where to find small display cases/bell jars

[Midnightflyer]

I've actually been painting for a couple of years now and enjoy doing dioramas more than individual figures. I have several friends who have expressed an interest in having me do pieces for them to display in their homes or businesses. The problem I have is finding somewhere to get individual display cases or something along the lines of a suitable "bell jar" that I could use for the dioramas I'm going to make. I thought that this would be the place to ask seeing the number of accomplished and masterful painters there are here. So any suggestions anyone has would be appreciated. Thanks much

 

[theBaron]

Hi, Midnightflyer, and welcome to the Planet!

Where are you located? Are you in the US? If you are, try the craft store chains Michael's, AC Moore or HobbyLobby. They carry a variety of display cases that can be used for figures. At Michael's, I buy display cases for football and baseball collectibles, for my 54mm figures. That store is always issuing coupons, too, and they have a continuous 40% discount on most items.

I also look around at flea markets and thrift stores, and at shows. I've got an old display case for a microscope that I've converted into a wall-mounted display case. It's a wooden box, with a framed glass door that opens down, about 20" x 18" x 4" deep. Got that at a flea market years ago for around $20.

Hope that helps, prosit!
Brad

 

[John Bowery]

Welcome.
You can also buy at the lumber yard, clear plastic sheets that are used to replace windows in storm screen. Then you can scribe and cut/break them any size you need to make a five sided box to attach to the wooden base with just a couple of small brass wood screws. The sides will glue together with liquid plastic cement and the joint will be clear. I have made many for diorama's and planes on bases. I made one for two 1/48th scale f14s side by side, with mirrors on the floors under each a/c. One tip, do not removed the protective film until you are ready to glue the pieces together and this will help keep the cut pieces clear.
Hope that this helps.
Cheers
John

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

What about a 'Perspex' display base, further mounted on a wooden base ? .. e.g.

There are plenty on E-Bay!.... just a thought!

Regards,

Mark

 

[billyturnip]

Ooddly enough a friend of mine recently asked about them in an antique shop, apparently the old fashioned ones are difficult to get hold of due to a renewed interest in taxidermy.

Roger.

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

Ooddly enough a friend of mine recently asked about them in an antique shop, apparently the old fashioned ones are difficult to get hold of due to a renewed interest in taxidermy.

Roger.

Roger!... if there is one place on earth, where you are guaranteed, a good 'Stuffing', ..That would be the, N/Yorks!..... Pies, People, Animals, you name it !! so, it is of little surprise, that there are very few of these items at the auction rooms!.. LOL!..

Mark

 

[billyturnip]

Quite right! I'm in Greece at the moment so stuffing myself with lots of nice food. Roger

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

Quite right! I'm in Greece at the moment so stuffing myself with lots of nice food. Roger

Oh! great! .. just rub it in! ...... Grrrrrrr !

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

MN/Flyer,..... something like this ? @ shutterstock.com.


Or ¬

 

[billyturnip]

It

Oh! great! .. just rub it in! ...... Grrrrrrr !

It was too good an opportunity to let pass...... must time for another cold Mythos

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

It

It was too good an opportunity to let pass...... must time for another cold Mythos

GIT!.....Have a dodgy prawn!! .... LOL!...

 

[Midnightflyer]

Hi, Midnightflyer, and welcome to the Planet!

Where are you located? Are you in the US? If you are, try the craft store chains Michael's, AC Moore or HobbyLobby. They carry a variety of display cases that can be used for figures. At Michael's, I buy display cases for football and baseball collectibles, for my 54mm figures. That store is always issuing coupons, too, and they have a continuous 40% discount on most items.

I also look around at flea markets and thrift stores, and at shows. I've got an old display case for a microscope that I've converted into a wall-mounted display case. It's a wooden box, with a framed glass door that opens down, about 20" x 18" x 4" deep. Got that at a flea market years ago for around $20.

Hope that helps, prosit!
Brad

 

[Midnightflyer]

Brad ,

Thanks a bunch for responding and for all the intel. Yes, I am in the US, Pittsburgh, Pa. actually, and there is a Michael's and a HobbyLobby about a half an hours drive from me. I'm going in that area today to look at some cabinetry and work benches for an art room I am putting together in our new house so I will definitely stop at both places and see what they have available.
Thanks again for the help. Once we get everything unpacked, I may even post some of my work. I should forewarn you not to expect the kind of talent that I have seen on these pages regularly lol . I have my own style of painting, but I do try to pick up tips from the masters here and apply them to my own technique.
Victor/Midnightflyer

 

[Midnightflyer]

MN/Flyer,..... something like this ?View attachment 131963 @ shutterstock.com.


Or ¬ View attachment 131964

 

[Midnightflyer]

Hiya Tubby,
Thanks for replying to my post. The pictures were a great help, and yes, I would probably be able to use both kinds for some of the things I do.
Can't believe all the input I've gotten from you folks. I'll surely check out Shutterstock today.
Thanks again.

Midnightlfyer/Victor