Fits well into my space, I painted the back green. It's very easy to customize just the back if that's something you want to do. I would suggest sanding it first before painting, I got a little impatient. The shelves th-cam.com/users/postUgkxM8H4CjCb79vzeyvgaFMdzmLm88oVFPMkare pretty small so keep that in mind if you're going to have it horizontal that some books won't fit. I like the snug look that it has. Good small shelf if you don't have much space, but not too small. Simple to put together, though you'll need your own tools, a screwdriver and a mallet/hammer, it's easiest to do with another person.
NICE! That's quite the gift! I personally enjoy both the challenge of working in a really constrained space and the ability to create small worlds that can tell interesting stories. It's really limitless. I wish you the very best and I'm sure they'll be appreciated! Cheers.
Oh my gosh, your shoebox diorama and Easter egg scenes BROUGHT ME BACK! You're so right! They're the specific things that ignite the crafting into adulthood.
LOL! Happy to hear that. I actually got into trouble in school once because I would always make something instead of writing a paper. My teacher busted me saying, "Ya know that Greek Trireme is cool and all but ya still need to write a report about it." Thanks for watching! Cheers!
I generally just jump in and try things. I start with things I have laying around and try not to worry too much about how the first one will turn out. Honestly... more ends up on the floor or in the trash than on the shelf. Have fun and never be afraid to completely change your idea halfway through the project. Thanks for watching... more to come!
Thanks for watching and thank for the feedback. Some materials can be so flimsy the trick is to think about how the overall construction helps minimize all of the disasters waiting to happen :) Happy making and all the best!
@@RandomMakingEncounters I am making a book nook with a 2001 A Space Odyssey Theme. Please subscribe to my channel as I'm just getting started. I promise the quality of the videos will go up!
You're very welcome. Room boxes, dioramas, shoebox dioramas, and book nooks... they're all great variations on a theme. I really enjoy creating stories and little worlds. There's also a challenge around fitting a lot in a little space and nooks, because they're usually so narrow, dial that up a notch. Thanks for watching and happy making!
I am going to try my hand at this with a The Borrower's themed nook. I thought it would be a good one to start with as I can repurpose items around the house and craftroom.Great information!
LOL! I don't know about brilliant... I'd take "occasionally inspired". Very kind of you and you are very welcome. I really need to do a couple few more of these getting started themed videos. Cheers!
You're very welcome! The best thing to do is always dive in and start with what you have handy! I tend to go waaaaaaaay overboard but I've seen the most amazing things created with stuff most people have laying around the house. A great example is the work of Mechanical Fiend - th-cam.com/users/MechanicalFiend Really amazing work with a lot of found materials. All the best!
Thank you for this series. I have been jumping back and forth on the videos to develop a broad understanding of the craft. I am procrastinating and havent jumped in yet ... i will get started. Anyway i notice in your videos a variety of tools, jigs, and other items you use for assrmbly and construction. i would be interested in a video where you went over these and any other tools and techniques you use and recommend. thanks
That's a great idea and a can of worms. My tool philosophy is "Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it." I'm not saying that's a healthy philosophy! I've started to noodle on the idea and think I could frame it around tools I use always, sometimes, and rarely with a bit of flavor around affordability (what's a reasonable spend vs splurge). Hmmmm. I've added it to the video idea queue! Thanks for the suggestion! I hope you do jump in. Book nooks and dioramas are an amazing way to create worlds and tell stories. I always try to challenge myself every project to try some new thing... it usually starts out as a disaster but I always walk away with a bit more skill than I had going in. All the best!
The possibilities are endless! You can create fantasy worlds, recreate historic places, capture memories from the past, or build wacky works of the imagination. Thanks for commenting and all the best!
Thank you, this was very helpful. I started a book nook a few months ago and searched for info on why you would choose one box material over another and couldn’t find it. Thank you for the clear info!
Sometimes ya just go with what you can work with. I'm lucky I have a tool addiction (or maybe not so lucky) and have the ability to cut a bunch of different materials. Those craft paper boxes, while not technically book shaped, are really cool and have a lot of potential! Enjoy creating and thanks for watching!
Nice! I'm just wrapping up a Star Wars Mandolorian nook/diorama that I hope to post soon. Editing takes sooooooo looooonnnnggg. Thanks for watching. All the best.
This was fantastic...I made my very first nook from cardboard but will certainly try some foam board next. Loved your advice on leaving space for lighting. Thank you so much for your time and videos
You're welcome! I just completed a couple of nook projects and they gave me some ideas for follow-ups to this video. All the best and thanks for watching!
@@RandomMakingEncounters well i went to the store and came out empty handed. I don't knowhow what kind of glue i need . What kind of paint i need . So that i will to gind out first .
Thanks! I'm kind falling behind on my shop... more ideas than time. I'd like to add some bits and pieces like doors, window, and other bits that can help jump start projects. Maybe "room inserts" that help block out the walls? Sadly, wood is insanely expensive these days which is making things harder for all us crafty people :). All the best and thanks for the comment!
Thanks for sharing the tip! I honestly forget about all of the smart ways to hold things together. I'm working on a project and think I've tried three different glues on the same thing just to see what worked the best. You know you have a craft addiction when you're suffering from glue-choice-paralysis! Thanks and all the best!
Glad it helped. I'll be honest... I usually forget to leave space for things like wiring. I'm so anxious to start jamming in all of the fun stuff that I don't plan well enough for the things that really bring it to life. I've realized that lighting is actually as important as what is being lit. We're making mini movie/stage sets... mini worlds... light is such a huge part of the mood that I try to put as much planning into that as the rest these days. Have fun and happy making!!
thank you so much, this was really comprehensive! I've been looking for tips and information on this and its so scattered and non-specific generally and this was so helpful
I’m glad it was helpful. I need to think through some follow up videos that are a logical progression. I’m pretty scattered at times. I appreciate the feedback. All the best!
I have the tins and started one... immediately got sidetracked. The tins are super cool and are almost too good for little world building. I'm really gonna try and get back to making one! All the best!
You're welcome. I think I need to turn this more into a series and focus on specific ways I approach certain parts of the process. More ideas than time! Dang day job :)! Thanks for the comment.
Thanks! I need to do some follow-on videos on things like using mirrors to create depth… some approaches to building the interior walls… so many ideas so few hours in the day!
good vid! thanks for all the pointers! Another idea: use one of those mini metal lunch boxes you see in the dollar stores at x-mas time. I used one with a metal earth ford truck, came out nice for my first attempt.
Yes! Great idea! There are a ton of things floating around out there just waiting to hold small worlds. I want to try my hand at some resin cubes too! So many projects... so little time. Thanks for the comment!
Thank you for this! My mom bought some "nook coin" box things from michaels (not sure what the coin means.) I have a few ideas but don't know where to start. I've tried looking at pinterest & TH-cam, a lot of videos are of people building their sets. I really appreciate you breaking it all down. On top of that your voice is very enjoyable to listen to.
You are too kind. It took me a little time to get used to the sound of my own voice but I think I'm used to it. Most comments tell me to stop rambling :)! I have no idea about the coin thing either. I think the fun challenge is just finding ways to make little worlds in small spaces. I find the best way to start is to jump in but keep it quick and simple. Don't invest too much time into an idea until it starts to come together and then you can really start to dial it in. The best advice I ever received in school was, "More! Better! Faster!" Never worry about how something turns out. Never get discouraged. Every project is an opportunity to get a little bit better. Every project I do has at least one epic fail... usually more than one. Good luck with your projects and sorry for the slow reply!
Welcome! Book nooks are endless fun mixed with a bit of figuring out how to fit worlds in little boxes. Glad you found this helpful and thanks for watching!
I love building dioramas and terrain too. I love the challenges that nooks present. How do you create a sense of space in a box? How do you cram a whole world in a small space. It's like building miniature movie or stage sets. All the best and happy making!
Oh I remember and loved the Easter egg dioramas and fascinated with them..My granny made a paper mache pumpkin and did witches, haunted house in a diorama for my birthday which is in October I treasured it..These book nooks are fabulous.. Thank-You for the introduction..
That sounds cool! What a great idea! Book nooks don't have to be boxes. I love the idea of using a pumpkin. Really... what you put it in can tell as much of a story as what's inside. All you need is something interesting and hollow! Thanks for sharing... that's got the rusty wheels in my noggin turning.
Thanks for watching. Based on your comment, I think the next video will cover lighting. I have some LED videos out there but they're not specific to cramming them into a nook. I'll get that going! I'm also working on some circuit boards that could make it super easy to hook up and control LEDs and RGB NeoPixels. They're being fabricated now so more to come. Hopefully, I didn't mess up the circuit design :). All the best!
Hi! Try to look for James Henry TH-cam channel. He has a lot interesting information about leds, tips and tricks for book nooks. With only a few videos I learned more than with hundreds out there so complicated and confused.
Love it. I'm hoping to start my first nook project soon. I noticed the walnut veneer on your last one- I'm a bit limited with tools at the minute and wonder if it's possible to get a nice mitre at the corners without something like a table saw?
Foamcore can be cut with a utility or craft knife easily. The walnut veneer I used is self adhesive and is very thin. It's easily cut with a sharp utility knife. It's possible to make the box using something like foamcore and then cover it with a wood veneer to make it look like solid wood. There are also some really convincing woodgrain adhesive vinyls out there. For the haunted radio I did, part of it is MDF and the curved top is tagboard. It's all covered in woodgrain vinyl and it looks pretty sharp. Hope that helps! I've seen some very cool nooks that are cardboard that was collaged over the top. All the best!
Hi, I loved your video and all the great information you shared with us - I subscribed to your channel immediately! I'm new to Book Nooks as I usually make jewellery, but I was attracted to making one because of some of the gorgeous scenes and dioramas I saw over Christmas. I've ordered an empty Book Nook and I'd like to create the look of an alleyway in either a Medieval or Tudor town. What do you think? Or should I try something a bit easier as I've never made one before? Thanks again for a great video - and I'll be back to see more of them. Love, Amanda Jones in Melbourne, Australia
I think a medieval or Tudor street scene would be a perfect idea. The biggest challenge with a book nook is "hiding the corners". What I mean by that is making something that doesn't look like it's in a box. If you make a nook that is a room... well... corners are not a problem because rooms have corners. If you make a street scene, you have buildings on both sides! The hardest is a scene that is an outdoor scene... really challenging. My main advice is to start with simple shapes and, as you're happy with the way things are going, continue to add more details. Good luck with your project! Cheers!
Would you sell the laser cut file? Your thought process is so clean. I 100% understand if you don't want to put that file out, I know it's not hard to make the file but the thought process for the micro controllers and leds is where the value is. Great work!
At this point I haven't made that leap. I've really been torn on it. I think the files would be useful for folks with cutters and it wouldn't cannibalize sales of the nooks for people that don't. Thanks for asking... it's really top of mind for me because my main goal is to make it easier for people to make and I'm not gonna retire on my Etsy shop! I will continue to noodle this for sure and truly appreciate the question.
We could use the file here in Europe and elsewhere. It would make more sense than shipping things arond the world. An automated selling system would bring in revenue while you sleep.
“Free as in beer” is the easiest concept to understand-free beer is a gift given to you at no cost with no expectations of you. The giver simply needs to pay for the beer and give it to you to enjoy without you needing to do anything. This is the “gratis” part of the phrase meaning “at no cost.” Apparently it comes from software development.
Interesting... I usually think of beer as payment. "I see you have a pickup truck. Help me move 1,000 pounds of rock and I'll buy you a six-pack". I need to realign my altruistic behavior!! Thanks for the explanation!
Thanks! I think the lineup, based on Ryan's comment and some feedback on other vids is... lighting your nook then maybe visual illusions? Any other hot topics I should cover?
I always choose to make a shoebox diorama for every book report LOL. I know you said that you would be selling the shell for the nook on your Etsy site, I was wondering if you would also just sell the svg pattern so that I can construct it myself. I have a glowforge and would be able to cut the pieces myself but don't really want to figure out the measurements for designing it. Thanks, great tutorial!
Sorry for the slow reply... life as been crazy. Yes! the files are available on my Etsy shop. I also think I'm going to expand the offering a bit and create some various sizes as well if I can carve out the time. Enjoy that laser cutter... it's amazing how many things you can find to do with one! All the best!
Wood glue is probably the best. It's all kinda the same stuff but the carpenters yellow glue has a bit more grab that helps when you initially try to line things up. Thanks for the comment and question. All the best and happy making!
"Free beer" and "freedom of speech" distinction In software development, where the marginal cost of an additional unit is zero, it is common for developers to make software available at no cost. One of the early and basic forms of this model is called freeware. With freeware, software is licensed freely for regular use: the developer does not gain any monetary compensation. With the advent of the free software movement, license schemes were created to give developers more freedom in terms of code sharing, commonly called open source or free and open-source software (called FLOSS, FOSS, or F/OSS). As the English adjective free does not distinguish between "for free" and "liberty", the phrases "free as in freedom of speech" (libre, free software) and "free as in free beer" (gratis, freeware) were adopted. Many in the free software movement feel strongly about the freedom to use the software, make modifications, etc., whether or not this freely usable software is to be exchanged for money. Therefore, this distinction became important. "Free software" means software that respects users' freedom and community. Roughly, it means that the users have the freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. Thus, "free software" is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of "free" as in "free speech," not as in "free beer". We sometimes call it "libre software," borrowing the French or Spanish word for "free" as in freedom, to show we do not mean the software is gratis. - The Free Software Foundation[3] These phrases have become common, along with gratis and libre, in the software development and computer law fields for encapsulating this distinction.[b] The distinction is similar to the distinction made in political science between positive liberty and negative liberty. Like "free beer", positive liberty promises equal access by all without cost or regard to income, of a given good (assuming the good exists). Like "free speech", negative liberty safeguards the right to use of something (in this case, speech) without regard to whether in a given case there is a cost involved for this use.[c]
I first cut the foam cor to size then cover foam cor with modpodge and paper kinda like paper mache a couple layers when dry cover with modpodge when dry it is almost as hard as plywood.
Mod Podge is a seriously underrated material. I think people see the label and think the 70s wants their crafts back! It's great for toughening up all sorts of things. One thing I always struggle with is having to cut materials on a saw. I'm super spoiled because I'm a tool super-freak but a lot of folks are spared that. Using materials and techniques that require basic cutting tools means everything is more accessible. Thanks for the comment and keep on with that Mod Podge-ing!
I am a beginner looking to get the supplies needed to do my first nooks/mini builds. I'm looking to do that has some elements from my own neighborhood. These videos are really informative. I am also going to do the ubiquitous Harry Potter nook. hahaha. Do you have any advice on how to scale the different elements to size? Also, do you have a page for the tools, paint and machinery you use to cut the wood? Any info is appreciated! Thank you for these videos.
I'm glad you found this helpful. I don't have a solid list of tools or materials but it's a great suggestion of something I should add to my website. I do have a page with an overview on scale and scaling with some downloads to rulers you can use. Here's the link - randommakingencounters.com/how-to-scale-models/ I joke about Harry Potter nooks because they are really popular as kits. Honestly, love the books and they're a great way to dive into the world of bookshelf dioramas. I think people should follow their passions and it's always helpful when the things we're interested in have a rich world to draw inspiration from. I've had others ask about videos that show some of the tools I use and may add that to the queue. I'm spoiled because I've been able to accumulate tools over time and am lucky enough to have a laser cutter. I feel really spoiled but don't want people to think you need a laser cutter or 3D printer to make amazing things. I follow a few channels where old cereal boxes and popsicle sticks turn into the coolest things. Thanks for the questions and ideas for future videos and web content. I wish you the best on your projects. My main advice is have fun, never be too hard on yourself, each project gets better than the last, and be able to understand there's a difference between people who will critique your work and people who just criticize. Cheers!
Not sure I know the saying in english, but there is this thing called "Freibier" in german, which essentially means free beer. Since beer is good and free beer is even better it's used as a very positive expression.
I think it's a positive expression... usually it's a way of saying you're doing something for someone that is valuable but nothing is expected in return... at least that's how I broadly use it. Cheers!
The key to stop plywood from warping is finishing both sides. Most people leave the side that is hidden as it is. That means that as humidity in the room changes the hidden side of the plywood will release & absorb moisture faster than the side that shows. You can seal both side with spray polyurethane or sanding sealer, or if you are painting the seen side paint the hidden side too. This way both sides of the plywood will absorb & release moisture at the same rate and it shouldn't warp.
Great point and tip! The key takeaway is wood is a fickle beast and you need to be thoughtful when finishing it. I've begun to separate the inner elements from the actual outer box. This allows me to do exactly what you describe... manage the dimensional changes by coating sides as needed to control warp. It's not just wood. You can get warping in a material if the coating you apply shrinks enough and applies enough tension to bow the material it's being applied to. Your tip still applies... coat the other side to balance the tension created. Also, also... it's good for folks to know that wood expands more significantly across the grain than along it. Since plywood alternates grain direction, that is minimized but the number of plywood layers and the orientation of the grain on each layer will all contribute to how plywood behaves. Cheers!
Absolutely. 1/4 is pretty rigid at these sizes. There's also a material called Gatorfoam that is really tough and rigid. It's harder to find and kinda pricey but it cuts well with a utility knife. Best of luck with your project! Cheers!
I use Adobe Illustrator for most of the drawing but any solid vector drawing program is more than enough. For my laser cutter, I use Lightburn. It’s one of those programs that I probably use about 20% of what it’s capable of. It’s simple when you need it to be and has bells and whistles when you need a bit more. It’s also actively developed with regular releases and feature improvements. I can absolutely get a laser cutter video in the queue. I’ve avoided it a bit because I feel terribly spoiled for having one. It took me a long time to find myself in a place where I could swing it and justify the spend. Now… it seems like every project has some laser cut element. Thanks for the suggestion! Cheers!
Great video, love how you go into details with the materials :) I've been thinking of going inexpensive at first and start with some cardboard. But when reading up on it i hear people say it decays after a while, which is a bummer. What's your experience with that ? Is it even worth it to work with cardboard if it disintegrates eventually ?
I have not yet made a nook out of cardboard, but loads of wargaming terrain and it basically all degraded within a year. Too be fair, of course the terrain was touched and moved a lot more than the pure deco nook would be. But still, I think the cardboard would sack down and lose its painted colour over time. If you want to stay on budget (especially with tools as well) my experiences with the foam board are excellent so far.
@@SkulduggeryGaunt Thanks for sharing your experience! :) I've been working with paper lately, i think that's the road i'll go for now, but foam board sounds great. I'll have to get some and try it out.
It really depends on your perspective. My background is fine art and artists can get really worked up about how long their art lasts and will use materials that will stand the test of time. @SkulduggeryGaunt is spot on. Cardboard has a lot of acidity that breaks down the fibers and, over time, makes the cardboard lose it's strength. Now... having said that, it depends on what you do with the cardboard. If you use it in layers and you use materials like Mod Podge or other acrylic varnishes, you're basically coating the cardboard with plastic... which we know lasts longer than the pyramids. Straight up cardboard will soften and lose strength quickly. Layered, coated, and sealed cardboard will hold up a lot longer. Deep down... all of that acidity is still there but now it's also infused with additional materials that help hold it all together. If you're using cardboard and not painting it, the color will change over time as things begin to break down. It usually will darken like old paper does. Paint fades based on the quality of the paint and pigments. If you use craft paints, expect them to fade no matter what - the pigments used are generally inexpensive. If you want your colors to stay vibrant, even on marginal materials like cardboard, step up to a bit better pigmented paint. Even "student grade" artist paints are MUCH better than cheap craft colors and they come in both tube and jar varieties. At the end of the day, it really depends on your perspective. Jackson Pollock used cheap scrap canvas and random house and industrial paints for his paintings. He walked all over them and dropped more than a fair amount of cigarette ashes into the paint. He cared about the work more than how long it lasted (which modern art conservators now have to deal with). I personally think it's more important to be creative and use the materials you have access to and then, as experience and budget permits, begin to think about how to move to better quality materials when it makes sense. OK... that was a long replay. I wish you the very best and encourage you to make cool things with whatever you have!
I haven't. Most of the nook is the front so it would be interesting to think about the possibilities with a real book. Does the spine become the front? Maybe it has a little door or window cut out and you peek into a tiny world inside? Or... maybe you could cut a space out of the pages and the book is open slightly to reveal a scene build in the space created? Using just the covers feels easier since you have to just remove the cover without destroying it. Carving hundreds of pages out makes my head hurt a bit but the juice could be worth the squeeze. The would need to be pretty big tomes... but... hmmm.... ok.... hmmmm... it does intrigue.
What is tag board? Is it like the board you get on the back of sketch pads or in small packs of paper to stiffen the package? I'm in the UK, so I haven't a clue what it is and was wondering if it's the same as our greyboard
Exactly! I've heard it called chipboard as well. You're spot on... a quick Google on greyboard says yes. The board I use is more of a kraft paper brown but it's generally all the same kind of stuff - an reasonably priced, thick paper stock. All the best with your projects!
My understanding of the “free as in beer” description is to distinguish it from “free to do with as you want” It is often used in conversations about software. Some software is free “as in beer” (doesn’t cost any money) but restricts you on how you can use it. “Real” free software has no restrictions on what you can do with it (typically open-source software). So “free an in beer” only means it doesn’t cost you any money, but may not mean you are free to do what you want with it.
Now that is an interesting take on the phrase! Nuanced. It’s an interesting saying and is used pretty frequently. There a so many out there that lose meaning over time. “Sure as eggs” is a favorite. My Grandmother use to say “give it a lick and a promise.” I’m very sure she wasn’t being vulgar 😂! All the best!
Thank you for your video, it's very useful. I checked out your Etsy shop & would like to purchase a couple of these boxes. Do you think that you could add a door to the box with hinges? I am new to the technical diy world, so I'm still learning otherwise I'd give it a try myself
Sorry for the late reply. You can email me on my shop with details on more of the details (where is the door... how big... etc.) I'm happy to look at seeing if we can figure out a solution!
free as in beer is part of a comparison, usually paired with free as in speech, where one might cost you nothing (because someone might buy you a beer, you get given a beer or you brew your own) while free as in speech means freedom
Right?! One solution... more bookcases! There's something about creating tiny worlds that is really intriguing. They can be just a room... or a whole city! Give it a whirl and find the space later :)!
Move some books to the top space of ya bookcase? Or take a few to peruse for beside the loo 🚽 Scatter one or two going up the stairs, just under the rail where those feet don’t trail ‼️well just as long as ya know folk won’t trip up⁉️ u can pop a nook at top or bottom, or even in the middle, if ya know it won’t get trodden on 🤣 Could ya culinary books fit a top of your fridge n free ya bookcase up a snug place for a nook 🤗 How’s ya coffee table area, will owt fit there? Or stood alone in a corner, with a dunce cap if ya dare 😳 Or you can pile the books upon your head, and practice being, a geisha makin’ lady 🙏
The best place to buy empty book nook boxes seems to be Etsy. You can also check out local craft stores if you have one around. They won't have a book nook specifically but might have other wooden boxes that would work well. Best of luck with your project!
I don't think there's anything wrong with the term book nook! if anyone from the diorama community does think that, why? its just a name for a diorama that's put between books! where are these things being said! great video by the way :) you got a sub from me
LOL! I'm sure we can find people that will come down on the side of anything... it's the web after all. You are absolutely correct! A book nook is a form factor... nothing more. I honestly think nooks are much much harder because your space is constrained in some very unique ways and the challenge of implying space and depth is daunting at times! Thanks for the sub!
I think maybe the free like beer term may have come about because of some really cheep beer or beer was dirt cheap in comparison? Idk, I can't drink 🤷🏾
It's a weird saying to be sure. Or... maybe beer didn't actually cost anything to make back in ye olden times... you could just make it yourself? All the best!!
I love your pattern for the booknook. I checked out your Esty and noticed you only have pre-made kits. I have my own laser cutter and was wondering if you would sell the pattern file?
I've had a few people ask. At this point I'm not selling the pattern. It was a tough decision and I'm still a little uncertain about my overall business model :). I appreciate the interest. I'm still a bit new to the Etsy gig so keep an eye on the store... I may cave and post the digital download at some point.
@@RandomMakingEncounters I'm definitely interested in buying the pattern if you do decide to eventually sell it - your's is so well done! I had a look at your Etsy store but the shipping costs to Australia nearly gave me a heart attack soooo.... 😂
I apologize for any Google Translate errors in advance! ¡Gracias! Creo que 100 mm de ancho, 240 mm de alto y 200 mm de profundidad es bueno para cajas estrechas. Estoy trabajando en un rincón de 150 mm de ancho que me permite colocar más cosas. Pueden ser del tamaño que desee, dependiendo de dónde desee mostrarlas. Thank you! I think 100mm wide, 240mm high, 200mm deep is good for narrow boxes. I'm working on a nook that is 150mm wide that lets me fit more stuff in. They can be any size you want depending on where you want to display them.
It's possible as long as none of the panel dimensions go over roughly 11 x 19. My cutter has a 12 x 20 bed and I need a little wiggle room. Best to contact me on my Etsy shop with the dimensions you need so I can scope it out a bit! Cheers.
I do. I have an Esty shop that's linked in the header of my channel. Thanks for asking and watching. Yes... laser cutters are a huge luxury that I feel very fortunate to have.
I am using an Orion Motor Tech 50 watt laser. I've been pretty happy with it but it's turned out to be a bit of a journey... not hard but a lot of fiddling around. It's the 50 watt version of a K40 laser that are relatively inexpensive. I would say... even inexpensive lasers will add up over time as you tweak to make them perform better. I can make a video on sound for sure! I'm also working on a circuit board that would make sound and LEDs a bit easier. Have you don't any Arduino programming? Thanks for watching!
You're not the first to ask :)! Honestly... I've been a little resistant. However, I'm beginning to think I may need to rethink that. Materials are getting so expensive that selling the boxes isn't really profitable while keeping it affordable for most folks. Offering the files would provide an alternative. Thanks for asking and bubbling that up to the top o' my noggin again! Cheers!
Yes! I've also heard the term shadow box. The amazing nuances of language. Are all book nooks dioramas but not all dioramas nooks? I've been told book nook isn't correct because a nook is something completely different. Thanks for the comment and all the best!
I just added a link in the description. You should also be able to find them at local craft stores. They're used a lot in floral arrangements and come in a variety of lengths. Some are cool and some are warm white so that's another thing to keep an eye out for. All the very best!
What scale pre-made items do you get? 1/24? 1/12? It's probably obvious to someone who creates miniature spaces or playhouses, but I'm brand new to this. Thanks.
Thanks for watching. Scale really depends. I typically start with the idea and then scratch my head and say, "Where the heck am I going to get all of the pieces?". In some cases, I'm working with D&D or Warhammer miniatures so that drives the size. I'm lucky enough to be able to 3D print a lot of things but it sure is nice to be able to just get things off the shelf. With that in mind, I think 1/12 is a really great scale for nooks. The objects are big enough that they can have a ton of detail and there are a lot of scale dollhouse materials that are really nice quality. The only downside is bigger either means a more compact space with less stuff... or a slightly bigger nook. Hope that helps! All the best.
I buy mine on Amazon but it can sometimes be hard to find. I buy 3mm (1/8") 12" x 20" sheets. I've looked for other places to buy but haven't found better pricing yet. The bad news is the price seems to keep creeping up :(. Hope that helps! Cheers!
@@RandomMakingEncounters the first shadow box I saw was on my grandparents wall. It was heavy on foreshadowing and looked like the inside of a cabin. It fascinated me as a small child. I could look at it for hours examining all the small details.
I lol'd at "bah...book nook tutorials". I have spent an embarrassing amount of time trying to track down book nook tutorials. I have found ONE (excluding WATCHING someone put a KIT together) So where are all these tutorials ? 😆
I need to make more of these! I get so distracted on random projects... there's a reason for the channel name. Thanks for the comment! Glad you got a little chuckle outta it. Cheers!
It’s like coloring in the lines but in 3D. Nooks are a great challenge but I long for the wide open spaces of a good ‘ol diorama sometimes! I may need to make a t-shirt… “Think inside the box”… hmmmm. Thanks for watching and commenting. All the best!
Almost watched all of the video and there is not a single picture or short clip showing examples of what you are talking about. The purpose of making a video is to show viewers something related to the subject, Instead I would have the same experience if this was an audio podcast only without video. Diorama means miniature scene. Nook means a small space (Therefore Book Nook means book small space which sounds wrong and is wrong) This is usually referred to as a "Diorama" or a "Diorama bookshelf insert" or book nook if you follow believe and do what others do without questioning anything in life like sheep do blindly
Sadly, I don't have control over that. It seems like it really varies. Some videos... not too many... others... every few minutes. It's the "algorithm".
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Fits well into my space, I painted the back green. It's very easy to customize just the back if that's something you want to do. I would suggest sanding it first before painting, I got a little impatient. The shelves th-cam.com/users/postUgkxM8H4CjCb79vzeyvgaFMdzmLm88oVFPMkare pretty small so keep that in mind if you're going to have it horizontal that some books won't fit. I like the snug look that it has. Good small shelf if you don't have much space, but not too small. Simple to put together, though you'll need your own tools, a screwdriver and a mallet/hammer, it's easiest to do with another person.
Thanks for the comment! Cheers!
Normal sized ones are called Nooks and you could call the micro ones a Cranny haha
Especially if they hold the butter really well. Would they need to be fork split?
😆
🤩 love it 👍
Nook’s cranny if anyone gets the animal crossing reference
Thank you very much. It was very interesting. I haven't made any book nook yet but I have my mind racing. ♥️
A world of very tiny worlds awaits! Just dive in!
Thank you, sir. So helpful. Never heard of book nooks until a few days ago.
Now you have to make one! I mean... no pressure ;). All the best!
I made one and I have been hooked ever since. Now this is what everyone is getting for Christmas
NICE! That's quite the gift! I personally enjoy both the challenge of working in a really constrained space and the ability to create small worlds that can tell interesting stories. It's really limitless. I wish you the very best and I'm sure they'll be appreciated! Cheers.
Oh my gosh, your shoebox diorama and Easter egg scenes BROUGHT ME BACK! You're so right! They're the specific things that ignite the crafting into adulthood.
LOL! Happy to hear that. I actually got into trouble in school once because I would always make something instead of writing a paper. My teacher busted me saying, "Ya know that Greek Trireme is cool and all but ya still need to write a report about it." Thanks for watching! Cheers!
Really informative video. Thank you. I'm 65 and have wanted to attempt making one of these for ages.
I generally just jump in and try things. I start with things I have laying around and try not to worry too much about how the first one will turn out. Honestly... more ends up on the floor or in the trash than on the shelf. Have fun and never be afraid to completely change your idea halfway through the project. Thanks for watching... more to come!
@@RandomMakingEncounters
Thank you for the encouragement 🙏
Great points about how to hold the boxes square with insetting the end pieces instead of end gluing. Love your tips!
Thanks for watching and thank for the feedback. Some materials can be so flimsy the trick is to think about how the overall construction helps minimize all of the disasters waiting to happen :) Happy making and all the best!
@@RandomMakingEncounters I am making a book nook with a 2001 A Space Odyssey Theme. Please subscribe to my channel as I'm just getting started. I promise the quality of the videos will go up!
I just discovered this hobby by way of dollhouse room boxes and this is super cool! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
You're very welcome. Room boxes, dioramas, shoebox dioramas, and book nooks... they're all great variations on a theme. I really enjoy creating stories and little worlds. There's also a challenge around fitting a lot in a little space and nooks, because they're usually so narrow, dial that up a notch. Thanks for watching and happy making!
It's talking hands! Cool.
It’s like jazz hands with words.
I am going to try my hand at this with a The Borrower's themed nook. I thought it would be a good one to start with as I can repurpose items around the house and craftroom.Great information!
Great idea!
My favorite thing about dioramas and nooks is they can be anything you want them to be. It's your imagination in a box with a light! Have fun!
So cool idea ! My daughter loves the Borrowers too 😁
This is such a great video! You are brilliant! Thank you for sharing.
LOL! I don't know about brilliant... I'd take "occasionally inspired". Very kind of you and you are very welcome. I really need to do a couple few more of these getting started themed videos. Cheers!
Thank you! I've been wanting to make one for ages, but I didn't know where to start. Such a helpful video
You're very welcome! The best thing to do is always dive in and start with what you have handy! I tend to go waaaaaaaay overboard but I've seen the most amazing things created with stuff most people have laying around the house. A great example is the work of Mechanical Fiend - th-cam.com/users/MechanicalFiend Really amazing work with a lot of found materials. All the best!
Thank you for this series. I have been jumping back and forth on the videos to develop a broad understanding of the craft. I am procrastinating and havent jumped in yet ... i will get started.
Anyway i notice in your videos a variety of tools, jigs, and other items you use for assrmbly and construction. i would be interested in a video where you went over these and any other tools and techniques you use and recommend.
thanks
That's a great idea and a can of worms. My tool philosophy is "Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it." I'm not saying that's a healthy philosophy! I've started to noodle on the idea and think I could frame it around tools I use always, sometimes, and rarely with a bit of flavor around affordability (what's a reasonable spend vs splurge). Hmmmm.
I've added it to the video idea queue! Thanks for the suggestion! I hope you do jump in. Book nooks and dioramas are an amazing way to create worlds and tell stories. I always try to challenge myself every project to try some new thing... it usually starts out as a disaster but I always walk away with a bit more skill than I had going in.
All the best!
Great video!
🙋🏾♀️ I was today years old when I found out about paper Book Nooks in a Graphics 45 facebook group 🤷🏽♀️
The possibilities are endless! You can create fantasy worlds, recreate historic places, capture memories from the past, or build wacky works of the imagination. Thanks for commenting and all the best!
Thank you, this was very helpful. I started a book nook a few months ago and searched for info on why you would choose one box material over another and couldn’t find it. Thank you for the clear info!
Sometimes ya just go with what you can work with. I'm lucky I have a tool addiction (or maybe not so lucky) and have the ability to cut a bunch of different materials. Those craft paper boxes, while not technically book shaped, are really cool and have a lot of potential! Enjoy creating and thanks for watching!
I’ve been trying to figure out how to start my book nook projects (LOTR and Star Wars) and this was really helpful! Thank you!
Nice! I'm just wrapping up a Star Wars Mandolorian nook/diorama that I hope to post soon. Editing takes sooooooo looooonnnnggg. Thanks for watching. All the best.
This was fantastic...I made my very first nook from cardboard but will certainly try some foam board next. Loved your advice on leaving space for lighting. Thank you so much for your time and videos
You're welcome! I just completed a couple of nook projects and they gave me some ideas for follow-ups to this video. All the best and thanks for watching!
Thanks! I'm about to start my first book nook. Your insights were very helpful.
Awesome! Have fun with it! You're starting a journey into creating tiny worlds from your imagination. Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching!
What a brilliant video! Thank you for this ✅
Thank you! It's comments like this that get me thinking about what the next one should be... I really need to get the camera crankin'! Cheers!
thanks for sharing . can"t wait to start a book nook .
NICE! You're about to embark on a journey into a much bigger smaller world! All the best!
@@RandomMakingEncounters well i went to the store and came out empty handed. I don't knowhow what kind of glue i need .
What kind of paint i need .
So that i will to gind out first .
great video, subbed, will favourite your Etsy shop
Thanks! I'm kind falling behind on my shop... more ideas than time. I'd like to add some bits and pieces like doors, window, and other bits that can help jump start projects. Maybe "room inserts" that help block out the walls? Sadly, wood is insanely expensive these days which is making things harder for all us crafty people :). All the best and thanks for the comment!
Join foam core by using short dressmakers pins where you would use nails if you were using wood.
Thanks for sharing the tip! I honestly forget about all of the smart ways to hold things together. I'm working on a project and think I've tried three different glues on the same thing just to see what worked the best. You know you have a craft addiction when you're suffering from glue-choice-paralysis! Thanks and all the best!
Super helpful! Thank you for showing how to true it up, and add space for lighting.
Glad it helped. I'll be honest... I usually forget to leave space for things like wiring. I'm so anxious to start jamming in all of the fun stuff that I don't plan well enough for the things that really bring it to life. I've realized that lighting is actually as important as what is being lit. We're making mini movie/stage sets... mini worlds... light is such a huge part of the mood that I try to put as much planning into that as the rest these days. Have fun and happy making!!
thank you so much, this was really comprehensive! I've been looking for tips and information on this and its so scattered and non-specific generally and this was so helpful
I’m glad it was helpful. I need to think through some follow up videos that are a logical progression. I’m pretty scattered at times. I appreciate the feedback. All the best!
Thank you very much! Nice video, very helpful and informative. Loved the '' micro nook'' idea. :)
I have the tins and started one... immediately got sidetracked. The tins are super cool and are almost too good for little world building. I'm really gonna try and get back to making one! All the best!
Thank you for this video. I’m looking forward to the rest.
I'll try to keep them coming. More ideas than time :)! Thanks for the kind words... it keeps me going.
Awesome! Thank you for info on book nook basics!
You're welcome. I think I need to turn this more into a series and focus on specific ways I approach certain parts of the process. More ideas than time! Dang day job :)! Thanks for the comment.
Very informative! Thank-you.
Thanks! I need to do some follow-on videos on things like using mirrors to create depth… some approaches to building the interior walls… so many ideas so few hours in the day!
good vid! thanks for all the pointers! Another idea: use one of those mini metal lunch boxes you see in the dollar stores at x-mas time. I used one with a metal earth ford truck, came out nice for my first attempt.
Yes! Great idea! There are a ton of things floating around out there just waiting to hold small worlds. I want to try my hand at some resin cubes too! So many projects... so little time. Thanks for the comment!
Thank you for this! My mom bought some "nook coin" box things from michaels (not sure what the coin means.) I have a few ideas but don't know where to start. I've tried looking at pinterest & TH-cam, a lot of videos are of people building their sets. I really appreciate you breaking it all down. On top of that your voice is very enjoyable to listen to.
You are too kind. It took me a little time to get used to the sound of my own voice but I think I'm used to it. Most comments tell me to stop rambling :)! I have no idea about the coin thing either. I think the fun challenge is just finding ways to make little worlds in small spaces. I find the best way to start is to jump in but keep it quick and simple. Don't invest too much time into an idea until it starts to come together and then you can really start to dial it in. The best advice I ever received in school was, "More! Better! Faster!" Never worry about how something turns out. Never get discouraged. Every project is an opportunity to get a little bit better. Every project I do has at least one epic fail... usually more than one. Good luck with your projects and sorry for the slow reply!
Absolutely brilliant. Thank you for taking the time to make this.
Thanks! I'm really happy you found it helpful. All the best!
This was so helpful. Thanks
You are very welcome and I really need to do some follow up videos on next steps. All the best with your projects! Cheers!
I am new to book nooks, your video was very helpful
Welcome! Book nooks are endless fun mixed with a bit of figuring out how to fit worlds in little boxes. Glad you found this helpful and thanks for watching!
This was so helpful! Just getting into book nooks after some tabletop terrain crafting. Thanks for the info, tips, and advice!!
I love building dioramas and terrain too. I love the challenges that nooks present. How do you create a sense of space in a box? How do you cram a whole world in a small space. It's like building miniature movie or stage sets. All the best and happy making!
Oh I remember and loved the Easter egg dioramas and fascinated with them..My granny made a paper mache pumpkin and did witches, haunted house in a diorama for my birthday which is in October I treasured it..These book nooks are fabulous.. Thank-You for the introduction..
That sounds cool! What a great idea! Book nooks don't have to be boxes. I love the idea of using a pumpkin. Really... what you put it in can tell as much of a story as what's inside. All you need is something interesting and hollow! Thanks for sharing... that's got the rusty wheels in my noggin turning.
This was very helpful! ❤️
Fantastic to hear. I've been lagging on follow-up videos. Hopefully more in the new year! All the best!
super helpful, thank you.
You bet! I hope it inspires you to do a little miniature world-building. All the best!
Good quality product. Correct, fast transport service.
Thanks-appreciate it! All the best.
Very useful video, great tips, thanks.
You are very welcome. I really need to do more in this series. I feel kinda lame and lazy right now :(.
This is very helpful. My biggest hurdle is trying to figure out how to do the lighting/electronics
Thanks for watching. Based on your comment, I think the next video will cover lighting. I have some LED videos out there but they're not specific to cramming them into a nook. I'll get that going! I'm also working on some circuit boards that could make it super easy to hook up and control LEDs and RGB NeoPixels. They're being fabricated now so more to come. Hopefully, I didn't mess up the circuit design :). All the best!
@@RandomMakingEncounters yeah been thinking of how to do a Peppers ghost in one
Hi! Try to look for James Henry TH-cam channel. He has a lot interesting information about leds, tips and tricks for book nooks. With only a few videos I learned more than with hundreds out there so complicated and confused.
Love it. I'm hoping to start my first nook project soon. I noticed the walnut veneer on your last one- I'm a bit limited with tools at the minute and wonder if it's possible to get a nice mitre at the corners without something like a table saw?
Foamcore can be cut with a utility or craft knife easily. The walnut veneer I used is self adhesive and is very thin. It's easily cut with a sharp utility knife. It's possible to make the box using something like foamcore and then cover it with a wood veneer to make it look like solid wood. There are also some really convincing woodgrain adhesive vinyls out there. For the haunted radio I did, part of it is MDF and the curved top is tagboard. It's all covered in woodgrain vinyl and it looks pretty sharp. Hope that helps! I've seen some very cool nooks that are cardboard that was collaged over the top. All the best!
Super helpful! Thank you so much!
Thanks for watching and commenting! More to come. I think LED lighting and electronics is up next.
Can't wait to see the next one!
Thanks! Book nook electronics seems to be a hot topic. I'm gathering wires, LEDs, batteries, and tiny nuclear reactors as we speak! All the best!
AMAZING best tutorial ever, so clear!!!!
LOL!!! Ever?! I'm not sure I can live up to that but thank you for saying so! I will try to keep them coming.
Yes best ever!!! Thank you
Hi, I loved your video and all the great information you shared with us - I subscribed to your channel immediately! I'm new to Book Nooks as I usually make jewellery, but I was attracted to making one because of some of the gorgeous scenes and dioramas I saw over Christmas. I've ordered an empty Book Nook and I'd like to create the look of an alleyway in either a Medieval or Tudor town. What do you think? Or should I try something a bit easier as I've never made one before? Thanks again for a great video - and I'll be back to see more of them. Love, Amanda Jones in Melbourne, Australia
I think a medieval or Tudor street scene would be a perfect idea. The biggest challenge with a book nook is "hiding the corners". What I mean by that is making something that doesn't look like it's in a box. If you make a nook that is a room... well... corners are not a problem because rooms have corners. If you make a street scene, you have buildings on both sides! The hardest is a scene that is an outdoor scene... really challenging. My main advice is to start with simple shapes and, as you're happy with the way things are going, continue to add more details. Good luck with your project! Cheers!
Wonderful ! Thank you so much!
Thanks! I really need to get more videos put together :) All the best!
This was super helpful!!! Thank you so much!
You bet! Always happy when these videos help! All the best!
Good video.
Thanks. I hope it was helpful! Cheers!
@@RandomMakingEncounters It was.
Would you sell the laser cut file? Your thought process is so clean. I 100% understand if you don't want to put that file out, I know it's not hard to make the file but the thought process for the micro controllers and leds is where the value is. Great work!
At this point I haven't made that leap. I've really been torn on it. I think the files would be useful for folks with cutters and it wouldn't cannibalize sales of the nooks for people that don't. Thanks for asking... it's really top of mind for me because my main goal is to make it easier for people to make and I'm not gonna retire on my Etsy shop! I will continue to noodle this for sure and truly appreciate the question.
We could use the file here in Europe and elsewhere. It would make more sense than shipping things arond the world. An automated selling system would bring in revenue while you sleep.
That was so helpful, thanks!
You bet! Thanks for watching! Cheers!
“Free as in beer” is the easiest concept to understand-free beer is a gift given to you at no cost with no expectations of you. The giver simply needs to pay for the beer and give it to you to enjoy without you needing to do anything. This is the “gratis” part of the phrase meaning “at no cost.”
Apparently it comes from software development.
Interesting... I usually think of beer as payment. "I see you have a pickup truck. Help me move 1,000 pounds of rock and I'll buy you a six-pack". I need to realign my altruistic behavior!! Thanks for the explanation!
Very informative, looking forward to part 2.
Thanks! I think the lineup, based on Ryan's comment and some feedback on other vids is... lighting your nook then maybe visual illusions? Any other hot topics I should cover?
I always choose to make a shoebox diorama for every book report LOL. I know you said that you would be selling the shell for the nook on your Etsy site, I was wondering if you would also just sell the svg pattern so that I can construct it myself. I have a glowforge and would be able to cut the pieces myself but don't really want to figure out the measurements for designing it. Thanks, great tutorial!
Sorry for the slow reply... life as been crazy. Yes! the files are available on my Etsy shop. I also think I'm going to expand the offering a bit and create some various sizes as well if I can carve out the time. Enjoy that laser cutter... it's amazing how many things you can find to do with one! All the best!
Hi. This was very educational. I was wondering what to use to glue the birch boards? Wood glue will work?
Wood glue is probably the best. It's all kinda the same stuff but the carpenters yellow glue has a bit more grab that helps when you initially try to line things up. Thanks for the comment and question. All the best and happy making!
This is so helpful, thanks much 👌
I appreciate the feedback. It's always hard to tell after about take 40 if I'm still making sense! Thanks for watching! Cheers!
Nice, liked it
Thanks for watching and commenting! Hope it helped a bit.
"Free beer" and "freedom of speech" distinction
In software development, where the marginal cost of an additional unit is zero, it is common for developers to make software available at no cost. One of the early and basic forms of this model is called freeware. With freeware, software is licensed freely for regular use: the developer does not gain any monetary compensation.
With the advent of the free software movement, license schemes were created to give developers more freedom in terms of code sharing, commonly called open source or free and open-source software (called FLOSS, FOSS, or F/OSS). As the English adjective free does not distinguish between "for free" and "liberty", the phrases "free as in freedom of speech" (libre, free software) and "free as in free beer" (gratis, freeware) were adopted. Many in the free software movement feel strongly about the freedom to use the software, make modifications, etc., whether or not this freely usable software is to be exchanged for money. Therefore, this distinction became important.
"Free software" means software that respects users' freedom and community. Roughly, it means that the users have the freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. Thus, "free software" is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of "free" as in "free speech," not as in "free beer". We sometimes call it "libre software," borrowing the French or Spanish word for "free" as in freedom, to show we do not mean the software is gratis.
- The Free Software Foundation[3]
These phrases have become common, along with gratis and libre, in the software development and computer law fields for encapsulating this distinction.[b] The distinction is similar to the distinction made in political science between positive liberty and negative liberty. Like "free beer", positive liberty promises equal access by all without cost or regard to income, of a given good (assuming the good exists). Like "free speech", negative liberty safeguards the right to use of something (in this case, speech) without regard to whether in a given case there is a cost involved for this use.[c]
LOL! Thanks for the deep dive and great TH-cam name! Have a great one and thanks for commenting! Cheers!
Great info, thanks 😊
Thank you for all of the comments! It keeps me going through all of the endless gaffs and takes.
I first cut the foam cor to size then cover foam cor with modpodge and paper kinda like paper mache a couple layers when dry cover with modpodge when dry it is almost as hard as plywood.
Mod Podge is a seriously underrated material. I think people see the label and think the 70s wants their crafts back! It's great for toughening up all sorts of things. One thing I always struggle with is having to cut materials on a saw. I'm super spoiled because I'm a tool super-freak but a lot of folks are spared that. Using materials and techniques that require basic cutting tools means everything is more accessible.
Thanks for the comment and keep on with that Mod Podge-ing!
I am a beginner looking to get the supplies needed to do my first nooks/mini builds. I'm looking to do that has some elements from my own neighborhood. These videos are really informative. I am also going to do the ubiquitous Harry Potter nook. hahaha. Do you have any advice on how to scale the different elements to size? Also, do you have a page for the tools, paint and machinery you use to cut the wood? Any info is appreciated! Thank you for these videos.
I'm glad you found this helpful. I don't have a solid list of tools or materials but it's a great suggestion of something I should add to my website. I do have a page with an overview on scale and scaling with some downloads to rulers you can use. Here's the link - randommakingencounters.com/how-to-scale-models/
I joke about Harry Potter nooks because they are really popular as kits. Honestly, love the books and they're a great way to dive into the world of bookshelf dioramas. I think people should follow their passions and it's always helpful when the things we're interested in have a rich world to draw inspiration from.
I've had others ask about videos that show some of the tools I use and may add that to the queue. I'm spoiled because I've been able to accumulate tools over time and am lucky enough to have a laser cutter. I feel really spoiled but don't want people to think you need a laser cutter or 3D printer to make amazing things. I follow a few channels where old cereal boxes and popsicle sticks turn into the coolest things.
Thanks for the questions and ideas for future videos and web content. I wish you the best on your projects. My main advice is have fun, never be too hard on yourself, each project gets better than the last, and be able to understand there's a difference between people who will critique your work and people who just criticize. Cheers!
Not sure I know the saying in english, but there is this thing called "Freibier" in german, which essentially means free beer. Since beer is good and free beer is even better it's used as a very positive expression.
I think it's a positive expression... usually it's a way of saying you're doing something for someone that is valuable but nothing is expected in return... at least that's how I broadly use it. Cheers!
The key to stop plywood from warping is finishing both sides.
Most people leave the side that is hidden as it is. That means that as humidity in the room changes the hidden side of the plywood will release & absorb moisture faster than the side that shows.
You can seal both side with spray polyurethane or sanding sealer, or if you are painting the seen side paint the hidden side too.
This way both sides of the plywood will absorb & release moisture at the same rate and it shouldn't warp.
Great point and tip! The key takeaway is wood is a fickle beast and you need to be thoughtful when finishing it. I've begun to separate the inner elements from the actual outer box. This allows me to do exactly what you describe... manage the dimensional changes by coating sides as needed to control warp. It's not just wood. You can get warping in a material if the coating you apply shrinks enough and applies enough tension to bow the material it's being applied to. Your tip still applies... coat the other side to balance the tension created. Also, also... it's good for folks to know that wood expands more significantly across the grain than along it. Since plywood alternates grain direction, that is minimized but the number of plywood layers and the orientation of the grain on each layer will all contribute to how plywood behaves. Cheers!
@@RandomMakingEncounters thank you & keep up the good work. I look forward to more of your videos
What would the optimal thickness of foam core be, do you think? 🤔 would ¼ inch be sturdy enough?
Absolutely. 1/4 is pretty rigid at these sizes. There's also a material called Gatorfoam that is really tough and rigid. It's harder to find and kinda pricey but it cuts well with a utility knife. Best of luck with your project! Cheers!
What software do you use for laser cutting? I would be interested in watching a video about that!
I use Adobe Illustrator for most of the drawing but any solid vector drawing program is more than enough. For my laser cutter, I use Lightburn. It’s one of those programs that I probably use about 20% of what it’s capable of. It’s simple when you need it to be and has bells and whistles when you need a bit more. It’s also actively developed with regular releases and feature improvements.
I can absolutely get a laser cutter video in the queue. I’ve avoided it a bit because I feel terribly spoiled for having one. It took me a long time to find myself in a place where I could swing it and justify the spend. Now… it seems like every project has some laser cut element. Thanks for the suggestion! Cheers!
Great video, love how you go into details with the materials :) I've been thinking of going inexpensive at first and start with some cardboard. But when reading up on it i hear people say it decays after a while, which is a bummer. What's your experience with that ? Is it even worth it to work with cardboard if it disintegrates eventually ?
I have not yet made a nook out of cardboard, but loads of wargaming terrain and it basically all degraded within a year. Too be fair, of course the terrain was touched and moved a lot more than the pure deco nook would be. But still, I think the cardboard would sack down and lose its painted colour over time. If you want to stay on budget (especially with tools as well) my experiences with the foam board are excellent so far.
@@SkulduggeryGaunt Thanks for sharing your experience! :) I've been working with paper lately, i think that's the road i'll go for now, but foam board sounds great. I'll have to get some and try it out.
It really depends on your perspective. My background is fine art and artists can get really worked up about how long their art lasts and will use materials that will stand the test of time. @SkulduggeryGaunt is spot on. Cardboard has a lot of acidity that breaks down the fibers and, over time, makes the cardboard lose it's strength. Now... having said that, it depends on what you do with the cardboard. If you use it in layers and you use materials like Mod Podge or other acrylic varnishes, you're basically coating the cardboard with plastic... which we know lasts longer than the pyramids. Straight up cardboard will soften and lose strength quickly. Layered, coated, and sealed cardboard will hold up a lot longer. Deep down... all of that acidity is still there but now it's also infused with additional materials that help hold it all together.
If you're using cardboard and not painting it, the color will change over time as things begin to break down. It usually will darken like old paper does. Paint fades based on the quality of the paint and pigments. If you use craft paints, expect them to fade no matter what - the pigments used are generally inexpensive. If you want your colors to stay vibrant, even on marginal materials like cardboard, step up to a bit better pigmented paint. Even "student grade" artist paints are MUCH better than cheap craft colors and they come in both tube and jar varieties.
At the end of the day, it really depends on your perspective. Jackson Pollock used cheap scrap canvas and random house and industrial paints for his paintings. He walked all over them and dropped more than a fair amount of cigarette ashes into the paint. He cared about the work more than how long it lasted (which modern art conservators now have to deal with). I personally think it's more important to be creative and use the materials you have access to and then, as experience and budget permits, begin to think about how to move to better quality materials when it makes sense.
OK... that was a long replay. I wish you the very best and encourage you to make cool things with whatever you have!
Have you ever used a regular hardback book with the pages torn out? I have a lot of books and am considering this, but need a tutorial.
I haven't. Most of the nook is the front so it would be interesting to think about the possibilities with a real book. Does the spine become the front? Maybe it has a little door or window cut out and you peek into a tiny world inside? Or... maybe you could cut a space out of the pages and the book is open slightly to reveal a scene build in the space created? Using just the covers feels easier since you have to just remove the cover without destroying it. Carving hundreds of pages out makes my head hurt a bit but the juice could be worth the squeeze. The would need to be pretty big tomes... but... hmmm.... ok.... hmmmm... it does intrigue.
What is tag board? Is it like the board you get on the back of sketch pads or in small packs of paper to stiffen the package? I'm in the UK, so I haven't a clue what it is and was wondering if it's the same as our greyboard
Exactly! I've heard it called chipboard as well. You're spot on... a quick Google on greyboard says yes. The board I use is more of a kraft paper brown but it's generally all the same kind of stuff - an reasonably priced, thick paper stock. All the best with your projects!
My understanding of the “free as in beer” description is to distinguish it from “free to do with as you want”
It is often used in conversations about software. Some software is free “as in beer” (doesn’t cost any money) but restricts you on how you can use it.
“Real” free software has no restrictions on what you can do with it (typically open-source software).
So “free an in beer” only means it doesn’t cost you any money, but may not mean you are free to do what you want with it.
Now that is an interesting take on the phrase! Nuanced. It’s an interesting saying and is used pretty frequently. There a so many out there that lose meaning over time. “Sure as eggs” is a favorite. My Grandmother use to say “give it a lick and a promise.” I’m very sure she wasn’t being vulgar 😂! All the best!
Thank you for your video, it's very useful. I checked out your Etsy shop & would like to purchase a couple of these boxes. Do you think that you could add a door to the box with hinges? I am new to the technical diy world, so I'm still learning otherwise I'd give it a try myself
Sorry for the late reply. You can email me on my shop with details on more of the details (where is the door... how big... etc.) I'm happy to look at seeing if we can figure out a solution!
free as in beer is part of a comparison, usually paired with free as in speech, where one might cost you nothing (because someone might buy you a beer, you get given a beer or you brew your own) while free as in speech means freedom
Now I'm thirsty! Thanks for the comment. Cheers!
I really want to try this, but my bookcase is so full of books, that I don’t know where to put it.
Right?! One solution... more bookcases! There's something about creating tiny worlds that is really intriguing. They can be just a room... or a whole city! Give it a whirl and find the space later :)!
Move some books to the top space of ya bookcase?
Or take a few to peruse for beside the loo 🚽
Scatter one or two going up the stairs, just under the rail where those feet don’t trail ‼️well just as long as ya know folk won’t trip up⁉️ u can pop a nook at top or bottom, or even in the middle, if ya know it won’t get trodden on 🤣
Could ya culinary books fit a top of your fridge n free ya bookcase up a snug place for a nook 🤗
How’s ya coffee table area, will owt fit there? Or stood alone in a corner, with a dunce cap if ya dare 😳
Or you can pile the books upon your head, and practice being, a geisha makin’ lady 🙏
Can u buy the wood!? Somewhere? That the box is ready to go?
The best place to buy empty book nook boxes seems to be Etsy. You can also check out local craft stores if you have one around. They won't have a book nook specifically but might have other wooden boxes that would work well. Best of luck with your project!
I don't think there's anything wrong with the term book nook! if anyone from the diorama community does think that, why? its just a name for a diorama that's put between books! where are these things being said! great video by the way :) you got a sub from me
LOL! I'm sure we can find people that will come down on the side of anything... it's the web after all. You are absolutely correct! A book nook is a form factor... nothing more. I honestly think nooks are much much harder because your space is constrained in some very unique ways and the challenge of implying space and depth is daunting at times! Thanks for the sub!
I think maybe the free like beer term may have come about because of some really cheep beer or beer was dirt cheap in comparison? Idk, I can't drink 🤷🏾
It's a weird saying to be sure. Or... maybe beer didn't actually cost anything to make back in ye olden times... you could just make it yourself? All the best!!
Micro-nook. Challenge accepted.
I hear ya! I need something less… epic scale and complexity.
I love your pattern for the booknook. I checked out your Esty and noticed you only have pre-made kits. I have my own laser cutter and was wondering if you would sell the pattern file?
I've had a few people ask. At this point I'm not selling the pattern. It was a tough decision and I'm still a little uncertain about my overall business model :). I appreciate the interest. I'm still a bit new to the Etsy gig so keep an eye on the store... I may cave and post the digital download at some point.
@@RandomMakingEncounters I'm definitely interested in buying the pattern if you do decide to eventually sell it - your's is so well done! I had a look at your Etsy store but the shipping costs to Australia nearly gave me a heart attack soooo.... 😂
I bet! International is a little crazy. I really like texture rollers from Green Stuff World but they’re in Spain and it’s too expensive to ship 🙁.
Wowww me gusto mucho este video, tengo una pregunta; cuales son las medidas que nos aconseja para hacer la caja? Gracias de antemano
En El video dice 9 pulgadas de alto, 9 pulgadas profundo y de ancho lol que quieras
@@Craftydork gracias
I apologize for any Google Translate errors in advance!
¡Gracias! Creo que 100 mm de ancho, 240 mm de alto y 200 mm de profundidad es bueno para cajas estrechas. Estoy trabajando en un rincón de 150 mm de ancho que me permite colocar más cosas. Pueden ser del tamaño que desee, dependiendo de dónde desee mostrarlas.
Thank you! I think 100mm wide, 240mm high, 200mm deep is good for narrow boxes. I'm working on a nook that is 150mm wide that lets me fit more stuff in. They can be any size you want depending on where you want to display them.
These are craft boxes, out of craft stores, so they are super 'crafty'. lol
There was a total excess of craft going on there! Thanks for appreciating my goofiness!
Question! would i be able to get one of your kits with custom dimensions? i need one that is like 7 inches wide...
It's possible as long as none of the panel dimensions go over roughly 11 x 19. My cutter has a 12 x 20 bed and I need a little wiggle room. Best to contact me on my Etsy shop with the dimensions you need so I can scope it out a bit! Cheers.
@@RandomMakingEncounters ok ill do that, thanks!
do you sell the book nook "bases"? For those of us who dont have laser cutters
I do. I have an Esty shop that's linked in the header of my channel. Thanks for asking and watching. Yes... laser cutters are a huge luxury that I feel very fortunate to have.
What laser cutter do you use? And can you make a video about adding sound to a book nook. Or music to fit a Diagon alley scene
I am using an Orion Motor Tech 50 watt laser. I've been pretty happy with it but it's turned out to be a bit of a journey... not hard but a lot of fiddling around. It's the 50 watt version of a K40 laser that are relatively inexpensive. I would say... even inexpensive lasers will add up over time as you tweak to make them perform better.
I can make a video on sound for sure! I'm also working on a circuit board that would make sound and LEDs a bit easier. Have you don't any Arduino programming?
Thanks for watching!
Do you sell svg files for cutting the book nooks?
You're not the first to ask :)! Honestly... I've been a little resistant. However, I'm beginning to think I may need to rethink that. Materials are getting so expensive that selling the boxes isn't really profitable while keeping it affordable for most folks. Offering the files would provide an alternative. Thanks for asking and bubbling that up to the top o' my noggin again! Cheers!
I think you mean window boxes when you were talking about the tins.
Yes! I've also heard the term shadow box. The amazing nuances of language. Are all book nooks dioramas but not all dioramas nooks? I've been told book nook isn't correct because a nook is something completely different. Thanks for the comment and all the best!
Well... on the free beer... I actually get free beer quite often 😅 I just don't drink beer so I give it away to the next person
And I'm sure they're extremely happy you do! All the best!
@@RandomMakingEncounters They are after they realize that I'm not joking!
21:25 … lights - where do you buy those?
I just added a link in the description. You should also be able to find them at local craft stores. They're used a lot in floral arrangements and come in a variety of lengths. Some are cool and some are warm white so that's another thing to keep an eye out for. All the very best!
What scale pre-made items do you get? 1/24? 1/12? It's probably obvious to someone who creates miniature spaces or playhouses, but I'm brand new to this. Thanks.
Thanks for watching. Scale really depends. I typically start with the idea and then scratch my head and say, "Where the heck am I going to get all of the pieces?". In some cases, I'm working with D&D or Warhammer miniatures so that drives the size. I'm lucky enough to be able to 3D print a lot of things but it sure is nice to be able to just get things off the shelf. With that in mind, I think 1/12 is a really great scale for nooks. The objects are big enough that they can have a ton of detail and there are a lot of scale dollhouse materials that are really nice quality. The only downside is bigger either means a more compact space with less stuff... or a slightly bigger nook. Hope that helps! All the best.
where did u get 1/8 birch plywood??
I buy mine on Amazon but it can sometimes be hard to find. I buy 3mm (1/8") 12" x 20" sheets. I've looked for other places to buy but haven't found better pricing yet. The bad news is the price seems to keep creeping up :(. Hope that helps! Cheers!
lets call them micro diorama
That has a nice ring to it! All the best!
Before Tik Tok they weren't called "Book Nook" they were called "diorama"
Or "room boxes" or "shadow boxes". I think diorama is the genus and book nook is the species! All the best!
@@RandomMakingEncounters the first shadow box I saw was on my grandparents wall. It was heavy on foreshadowing and looked like the inside of a cabin. It fascinated me as a small child. I could look at it for hours examining all the small details.
I lol'd at "bah...book nook tutorials". I have spent an embarrassing amount of time trying to track down book nook tutorials. I have found ONE (excluding WATCHING someone put a KIT together)
So where are all these tutorials ? 😆
I need to make more of these! I get so distracted on random projects... there's a reason for the channel name. Thanks for the comment! Glad you got a little chuckle outta it. Cheers!
“Stay INSIDE the box?!?!”
It’s like coloring in the lines but in 3D. Nooks are a great challenge but I long for the wide open spaces of a good ‘ol diorama sometimes! I may need to make a t-shirt… “Think inside the box”… hmmmm. Thanks for watching and commenting. All the best!
Almost watched all of the video and there is not a single picture or short clip showing examples of what you are talking about. The purpose of making a video is to show viewers something related to the subject, Instead I would have the same experience if this was an audio podcast only without video. Diorama means miniature scene. Nook means a small space (Therefore Book Nook means book small space which sounds wrong and is wrong) This is usually referred to as a "Diorama" or a "Diorama bookshelf insert" or book nook if you follow believe and do what others do without questioning anything in life like sheep do blindly
Thanks for sharing your perspective on the subject.
"book nookers" 😂
I mean… right? I was going to make a “Weekend Nooker” shirt but felt it would lead to too many awkward looks and explanations.
GET TO THE POINT!!!
You bet!
too many commercials so close together
Sadly, I don't have control over that. It seems like it really varies. Some videos... not too many... others... every few minutes. It's the "algorithm".
@@RandomMakingEncounters in half way trough watching it and have only had 1 advert so far.