Storing and Organizing Minis: display units and covers

Displaying minis does not have to be a challenge – think of it as a way to be creative.  I really love sharing my minis with others, but I love looking at them myself.  So my ideas now are how can I show more in the same space?  Or how can I show more of the special items that don’t yet have a home?

Recently I enjoyed reading a webposting by an online friend Wanna Newman.  She had shared about her new display cabinet.  you can read it here.  It inspired me to think about my own display units and covers.  I share this post about the advantages and disadvantages of the different types I am using and also how I am being creative in displaying my minis.

Dust is not our friend

Any miniaturist will tell you that dust is not our friend.  Starting out due to cost, I often chose not to have a cover for my finished project and that was not a good thing.  I have several projects that I gave up trying to keep up with the dust.  These projects would get dismantled and some parts even had to be thrown away as they had become damaged.  It is my current attitude that any project I make from now on should have a dust cover of some sort.  Thankfully for those that I don't have one for, I do have some good shelving units and other covers that I will move to different ones as I like.

Keeping it fresh

Because of an increasing desire to display more of my miniatures I have started doing new things.  I have gotten creative with different levels and in layers.  It started with a cheesedome that I added a base (the black and white one) and initially had in my studio area, but I soon moved it to the living area.  I have talked about in a prior blog.  That dome holds items that may have a place to go, but it isn’t finished yet or it doesn’t have a home.  Putting them in the dome lets me see them instead being hidden away where I can’t enjoy them.  Since I blogged about it, I came across this dessert stand and it has stayed there ever since.  Note the black and white base has a turntable under it.

I enjoy rearranging things. For example, I used to rearrange the living room about once a year.  Moving to this house five years ago, I haven't found it to be that easy to do - so instead I rearrange my miniatures - usually with the seasons or holidays.  Rearranging them encourages me to dust and also gives them a new light - keeps them fresh.  One way to keep it fresh is to display them around your home.  I have cats and sometimes small children so they don’t sit out just anywhere.

My house has an open floor plan so my kitchen is open to the living room with a bar height counter in between.  At first we did not have bar stools so I have taken over this counter to display miniatures.  It is actually really cool as I can look at minis while I wash dishes.  Here is what that area looks like:

Another way to keep it fresh is to turn around a project that normally is seen from a particular side, like a dollhouse.  Switch the house so the front can be seen first or vice versa.  This is where a mirror behind is nice to have.

Store display designers know that variety and similar grouping will encourage the eye to look longer so I have incorporated that in my display areas.  I do usually change with the seasons or for holidays.  I may choose to set out things that are a similar theme or colors as well.  I use different heights to give focus or more weight to a piece.  Because I am rearranging some of the pieces to put them on more prominent display, it also means that I am rearranging other areas. 

Display units

I have two different ones plus a glass fronted secretary. 

This narrow one is a commonly seen unit in stores that I came by second hand (my mom let me have for my birthday a few years ago – thanks Mom!).  The advantages to this unit is that is enclosed and it has a light and the glass shelves are adjustable.  Also having glass on three sides is a plus.  The disadvantage is that the door doesn’t close well (there is a gap all around it) and the access is narrower than the unit is deep and it isn’t that deep to start with, but quarter scale items fit well. 

Because the light is at the top, I always try to arrange the items so that the light can reach the lower shelves.  Another advantage this unit has is a mirror back.  Now that I have a unit with mirror, I will try to have that in future ones as well.  The mirror allows me to display those four-sided projects (like a dollhouse) and the side turned to the back can still be viewed – often quite well.  The key to this is to not push the project too close to the mirror and also maybe set it at an angle so that it is a little easier to see.

My other shelf unit is actually an entertainment unit.  We splurged on this when we got the new house.  It has two towers that can stand alone, combined with the top – although it does have a bit of a gap even without the dollhouse (my daughter's) in between, or combined with the top and the tv stand that is presently separated.  When this unit is all together there is an additional shelf that goes between the two towers and above the tv stand.  But that extra shelf isn’t required to be used (that shelf is presently under the loveseat so it is out of the way).

 The tv stand has glass shelves as well, but it is all electronics. If ever we change to something else, this stand will be taken over for minis. 

Here is how the unit looks all together and how we had it for several years - well at least the unit not the items inside as they moved around.

 

Advantages of this unit are for starters the flexibility of the different combinations, but it is also lighted.  Really cool the way it lights via a fingertip touch to the right hinge and it comes on – up to three levels.  Now the lighting does not always reach the lower shelves, so like my other unit, I do arrange the projects to hopefully allow as much light to each project and every shelf as possible.  That is a slight disadvantage, but definitely liveable.  (I have considered adding some led light strips to the sides of the door – it does have room and could probably be done fairly easily, I just haven’t gotten around to it.) This unit also has adjustable shelves so that is a plus considering how often I like to rearrange items.  I also really like that this unit is quite deep.  When I have someone to look at my minis I usually open these doors so that I can pull things out or let them get closer. 

This unit does have good fitting doors, but it also has holes in the back of it to allow for electronic items that have wires.  This allows dust in.  I don’t use them for my lighted miniature projects as those usually have covers or the big plug won’t fit the hole.  I would have to add a connector to the wire, which I just haven’t gotten around to.

The Secretary

I got this one for my birthday as well – back in high school.  I even used the drawers for clothes back then, but in my living room it is just for storing linen for my dining room table.  The top is all display.  The disadvantages of this are that it isn’t lighted and it isn’t very deep.  When I have people over and they look at my minis I do often open the doors of this as well.

Built in

This floor plan came with the built in shelf unit.  I was really pleased with that.  What I didn’t think about was having outlets put in the inside of it.  Then I would be able to plug in the projects that have lighting or have lights attached to the shelf.  I also have to make sure that items displayed here are covered.  The top shelf is a bit high so we keep my hubby’s penguin collection up there. 

Risers

Here’s a close up of the shelf I display minis on. 

This is a closer picture of the penguin display

In both these shelves I am using several risers to elevate some projects.  Risers can be tins, boxes, or parts of boxes.  Also other items to look for are dessert stands or candle stands or holders.  For example, I separated a photo cube – the kind that is U shaped and slide together.  This is one way to use a plastic box that has a scratch without interfering with the view of the item inside.

The biggest advantage to risers to me is that I can put things in front of them and showcase more things together in a smaller space. 

Below the mini shelf is a shelf of my scrapbooks.  In between these books, I have another display cabinet.  It doesn't have minis in it right now because of where it is and what I needed to display. This one is smaller.  It came secondhand as well so is missing one level of glass.  The item on the lower shelf would look better if I added a riser below it that raised it above the wood frame of the door.  This unit does not have any lighting and also would have the same issue with the narrower opening, but the door is tighter, but still dust can get in. 

 COVERS – COVERS – COVERS

As mentioned above covers are important and I would venture to say almost necessary.  Covers can take many shapes and I have many different ones.  I like to look for them in second hand shops.  I don’t skip over it if it doesn’t have a base as I have found that I can work around that.  If it is clear then I might just buy it. 

Domes - Glass domes of course are great option.   I like them because they can be easily cleaned and generally won’t scratch.  Domes are limiting in that not everything will fit.  They are generally round but I have seen oval ones.

Domes can be found made of plastic.  I have two that were intended as snow globes. Some online friends even talked about using plastic 2 or 3 liter bottles.  I did buy one, but haven't decided if I want to use it yet.

 

Here are two examples of domes that didn’t have bases – one I added just recently a dessert stand.  I made a foam base that fits in the dome – fine if the dome doesn’t need to be moved.  Previously I had used a glass plate for it to sit on.

For this one I used a foam board to make a base  - the glass rests on the lowest level (grey/beige one) and the other level (green grass) fits up inside the dome.

 

Other dome type options that I have seen are mason jars, bell jars (have a ball on the top) and vases.  I have a vase that has a curve to it.  It makes the inside smaller near the bottom what I would use for the top, but it could still be used for the right project. Really, any clear container can work but the challenge is making the project fit or being the size.  Something to keep in mind - will the way the container is made like its base that becomes a top block the view of what will be inside. 

One big advantage I see to a dome is that the project will be viewable from all sides.  I think it is great fun to make something that you want to look at all the way around.

Plastic containers
There are many shapes and sizes of plastic containers.  The disadvantage for me is the fact they are more easily scratched.  I have been told there is a product specifically made for cleaning plastic and it helps with the scratching but I have yet to purchase any.  I know I need to but I just haven’t yet.

I also have used many of the two part fitting plastic containers.  I bought a bunch of 4x4x4 inch cubes in addition to other sizes that I think might work.  I also have saved the ones from ornaments or other packaging - if they look good and are sturdy they are saved.

 

Doll protector cases – these are flimsy covers that have a lid that fits over the top to hold the sleeve like side in place.  The advantage these give is that the plastic can be shortened.  I don’t like the grooves on top but I still use it.  I put whatever project in it that doesn't have  cover that I want to display outside a display unit.

 

Custom cases - I only have one of those. This one was actually the wrong size for what I needed, but was my fault not the maker.  I use it to cover any project that doesn't have a cover.  Even the items that go under it get rearranged as this project fits in the entertainment unit towers not always under there.

 

I even use that cover for multiple smaller projects.  Here is an example I did once for a table centerpiece.

I made sure that everything I displayed that day was under a cover.
Here's a close up, see there are two houses under the cover

Collector car cases – I bought some matchbox size car cases and finally have started using them.  These are neat as the base fits up into the cover.  They are a bit short for a roombox, although could be done if the items aren’t tall.  I use them for displaying the odd item not yet with a home. Oh and for the last Quarter Connection convention we got one of the type cases that was bigger and the souvenir porch kit will go in it. 

Tins

What a tin as a cover you might ask.  Well yes, if the tin is cut open.  I did this for a half inch scale project.

 

The tin lid was cut open with my multi-purpose tool and a cut off wheel tip.  The box was fitted so a piece of plexiglass rests in front of the room and below the lid.  Course I rest the tin on one side and so the lid becomes the front.  I also have a tin that have as plexiglass window built in but I have yet to put anything inside it.  I will likely light it as it just has the one window in the side.

While I am talking about the insert I created – one source of plastic is packaging.  I do save good pieces of packaging for windows, inserts or other mini ideas such as a pond or sink.

Sports covers

Sports memorabilia is very popular so I take advantage of the covers offered for them to use for my minis.  Basketball covers are a good size for a bigger project like a house in quarter inch scale.  I prefer ones without the wood sides.  However for this particular project I think it works together.  These covers can be all plastic, custom made, part wood, part glass, part mirror and other choices.  Sometimes these may not be the way to go, but if the price is right, then I like it.
This project later had snow added, but the color of the house trim is still the same as the case trim.  It fits really well on the bar counter, and that makes it easier to see all sides of it when it is out.

Softball cases – I have two of these and I love them.  I got them for a real bargain as the bases were scratched.  But not after I was done with them.  Disadvantage is that they aren't tall enough for some of my projects that might otherwise fit.  Pic is not the best, but maybe it shows how nice the case is.

 

Small football helmet - My more recent pleasing find is perfect for many quarter inch scale projects and it is a small football or football helmet size.  Here is one I have.  It was given to me second hand so it does have scratches, but I use it anyway.

 

Turntables

Another element to consider in display especially for items that are covered and the viewer will want to see all sides is a turntable.  I have a few of my domes on turntables.  They are really nice to have.  I don't have any big houses so I haven't need to invest in larger table and turntable combos but those are out there if you need one.  The turntable does not have to be the same size as the base.  I am not sure what the rule of thumb but I would suggest half the size or just over half is fine.

Showing off

Now when I show guests my minis, I hand them a flashlight (got that idea from a mini museum I visited) so they can look at anything they can't see with the lights I do have.  I suggest a good bright LED one.  I also like to open up the doors of my cabinets and if they really seem interested I will pull out a project to let them hold or to show more details.  For all the display efforts I do have, the essence of a mini may be best viewed in the hand - if that is reasonable.  I do make a point to either glue down everything or use some good mini-hold which is a waxy substance that sticks and holds. 

This blog post shows pics of my many projects but focuses on the cases or display units to see more pics of a project check out my new picturetrail site.

Also I have created pinterest board just of display ideas I have found - some ideas mentioned here and others I found on the web and might use in the future.

Comments are always welcome...