Glass Thickness: For those of you who really care (both of you) the following is a list of names and sizes used by the glass industry in the US to describe float* glass. ( ) are my comments.

6 oz .024-.032 (less than 1/32" - about the thickness of veneer)

Micro .036-.044 (typical of the plastic used in dollhouse windows)

Lantern .045-.051

Photo .056-.065 (this is what your local framing shop uses - incidentally they will usually give away scrap about 1/16")

16 oz .078-.085

Single .086-.096 (normal glass from hardware store)

Double .118-.133 (used when you need extra strength)

32 oz. .146-.160

3/16" .186-.200 (used for making bevels for stained glass work)

From here on up, they go by fraction measurements. Boroslicate glass goes entirely by fractional dimensions. *float glass is made by floating molten glass on molten tin; thereby giving a glass that is comparable in quality to plate glass, but at a fraction of the cost.

Tom Berkner

Mini Blinds: I made my blinds for my dollhouse by spraying a thin coat of white enamel paint on a piece of acetate. After the paint dries cut the piece to fit inside the window vertically leaving 2mm's on each side. Then cut 6mm slats and round off the corners carefully. Cut 2 pieces of wood a bit smaller then the slats and paint same color. Next depending on the size of your blind, drill a hole in the wooden pieces. Example: If your blind measures 3 inches, drill a hole a little less then 1/2 inches on each side. (Use you judgment). Line up one slat with one wooden piece having the same amount on each side and mark the slat where the holes are. Mark all the slats that you are going to use making sure that each one is the same size and hole marks are identical. ****Using a very fine sharp needle and thread, tie a knot at end. You will be tying a number of knots so please make sure you have enough thread. Thread through one wooden piece. Make another knot but DO NOT PULL TIGHT. First put your needle in so you can move the knot to where you want to set the first slat. This should be a little above the wooden piece. Once you are satisfied with where it is, pull the knot. Pierce a hole in the white painted slat and tie another knot a little above the slat. Repeat this until you have the length that you want for the window ending off with the 2nd wooden slat. You can make a loop or use very small metal rings to attach to window. **** Repeat other side.

Donna, Medford, New York

Mini Blinds: I have made non-working versions two different ways.

Gutter Guard Windows - The product I use is the plastic one although there is a metal one. It comes in rolls so when you cut the pieces for your window, play with it until you get it to lay as flat as you can. Cut the Gutter Guard to the desired size of window.

Wire Mesh for Screening - Hobby Lobby have it. it is in the craft area, and in our store it is on the aisle with the cork. it is called Wire Mesh and is so tiny. the only problem is that ir only comes in copper and gold.

Rebecca

Raindrops falling down the window: Just drip clear nailpolish on the outside of the window in an arrangement that simulates the amount of rain you'd like.

Alice Zinn

Painting Windows: Many of the Housework's windows have removable panes to make it easier to paint them. If you look at the window, there will be a slot in the top and you can slide the 'glass' out through that slot, paint the window, then replace the pane. Some of the doors have the same type of slot. The mullions on the French doors are also removable so they can be painted separately from the rest of the door.

Dottie in Tucson

Leaded Glass: I believe that I first saw this method described in a Nutshell News several years ago: Use lead tape, which is used to weight golf clubs and can be found at any golf store. This tape can be cut into thin strips and stuck directly onto the Plexiglas. This gives a realistic effect since the lead in real leaded glass is not black, but rather a dark metallic gray. I used this method for my Victorian house and the effect is really amazing. Then, just paint in between the strips of paint. I have also heard of people using dark gray puffy paint, but have not tried this method myself.

Laurie from CA

Leaded Glass: The suggestion to use golf lead tape does work, but because it's real lead, if you're doing a dollhouse that children will be using you could use Pilot or Permawriter Silver Microtip pens found in office supply stores to do the lead. These brands of pens can be purchased with micro fine tips, are permanent after dry, and will give a slightly raised edge so you can "paint" between the leading or even "frost" or make mini "chipped glass" look designs. When we originally built the Oakmont, the custom dollhouse we designed for the grand daughters, we put up a special page for dollhouse stained glass tips at this URL:

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/8157/sghelp.htm

The pictures of the stained glass windows can be seen in our "construction journal" and the finished "tour the Oakmont" sections from the main dollhouse website.

Wilma Kinder

Leaded Glass: Using copperfoiling tape can work too. Just slice down a length of tape to get long extra thin strips, stick it onto your glass in your desired pattern and then run a bead of solder along the lengths of tape. Hides the joins and creates a raised 'lead' - use a small soldering iron for the job if you're using thin glass though. My 80 watt soldering iron is too hot and cracks thin glass real easy. Then you can fill in the gaps with glass paint or Weldbond in a cross hatch pattern for clear textured glass or just plain straight strokes for antique smooth glass. I read in one of the last SS's someone said that lead is actually metallic grey - but it does go black with age - advanced age that is . When I am doing real life stained glass I buy a tub or carbon black powder, (insidious fine powder that is almost like photocopier toner to look at) and when the window is puttied and dry, I buff the entire window using a real hair brush and carbon black which creates a real black, satiny finish to the lead and makes the soldering blend in much more. It is designed to make the window look older than it is, so I guess with that in mind, black lead lines would be acceptable if the windows were supposed to be on old buildings?? If you decide to try Carbon Black though, do it outside and expect to be grey all over when you have done!!

Trace

Leaded Glass: another idea for the leaded glass comes from an old Nutshell News is to use the black draftsman tape. It comes in 1/8 and 1/4 and 1/2 inch sized and works very well for everything.. it lays very flat and sticks great. Available at Staples.

Stevenie Tremblay

Fake windows:  In the Greystone Inn I used the original window, put matchstick blind or curtain in it before installing the window.  Then put a false wall on the inside to cover the window so that I had more wallspace to work with. So from the outside I have the original window and from the inside none.  I did about 2 or 3 windows this way in that house.

Fannye in TX

Stained Glass windows: After adjusting to size, on a copier and by cutting and pasting I had the windows for my house printed onto overhead transparences, and used glass paints to fill in between the lines.  They are mounted with another sheet of acetate on the inside as they were a little flimsy, the printed lines on the outside look like very fine leading - am quite pleased with them.

Robyn Sunderland

Stained Glass windows:  You can print the actual "stained glass" and not just the black outlines. If you use a home printer there is special overhead transparency material and you need to be sure to print on the correct side.  In my experience, the ink with my Epson is quite durable, but you don't want to try to "wash" it or let kids with sticky fingers handle it much!

You can also have your colored window printed out on the transparency sheets at a commercial print shop and these overheads are wonderfully durable.  Prices are not too bad.  I used to do this in the 1980's when I taught college and my overheads are still in excellent condition.

I do have a homepage where I show and example and tips on using the overhead transparency method. My homepage also includes a link to a glass site with free "glass colors/texture" for your use.

http://www.geocities.com/wilma_kinder/sghelp2.htm

A top manufacturer of stained glass encourages you to download their glass samples images for your projects. Their images make wonderful colored glass for miniature windows and I included how I use them in my miniature windows.

If any of you are interested in using the overhead transparency method for mini windows I do encourage you to visit the Spectrum image gallery.  You won't be disappointed. As a matter of fact, full size stained glass artisans are more and more designing and "coloring" their windows on the computer in mini...before committing the time and expense to the full size window.  A great example of "full size" artisans learning from miniaturists!  :)

Wilma Kinder, Southwest Missouri Ozarks

Stained Glass Using liquid lead: You asked: "....I wonder if this would work for mini stained glass windows??".

The answer is YES... and they are beautiful!.  I know of a 1:12 scale fireplace screen, done in the tiffany peacock pattern, that went for $200.00 on eBay.  It was done on glass rather than plastic, but both work very nicely. The trick is to find an applicator that will make a small enough line of liquid lead.  I found some at WalMart, but I think they are being carried by most craft stores now.  The kit has 3, 1oz plastic bottles, with  plastic, screw on lids.  In the tip is a tiny metal tube.  There are 3 size tips per pack.  If you try this, I suggest starting with simple stained glass patterns.  Oh and when applying the liquid lead, its very important to 'drag' the lead... don't 'push' it along the lines. Good Luck.

Garnette Marlow in Lewisburg, PA

Cornices: A small tip for trimming your cornices. I found it was easier to make plain cornices and trim them with Bunka or embroidery floss twisted. I used the pattern for a garden bench back turned upside down as the outline design on the ones in Summer Breeze B&B Living Room - used the same pattern in one of the other bed rooms - Summer Breeze Rochelle for the cut-out on the bottom. Hope this will help someone with a curtain/drape project.

Mabes

Watch for Holiday cards with the picture done on plastic (Acetate) overlay. You can use a Sharpie to draw "lead lines" for stained glass windows. These will not be high quality but can look nice in the background with light coming through. Another card tip, put up a notice at the senior center, library, or church hall, asking for cards to be saved for you and promising to make a few items for the next bazaar. I got over 600 that way one time!

Marcie Cumberland

Mullions: How about using Galaxy Glass Leading in an extremely fine line to simulate diamond-shaped leaded windows? Has anyone tried this? You can make this extra fine line by twirling a bit of clear tape around the spout of the bottle. This works for glue, too, doesn't it?

Linda

The very simplest curtains of all: Look in the trims department of your fabric store for trim that is intended to be used on lingerie, little girls' dresses, wedding dresses, etc. -- usually lace or "see through" type material. It's already gathered; just cut it to fit and glue it to the window frame. If you want curtain rods -- again very simple -- use the smallest diameter dowel you can find, paint or stain it, and use tiny screw eyes to hold it.

Linda in Colorado

Curtain Rods: How about trying bamboo skewers that are used for shish kabobs, or very a small brass rod which any train shop should have, or a twig from the yard for that rustic touch.

Susan Sawatzky