Incredible   miniature knitting and sewing: I have no personal connection to this site.  I am simply amazed by the miniature knitting and sewing.  Just had to pass this along to all of you. http://home.wxs.nl/~kort0112/fotosite.html

Kathy Peterson in Wisconsin

Feather sources:

* anyone in the sw, or wherever there are powwows, this is an excellent place to buy feathers-a lot of the Native vendors carry them and they're all legal.

* become buddies with your favorite gamesmen, I'm hoping for a couple of carcasses in a few weeks!

* another neat place is a local 'turkey/pheasant shoot' club.

* Any birds of prey (eagles, hawks, owls, et al) are illegal to sell or posses unless the 'owner' is tribal , and it's condoned and monitored for religious purposes.   My research also showed that any migratory birds or songbirds fall into this category-so yes the comment I read earlier this week about using domestically raised feathers is the safest bet.   If you have an 'illegal' feather it's possible (although not probable, imo) that the powers that be can come and confiscate *everything*-while they DNA test the questionable items! (end of feather rambling)

kath in ct

Looking for Anything:  Use good old "google.com" and search under both Web and Images and you will find more than you ever wanted to know!  EVERYONE should bookmark Google.  You have no idea of the information available on the Internet that this search engine can produce!

Bobbie Schoonmaker, IGMA Fellow

WW2 Uniforms:   here is a link I found from the costumer's http://www.costumes.org/ site: http://www.wwiiimpressions.com/

Nursemini

WAC doll circa WWII: My husband works in the museum field and has a special interest in Military History.   So I asked him for help with your WAC doll research.  He says this may be the only source you need: http://www.AWM.lee.army.mil

This is the web site for the US Army Women's Musuem.  It shows both uniform and insignia in detail.  I am sure you could contact them if the web site doesn't answer all your questions.

One piece of info he did give is that early in the War the WACs were an auxillary corps and had their own insignia. The insignia was an Athena for officers, enlisted wore an Anthena on a brass disk. Cap badges were a strutting eagle for officers, enlisted wore a strutting eagle on a brass disk.  Later in the War they became an army corps and wore the same insignia as men.

Jeri Moriarty

Basic wiring: Cir-Kit wiring kits include instructions for beginners.  Cir-Kit also has an introduction to wiring video.   You can pick one up at your local miniatures store, or check if NAME has one in their video library that you could borrow name@miniatures.org   (317) 571-8094).   Of course, it is better to watch it   and then practice with a teacher, but at least you have other options if that isn't possible.

Tammy in Virginia

Strip lights: Dee's handles the strip lights--they are called Aura Lights and are wonderful for mini rooms.  They are regular 110 volt lights and come in brass, chrome, white, or black.  They are also available in other lengths.  I put them in all my roomboxes.  If you can't find them locally, drop me a line as I keep them in stock most of the time. They aren't really cheap but are well worth the money and they are rated for 4500 hours! OldPuebloM@aol.com

Dottie in Tucson

Fill-in greenery:  Just browse the aquarium section of your nearest pet store.   The plastic plants can be made more realistic by cutting up and spritzing with matte acrylic to dull the shine a bit.   Dollar store florals will also yield silk greenery that can be reshaped.   A few weeks ago I found a huge bouquet of plastic Queen Anne's lace at a yard sale for a nickel.   Repainted and sponged, the blooms make great mini azaleas, and the matte-sprayed, trimmed greenery will make perfect scale leaves for anemones and cosmos.

Loretta_Sniarowski

Stair Rods: I've added two new pages to my website, one showing how to make stair rods and their holders, and another showing how to install the runner on your staircase. If you can't find a suitable ribbon for your staircase, I also welcome custom orders for runners especially designed for the width of your staircase (no, they're not standard!!) and style of your house. Weevings Miniature Handwovens http://weevings.com

Bonni in NH

Feathers: If you get a parakeet or a canary, you will have all the feathers you will ever need, all sizes and colors trust me I know:-)

Linda from Maine

Japanese minis:   I came across this page  http://japaneseminis.homestead.com/FirstPg.html while I was looking for Shoji paper for my real size doors, and the things look wonderful. I haven't purchased anything from these people, but I would be interested in hearing from anybody who has. I hope this helps:

DeeDee in Carmel Valley

Chariot etc.: For the SSer who was looking for a chariot, I found one on google, made by Fontanini,   http://www.roman.com/fontanini/5in/accessories/50214.htm

It is carried by many Christmas shops, and probably can be mail ordered from one as well! For those of you who don't know the Fontanini line, they make amazing things for Nativity era villages, many of which can be incorporated into mini scenes. There are shops, people and accessories from everyday life of that period, including some Roman pieces. Be careful if you order though, as they make their things in several scales. Make sure you get the appropriate size for what you are doing!

I have been coveting a structure that looks like the ruins of a Greek or Roman temple for quite a while now! lol

This stuff is absolutely gorgeous! Two Christmases ago, I even bought the potter at his wheel and his kiln for a friend as a Hanukah gift!

Alice Zinn- Pt. St. Lucie FL

Fortunately for me, Sue in N.C. led me here: http://crystalrivergems.com/products/glass/beachseaglass/frames/FrameSet.htm

Here you do not have to buy fifty-pound bags of one color, and the price, compared to bulk, is manageable.  (i.e. do you want 50 pounds of sea green at $70, or 2 pounds at $12?)  They are in Pittsburgh, for you lucky locals.  Meanwhile several people have suggested I could find a rock-tumbling enterprise to do some work for me, OR, in keeping with general tool and machine mania, I could get a rock tumbler myself, like kids have.  I'm going to check both these possibilities out.

Melissa

Forming acrylic plastic: While on a different search, I happened upon this site which has some very specific explanations about plastics and working with acrylics at home: http://www.acrylic-designs.com/plastic_FAQ's.htm   My eyes lit up when I saw it, and though I don't have any immediate plan for it myself, I am fairly sure that among these talented SS-ers there are several who will.  I checked the SS archives and couldn't scare up anything on the topic because "acrylic" is so often used in connection with "paint".  The writer on the above site doesn't include any warnings other than to wear gloves, but I can't help but imagine there will be fumes, as with the oven-baked clays, so please be careful.  I have seen acrylic sheets in various dimensions at the home centers.

Rosalind Perantie

Fridge magnets: I went to the website of the fridge magnets and there are several other categories that would be useful for minipictures.  They are called itsy bitsy magnets and come in a hinged acrylic box of 48 tiles for $5.00.  They vary in size from 5/8" square to some a bit smaller or larger.  They had a baby motif, perfect for decorating, a boot motif, maybe good for a shoe store, animal motif etc.  The web site is http://www.fridgefun.com

Harriett -Framingham, MA

Wallpaper:  here is a site with lots of printable wallpaper.  http://www.geocities.com/boopmini40/

Marian

Dolls: we have added two new dolls to our site. Just visit http://www.twinfirsdolls.co.uk  and go to our news page. We now have the Tudor, Victorian and Edwardian styles fully covered!

Roy Dean

Miniature bidet:  Here is one site.  http://www.stokesayware.com/asiaticws.htm  Another at SP miniatures: http://www.spminiatures.com/bath.htm

Nursemini

Rubber Dollies: http://www.lollyinc.com/

Nursemini, Akron, Ohio

Brick slips in UK: Standard bricks in UK are 9" x 3". Richard Stacey supplies slips cut from real bricks (mini-sized 3/4" x 1/4" x 1/16") richardstacey@easthampnett.freeserve.co.uk (Fax/phone: +441243 533132 http://www.richardstacey.com He sells at fairs and through shops - not sure if he sells direct. I think that they are available from http://www.JoJays.com and http://www.maplestreet.co.uk Both supply worldwide.

The product is a delight to work with - easy to 'cut' and (I think) looks wonderful - after all they're real bricks!!

One of his styles / colours can be seen on the Flower Shop - took nearly 2000 slips to cover this wall hanging 1/2 house (front and 2 sides). Pictures at: http://www.picturetrail.com (view album = mini-jane)

Jane, Warwickshire, UK