Grandma’s Piano: A Miniature Replica, was a deeply personal and rewarding experience where I created a handmade toy piano modeled after the upright piano that had been in my family since the 1960s. Inspired by my love for toy instruments that don't sound good and childhood memories, I wanted the piece to not only function but also reflect the charm and sentimental value of the original. I worked mostly in my mom’s garage, using her tools and enjoying the solitude to focus on building the wooden shell.
Back in Boulder, I harvested parts from a Melissa & Doug piano to make mine playable and spent time sanding, staining, and finishing it to match the look of the family piano. There were definitely challenges, like workspace limitations, unfamiliar techniques, and design elements I didn’t have time to finish, but I’m proud of how it turned out. I’ve been living with the piano for a few weeks now and every time I walk by and play a little tune, I feel proud that I made something so meaningful from start to finish.
To view all my blog post updates for this project and my upcycled film slide lamp shade, visit my portfolio post on the course webpage here: https://www.aesdes.org/2025/05/03/portfolio-zoe-cooper/