Black Hat Inn - in progress

Post by **Lucy** » Fri Jul 10, 2015 11:51 am

Here is my latest Halloween house in progress. It is going on a circular base that I will make to look like a tree roots. The hat will come off the base so an LED tea light can fit on a little platform to light up the house.

Thank you for your kind comments on my last houses. I've got 18 houses done for the Head Start fundraiser so far. I will gradually post some of the ones I think are more interesting here should anyone like to see them. I drafted all the patterns, but I did copy ideas from what I've seen on my internet searches.

I've done google searches for witch hat houses and haven't really seen any thing that looks like this house. There are some fairy houses that use the same basic concept, but not executed like this. So I think it is pretty unique and pretty easy to build as well.

My plan is to add roof pieces over the dormers that extend outward over the window a little bit. The hat will be painted black, but I think the dormer front pieces will be orange.

Post by **Howard** » Fri Jul 10, 2015 5:08 pm

wow...this one is going to be really something...unusual windows...tree root base feature...i know i'll be checking the forum for progress photos!...

if you search google images for "witches flight school" you'll find a few examples of commercial ceramic houses made a few years back that are similar in shape but much smaller...they had a motor in the base which turned witches on brooms at the end of black wires...

your version, as an inn, will surpassed anything they have done!...

my very best regards...howard...

Post by **Lucy** » Fri Jul 10, 2015 6:32 pm

Witches Flight School - I think that is really funny. I wouldn't have thought to google that. I love that.

I did triangular windows because I didn't have to worry about the difference in the curve from the bottom of the window to the top. They were actually pretty easy to make. I've got the gable extending over the windows now that covers up the side seams. I think it looks much better.

Thank you, Howard, for the info on Witches Flight School, I may have to do another witches hat house based on that idea.

Post by **Howard** » Fri Jul 10, 2015 9:01 pm

lucy...

if you wouldn't object...i can post a drawing of how to make a "flying witches" feature for the top of this project...or if you choose to make another...you can use it there...just let me know...i think you'll like it...

my very best regards...howard...

Post by **Lucy** » Fri Jul 10, 2015 10:00 pm

Howard,

I would be so happy to see that. One reason I wanted to be on this forum is to get input from the experts - all of you here. But I really don't want to be a bother to anyone. I would welcome your ideas.

Thank you.
Lucy

Post by **paulrace** » Fri Jul 10, 2015 10:33 pm

Lucy, this a great start on a very original piece. Thanks for keeping us in the loop as it progresses.

Post by **Howard** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 7:04 am

good morning...

hope my sketches make sense...it's a "balancing and pivoting" assembly...a wood disk, three floral wire arms, three witch cutouts and a candy apple stick...the drawings tell the story of the pieces and how it's assembled...

the "fun part"...

...is getting the assembly to "balance and pivot"...

...but it can be done by bending the wires inward, outward, upward and/or downward to shift the center of gravity...when balanced, a gentle nudge with a finger will spin the witches for a short time...

my very best regards...howard...

Post by **Lee** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 12:24 pm

Here is an actual witch's hat house that was here in Houston. It was demolished about 15 years ago to make way for a gym. It was a really neat house but had been vacant for a number of years...

Post by **Lucy** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 1:07 pm

Lee,
That is a really cool house. Demolished to make way for a gym, that makes me sad. I couldn't copy it for a cardboard house because of too many rooflines. Howard could do it though.

Howard,
I love that idea. I don't think I can do it for this house partly because of the dormers which are pretty high up, but it's a great idea. I was thinking maybe a Halloween carousel. I'm going to experiment with it and make a prototype and see how it works. I've got some skewers for shish kabobs which might work. I can stand it up in some foam and work on the disk and wires and the balance. I've got a flying witch punch so I can make the witch easily. I also have some wooden disks which I used for another craft project. I've also got some aluminum flashing left over that is pretty easy to cut that might work for the center disk or even make it as a cone - kind of like those scandinavian candle holders that spin when the candle heats up.

Thank you so much. Collaborating with Howard - very fun. P.S. I love the drawing of your witch including the 3-D one.

Post by **Lucy** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 10:09 pm

Howard,

I think I have figured out how to make it work with this house and it will be really cool. Too bad I have a 12 hour shift tomorrow (It's frustrating when work interferes with creativity). I will work on the prototype tomorrow night and Monday. I am very excited.

Still gluing and glittering in Upstate SC (where it is pretty hot and muggy, though not like Florida).

Thank you again for the idea. I can't wait to execute it.
Lucy