learn to make a dollhouse miniature witch broom with Jody Raines


Learn To Make A
1:12 Spooky Witch Broom
with Jody Raines

Tools and Materials Needed:
  • Rustic Broom or Cinnamon Broom: Small 4" (10cm)
  • Polymer Clay : Either Brown Or Cream Colored
  • Paint Brush : Soft Type (For Brushing Powder Pigments)
  • Florist Wire : Sturdy Fabric-Wrapped Type: 6" (15.24cm) Length
  • Glue: White Type
  • Thread: Thick Brown
  • Plate or Board (To Use For the Clay)
  • Moist Wipes (For Your Hands)
  • Chalk Pastel
      -  Black
      -  Dark Brown
  • Tools
      -  Flat Edged Tool
      -  Scissors: Craft Style
      -  Stylus
      -  Toothpick
      -  Wire Cutters
  • Optional Items
      -  Charms
      -  Gold Chain
      -  Metallic Pearl Ex Powder In Copper


 


 

Supplies used to make a spooky witch broom for your dollhouse Close-up image of materials needed

Enlarge picture of basic supply requirements
Additional supplies used to make a spooky witch broom for your dolls house Close-up image of materials needed

Enlarge picture of additional supplies requirements








 
Separate the stick from the broom to make a haunted dollhouse broom 1. Start by removing the commercially purchased broom. Separate the stick from the broom base and discard the stick.

Enlarge picture showing the separation of the stick from the broom base
 
Measuring out floral wire to create a crooked broom stick in 1/12 scale 2. Retrieve the cloth covered floral wire and measure out approximately 5-6" (12.7cm-15.24cm).

Enlarge picture showing length of cut floral wire
 
Cutting out floral wire to create a spooky witch broom stick in 1:12 scale 3. Once the length is measured, go ahead and cut the length with wire cutters. Set aside.

Enlarge picture showing use of wire cutters
 
Conditioning the polymer clay for the spooky witch broom for the dolls house 4. Take a fairly large lump of the polymer clay and go ahead an condition the clay. This will be the handle.

Enlarge picture showing polymer clay
 
Continue conditioning the polymer clay for the haunted witch broom for the witch doll 5. Continue to roll and soften the clay with your hands.

Enlarge picture showing polymer clay
 
Shaping the polymer clay around the floral wire to create a spooky halloween broom 6. Once the clay is conditioned, roll the clay into a snake shape, the length of the wire and about ¼" (6.35mm) in circumference.

Enlarge picture showing what shape to form
 
TIP

Remember to bend and shape your wire a bit so that it isn't perfectly straight.





Start forming the clay around the wire to create crooks and bends in the dolls broom 7. Press the clay against the wire and begin to shape and/or bend it around the wire.

Enlarge picture showing how to form the broom handle
 
Continue forming the clay around the wire to create the shape of the dolls broom 8. Completely wrap the wire using the polymer clay, rolling the entire length in your hands. Pinch the snake shaped handle of clay, enclosing the wire fully.

Enlarge picture showing the clay handle shape
 
Remove any excess polymer clay from the broom handle of the spooky wizard broom 9. As you continue shaping the handle, remove any excess clay along the length of the wire.

Enlarge picture showing where to remove excess clay
 
Refining the shape and form of the dolls witch broom 10. If the length becomes too straight or a shape you do not desire, just roll to the desired shape.

Enlarge picture showing how to refine the shape
 
Thining out the thickness of the polymer clay 11. This image shows how you can gently pull the polymer clay along the length of the broom to thin it down, if it's too thick after rolling.

Enlarge picture showing how to thin the clay
 
Covering the end of the floral wire with polymer clay to make the witch broom 12. Gently pull the clay around the sharp end of the wire and round it off so that the wire isn't exposed.

Enlarge picture showing process to cover the end of the wire
 
COMMENT

I imagine a witch's broom to be worn and smoothed out by constant use and the aerodynamics of flying into the night wind would naturally round and weather the end!!





Applying the aged effect to the mini broom handle 13. Using a toothpick or any sharp edged tool, create lines along the length of the broom handle randomly. Some long slashes, some short -- this gives the effect of aged wood.

Enlarge picture showing where how to age the handle
 
Simulating woodgrain in the polymer clay broom for dolls house 14. Next, you will need a flat edged tool for this step. Using the tool, make small random indentations along the length of the polymer clay to simulate woodgrain.

Enlarge picture showing how to simulate woodgrain
 
Preparing to highlight the clay with the artist pastel chalks 15. Now you are ready to highlight and add depth to the clay. So gather your artist pastels. I am using Grumbacher's Soft Pastels. Select burnt sienna and a dark brown stick. Rub both on a piece of scrap paper to create a powder.

Enlarge picture showing the artist pastel chalks
 
TIP

Before the next step, consider how you want to highlight your broomstick. Most broomsticks though are dark and weathered. For a subtle shimmer, lightly dab Pearl Ex copper powder along the handle, if desired. Don't overdo it -- just a little will add a bit of life. My broom will probably be mounted on the wall lengthwise so needs a bit of shimmer to make it stand out.





Shading the clay with the artist pastel chalks 16. With a soft artist's brush, brush the powder along the unbaked polymer clay broom handle length, until it is shaded to your satisfaction.

Enlarge picture showing where to use the artist pastel chalks
 
BAKING

After you have shaded and highlighted your polymer clay, bake the broomstick according to the manufacturers recommendatons. I bake mine at around 260ºF for 12-15 minutes, but ovens vary as do manufacturers recommendatons.





Cleaning your hands with baby wipes 17. While the broomstick is baking, take the opportunity to clean up your hands with baby wipes. Just a little helpful step that I'm sure most of you know.

Enlarge picture showing the baby wipes
 
Placing the two sides A and B facing each other 18. Take the bristled broom and squeeze a dab of white glue in the hole left from removing the commercial handle.

Enlarge picture showing the two sides A and B facing each other
 
TIP

If you could not find the commercial broom, you will need to make a bristle bundle to form the lower part of the broom. You can use a real broom and cut off bristles or you can use twigs. For either option, you will need to bind a large bunch of twigs or bristles around the clay handle with bristles.

You will need about 2" (5.08cm) of bristles or twigs. Cut the length to your preference. Glue around the handle before trying to apply the bristles or twigs. Then shape the bristles or twigs around the handle. You can bind it with brown embroidery floss. Then you can cover the floss with raffia or another natural fiber. Be sure to bind them securely and add more bristles or twigs if it looks skimpy.

Remember that the broom will look circular rather than flat, like the ones you would find at a regular store.





Joining the the broom handle with the bristles 19. After the handle has cooled, if you are using the commercial broom, fill the hole with glue. Then push the hardened and cooled handle into the broom hole about 1/3" (8.46mm) way in and allow to dry.

Enlarge picture showing how to join the handle with the bristle bottom
 
Aging the broom bristles with a match 20. With craft scissors, cut the end of the broom down tapering it around the center and, to make it look even more worn and weathered. Carefully burn the ends with a match, blowing it out quickly. Have a small bowl of water ready to put your match in and in case things get out of hand!!

Enlarge picture showing how to age the bristles with a match
 
Completed dollhouse miniature witch broom 21. You have a rustic, weathered, slightly singed witch's broom that any self-respecting witch would be proud of mount.

Enlarge picture showing the completed witch broom
 
Alternative example number one of a completed dollhouse miniature witch broom 22. Alternative Example #1

   Here is one version with the end tapered, the handle slightly bent and the broom singed.

Enlarge picture showing alternative example #1
 
A second alternative example of a completed dollhouse doll miniature witch broom 23. Alternative Example #2

   This image shows the end tapered but not burned as an example if you prefer not to play with fire.

Enlarge picture showing alternative example #2
 
A third example of a completed dolls house miniature witch broom 24. Alternative Example #3

   Here are two different examples; one slightly longer with a bushier broom. And that's it. Thanks for tuning in. One day maybe I'll be capable of doing something a bit more challenging!

Enlarge picture showing alternative example #3
 

MEET THE ARTISAN

Jody Raines, a US born artist, has been happily married to her husband Jerry for 23 years. They have three beautiful children, Maggie - 18, Ben - 16 and Joanna is 9.

Jody says that she, "loves pretty much all aspects of quilting including traditional piecing, hand applique, thread painting, fabric painting, embellishments, crazy quilting and landscape quilting".

She also says that she completely enjoys miniatures. That you can find her creating and collecting towards a mini log home someday. Jody has a blog, Mini Leaps and Bounds that you can visit.


Jody is a valued member of the CDHM Miniature Forums .
Visit the CDHM Galleries.
 


© 2008-2010 Jody Raines
Reproduced with permission from Jody Raines. All photographs and text appearing in this tutorial are the exclusive property of Jody Raines. Permission is explicitly denied for any republication of text or photographs in this article without the prior express written consent of the author.






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