dh smasher: Maybe you and any other dh smashers should make yourselves a DAMMIT doll. Here's the URL for the directions: THE DAMMIT DOLL: http://huskins.com/strega/dammit.html Lots cheaper than stomping your dh kits. LOL!

Grace Shaw

Fingernail polish decals: I did this process making the potting shed in DM that Joanne Swanson did last year. I printed out words on regular paper. Then put about 6 or 7 coats of clear fingernail polish, drying well between each. Actually, I did a coat and the next time I passed by, did another! Then wet the paper -soak it good. The paper will roll off the back leaving the design and the polish. Just glue the design on using tacky glue. I just don't have access to a lot of things suggested for use, so alternate ways of doing things become important. I like to be able to use items I have on hand.

Martha Simpson

Shrink Plastic Sheets: I use the plastic sheets of the clear Shrink It plastic sheets for the wings of my Indian fairies. I used the clear glitter paint for the design and let dry, then put Modge Podge over it so it wasn't sticky. I also make my bear wings from the clear sheets. I tape the pattern to the plastic and colored them with permanent magic markers. You can use paint or colored pencils to color with, but you have to sand the plastic first. I use small rectangle pieces of the plastic for the windows in the front of my tiny room with a view bags. The sheets can also be used for templates. I trace the patterns onto the plastic, cut them out, trace the pattern onto the fur or the fabric. I make tags for my teddy bears, by using a rubber stamp on the sanded plastic. After it's stamped onto the plastic, I sign my name and it let dry, then punch a hole in it. The ink for rubber stamps won't set after the tags are baked, so I carefully coat it with Modge Podge after its cooled. The design is about 2" long, but after it's baked, the tags are only about 1/2" long, but you can still see the design and my signature. After I'm done with my bears, whether they are my miniature bears or my big bears, I take one of the tags and sew it onto the bear. I also make business card key chains out of the white sheets. Enlarge the business card, so its about 4" x 6", cut it out, then tape it to the sheet. Use a fine permanent marker and trace the design and the words. Punch a hole in the corner and bake it. When it comes out, it's the size of a business card and add one of chains that has the balls on it and you have a key chain. I can only find the Aleene's plastic at Hobby Lobby. Michaels has the Shrinky Dinks plastic sheets. They come in Bright White, white, and white sheets that have already been sanded.

Sherrydon

Swimming Pool: I am making a pool (swimming), and have created half moon steps 3 deep out of fimo, drains, screen from faucet adaptor, some little plastic white thingamajigs that have holes for the jets, and need to know, as I am filling it with resin, if there is a certain resin proof glue I should use since they are tacked down and don't want it to slither away after pouring.?? I also have aluminum steps,(small pegboard hooks with handcrafted steps), (looks so darn real), .I am especially concerned what I should use to hold them to the side to keep them in place. Diving board, (rectangle wood with sandpaper on top painted white, turned out great too! Can't wait to post a pic! Any answers will be appreciated.

SuLin

Swimming Pool Glue: We have had very good results with Bond Tacky. As a point of interest, you might want to consider pouring the resin for the pool in layers rather than one solid pour. The layers won't show, and it will generate less heat that might soften any plastic you used.

Tom

White metal kits: Anything, be it object or kit made from white metal, needs to be either washed in soapy water -OR- cleaned with white vinegar. Railway modelling chaps who use white metal kits a lot all swear that unless one cleans the white metal first, it will not take either glue or paint as well as it could. Apparently this is due to the releasing agent used to ensure the things come free from their moulds easily. So dutifully I now clean all my white metal before I either glue or paint it - and by George, they're right!

Helen from York, England

Phoenix White Metal Kits: I LOVE these kits and have done a number of them. You will have no problem if you use 5 minute epoxy, the kind where there are two tubes and you must mix well a little of each together. With the 5 minutes before it sets hard you have time to adjust pieces slightly if necessary. If you use any other kind of glue I think you will have problems as they are not strong enough to hold metal. I suggest you never use super glue for this as the bond will break eventually. Sure wish these kits were more available here in Canada,

Cheryl in Brampton, ON

Miniature Horses: I've just discovered the most fascinating miniature enthusiast sub-specialty! Recently I've had a few purchases from miniature horse sculptors and collectors who want to display my little carpets with their model Arabians. There are folks who make costumes and props for the model horses, and there's even an auction site just for them at http://www.modelhorseauction.com

If you're interested in finding out more about the miniature horse hobby, you might want to take a look at the American Model Arabian Horse Association web site, http://www.amaha.itgo.com Although many Small Stuff subscribers seem to come from a background of interest in houses and dolls, and many model horse enthusiast seem to come from a background of owning and breeding real live horses, it looks like the two groups may actually have a lot in common.

JoLynne

Black birdcage: When I want to make something 'iron', or look like Wedgwood basalt ware, or indeed to just make a mess :O), I take the item outside and spray with matt black car enamel spray, from a car shop. Lovely instant iron. I wouldn't advise anyone to use this enamel spray indoors, as it does not come off. Now how would I know that..

Helen from York, England

Black birdcage: Krylon makes a Black Wrought Iron spray paint that would be perfect to spray either a brass or white birdcage.

Fannye in TX