Downsizing

I have been silent for long while, and for a reason. Two weeks after my last post I unexpectedly and hastily had to move from my large house to a small flat. Apart from the physical stress, the emotional part of it was so strong that I almost threw away all my dollhouses, room boxes, unfinished projects, tools and supplies. It could have been a disaster.

I had occasionally considered what I would do with the dollhouses if we for some reason decided to or needed to move, and even what I should write in my will concerning the dollhouses. Even without considering all efforts, there is a fortune hidden inside that people might not realise. (I make most things from trash, but I have a few really valuable pieces). Yet it was of course rather abstract, something I could dismiss for a while.

Dollhouses were not my highest priority when I moved, and my first impulse was to get rid of everything, although I didn't quite envision how. I did throw away a lot of recyclables, I gave away boxes of quality supplies to a school, but since I didn't have much time to do the sorting and discarding, fortunately I didn't get through it all. A young colleague was concerned about my well-being, and although she quite realistically understood that I could not bring my dollhouses to my little flat, she suggested that I bring something: some supplies, some tools, to keep myself busy during long, lonely evenings. I am glad I listened to her, because bringing even a tiny portion of my miniature stuff proved to make a difference. And it turned out that, because I don't have a lot of possessions, there was plenty of room, more that it seemed at first.

I now live in a student accommodation. It has plenty of shelves. It is meant for academics who have many books. I have most of my books in my office, which is just around the corner. The few books I brought with me, books I re-read regularly and some I keep for sentimental reasons, took half a shelf.

The rest I could fill with miniatures. I brought four room boxes, having measured carefully that they fit into shelves. I feel happy looking at them. Declutter prophets say that you should only keep things that make you happy. I brought some of my favourite Chippendale pieces and some other favourite items, and although I cannot make proper rooms, they look nice in the shelves.

As you can see I brought all my Chippendale kits, about sixty of them. If I make one piece every weekend – which I don't – they will last until next September. I brought my tools, paints, stains and supplies. In my previous life, I didn't have a designated hobby room either, so there isn't much difference, just that my desk is smaller and generally there is less space. But there is enough to make some miniatures. Here are some things I have made since I downsized. 

 

This has not solved the problem of the dollhouses left behind, and sooner or later I will have to deal with them. But it is another story.