Priority Mail supplies: I have a standing order with the Post Office for Priority Mail boxes, tape and mailing labels. They are all free. The PO sends them to me periodically. I placed the original order from their website (which is a navigation nightmare IMO!) Here's a more specific URL: http://supplies.usps.gov/disclaimer.htm I

Anne

International sales: For those of you in the UK who sell to the US but do not have credit card facilities, Citibank allow you to deposit a dollar cheque same as a sterling one with no charge. I also agree with Jonathan re BidPay. I use this facility regularly for eBay purchases and it has always run very smoothly and is fast.

Karon

Money orders: I have never paid to have a money order cashed. Don't try to change one at the post office in Canada though, they don't give a fair rate. Actually, they don't give a good rate on US money either. I went in to a post office here once with an American $20 to pay for postage on something (only thing I had, I guess I should just have gone to the bank) , and left with it intact because of the ridiculous exchange they wanted to give me (practically on par, for gosh sakes!).

Kim from Canada,

Books into room boxes: In the 1995 December issue on page 43, there is an example of turning a set of old encyclopedias into a 2 story roombox. Really wonderful, only they don't say how it was done. The backs of the books were stacked and somehow parts were hollowed out for a Christmas scene with windows, doors, and outside displays. The inside covers must have been of a nice paper because they were used for wallpaper inside. I love NNs older projects, this was one of the Christmas in the City displays.

Carol T, NC

Log Cabins: To weather my log cabin, I began by using a variety of wire brushes on the siding to give it a weathered appearance as if the wood were really old and splitting from drying out. I then used a solution of india ink and water to give it a light wash. It came out a beautiful weathered grey. After it dried, I mixed up another batch that was just a tad bit darker and had a bit of brown paint mixed in and went over certain areas such as below window sills, up near the roofline and randomly along the bottom of the cabin. This was to indicate areas that were a little more protected and weren't quite so sun bleached.

Finally, I mixed up a light wash of a bit of brown and black acrylic paint in water and used a dry brush technique to go over the logs a bit.

After the final drying, I used 220 grit sandpaper on the walls to knock back the color a bit more and smooth everything out. I then used silver craft paint and, using a tiny, tiny little brush, put just a few streaks on two sides of the house. I'm not sure if this is even noticable or not but that is how I did it.

I gathered up tons of scrap wood from my kit to test the different wash mixes before I actually applied them to the cabin.

I am *very* pleased with the final effect. I am still debating whether I should use a toothbrush and spatter a bit of india ink wash near the bottom of the cabin to show that nice dirty look that has resulted from years and years of rain spattering mud up onto the bottom of the cabin! My lazy little fisherman has taken really lousy care of the cabin. I'm extremely frustrated with him!

Reva Losiewicz

cardboard room boxes: To make corrugated cardboard almost as indestructible as wood, try covering it with cloth and white glue. It's not an original trick, but I can't remember where I learned it!

First, get an old bedsheet (or a new piece of muslin) and rip a looong piece about three inches wider than the depth of your box. Spread white glue over the cardboard and smear it around "real good", as they say. Put the pieces face down and just barely touching on the fabric - side-top-side-bottom - and weight them down so they dry flat.

The fabric will be the "inside" of the box. You can bring the fabric along the front edge of the pieces up and glue it to the outside and glue it in place at the same time.

Cut the back for the box and glue it to a piece of fabric an inch or so larger on all four sides, wrapping it around the edges, and weight it down also. (Don't get too clever and put the back on top of the other pieces, or they will get stuck together. Ask me how I know THAT!)

When all the pieces are dry, clip the "loose" fabric on the back at the joints, and glue the final corner together, overlapping the fabric. Put the back on the box, and use the loose fabric to glue the sides and back together, as if you were taping it together.

When this assembly is done, you can cover the outside with fabric to coordinate with your decor, and paper the inside as desired. The combination of cardboard, white glue and cloth is lightweight and VERY sturdy.

Dani, in Bradshaw

Boxes: "I have decided my first project is going to be a room. My question now is (and it is going to sound dumb) what sort of box do you use if you can't make one yourself."

Marylyn, it isn't a dumb question at all. Here are some suggestions:
- Go to any shop that sells cigars, they have wonderful wooden boxes that most places will give you free.
- In the grocery store some places have fruit that come in wooden crates which are various sizes and they can be used as they are or the wood may be recycled and a box made from it.
- Sturdy containers such as Oatmeal boxes may easily be used to house a room.
- Old clock cases are great for room boxes.
- Garage sales are another great source for containers. Look for old flower arrangements that are contained in glass and wooden containers. Old aquariums are great for making conservatories especially if you find an odd shaped one, and they are usually sold very inexpensively. Hurricane lamp glass may be turned on its side and used to house a great holiday scene. Domes from cheese savers or cake plates, may be used with a cork disk as a base. These cork disks may be bought at your local garden nursery or at any K-Mart, Target, etc., they come in many sizes and at a minimal cost. Jewelry boxes can also be found at swap meets or garage sales or thrift shop. Hat boxes, great as well and are sold at craft shops.
- Virtually any container may be utilized for a room box scene. Good luck on your search.

Marilyn, MI

Lauren's Dream Room: I'm going to build a room, about 32"x15" with a 32"x10" patio out the back. This is my dream room in the present, so furniture, style, art from all time periods are available according to my taste. it's to be a two story high room although I don't think I will make the actual ceiling. in the right rear corner, I'm going to build a platform for my Queen Anne Baby Grand Piano in Rosewood (which is my first item I'm going to purchase). I may also get a harp. the platform will be wood, and the main floor (also used for dancing) will be dark green marble, which my dad has plenty left over from a past client! I'm going to have scattered furniture in I think it's a Victorian style, with dark wood and a cream colored silk/satin brocade. I want a triple set of arched French doors along the center of the back wall to go onto the patio, and a curved staircase in the rear left corner which leads up to a mezzanine and a small library overlooking the patio. I'm not really sure how to describe the rest just yet, but there are a few details...such as my polar bear rug in front of the fireplace (in the library) which I have beautiful cream-colored rabbit fur for. Does anyone know how I could make the head? I think I want my sculptures on the patio, and some garden benches along the edges.

I'm building all this with what I would really have if money were no issue (which is why this will take years and years to complete) everything must be the best (I have pretty expensive taste) some things, like the furniture might be cheaper to make myself but I don't' know how or where to get materials. when I come to specific challenges, I can ask more specific questions, but for now I'd like any advice that you can think of (this is also my first project!) oh, yeah and I'm going to have electricity and I don't know anything at all about that. the other thing is if I could get links, names, or something for artisans who do top quality miniatures, that would be very helpful as well. well, this is really long and I'm having trouble getting my thoughts organized, so thanks again for all your help!

Lauren

" what a great idea, to make up a story about the folks who live in the mini house..." Doesn't everyone????"

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who does this! And it's not that I spend time making these people up, either - they just pop into my head with a whole life attached, and expect me to build their house for them. So right now I'm cranking away on the toy shop, a converted @%&#! - oops, I mean Dura-Craft - Ashley kit. In spite of it not yet being built, the toymaker has worked here for years, since he first bought the tiny cottage as a young man back in 184?. In fact, he lived in the workshop upstairs until he married and eventually moved to a small house down the street. He and his wife never had children of their own, but every doll that he carves and she clothes, and each little teddy bear she makes, and every toy boat or train he makes is a work of love.

While he runs the shop by day, she works upstairs sewing and knitting and tending to the wounds of well-loved dolls. They always have lunch together, and afternoon tea. He keeps a jar of rock candy on the counter for visiting children - and if they occasionally drop by just for the treat, what's the harm? Sometimes they even see wondrous things - puppets that move without strings, dolls that dance on their own, tiny lead horses that come to life on the shelves, pictures in books that move.

It's rumored among the children that the toymaker is a magician, and that elves work in the shop at night making magical toys, and that the toymaker's wife is one of the fairy folk. None of them has ever dared ask him, of course, but he knows and smiles with a twinkle in his eye. At the day's end his wife leaves to make dinner at home while he works on the toys for a while. When dark falls he puts aside his tools, locks up the shop, and heads for home. He always pauses on the porch, and smiles as he hears the commotion of little voices and sounds of work beginning upstairs. Then he walks down the street to his home, where he greets his beautiful fairy wife with a kiss.

Graceanne

Motorcycles and Cinderella: our local cycle dealer carries Harleys in 1/12 scale. Maybe you can find one at your local dealer. They also carry models you can build yourself. I had to make a scene for Hobby Dealer mag's cover. I made a garage with one of my husband's Yamaha models. You can do so much with this theme. There are a lot of accessories painted by Island Craft and other supplies by Multi Minis, Hudson River and Farrow that would also complete your scene. This kind of project also fits in with what Reva Kim were mentioning. Some boys react with horror and the thought of a dollhouse (not my grandsons of course). Had one in the shop yesterday who made a big deal about it along with grandpa. However, I mentioned log cabins and garages and the boys eyes lit up just as grandpa shoved him out of the door. Oh well!

Deanna