The Bottom Line
Dollhouse Miniatures Magazine, currently bimonthly, is produced by Ashdown Inc., based in the UK. Ashdown also produce American Miniaturist and Dolls House World. The magazine is currently an amalgam of UK and USA based articles, primarily a mix of projects and in depth examinations of US Artisans. Joanne Swanson, once a main project contributor to the magazine, is no longer writing new articles for Dollhouse Miniatures, but Kiva Atkinson's articles on miniature food continue to appear.
The magazine is also available as an innovative, Imag online subscription, for a reduced subscription rate.
Pros
- Lots of generally appealing projects
- Good coverage of American artisans
- Good clear layout and photography
Cons
- Occasionally reprint backlist articles from previous/sister magazines
- With three magazines on the same topic there may be some article cross over.
- Produced Bi Monthly
Description
- Great general projects well laid out with lots of illustrations. The material is much less North American than before.
- Printables or cutouts are not as strong a feature as they once were.
- Beautifully produced, with more pages, now only bimonthly.
- Available for a reduced rate in an innovative online format.
Guide Review - Review of Dollhouse Miniatures Magazine
Dollhouse Miniatures is a bimonthly publication available from newstands, dollhouse shops, by subscription or online. It was for many years a mainstay of the American miniature scene, primarily aimed at miniaturists interested in American style projects. Since it's purchase in 2007 by Ashdown Inc of the UK there have been several major changes. Long time readers will immediately notice a change to the higher production value European layout found in Ashdown's other magazines, especially the very popular Dolls House World. There are far more clear illustrations and photographs than previously.
There is now a much stronger focus on American artisans. Each magazine features several artisans in short and longer pieces examining some work in depth. Often the articles are accompanied by a project from that artisan. The inclusion of projects continues to be a strong point, but these are at the moment, much more general than before, with many of them obviously coming over from Ashdowns British authors. The projects are interesting, clearly laid out, and appealing, they just aren't as uniquely vernacular as they once were. Gone are the surf shacks, diners, roadside gas stations, quarter scale projects and daily American life that were once a mainstay of the magazine. This may change as the magazine finds its niche and ceases to rely as heavily on articles from its sister publication.
The magazine is currently being produced bi monthly, and contains an amalgam of British and American articles. It will be interesting to watch whether Ashdown continues to share articles and its major article backlist between its three dollhouse publications, or whether each is allowed to develop a distinct style.
Regular printed subscription $40 per year (six issues). Online IMag subscription $20 per year (6 issues)
