How to: doll-size crate bookshelf (new design)

Back in 2020 I made a crate bookcase for my dolls and, on that post, I mentioned I had more ideas for different designs. I didn't get to make any of those designs I mentioned, unless we count the crate console I made last year (and that seriously needs a re-do). I almost forgot about this idea until a few months ago, when it started creeping up again. I also had all this colors I got on Christmas that I hadn't had the chance to try yet, so I thought this could be the perfect excuse to use them. 

Since I've done quite a few posts on how to make crates, I won't go super in-depth with the explanation, as I don't want to bore my usual readers. However, if this is your first time here, you can always go to my previous posts linked above for further clarification. Between that and the photos, I think you'll be good to go.

First, we need to plan out our design. I'm a very visual person, so, to get an idea of the size, I piled up some crates and took a photo next to Victoria. I was torn between making it 3 crates or 4 crates tall. Because of the way I take photos, I decided to make it 4 crates tall, as it would cover more wall space. 

I start the crates as usual, lining up 5 popsicle sticks to make the base. I made these crates 8 cm wide (3,15 inches). Glue them together using two popsicles going across. Make sure those popsicles are slightly shorter than the base.

Now let's do the wider side. I'm doing a slightly different design than the regular crates, so the larger part is going to be completely solid. This is the same design I used for the crate console, but larger and with a few tweaks. We start by taking 4 popsicle sticks and cutting them the same size as the longer side.

Glue 2 sticks going across. It is quite important that you glue them on the edge, as this is where we're going to put the glue once we start piling them up. As usual, you need to make 2 of these.

Glue them to the longer side. Make sure all the sticks going across are facing OUT. Also, glue the side on the outer part of the base (imagine it as going around the base). Take your time on this part, to make sure it is glued at a 90º degree angle. 

Connect the sides using sticks. I like to do this while the glue from the previous step is still tender, so it's easy to make any adjustments if needed. Make sure they're the exact size of the crate or slightly shorter. If not, you might have some problems piling them later on. I recommend gluing the top and bottom first, and leave the middle one for last. 

You will need to make 3 or 4 of these crates, depending on the design you have in mind. Or even more if you want to make a larger piece. 

Once the glue has dried down, it is time to start painting. I wanted a color that would stand out more than the light colors I already have. I don't want to use a neutral, but I don't want it to be too bright either. So, I chose Desert Cactus by Americana Acrylics. 

On this type of crate furniture pieces, I recommend painting the crates before you assemble the furniture, as it would be much harder to do so later on. 

Once the paint has dried down, it's time to assemble. You can stack them all going up, like a regular bookcase, or try different designs. Here's an example of another design you could try.

To glue the crates together, I'm using white glue suitable for wood. I'm just putting the glue on the sticks going across, pressing for a few seconds and letting it air dry. 

Now that the glue has dried down, it's time to see how it looks in a scene. For this scene, I used the Sea Glass wall and a few props. While I was painting the bookcase, I thought that this color looked like a darker version of Sea Glass, so I wanted to try somewhat of a tonal scene. 

Those "vases" you can see on the top shelf are a quick experiment I did while working on this craft. My shelves tend to look quite empty, so I wanted to make something quick to fill them up. The pink one is painted in the color Terra Coral, and the light one is Light Buttermilk. I thought those colors would add a nice contrast to the green of the shelf. 

The color looks slightly darker on camera than it does in real life, but I still think I made a good choice here. I also wanted to try how it would look against a neutral wall, so here's a quick photo of Lea with a wall in the color Light Mocha. It is a sand color with a pink undertone, and I think the pink really comes out against the green. 

Overall, I think it turned OK. I feel like it is slightly tilted to one side, but when I put another bookcase next to it, it is barely there, so it might be an optical effect. Had I made it just 3 crates tall, it wouldn't be that noticeable. If I make a second version, I will make it with 3 crates and add legs, to give it some extra height. Probably I won't make a new post for that, and instead will film a tutorial for YouTube. But that will take a while. 

I would like to point out that I used this crate design because I wanted the shelves to be completely smooth on the inside. You can, of course, make this using the regular crate design, and it will probably work as well. I just had a specific idea of how I wanted it to look, and this was the way to go.

As for future projects, I have lots of ideas, and not so much time to execute them. In the long run, I would like to make a semi-permanent diorama, with permanent walls, ceiling and flooring; and then create some pieces of furniture to switch things around. But before that, I need to run a couple of experiments, in case things don't work out. I would also like to try making furniture using balsa wood, which will be more challenging than the popsicle sticks. So, like I said, chances are there won't be more crate-furniture tutorials here on the blog, at least not for now. 

Although I would love to make lots of things, I don't want to get too ambitious. I'm going back to school in a month, so I won't have as much spare time as I do know. I'm going to take it easy, do what I can in my spare time, and if a craft project takes me a month instead of a week, so be it. I'm starting to make peace with the fact that 2022 won't be the year I make a lot of craft projects. 

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Let me know what you think. Also, tell me if you would like to see a quick tutorial on how I did the "vases". They're very easy to do, but I think I need to work on the sizes. 

Hope you're all doing well, and I'll see you very soon. 

Monster Crafts

This post was first published on themonstercrafts.blogspot.com. If you see it published anywhere else, it has been reposted without my consent.