Finch Eggs: People who do eggery tell me there is a product they coat eggs with to strengthen them before they work on them - seems like it's the stuff you use to decoupage with (gesso?) or maybe a coating of watered down white glue. But I want to assure her, her finch eggs will make fabulous miniature things. I have one made into a jewelry box. It was cut in half and a tiny hinge put on, then it was glued onto a stand (made from filigree jewelry finding) and decorated like a Faberge' egg. It's a treasure. I have another idea for the finch eggs- I've seen an egg with what appears to be a baby doll hatching out of it, a Victorian decoration, or possibly a candy box. I've been meaning to make one for years and never got around to it yet. Maybe someone out there has done that already?

Paulette in Indiana

Finch Eggs: Before I did miniature houses I did eggshells of all sizes. I used nail polish mostly to color and "set" the shell of small birds like finches. 20 something years later they are still intact. It worked on the ones I cut out with cuticle scissors as well as the ones I kept whole and allowed to dry up. I learned from breeders that if the birds are healthy, the eggshell is also stronger than in the wild.

Karen

Cute Toys: I discovered the instructions for making 5 cute little toys on Alison Fleming's site Pipistrelle Miniatures 2001: http://www.pipmin.fsnet.co.uk/projectspg.html They're fairly simple to make and use items which most of us already have lying around. You might want to take a peek.

Karen from PA

Trees: Just got to reading the SS that came through while I was away, and saw questions about trees....While traveling through our wide open spaces, I found some fantastic tree material in Oregon, along the road side...Sage Brush...wonderful trunks...great sizes for any tree, and the shapes are great...I'm sure some of you live in these areas of sage brush deserts and you will be pleasantly surprised as you drive along the road and see these wonderful mini trees just asking to be put into your landscape...Needless to say I brought home a couple to try and am really disappointed that I didn't bring more...

Annamarie Plemmons-Purshock

Camping Scene: Pearl, Your camping scene with a mountain as a backdrop sounds wonderful. Here in the mountains of New Mexico we have lots of lakes with such a backdrop. We also have deciduous trees mixed with pine trees. In the Fall the aspens turn a beautiful gold, and against the background of the pine forest, from a distance, it looks like a green and gold carpet.

Spencer

Displaying Minis: I live in a mobile home and am constantly pressed for display room. Short of hanging them from the ceiling (have considered that too) I suggest:
1. Display Lamp base, could have one or more in every room.
2. Vignette picture frame. Photo on one side, small cube vignette on the other.
3. Shadow box, shallow, set into a wall.
4. Mix boxes with books on book shelf.
5. Book ends.
6. End cupboard in kitchen. Glass display doors to replace ordinary ones.
7. Small display in bathroom
8. Tissue box display box - pattern in one of the mini magazines.
9. A few shallow display boxes in bedroom and guest bedroom on walls and for decoration.
10. Table plant arrangement with mini garden scene incorporated.
11. Top view (roofless) house beneath glass topped coffee table.
12. Weather proof and seal some houses - light them and put them outside around a gnarled old tree with bridges and some very rustic surroundings. (Garden Railroaders do this, just forget the railroad itself) A Garden Gnome sort of thing.
13. Down a wide hall, just above shoulder height for slim wall mounted boxes, lighted of course.
14. Custom shaped hollow things with scenes in them wrapped around corners or on the open stair between spindles. (I'm reaching here)
15. Atop the piano, 'Grandma's porch' would be great among family photos.
16. A real nice thing, is to make a box with a person's theme, then give it to them on an occasion - birthday, Christmas, holiday, recovery from illness etc. A three dimensional greeting card of sorts. "Giving them seems to be the best solution. Then you can begin another and still have room. Be sure to photograph them before they go"

By making them shallow, you get REAL good at fake windows, doors and illusion of more beyond the archway.... magazine picture of distant things or another room are a great help with this. Battery operated lights and micro switches are invaluable for these uses. Radio Shack The switch I prefer is one that requires the observer to hold the button down for light, letting go, shuts it off. Batteries last a very long time.

Judie - Daytona Beach, FL

Glue gun: the glue sticks for glue guns come in at least two heat ranges. That may be why results vary from person to person. A hot store window or a hot car will melt the glue of even the higher heat range glue sticks, I have watched it happen. If you still have the choice, why take the chance?

Barb Jones

Repairing resin: I use silicon to glue resin. Use all you want as the excess will readily peel off when it's dry.

Carol, S P Miniatures

I now import Aliphetic and Super Aliphetic glues which are terrific for putting houses together when you are also nailing or using clamps. They have some tackiness, fill gaps and when you do models they can take a stain. They were specially designed for the thin, tab construction houses like Greenleaf or Corona. My secret to a permanent shingled roof is to use Quick Grab which should be used sparingly. I work with enough for 5-6 shingles at a time, because the glue sets up fast and sometimes the phone rings

Deanna from beautiful downtown Thiensville

Repairing resin: Cathy asked for the best glue for repairing resin figures etc. I've found that Quick Grab works the best on resin for me.

Alice Zinn- Pt. St. Lucie FL