Realistic brick and stone patterns can be made in several different ways in miniature. If you are working in 1:12 or 1:22.5 or 1:24, or creating stone and brick details for model horse shows or some gaming terrains, the easiest way to achieve high quality finishes and patterns is by using these strong, reusable, mylar stencils from Bromley Craft Products. The stencils can be used in several combinations, and with all kinds of different materials to create stone and brick patterns. One of the easiest methods of making a realistic brick or stone finish is to use fine sanded grout with these mylar stencils.

Photo ©2008 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.

Highly detailed furniture is possible in small scale using these laser cut kits from the Lydia Pickett Series by Robin Betterley. The line of kits keeps expanding. Now there is a even a 1:48 scale house to fill with the furniture series.

The kits are also available in 1:12 and 1:24 scales for those who think 1:48 is too small. If you want to try creating furniture in smaller scales, the kits are well designed with simple instructions to help make the challenge as easy and rewarding as possible.

Photo ©2008 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.

Decals can be used to create all kinds of transferable miniature patterns. Several kit makers use them to create china patterns, they can be used to add designs to miniature beads to mimic perfume bottles, and clear decals can be used to create window lettering and detailed lead lines or stained glass. Of course they can be used for the standard insignia and logos for plastic vehicle models as well.

Ink Jet printers can produce surprisingly good decals. Available in single sheet packs, decal film may be an easy way to create the detailed designs you want to apply to surfaces.

Photo ©2008 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.

If you made the rustic miniature table for the cabin front porch display last summer, you may want to build this matching miniature twig chair. The chairs are easy to make, but the heart details on the back need to be left to dry for a few days before you assemble the chairs. If you double or triple the width you can turn the chair into a bench.

It is easiest to make these twig chairs in the spring and early summer as there are lots of small pliable twigs available to shape into hearts for the back detail. Have fun!

Photo ©2008 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.

If you've been following the instructions on Making Miniature Dolls you may be at the point where you need to pad out the armature to create limbs for your doll. Before you do this, try to decide how you will dress your doll. A wrapped armature lends itself to clothes which are glued or sewn in place. If you will be dressing and undressing your doll, you may want to make a fabric body, to cover the batting and protect it from fraying as clothes are added and removed.

Photo ©2008 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.

The Show Calendars for May and June are up. Please send me any details of upcoming shows you would like to see added to the calendar.

If you go to particular shows, share the details with the rest of us in the forum. My big trip to a show this year will be the Kensington Dollshouse Festival. I'll try to bring back photos. Kensington is one of those shows you go to for the wonderful artisans, many of whom you can't see anywhere else. Artisans, workshops and ideas are what I visit shows for. Do you go for the workshops? artisans? collectibles? or just to meet others who like the same things you do?

Photo ©2008 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.

Pretty paper roses can be used for more than floral arrangements. If you practice your technique you can make dainty bouquets to decorate parcels, cakes, or use for miniature weddings. With Mother's day coming soon, you may know someone who would appreciate a tiny bouquet for a special day!

These bouquets are made with the same technique used to make their full sized cousins. If you need a larger bouquet, follow these instructions with silk flowers, or real flowers that are wired to allow them to be shaped.

I'd love to see photos of any bouquets you make by folllowing these instructions. Please post photos in the miniatures forum for everyone to enjoy!

Photo ©2008 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.

If you are tired of your little people wearing turtlenecks or high collared dresses to hide the fact that they have a pipe cleaner stuck in their head, you need to learn how to sculpt a torso. Dolls and other figure sculptures are often interesting because of what we detail and what we don't. If you are making miniature wrestlers, or bare chested warriors for games, you may need to study the male torso. For those more interested in creating an interesting area to show off a miniature jewel collection, this tutorial focusses on sculpting a young female torso. The techniques are the same, the shapes are just in different places.

Photo ©2008 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.

Lots of miniature collections start with the Believe It Or Not miniature. I remember being amazed when the coffee bean full of miniature carved ivory elephants was produced from an elderly friend's china cabinet. This long tradition of the amazing miniature is continued by Laurence and Angela St.Leger. I first saw one of their creations at a miniature automata museum in London many years ago. It was a souvenir I regretted not bringing home, and the first chance I got, I purchased one to be given pride of place in my china cabinet for when small (ghoulish) friends come over.

Who can resist something that takes off a head so convincingly any time you want? It was very hard to choose which amazing toy to purchase from this ever growing collection. If I had a dentist or doctor friend I know which I'd choose. I may be persuaded to buy a flapping seagull the next time I come across one. You can never have too many unbelievably tiny toys.

Photo ©2008 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.

I know at first site it looks like these projects are all aimed at doll lovers. The same sculpture techniques for doll hands, heads and feet will work for all kinds of miniature sculptures. Need a Christmas angel? Most of them have bare feet. Want a peasant for your Christmas village? Make your own from polymer clay. I know some of you are sculpting pilots and cowboys, the techniques are the same, only the sizes are different.

If you practise some of these sculpture techniques, think of the cast of characters who can populate your garden railroad. You can create caricatures of club members, what fun! Just remember to post pictures in the forum so we can all admire your work.

Photo ©2008 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.