Doorknob: One day while cleaning, I picked up about a dozen brads ( you know those brass paper fasteners you attach paper piece to paper and then turn it around) and took one and bent the ends over to the back. Hey it looks like and old farmhouse doorknob- the kind with the plate behind- not the modern just a knob. So my front door to my Duracraft house has one glued to each side. Free if you pick them up off the carpet, and you don't need to find a mini store! Yeah after I did it I found ones with locks at the store, but I still like it.

Teresa from Canada

Thin dowels?: I found that I do not have to look for wood dowels that are very thin. I use string/cord/twine what ever you want to call it. I use varying thickness' and I coat it (impregnate it) with glue (Elmer's white) and put it in the position I want and it dries just like a dowel. Can cut it with a razor or a scissors. Paint it. Inexpensive also. As an example; I had to make some ladders for a rustic scene. used the cotton twine/cord I had around. Made the ladder rails with thicker cord and the rungs with thinner nylon cord. Man; does it look rustic.

Dr Bob

Bunka: When Bunka is hard to unravel, poke into the end with a pin or needle and pull apart the knitting till you get a nice string showing, then pull on that string.

MAP in Puyallup

Gluing paper models: I'm been involved in paper models for years, and here is my tip for gluing one piece to another. Use tacky glue spread on each tab that you want to join together, let dry a little, and then reglue one tab and stick together. This minimizes the slick paper and should work for you.

The Anne of Green Gables press out house is a great model, by the way. I have put one together, and have another one that I might do again. Anne, of course, is a fictional character, but the author used a real farm house that she knew of in her stories, and the model makers used this same house. What was so intriguing to me were all of the doors! If I remember correctly, there were 10 or 11 doors in one small area of the house. And, also the sizes of the rooms. A different room for everything, but very small. (And, each with their own door, of course.)

It would be very fun to 'grow' this up to a 1" model, but I think if I ever did that, I would have to change the floor plan and eliminate the need for so many darned doors.

Kaye in L.A.

Fine Sand: By fine I mean the particle size. Here is what I did. It takes some chutzpah (gaul/brass) Use this as a basis for doing your thing. as I am sure can be improved upon. I visited a construction site. I have passed this site a number of times on my going to and fro on various errands for the DW. (One must eat; you know) I made a specific visit to the site on a Sunday (no workman) and brought a big jar and a means of putting some sand in the jar. yes, I am stealing again. Some of the sand was moist so it was "clumpy." To dry the sand I put a few spoonfuls on to aluminum foil and placed this in the toaster oven at 200deg. F. for about 30 minutes. I let the heated sand cool in the toaster oven. Meanwhile I took an old pair of my wife's' pant hose (donated for this good cause) and stretched it (not so tight as to open the mesh) across the top of a plastic bowl. I then spooned some of the dried sand onto the "sieve" and shook (agitated) the mass of sand. The very fine parcels passed thru the mesh of the panty hose and the larger grit stayed on top of the "sieve"; this was discarded.

That is how I got my very, very fine sand. It is a dunn/sand color when in its natural state. This line was placed here so I can be declared certifiable. The panty hose is reusable (for sifting sand). If the watchman comes upon your "lifting" the goods, tell him what you want it for (the truth) and he will get as far from you as possible because you must be bonkers (or you can return the too large particles and the unused sand to the construction site. I guarantee the watchman will not bother you.)

DrBob...Delray Beach, FL.

Mini-ing in RV: Mini-ing in an RV is making small things in a small space! The key for me is limiting the number of projects and kind of projects I make. Since we only travel 5 to 6 months of the year in our RV, no we don't full time, I'm able to plan the kind of miniatures that I want to make.

To give you an example, I know that in the month of September I will need to have nine swaps ready for an online swap group but we will be traveling to New Hampshire in September, so I've already started working on collecting the elements necessary for making those swaps while I'm on the road. I'm making nine little wooden cases with butterfly collections in them with little green butterfly nets to accompany them. I've assembled all the elements that I'll need for the project ahead of time so that I'll be able to work in the RV at my leisure. Wood for the frames plus the cutting tool, acrylic pieces for "glass" covers, a MinWax stain pen, and precut velvet ribbon, green tulle. I've printed my butterflies on both sides using my Print Shop program and will cut them out while in the RV. I use those plastic pill cases with the days of the week on them for storing my little butterflies and the other elements of my project while I'm working on them. Storing them this way keeps them together and less likely to be shifted around while traveling. All the assembly will be done while in the RV on a small plastic tray which I cover with plastic wrap when I'm through working and want to return later, the wrap prevents everything from moving around while traveling. Once these swaps are completed I'll then move on to the swaps that I have due in November for my Mini Club swaps. To accomplish what I want requires very little space and very few tools or supplies. I bring my tool box with me, my Ott light and my OptiVisor, and all the supplies along to make the items I will be working on. Of course, there is always the stop along the way at a flea market or craft or mini shop!

Marilyn Parke

Thin Flexible Mirror: I'm sure that you will find something closer to you, but you can get the thin plastic mirror that you are looking for from Jojays on line, the actual page link is http://www.jojays.com/acatalog/Jojays_On_line__Page_6_85.html and they have online ordering. FLAT MIRROR SHEET (DH114) Flexible plastic sheet - 1mm thick 10 x 7.5cms, it costs one English pound & 10p. I have used it myself & IMHO it's good.

Paulette Cullarn in Christchurch, New Zealand

Thin Flexible Mirror Sheets: I'm sure that you will find something closer to you, but you can get the mirror sheets: From the catalogue of The American School of Needlework They have those sheets you can order them from their catalogue. Their toll free # 1-800-379-9627 They are called flexible Mirrors item #6324 they come in 6 "X 9" sheets. Two sheets per package.

SUSAN AT THE WHITE RABBIT'SHOUSE

Thin Mirrors: I found my thin mirror in the AUTOMOTIVE SECTION at Wal-Mart!! Easy to cut to the size I wanted, and worked quite well. Used it to display the "other side" of a dress form in the corner of my sewing room.

Scott & Susie Haugen, Venice, Florida

49ers: I live in the bay area and the Niners changed their colors to a goldish brown and maroon, used to be red. Try their site at: http://www.sf49ers.com/ Just to name a few things you could put in there, because there could be a lot: "signed" football, mini football trading cards, banners, make wallpaper and border from their colors as well as rugs, mini 49er posters, stuff to take to a tailgate party, tickets, big screen TV, if you are watching it at home, jerseys. You could do a lot. A tailgate box, someone watching it at home, and office with memorabilia (sp!). This is just a start.

Kendra

Sewing Room: I had decided against a cottage for my Allison Jr. and did the other addition. I was going to make a workroom-with a wood shop and sewing room. Changed my mind again!!! After seeing so much stuff for sewing, it will now be just sewing. Found a great border and cute "sewing" material for curtains. I am now going to make some mini button cards, spools of thread, etc.

Kendra

Free woodworking plans: For free woodworking plans, go to http://www.about.com/ , then hobbies, then woodworking. They have a wide variety of plans, from bookcases to breadboxes. I've scaled down a bookcase for my dh. Enough to keep any new mini woodworkers (like myself) busy for ages!

Betsie, South Africa

Lace on Picture Frames: I make a basic frame out of mitered balsa wood, to fit the picture, I might add. I've applied fine lace with white glue, (also mitered the corners), painted the frame first with red, then dry-brushed gold paint on top. I've used heavier lace, the embroidered looking type, and painted or stained the whole thing brown, black, red or whatever, then used Rub-n-Buff. The results look like carved frames. The problem is finding the 1/8" lace for the smaller frames, for larger frames 1/4" is fine. I have also cut out designs from the lace, i.e. two petals in a "V" shape, and used this just on the corners. They really go quite quickly and are fun to make. I've used "V" shaped angled wood for frames, 1/2 round wood, and even layered a small frame on a larger one, to add depth. I then paste the picture onto card stock, glue clear vinyl sheeting cut to size for glass, and then glue the whole works together. I try to put the name & artist on the back of the card, if possible.

S. Begley

Covered button sets: From WalMart or a fabric store. They come in various sizes and styles. Some brands have smooth edges and others are toothed. The smooth ones work better if you can find them. If you leave off the backing, wiggle off the shank with needlenose pliers, and turn the top part upside down, you have what looks like a shallow stainless steel bowl to fill with food. The biggest ones make a great wok with (hook &) eye handles. The button backing can be used with beads as a canister lid. It also makes dandy stove burners if you build your own appliances. Glue a small washer-type bead between the backing and a black sunburst-design sequin.

Loretta.Sniarowski

Dollhouse diary: I've been using a "Project Organizer" by Day Runner for a few years to keep track of my latest building which is a three-story bed & breakfast. It's a 5x7 ring(6) notebook that has lined paper and other goodies in it for keeping track of my photos, ideas, wiring, costs, wallpaper etc. You can purchase the fillers which include a "day runner" (plastic holders) to keep the photos in; Ziplock pages for your carpet samples and fabrics; plastic holders "design a day" with three slots for the wallpaper; and tab guides. I carry mine with me to shows, as it's a complete compilation of my project from its beginning to the furnishing. Mine came from Office Max, but I would think any good office supply store would carry these.

Roberta, Wisconsin

Dollhouse diary: Another source for organizers is http://www.centuryphoto.com They have a good selection of binder styles and pocket pages. I've been using them for years for my scrapbooking stuff and have had excellent service.

Chrissy

Dollhouse diary: I have been waiting and watching for mention of Gulliver's Emporium's (Sis Blechman) "My Dollhouse Diary" but I don't think anyone has posted it yet. http://www.ewol.com/~per/gulliver/

Anne

Kid's Projects/clubs: Here goes my 2 cents: I taught a grade 2 class for 3 months this term and I taught them how to create some furniture for their roomboxes. This was the culmination of a unit on mapping. We built their bedrooms (real or dream) in shoeboxes. I showed them how to make pillows, and beds out of boxes and material, dressers and desks, and other furniture made with boxes covered with non-drying modeling clay. This was a long lasting project...about 2 weeks, taking about 1/2 a day each day. They had to paint the boxes with 3 coats to get proper coverage and they were very patient. They knew that it would take time to see their results. Once they got the hang of the techniques for making the furniture and accessories and the techniques for making balls, balls, snakes, pancakes, and tubes with the modeling clay, they got very, very creative for 7 and 8 years olds. They made lots of accessories all on their own, like scooters, Nintendo, computers, chairs, phones, etc.

I was thrilled with the results and so were they. I took pics of each of them with their rooms, and then took the index picture card and cut them up and gave them each their real sized picture and their miniature picture along with a miniature diploma.

I wouldn't hesitate to do this again with this age group or older.

Roz Weitzman

Faux books: OK, here are some instructions for making effective closed fauxbooks:

You will need foam core board. Try your local framers. It is foam sandwiched between thin cards. A gold felt tipped pen, thicker rather than thinner. Various scraps of thin leather. Pieces of colored paper (sugar paper looks good for some reason). Black also works well. A sheet of gold Letraset (any letters).

Cut your foam core into various book-sized pieces. For thicker books, stick 2 pieces together. Look at a full sized book. There is a crack next to the spine that allows the book to open. To make these cracks, use an empty ball point pen to score a line on the front and back cover next to the spine. Colour in the edges of the foam core with the gold pen. Make sure you also colour in the edges of the card that sandwiches the foam. Cut leather or paper pieces big enough to wrap around the books and still be JUST larger than the foam core. Where the 'spine of the book will be, make decorative thin gold lines by using the gold letraset. Look carefully, you will see on each sheet of Letraset, thin gold lines under each letter. These are for spacing guides in real life. Use these for your gold decorative lines on the spines. Glue the front and back of the books 'cover'. Position a toothpick along the spine and now wrap the leather or paper around the foam core innards and the toothpick, so that it is JUST overlapping the foam core. Slide out the toothpick. Press the cover into the two cracks you have made. Voila, books! You can also cut out mini cover illustrations from book catalogues and stick these on the front. (Ask your local bookshop.)

Barbara B from South Africa

Sugar paper and LetraSet: What we call Sugar paper is equal to construction paper in the States. It is the cheap craft paper that we use at school for kids craft projects. It is usually sold in multi colour packs and is usually square! It is NOT bright colors. It has a dull, slightly furry texture. Slightly! Maybe if you ask at a craft or paper supply shop they would know what I mean. Anyway, it is in no way crucial to the outcome of the books - it just has the right kind of booky colors! Any other teachers out there know what I'm talking about when I say sugar paper? Yes, LetraSet is the transfer lettering that we all thought so wonderful B.C. (Before Computers!) The kind you rub on with a stylus. That's the stuff.

Barbara B from a snowy Cape Town