Candle flame: Try using Tulip Paint ve-e-ery carefully for the flame.

Carol

Mini flames: I'm not sure that this is what someone really meant when they asked about mini flames but this really does work extremely well to make a candle light or even fireplace flames look realistic. You use clear silicone, put a dab of it on the tip of the bulb, and pull it up to make a flame shape.   When the bulb is lit, the entire silicone flame lights and looks real. This even works in real size on those inexpensive plastic candle thingies for your windows. I use the same method to make flames for cauldron flames, fireplaces, lit torches, anywhere I want an open flame. I think that if you embed pieces of colored tissue, it would look even more colorfully on fire. It is important to use clear silicone; it must be 100% silicone and not be the paintable kind. You can get it in discount stores as tile and tub sealer or in the automotive dept. as windshield sealer.

Cat

Dressing table trays. The jewelry findings work great. I also paint a piece of lace with gold or silver spray paint, let it dry. It doesn't take long. Then I glue it around a piece of craft mirror, usually found in the mosaic tile sections of craft stores. Stiffen a bit more by brushing a little clear nail polish over the lace. You can also bend the edges down a bit for a ridge.   They look great.

RPURPLEMOPAR

Scanning: I've noted some of your disappointment about printouts... and your questions about scanning. There are differences between the on-screen display of an image, the image resolution and the print resolution. I can recommend a book on this topic: "The Non-Designer's Scan and Print Book" by Sandee Cohen and Robin Williams. I found it very useful. After scanning, a good image editing program can work wonders. I have Photoshop. It's a bear to learn, but it can do anything! There is also a Photoshop LE edition that looks a lot easier and can do the basics of image editing.

Kathy from Tustin

Pattern Material: I often made patterns for my old dolls by cutting them first and fitting using paper toweling. It is cloth-like so it can be fitted quite easily, yet is strong enough to really use for a pattern. Have done this with mini dolls, antique, and modern in all sizes.

Anita McNary-Haynes

Tapered Candles. To make mini ones try taking a piece of thread and dipping it into a small amount of melted candle wax (about 1"deep). Dip & blow on your string, dip and blow again & again until you have the right diameter. You will end up with a REAL hand dipped mini candle!

Brooke,Wa

144th Scale Bricks: "N" scale railroad stuff is close enough to the same scale that you can use it for 144th scale. A model railroad store or catalog will have printed bricks, stones, etc. I've seen plastic formed into brick shapes too.

Dona Vaughn

1/24 Scale: For those of you who are into smaller scales there is a new online shop open!!! www.halfscaleminis.com I have been and looked and although I work in 12th scale I must admit that 24th would fit better in my ever filling up space!!! I have heard that you all say 24th scale things are hard to find so maybe this will help?? This shop is very new and although there are LOTS of things on there I am sure there will be more added as soon as they get the confidence from their first customers!

Noni

Trailer: Sue Herber gave directions for making a trailer house in quarter inch scale in the July/August 2001 NAME Miniature Gazette. She had a kit for it at the National In Louisville and it is really cute. It is sort of ME inspired. Sue has pictures of her little trailer up on the web: http://thing.com/sue/current_projects/trailer/

Sherry in Uniontown

Trailer: I just saw three different types of Motor homes in one inch scale at a store called Camping World. They are online http://www.campingworld.com although I don't know weather they have them on the web site, I do know that they have them in their stores. If you write to them through the web site I'm sure they will have further information.

Marilyn, Mini-ing in RV