Make a Miniature Fire for a Doll's House, Railroad, or Christmas Village

Miniature fires can add a lot of warmth and interest to any scale scene. This battery powered one uses light emitting diodes to create a flickering effect. The lights stay cool, so you can fit them close to wood and paper for a more realistic glow. This is an easy project for a beginner requiring simple wire soldering to form the connections. The fire is designed to be portable, so you can use it on a table, or move it between scenes, in areas where wired lights are difficult to use.

This version was built using a set of Fire effect LEDs from Evan Designs. You can use the same techniques to wire a set of their haunting lights to make strange blue and white flashes appear from a graveyard crypt for Halloween.

Photo ©2007 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.