A Doorstep in Santorini Village - a Spectacular Miniature Diorama in a Glass Jar!

Our project, "A Doorstep in Santorini Village," captures the enchanting essence of a Greek isle in a miniature diorama, housed within a borosilicate glass jar. Crafted with precision using materials like sunboard, polystyrene, and copper wire, and detailed with acrylic paint and air dry clay, this piece brings the idyllic charm of Santorini to life.

• Borosilicate Glass Jar
• Sunboard
• Super Glue
• Craft Glue
• Polystyrene
• 1 mm Copper Wire
• Acrylic paint
• Air Dry Clay
• Artificial grass fiber

The glass jar's lid was creatively used as the base of the diorama. The pedestal was then fully covered with sunboard, cut into flat rounds and perforated strips, all handmade and glued using superglue.

The outer circumference of the round sunboard on the top layer was matched with the inner circumference of the glass jar by measuring the jar's diameter. This ensures a tight fit when the jar is placed over the completed project.

Multiple pieces of sunboard were cut into desired shapes and layered to form an L-shaped wall. A doorway was created and defined using thin strips of sunboard.

• Structure

Bunches of copper wires (extracted from electrical wires) were twisted to create the basic branches of the Bougainvillea glabra tree.

• Leaf & Flower Compound

Styrofoam/polystyrene dust was mixed with green (for leaves) and crimson (for flowers) acrylic colors.

• Installing

Craft glue was applied to the branches, and the leaf and flower compound was sprinkled over them to cover the branches with leaves and flowers.

Using some plaster of Paris (POP) mix, all the walls and the pedestal were plastered. The pedestal was moderately smoothed, while the walls were given a rough texture using a spatula.

Using 150-grit sandpaper, the structure was moderately sanded, and all the rough edges on the pedestal were smoothed out.

The Santorini Village is known for its distinctive white and blue look. Therefore, the door is painted blue while the rest of the architecture remains white. The green bush is accented with some lavender color to resemble blooming flowers.

• Stools in Furniture

A round piece of sunboard, approximately 1 cm in diameter, was cut. Small pieces of toothpick sticks were sized, sanded, and attached to the sunboard using a drop of superglue.

• Mini Potted Plants

A miniature pot was made using air-dry clay, shaped by rounding it between the palms, flattening one side, and poking a hole in the other. The pot was textured using the tip of a tweezer. Bushes and grasses were then added to complete the miniature potted plants.

• Above the door, the bulb holder was painted, and craft glue was applied. A small piece of a round styrofoam ball was then glued in place to resemble a door bulb.

• A small piece of sunboard was cut, sized, shaped, and painted gold to create the door lock. It was then attached to the door using a drop of superglue.

• A small wooden stick (1 mm thick) was painted black and attached to the door lock to serve as a handle. The door lock and handle were made in this manner.

In the end, all the parts and components were assembled together.

• Started with a clay ball, inserted the bush into the clay, and fixed it onto the back of the wall.
• Added clay to the front pot to secure the bougainvillea tree and inserted some grass fibers near its roots.
• Glued the planted pots on the left and right sides.
• Glued the stool near the door.

"A Doorstep in Santorini Village" exemplifies meticulous craftsmanship and creativity, transforming everyday materials into a stunning miniature world. This diorama, set within a glass jar, offers a captivating glimpse of Santorini's beauty. We hope this project inspires appreciation for miniature art and the magical realism it can evoke.