Pub accessories: To all those looking to make pubs, just found the following link,
http://www.dollshousepub.freeserve.co.uk

Havana Holly

Pubs: For those working on pubs (this may have been mentioned before), I believe the March, 1984 issue of Nutshell News has a article and pictures on this.

Marilyn in Baton Rouge

Florists shop: another suggestion to have in shop... Stacks of floral foam(comes in bricks, and round shapes.) Plastic forms that hold foam and wooden sticks to wire flowers to. How about the colored aluminum that one finds around pots of flowers, dish gardens on the shelves too. I didn't see a watering can and a sprayer/mister. A frig. for keeping flowers cool... usually glass fronted. Balloons are also available in florists these days too... they usually have unblown -up ones on the wall with prices on them. Helium container to blow them up with and that thin twisty paper ribbon that they come on. Flower arranging books... Container of those packets of stuff they use to keep cut flowers fresh... And, if it were my mum and my shop, a tiny doggie bed with a small lap dog in it, or if you're so inclined, a cat...{:-) Finally, I didn't see a chair of any sort for this hard-working woman at all! How's she gonna have a cuppa without a wee table and chair somewhere... and maybe a stool at the arranging table or counter?

RWitterman

I Spy roombox: I had an idea for a roombox and just wanted to know if it sounded good to others...I was reading to my children from one of their I Spy books, which use a lot of miniature items in the pictures. Wouldn't an I Spy roombox be fun and cute to do? A great way to display some of those mini extras that don't have a home yet. It would even be fun to donate to the library or an elementary school. I am just not sure if you would start with some sort of setting, or what? I think then you could type up an I Spy poem or story and either put it on the back wall of the box or framed along with the box. Please let me know what you all think.

Tasha in Melty MN

paper kimono directions: They can be found at either: http://www.hgtv.com/HGTV/project/0,1158,CRHO_project_24524,00.html or
http://www.yasutomo.com/project/

Annie W. (Pittsburgh)

Street of shops: I've made five of them (did two of the larger shops) They are: soda parlor, garden shop, gourmet shop, candy store and baby shop. I used all kinds of different gingerbreads and colors to set each one apart. They all have brass coach lamps, address numbers, copper bay roofs. I'm in the process now of changing the inside lighting so that each one has it's own transformer. The plexi top is being exchanged for an 1/8th inch wood top. I used ceiling beams to hold the chandeliers in each shop. If I were to do them again, I would definitely make the back hinged and have a solid top. That way you can get in them easier. Oh well, live and learn. I love mine all stretched out on a wall shelf with gray brick sidewalk to unite them. They are all FULL and I mean full. I collected for them for quite awhile.

Roberta in Wisconsin

I Love Lucy room:   For the person doing the I Love Lucy Roombox, I just had to share the following site    http://www.dhminiatures.com/dhm/roombox/roombox98.html   The Lucy living room is the third roombox from the top (directly beneath the wonderful "All in The Family" box by Pearl Jordan)

Reva Losiewicz

Log Cabin: We had a real life log cabin and to make it more rustic we singed it with a propane torch before we oiled it.   Which is what I would do in miniature.   If you have access to one of those butane fireplace starters it would be perfect to "toast" the wood some.   Barring that, I would try a light brown watercolor or acrylic wash on the logs and then seal with Tung oil.

Renee Kutcher

Log Cabin:   A couple of years ago my brother in law made log cabins for my sister and I. Hers was finished with Min Wax stain and polyurethane, with very neat rows of chinking between the logs...looks like one of the new log homes in the magazines...

Mine was coated with Thomas's Bug Juice to give it that old grey look and sort of pushed in chinking to make it look like it had been sitting in the woods for ever.

We both used a wood filler from Home Depot...can't think of the brand...brown white and black label...we used white...it dries to a dull pale off white. If you have seen old log buildings with chinking still hanging in there the color is perfect..Sometimes you just luck out. Both of them are great if I do say so myself and a little praise for my baby sister...You wouldn't believe to look at them now that they had started out identical.

Annamarie in still chilly Stuart, Florida

Log Cabin:   A couple of years ago my brother in law made log cabins for my sister and I. Hers was finished with Min Wax stain and polyurethane, with very neat rows of chinking between the logs...looks like one of the new log homes in the magazines...

Mine was coated with Thomas's Bug Juice to give it that old grey look and sort of pushed in chinking to make it look like it had been sitting in the woods for ever.

We both used a wood filler from Home Depot...can't think of the brand...brown white and black label...we used white...it dries to a dull pale off white. If you have seen old log buildings with chinking still hanging in there the color is perfect..Sometimes you just luck out. Both of them are great if I do say so myself and a little praise for my baby sister...You wouldn't believe to look at them now that they had started out identical.

Annamarie in still chilly Stuart, Florida

Minis in Switzerland : the PUPPENHAUSMUSEUM IN BASEL.  THE ADDRESS IS STEINENVORSTADT 1, CH-4051 BALE and the phone is 41=0-61-225-95.  It has wheelchair access and I am not sure when its official summer hours start but it has everything you need---museum, shop and cafe mostly 1:12 scale.

There is also a FRANZY'S PARADIS DE POUPEES AND TEDDIES that has

miniatures as well as dolls, teddies and a club and restoration clinique (leave that to the Swiss, wouldn't you). The address I have is Rue de Lausanne 39 CH-1700 Fribourg and the phone is 41-026-322-47-65.  I also have an e mail on this one:  franzys@teddies.ch

Again, in Europe, especially with small businesses and artisan types and glorious lunch hours,  call ahead or she'll waste time/energy.

Ok, now you will have to forgive me if I mention some non-mini shopping in Switzerland (some of us have husbands and friends whom we have to lure on expeditions)---and there is one stop that is really worth the side trip---besides it only 3.1 miles from the Italian border and right near Como, Italy (I said I don't know my French geography, no one asked me about Italy and Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places in the whole world!).  The name of the outlet mall is FOX TOWN and it is great---much better than the American equivalents because you can find Ferragamos, cashmeres, jewelry, watches, etc. etc.

Sara in Paris

Unusual Items: Another source for unusual items is a place called Playthings Past. They have mostly key chains, but they have games like Monopoly, Life, etc., I purchased the robot from Lost In Space and many other items that I have used in boxes. For the person doing the county fair, they have the machine that is filled with toys and stuffed animals with a claw that you operate with a crank. It really works! Their web site is http://Playthingspast.com

Diane in Ohio

San Franciscan Turret: I'm making a Duracraft San Francisco kit. The girl's room is the whole third floor. When I got to making the turret, I didn't cut it the inside walls. Instead I added another wall piece to the middle inside wall section of the turret, and used some of the scrap wood to make an entrance way. The piece I used was around where you punch out the upper most window which is shaped in a oval. So it is a private little room, most of which can only been seen from looking in the windows. Alex, the girl who lives in this room, was annoyed with her aunt for wall papering the room with flowered paper and painting it pink. In return she painted the turret inside walls with vines and flowers. the ceiling is a piece of sky patterned computer printing paper.

Inside the turret, under the roof, at the top it is painting black with star stickers stuck on. You can see inside the turret by opening one of the roofing flaps. That's where the Borrowers live. I was rather pleased with myself for thinking that. The Borrowers also live in the attic.

Laura Bentley

Minis in Japan: You didn't say when you are going but unless you can speak/read Japanese or have translation software on your laptop you may have a hard time communicating.  The same day that Tom Bishop holds his dollhouse and mini show in Japan (either June or July) there is always a teddy bear show in the same building and the people who run that show speak English and know a lot of the miniaturists.  That is about as helpful as I can be without any of my contact info around. I know Beth Stark from Liliput Land did the Bishop Show in Japan---you could try to ask her for some info.   Or you could ask Tom Bishop himself who also has had Japanese artisans at Chicago International Shows. 

Aside from the obvious miniaturists, you will see wonderful Origami paper in designs never sold outside of Japan from which you can make dozens and dozens of things in mini.  The finest silk "left-overs" and brocades and then there are all sorts of mini skate boards and items that the Japanese use for kids games.   Plus the greatest source of all are the shops and nurseries that specialize in bonsai plants!  If you are going to Kyoto ask your concierge for the name of the most famous fan store in Kyoto---no English---but eye candy and fans of every size and color imaginable---this is where you can buy tiny, teeny fans for the dolls that they use on Girls Day.   Also, try some of the antique stores and look for all the older ceramic Japanese dolls (in any of the cities).  If you are really lucky you will find a complete set still in the box with extra wigs and obis, etc.  If you are really, really lucky you will find a small shrine with the emperor and empress and lots of courtesans and musical instruments that will actually fold right back down into a box that you can hand carry onto the airplane.  Just keep your eyes open and enjoy. Personally, I obviously prefer the historical pieces because even I can make modern tatami matting myself.

Sara in Paris

Minis in Japan: I forgot who was looking for info on buying minis in Japan.  I suggest that you visit the flea market at the YOYOGI shrine in Tokyo.  It is held on Saturday and I think only the 1st Sat. of the month.   Ask at your hotel and they should know or be able to find out for you.  I hope you are in the city on the correct Sat.  I bought some wonderful old mini, handmade vases and kokoshi dolls (mini) and a musical instrument.  (Can't remember the name--it is stringed and very long.)  Most of my purchases were $1.00.  We bought a full size wedding kimono to hang on the wall here at home.   It is beautiful and was very reasonable. I forgot to say they had oodles and are all second hand.  Makes a wonderful reminder of our trip. Look at the gift shops at any of the shrines and usually they have things that work in minis.  I found bronze statues of gods, goddess, Buddha, etc. 

Staining

Prairie Schooner in 1:12 scale pictures. Had a lot of fun making the wheels and spokes. Also the barrels on the side of the Prairie schooner. In case it gets missed the "bonnet" for the wagon was an old undershirt ready for the garbage and was given a new lease on life in a prominent position. Can be found at: http://community.webshots.com/user/drbob92031

DrBob...Delray Beach, FL

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

Japanese homes:  I just bought a fabulous book last time I was at EPCOT at Disney World, called, "The Japanese House". It had styles from all eras, both interiors and exteriors. It is written by Murata and Black, and is published by a company called Tuttle.

Alice Zinn- Pt. St. Lucie FL

Japanese homes: For the person looking for interiors and exteriors of older style Japanese homes, there are at least three different Dover Press/Publications books with both photos and illustrations. Tuttle Publications is also one of the largest publishers of Asian-related architecture and art books, so you can try them too. And if you can find anything by Kodansha Press (Tokyo) even if you can't read the Japanese, there are plenty of picture books that they publish in English also with great gardens.   Sorry that I can't be more helpful with specific titles, but you know where I am and how bad these proxy servers are.

Sara in Paris

Metal wagon wheels: I made a "Prairie Schooner" that required metal rims to the wooden wheel. What I did was to take some solder That was in a roll and about 1/8" in diameter and pounded it with a hammer. This flattened out the solder and made it pliable enough to place around the rim of the wheel. Any more questions email me privately.

Drbob...Delray Beach FL