Wednesday 2 March 2016

Supreme Littleness: In the Potting Shed

Introduction

I've been wondering how to make mode flower pots and seed trays for some time now.  Why, I hear you ask?  Well, I've got a part-finished 28mm  greenhouse from Blotz and I don't want the benches inside it to appear bare and sterile.  Small details perhaps, but it matters to me...

Now, I could have just scratch-built some model seed trays - but I never seemed to have enough time (or maybe it was the inspiration that was lacking?) and so nothing happened.


Supreme Littleness

As it happens, I also found myself in need of a small crate for a 7TV2 base I'm planning to make (I'll have to leave you guessing on this one, though here's a probably useless hint: S.I.G.).  So, small crates and trays: I wonder if anyone sells such models already?

Once the idea to hunt the web had formed, a quick Google search came up with a company that I hadn't heard about before: Supreme Littleness.  They have quite a variety of MDF clutter, including all manner of different boxes, crates and barrels.  A small order was fulfilled very rapidly and at low cost (it helps that these small sheets of MDF and fibreboard can be sent cheaply, by letter post).

So, what did I get?

Medium crates (19mm) and Long crates
 Firstly, a minor word of caution about ordering from Supreme Littleness's web site.  The pictures of their packaging kits and the (text) descriptions are in 2 columns on the ordering page, but the text in each column doesn't necessarily align with the correct picture.  I had intended to order the "Assorted boxes" packet, but ended up with the "Shallow boxes" instead.  It's not a disaster, but it's not quite what I wanted.  My mistake, through not being careful enough.

As it happens, these crates and boxes are rather too large for my current project, but they'll find a use for something in due course.  Perhaps the long crates might be cases of rifles being trafficked by gun-runners in a game of Pulp Alley?


Shallow Boxes.  The one on the left is made up as the manufacturer intended; the other 4 have been converted.
As well as the crates, I also got some "Shallow Boxes", which come in 2 lengths.  The shorter version is very close in size to the open boxes that I'd intended to purchase, so I decided to convert some of them into seed trays rather than putting in another order.  The conversion was very simple: use just the lower layer of MDF, add the pre-cut ends (with the carrying handles) and add some straight sides cut from scrap fibreboard.  Sand has been glued in 3 of them to model dirt; once this has been painted then I'll add some flock to represent seedlings.


Conclusion

Could I have made these myself?  Of course I could - I've got all the raw materials and the tools & skills necessary to build such items from scratch.  But that would have taken time and, what with family and job, I don't have as much of that as I'd like.  For me, the investment of a small amount of money instead is a very obvious decision!

Now if only I could find a way to make flower pots in 1:56th scale!

18 comments:

  1. Great idea could you not find some tube shaped beads?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beads - yes, of course, thanks! There's bound to be some useful shapes there.

      Delete
  2. Many years ago, Blue Peter used toothpaste caps as large flower pots in one of their modelling projects.

    If you have tubes of Tomato Puree these have similar shaped caps, but smaller.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll have to have a look at all the puree and toothpaste lids we have in the house. You never know :-) ...

      Delete
  3. I like the look of these and thank you for the links.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'd never heard of "Supreme Littleness" before, which is strange because I see the company is run by someone called Michael Scott, which just happens to be the name of my brother. I wonder why he never told me about this sideline of his or indeed sent me any free samples, LOL!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Strange indeed! I suppose - and this is just an off the wall idea, so please don't be offended - that it's possible this company is run by someone *else* with the name "Michael Scott"?

      Delete
  5. Well there's another visit planned. Thanks for the tip.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Well I do not need any seed trays. So I can just sit back and relax. I shall look forward to seeing how this turns out though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Clint. So, you don't find the urge to go and build horticultural models now?

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. It's amazing how many of these small manufacturers are out there, isn't it?

      Delete
  8. What puplcitizen said! Now all you have to do is learn the ancient Japanese art of Bonsai to bring your greenhouse to life. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha, I think that would have to be *extreme* bonsai, wouldn't it :-) ?

      Delete
  9. THese are excellent value for oney (as a quick vissit to their site proved) and very usable scenic additions - good find C6

    ReplyDelete