This is the last tutorial I have planned for the SAM (Society of American Miniaturists) Kitchen project. I have saved the cabinet hardware and flooring for last.
Glass head pins (pale blue - JoAnn's)
Glass Stain
Small domed bead cap
Filigree snowflake type bead cap
small gold seed beads
Bead glue
Wire Cutters
To make the door knobs, first I painted some pale blue glass head pins with purple glass stain and let them dry. Then I cut off the glass knob with wire cutters leaving about 1/4 inch of pin below (just enough to go through the dome bead cap and through the cabinet door.
Flatten the snowflake shaped bead cap and cut off the spikes with wire cutters. Two of these will be glued above and below the knob.
Make a guide hole in the cabinet door between the spikes (using another un-cut pin).
Trial fit and glue cut pieces as in the photo with one spike above and one below the knob. Thread the small gold seed bead onto the pin and glue up against the glass head of the pin. This elevates the knob slightly. Then glue the pin into the small bead cap and through the cabinet door. Use bead glue that doesn’t frost the metal and glass parts.
Drawer Handles:
Brass wire – 20 gauge
Glass tube beads
Small 4mm Filligree ball bead
Small gold seed beads
Bead Glue
Make a 90 degree bend in the wire with the pliers. Glue the beads in order like the photo and make another bend at the other end of the handle. Poke guide holes in the cabinet with a pin the glue the handles in.
Cheater Flooring
The inlay design in the floor is made by using inlay strips used for decorating furniture. These inlay strips can be found at woodworking stores (such as Woodcraft and Rockler) and also on Etsy. The remainder of the floor was cut from thin veneer sheets - very thin wood backed with paper that can be cut with scissors. This veneer can also be found at woodworking stores. First trace out on the floor where the inlay design will go then fill in the areas around it with veneer. Use wood glue.
Next month I will show photos of the completed kitchen and provide sources for the purchased items. Thinking about the next project...
