Some day I want to use these
two pieces as fantasy homes.
I have a small collection
of fairies and related items. I can see some of them
living in the grapevine house.
The gourd was a gift from one of my students
when I first started teaching. His grandfather raised
gourds of all varieties. The old man remembered when
gourds were still used as drinking utensils, scoops for
grain, etc., but his were mostly grown for ornamental
use at that time. He trained them to grow in all kinds
of intriguing shapes. This one was trained to hang down
so its neck would be straight.
I used this gourd for years
to display fall arrangements. I can't decide whether
to use it upright or on its side. In either case, I think
I will cut another opening in the bulbous section of
the top for more display possibilities.
WOODEN BOXES

These wooden boxes, although not very
deep, have possibilities. I can see the Browne & Ashley
Tea Co. box as either a tea shop or a tea shop, if
you get what I mean. Meaning, a place where one is
served tea at little tables, or a place where one buys
teas. Hey, maybe it can be both; one per floor.
The front of the Crabtree & Evelyn
box slides up. I'm thinking of a gift shop with lots
of little soaps, potpourris, lotions, bath oils, lacy,
frilly things and flowers.
NOTE: I gave these boxes to the woman and her daughter who did the Harvest Hutches with me in 2009.
JEWELRY AND SMALL SHADOW
BOXES

The box with the picture
frame stand is only about an inch and a half deep, but
it has possibilities, perhaps for the luggage pieces
I've made. Maybe I could put a map in the back ....
The other two are jewelry
boxes; the octagonal box has a place to insert a picture.

I suppose I could just use
it as is, if I just wanted to display certain items,
like articles of clothing and shoes, maybe. Otherwise,
if I wanted to do a scene, I could remove that lining.
If the scene inside happened
to relate to literature, then a copy of the poem or a
page from the book could be inserted in the front. Hmm
...

From the first time I saw
the jewelry box with the rose stained glass lid, I have
pictured a dressing table in it. I could stand it up,
put a floor in that would extend outward to provide a
wider base, much as one does with those open books. On
the other hand, if I want to keep the dust out, I need
to be able to close it. Well, I guess it may depend on
how much space there is after I remove the innards as
to whether I use an existing dressing table or make one
that is only as deep as the box.
I have two of these; no idea
what to do with the second, unless I duplicate the scene
and give it as a gift. Or?
ORIENTAL GLASS BOX

I have thought of a Japanese
garden for this container, but I also have an oriental
styled green sofa and black lacquer trunk that could
be displayed here.
I also was given a greeting
card with an overlay of laser cut fans. I could make
a false wall in the back, cover it with something resembling
matting or barkcloth, and put those fans on it over the
sofa.
PEGGED DISPLAY SHELF

I bought this at a craft
show in Maryland years ago. Originally, I intended to
use it as a porch, but no story suggested itself to me.
I either need to do something with this or give it to
somebody.
I have an interesting collection
of frogs. Maybe I'll have some of them sitting on the
porch zapping flies with their tongues.
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