Miniature Shutters

Some Ways to Use Miniature Shutters in Your Craft Projects

I've been crafting for many years. Mostly I've made Christmas things.

Someone recently gave me some cute small louver shutters and I have no idea what to make out of them.

I am planning to do a craft show soon since the weather is getting nice. I have lots of bird houses made, bird feeders and things like that.

Do you have any suggestions on decorating these shutters?

Bonnie

It would help to know the dimensions of your little shutters, but I'll throw out a few ideas. If they're small enough to fit on your bird houses, that would be really cute. Just paint them in a coordinating color as you might paint your own house.

No matter the size, you could use them to create a little trompe l'oeil. A very talented interior designer I know had an ugly blank wall right outside her bedroom window. She hung a mirror behind a window frame; put shutters on each side; and got the neighbor's permission to mount it on the bare wall. At first glance you think you are looking into the neighbor's bedroom!

You could also put a scene behind the window frame rather than a mirror. How about a tropical beach or an elegant ballroom? This idea doesn't have to be wall-mounted. Angling the shutters slightly inward allows the piece to be set on a shelf or tabletop. You could also use the shutters as doors on a wall box for keys or a chalkboard for jotting reminders or a shopping list.

Finally you could make small bi- or tri-fold screens to hide clutter. Think of a kitchen or bathroom counter or a desk that is in a main living area. If the louvers are thin enough, such a screen could be used to hang and organize earrings.

As for decorating the wood, that depends on the use of course. But start by thinking about the finishes that can be applied to wood: stain, varnish, acrylic or oil paint. If you want something a little fancier and unique, stencils could be effective. You can buy templates or make your own.

If you're really ambitious, you could decoupage the shutters. That would involve a lot of cutting because of the individual louver slats. For directions and tips on a similar project (making a wooden block puzzle), see Durwin Rice's book, New Decoupage.

My suggestion for "Ideas for Miniature Shutters".

One idea I had is to paint the shutters to look rustic. Turn them upside down.

If there are two doors hinge them together and use this to hang your hand made earrings on.

Just a thought.

Jo

Thanks for your suggestion.

Eileen