The human hand often makes the best gluing jig, yes? After considerable deliberation about style, I’m making a salvaged wrought iron railing for the wee balcony off the Argo Wool Works showroom. These are portions of the same laser cut panels from JMG Miniatures used in the Sea House Warming Hut. The best thing about making “vintage” wrought iron is the globbier the glue and the cruddier the paint job, the more scale authenticity.
Observe my current working conditions. The railing joints are reinforced with black paper brackets and “bolts”, which add tremendous stability to the fragile structure.
Scarlett was on her way to inspect my suspiciously-tinkling glass of white wine (Layer Cake Sauvignon Blanc, vintage 2015, lovely). Soon after, she sat down on the many 1/16-inch punched bolts (and x-acto knife, etc.) which clung to her fur and trailed after as she sped on to the next investigation. (The dots clung, not the knife :)
The railing installed, with mounting brackets. It appears a bit too “freshly painted”, so I want to hunt down some examples in the wild to see how they oxidize. But not too much. Structural integrity is important :) Also made brackets for the scythe from Sir Thomas Thumb, which will support some sort of sign. Perhaps Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch’intrate?
Nah. Probably just Argo Wool Works.
nancyland.com 
Love how this looks! Absolutely gorgeous.
Scarlett is disturbingly like my own Building Inspector. I’ve been advised that our feline friends dislike citrus so maybe a spray along those lines will help Scarlett avoid works in progress?
Sheila, thanks! I’m hoping she’ll grow out of it soon… hah! Who am I kidding. I’ve not had a kitten this young in many years. Citrus is a good idea, as I like it :)
The railing and scythe are almost as pretty as the kitty :)
Thanks, Keli. And Scarlett says thank you, also. I guess. We’re still working on courtesy and manners :)
Ah. So cute, so helpful — did she not dip her paw in and taste, just to keep you safe from poisons and the like?
The railings are stunning. Beautiful work, as usual.
She did, of course, dip a millimeter of paw into the glass. And lick some of the condensation off the side. Glad you like the railings!
At least Scarlet was courteous enough to step over the railing instead of on/through them =0D
Yes. Well. Missteps were made, and exclaimed over. And flowers were bitten and chewed. Bushel baskets tipped, tiny clay apples chased. Et cetera :)
The mischief they cause is so little compared to the belly laughs and oxytocin they create! And this stage lasts for too short a time. Plus, she’s obviously a princess incarnate!
So, so true, Jodi. She is ridiculously loving, curious and fierce in equal measures. A homicidal muffin indeed.
How lovely! (Railings and kitty both.)
Thanks, BW. Scarlett bows her head and curtsies.
The railings look awesome and so realistic. Is it real metal? I would be in a panic if I saw the cat walking around the house in progress. Glad he didn’t topple over anything.
Thank you, Bennie! The railing panels are cut from a larger piece by JMG Miniatures, and are laser cut from 14-ply poster board that is .055 inch thick. (They’re lightweight, sturdy, paintable and do not warp. You should check them out http://jmgminiatures.com/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=Hybrid-Gate. They do wonderful brackets and other architectural details.)The stiles, top and bottom rails are cut from 5/32-inch basswood.
The new kitten and I are at odds over jobsite behavior, and I now have to cover works-in-progress with a sheet when I’m not present. Also my studio (located in my house) does not have a door :(
LOVE the look of the black railings against the yellow and grey of your Wool Works and using the scythe as a signpost is a Terrific Idea- very effective except, that is, if you were to shear sheep with it! ;P
Elizabeth, thank you so much. Traditional sheep shearing shears are so simple and elegant. I wonder if Thomas Thumb would consider adding it to his line?