good evening...

yes, i know...it's not a "traditional putz"...it's a "little glitter house" version of an actual store that specializes in organic skin treatment products...

it's more architecturally correct than many pieces i've built...but you will notice some selective compression...especially on the front above the sign...i worked from about a dozen photos plus google and bing satellite and street views...

the low, sidewalk base measures about 5" wide x 6" deep x 1/4" high...building height is a little over 4 3/4" including base...

windows were made using steve's technique...mullion bars are 1/32" wide white tape on clear acetate window material...you'll find his article on the "resource page" of this web site...

the tapered columns are sections of paint brush handles...i drew the black and white tile pattern on the computer...the small trees in red pots were added for color and visual interest...

my very best regards...howard...

Awesome! Love the store front, another great miniaturization of real life!! I like that the name of the shop is just "Skin" The colums are really cool too!

The roof turned out great too.

good morning...

thought i would show you what you can't see inside the walls...it's from the world of model railroading...and it works...

a light diffusion system...windows needed to be clear...but needed the cereal box plastic bag material so you couldn't actually see inside...needed the yellow diffusion screen to produce a more realistic, warm color when illuminated through the light hole...i tried a red diffusion screen but did not like the results...i also painted the ceiling and floor inside the building to reflect more light...

my very best regards...howard...

I recently made a tag sale find of a plastic bag filled with tiny acryllic mirrors 2 inch by 2 inch and have been using them on the floors--and sometimes the walls of my houses for added reflection. Prior to this I had been using little sheets of aluminum foil shiny side up....p.s. love all the details on this one....

Absolutely charming, Howard! I really like this.

Howard, you are a lifesaver! I was just thinking about this yesterday. I am making a house that I wanted to be more accurate than the traditional putz. I wanted there to be a golden glow inside instead of red... This is just perfect! Thank you so much for sharing this!

The diffuser is a piece of transparent yellow plastic file folder...mine probably came from Staples...

Howard...

Howard,
Thank you. One more question: did you light this with LEDs or another light source?

lee...

no self-contained/LED lights built into this one...just standard light hole...here is part of the text on the base label regarding illumination...


FOR DECORATION ONLY. NOT A TOY.
ILLUMINATE WITH COOL BURNING
LOW VOLTAGE LIGHTS ONLY.

fyi...i do have a large church project near the top of my to do list for 2014...it will have a music box and a built-in 7-watt 110 volt night light type source...provided i can find a way to vent the back...or allow any heat to escape though the bell tower...we'll see...

howard...