Character Dolls: Pearl Jordan creates character dolls and will work from a photograph. She also does portrait dolls. I've seen pictures of some of them and they are incredible.

Her website is: http://members.nbci.com/pearljordan/home/

Marsha, Newark, CA

Dolls from photos: Alice Zinn (of this list) does dolls from photos. She has done some for us which turned out great.

Iamazin@aol.com

Tom Berkner

Different Collections: I found this link and really enjoyed looking at everything!  If you collect any kind of vintage dollhouse furniture or are trying to replace pieces from your childhood, check it out.http://renwal.safeshopper.com/

There are things from the 1920's, 30's, 40's, 50's and on up.  So, I wasn't implying that anyone was old, :) There is also Sonia Messer, Petite Princess, Marx, to name a few. 

Laura

Garden Railroads:  Yes, this is a great source for 1/4" and 1/2" scale stuff!  There is a magazine called Garden Railroads that I pick up once in a while, and the AW NUTS mag. is a great one, especially for ideas for whimsical buildings.

Kaye in L.A.

Creative Crafts & Miniatures: In response to your inquiry about the authors and projects in Creative Crafts & Miniatures, the only one I know about is Ruth Armstrong. You would need her permission to do anything about sharing her projects. I don't believe she has an e-mail address but her snail mail address is: Ruth Armstrong, 302 South St., Jonesville, MI 49250.

Marlene

Inexpensive ways to do things.

Dollhouses on a shoestring:  http://member.aol.com/Kapricrn

Trash to treasures tips:http://homestead.com/miniscale_homes/miniscale_homes_tips.html

Maureen in St. Albert AB CDA

People responded to the original posting and I think most, if not all, told about a water-based gold size for composition leaf. I use this product and like it and yes, it has its uses. I also use gold leaf that is real hammered out (pressed) gold. It requires a varnish based sizing which I told about on digest. To repeat I use Rolco which is a quick drying synthetic varnish. I buy a small can because if it gets gunky I can toss it and buy another. You don't want to cut corners with gold leaf.

As for the wax paper, I use the wax paper from sandwich bags. Yes you can still find them in most groceries. They are better because they are thinner and have less wax. This can be good if you want the gold to stay better where you want it.

Here is how to transfer the wax paper onto the gold leaf:

1. Cut the wax paper to fit the outside cover of the gold leaf book or, you could make it a little larger. This way the oil from the fingers will not get onto the gold.

2. Take the book of gold leaf. Open it from the front--the part with all of the writing. Go past the section of rouge paper and you are going to work with the gold leaf facing you. Place the square of wax paper and gently place it over the gold leaf, lining it up properly. Gently rub it with a finger and the heat from it will cause the wax paper to stick temporarily onto the gold leaf.

3. I failed to tell you that you should only prepare the number of gold leaf pieces that you will need. If you prepare too many onto the wax paper, the gold may stick permanently.

4. Now you can take out a piece of wax paper with gold leaf adhered temporarily. You can also cut it to size but each time you gently cut it with sharp scissors you MUST rub the blades with a piece of rouge paper so don't throw the rouge paper away.

5. Place the wax paper with gold leaf where you have prepared the size, place down gently and rub gently with the fingers. The warmth of the fingers will cause the gold leaf to adhere to the sized area. BTW, if you are lifting up the wax paper when you are done and notice some areas that did not take (these are called skips or holidays.)You can put the wax paper in place and rub gently in those areas.

6. Throw the wax paper away and breathe again. This is much less nerve wracking than the leaf in the wind technique where you take the gold leaf up after placing the brush in the hair for static electricity. Also it helps to use the wax paper if you don't have any hair!

7. Now you can take a cotton ball and gently rub over the gold leafed area and use a large soft brush. I use a large oval mop (very soft) and brush gently.

8. Being a New Englander (nasty cheap,) I save the gold leaf pieces remaining on the table in a glass jar with a screw lid and use it on projects that don't require such exacting work.

I also suggest if you are interested in learning further that the craft farm in Vermont (The Fletcher Craft Farm) is great. They have a nifty free catalogue and you would not believe the cost (I did say I was thrifty and a New Englander) or the variety of crafts. I have taken courses in EAD (Early American Decoration) using bronzing powders and gold leaf. The instructors are the best. BTW -the guild is called the Historical Society for Early American Decoration (HSEAD). They are online and have a wonderful magazine article which illustrates many techniques including gold leaf. It may be a starting place for ideas and pictures. The guild is juried for admissions based upon stringent standards and techniques that are hundreds of years old. EAD is the one branch which shares some techniques with tole but is not tole. The address for a catalogue is Fletcher Farm, 611 Route 103 South; Ludlow, VT 05149. They celebrated their 50th birthday 2 years ago I believe.

Gary in NH

Turntables: I've been reading with interest everyone's solutions or frustrations with getting a dollhouse to turn around - either to work on it or to show it off. Turntables in general are space pirates - requiring far more room to swivel the dollhouse than anyone generally has. What I haven't seen,(maybe it was in an older digest) is the ZCT (Zero Clearance Turntable) mentioned. I had bought one for the Newport and it did EXACTLY what it was advertised to do - sat right next to the wall, in its permanent spot, and could be turned by one person (lighting intact) and then the opposite side would be available for work or admiring ...or. I had quite a time tracking him down when it came time for another one. He had then moved to Florida which is the last number I had for him. His company name was Innovative Necessities - anyone know if he is still in business? The phone # I had for him was 1-800-523-4142

Ana

Printing on Fabric:  I've got directions for one way to print on fabric at http://wingsnthings.tripod.com/spring.htm   It uses a regular printer and fabric ironed onto freezer paper.

Lee Menconi

Very Fine China: I highly recommend the china produced by Lynn McVay. She hand paints everything and offers quite a variety of patterns and colors. She only sells wholesale, but any retailer that buys through CIMTA can get her things for you. CIMTA is coming up in just a few weeks in Las Vegas so now would be a good time to talk to your favorite retailer about getting you a set.

Beth, In A Miniature Manor

Very Fine China: If you are looking for beautiful china check out Porcelain Fantasies, http://www.porcelainfantasies.com Marsha Hedrick makes fabulous and reasonably priced china as well as dolls, accessories, etc.

Nancy Wantiez

How To booklets: I have several good how-to booklets I've written for sale. Many of the shops on this digest carry them, most especially Earth and Tree!

Alice Zinn

Gold finish for chandelier: Have a look at this internet site:

www.baremetal.com

They sell sheets of gold (others too, like chrome and black chrome) for use on model cars, airplanes etc. I am sure this would give you that lovely smooth gold finish you want on your chandelier. The sheets cost $5 each but you'd only need one. I am sure they would provide instructions as well. I have been thinking of getting some just to have on hand in case a need arises. Does anyone have any first hand experience with this product?

Penny Johnson

http://www.pannikins.com

I've ordered from Mary quite a few times.

Paula Foerder

Shaker Furniture: Found this vendor at the show in San Jose last weekend: His things were WONDERFUL! SHAKER WORKS WEST http://www.etropolis.com/mini/shaker

Dr. Ken Byers
609 Shields Street
San Francisco, CA 94132

Email him at mekendar@pacbell.net

Wendy Roberts

Shaker Furniture: For another line of Shaker furniture, from the land of the Shakers, visit the web site below and then go to the furniture page.

http://www.nh.ultranet.com/~smallife Pete Boorum 1/2" animals:

Here is a site with 1/2" scale animals by Regina Steele http://www.tinytalk.org/regina.htm

This gal does the most magnificent bears and other animals I've seen, "Bearly A Whisper", Carol Misch e-mail: BearlyaWhisper@aol.com

Marilyn of Michigan

Hard Woods: For every kind of hard wood you can think of in all shapes and sizes contact: Steve Goode & Sons Workshop. They are in Atascadero, California (central coast). They have a catalog and publish a booklet called Introduction to Wood, which contains actual wood samples of all he sells. I think it's $10. Very interesting. I'm not aware of a web site, but email is: wood2scale@thegrid.net

Ruth

Hardwood: Micro-Mark has a miniature lumberyard with mahogany, cherry and walnut 3" w x 24" long. Prices are good. Quality is very good. Service is excellent. Toll Free 1-800-225-1066, fax 1-908-665-9383, order on-line: http://www.micromark.com

They have a 30-day money back guarantee. Have dealt with them for many, many, many years and have always been happy. I also use companies that make the veneer for fine inlaid furniture, but can't think of their name at the moment.

Becky

Metal Miniatures: Metal Miniatures, 1000 Central Avenue, Wilmette, Ill 60091

Marilyn of Michigan

Theme suggestions; Go here for the theme lists:

http://miniatures.about.com/hobbies/miniatures/library/weekly/topicsubwhat.htm

Marilyn of Michigan