The cardboard model This is the first attempt at putting the stairs together. They did fit together....sort of!	The fiberboard version This version shows the initial layout. These peices are actually part of the finished stair box	PaperClay on gater board The walls were completed prior to putting the swinging stairs in place. The steps on the walls were completed prior to the PaperClay.	The box reaching external completion	The finished piece Wtih some 18 stairwells, some moving -some not, the illusion is complete.
Another angle of the finished box The box has great detail in the insidw with 300 paintings.	Pictures The pictures give the box more depth. Some are lenticular (look like motion) and some are not. But the box looks busy!	And of course wizards (the potions wizard here) The box is filled with wizards and witches to complete the scene. Each depicts a different story.	Potions wizard at work	Astronomy wizard
The timeless wizard	The traveling wizard	The Librarian	The Ghost	Blue Cornish Pixie There are thousands of details in the box; shown here is just one, the Blue Cornish Pixie!

First, I planned the stairs with cardboard and masking tape. Lots of tape, lots of cardboard and lots of patience and impatience. After I was pretty sure of what I needed, I elicited  help on the basic construction elements from Earth and Tree Miniatures and Mary Ann Stage.  I asked Mary Ann Stage for help on all railing, newel posts and some doors. Mary Ann (unlike me) is a star in molds.

The walls were initially of  Gator Board. After painting, aging and surfacing the stairs, they were glued on each wall in order. I was very methodical about this as a proper fit from wall to wall was critical.

Well, once the stairs and door frames were in place, it was time for Creative PaperClay© . However, I found that the walls were warping! I contacted Rik Pierce (my Creative PaperClay© expert) who suggested that the walls were going to require some backing…hum…a dilemma…

But I was on my way and there was no stopping me. Charlie Edwards of Walnut Creek WoodShop was already in the process of making a wood box to house the 5 foot high and 2 ½ foot deep structure. So he stepped in with a plan and  created wood backings for each wall, the ceiling and the floor.

Then, once all that was done there was only one major task left---fitting the crossover stairs into place and checking to be sure that the moving stairs moved, the walls fit snugly, that the stairs were even and that  the railings were going to work. Did I say one task left? Sounds like there might have been more than one task.

At  that point I was looking at a box with lots of stairs and no character. Since I love to create detailed  tables, small scenes and  life statements, I had a wonderful time  “decorating” the box with  a celestial wizard, a cooking witch, a sewing witch,  a traveling wizard, a potions master, an avid reading witch, a ghost,  and a keeper of the keys. 

As for the portraits… First, I  searched the internet  and found sites with small downloadable portraits of all kinds. Then I sorted through them to find the most  appropriate. In the process of creating the box I decided that I really wanted to have some of the portraits “move” so I created about 40 holographic looking portraits with lenticular   plastic.

I know for sure that I will be adding dolls, ghosts and a few other details, but for now I am content with my 20 staircases, 18 doors, 25 landings and 300 pictures.

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