Resources Page: 60 |
Porcelain Blanks for China Painting: We have been selling white ware to mini china painters all over the world for 17 years now. We will snail mail a 6 page leaflet of drawings done the same size as the "real" item, free on request. The white glaze we use will go all the way up to bisque temperature if needed; the ware is THIN and there is no minimum order. For more info check us out at http://avonminiatures.com Donna and Keith Brown |
California Missions: Here's a good site for mission models, cut-outs. http://www.pressanykey.com/missions/ Lili |
For a video on making rubber molds and casting write to or call: Bragdon Enterprises Phone 530-333-1365 ask for Joel. The video is $20 last priced. It is very well worth it as it will show you how to make a great variety of molds. Even how to make Tiffany style lamp shades. At least ask for the price list. He also sells the Rubber mold material and casting resins. Both are equal part A-B mixes and easy to use. Bill Hudson |
Weathering Brass: You can use Patina-It Weathering Compound made by A-West, Box 1144, Woodstock, GA 30188 to weather a brass wind vane. This makes the brass turn blue like it would after years outside. Alan Hamer, who uses this material, actually leaves the vanes outside in the weather for a couple of weeks after applying the Patina-It. Pam & Pete Boorum |
Weathering Brass: Carrs Modelling Products in the UK do various chemicals for weathering and blackening different metals, or they did a few years ago anyway. Colin Bird |
30's & 40's House: Phyllis Jellison's Remember When Dollhouse book mentioned recently has lots of good patterns for DIY, and Joan McElroy's Dollhouse Book also has a lovely chunky 30s look sofa pattern. Patricia King and Andrea Barham's books have directions for 30's style radios with deco speakers. Barham has some other deco accessories. Jellison and McElroy are out of print but pretty available at used stores including http://bn.com/ and http://www.amazon.com/. Shop around for the best price if your library doesn't have them. Can't remember the title, but Vivienne Boulton has a DIY book which is somewhat simplistic but includes a chapter of 30s period items, and many of her patterns can be used with better materials (wood, not card, deco bookcase) to make nice things. Several artists do Fiesta ware when you're ready for accessories, including some SS members. Barbara in S. Africa does some lovely Clarice Cliff dishware, too. Loretta Sniarowski |
Free web photo album sites: I know of a couple of free web photo albums: And "Picture Trail" Anne Gerdes |
Free web photo album sites: free photo hosting sites: http://www.andromeda.com/people/ddyer/photo/albums.html The above link is to a site that compares most of the online photohosting services. (It doesn't include web building sites, just photo hosts such as photopoint.) Webshots: I have opened a new photo album in WEBSHOTS with a Christmas Scene. I like the ability to use larger pictures. Click on NORMAL to get the best sizing. |
Stunning modernist dollshouse: I just saw a stunning modernist dollshouse in my local toy shop. It is called the Kaleidoscope House, by Bozart, designed by Laurie Simmons and Peter Wheelwright. It is 1:12 scale and its walls are sliding coloured Perspex so that as they are overlapped new colour effects appear. The colours caught my eye from across the street this morning as I was dropping off the girls for school, so I went back once the shop was open and got the details to share. It has a two story living room with open plan kitchen, balcony over the living area from the upstairs, battery powered light in the open plan kitchen. The curved roof lifts off for access, as well as all the wall panels sliding for 4 sided access. There are also assorted modern furniture and accessory sets, including a set of modern art and sculpture, all by named artists. It assembles without tools and the shop assistant said that it was sturdy. It is recommended for ages 6 and up. Have a look at the detailed website at http://www.bozart.com second page, Kaleidoscope House. They have lots of colour photos and virtual tours. Definitely different from Victorian. Wendy in Clinton, NJ |
Tile for baking polymer clay: Nancy in PA asked where to purchase a tile on which to bake polymer clay. Here's what I did. I checked the phone book for businesses that sell tile and stone flooring. I found that the manufacturers from time to time discontinue one of their tile patterns. The stores, upon being notified of a discontinued pattern, will throw away the sample they received from the manufacturer. The stores will usually let you have a discontinued tile at no charge. The store where I got mine also cut the 12 inch square tile to 6 1/2 by 9 1/2 inches so it would fit in my toaster oven. Mary in MS |
Polymer clay tiles: Nancy in PA asked about tiles to bake polymer clay on. I use both matte and shiny - it makes no difference. I get them at my local home improvement shops - anywhere from 25 cents to $1.50 for the 12" square ones. Bev Michie |
Coffee Table Book: I just discovered a new DIY project for $6.80 -- a coffee table art book. Currently the post office is selling a sheet of American Illustrators stamps with samples from N.C. Wyeth to Norman Rockwell. Stamps may be too big for a normal scale minibook, but fine for a coffee table art book! So I bought two sheets, one to use and one to bind. Even has stamp-sized text on the artists on the backing which I copied (to allow alphabetical order with text and subject on facing pages). Quick, fun and affordable. Loretta.Sniarowski |
Plants: http://www.miniaafrica.co.za/mini/plants/default.htm - Mini Africa: where the artisan from Africa has crafted some incredible plants. Included is one of "the saddest, most bedraggled plants that anyone can imagine." Check it out if you want to see excellent plant craftsmanship. Wanna in El Paso |
Non Electric Lights: Clare Bell has a decent assortment. http://www.clarebell.com/nonelectric.htm They don't sell retail but I represent them and if you'd like to order any I can do it for you or you can ask your mini shop or favorite dealer to do it. Carol |
Sculpting Wax: There may be better answers from other members, but to my knowledge there are a few different waxes called sculpting wax. Jewelry makers use casting wax that comes in varying degrees of hardness. These are used for lost wax casting of metals and the different hardnesses are (I think) so that you can work on different areas at different times without destroying your previous work. The wax I have used for lost wax casting in bronze and in glass is a brown, fairly soft wax that can be softened in your hands somewhat like Fimo. It can be shaped by hand when soft, carved a bit when it is harder, and it can be added to by heating and melting bits together. It would then be invested in plaster (various formulae depending on use). I used to get it in our college bookstore art supplies department, and I believe companies that cater to sculptors should carry it. Since I am kind of isolated here, am not sure where else to look (my only option is the internet). Depending on how you will use it, it could be called by other names, or other waxes might work for you. Nasco Crafts catalog carries a variety of waxes and I am pretty sure they would work for your project. I believe they have an online catalog. Jacqui in Hilo, HI |
Wax Casting: Most jewelers waxes are very hard and melt at high temperatures. They come in red, blue, green and purple and are so heat resistant that I can actually turn them in my lathe. Jacqui from HI was correct that there is a softer wax that may work for your purposes, it is commonly used as a "glue" to attach pieces together but isn't normally used to create things with by itself. It is called "sticky wax" and melts at about 175 degrees. There is another water soluable wax called "Sol - U - Carve" that is designed to dissolve in water. This might be more practical for you to try since you won't have to worry about wax getting all over your oven. I don't see why you can't at least experiment with it - I for one would love to hear if your experiment is a success. Here is a link to Kerr, the manufacturer of waxes among other things: http://www.kerrlab.com/index.htm Use the search feature and enter "Wax". Be sure to check out the different kinds to see what will work best for you. You may be able to have a local jeweler order what you need. Bonnie Gibson - Tucson, Arizona |
Sculpting Wax: The type of wax that you will need to do that is called microcrystaline wax. It is used in bronze work and jewelry making when using the lost wax process. Any store that sells quality jewelry making supplies, like an artist supply store or lapidary shop will probably have it. I always got mine from the bronze foundry where my Dad had his bronze sculptures cast. It comes in different hardnesses, depending on the amount of beeswax or paraffin in the mixture beeswax is softer, paraffin is stiffer,) and is color coded as to hardness. The brown is the most common, and also one of the softest (amber is even softer, but harder to find.) The red is harder and I think blue is the hardest for the finest detail in jewelry pieces. To polish the wax piece, you use mineral oil or other petroleum products as a solvent and a soft cloth or piece of panty hose as a buffer. You can get quite a sheen with this! Riogrande, the jewelry supply people, sell the wax on their web site at http://www.riogrande.com/ or from their catalog. Tere Perry in Texas |
Glass Domes: You will find glass domes at http://www.littlebobbycreations.com/ Price depends on the number you buy. Jennie in San Antonio, TX |
Glass Domes: If you have a Michael's Craft store, they carry glass domes in various sizes. Also the bases. They do tend to be a bit expensive but perhaps you can get a quantity discount. Diane in SFBA |
DHW magazine: The online address for Dolls House World is www.dollshouseworld.com US phone # 812 537 3335 Ashdown Publishing, 32 Woodlake Dr. Se, Rochester, MN 55904. A really great magazine! Shirley |
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