"Bag Ends" Bonsai Hobbit Hole

[Steve_C]

Being OCD can be a blessing as well as a curse. While I enjoy creating things to the best detail I can, it would actually be nice to just sit and do nothing sometime perhaps lol. Been working on this for a bit of time here & there in between waiting for customer rods to dry and such. Probably got about 20hrs into it over the past week total.

This is my Bonsai tree "Bag Ends" Hobbit Hole from Lord of The Rings. I had a couple ficus bonsai trees which I wanted to do something "different" with so decided the make this. It's all hand made, mostly out of hand carved foam, 1/4" wood, cut and varnished toothpicks, wire, the steps and chimney are carved foam, windows are water bottle caps painted, covered with cut toothpicks and varnished, rocks are hand made with quickrete, basically didn't want to buy anything store bought so made it all myself. Came out pretty neat looking and since the trees are Ficus I'll be able to keep it inside most the time in the office/shop to enjoy rather than outside with the rest of my bonsai trees.

 

[fishhead0103666]

When I saw that first picture I said to myself "nope, not gonna happen". When I got to the last picture I learned not to be so sure of myself because that turned out pretty good.
If you don't mind me askiny, how long did this take fron start to finish? I couldn't imagine it taking less then a day.

 

[Steve_C]

Thanks, I wasn't sure of it at first either lol but after more & more work it came along like I was hoping. It took about 20hrs total give or take.

 

[Joshomaru]

Nice work!
If you're a rod builder, doing something free form like this must be a welcome relief.
Thanks for sharing!
(PS- you could apply your skills to making customers aquarium decor! Picture aquarium friendly materials with what you made, and aquatic plants instead of bonsai. You could be rich! Not really- but you could be artist rich; ie- starve slower than the other artists!)
For real though, that's cool as shot. Thanks again for sharing detailed photos of the process.

 

[Matteus]

Wow. That is amazing. Great workmanship.

 

[fishhead0103666]

you could be artist rich; ie- starve slower than the other artists!)

I am thinking about putting this in my signature....

 

[Matteus]

I am thinking about putting this in my signature....

A sandwich artist- should work at subway

 

[krichardson]

That's a really nice looking display,makes me want to try one.What is the "grass" made of?

 

[Steve_C]

Thanks guys it was fun to make and a nice way to take a break from some work.

krich its sheet moss bought from the local craft store. You get about 2sq ft for about $10

joshomaru I do quite a bit of work with hand carved foam 3D background in tanks. Check out some of my tanks in the DIY section. I have done a number of backgrounds for guys in my club too but it's hard to make much cash off of though. Even charging $200 for one by the time you factor in all the sullies and tons of hours labor that go into a 3DBG it's back to the less starving thing you mentioned lol

 

[FMA4ME]

Uuuuhh, don't you have a 1000 HP GTO wasting away in your garage? Put down the Harry Potter crap and make some noise!!! I'm messing with you, it's nice. I woulda put lights in it lol.