Resin casting info: Please checkout the products at http://www.smoothon.com. They have a very good white casting resin that is water-thin (no -bubbles) and an easy to use silicone r TV kit that is mixed one to one and doesn't need to be de-aired. They sell both items packed as a sampler. It's a really good deal and it includes a good how-to manual. The previous digest dealt with fireplaces. I've done miniature stonework for about 15 years. Check-out my website at http://www.vintageminiatures.com for samples). For a fireplace, plaster white glued to a wooden block or box, then carved when dry, gives the most realistic effect. It can be textured with a wire brush and carved very accurately with dental tools or chisels. I also like Durham's, but it is hard to work when dry and must be worked quickly even with vinegar or milk added to slow the set-up. An easy material to work with is Das Pronto, an Italian paper clay that air-dries. I roll out an even slab, white glue it to an armature and let it air dry. It carves nicely when hard, but is softer than plaster and somewhat flaky. It can be rolled on a mold for texture and drapes well over odd shapes. Thanks for listening and for the good info I've seen so far.

Mark Motich

Gallery Glass (by Plaid Enterprises) has a "Bevels Mold," which is a sheet of clear, stout plastic with several circular or rectangular raised patterns. The concept is to coat the patterns with Gallery Glass Window Color, let dry, and then peel off a patterned piece that resembles beveled glass. These are not sized for dollhouses, but I'm pretty sure some of the smallest designs could be used effectively on a window. But the Window Color itself (and that is its name; it's not glass stain) is the real Wow item. It may be cousin to assorted acrylic gels (it has water cleanup) but it dries faster, and to a tougher film, than any of those I'd experimented with. The sample disc I molded is quite clear but, because of unevenness, slightly distorting, which I think is a plus. There are other related items - other Window Colors, leading, pattern booklets, etc. - but I want to try tinting the clear with acrylic paint first, as well as coating the surface with paint and with permanent inks. Worth trying for water. Worth checking to see if it will stretch across small gaps and dry solid. Worth seeing if it can be molded over a shallow bowl. And so on and on! I'd love to know how others have been using it. Oh: where, and how much. I met up with it at a JoAnn's Fabric/Craft store, but Plaid Enterprises is everywhere. The sheet of beveled glass patterns was $3.50, Window Color was $2.00 for a two-oz. bottle, but $5.00 for eight oz.

Mary

Paper Punches: Ruth Hanke at HankyPanky crafts sells paper punches as well as punched bits by the bagful if you do not want to purchase one of the more expensive punches. I have ordered from her and was delighted with the very fast delivery. Her website is at http://hankypankycrafts.com

Maryann Cipriano

House of Miniatures: According to their ad in DHM, the HOM Collector Society's web site is http://www.miniatures.com,/p>

Their mailing address is in Atlanta, GA.

Nutshell News published a number of kit-bashing articles over the years, many of them by the late Ron Benson, and several HOM kits were featured.

Kathy Watkins

Grandt Line: The address for Grandt Line I have is: Grandt Line Products, 1040 B Shary Court Concord CA, 94518, Tel: 925-671-0143 Fax: 925-671-0806

Judy Bayless

Grandt Line: The URL for Grandt Line is http://www.mria.org/companies/Grandt.html

Rose

Glass Beads: You can also get a nice mix of glass beads from a company called BeadBox. They have a mix of about 130 glass beads from the Czech Republic that I have combined with other smaller beads to made perfume bottles and Christmas tree ornaments. They do have holes, so I usually use headpins snipped to size to hold all in place (glue too). This mix is $9.99. Their toll free #is 1-800-BEADBOX. I didn't see a web site listed.

Judi

Picture Frame/Molding Source: For picture molding, instead of getting the basswood molding handled by Dee's and most miniature shops, try S.H. Goode & Sons, 8830 San Gabriel Road, Atascadero, CA 93422. They handle several kinds of wood, and if you get their catalog, you will see the wonderful selection of woods and styles of molding. It costs a little more, depending on the kind of wood, but I got maple, walnut, cherry, and rosewood. They make up into very nice frames. Their email address is wood2scale@thegrid.net. Also, their Just-a-Clamp is excellent for making frames, too. Take it from one who has made hundreds of frames.

Olivia Wassmer

Star Trek: I've gotten a lot of X-Files "action figures" which are juuuust about right for 1:12 scale scenes. I know there must be many similar Star Trek figures around. Check your local hobby stores, toy stores, and on-line there must be many Star Trek sites that might help.

Melissa

Tiny beads: Fascinating Folds carries several colors of tiny beads. They are perfect for miniatures. I also get my quilling supplies through them.

Sandy Balignasay

When I was looking for posters for my X-Files room box (Mulder's Office) I did a search for sites selling full sized X-Files posters. They show small pictures of what they are selling. I just printed them. Perfect size for 1" scale.

Wanda

A Small Stuff Badge: Tracey Joy has designed a badge that you can print out and make into a pin or sticker, wear it to mini shows and find your Small Stuff buddies! Go to http://www.miniature.net/smallstuff/images/ssbadge.gif and right-click on the picture to save it, or simply click the print button in your browser.

Anne

Pocket Watch Cases: Pocket Watches are sold at: http://www.hobbyklok.nl They also sell the domes.

Marjon de Haas

Watch cases: Our fellow miniaturist and SmallStuffer has the watch cases for sale. LadyBug (Sue Thwaite) lbug1124@erols.com she also has a web site. http://www.ladybug-fairies.com

Deb

Archie McPhee has a website (also a print catalog) http://archiemcphee.com/

Lee Menconi

Painted Ladies: I have found this site on painted ladies in cross stitch but it has a color chart.
http://www.nspruance.com/

Molly

Country General Store: In doing research for my Country Store, I found a book that has been invaluable. It's "Country Store Antiques, From Cradles To Caskets" by Douglas Congdon-Martin. It's not a miniatures book, but is a book on collecting the antiques. The color photos of all kinds of items, plus the labels and signs are the perfect starting point for a Country Store miniature project!!!

Tere Perry

Address for Evelyn Lenz Flook (patterns) Contact:
MindStorm Productions 2625 Alcaraz, Suite 357V Berkeley, CA 94705
and ask them for her address.  She made a video for them and if she agreed to show her address on the video, (that's just like an ad and would therefore not be infringing on her privacy) I'm sure they'd be willing to pass it on to you.

Viola

This is the correct URL for Nancy Spruance: http://www.nspruance.com She has some great "Painted Ladies".

Courdee -- Marlene

Kimberly House in Las Vegas has a toll free number:  1-800-277-9790 The owner's name is Sandy and she's great.  I've ordered large amounts of their special bricks by phone and received the order very promptly.

Cindy Treadwell