Monday, August 5, 2013

The story of the BBS (Big Black Suitcase)

Good morning, everyone.  I hope you had a relaxed weekend.  Intermittent internet problems prevented me from finishing this blog post on Friday as planned, and aches and pains put me in a ratty mood, so I did the sensible thing and crocheted all weekend and let the world take care of itself.   The crochet blanket that I am working on for three years now is only one square from complete after my marathon crochet effort.  Alas, it is Monday, the toys are packed away and back to work we go!

Nearly a year has passed since I made the BBS, and here I'm finally showing you how I did it.
What is the BBS?  If you have ever been to an exhibition were tiny hand made items were displayed, you would know that the exhibitors go to a lot of effort to get their wares noticed.  It is easy in a crowded hall to just look past some tiny detail.  I made the Big Black Suitcase to display my miniature dolls and bears.  As I'm sure you have gathered, it is BIG, people can't really overlook it.  And the fact that it is lighted inside really catches attention.

First, I have to admit that the idea was not entirely mine.  I saw this briefcase by Russian doll artist ligreego and fell in love.  I had to have one too!
So off I went to the charity shop only to find that they were clean out of briefcases.  They did have this very grotty looking old blue cardboard suitcase for R 20 (about $2).  I circled it suspiciously a few times, sniffed it and jumped back.  Someones cat probably had a pee in it. Then I checked my budget and decided at that price I could pinch my nose and give it a go.
The first thing I did was to rip out the lining and give the suitcase a thorough scrub.  I put it in the sun for a day, and was relieved to find that all traces of eau de cat was gone. 
The outside of the suitcase looked brand new after a coat of black shoe polish.  Starting on the inside, first I cut cardboard liners to make a sturdy backing for attaching shelves.Then I planned the interior layout and cut the shelves from masonite wood.
 Getting everything level, and the corners even was a job, the suitcase does not stand quite level when turned on its side.  Lots of glue and four letter words finally got everything the way I envisioned it.
The sides of the suitcase got new liners, and the shelves were painted white.
This is how I did the lighting.  A string of LED Christmas lights with batteries!  You can see the battery pack hidden in the bottom drawer.  Wherever I wanted light, I poked a hole through the cardboard backing with a screwdriver, and pushed a light through.  The light fittings are a combination of jewellery findings, old perfume bottle caps, and Christmas ornaments.  All from my stash, I felt very virtuous using up so much 'junk'.
To complete the interior, I lined the shelves with tissue paper dress patterns, and cut shapes to glue on the back wall.  Vintage buttons for drawer handles, some old keys, and bits and pieces of mirror, lace and broken bangles make the inside of the BBS look interesting, even when all my little treasures are sold.

So this is where I am today dearies.  One empty BBS, and only three weeks until the annual Parkhurst Miniatures festival.  Time to sit down and start making miniatures!


8 comments:

  1. Wonderful, and so easily transported.

    Have a wonderful week.

    Hugs

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    1. I do not really like taking my hand made items to fairs. They seem to look shop soiled afterwards, and something always has to get damaged no matter how carefully you pack. The BBS has definitely made an improvement. It's also much quicker to set up at the fair!

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  2. Looking forward to seeing you and the BBS in three weeks!

    Hmm, I almost threw out a wooden artist's suitcase I have here and find too big for storage as it has no compartments, I think you just saved it :-)

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    1. Go for it Elga! If we pass the idea on to enough people, we can have a suitcase competition at the fair...

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  3. Replies
    1. Thank you, Dawn. This is one of the most fun things I did in a while.

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