A DIORAMA FROM A PICTURE FRAME

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Materials: Picture frame, any size is suitable, the one in the picture measured 6" x 4" (15 cm x 10 cm) approx. Balsa wood (2 mm thick approx.) and glue, pins, paint, hanger, and assorted mini items for display.

Remove the back from the picture frame; use this as a template to cut the back of the box in Balsa wood. Cut two side and two top pieces in balsa wood to the depth required, mine were approx. 1" (2.5 cm). Glue the side and top pieces together, this is where the sewing pins come in useful for holding the balsa wood while the glue is drying. Then glue on the back to complete the box. Make the number of shelves required, two is best for a frame of this size, make the shelves slightly smaller in depth than the sides of the frame. I used two thin pieces of wood, the thickness of a matchstick, to rest each shelf on.

Once the glue is dry, paint the frame, I used silk emulsion paint. If you wish to paper the back of the box instead of painting, do this before gluing in the shelves. A word of warning here, balsa wood warps when damp, use double sided sticky tape, or one of the stick glues, Pritt Stick for example.

Your balsa wood box should now slip into the frame; it should be a snug fit, but still easy enough to part the frame from the box without resorting to violence! Glue a hanger onto the back, and there is your completed diorama, or is it? Now for the fun bit, filling your diorama with all sorts of fun things.

Some ideas you might like to try:

On the top shelf is a knitted teddy, the pattern came from Venus Dodge's book on Miniature Needlework. A platter of assorted fruit, both platter and fruit made from polymer clay. The busy box is a small round box, covered in a small print fabric; small pieces of lace, ribbon, braid, etc. have been glued inside.

The middle shelf houses tiny place mats, bought from a mini needlework supplier. A painted white metal cup and saucer with a small dab of brown paint inside the cup looks like black coffee. There are paper plates with assorted biscuits; iced cake, éclair, and sandwiches, all made with polymer clay. A large round wooden bead with the bottom sanded flat makes a very good vase in which to display the roses. Roses can be made from polymer clay, quilling paper, or silk ribbon; mine were actually a lucky find in a craft shop.

The bottom shelf contains a bonnet made from scraps of material, decorated with braid and silk ribbon. The bible is made from a scrap of black leather glued to a small piece of balsa wood, the edges have been marked with a gold pen, and a gold cross marked on the front. I found the fan in a miniaturist shop, but it would be possible to make one from a piece of folded paper, with lace glued to the top, add a silk ribbon rose. The gloves and handbag are made from a small piece of white leather; to make them suitable for eveningwear I added some tiny brilliants.

The box of chocolates is made form thin card, the design on the box I made using my computer. I used silk ribbon for the roses and around the box lid. The chocolates were made from polymer clay; some wrapped in the coloured foil from real chocs.

Now slip the frame onto the front of the completed box. Because I wanted mine to be a permanent feature, I glued all my pieces to the shelves with white PVA glue, but should you want to change the scene you will need to use Grip Wax, or a similar product.

Even if you cannot afford, or have no room for a full size dolls house, I am sure you will be able to find a home for one of these little dioramas. Make them as presents for miniaturist friends. Use only one shelf instead of two; vary the depth of the shelves. Use a larger frame, make it slightly deeper, add a piece of furniture. Set a Christmas scene, a wedding scene, the possibilities are endless, and are dependent only on your imagination.

Above all, have fun.

Finished Diorama

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