Ceiling Light: My favorite budget hint: I  made a ceiling light by using a clear faucet handle "button", 1" in diameter, with pretty facets.  The sides are designed to pop into the top of a faucet out of sight, so had to be covered. I did that by wrapping a strip of embossed foil from the edge of a greeting card around the outer rim, but ribbon or a strip of veneer are other possibilities.  I glued the fixture over a grain of wheat bulb (rated for 12 volt - be sure to verify!) coming down through a small hole in the ceiling. Its wires are soldered to the tapes under the carpet above, and so when the bulb goes out it will be easily replaced.  Works great and costs less than $2.50 per light, including the bulb.  Hey, it's not a chandelier for the royal palace, but it's a fair representation of the typical light in a bedroom of the last 60 years or more, and I'm quite pleased with it as my first effort in lighting. If the dolls look up they will see a "C" (for "cold"), but I'm hoping they will conclude it's just a logo of some kind. Without sticking my head all the way in I could not see the "C" (which is not painted on, just embossed in the center).  The "H" and arrow design will also be put to use sometime, all from the same package at the local hardware store.  If your hardware store doesn't have the grain of wheat bulbs, check with an electronics outlet.

Rosalind in Houston, TX

Water cooler: Here is a link to a site that can get you any Acme 3D magnet they make. They have water coolers and exercise equipment for $3 each. Also a cool BBQ. A lot of the magnets can be used very nicely in a dollhouse and others vary. I used to have some and they were about 2 1/2 inches high so I painted a piece of wood black and glued underneath as a base to raise it up a bit. Looked like it was suppose to be there. The water cooler I thought was great and had a chrome look. They also carry the Washer, Dryer, Dishwasher,Stove, Refrigerator Etc. You can take a look at these little gems at: http://www.kaysmagnets.com/Merchandise/for_fun/index.html

Brooke, Wa (muddyshoes)

Unusual Items: Another source for unusual items is a place called Playthings Past. They have mostly key chains, but they have games like Monopoly, Life, etc., I purchased the robot from Lost In Space and many other items that I have used in boxes. For the person doing the county fair, they have the machine that is filled with toys and stuffed animals with a claw that you operate with a crank. It really works! Their web site is http://Playthingspast.com

Diane in Ohio

kitchen sink/litter box:  ON suggested using   a restaurant jam container for a kitchen sink, painting it silver, or white for a bathroom..  Of course, to paint the outside of it, it must be  a clear one to begin with. ( Many of them are white.) And I also trim the rim and use one for a cat litter box, paintingthem blue, or green, or pink, or gold.   (I used to have a booth in a craft mall, and sold them in different colors.) Then I got some "grit" type granules from a model train store to use for litter, and made some Fimo poo to put in it.    

Dorothy

Working pinball machine: I have a working one-inch scale pinball machine at http://www.tinyheirlooms.com Look under other furniture. I've also got working air hockey, foosball, and basketball shoot-out at the store. Email me if interested. customerservice@tinyheirlooms.com

Tammy in Virginia

Skivver leather: Al Chandronnait---famous---mini basket maker used to sell very, very thin leather. I hope he still does. Here's his addy: 19 Winnhaven Drive, Hudson, NH 03051. He usually has an ad in the Dollhouse Miniatures magazine every month. His ad mentions all the baskets available but he doesn't mention the leather. Another source would be the thrift stores for old gloves. Although I have never been so lucky to find old gloves or old silk ties. I think a shop in the vicinity of an old age home would be a good place to look. People into vintage clothes are snapping these things up quickly. You've got to go often and be fast.

Elise in Va

Tiny Shells: I saw a brilliant use of tiny shells at the Columbus Ohio show, making "living" souvenirs. Snip a fine fringe of green plastic bag or quilling paper, roll into a tube, and glue inside the shell for instant bromeliad just like the life-scale shell-filled air plants!  Really quick and really cute.

Loretta_Sniarowski

Newspaper wallpaper: Joe Hermes P.O. Box 4023 El Monte, CA 91734 Catalog $3.

He has the newspaper wallpaper and many others too. Also has 1/4 paper that looks like wood floors. As far as I know has no e-mail or WEB page. Nice man with nice wife.

Bobbie in Los Angeles

Wallpaper that looks like newspaper: J. Hermes makes it. We have it. Earth and Tree Miniatures http://www.dollhouse-miniatures.com

Tom and Kari

Scents: Just FYI- some folks are incredibly sensitive and/or allergic to fragrances or smells. I am incredibly sensitive to smells, and my trachea swells at the hint of any cigarette smoke (either exhaled or from the cigarette itself), but also to any fragrance with an alcohol base (as all perfumes are). I don't go many places alone, as I use a 'scout' to smell ahead for me. Walking through folks smoking at doorways can't be done, I have to find another door! At any rate, if there were smells coming from a scene, I couldn't go near it! Some folks have specific allergies, I know of two people at work, one is allergic to vanilla, and another allergic to the spray of oranges! We are asked not to wear perfume to work, and signs are up in the cafeteria not to peel oranges!

Beth in Maine