1/4 inch scale ruler: A few weeks ago there were several postings about scale rulers--I just discovered another source for quarter inch scale rulers. Model Railroad shops have a General brand 12 inch metal ruler with 1/4 inch scale markings, catalog number 1251 at about $6.00. There are no calculations needed, no trying to interpret the markings, just a very simple direct reading in 1/4. The scale is labeled O Gauge: 1/4 : 1 ft.

Dean Jenson

1/2 scale houses: You can find 1/2" scale houses and furniture and kits at SCALE DESIGNS http://www.scaledesigns.com

Fannye in TX

1/4" scale furniture: Mel asked where to find 1/4" scale furniture and I have a list of websites as long as my arm :o}. For now I'll just recommend a few that I've actually ordered from & have been more than pleased with their items: http://members.aol.com/markstromj/index.html I am the happy owner of a set of Jane's 1/4" scale wicker furniture & it is absolutely exquisite. She is a dear to work with and very conscientious and meticulous. Seeing her Hindeloopen painting on quarter scale furniture is what got me started in that direction.....the detail she achieves is extraordinary. I have one of her hutches in my 1/2" scale gourd teapot. Bonnie Soucek has some wonderful items, too (and in all scales). I have a darling 1/4" scale garden table and chair that she decorated.

Jude in ND

1/4" sources: I have more 1/4" sources on my website listed below, so please ,check them out and many have kits. Isabel Allen's webpage http://pages.prodigy.net/isabelal

Isabel-CT

49ers: I live in the bay area and the Niners changed their colors to a goldish brown and maroon, used to be red. Try their site at: http://www.sf49ers.com/ Just to name a few things you could put in there, because there could be a lot: "signed" football, mini football trading cards, banners, make wallpaper and border from their colors as well as rugs, mini 49er posters, stuff to take to a tailgate party, tickets, big screen TV, if you are watching it at home, jerseys. You could do a lot. A tailgate box, someone watching it at home, and office with memorabilia (sp!). This is just a start.

Kendra

Free woodworking plans: For free woodworking plans, go to http://www.about.com/ , then hobbies, then woodworking. They have a wide variety of plans, from bookcases to breadboxes. I've scaled down a bookcase for my dh. Enough to keep any new mini woodworkers (like myself) busy for ages!

Betsie, South Africa

Wheels: I have something to share for the people looking for great wheels. I find Midwest Carriage has wonderful wooden wagon wheels. Someone wanted to do authentic covered wagons. His e-mail is mcarriage@aol.com

April Locker, Cleveland, OH

Taps and Faucets: try http://www.jojays.co.ukthey have a lovely selection of taps, etc.

Micki

Taps and Faucets: I am able to get first rate modern taps/faucets. Mixer type. Swivel mixer type. Separate hot and cold. Shower handset etc. Contact me privately for more info and prices but be warned these things are rare and well made so do not come cheap. http://www.littlebylittle.co.uk

Karon

African Art: And to the person looking for African Art (missed that one), I specialize in masks from all over, including Japan, Black Forest, Africa and New Guinea. I also do busts that are reproductions of museum pieces from Africa. All of my pieces are researched and authentic. maji13@dreamscape.com

Dave Pierce

Dollhouse diary: I have been waiting and watching for mention of Gulliver's Emporium's (Sis Blechman) "My Dollhouse Diary" but I don't think anyone has posted it yet. http://www.ewol.com/~per/gulliver/

Anne

Microbrush: Someone mentioned the Microbrush applicator the other day. I emailed Betty from Designs by Dann and she carries the product. If anyone is interested you can email her at desgnbyDan@aol.com

Josie in PR

Parrot project: When reading your question I remembered a project by Sue Heaser I once stumbled upon at Polymer Clay Central. It's a Victorian birdcage with a parrot, and has some good explanations on how to sculpt the bird from - guess what? - polymer clay :)
http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/pcc/featured/parrot1.html

It doesn't use real feathers, but maybe you could make the body out of an air-drying clay and stick the feathers into it before it dries? Or glue the feathers onto the polymer clay body.

Åsa in Fairfax VA

Easy tool for Klay Guns: You can modify a caulking gun (found in any hardware store) so that the Kemper Klay Gun fits inside. Then, you can use the caulking gun's pressure (many, many times stronger than just using your fingers) to push the polymer clay through. I've done this for several years and it works great. Nan Roche wrote an article in the December 1999 issue of Bead & Button that explains how to modify the caulking gun. (Her version is slightly different from mine, and I think hers is probably better.) The article is clearly written and has pictures, so it would be a lot easier to refer to Nan's article than to decipher anything that I'd try to explain in an email.

If you can't find Bead & Button magazine in your local library, you might go to their website and inquire about getting back issues. It's at http://www.beadandbutton.com/

Leina Johansson

Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls: Carol Spence Sellner makes these and they're good sellers. You can see a picture of them on my web site at http://www.spminiatures.com/sellner.htm

Carol

Bunny Morris Molds: There is a doll supply shop here in the UK who sell Bunny Morris molds:
M.Wanke (UK) Ltd, Dollmaking Supplies and School, 468-470 Old London Road, Hastings, East Sussex TN35 5BG, Tel.01424 444 692. Bunny Morris is "Dollis Galore" 18 Beeston Green, Sandy, Bedfordshire. SG19 1PF Tel 01767 682 981. Both supply the molds and in some cases will send unpainted bisque.

Claire in Morecambe. England

Baby dolls: Read your question about anatomically correct babies. I just bought one from Darlene's Dolls. The one I bought was a boy but she also has little baby girls. These dolls are porcelain and she will give them any color hair you want. You can see them on her web site at: http://Darlenesdolls.com/

Katy in Concord

Dolls from Fimo: There are a lot of sources to get information on making miniature dolls from Fimo, here are some online:

http://www.englandthings.com/carrington/ James Carrington wrote a very nice book on this subject.

http://www.heaser.demon.co.uk/sue/suetemp.htm And so did Sue Heaser.

http://home.ici.net/~sams/happiness/howtos.htm Here you can learn a lot about size and proportion.

http://members.tripod.com/~Astralos/clay-intro.htm

Marjon de Haas

Mohair Wigs: Global Dolls Corporation www.globaldolls.com has a nice range of miniature mohair wigs for mini dolls. The range has suitable styles for both modern and antique dollies. They are currently working on a miniature mohair wig for men dolls.

Global Dolls

Finer Knitting Needles: http://www.lacis.com/catalog/catalog.html has them (she seems to have everything...): From the knitting section of the online catalog, click on 'knitting' in the index and its only a few listings from the top in the catalog frame.

"KNITTING NEEDLES, DOUBLE POINTED STEEL:
The smaller sizes, these are also referred to as knitting pins. They come in sets of 5-8" nickel plated needles. Blister packed, they are available in sizes:
- - 1.25mm/4-0 0000 the finest (RP20)
- - 1.50mm/3-0 000 (RP19)
- - 1.75mm/2-0 00 (RP18)
- - 2.00mm/0 (RP47)
- - 2.25mm/1 (RP99)
- - 2.50mm/1.5 (PQ01)

Maura Bass