Miniature Faucet Tutorial
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A jewelry clasp, a few earring backs, and some decorative head pins come together to create the most realistic miniature bathroom or kitchen faucet! A chrome or gold spray paint finish makes it look just like the real thing. This is a slightly more advanced project that involves wire cutting and super glue, but the stunning result is absolutely worth the effort!
⚠️ Safety note: This project uses wire cutters and super glue. Work carefully and keep super glue away from skin. Use toothpicks for precise glue application. For Personal Use Only |
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What You'll Need
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Where to buy: Jewelry clasps, head pins, and earring backs can be found at Michaels under the brand "Jewelry Essentials Findings". The spacer beads are also from Michaels under the brand "Elite Better Beads".
Step 1 — Prepare the Faucet Body
Using wire cutters, carefully cut the chain off the jewelry clasp. Also remove the small metal circle that held the chain in place. Once cut, use sandpaper to smooth the surface as flat and even as possible. Set aside.
Step 2 — Prepare the Tap Handles (Earring Backs)
Take two of the three earring backs and use wire cutters to cut off approximately half of the bottom portion of each one, as shown in the photos. These will become the hot and cold tap handles.
Step 3 — Cut the Head Pins for the Handles
Use wire cutters to trim two of the decorative head pins to fit snugly inside the two cut earring backs. Push a head pin into each earring back and secure with a small amount of tacky glue. Set aside to dry.
Step 4 — Prepare the Spout Earring Back
Take the third earring back and use wire cutters to cut it all the way down to the base — cutting more than the first two, as shown in the photos. This piece will become the faucet spout base. Push the third head pin through this earring back but do not trim the head pin yet.
Step 5 — Assemble the Faucet
Carefully add a drop of super glue to one of the handle earring backs and press it onto one of the side rings on the jewelry clasp. Repeat for the other handle on the opposite side. Allow both to dry completely before moving on.
Step 6 — Attach the Spout
Add a small drop of super glue to the spout earring back and carefully place it onto the centre ring of the jewelry clasp as shown in the photos. Allow to dry fully. Once dry, use wire cutters to trim most of the length of the centre head pin, leaving just a small amount to suggest the spout tip.
Step 7 — Add the Spout Bead & Paint
Add a tiny drop of super glue to the centre earring back and press the spacer bead into place as shown. Allow to dry completely. Once all glue is fully cured, take the assembled faucet outside or to a well-ventilated area and spray paint in your choice of chrome/silver or gold. Allow to dry fully before handling.
Complete the SceneThe beautiful bathroom vignette shown here uses the finished faucet as the centrepiece of a fully detailed miniature bathroom. Here's how the other elements were made — perfect inspiration for building out a complete scene!
- Sink: Clear plastic container from a toy machine
- Cabinet: Hutch from Michaels
- Mirror: Glued to a spray-painted gold scrapbook embellishment
- Bath beads jar: Clear straw filled with small coloured beads, topped with a cut clear push pin and a clear bead lid
- Soap bars: Painted wood with printed labels
- Perfume bottles: Beads and jewelry findings
- Soap dish: Jewelry finding glued to a button, filled with tiny polymer clay soap balls
- Hand towel: Cut from an old necktie
