Paper Bowls: I make bowls from narrow strips of paper. I have also seen this in a Joann Swanson article. Cut narrow strips of paper, roll up very tightly, adding strips as needed. When you get about 3/4 inch or so, glue the end. After it dries, slowly push out from the center to make a bowl shape. When you get it like you want it, paint with several coats of clear fingernail polish. You can use strips of colored paper or paint it before adding the polish.

Martha Simpson Nock

Clouded beads: I bought a chandelier kit from a shop going out of business and built it with very few directions available. It was lovely, but very soon all the Swarovrski crystals clouded up. It was ruined, but I was determined to try something. I took vinegar water and a cotton swab and a soft cloth and saturated and polished until all were clear again! For some reason it worked.

Joie from Emerald Isle now in Punta Gorda

Removing Adhesives: My husband uses WD-40 to get adhesive off almost anything, and I have used denatured alcohol, although WD-40 works faster. You might try a liquid vegetable oil, that might be similar in action to the WD-40.

Barb Jones

Clubs; We have a brief business session, at the start of our meetings -reading minutes, treasurer's report, upcoming events, etc. But sometimes I almost have to rap a gavel to get that part in. Our members are so busy from the get-go, sharing what they've been up to and show-and-tell. And we laugh a lot! They are a very enthusiastic, talkative bunch, and I love them all. Our club meeting is my highlight of the month.

Besides each member taking responsibility for a monthly project, we also have a trash-to-treasures spot in the middle of our table. There, members can bring their mini and craft cast-offs for others to forage through.

Anita Myers

Cutting Glass: The "cracking off" method already mentioned( forgot who) is a very good way. Takes a little practice, but you can get a clean break off. Just make sure to scratch your mark, heat it just long enough and then you can touch it to a dampened cloth. Should crack off right around the glass, starting from your scratch mark. Try not to have to go over the scratching part as you might not scratch on the same mark and that could result in a jagged edge when "cracked off."

Joanne in South Jersey

Acorn caps: Freeze them before putting in with miniatures as some tiny critters may decide they like minis better than acorns to munch.

Method: Place items in Ziploc bag into freezer for a couple days. To test: place items on a sheet of paper with a clear jar upside down on top of it. If after another day there are no tiny dustlike items on the paper, you are probably clear. To be sure, take the items outside and spray with sealer.

Lighting etched glass: The effect of light on etched glass is best if done from the edges. Plexiglas can also be etched.

I made some special parts for toy truck for a man who collected and restored old toy cars. As a thank you he made an etched glass lighted sign of my business card with logo. To light it he lighted it from the bottom and edge. It looks as if my logo and business name just floats.

Bill Hudson

Childproofing a Dollhouse: My husband "catproofed" my miniature antiques shop with a sheet of plexiglass, but rather than making doors, he made a single sliding sheet. He nailed two grooved pieces of wood at the top and bottom of the back and this way the sheet slides out horizontally and is completely removable and also does a bang-up job of keeping the dust out. You could do the same thing on your dollhouse below the attic but make it even harder for your son to move by doing this vertically; i.e., putting a grooved piece of wood on the bottom and the sides and sliding it down from the top. You could protect the attic area by more conventional means, perhaps by attaching a plexiglass sheet with a hinge so it lifts up. You should be able to find plexiglass sheets in various sizes at your local hardware store.

Bev Gallerani

Babies and Dollhouses: You might feel better to temporarily put away the most fragile and expensive items. An acrylic shield over the open side would protect everything inside from dust. Another thought is to get or make a small, sturdy dollhouse with some sturdy furniture for your son, and if he shows a curiosity about yours, explain patiently that it is Mommy's toy, and this one is his!

Janet

Childproofing a Dollhouse: I had the same problem when my daughter was an infant but I never thought of enclosing my scenes in any way. Looking at the house became a wonderful time we had together and she learned from a very early age that she was not to touch without momma being there. I made a point of always saying yes whenever she asked so it wouldn't become a temptation when I wasn't looking. I showed her how to gently touch and be VERY CAREFUL!!! To secure pieces that you don't want to move use sticky tack. It's very similar to silly putty. You can find it in the stationary section or in the picture hook sections of most stores. I know Michael’s carries it and so does Target, Ace, and if you have any by you Meijers.

The best part of allowing my daughter to look at the house is that it has put the mini bug in her. Now that she is five, we sit down and do projects together. She has her own dollhouse that she is decorating. I have purchased some the inexpensive-dime store variety- press board furniture. After I punch it out, she sands it then paints it MANY MULTI COLORS!!! When done she gets to put it in HER HOUSE!!! I get to work on my projects, while still being able to have some good quality time with my daughter. I hope that the bug stays with her and when she becomes a rebellious teen (which I'm sure she will) we will still have this to do together!!

Jean Mumma

Childproofing: We used to put our Christmas tree in the play pen when our daughters were toddlers, I don't know why it wouldn't work for a doll house. However when my grand daughters were about two, they were taught to look with their eyes not their fingers. They would hold their hands behind their backs and peer in the windows. The rule for visiting children has always been hands behind your back and look with your eyes not your fingers. The only damage I've ever had was from the hands of an adult who tired to open a door the wrong way.

Patricia

Childproof Dollhouse: It might be easier to encase the entire dollhouse by making a box of Plexiglas. You could then set the entire house and box on a piece of fibre board (or whatever you choose) slightly larger than the size of the house and box. Add some ready made legs (sold at Home Depot or other lumber stores) and you will have a childproof and decorative addition to your room.

Marilyn

Baby Proof: I had twins and found that putting my dollhouse, Christmas tree, etc. in the PLAYPEN and letting the kids loose had the best protection LOL :) Now that I have 4 yr and 9 month old grandbabies I find plexiglass shields allow them to play and me to relax. And I always know their favorites by the handprints :)

Sue Thwaite

Keeping Dust, Hands and Cats Out: Truly the sliding plexiglass tracks work for the Lady Kathleen. I've done it for this house before. The one story addition will need a separate piece to slide on its own tracks. If you didn't, read my earlier post about making (or buying) the U shaped tracks.

Fannye

As for dust, my husband has built all my dollhouses (12) and since we have cats, each house has a back. Ergo no dust (or very little).

Patricia

Moleskin: Here is an answer for the one who wanted to know how to cure the little hides that the cat brings in. I would never recommend going out and deliberately killing any animal for this purpose but I see no harm in it if the critter is already passed on. You use Tannic acid. This can be found at Tandy's leather shop, most chemical supply shops, or any place that services leather. Just follow the instructions on the package. You would not need much for those tiny hides. This info comes courtesy of an uncle who was a trapper in the wilds of northern Canada in his youth.

Lorna

Priority Mail: When I ship the miniature accessories that I sell on my site, I use Priority Mail. I do this mainly because the boxes are free and it does seem to get there quicker (except once when it took about 11 days). Often I've found it actually gets there the next day! I also charge for insurance for all packages, though for people who have only bought unbreakable items, like metal miniatures, I give them the option of not taking insurance. I don't charge for the packaging material or handling as the price is high enough already.

A while back someone mentioned on one of these lists that the post office no longer would allow her to turn the priority mail boxes inside out to send at regular postal rates so she wrapped them in brown paper first. I would like to know if others have tried this with success. Does the post office ever check to see if it is their priority mail box underneath? Thanks for any info. I'd like to find a way to send my packages for less, particularly when someone has bought only a few items.

Debbie Olsen

Cutting shapes from blister packaging: I first glue down a bit of string, cording, or whatever against the bump - the part that will become the top edge - I can use that as a guide to scissoring or knifing an incipient mini-planter out fairly neatly. Usually the string adds a necessary thickness and can be left on. Turn the plastic so the "bump" is uppermost; wrap the string around the flat part of the plastic.

Mary

Priority mail: In my business I sell small miniature accessories as a sideline (my main business is dolls). I charge $4 for shipping for orders that cost under $100 because I send everything priority mail with insurance. Yesterday someone wanted two small miniatures. The cost to mail it regular mail would be 77 cents compared to $3.20 priority. I've checked and the majority of my boxes would go for around $2.00 regular mail (with no insurance). But if I have to purchase boxes or mailing envelopes we're back up to the $3.00 range. People just don't want to spend $3.20 or $4.00 when their miniatures only cost between $10 and $20. Sending it priority mail does have the advantage that I don't have to try to guess how much the box will weigh (to set the cost for shipping) and the boxes are nice and sturdy. I was thinking that it would be nice to use the previously used boxes for when an order would obviously cost way less than $3.20 to send. When it is close, as you say, why bother trying to save a few pennies.

Debbie Olsen

What I do when I travel is pick kits and then decide what they say that I need to do the kits, and I am sure your friend could do the same thing with whatever she decides to bring. That would include the stains and paints that she needed. If she has 1/4" structure kits to do, she would actually feel more like she accomplished something while there!

Isabel Allen