In summer I always look for interesting beads when I travel. Many of them end up in tiny projects for dollhouse miniatures or fashion doll scenes. Take a look at this list of miniature projects made from beads and start checking out bead stores, craft stores and yard sales for suitable specimens. You can make everything from simple chandeliers, to tiny Christmas tree ornaments and hip flasks with the right bead. The best thing about using them for miniatures is that you only need a very few of any particular type.
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Weave Miniature Baskets
Learn to weave linen thread over wire to make a variety of dolls house accessories.
More Basket Styles to Try
Specialty Effects For Miniatures
Some miniature and modelling effects are much easier done with particular products. This growing list will help you find the right product for the effect you need.
Scenic Techniques
Dollhouse Miniatures to Make From Beads
Wednesday June 19, 2013
Handkerchiefs, A Source of Small Scale Fabrics and Trims
Tuesday June 18, 2013
Another great place to find small scale fabrics and trims in lightweight fabrics is to look for handkerchiefs from your local thrift store or yard sale. These can have small scale prints, embroidery, lace insertions, and shaped edgings. The fabrics are usually lightweight organzas, silks, linens or cotton lawn which all drape well enough for smaller scale doll clothing, bedding or drapes.
Like the smaller scale knit fabrics the trims attached to the handkerchiefs are also useful for adding detail to doll clothing and furnishings. Just make sure you have enough fabric in your chosen handkerchief to finish your project!
Photo © 2013 Lesley Shepherd
Do Manufacturers Understand Scale?
Saturday June 15, 2013
Here we go again. Ikea has recently announced they are going to make models of some of their popular items of furniture. Great for modern miniaturists you might think. Until you check the scale these pieces will be released in, reportedly 1:15. So a child can collect the furniture, but they'll have trouble finding ways to combine it with their other toys, or to find a house to fit it into. The closest common dollhouse scale is probably 1:16 or 3/4 scale, but even in that size, there are few options for characters to populate your rooms. Thankfully other companies have gone with scales which allow children to cross boundaries with their collections. The new Ikea pieces may have a limited shelf life without the option for use in standard scales, a pity, as many would love to include Ikea furniture in standard miniature scale scenes.
Pork Pies for Dolls' House Picnics
Friday June 14, 2013
Meat pies were the original portable lunch, and these miniature pork pies are made with two techniques which may stretch your skills with polymer clay. The meat mix for open pies or pie slices is made similar to the salami and deli meats I showed you a couple of weeks ago. The pie crust has a bit of added detail for open pie slices, and baking in stages lets you add accurate shapes you couldn't otherwise get.
Remember to use waste clay for the centers of any pies you don't need to slice into! You don't need to go to nearly as much work preparing whole pies as you do for pie slices! These look great in the dollhouse picnic basket
Photo © 2013 Lesley Shepherd
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