I have a habit of thinking in miniature ALL THE TIME, so I am always on the lookout for 1:1 scale stuff that I can repurpose into something in 1:12 scale. In a recent trip to HomeDepot, I spied these end caps for the ClosetMaid shelving units and immediately thought “dollhouse cups!”
They’re made of rubber but has a shine to it, so it can look like some white glazed tumblers.
I paid a whopping $1.25 for 14 end caps. I know, I am a big spender!
The end caps do need some modifications. These nubs have to go.
I initially thought that it would be sanded away, but it did not work as well as I’d hoped. Its made of rather dense rubber and the sandpaper took too little material away. I’m sure with about 10 minutes of sanding, I can get it down to the level I want, but, you know how I feel about sanding! Yuck!
Thankfully, its pretty darn easy to cut. Just be careful with your fingers!
Chopped off too much, but its the bottom so who will notice? Either way, I think its an easy repair job.
Here’s a better result! You know, in looking at the pictures, I realized that these can work as little vases too! 😀
And finally, to show you the scale with some 1:12 furniture laying around. Please excuse the ugly test cut on the left >_<
So for a quick recap: its CHEAP and EASY. And it literally only took a minute to make!
Cool! On my list of tiny-usually-useless-things-to-buy-and-use-in-my-dollhouses-one day list.
Awesome!
I think they would look cool with a little black asian lettering like a sake cup. One could use black indelible pen for the mark. : ) C
Now… thats a good idea!
Thanks for this tip. I hope they work for 1/6 scale.
It think it would work great as tea or sake cups as Leftcoastmini mentioned. While I was there shopping, I do recall seeing larger ones, so that may work as well!
This is ingenious! I love seeing everyday objects used for miniatures.
Your tutorials a way cool =0)
Another way is to melt the bottom on a hot plate such as a med temp coffee cup warmer – then you’ll get a little ridge on the bottom too….
Ooooo that’s a great idea! Thank you for sharing Tyla!
This is the stuff I love, looking for everyday things that have a whole different prespective in miniature! Cool, and thanks for sharing!
Thank you for the kind words Karen!
I think if you cut one into strips and glue them on the sides they would make great coffee mugs too.
Another great idea. This is something I am going to have to try. Thanks Dottie!
I think they look like the new modern silicon wine tumblers could use for barbie!