Organizing Part 4: In case anybody missed the link to the Miniature Inventory form here it is again. The form is linked from http://smallstuff-digest.com/gallery.htm

I get so many wonderful ideas from other peoples' projects I've seen at shows or in all the miniature magazines and now on this SS digest. Miniature people are very creative. I have 4 photo albums full of photographs of miniature projects that I have seen (I always ask first before taking pictures). I keep them separate from family pictures, and when I need inspiration I just thumb through all the wonderful projects. It's kind of like going to a miniature show.

I organize all the ideas I get from magazines and books by writing them in a notebook. I have separate tabs for each magazine. From each issue I write down anything I see that interests me, whether it's a piece of furniture, a doll, someone's finished project, an interesting article or a how-to. Under the appropriate magazine section in my notebook, I first write down the issue and I highlight it. Then I just start listing: 1. Description of what I saw that interested me. 2. Artists name and 3. Page number. If I really like something I'll put an asterisk next to it. Here's an example under the Miniature Collector magazine tab:

June 2001
Dutch bureau cabinet by John Davenport pg. 20
Camelback sofa How-to by Mary Lou Nancken pg. 26-29
*Dining room by Holly June pg. 34-35

I have also heard of a few other ways to record ideas: on note cards and on sticky notes on the outside of each magazine. I actually start out using the sticky note idea because I don't usually read each magazine at one sitting. Then I just keep a running list going and transfer it all to my notebook once in a while. I prefer the notebook or note card idea, instead of leaving the sticky note on each magazine, because then your not handling your magazines all the time when you need to search for something and I can quickly scan my notebook list for all my magazines and books all in one spot. My NN magazines alone go back to 1979! That's a lot of magazines to flip through, let alone find.

Quick Tip: Use cardboard mailing tubes for storing strip wood and moldings. They come in a variety of sizes and lengths, and a bunch can be tied or glued together and stored horizontally or vertically.

Connie Sauve

Inventories: Read Heidi's post about taking inventory, and the importance of insurance, and thought I'd let you all know about my experience. In 1992, I lost everything in Hurricane Andrew. The condo I was renting had the roof blown off, and many of the windows blown out (yes, they had hurricane shutters on them, the shutters blew off) but at least I still had walls - many of my less-fortunate neighbors did not have that. I did have renter's insurance, which kept me from going bankrupt. But, at the risk of sounding like an insurance commercial, the important thing here is that it is really smart to do an inventory, and if you have a LOT of miniatures, or a collection, or even a few dh's, talk to your agent about making certain that they are covered! My company has them listed as a separate rider. Granted, money will not really compensate you for all the time, trouble, etc., that it took to build, or collect, but at least you can try to replace. (Been there, done that, hated it.) And the video is a truly smart idea, but storing it in your home isn't. If you have a safety deposit box, keep it there. If you don't have a video camera or access to one, at least take a ton of pictures. If you have made an inventory on your computer, print it out and put a copy in the safety deposit box, too. None of us really likes to think about a disaster happening to us, but "stuff" does happen, and at least we can try to be prepared.

Deena in Miami

Organizing Part 5: Here are a few more tips on organizing. I keep one drawer in my file cabinet for all my miniature catalogs I have collected over the years. I use hanging files for the following things: 1. How-to Books 2. Mini Project Ideas (pictures, sketches, lists etc.) 3. Sales Receipts 4. Architectural Patterns (instruction sheets from kits and patterns) 5. Furniture Patterns (again, instruction sheets from kits and patterns) 6. Miniature Houses, and 7. Miniature Furniture and Accessories. Number 7, you could break it down even further into furniture, food, plants, dolls, etc. Right now mine is all lumped together, but it would be easier when searching for a particular catalog to have it separated more.

Make sure when going to a class to put your name on all your tools. Even with my name on my tools when I'm teaching, things get borrowed and end up going home with other people. But the good thing is, as soon as the person realizes they have it, the tool always gets returned because they sooner or later see my name on it.

When you go through all the sweat and tears to make a miniature you're proud of - remember to sign your name and date it! Also sign and date your finished projects, so people in the future will know who the wonderful miniaturist was (is).

Take progressive photos of your big projects as your working on them. It's fun to look back and see how you made it.

Quick tip: I use a Monoject syringe for my glue. I've found that the finger tabs aren't wide enough, so I bought a metal or plastic washer and slipped it on the syringe and that gives me more area for my fingers to press on. Just look around the hardware store for ideas. I also put a rubber knitting needle tip on the end so it doesn't dry out (don't use a pin, it will rust). If you get a lot of glue dribbling out of it, that means there is an air bubble in it. Tip it on end, let it sit until the air bubbles rise to the top and insert a thin tweezers next to the rubber stopper by the air bubble and squeeze out the bubble.

Connie Sauve

Baking Pans: I got my set of tin baking pans from http://www.cottonridge.com. They didn't come in a set but came separately, like pie tins, bread pans etc.

Linda in GA

Jackie

Candles: I don't know who is inquiring about candles but here's what I've done for my "gift shop". After having spent countless frustrating hours fiddling with Fimo and thread, I purchased a package of party candles...those long, slender ones used to decorate cakes. They're about 6-1/2" long and about 1/16" in diameter and come in a variety of colors in a package of 24. I cut them to just under an inch in length to fit into individual open boxes holding twelve, just as you'd see them displayed in a store. Ready-made candles, wicks and all, with no hassles! Don't know why it took me so long to have thought of this! Hope this helps.

Helen

Window Latches/Hardware: Miniature House used to make some really cute window latches....a.k.a.: Handley House/Intl Miniatures. They have a huge selection of brass doorknobs, lighting, etc. You might try the Handley House web site - it will also have a store list where you can buy their products.
Here's the link: http://www.intlminiatures.com/

Laura in OKC

Snow Globe: years back Nutshell had snow globe directions; don't know if the NAME project finder would still find the exact issue or not. It required a tiny round glass globe with a stopper (maybe from JAF). As I recall, directions were to use silicon (silicone?) adhesive to cement a tiny charm or figure inside the stopper, sprinkle some ultra-fine glitter into the globe, fill it with distilled water, seal the stopper in place with more silicon, and turn the whole thing upside down so the stopper became the base. Apparently silicon is more watertight than other glues. However, I tried making one, and despite the silicon, the tiny amount of water managed to evaporate pretty quickly, leaving behind a clump of glitter and a lime deposit ring. If I attempted this again I would probably use glycerin instead of water. The snow might not fly well, but it would last longer.

Loretta Sniarowski

Snow Globe: To fill a snow globe, I was told to use mineral oil. Reasons: wouldn't evaporate and thicker liquid would make the snow fall slower. I never got around to trying that, so I don't have more details.

Dean Jenson

Snow Globe: I made snow globes as gifts for my mini club about 1 1/2 years ago and so far they are in good condition, no leaks. I used the very tiny round Christmas glass ornaments (from Wal-Mart). The silver colored ones are best as the glass is clear once you remove the interior metallic coating. (The gold balls had amber glass). First, remove the metal cap and hanger from ornament. Then soak globes in a bleach/water solution in a bowl, gently stirring so that you get the air bubbles out of the ornament. (Please use gloves and good ventilation and remember that the glass edge is sharp!) In a few minutes you will see the interior coating start to darken and peel. Using a Q-tip or cotton and bent-style tweezers clean out the globe of any bits and smears of silvering. Rinse and leave to dry. I used extra fine glitter as my "snow" and clean, clear distilled water - - you don't want to start a mold garden. You can use any waterproof object that fits through the opening - I made a rose and a snowman of Fimo. As another poster did, silicone was my choice of a sealant. After all was set and dry I could turn the snow globe over and decorate. I used the little plastic rings that are usually seen as knitting markers, and some fine ribbon to encircle the base.

Pat