Dollar Store Scores and Trash Talk - Part 2 -A Miniature Flat Screen TV Made From the Trash + Plus 20 More

 Hello again! Last time we talked, we found 20 uses so far for the Dollar Store Score purchase of the Nail Art Decoration Kit. If you haven't already seen it, be sure to check out "Dollar Store Scores and Trash Talk - Part 1". Up to this point we have talked primarily about Dollar Store Scores but this last project would be considered a Trash Talk item. It's made of the part of the kit that's meant to be thrown out. The packaging! Keep in mind, this blog is all about introducing Miniature Newbies to the concepts of buying something for little and using your imagination to make much from it, or taking what others might consider trash and seeing it in a new light.

Now let's try this

Trash Talk Project

A Flat Screen TV in 1:12 Scale

 I will try to go through the steps quickly but I have lots of pictures to show you also. If you have any questions, please leave a comment at the bottom of this post and I'll get back to you ASAP.

We are starting with the inner plastic packaging, Specifically, the portion that held the cuticle pusher.

Dust the inside of cuticle pusher portion with baby powder or corn starch. I do this by using a soft dry paint brush to get it on all areas then I shake out the excess. Occasionally I just blow on it a bit to help clear out any excess powder.

Condition some black polymer clay. I'm using Fimo brand. Once clay is conditioned, press it gently into the long thin mold. Use a razor blade (or whatever you have handy) to remove any excess clay along the top of the clay to make this side flat

Turn packaging over and your clay should come right out. You may need to tap on table gently or press lightly on back/bottom to encourage it to get free.

You need two of these so repeat the above steps to make another.

Stick a T-pin into one of  the bars you created. You will also need to roll out a bit more black clay to approximately 1/8" thick. Cut out a piece 1" x 1 3/4". Cut off the two top corners as in pic. I just eyeballed this part.

*If you don't have a T-pin, you can create something similar with wire. This is just to add a little strength to the piece and won't be seen when complete.

Place the flat piece on top of the T-pin and press down firmly, trying not to change the shape. The goal here is to make an indention of the pin into the clay.

Bake clay per package directions leaving the pin in place and all pieces as in picture. Allow to cool. Remove pin, add a dab of super glue to where the pin goes into the bottom base and reinsert pin. add a couple of dabs of super glue into impression from pin and put pin back in place. Allow to dry. Next using tacky glue, glue the flat sides of both molded sections together. Give ample time for all to dry. I left mine overnight. Once dry, using an emery board or sandpaper, 220 grit or higher, sand bottom piece around seam line.


You will need to add 2 supports to the bottom base to keep it from tipping over. I used wooden matches, the larger kitchen type because they are 3/16" which just about ideal for this use. You could substitute the thicker middle portion of a square or round toothpick. You will need 2 braces, each cut to 1" long.







The braces need to be fairly sturdy so I mixed Aileen's Tacky Glue with equal portion of Testor's Cement (usually found near model cars in the toy department).

Working on a ceramic tile, I used about 2 drops of each of the glues and stirred together with a toothpick.

Place a light pencil mark on both wood support pieces at 3/8" from one end. Using this mark as a guide, place a generous dab of glue onto the support just behind your pencil mark. Also place a dab on the bottom of the base just inside of each portion that creates the "humps" on the bottom of the base. Wait 60-90 seconds then attach together. See next picture.

 This is what your stand should now look like. Wood at bottom, evenly spaced apart (front and back). Screen support should be straight up or tilted back only slightly.

Lean base against sturdy object, (I used a tacky glue bottle) and let dry at least 4 hours or more.


Now we can start working on the screen.

 Using the outer package, the box, cut the front of the box (careful not to cut window) from the back of the box. Place front on top of back and using a straight edge ruler draw a line 1/8" from all edges of the window, which will be your TV screen. Use an X-acto knife to cut out on the lines you made.

 Now from the scraps of the box cut 4 strips just under 1/8" wide. Trim length to match the size of frame around screen.

 Using a toothpick, and tiny dabs of glue attach skinny strips to frame around screen to add support.


I wasn't convinced that the box alone would provide the support and dimension needed so I took the mat board from the back of an old writing pad and cut out another square of the same size.

 Using black acrylic craft paint, I painted the front, back and sides of the mat board and allowed to dry.

*You may not need to paint yours but the picture I wanted to use for my screen wasn't actually large enough. My picture had a very dark background so black seemed to be my best option.

 Find a picture of the TV scene you want for your TV. I was working on this project in my studio which is about 200 yards from my house and it was storming. I had to find a picture somewhere in the studio and it just so happened I was watching The Mentalist on DVD. Luckily there was an insert in the DVD case with several pictures to choose from. So, if you do not have a printer handy, check out your DVD case. You may find something there. This worked great for me as, at the moment, this is my favorite show.

Using Mod Podge for Paper, attach picture to mat board following instructions on jar.

Next you'll need to attach the layers of your TV. On the bottom or back of TV you will first lay the back side of the box that you cut out with the window. Add a very light coat of tacky glue or Mod Podge, then put down the mat board on top of that with the picture side up, facing you. Next very carefully apply a very minimal amount of glue to the inside of the window frame and place that on top of the mat board making sure frame is perfectly aligned with edges of bottom layers. Be careful not to get any glue on your screen because it will show. (I learned this one the hard way.)

 Almost there. Next we will build the TV around the picture.

Roll out some conditioned black polymer clay to about 3/16". Cut into strips that are 1/4" long. Make sure you will have enough strips to cover all 4 sides of frame.

Roll out more clay to same thickness. Lay picture on top of rolled clay and cut clay using picture as a template.

Bake clay per package directions. Let cool.

 *In my picture you will notice I rounded the corners before attaching the clay but I wouldn't do this if I had it to do over. Just leave it square for now. You will be able to round corners later when we sand it all down.

Carefully cut clay strips to make frame for screen. Glue with tacky glue. As you glue each side on use small clothes pins or paper clips to hold frame in proper position while glue dries.

 Picture showing front of TV with frames on all four sides.

Now glue flat clay to back of  screen using tacky glue. Allow to dry thoroughly.

Sand around all edges of TV screen using 220 (+) grit sandpaper.

Using black acrylic paint, paint the matchstick wood supports under base (be sure glue is completely dried first). Allow paint to dry.

Glue TV screen to flat panel on base. To avoid accidentally knocking of wood supports, lay base down on work surface with supports hanging over edge. Glue using a couple of drops of instant glue around the edges for a quick grab but also add a little bit of tacky glue in the center for a long term secure hold. Add a clothespin to secure in place until completely dry.

After several minutes, you can stand it up, keeping clothespin on, and leaning against a support until entire unit is dry.

Once everything else is done, apply a sealer to clay and that's it. You're finished! A treasure that you made from trash!

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Miniature Tutorials and blog posts.


Petite Maison d'Amour
www.petitemaisondamour.blogspot.com