Hi guys! Today I have a really cute little craft for your dolls. Let’s make a retro TV! This little TV is perfect for Maryellen!

Back in the day, we only had two channels! We also had to get up to change the channel or to turn up the volume, and sometimes one of us would have to hold onto the TV antenna to get a clear signal.

Once your show was over and the news came on, that was it, you simply had to go find something else to do.

We did have colour TV, but back in the fifties it was likely that Maryellen would have had black and white.

Okay let’s get started!

WHAT YOU NEED

Shampoo bottle

When I first saw this rectangular shampoo bottle, I immediately thought of this craft. That was well over a year ago, but it can still be found in most drug stores. The shampoo is really nice too.

Exacto blade (parental guidance required)

Scrapbook paper

Scissors/tape/hot glue

Cardstock paper

Barbecue skewers

Silver/white paint

Beads/buttons

To start, remove the lid and cut off the top bit of the shampoo bottle.

This leaves a hole in the side of the TV. I actually just left it as is for easier access to the inside, but you can cover it if you like.

Using a pencil, draw the TV screen on the front of the bottle.

Use the exacto blade and scissors to carefully cut it out. Keep the extra piece as we will use it to trace.

Now using the plastic piece you cut out, trace it onto a piece of scrapbook paper to fit the inside edge of the screen. It should be about half an inch larger than the plastic piece all the way around.

Cut a rectangular hole in the scrapbook paper about half an inch smaller than the TV screen opening. Also cut a thin rectangular strip from the same scrapbook paper for the side panel of your TV.

Hot glue in place.

Here is what it looks like so far.

Time to add some detail.

I had these buttons.

I simply cut a round piece and a rectangle piece from the leftover plastic.

Then I hot glued them on top of my buttons to make channel and volume knobs.

Hot glue the buttons in place on the side panel of the TV.

Using a small paintbrush, I painted three white dots on the panel. Then I cut more strips of plastic for extra detail.

To make the antenna, I hot glued a silver button to the top of the TV.

Paint a barbecue skewer silver and cut two pieces to hot glue onto the button.

I made one piece longer than the other for a more realistic look. Add some silver beads to the top.

I also cut some more scrapbook paper to make a blank TV screen and just inserted it. Use a small bit of sticky tack inside to hold it in place. And you’re done!!

…Or you can take this project one step further!

Go online and choose some 1950’s black and white TV show images.

Insert into a Word document and size each image to the correct size of your TV screen. Print onto cardstock paper and cut out.

Next, I simply used some double sided tape to attach the image to my blank TV screen piece of scrapbook paper. Keep the sticky tack to use to help hold the screen in place.

Now you can ‘change the channel’ to whichever image you like! Just remove and replace with ease! What fun!

See that hole in the side of the TV? That makes it easier to reach in and firmly adhere the sticky tack to the inside edge of the TV screen.

As an added bonus, all the extra screens store nicely right inside the TV behind the blank screen if you put it back in place.

How cute is this for real?! 😍

I just love the colour for Maryellen!

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I didn’t get a chance to set up her diner, but this little TV would be perfect for it.

For now, Maryellen is working in the ice cream soda shop.

Rootbeer float, anyone?

Maryellen’s dress is also handmade by a very talented lady in my Facebook doll group. 🥰

❤️LOVE!!❤️

Thank you for joining us! I hope you enjoyed today’s craft! We had so much fun! As spring turns to summer, we are looking forward to more crafting adventures right here on the blog.

I hope all is well with each and every one of you! Keep smiling and have a crafty kind of day!

Leave a comment below!

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