The Islandshire Main Street was certainly the biggest set-up we’ve done so far. Thanks to Mom reminding me while we were working, we took a lot of Behind-the-Scenes photos in order to show the process involved in a large scene like this. If you missed the big event, be sure to catch up on the Wool Week 2021 Street Fair fun.
Now, on to the set up! First come the big items. Which direction is the street going to run?
Now, on to the set up! First come the big items. Which direction is the street going to run?
It’d be best if we could run it the long way, but the placement of our room’s windows compels us to work with a short street.
What’s going to sit next to what? Lots of conversation and brainstorming at this stage. And lots of hot drinks.
Okay, since we’re stuck running this the short direction, let’s try the buildings like this. We could put this here and that there . . . No, that won’t work. How much space does a doll need? Do we want a paved street or dirt road? Green grass under the buildings? Easy answer, but who would build their store on grass?
Sidewalks? Remember, it’s an island, so we need sand somewhere. How about that cork yoga mat for the street? Whatever you do, the rug has to be covered, because the dolls don’t stand well on it. Industrial carpet squares from Menard’s that look like asphalt sidewalks, and the yoga mat from Marshall’s for the street get everyone’s votes.
Now, how do we keep them from separating as the scene changes? Elizabeth is a whiz with gaffer’s tape. No, it won’t really stick it together for long, but it helps. (My sister is a whiz with all kinds of tape. And she’s not afraid to use it, either.)
Great, now where does that street end? It has to end at the beach, of course. Not that big orange chair. Do we want to bring sand bags up here? [Silent hush of disapproval permeates the air.] Only kidding, but it will have crossed our minds. Where’s that antique wool blanket?
Let’s have two of the Nanea’s Markets facing out, with the third one around the corner. That way, we’ll be able to photograph around the corner.
Nope, let’s not and say we did. Open up that third one.Hey, how are we going to hide the cracks behind the small stalls and down at the beach corners? Do we want posters on the market walls between buildings? Which three stores are going to go in there?
Next day, and now we get to the fun stuff. Lizzy’s already set up the inside of P&E’s, so I get to start on Bunty’s Sheep Shop.
I’ve been working on making these items for a long time, and I’m excited about it all being in one place this year. The problem is that there’s no space in the room to set up the inside of the shop like we did P&E’s.
I knew that I wanted to do a separate set-up for the inside of Bunty’s shop, but I wanted readers to think they’re peeking through the window into the interior.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the road, Elizabeth has finished Sun-Ho’s drinks stand and George’s snack stand. She’s hard at work on the Diner, getting ready for Pizza Boy to do his thing. Of course, at the time, we didn’t know anything about Pizza Boy (or the great song that started it all). But Harold’s always a champ with his pizza diner.
Another day, and it’s time to set up Jill and Silver’s Gift Wrap cart. Elizabeth is a master of fine work like that. It’s a good thing, too. While I’m plodding away on Bunty’s Sheep Shop, Elizabeth gets a lot of little stuff in place.
Finally time for backgrounds (rolls of bulletin-board backgrounds wrapped around foam core, both found at Hobby Lobby in the teacher’s section). After this, we can get down to the adding all the little stuff that “makes a house a home”. Once the backgrounds and floors are in place, the pace quickens.
Late that night, after the parents were asleep, we decided to take one last peep before retiring. Ha ha! The cats have been here!
Hmm . . . on second thought. No, that isn’t going to work, is it? Let’s re-think this. That’s gotta go. Let’s start over with those stores.
We definitely need something between those shops and the backgrounds. Come on, help me carry some stuff upstairs. I’ve got an idea. So much for being ready to put the small stuff in, eh? Oh, yeah, those fake plants are just what we needed! Sometimes it works like that . . .
Hope you enjoyed this quick but chronological walk-through. I’m planning to come back in early 2022 to do a comprehensive look at the finer art of photographing your dolls in a large setting. We’ll discuss tripods, flooring, backgrounds, positioning and more. Until then, enjoy your dolls and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! (Of course, the Corinne wig photos will come first!)
The ocean background is very realistic with the waves.
That ocean background fits perfectly. Fun to see how you did all this.