The Iron Stove

I'd seen a couple of these stoves at fairs and was sorely tempted more than once but they were quite expensive so, at the time I left it.

I don't know why, but one day when painting, I looked at the pot and thought "Yes!    An iron stove"

Can you see it too?

I don't have a photo of the next stage but I added some banding (wood strips) around the top of the pot and around the centre.   Used the top pointy bit of four spindles to give me legs, fashioned a door from balsa and filled in the hole on the top.   I have no idea what the funnel started life as, it just seemed perfect for the task.

Next the whole thing was given a couple of coats of my favourite metal effect Humbrol paint then a quick buff when dry.

And here's the finished article.



It's not a phenomenal masterpiece but I like it and it does the job.

Did you know that the Laundry Maids used to colour code their irons?   Obviously to prevent one person from taking the hottest one all the time!

More about The Laundry

In my last post I asked if anyone had any ideas what the copper had been created from -

Well, I'm sorry but you were all wrong!   It was made from this, a gravy granules pot.

I'm sure there are loads more uses this size of pot can be put to (I just have to think of them).

The steps were a preformed set I already had in the stash and the gap was just filled in with some wood, shaped to fit and painted all a stoney grey colour.



I had an inspirational photo to work from

which gave me the shape of the opening and a little shelf affair was added to take the coals.   A couple of bars across the front, a bowl created in the top to take the water, a fitted lid and there you have it.

My washing machine is probably the grandest item in The Laundry.   It was purchased at a Miniatura Fair from Harlands of Hedon

It's a beautifully detailed item and has working bits on the lid and when the handle is turned, there's a paddle inside that rotates.

I really wanted an airer in my Laundry room and the only way I could do this without taking up much space was to place it against the back wall.    It's basically just a length of wood with a handle and wheels.   Attached to the back of the "door" and the wall are pieces of cocktail stick to take the laundry.   A few pieces are included for show.

Another item I'm particularly pleased with in my Laundry is the stove for heating the irons.  

Now.........can you guess what THIS was made from?