Making Tumblers on the Cheap!

Making Tumblers on the Cheap!

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.

The cost of the ClosetMaid shelf end caps

I paid a whopping $1.25 for 14 end caps. I know, I am a big spender!

End cap nubs

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!

Cutting off the nubs to level it

Thankfully, its pretty darn easy to cut. Just be careful with your fingers!

Cutting off too much

Chopped off too much, but its the bottom so who will notice? Either way, I think its an easy repair job.

A cute little cup!

Here’s a better result! You know, in looking at the pictures, I realized that these can work as little vases too! 😀

Just so you can see how it looks like

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!

Categories: MiniaturesTipsTips > Do It Yourself

13 Responses

  1. LyssaJanuary 7, 2011 at 8:58 pm
    Cool! On my list of tiny-usually-useless-things-to-buy-and-use-in-my-dollhouses-one day list. Awesome!
  2. LeftCoastMiniJanuary 8, 2011 at 2:44 am
    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
    • AnnJanuary 8, 2011 at 12:54 pm
      Now… thats a good idea!
  3. Vanessa-VansDollTreasuresJanuary 26, 2011 at 3:09 am
    Thanks for this tip. I hope they work for 1/6 scale.
    • AnnJanuary 26, 2011 at 7:36 am
      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!
  4. PepperApril 19, 2011 at 2:42 am
    This is ingenious! I love seeing everyday objects used for miniatures. Your tutorials a way cool =0)
  5. Tyla GagnonAugust 18, 2011 at 9:23 pm
    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….
    • AnnAugust 19, 2011 at 3:22 pm
      Ooooo that’s a great idea! Thank you for sharing Tyla!
  6. KarenDecember 7, 2011 at 9:27 pm
    This is the stuff I love, looking for everyday things that have a whole different perspective in miniature! Cool, and thanks for sharing!
    • AnnDecember 9, 2011 at 10:58 pm
      Thank you for the kind words Karen!
  7. Dottie MadoreMay 1, 2014 at 8:09 pm
    I think if you cut one into strips and glue them on the sides they would make great coffee mugs too.
    • AnnMay 4, 2014 at 5:48 pm
      Another great idea. This is something I am going to have to try. Thanks Dottie!
  8. Susan KatzbergOctober 21, 2019 at 10:33 am
    I think they look like the new modern silicon wine tumblers could use for barbie!
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