Dremel: "Does the work of a hundred elves"!!! Don't worry, once you have it in your hands, YOU'LL find a million things that you can do with it. i use mine as a drill, a saw (yes, you can even get mini circular saws for it), a drum sander, polisher, engraver, wire wheel....I could go on and on. Mine's indispensable! And you can get accessories for it at most larger craft and hardware stores as well as hobby shops. As a matter of fact, i just picked up a brochure that Dremel puts out. It has TONS of accessories in it. Plus, you can also view/purchase accessories through their web site: http://www.dremel.com.

Gerda

Dremel: You can do LOTS of different minis jobs with that new Dremel moto-tool.....did you get the variable speed model? Here are some of the jobs I do with mine: Sanding....just about everything, especially if you have the variable speed model. I've even used mine to sand the edges of my shingles (along the roof edges). Drilling....get yourself that awesome, adjustable chuck (Micro-Mark catalog, some of the hardware stores) and there's no drill bit too small that will fit. I use it to drill the holes in walls and ceilings for lighting. There are many different attachments which all have wonderful uses...router bits, polishing/grinding bits, and yes, I do allow dear hubby to sharpen his chain saw with the special tool made just for that - LOL! You can also use smaller screwdriver bits with that adjustable chuck, and do smaller jobs around the house. Dremel has a booklet titled "101 Uses for the Dremel Moto-Tool" - it sometimes comes with the moto-tool. If not, you can write or call Dremel for a copy.

Laura in OKC

Mini Iron: The item # on the iron is: #9266 and it is $24.99. They also sell a Teflon lined travel case for it. Keepsake Quilting, 1-800-865-9458, http://www.keepsakequilting.com

Marilyn of Michigan

Super Glue: Here's another tip for you about super glue. DON'T STORE IT WITH THE CAP ON!! Super glue isn't affected by "air" and won't dry out if you leave the cap off. On the contrary. Have you ever had a container of super glue, put the cap on, only to discover that the cap has managed to "glue" itself to the container and it's all encrusted? Well, that won't happen if you leave the cap OFF. If you're looking for a great source for super glue, contact Craft Supplies USA and ask for their catalog (the catalog is free and so is the phone call: (800) 551-8876. And tell them you're a miniaturist!! Craft Supplies USA has quite the selection of glues from water thin to syrup consistency for filling gaps. They also carry a hardener that quickly dries super glue with just a light spritz. Their catalog is also filled with wonderful items that are very useful for miniature makers, from abrasives to buffers, from glues to crushed stone.

Gerda

Crazy/Super Glue and Plastics: Yup, it will cloud plastics. Never use it to secure plastic dollhouse windows or you will be so sad. There are some epoxies that you can use to stick plastics and metal together that won't react, and I believe there is special "jewelry" glue that will affix plastic to metal but I haven't tried them.

Kim from Canada

Glue for beads: When gluing your beads to make the jars for the lady's vanity tray, try using 527 glue. It is a glue for jewelry and will not cloud the beads as super glue will. You can use 527 on crystal beads for chandeliers; works great as long as you leave it exposed for a while. In other words, don't close it up in a box for at least 24 hours and you will not have any problem with cloudiness.

Nancye in Miami, FL

Beginners Tool Kit: I would start with the basic tools.

Good tweezers, scissors, exacto knife and blades, self healing cutting mat, alligator clips, assorted paint brushes, emery boards (or sandpaper) mechanical pencil, metal ruler.

Then I would add the bigger tools. A Dremel tool, Miter cutter, a chopper, scroll saw, a metal gluing jig.

As for supplies to have on hand, assortment of water based acrylic paint, 527 glue, Grrrip glue, Fabrictac, toothpicks, matboard (scraps from the local frame shop), dress pins, T-pins, wax paper, clay, oil based pastel chalk.

I'm sure there are more but these things should help you with almost any project. As you work you will add things like, wood scraps, fabric, papers, ribbons, kits, pieces of things from discarded electrical objects, dried flowers and leaves and acorns, toys from the kids (whether they want to let you have them or not), legos, pieces broken jewelry, snippets of wire, and so many things you would normally toss in the trashcan but don't because you just may need it one day. And then one day you wake up and realize you need more space to keep all these little things in and you husband builds you a nice workshop in the back yard and it gets crammed full and and and

Ok, I'll stop there. Hope this helps a little. I could go on and on but I won't. Have fun with this hobby cause it will grow on you faster than you though it would.

Terri Young

Beginners Tool Kit: A perfect "tool" might include a subscription to "Dollhouse Miniatures" if she doesn't already have one. I purchased a subscription a few months after discovering this hobby and don't know what I'd do without the magazine. I now look forward to getting it more than my "Men's Health" or "Sports Illustrated" magazines!

Mark Hagen

Beginners Tool Kit: there is a list of tools to have in your toolbox on the NAME site at miniatures.org These are very basic things to take with you to do projects at Houseparties. One really good thing would be a light weight toolbox to keep her tools where she can find them. Light weight is also important as toolboxes tend to get heavy after a while.

Laura Sisson

Beginners Tool Kit: I'd suggest one of the boxed sets of tools. It'll give you a good range of tools to get started with and is really handy to have a basic range of tools packaged together when you go to each other's houses to work, or to club or a workshop.

Check out the Micromark site http://www.micromark.com/ click the big red, online ordering button then enter house tool set into the search field. Click on More Info to see a picture, and also below will be a list of similar sets.

Choose one based on your budget, not the name. I have the shipbuilders set and I find all the tools valuable (but I bought it cheap at a model fair it cost me between US$15 - $20).

Sandra in New Zealand

Dremel cutoff wheels: I love the very thin Dremel cutoff wheels for cutting any metal or bolt up to 1/4". There is nothing else in my bag of tools that cuts small steel rod so easily without distortion. Wear eye protection. It will also cut needles and any hard wire. Use the cutoff wheel at high speed. BTW I have a notably large bag of tools.

Pam & Pete Boorum

Dremel Flex Shaft: when you use a flex shaft it can only handle gentle bends. The shaft must be able to turn freely and it can't work if you bend it too much. Turning it sideways may be too much. Try turning it on with the shaft fairly straight and gradually taking it to the angle you want to work with. That way you can tell when you bend it too much. It really is a great tool - don't give up on it!

Jacqui in Hilo, HI

Sanding Drums: If you find it very difficult to slip a sleeve over the sanding drum (barrel) of the Dremel; Rub some pencil graphite on the drum and then use the eraser end of a pencil to push the rubber drum into the sanding ring.

DrBob...Delray Beach, FL.

Glue for Perfume Bottles: In the JAF findings catalog it is stated that Super Glues will cloud glass beads and mirrors. They suggest you use a jewelry cement. I have had good success with E6000 and Bond 527.

Louise Hendricks

Glues: Now, I can't tell you much about craft glues, but I know about nail glue. There are hot glues and cool glues and one should never use a hot glue on the nails as it eats away at the natural nail. Nail glues should be cool, and I have used my thicker nail glue to do repairs and never had it cloud up on me, so that could be an alternative to super glue (hot) I haven't tried it, but thought I'd mention it. When I get glue on my skin (just about every day), I use straight acetone to remove it. It is what I use to remove artificial nails with. I also sometimes use an emery board to sand it off (carefully). Emery boards also make good sanders for getting into small places also.

Billie

Glue for Perfume Bottles: The best glue to use for gluing your perfume bottles to the trays is Aleene's Thick Designer Tacky Glue. Sticks tight, dries clear.

Mary Eccher

Glue for Perfume Bottles: If 'snow' that seems to form on your superglued perfume bottles. I suspect you are using too much glue. I just use a toothpick and dab the tiniest speck of glue and it holds well with no snow.

Barbara Knox

Glue for Perfume Bottles: How about using a tiny amount of colorless nail polish to glue those beads.

DrBob...Delray Beach, FL.

Crazy glue: Couldn't help but put my two cents in on this glue stuff. If you use glue often enough, you can buy a Debonder put out by Zap-A-Gap that works really well in getting the glue off completely without really tearing your skin. When I get just a little extra glue on my fingers, I rub Avon Cuticle remover on the spot and don't know how or why it works, but the glue eventually comes off without hurting the skin. and doesn't produce any fumes. Nail polish remover works., but is pretty harsh, and as with all chemicals, should be used in well ventilated area. And don't forge to wash the polish remover off your skin afterwards too.

Leilani and Roger Warling

Grip Glue: l met this lovely lady who made and dressed dolls at the last show l was at .And she told me she loved working with it for material and for wigging dolls....She said it didn’t bleed through even on silk materials.

Cindy from Mi