Doll Size Campfire

Watch the video here.

This week I thought it would be fun to show you how to make a campfire for the dolls. Here in the states we still have Labor Day Weekend and I know a lot of families that traditionally go always try to use that weekend for one last camp out before fall sets in.

What would a camp out be without a campfire? This is a lot easier that it looks, really it is.

First we need a base to build our fire on, I decided to use one the plastic plates that I got in the 8 pack from Dollar Tree. They are strong enough to hold the project and still thin enough to cut the hole that we need in the bottom.

The light, or fire, in our campfire is one of those little battery operated tea lights that we can find at almost any craft store. I have some times even found them at the dollar store.

The first step (and this is really important) is to cut a hole in the center of the plate so we can access the switch and the battery compartment of the tea light. Be sure that you have the opening just big enough to access those things but still have the base of the light sitting on the plate.

And if any of you can think of a safer way to cut the hole please share it with the rest of us. I thought about this for a couple of days and couldn't come up with a different way to do this. So be very careful when cutting.

Once you have the access hole at the bottom use some hot glue to secure the light to the plate. Be sure to check that you can still get to the switch and battery door (including the little screw that holds the door in) I made a different project with one of these lights one time and didn't double check this and managed to glue the light in with the switch covered up.

After the hot glue sets up a bit you can add the “ground” to the base. For this we are using a mixture of white sand and Mod Podge. Make a fairly thick mixture and spread it around to fill the plate base. This will preform a couple of functions for us. Number one is to cover the plate and become the dirt and ashes at the base of the fire. Just as importantly it will help to hold the tea light onto the base.

While this mixture is still wet use some more hot glue and attach rocks to the edge of your campfire. The glue is needed to hold them on. I put them on now so that they can settle into the soft surface of the sand mixture. They will look more realistic that way. If you wait until the sand is dry they will just sit on top and not not look real.

Let the sand mixture set up over night. Mine was still squishy at this point but dry on the surface.

Now paint paint the sand with a pale brown paint. I used some Cocoa from Americana. The exact color doesn't matter just a light brown. Paint the sand and the base of the tea light. Try not to get too much on the rocks though. (a little bit is okay though)

After the brown paint has some time to dry add some black and gray paint to the all parts (except the flame of course) the colors I used were: Black,

Bridgeport Grey, Rain Grey, and Storm Grey. (all by Ceramcoat)

Don't try for an even coat of paint just dab and dry brush the different colors to make it look like a lot of fires have burnt here in the past. Think about how a real fire pit or fire place looks after it has been used for a while. Be sure to get the rocks too.

Now find some branches to make the fire out of. I used some that had come off the trees in our yard a while back and we piled to the side of the yard. They have had several months to dry out so they aren't pitchy.

Cut them to size and add them to the fire pit securing with hot glue. Just build it up like you would a real fire.

When you are done dab on some more black paint randomly to the wood. I also dabbed some black paint to the visible hot glue to disguise it.

I do wish I could have gotten a better photo of the campfire for you. It was a difficult subject. I did have to buy a new camera this weekend and once I learn it maybe I will have better luck. (yeah, my old camera totally died in the middle of taking the photos for this blog post!)