Isn’t it just incredible? A whole dollhouse scene tucked inside a tiny tin box - who would have thought this was possible?
Imagine the wonder of opening up a tin can or box to reveal a perfectly arranged, miniature world, complete with tiny furniture, delicate details, and even little patches of “grass” and “gravel", and tiny little bunnies!
It’s like peeking into a secret little universe that you’ve created with your own hands. And the best part? It’s all housed in something as everyday as a tin box.
Let’s first dive into how you can make one of these charming scenes yourself! And then later, I will tell you where to find DIY dollhouse kits in a tin as well!
PS: the tin box miniature Koi pond in the featured image, is created by @TonguesOutShop, check it out!
Getting Started: Materials and Preparation
Materials and Preparation
To begin, choose a tin box that will serve as the container for your miniature scene.
This can be anything, from a box where you had spearmints, to even a former fish tin can that you cleaned out and are going to reuse.
The size of the can will determine how much detail you can include, so consider what kind of scene you want to create before selecting your tin.
Once you have your tin, you'll need a few key materials:
- tools such as a blade, paintbrushes, and a file
- Polymer clay in various colors
- Acrylic paint
- Metal strips or cardstock (for room divisions)
- Fluffy fabric (to simulate grass)
- Rough sand (for gravel)
Building the Background and Rooms
- Start by applying a layer of clay to the deeper side of the tin can, which will form the background for your scene.
- After baking the clay according to the package instructions, you can begin dividing the can into different rooms or sections.
- Use a strip of metal or cardstock to create these divisions. If you don't have metal strips on hand, cardstock alone will work just fine.
- Once the rooms are defined, paint the interior with acrylic paint to bring your miniature world to life.
Remember to keep the lid decoration simple, using fabric or sand to create textures that won’t interfere with closing the tin.
Take a look at the video below where SugarCharmShop shows you the whole process from start to end.
Crafting the tiny Miniature Furniture for the tin box.
The furniture in this tin dollhouse is where the true charm lies, but it also requires careful attention to detail due to the tiny scale. (I would consider these to be 1:144 scale, but you can use my scale converter to be sure)
Thin sheets of clay are essential for crafting these tiny pieces. Flatten the clay with a blade to achieve the right thickness.
For example, to make a chair:
- Start by crafting the backrest and hind legs from clay.
- Attach the seat and bake the piece partially.
- Add the front legs after baking, using liquid clay to strengthen the joints if necessary.
Similarly, you can create other furniture like tables, couches, beds, and kitchen pieces.
Each piece should be baked after assembly to ensure durability. You can also add a thin sheet of white clay as a tablecloth or use alcohol ink and acrylic paint for final details.
After all your furniture is ready and painted, it’s time to place everything in your tin can.
This is where you get to decide whether you want the pieces to stay put or remain movable. If you’re planning to show off your creation, securing the furniture with a bit of glue might be a good idea.
I surely found that out when I was creating a tiny dollhouse in a dollhouse, this French-themed one from Cuteroom, and it seems like these furniture pieces have about the same scale.
This is just one method to create a tiny dollhouse scenery in a tin box, but there are so many other ways!
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Pocket dollhouse in a tin by LauraBethBoutiqueCo
So instead of creating scenery, you can just easily decorate a tin with some wallpaper and floors, put a small peg doll in with some wooden furniture blocks, and some dollhouse accessories.
And there you go, you have a fantastic gift for a little girl, like in the example above!
Where to Find Dollhouse DIY Kits in tins?
Now, if you love the idea but feel a little overwhelmed by starting from scratch, don’t worry. There’s another fantastic option: pre-made DIY kits.
Brands like Cutebee offer amazing kits that come with everything you need to create a stunning dollhouse scene inside a tin can.
These kits include pre-cut materials, detailed instructions, and sometimes even special touches like LED lights.
You can find these kits on websites like Amazon or directly from Cutebee’s online store.
Using the code below if you buy something on Cutebee, gets you 8% off!
Have you ever created such a tiny diorama in a tin box? Let me know in the comments down below, I would love to see your projects!
You can also join my social media channels for more updates, pictures and videos, and stories about our mini-world! Especially my YouTube channel, where I teach you how to create miniatures from scratch and everyday items!
I wish you happy crafting!
Kind regards,
Lizzy
