Russian Nesting Dolls: I called the man with the miniature Russian nesting dolls. It is a local call for me. He told me they are not yet on his web site but will be shortly (probably within a month). He told me that in the 3/4 inch size he has dolls, snowmen and Santa's. He said he received 2 e-mails already about them since I posted his info. and he does have them in stock so if you are interested, let him know. I was very pleased with his merchandise - the dolls are great but he says that they are hard to get from his supplier as there is a high damage factor (which is understandable when you see how thin the wood is) and a low profit margin. However he does have them right now. If you missed the contact info, here it is again:

Alex Telyatnikov
ABE Universal Vending
P. O. Box 654
Fogelsville PA 18051-0654
web site: http://russiantreasure.net
E-mail: russiantreasure@hotmail.com
Phone: 610-366-9434
fax: 360-838-6216

Jo Roseberry

Russian nesting dolls: just got this message from the man with the mini nesting dolls.

Jo from the Poconos

Jo from the Poconos

1940s-1950s kitchen & laundry accessories, Marcia Backstrom dolls, etc: Just spent quite a while with your website, Doris, and made a looong shopping list! If anyone hasn't seen it yet, go to http://kentsmini.com and drool. Lots of wonderful things.

Kay in Ottawa, Canada

Styrofoam cups: The tops to a lot of glue bottles (Tacky comes to mind) look a bit like Styrofoam cups when you sit them on their closed ends.

Janet in Baltimore

Homes Tea Cozy: I believe the website you are looking for is mine -
http://www.weedarlings.com

The Homes tea cozy kit was also featured in the Dollhouse Miniatures, July 2001 issue, Kits Blitz article. Just click on the cross stitch kits buttons to view the kits page.

Thanks, Debra

Tea Cozies: They can be made out of just about anything, just as long as it retains the heat:). I made a real sized one via crochet last year for my teapot, and it can keep the tea in it hot for 3 hours at least even on the coldest of days. I have also knitted mini cozies. There are also cozies that hide various things like toasters and such, usually those ones are fabric but not always and can be very plain but can also mimic animals or whatever.

Kim from Canada

Candles - I made some mini candles recently! It's a bit fiddly but you can light them, even! I used a drinking straw, and passed a fine thread through it to act as a wick. this has to be taut. Then pour the melted wax into the straw (it can be done, honest! Be patient and do it over the pan you melted the wax in) When it's set, you can cut it into the lengths you want and peel off the drinking straw. I used a sharp knife to slice down the side and peeled it off, rather than trying to push the candle through. Viola! Candles that work! Fiddly, messy and great fun!

Lynne Connolly

Disco Ball: I was thinking about the lady who wanted a disco ball. Some one suggested looking in car parts section for those disco ball car decorations but I thought it might be easy to make one using the following:

A styrofoam ball
small square silver confetti( it can be found a party stores or at hobby lobby)
glue
Just glue the confetti on the ball and there a mini disco ball. Some one might have said this before, shrug.

Michelle

Broken glass chunks: I collected some broken glass chunks too and thought that the shapes and designs were really interesting. I like the way they reflect the light. I used individual pieces as miniature glass sculptures. They also make an interesting base to display a tiny porcelain or fimo sculpture. They reminded me of chunks of ice. They would work very nicely in a winter scene as ice flows with snow around with penguins playing on them.

I saw an idea for a full sized table on a decorating show that could work in miniature. The designer had made a large glass box for a coffee table with glass on all sides about four inches deep. He put a few inches of the glass chunks inside the box. It made a very interesting coffee table and the light could shine through all the sides and it could be lit from underneath. Other glass sculptures could be displayed inside with the chunks.

Jean Day

Broken glass chunks: What about glass wall blocks ? Are they small enough for ice cubes? Jewelry? paperweights? Modern Art work? garden art pieces?

Teddy

Upholstery Remnants: Use for carpeting (area rugs, stair runners), cushion covers, upholstery - amazing how expensive some nice fabric can make even the cheap import furniture look, carpet bags and modern soft-sided luggage. Hang onto the samples and uses will come to you!

Loretta.Sniarowski

Upholstery Remnants: I haven't tried this, but with so many colors and fibers, could you clip them (like a haircut) and use the "droppings" as wool for sheep, cat fur, dog hair etc.? U can see why I NEVER throw anything away - it might come in handy in my
next life! (LOL)

M.H.Lee

Dollshouse accessories and photo reduction and framing service: Sally has some lovely mini toys in pewter- and others. I have my eye on the mini sailor doll for my lighthouse.

What I wanted you to see especially was the part of the site that reduces photos to mini size. How much fun to have your own grandmas photo or your children's photo in the doll house. I have not seen this service offered elsewhere and thought you might like knowing about her site.
URL-Title: Dollshouse accessories and photo reduction and framing service
http://www.miniature-illusions.co.uk/

Jane in Arkansas

Jennie in San Antonio TX

Russian Nesting Dolls: I called the man with the miniature Russian nesting dolls. It is a local call for me. He told me they are not yet on his web site but will be shortly (probably within a month). He told me that in the 3/4" size he has dolls, snowmen and Santa's. He said he received 2 e-mails already about them since I posted his info. and he does have them in stock so if you are interested, let him know. I was very pleased with his merchandise - the dolls are great but he says that they are hard to get from his supplier as there is a high damage factor (which is understandable when you see how thin the wood is) and a low profit margin. However he does have them right now. If you missed the contact info, here it is again:

Alex Telyatnikov
ABE Universal Vending
P. O. Box 654
Fogelsville PA 18051-0654
web site: http://russiantreasure.net
E-mail: russiantreasure@hotmail.com
Phone: 610-366-9434
fax: 360-838-6216

Jo Roseberry

Russian nesting dolls: just got this message from the man with the mini nesting dolls. They are now on his web site. http://russiantreasure.net/NestMiniatures.htm

Jo from the Poconos

Russian Nesting Dolls: Warwick Miniatures in England make some Russian nesting dolls in painted pewter. Warwick do not sell retail but you can see, and buy, from Jojays at http://www.jojays.co.uk You will find them by going to Catalogue, then Warwick, then Nursery Toys, then page 2. Jojays have nice things anyway.

Andrea in Yorkshire, UK

Rubber Door Mat: here's another idea for a rubber mat: if there's a Fazoli's restaurant in your area, their salad containers have black plastic bottoms with a grid design. They make great 1:12 scale door mats and would also work as "foot-preserver" mats cut in a larger size.

Loretta Sniarowski

Shoes: Doll's cobbler has wonderful shoes and I do have a couple of hers - but if you are going to place shoes in a distant area and would like many, I suggest getting the many styles available at Metal Miniatures from the Reynolds in Illinois. I did an "Imelda's Closet" vignette and filled it with a lot of shoes in different colors & styles. I added raveled Bunka for frou-frous on some and managed to make some of the same styles look different with varied trims and colors. It was loads of fun and not very expensive for a novelty setting. Just an idea for those of you who have open closets or want some shoes in a bedroom.

Jeanette in Wisconsin

Seed Beads: They make great flower centers, bottle tops, candy for jars in a pinch (I don't like the holes, but most folks don't notice them), necklaces, wheels on toy cars. Beaded curtains, eyes and noses on stuffed animals, for making in-scale Indian corn. They are great for the wood beads that use to be strung on baby cribs and playpens, and strung together for wooden bead baby toys. In 1/4 scale they are good lamp parts, tea cups (add beading wire handle), and lots of stuff.

Bev