NYC mini shops: I think I may have posted this to the list last week but not emailed it directly.... Now realize the phrases "in New York City" and "not too expensive" don't necessarily go hand in hand in The Big Apple. Here are our shops:

Tiny Doll House
1179 Lexington Ave
212-744-3719

Manhattan Dollhouse
236A 3rd. Ave.

John Medeiros

NYC Dollhouse Shops: I happen to live in NY and work in Manhattan so I've been to at all of the following shops. My favorite is the TINY DOLL HOUSE, it's located at 1179 Lexington Ave. between 80th and 81st street, (212) 744-3719. They have something for everyone and I've never left there empty handed. Sometimes I just go to look. Talk about eye candy!

Manhattan Doll House Shop, 236 3rd Ave., between 19 and 20th Street, (212) 253-9549. Dollhouse Antics, 1343 Madison Ave. at 94th Street (212)876-2288. It would be really hard for me to say what's "inexpensive". I know from experience that one person's definition of inexpensive differs from that of someone else. I can't honestly say that I've been able to afford a lot from any of these places. But that doesn't mean you can't. In any case they're just really magical places to visit. I hope you get to see all of them.

Tonya, Bklyn, NY

Egg Art: For Helen whose inquiring mind wants to know what to do with her eggs: http://miniatures.about.com/hobbies/miniatures/cs/eggart/index.htm

Jude in ND

PLEXIGLASS CASES: I can't remember who was looking for the 8x8x8 Plexiglas cases that aren't being produced until later this fall. But I found some more. These cases look terrific and all sizes. Go to The Miniature Web http://www.etropolis.com/mini/ Then click on Bill Greenan.

Fannye

Gutters: I purchased some from http://www.jsm-miniatures.com/ He has them in round and square. They are plastic, but I found a water based paint for plastic . I tried the primer and it does work. I am no quite up to the gutter installation, so I cannot tell you more, but they seem very easy to modify.

Susan Robbins, Germansville, PA

"printing what you want": I have a program called "Screenshot". You can highlight what you want to save or print and it works beautifully. Their web site is

http://www.screenshot-utility.com Hope this helps.

Shara Lewis

Circus side shows: In my wanderings, I came across this site re: circus side shows. Some of the pictures are a little grizzly--but it did keep me interested. http://www.sideshow-art.com/

Leslie in WA

½ Scale Doll Molds: Ellen in the UK wanted to know who sells and ships molds there - and wants 1/2 scale - I'm sure House of Caron has some molds in that scale - their web site is: http://www.houseofcaron.com

Paulette

Murals: Try a wallpaper book and look at the borders. I have a border in my real house that I used as a mural over chair rail in a Colonial house. It is 8 inches tall including a little plain border on each edge. But I cut it down formy house.

Martha Simpson

French knot rugs: I unfortunately do not have any patterns to offer, as I just draw on a piece of muslin with colored pencils and start knotting. I Usually looking at big people size rug to obtain the pattern. I would be happy to do custom orders if anyone was interested, (e-mail me privately tnt2075@prodigy.net ) just keep in mind they take a few weeks to complete.

For finishing I use an iron on embroidery backing after I fold in the edges, this also makes for a nice non-slip backing, so we have no doll accidents. There is nothing worse then a doll tripping and falling on one of my rugs. lol

Tasha in MN

French knot rugs: what I used in my rugs.... In the turtle rug I actually used silk embroidery ribbon, 4mm size. I wrapped the 4mm twice around the needle, if using larger 7mm size of the ribbon wrap only once. (the latter is tough for me as I get wrap happy) For the peapod rug I used DMC floss and generally I use two strands and wrap it twice. It all depends on the size of the "pile" you want. If you want to do something smaller like seat cushion I use one strand of floss. I find ribbon faster to work with but more spendy, it took about 16 cards of it for Mr. Turtle. You can't really tell the difference but the dolls tell me the silk is softer on their bare feet. (hehe) http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view? username=ministitchery

Tasha

French Furniture With Caning: If you want mass-produced furniture, Bespaq has a variety of French styles. Some of the pieces have inserts that simulate cane. If you want beautifully made handcrafted furniture with real caning, get in touch with Nicole Walton-Marble nmarble@srpynet.com. Nicole also teaches her caning technique at shows occasionally. Nicole's French furniture kits are available on Renee Kutcher's site at http://www.miniaturefloors.com/artisan.htm

Judith Adams

Different Stores - for different stuff: Have you ever visited a 'Ship Chandeler' Store? They sell and service the aquatic crowd. Everything and anything for boats, ships and fishermen... I get my casting resin there much cheaper than anywhere else. Comes in some spiffy colors too Gel Coat is useful too. They carry a ton of different rope products, brass that will knock you off your feet. odds and ends of fishing stuff that makes a mini fan go faint with imagination overload... find one in your area and have a ball!

Judie - Daytona Beach, FL

Hobby Lobby tip: their weekly ads and coupons are posted on their web site. It's a good idea to check what's on sale before you make a run -- last year around the holidays their dollhouse stuff was 50% off every other week! Last week I was in the vicinity and stopped in. Rummaged through the clearance bins, which were reduced another 50%, and got a lot of mini-makings for very, very little: fancy filigree cupids and garlands to gussy up a plain brass bed, gaudy beads for canisters in Mary's tropical condo kitchen, a leaping dolphin ceramic bead which became a Lladro for the curio, Engelbreit-style preprinted woodsies which will be just the thing to disguise the cracked gingerbread on Peggy's Arthur. But of course I'm still looking for what I went in for - royal blue pompoms and felt to make Cookie Monster slippers

Loretta.Sniarowski

Miniature Jigsaws: We read with interest the information on the origins of jigsaws. If anyone is interested, although we haven't featured them on our website, we make jigsaws suitable for a dolls house. Made from wood with a scene of your choice, it could be a family member or perhaps a photograph of the house itself. Usually 1.5 inches by 1 inch our puzzles are in 9 or 12 pieces. While we make just the jigsaw, we also make a box with a lid, to hold the puzzle ready for the table top. We can be contacted through our website. http://www.woodencraft.co.uk/West Sussex Woodencraft

Peter and Annie

Schoolmaster's Desk: We make a schoolmaster's desk and stool. You can see a picture in the school section on our website. Online Catalog http://www.stockton-miniatures.com

Mark and Sharon Stockton, Miniature Artisans

Soda Shops: Came across a wonderful site for anyone working on '50's style soda shops, ice cream parlors, etc. This company sells all kinds of vintage vending machines, signage and soda fountain accessories. Be sure to take a look if this is a project you have on the drawing board.Just so you know, I have no connection to this company. http://www.vintagevending.com

Suzy, Chicago, IL

Uncle Ciggie's Kit: Just wanted to mention that I did the Uncle Ciggie's little cradle kit this week in wicker, it was a very nice piece and pretty good directions. I am going to trim it up with silk ribbons and lace over the weekend. I did the dog bed and a basket they had once also, they were easier, and turned out very nice too. Very happy with the finished pieces. Found them online at http://www.uncleciggie.com

Michelle Blohm

Paper. I have found the most wonderful papers at our local scrapbooking store ( a store chocked full of paper!!!) Within its walls (with a miniaturist's eye) I have found coordinated wallpapers (scrapbooking pages), wallpaper borders (continuous rolled stickers), stencils (perforated stickers), velvet paper (run through the printer makes the most sumptuous rugs), felt paper which has a looped nap and looks like chenille rugs and on and on... And on the subject of punched paper flowers, they have an almost transparent paper that I am making delphiniums from. I don't know what it is called, but it reminds me of rice paper.

Barbara from Alabama

China Closet - My passion is porcelain, too. Theirs is the first table I head to at a show and they don't do many. Their address is: China Closet, 367 W. Elbert St, Indianapolis, IN 46217

Molly Cromwell