This has been in the works for a long time, and is the reason I've made so few other things lately. It's the end product of around four weeks of work (and would have been half that if not for school). Many tens of hours.
Many, many things went into this construction, but it's based off a tough skeleton of fiberboard, paperclay, bamboo, and lots of armature wire and glue. Epoxy putty was used for many details and small reinforcements, as well as outside elements. Painted with acrylics. The door, of course, is fully functional, and has a bit of plastic in the middle to work like glass.
I tried to be as on-model as possible. I took a few liberties where certain details were vague, like the bottom rim. It's got a weird shape that changes between foreground and background in the actual game, so I decided to make it look like... well, a bell, and so it's rounded. Looks a little different, but better for it, I'd say.
I also engraved the top of the front platform, as it just wouldn't look right if it were smooth.
Some details of the filigree on the roof. It was fun to try and get this particular metallic look. I couldn't resist making it a bit shinier and golden-looking than it is in the game. Maybe Hornet starts taking more care of her house after the events of the game, I don't know.
The last thing I changed design-wise is the top part of the filigree coming off the door. I could have been a good deal cleaner with it all, but heck, this is good enough. Part of it is that it was just easier to make this way, and part of it is that it's better for concealing the joint like this.
"Joint? What joint?", you may ask. Well, this one, of course.
Because in what world could I possibly make a bellhome like this and not make it with a full interior? The joint is magnetized, so it pulls shut when the halves are put together. Also held together with a bit of friction, so it's pretty solid.
...But the inside is for another time; it's not done. I'm already hard at work on it, and am making pretty rapid progress as of now. It'll be a while until it's presentable yet, since I'm really going to do everything (lights included), but I wanted to share the progress so far. You can catch a tiny glimpse of the inside from the last couple pictures.
Keep an eye on this post- I'll update it with a full, finished version in a few weeks, probably. May post some other little snippets of progress along the way, and I mean to make some more minis in that time as well. One of which will be a new and improved adult Hornet figure, who will end up living here.
Enjoy the bellhome for now!
