Milli hammer

Wall Sconces: I cut the plugs off 99% of my lights - especially wall sconces. I strip the wire cover, twist the wires (separately, otherwise you get pretty sparks and light shows), and feed them into grommets that I've sank through to the tapewire.

I have never primed over the tape, I just paper or paint over it. If I paint, it takes quite a few coats to make it blend - it's not the paint, it's the added layer (the tape) that shows.

Louise

Hard Wiring Gator Board: My favorite 'secret': straighten a coat hanger, heat it over a flame and push it through the foam wherever you need wiring. This allows you to 'hard wire' all your lights and accessories without using tape and with no visible traces. Scrape out foam along the tops of the wall to run the wires to your power source.

Braxton Payne

Paper Clay problems: Welcome to the limitations of foam core :-) The problem is the paper covering on the foam core absorbs moisture from the paperclay and since it is on one side, it warps. If you use foam core with paperclay, you need to either back it with wood or have enough stiffening features, such as half timbers, which will impart rigidity to the foam core.

The best solution is to use Gator Foam. Since it has a plastic covering, it will not absorb moisture and will not warp. It is my material of choice. I know that gator foam is more expensive but it is worth the difference.

Now to the cracking of the Paper Clay; being a water based material it will naturally shrink as the water dries out of it. The nice thing about it is that it can be patched or if, in your case, you like the cracks, they can be left. I wish I had the "Magic Bullet" to cure the shrinking but unfortunately I have found no rhyme or reason for the difference in where and why it shrinks.

I do suggest that you put a tacky coat of yellow carpenters glue on the surface before putting the paper clay on; this seems to eliminate some of the cracking and make a positive bond between the clay and the surface you're working on. I hopes this helps some, but the major problem is the foam core, which is not a structural material to start with and shouldn't be used unsupported in structural areas.

Rik Pierce

Plates: Instead of painting my plates, I went to the Dollar Tree and found some teeny fingernail tattoos. They had flowers, swirlies, all kinds of stuff. They fit so nicely in the center. Might I add that my 12 yr old daughter thought of this who is very much into minis and understands the delicacy of our art.

Jen in Athens Ga

Tools: On the subject on mini power tools, have a look at http://www.minicraftusa.com Minicraft make some super tools for the miniaturist, we use quite a few on our horses. (take a look at the detail we get to on http://www.woodencraft.co.uk) Their prices are fair which makes the decision easier! If you want the 'Rolls Royce' (or 'Cadillac') of miniature power tools, take a look at Proxxon mini tools, http://www.proxxon.com/ they are the 'bee's knees' Does that expression travel the pond?

Pete and Annie Cook

Magnifying Lamps: The best type of magnifying lamp is the one with a circular fluorescent tube surrounding the lens as it doesn't cast any shadows. These can be quite expensive, up to about £100.00 in the UK, but are far superior to the other sort which uses an ordinary light bulb. Also make sure it has a glass lens and not plastic. I don't know where to get them in the US, but in the UK you can get good quality lamps and all accessories from Shesto, http://www.shesto.co.uk/ who incidentally do a whole range of tools suitable for miniatures.

Colin Bird

Forms Ruler:A Forms Ruler or Forms Design Ruler, (usually 18" but also 12") and is/was used to design preprinted forms that required VERY specific spacing for printing considerations for data processing or information systems. In days gone by (been there) these rulers were given out as "gifts" by the forms companies to forms designers (done that) in hopes of acquiring orders... Now they usually are $10-15 if & when you can find them. Here's a URL to see what one looks like http://www.millerdial.com/rulers_photo1.shtml
http://www.millerdial.com/rulers_photo1.shtml - this particular one has a 1/6th scale (i.e. double the 1/12th scale many miniaturists use) plus other misc. scales. Do a search for "forms ruler" or "forms design ruler" - Google was used for above - and it will turn up some for purchase if you can't find them at a local "stationery" store.

unknown

Club Projects: Much like this digest, club members can do show and tell, share sources, and teach one another. But it is also fun to order kits and work on them together. Just having other people to share the hobby with is wonderful. You can ask school or scout type organizations about doing a lecture on minis or demos for kids. Senior citizen groups also often welcome this type of activity. Libraries are good places to put displays! Good luck on starting your club!

Alice Zinn- Pt. St. Lucie FL

Vegas Wedding Chapel: I had a friend actually get married in a chapel in Vegas in March. It was called The Chapel of Flowers I believe and the inside seemed to be pretty normal. It was white practically everywhere, and had only 3 pews on either side of the aisle that were also white. My friend had flowers at her wedding but it was very basic, maybe two or three small arrangements.... There was no organ there it was just a sound system that was piped through and you brought whatever music as a mix tape or cd to play during the ceremony.... I do remember though that for $100 extra she could have Elvis marry them!!! That could be a neat and fun thing to add to the traditional look of a chapel..... Hope this helps you some!!!

Julie