Dremel Jig Saw/Scroll Saw Blades: These blades have a short pin at either end that hooks into the arms of the jig saw above and below the table. At one time I did see pin-end type blades at our local Sears store. They are also available from Scroller, Ltd, a catalog for scroll saws. Their telephone number is 1-800-486-6053.

The blades originally packaged by Dremel came in two flavors - coarse and fine. If currently available with these options, go for the fine size. I never did use any of the coarse variety when I used the Dremel.

Pam

Microscope & Musical Instruments: I found an odd little site, www.veghead.com, which has a huge assortment of the mixed-scale brass miniatures -- including a 1 1/8" microscope for considerably less than the HBS version, but of course you'd have to make your own case for it. Veghead also has a large selection of musical instruments, although few of them were 1:12 scale  (Most would be right for a Barbie orchestra) and quite a few egg stands, for those who like them as table bases.

Loretta

Dremel Saw Blades: I needed some saw blades for the discontinued saw and contacted Dremel directly. They said they have about 6,000 left. I got six of each, which I figured will last me to the next millennium. Anyway, your local Dremel dealer can order them for you, or you can go to their website: http://www.dremel.com.

Sharon Begley

Micro Mark Mini Power Tools: I have three of the MicroMark power tools. The jigsaw is ok as long as you don't try to saw through anything thicker than 1/8". I have managed quarter inch stock but very slowly (this was plywood though). The orbital sander is great. I bought an extra snap-on pad so I could have fine and course grit paper ready for use. I probably use the drill most. I keep it plugged into the variable speed transformer all the time for easy access. These tools are so small you can keep them right on your workbench. I've enjoyed using mine since 1989, no problems with any of them so far. They seem to be very well made.

Susan Wise in Denton, TX

Miniature Tools: For those who might be interested, Sears has a kit of miniature tools that look just like Micro-Mark's (pages 6 and 7 in Micro-Mark's current catalog). I believe these are made in Germany and retailed through several outlets. Sears has the name "Craftsman" on theirs, but I would be hard pressed to say they weren't one and the same as Micro-Mark's. I didn't pay quite as much at Sears. Sears sells them as a kit and they even have their own heavy plastic carrying case that holds all of the tools. The little stationary table attachment for the jigsaw comes with the kit also. The transformer, router, jigsaw and orbital sander make up the kit. There is a place for the drill, but it does not come with the kit. Not all Sears stores carry them, but you can have them order them for you. I really like being able to have all of the tools in a case, as everything is in one place when I am ready to use them and they travel very nicely with you. They also include jigsaw blades and sandpaper to get you started. Don't expect them to do the job that a regular size tool will, but it's every bit as exciting to power up that little jigsaw and hit the wood with it!

Lynn in AR

Something for cutting angles other than 45 degrees: I hesitate to suggest a hand tool costing thirty US dollars, but the Dobson Mitre Right would sure fill the bill. It's a handsaw set in a frame allowing it be swung in an arc and then fixed in place. Hobby Builders Supply's on-line catalog has a good picture:

http://www.miniatures.com/

Mary in Oregon

Minis Lathe Turning Class - Rolling Pins: The first actual turning class has been posted on our web site (www.vandijkminiatures.com).  This class provides instructions for turning a miniature rolling pin and features step-by-step photographs.  Lauren and I have been working together to get this class set up after working out some of the problems with the photos.  It seems we needed to get much closer for everyone to better see the instruction pics, and we think we've got it down pat now.

The photos take a while to load, but we feel it's well worth the wait time.  All of the classes will remain on the website so that anyone who just joined us, or needs to refresh, can review any of the lessons.   If you've got questions, suggestions, comments or ideas, please contact me privately.  This is a busy season for us and I have not had time to read all of the online miniature's groups digests.  There's a lot we can learn from each other.

Gerda van Dijk

Dremel Accessories: Widget Supply carries a great bunch of Dremel accessories and other tools. I ordered diamond burrs, teensy drill bits, brass brushes, and sanding & cutting disks last Sunday; they arrived on Wednesday! Great prices, too! http://www.widgetsupply.com/index.html

Lee Menconi

Digital Cameras: We bought an Olympus D 400 Zoom a year or so ago. It is a 1.3 megapixel which is small compared to some of the new cameras that are up to 2-3 megapixels. The comparable camera currently on sale is D 460 Zoom, and my husband recently found it for sale on the web for $295. This camera is a reasonably small camera, much smaller than the Sony's that use the floppy disks.

We have 3 sets of rechargeable batteries and a recharger. So, we have a set in the camera, a set in the camera bag, and a set in the charger. The Olympus uses a memory card and we do have the reader attached to the computer because it is so much faster to transfer pictures than using the memory card adapter that fits in the floppy drive. I transfer my pictures to the hard drive to edit them because it is much faster to work from the hard drive.

My husband "invented" a little tripod for me to use inside my dollhouse so I can take a time exposure and not have the flash reflection and flash shadowing in the pictures. It holds the camera steady for the time exposure. I have taken a lot of the pictures the regular way using the flash too. In the quot;macro" mode, you can put your camera lens about 10" away from the item you want to take, but then you can zoom in, so this gets you really close.

You can take a look at the pictures of my dollhouse http://fayzerplace.homestead.com Go to "my minis" then "dollhouse" and see the results. I've been really pleased with the pictures, although I really wanted the Olympus 3030, but the price was much better on the one we bought.

Fay in St. Louis

Metric Measurements: I have this wonderful stainless steel ruler that is inches on one edge and metric on the other edge. On the back are conversion tables. This ruler comes in a 6" and 12" length and can be purchased rather inexpensively from the Micro-Mark catalog. I have no affiliation with them, but could probably take out stock for all that I've purchased there. Their web site is www.micromark.com. and just for grins and giggles, the item #'s are: 6" ruler #10114 and 12"ruler #10115.

Judi

Modern Porcelain Sink: - Model Builders Supply has a round vanity sink in white and clear (for you to paint) in 1:12 scale and a single or double kitchen sink in stainless steel and clear. They also have single and double kitchen sinks in 1:24 scale.
Their catalog has how-to sections for painting and making a basic shell and surround. MBS also has faucets for sinks, tubs, showers. Their email addy is: service@modelbuilderssupply.com

Sharon in MN

Teapots: To everyone who wanted teapots, I found some in the Oriental Trading catalogue. They have small crochet boxes, wooden fans, resin animals, rattail ribbon, just so many things and they have a web site. www.oriental.com

Alberta

Cauldrons & Pots: We can supply cauldrons - boiling pots and all sorts of nice things to go into your witches den! Give us a look on; http://www.grandadsplayroom.com

David &Joyce Betts

Moonshine Jug: I think I have what you're looking for on my website by Alex Meiklejohn. I have a 1" scale jug and a smaller one that is probably 1/2 scale which Alex calls a syrup jug. It's two toned - dark brown/tan, has a handle on the neck and a cork stopper. You can see it at

http://www.spminiatures.com/meikle.htm

Carol

Train Set/Car: SPENCER GIFTS (in your mall) has a tiny train set, about three inches wide (if that much) for under $3.00 which really works. That is perfect for a mini toy store or a mini boy's bedroom. THE DANBURY MINT has the James Bond 007's Aston Martin car with all the gadgets and very detailed. The antenna slides up and down. The console panel opens. The seats are genuine leather and the driver's seat tilts forward. The hood opens to reveal the stunning miniature six-cylinder engine. There is the gadget in the taillight which opens to dispense oil (but doesn't) like James Bond did when followed. The front and real license plates rotate. There is a telephone hidden in the driver's door. A whirling tire slasher slides off the left rear wheel hub like the original. Working "rams" pull out from both bumpers. Machine guns are fixed in the ready-to-fire mode. If you are interested, you can order if from The Danbury Mint, 47 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06857. It's half-inch scale and cost $149.00. I bought their LSU jalopy that came with a lot of extra minis related to football. Really tops in quality!

Karen

Raheb Books: You can purchase the Barbara Raheb mini books through a dealer named Larson or Lorson Books. They are in Anaheim, CA.

Michelle Geoffrion-Mahler

Mason Jars: Just found these mason jars yesterday. They look very good! They're at:

http://www.virtualdollhouse.net/basement.htm

Linda Peterson

Butcher Shop Accessories: Go to this site and then check out meat market- there are individual pictures of the numerous pieces offered. http://www.miniworld.com

Sheena

Raheb Books: Barbara's books can be purchased/found on the House of Miniatures website - the link is below. Barb Syrcher has a fantastic selection of titles available and is great to work with. http://www.miniworld.com/house

Laura

Butcher Shop Accessories: I have a number of items suitable for a butcher shop. You can check the items on my page at http://www.spminiatures.com/meat.htm

I also have an old fashioned counter with white wrapping paper on a roll http://www.spminiatures.com/storefixtures.htm

Carol