out with items every now and again until I settle on a preferance.  Bought two of these lovely vessels, different styles and sizes, and the smaller is going to try out for the shop window on the toy side of the department store, but this one is far too lovely to be hidden away and not used and so now lives in a box with a spare Art Deco background providing a companion ship and the sea.