A work desk!
Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 7:50 pm
I believe I mentioned in the "Rejoice!" thread that I felt awesome and was going to make a large post about furniture? Well, I still feel awesome, and here's the furniture post!!
Last Sunday (lol, I first typed "sundae") I had the idea that I should make Mihika a work desk. I wanted something cute but simple and kind of rustic, because Mihika has a very natural style, and I eventually intend to cover the whole thing in props, anyway. When I tried drawing this magical desk-thing, it turned into a cute little campaign desk with a hutch and folding legs.
I have this vision in my head of a work room for Mihika, with shelves filled with weird herbs and things, and her little desk sitting in front of a window...desk first!
Now, when I asked my mom for help, I thought I'd just ask if the height I chose (eight inches to the top of the desk, plus three inches for the hutch) would look okay. But she not only agreed to help me (with folding legs, and working drawers, no less...), she said I should learn carpenters' techniques, and that we should counter-sink the nut and bolt that let the legs fold up...and she said she'd help me use the power tools!!! I usually steer clear of anything but simple hand tools, because I'm a little (a lot) too small to use Dad's things...but we actually have some nice little drills stashed away, and the big one (with a built-in level!) balances like an Obitsu, so it wasn't as hard to use as I'd thought.
There was a sheet of luan(?) in the garage that was left over from when I built their doll house, so I used that for the desk top, hutch/drawer boxes and drawer fronts. The legs and the trim on the desk was also left over doll house material, but I had to buy more because one of the legs cracked in half when I drilled the hole to counter-sink the nut
To save me from doing more math, as well as make space inside the drawers, I decided that they would be made out of cardstock.
It took me five days, but it's done! And it's perfect.
Exactly like I wanted it to look!! 
The little desk!!! I'm in love <3
Tiny drawer pulls!
The legs. I hate counter-sinking, but I'd do it again anyway!
Those little silver flecks are the tiny nails that we used...they're actually craft pins for attaching sequins to things. They're about half an inch long, and you have to hold them with needle-nosed pliers to drive them in. It was a pain! They're perfectly in scale
The drawers!! I folded up some patterned cardstock with the print on the inside so it would look like she had drawer liners in...they work really well!
And it all comes apart and folds up so it can be stored easily! Or so I can lose the legs...
With Mihika...it's perfect!! Mom thinks it's too tall, but I'd love a work desk that came to my hip...it'd be more comfortable to not have to bend over. I'm going to make her a stool, and it'll be so cute when her feet don't touch the ground! She'll just have to dangle her toes, or rest her feet on part of the stool <3
Anyway, the stool is next, and then I'll clear a space on my desk (read: clean off my entire desk top) to set up her work room...(I'd love to be able to set their doll house on top of my desk. Maybe I'll move a book shelf?)