Painting Chrysnbon: I, too, have painted Chrysnbon without any problems. I did use the paint included with the kits (when I didn't want them painted a "color"). But, I didn't like the light color. So, when it was thoroughly dry, I put a regular walnut stain over the top, just to bring out the wood grain. The first time I did it, I had no idea what was going to happen -- fall apart, dissolve?? But, it was just fine. I did it on the kitchen set in my "big" dollhouse, the sewing machine, several chairs in the sewing room, the tea cart in dining room, the rocker in the boy's bedroom, AND the organ (like Louise) in the music room. Also, as the crib in my granddaughter's Nursery Bag and in my grandson's Nursery Bag. If you want to take a look, go to: http://fayzerplace.homestead.com -- then My Minis -- and onward from there.

Fay in St. Louis

Chimney smoke: In answer to you question on making a chimney smoke there is a smoke generator that you can purchase mostly at train or model shops that are made for trains. I have one in my gypsy wagon on http://www.picturetrail.com/cbazteca it is very easy to install and you put drops of oil (smoke oil) on the inside and it smokes works great.

Donna from Texas

Paint for Plastic - by Plaid: Plaid now has "Paints For Plastic" - acrylic type paints that can be used on all the types of plastic that you weren't able to paint before. They may be more 'user friendly' than the Testors paints which require special thinners, etc. Check http://www.plaidonline.com/articleDetail.asp?entry=article&articleID=110 for information. I assume Michaels and other arts/crafts places should carry this new product - but I don't recall seeing it the last time I was at Michaels - about 2 months ago. You can check Plaids site for phone numbers for locations that carry the paints for plastic.

Linda Gale

Christmas Trees: This lady sells fantastic kits, also sells lighting and other Christmas goodies. GJ's http://minitrees.com

Viola

Pine cone site: http://bbobx.homestead.com/index.html I found this site while updating my web page.

Nursemini

Realistic Trees: I have just the place for you! AMSI Miniature Landscaping in Petaluma, CA. E-mail Mary Costello at macamsi@svn.net and see their web site at www.amsi-minilandscaping.com. They have kits or will build to your specifications if requested. Prices are very reasonable. Mary recently built "The Big Old Tree" for me for a scene. [Landscaping isn't one of my fortes.]

Patricia / Redwood City, CA

Realistic Trees: check out Architrees at http://www.architrees.com. They make trees for architects' models . The trees look very realistic. They have several that are 12, 18, or 24 inches high. Those seem to be a much more realistic size for 1:12 scale than most of the trees that we see sold for dollhouse landscaping. The prices are very reasonable too. I'm even hoping that if enough people working in the 1:12 scale contact them, they may increase their line of 18 and 24 inch trees. Right now they only have a few types of trees in that size.

Mary in Virginia

Scale: The May 2002 issue of Dollhouse Miniatures has 4 wonderful pages of size conversions compiled by Joann Swanson including standard household measurements, standing man, woman and child figures in 1", 1/2" and 1/4", sitting figures in 1", 1/2" and 1/4", conversion of 1" scale to 1/2" and 1/4" scales and a whole page of fractional conversions in 1" scale. Well worth the purchase price if you can find it. Address is http://www.dhminiatures.com Don't know but expect you can probably get back issues from them.

Maureen in St. Albert AB Cda

Resin Source: Try Eager Plastics at http://www.eagerplastics.com I use them for my resins. They are quick and efficient and a pleasure to work with. I'm sure they have what you need.

Rik Pierce

Resin Source: if you are looking for resin, try www.dragonflyintl.com. that is Deb L. site. She teaches classes at workshops for mold making and resin use. She also carries the supplies. I took her class and it was great!

Elaine

Resin Source: Here is a general link to mold making and casting supplies. Very good site. http://www.lumicast.com/links.html#SOURCES

Mary Lou

Click and drag dollhouse:   My sister, bless her non-mini heart, sent me this site which is a click and drag dollhouse. http://www.shoptoyland.com/toyland/playground/dollhouse/decorate.html   Lots of fun and the children and grandchildren should enjoy it too.

Maureen in St. Albert AB Cda

Making electrified chandeliers: Just starting to electrify my own house and looking at possible resources. Many miniaturists have recommended the excellent advice they had received from Copper Connections in the UK.  I had a look at their site and saw that the bulbs/ candles come with different thickness wires. They have a micro flame bulb 8" wires with the term 40 ma after it, the other bulbs have wires 50 ma and 60 ma. So presume that is the wire thickness. Their site is http://www.copperconnection.co.uk /trolleyed/5/13/index.htm

Teepee crafts , a magical supplier of findings etc. have chandelier kits and makings. In their list of bulbs is shrink wrap tubes. They might be for passing your wires through to keep them tidy. They have a wonderful on-line catalogue for findings, silk ribbon and tiny braid. http://www.teepeecrafts.co.uk/html/catalogue/text/l.htm

The Blackberry Patch sells 'How to books'   DB1 =A310 GBP includes patterns for chandeliers, lights and accessories. I have never seen it, but her own chandeliers are beautiful.

Pauline   in Mansfield UK

White House Presidential Home Replicas: The White House link does have pictures of all the replicas.   The URL is http://www.whitehouse.gov/president/presidential-homes

Emily in MD

Gingerbread House Ideas: I have a real gingerbread house project, including photos and recipes, online. Maybe it will give you decorating ideas. Or maybe, you'll be inspired to make a real one too!   http://gerdesdesign.com/gingerbread.htm

Anne

White House web site : To see a spectacular virtual tour of the White House rooms decorated for Christmas 15 mini replicas of Presidential homes, go to http://www:whitehouse.gov/holiday    Enjoy - its a real treat.

Ellie Hughes

China silk: Sue Veeder mentions that china silk is hard to find; I'd like to share the url for Thai Silks, which is http://www.thaisilks.com. They have every kind of silk in the world, I think. Years back I ordered a set of their samples, which are just the right size to make mini-pillows with. A few weeks ago I scanned in some pictures of fancy pillows from a decorating catalog, sized them for 1:12, and printed them on the iron-on transfer paper. Then I ironed them onto some cream-colored silk (like Sue, an old blouse), then used the little colored squares from Thai for the backs. Since these pillow patterns are not my own, I don't sell them, but I give them away sometimes.

SUSAN

China Silk: Pam Kille of Etcetera, Etc. has it in 16 or 17 different colors, and you can buy it in small amounts. She also has loads of other goodies for dressing dolls and making miniatures. The address is: Etcetera, Etc. 13 Isla Court Roswell, NM 88201 Email: rwk@rt66.com

Paulette in IN

china silk: I purchased a few different colors of china silk from "Sandy's Lace and Trims" at the Seattle show last year. She has smaller pieces (perfect for our uses) at reasonable prices. http://www.sandyslace.com

Tammy Fischer

1/24th Components: you can find 1/24 scale windows and doors and other architectural components at Grandt Line Products at http://www.mria.org/companies/grandt.html They are in Concord, CA at 1040 B Shary Ct., 94518. Their phone number is 925-671-0143.

- Grandt Line also has such things in 1/4" scale and HO scale.

Barb Jones, Cupertino CA