Mini-Mini Brimbles Mercantile - BB SWEETS!

The quarter scale Village kit and Town kits from Greenleaf are really cute, and fun to build. Needless to say, they don't take long to put together. The first house I grabbed was the mini Brimble's Mercantile, which was the whole reason I bought the kits to begin with. As I was building it I was reminiscent of BB Sweets and how much fun it was to complete. I wanted to replicate the original as close as I could, I think it turned out adorable! 

Here it is next to the 1:12 scale version - Brimble's Mercantile, "BB Sweets"

 

 

I tried to match the shingles as best I could, and of course the columns and vines in the front. This particular house is completely sealed, so there was nothing to decorate on the inside.  Here are some closer photos:

 

The kits also include a mini Arthur, I will post photos of that one when it's done. I'll be making it a mini replica of my 1:12 scale Arthur as well. I may even try to do real stucco on the quarter scale version. I'm pretty sure I still have the original paint color from the Arthur. The colored shingles may be a challenge however.

Meanwhile I still have the beginnings of my Artply Highland under construction, plus the multiple built houses that need rehab, and oh yeah the stack of kit boxes that have houses screaming my name, plus the room boxes that are sitting empty, and/or half decorated. I guess I know when I retire I will never get bored!

 

Thanks for visiting :-) 

~ Mini-Shack

Video ready for the Brimbles Mercantile by Greenleaf

I finally got the video uploaded for BB Sweets, my Brimble's Mercantile candy shop and bakery. I took a lot of photos, with three different cameras, in both natural light and artificial. The result of that was several hundred detailed photos to edit and select for final video insertion. I was a little overwhelmed, so I picked the best that I could and threw together this video.

I also documented the entire build from start to finish. I like to do a separate video for the builds, since there are so many photos involved. I personally don't care for videos over 5 minutes, so I try not to create them either. I like to make a "build" video in case anyone gets stuck doing the same kit, they can pause the video and hopefully it will help them out.

So for now, please enjoy the interior and exterior video of the finished product and imagine yourself in a sweet and yummy place to feel like a kid again!!

Thanks for visiting!

 ~ Mini-Shack

My Brimble's Mercantile by Greenleaf aka "BB Sweets"

My sweet shop is finally done. Lovingly named BB Sweets with my grandson in mind, who calls me BB.  I didn't keep track of build time because I paused a few times while working on this. This was made from a kit by Greenleaf called the Brimble's Mercantile. I've been thinking of a bakery for several years, so to get to the end and have this completed is a real joy. I spent many nights in front of the TV rolling tiny candy, making tiny cupcakes and cakes, making boxes with labels and filling tiny jars full of colorful treats. As you can see it's very detailed on the inside, but the exterior was time consuming as well. 

 

Brimble's Mercantile by Greenleaf

 

I always imagined my bakery with a striped awning on the front. I was able to use the wood roof structure that comes with the kit because of it's shape, all I had to do was add the hanging tabs. They're actually snipped off tongue depressors, and the measurements worked out in my favor because the stripes lined up almost perfectly.

The siding was measured, cut, and glued on one strip at a time. The shingles were cut and painted, then applied one by one (no fun around the dormers!). The structure sits on plywood that is extended on both ends. I used this space to create extra patio area, with faux brick on the front and stone in the back. I used Paperclay for both ends. 

The major endeavor was the exterior staircase. The original kit intends for the stairs to be on the inside. I didn't care for this idea because it took up a lot of space, both downstairs and upstairs. I sealed the two windows off downstairs as well, I needed the wall space. I moved the staircase to the back of the building, and was able to keep it the same shape with the upper landing close to the upstairs window. I made the window into a door and then built a landing with railings. Made a few adjustments on the bottom level and it lined up pretty well.

Once I can grab the perfect sunlight hitting the bakery I'll post proper interior detailed photos, and create the video. I'm finding that flash photography doesn't do this justice. 

Getting excited about my next project, The Mint Julep!

Thanks for visiting!

~ Mini-Shack