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9 770961 092055 ISSUE 25770 UK’S No1 MINIATURES MAGAZINE CUT OUT FREE SIGNS FOR YOUR HOUSE 03 make MARCH 2015 £3.95his late wife BOX & FIRESCREENin a tribute to AND JEWELLERY How husband CATHHSAAIONMNDNPEETLLH!EIIERSR 75-76_DHW 270.indd 75 finished house cutouts 183.indd 87 dollshCoC cutouts183.indduse87 meaaskyebaend 75-76_DHW 270.indd 75DOLLS HOUSE WORL WORLD cutouts 183.indd 87 DOLLS HOUSE cutouts 183.indd 87 cutccocuuuucttotuotsoutuou1ttsust8st131s18.8i18n3383d..i3i.ndnin.ddinddd8dd7d88877877 DOLDDLDDOODSOOLLODLLLHLOL OUSE WDOOLRLSLHDOUSCEPPPeeerrrmmmPPiePieisssrersssmmPriiioPmeooiinersnsnimrsstmtitisoiooisiPonnpssppensihththorioootmoonootnpttpiootopshhoctcschoooooiopotoptpppohotnyyhyococotocotoooptpocpypycoyhopopytyocopy cutcouuttocsuu1ttso8u31t.8sin31d.i8dn3d.di8n7d8d7 87 DDSSLSSOOLHSHLLHHOOLSHOOSUULOHUUSSSHUOSSEEOSUEEHWEWUSWWESOOWOEOORRWOURRLWLRODLLDSDOLDDRDERLODLWDLccOLuucccuuttSouottPermissiontophotocopy Rinosompisrteo Permission to photocopy OLL HOUSE WORLD - cut outsPHOTOCOPIES OF THIS CUT OUTS PAGE MAY BE MADE FOR PRIVATE USE ONLY cuctccouucuututtotoostuouut1uttsss8ts13118.188i3n833.d3..iiindn.nidndddddd8d788878777 www.d75-76_DHWollshou270c.iuntdoduts75183.indds87 DOLLS HOUSE WOPermissiontophotocopy cutouts 183.indd 87 DDDDDOODOOOLLODLLLLLOLSSLLSSSLHSHLHHHOOSHOOOUUOHUUUSSUOSSEESSUEEEWEWSWWWEOWOOOORWRORRLRLROLLDDLLDDRDDLD ccuccuccuuttuouottctooutuououuttutsusttOL S HOUSE WORLD - cut outsPermissiontophotocopy cutcouuttocsuu1ttso8u31t.8sin31d.i8dn3d.di8n7d8d7 87 PPPeeerrrmmmPPeiPeiisssrressmsmPriiimoPoeoiisnrsennismsrtitimtsooioisPnoinpspspenisththrhooiomtoooonotptpntiootoshphocctscohoooiooptootppoppohntyycoychootocotopooptoycppyocyhopopytyocopyBUILD Acutcouuttocsuu1ttso8u31t.8sin31d.i8dn3d.di8n7d8d7ROOMBOX:87 DPHOTOCOPIES OF THIS CUT OUTS PAGE MAY BE MADE FOR PRIVATE USE ONLY cutouts 183.indd 87Permission to photocopy DOLLS HOUSE WDDDDODOODROOOLLODLLLLLDLOLSSLLSSSLHSHLHHHOOSHOOOUUcOL S HOUSPPPeeerrrmmmPPeiPeiisssrresssmmPriiimoPoeoiisenrsnnimssrtitmitsooioisPnionpspspenisththhrooiomtoooonotptptniootosphhoctcschoooooioptootppppoohtnyyycohcootocotopooptocpypyocyhopopytyocopy cutouts 183.indd 87 PHOTOCOPIES OF THIS CUT OUTS PAG cuctccoucuuututtotootsuouut1uttsss8ts131181.88i3n833.d3..iiind.nnidndddddd8d788878777 YOU WON’T BELIEVE IT! 04/10/2007 11:28:04 e.tv www.dollshou04/10/2007seworld.com11:28:04cutouts 183.indd 87 Permission to photocopy DOLLS 04/10/2007 11:28:04 D 040/01044004//1/41/210/0010//2002/207/020000077107171:12111811::2:12:028:8428::080:04:4044 PART 15/01/2015 12:47 mmaonusisoen04/0140//102040//0217000/271010:17218::210814::0248:04 ONE

dollshouse contentsWORLDTHE UK’S TOP-SELLING MINIATURES MAGAZINEIssue 270 - March 2015The small print 4 Open HouseEditor: Richard Jennings Talented Tanya Waughman has made almostEmail: [email protected] everything inside her authentic village tea roomAssistant editor: Jill Mundy 6 Jim lights up mini worldEmail: [email protected] Jim Larson shares his talent and a senseFeature writer: Sandra Harding of humour through minisAdvertisement sales: 12 Meet the MakerMaria Fitzgerald - 01903 884988 From a know-nothing start Lisa Johnson-Richards nowEmail: [email protected] specialises in creating and dressing mini people 20 Small AccomplishmentsSubscriptions: We catch up with the mini creations of someEmail: [email protected] of our talented readers 26 Open HouseDesign: Wendy Crosthwaite Terry Brown tells the story of the one and only doll’s house he will ever makeContributors: 32 Make a neat mini bedMarianne Colijn, Sue Kirkham, Ronnie Godfrey, Auralea Krieger makes a little bed andMari Meredith, Martha Puff, Deb Weissler, shows how simple it is to createAlison White, Beryl Hales, Jan Clarke 34 House rescued from dump An abandoned Tudor house has been given a completePublished by ashdown.co.uk makeover, fittingly using re-cycled materials 37 Quick and easy jewellery caseISSN 0961 - 0928 Sandra Harding comes up with a simple, cheapDistributed to the newstrade by Comag. way to make expensive-looking jewellery 38 Busy club is full of ideasTo reach us: The Rainham club who have been coming upCall us on +44 (0) 1903 884988 with great mini ideas for over 20 yearsOr write to: The Editor, Dolls House World,PO Box 2258, PULBOROUGHRH20 9BA Great BritainEmail: [email protected] address:www.dollshouseworld.comUS office: Ashdown Inc., 68132250th Avenue, Kasson, MN 55944, USA.Tel: 507 634 3143Email: [email protected] rates:1 year (12 issues) UK £49; ROW £81; US $110iMAG £43. Add the iMag Digital Library to yoursubscription for only an extra £31.99 per year.TV £34.99. Add a year’s subscription to theonline Dollshouse.TV channel for only £29.99extra per year.Postmaster: Send address corrections to Ashdown Inc,68132 250th Avenue, Kasson, MN 55944, USA.Canada Post International Publications Mail -Sales Agreement No. 546038.All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part withoutthe written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Alleditorial contributions in the form of articles, letters and pho-tographs (b/w or colour print or transparencies) arewelcomed by Dolls House World but cannot be returnedunless accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope.In any event the publisher can accept no responsibility forloss or damage to contributions. Material is accepted solelyon the basis that the author accepts the assessment of thePublisher as to its commercial value.All material submitted to the magazine for publication inwhatever form is accepted solely on the basis that copyrightin the work will be vested in the publisher who assumes allrights worldwide, in all forms and in all media.© copyright ashdown.co.uk

40 Hever Castle editor’s Incredible collection reflects development of welcome English country houses through the ages IT’S NOT often I’m shocked by a DHW feature, but I46 A sparkling chandelier was this issue. Nothing to do with the maker who is pro- Caroline Dupuis has found a simple ducing Fifty Shades minis on the side. No, this concerned technique for making a fancy chandelier the promiscuous serving of Yorkshire puddings.43 Make a simple fire screen I’ve been bought up to believe that Yorkshires only Use some coffee stirrers and some went with beef when it came to Sunday roasts. But here skirting to make an easy wooden screen was a Fimo spread of roast chicken served with the beauti- ful batters.50Steampunk top hat Lianda Sutherland shows how to make an ordinary We pride ourselves on being historically accurate in our top hat into an extraordinary accessory miniatures here at DHW (well, most of the time) so was this a Fimo faux pas?54 Dinky Delights keep growing From a giant cabbage tiny things do grow.. Well greater minds than mine have looked into it. into a fascinating range of right-sized miniatures The Oxford Union recently debated whether batter pud- dings now also have a ‘rightful place’ on a plate with roast58 Unique granite doll’s houses chicken (they weren’t talking about miniatures though, Rui Soares has managed to create her doll’s obviously). houses even while studying for the BAR exam Passions ran high during the hour-long discussion,62 A Sunday lunch with some arguing it was now ‘socially acceptable’ to pair Here’s a wonderful platter for you to make chicken with pudding, while others argued British tradi- with roast chicken and all the trimmings tions need to be ‘treasured, upheld and preserved’.68 Good intentions don’t last long But if you go back to the first written recipe by Hannah Sandra Harding gives in to temptation at the Glasse in 1747 she cooked her pudding under a joint of Marriott Dolls House Show in Portsmouth “beef, mutton or a loin of veal” as it spit-roasted before the fire.70 Build your own Biltmore box Jo Bevilacqua shows how to create your own This way of cooking meant that the drippings, essential impressive roombox in the first of a series in the diet, particularly for working men, were used rather than lost to the fire.75 Cutouts Great signs to cut out for your house Last word goes to Aunt Bessie’s. Their survey last year found that more Yorkshires are being eaten with roast 82 Fair dates chicken than with roast beef. So what do I know? I’m going to tackle the Fimo recipe and hope my mini batters turn out better than my real ones. Fat chance! Richard Jennings - Editor. [email protected] House Hunt FIND THE little house hidden somewhere in this issue. Last issue it was on page: 49.

OPEN HOUSETanya’s temptingClockhouse bakeryTalented Tanya Waughman has made almosteverything inside her authentic village tearoom which is full of cakes and characters By Sandra HardingO n a visit to Tanya by her daughter Claire, ful touch which I found highly amusing view Tanya a graphic designer. and so realistic. Waughman’s lovely collection The building is made up The gentleman sitting at the bottom ofI was shown this delightful of three floors, the top being the stairs in the tea room is a retired gen-bakery and tea room, which a private area where prospec- eral who often pops in here for a cup ofsits on a landing at the top tive brides and other cus- tea and a slice of cake. He always carriesof Tanya’s house. tomers can view important his Daily Telegraph to read in the after- event cakes, and choose from noon, and he carries it in his briefcase It is called Clockhouse, a selection in books and if it’s raining. He hopes the child withmainly because Tanya wanted catalogues. At the bottom Mrs Atkinson-Brown is going to be quieta clock on the top front today, but as she seems to be quite strict,facade, and the name just of the stairs is a sign which he does not expect too much noise.seemed right somehow. The reads: “Celebration Cakes,delightful lettering on the by appointment only. When The boy (David) has his nose in anfront was actually done for closed, please enquire at the ice cream sundae and the general does bakery counter”, a delight- not approve of such nonsense, but from their conversation he finds it is his treat for behaving well on the shopping trip. In the basket are flowers, handbag, purse and, I expect, lots of goodies at the bot- tom of the shopping bag all made by Tanya. Their coats are hanging on the4 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

OPEN HOUSE best coat today with the fur collar as it is If this bakery was a real one I am sure feeling chilly. She saves her best one for we would all want to pop in for a cup of outings with her husband. She will be tea and a slice of cake, just like the cus- glad to get home as this is the last stop tomers I have mentioned. DHW on their shopping trip and she has her purse in her hand ready to pay I could carry on weaving stories around these delightful people as they are really nice looking characters and I like them a lot. However, I must also mention that, apart from the obvious furniture, plates and china Tanya made pretty well everything that she could, including dolls, clothing, food items, cakes, bread, and most of the acces- sories. Mind you I am told that there are a couple of cakes made by friends, but they won’t tell.coat rack and, as it is cold outside, theywill need them before they leave. The general looks around at the vari-ety of tempting cakes on display; they areall made on the premises by the husbandand wife team that run the business(Tanya in reality), He doesn’t know theirfirst names, only that they are Mr andMrs Andrews On the ground floor we have thecouple themselves, very busy serving cus-tomers in the bakery shop. Mr Andrewshas just bought in the latest batch ofbread and Mrs Andrews is serving MrsHarrison and her daughter Emily. Emilyis overwhelmed by the choice of cakes,and her mother will probably choose theone with the least amount of sugar in itfor her. That’s what mothers do isn’t it? Mrs Harrison is wearing her second D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 5

MEET THE MAKERJim lights upthe mini world Jim Larson shares his talent and a sense of humour through minis By Traci Nigon PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM LARSONT oo often, thinks Jim Larson, miniatures are relegated to back rooms or storage areas or studies and remain unseen and under appreciated. “My main focus is to put the doll’s house smack-dab in the middle of the living room!” he says. Instead of a giant doll’s house tucked away in a corner office or, worse, out in the garage and exposed to changing weather, Jim sought ways to incorporate miniatures into household décor right from the start. His main miniatures for sale are what he calls “Lil-Lytes”— full-size lamps with Victorian houses as the base. These pieces, which average only a foot or two wide, each have a distinct theme attached to them. From Victorian era rooms surrounded by a garden of 6 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

MEET THE MAKERwildflowers or lilacs or sunflowers to a builders and have been building homes ABOVE: The HMS Miniscule is five foot longgiant tree that claims “NO GIRLS,” since I can remember,” he says. “I did a and will light up any lounge.Jim’s talent and humour shine through. tour with the Marine Corps, and went“I’ve already planned my next five to right back into custom homes.” Designing he created, is “almost a carbon copy ofsix concepts and am giddy with what buildings comes naturally to him. Mini the original idea with only minor chang-are sure to be very unique ideas…. work, though, is a little different. es, usually due to material constraints.”Personally, I’m kind of a nut, and enjoya somewhat cynical type of humour and When creating miniature designs, Jim Truly handmademany of my newer works will display this doesn’t draw out any plans or ideas; he Jim’s experience as a builder gives himside of me.” just sits and mentally visualises the piece a moment before beginning. “I have a great skill for conceptualising these piec- Jim takes structural inspiration from very accurate idea of where each design es but also for creating them completelyhis childhood, where he grew up in Port is headed from the start,” he says. The by hand. He uses only one tool in creat-Townsend, Wash., a city known world- H.M.S. Miniscule, the large cruise ship ing these light masterpieces, “no lathes,wide for its Victorian houses and build- no laser cutters, and no spray booths” areings, and his conceptual inspiration from needed. “If I didn’t carve it from wood,Norman Rockwell paintings. “Norman then I formed it from resin, brass, orRockwell had a way of capturing a snap- copper with a roto-tool”—his main tool,shot of Americana and conveying that and his favourite.to all of us, inducing memories of ourown….I love the idea of giving the view- His workshop is the spare bedroom,er a glimpse of the ‘just before’ moment which has been taken over by his materi-and possibly allowing them to decide als. “Painting, sanding, grinding, wir-what might be next.” ing”—any task that needs to be done is completed here. He’s hoping for a Jim’s first lamps were created several workshop, but for now he also does asyears ago as Christmas presents, and much work as possible outside when thewith that a new mini obsession was born. weather is good, and hunkers down in his“While I’m doing anything else, my spare bedroom for the rest of the time.subconscious is constantly shopping forsuitable building materials, or things I A giant featcan modify in some fashion. I can’t seem The piece that Jim is most proud ofto turn that off.” is that cruise ship. At 5 feet long and 4 A custom-home builder Jim is no feet tall, the H.M.S. Miniscule is trulystranger to the conception and creation a work of art. Spiral staircases, rivetedof buildings. “I come from a family of D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 7

MEET THE MAKERsiding, shining brass and metal, dolls as he plans. “As the wiring types increase, in Portland, and has a few pieces in pri-arranged throughout the deck in high- so does the trick of keeping down the vate collections. For now, Jim is hopingclass attire, a stateroom below deck— weight and amount of wires to the wall,” to continue selling his work to an everJim’s mental back story for the ship says Jim. “I will soon be implementing growing market. His biggest concernallowed him to turn a period piece into a motors and ‘effects,’ all the while using is the space needed to sell each piece;one-of-a- kind masterpiece. only one power cord.” comparing himself to someone who sells rugs, Jim knows his pieces are larger— “The cruise ship is really really cool; He’s attended only one show so far,I can stare at it for hours!” he says. Evenat first glance, you can feel the excite-ment in the air as the passengers wait ondeck and wave at their loved ones. Theflags waving on the ropes bring a hint ofa sea breeze; can you feel a slight saltymist? The rivets bring in the feel of theindustrial age, and the Captain’s calmdemeanour as he relaxes on deck with acup of coffee eases the air from a feveredanxiousness into excited anticipation. The real draw for most miniaturists,and the part that draws most people intothe scene, is the portal. Through that largecircular window, you see into the state-room of a presumably wealthy passengerwith her maid—calling to mind scenesfrom Titanic or another period film. And it’s not just the ladies in the roomthat make it interesting. No, your eyeis drawn to the trunk on the left withits fancy shoes laid out; as your eyes passover the back of the room, gaining asense of depth by seeing a closed door,your attention is caught by the open doorto the right and its hallway and mirror.Such an opulent suite naturally wouldhave more than one room! Instead ofdesigning the whole stateroom and creat-ing a way to see into it, Jim simply cre-ated the illusion of more rooms throughthe door, leaving our eyes and imagina-tions open to numerous possibilities. All this craftsmanship and thought,and it only took four months to build.He is going to sell the piece, but for nowhe’s enjoying its stately presence in hishome. “My house will feel empty whenit’s gone….Guess I’ll need to makeanother!” he laughs.Still new to the scene The Miniscule is his pride and joy,but the Lil-Lytes are his bread and but-ter. Jim is bursting with ideas for futurethemes, and he continues trying tostretch the limits of what he can do withthe materials and ideas he has. Wiring,in particular, causes a bit of a headache8 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

MEET THE MAKER Jim’s latest mini scenes are a tribute to the pearl divers of yesteryear. MINICONTACTS Jim Larson Designs 111b, 37th Street Anacortes, WA 98221 Tel: 001 360 840 6022 or email: [email protected] http://jimlarsondesigns.comand more expensive. But he enjoys the ers. “In the last five or six years not onechallenge. “My goal is to build the less person has not made a comment aboutobvious choices. I enjoy creating what the lamps in my living room. Most areno-one has, and I hope the public wants attracted immediately, and a great con-truly one-off pieces,” he says. versation ensues!” One thing he knows for sure is that We’re sure to hear more conversationshis Lil-Lytes are conversation start- about Jim’s work as the years go on. DHW D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 9

MDionl lisatHu roeussFe a&i r 01922 633381 polymini Dolls House Miniaturesat The Inn On The Lake Hotel DA12 3HB Fabrics and rugs (on A2 between Dartford & Rochester) now available 1/24itnhtrsocdaulecebdeing Individually to match hand-crafted SUNDAY FAIRS 2015 Brodnax papers. JANUARY 25TH miniatures MARCH 22ND See us at the following show: MAY 24TH City of London, 18th Feb. Food items, Wood items, Wedding Cakes JULY 19TH www.jennifersofwalsall.co.uk Full catalogue downloadable from website SEPTEMBER 27TH www.polymini.co.uk, NOVEMBER 29TH email [email protected] £2.00 accompanied children free or call 01530 249371 10.00 am - 3.30 pm 01634 370420 / 07867528853 email: [email protected] World Of My Own & CMriinssiaCturroesss Al Lili-Anne Miniatures Rob Lucas Miniatures 1/12th scale Exquisite Collectable Dolls House Dollshouse Dolls hand-stitched, and Whitewood framed pictures Bathrooms & Accessories and screens. Exclusive to Lili-Anne Miniatures Furniture Hand-crafted Period and • All produced in 12th scale 18 London Road, leather-upholstered furniture. • Authentic Thomas Crapper High-level W.C. set Farningham, • Victorian roll top bath with stunning shower taps Email: [email protected] • Victorian sink including taps & tiny plug Dartford, Kent DA4 0JP www.crisscrossminiatures.webeden.co.uk • Toilet roll holder with toilet paper Tel: 01322 862680 • Ready made or in kit form Email: • All hand made in England [email protected] Also a range of ‘one of a kind’ creations in a grubby, www.worldofmyownminiatures.co.uk worn or distressed appearance www.lili-anne.co.uk or tel: +44 01702 304919 MM FAIRS www.dollshouse-fairs.co.uk Tel: 01332 660428 SATURDAY 7th FEBRUARY 2015 Southport Theatre & Convention Centre, SOUTHPORT PR9 0DZ 10.30am - 4.00pm SATURDAY 21st FEBRUARY 2015 Winsford Lifestyle Centre, WINSFORD, Cheshire CW7 1AD 10.30am - 4.00pm (once again at this venue due to the delay at Northwich Memorial Hall - we are planning to hold a fair at Northwich as soon as they open April/May time)10 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D



FEATUREDoll artist andcouturiereMore than ten years after she purchased a kiln and mouldswith no idea how to make a doll, Lisa Johnson-Richardsnow specialises in creating and dressing mini people By Martha Puff PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA JOHNSON-RICHARDSThere is a little piece of my heart She particularly loves the romance of the in every doll I create,” says Lisa Regency and Edwardian eras. Johnson-Richards. “I ‘knew’ doll making was something I Lisa grew up in the North East in acould do. Don’t ask me why—I just very art-inspired home. She has wonder-knew. With each newly completed piece ful childhood memories of watching herI am constantly amazed that it actually father painting in his studio or of delight-came from my own hand.” Lisa has been ing in her mother’s talents for interiorcreating twelfth scale porcelain dolls for design.discerning collectors for over a decade. Today, Lisa is happily married to her husband, Mark, and they live just a few LEFT: Tudor Family, circa 1570. Son Robert, Lady Katherine Aldersey, Martha the Maid, daughter Ellen, and Sir Rauff Aldersey. This piece was a special commission. ABOVE: Le Mademoiselle, an all-porcelain figure, wears nothing but a sheer Silk Mouseline “Robe-de-Chambre” with tum- bling curls and an oversized bow. miles away from where she grew up near Newcastle. “We raise our two children, Christian, our academic, and Rebecca, our free spirit, in a small town, Jarrow, Tyne, and Wear. We have a much-12 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

ABOVE: You will adore sweet-faced Molly, a loved pet, Sophie, our black ABOVE: The Dressing Room” contains amodern-day girl wearing a pretty floral dress Labrador.” The past ten beautiful Edwardian lady wearing undergar-with matching headband and red painted years, they have been reno- ments made with vintage laces, silks, andMary-Jane shoes with tiny pearl buttons. vating their Victorian town lovely pearl buttons. Her bloomers haveBELOW: Enjoy the company of Lucille, an house—refinishing, replac- three hand-sewn rows of tiny pin tucks andEdwardian lady dressed in a silk tea dress ing, and redoing almost frills. Her tiny painted black-leather shoeswith silk chiffon overlay and vintage laces. every inch of their grand have two straps with tiny pearl buttons.Her hair is fashioned in an “up-do” style. old domicile. “I attended my first big miniature show with the intention of buying our daughter a doll’s house doll for her first birthday present,” Lisa says. “The beautiful dolls that I liked, I could not afford. The ones I could afford, I did not like. It was my husband who said, ‘Why don’t you make her one?’” Almost immedi- ately Lisa set about dressing a typical doll kit but was not happy with the way the kit was painted. Being an artist, she wanted to be able to paint, costume, and wig the entire doll herself. At this same time, her grandfather left Lisa a small inheritance. “It was fate. I jumped into my business venture full- time. I purchased a kiln and moulds without having any prior knowledge of how to use them or even how to make a doll.” The art of anatomy Although she is entirely self-taught, Lisa did attend Art College. “Nude drawing was a fundamental part of the curriculum and, being only sixteen, I found it quite embarrassing. As I look back on this experience, I believe it has been quite invaluable in my doll- making career.” She uses RIGHT: Victorian Miss in silk dress with bustle at the back, trimmed using vintage laces and silk ribbon with a Swarovski crystal broach. Her long red hair is braided and tied in silk bows. D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 13

FEATUREanatomy books with many sketches and ABOVE LEFT: Campaigning Suffragette are full of vintage reference books. Manythese provide useful reference. When (circa 1908) in a simple yet pretty and femi- ideas are gleaned from watching periodstuck with a pose, Lisa will get out the nine Edwardian day dress, wearing a “Votes dramas, children playing in a park, andcamera and enlist the children to pose in for Women” sash and handing out propa- people sitting in a cafe. Just holding adifferent ways. “I take pictures of body ganda for the feminine cause. piece of vintage lace can bring forth anparts like ears, hands, feet, crossed legs, ABOVE: Mr. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice idea of a completed Edwardian ensemble.etc., to help me when sculpting detail.” (Jane Austen, 1813) wears a hand-dyed overcoat and a tail coat, waistcoat, cravat, “I do a lot of research and think it is She delights in filling notebooks with shirt, and breeches. He carries a riding crop a fundamental part of getting the entireideas and sketches. Her studio shelves and “beaver” hat. piece correct. For me, all of it has to be ABOVE RIGHT: Wickham, A Regency ‘just-so’ and thus everything must be Soldier (circa 1815) in a uniform typically thoroughly researched.” Clients, too, are worn in the Battle of Waterloo, complete with inspiring. She finds it very rewarding to a scabbard and sword. interpret her clients’ vision and share in LEFT: The Love Letter (circa 1811-1820). their dreams. Alyssa wears a pretty empire-style Supplies and demand dress of fine lawn with silk Lisa uses commercially available chiffon overlay and silk slippers with moulds. She finds dental and jewellery- real leather making tools to be quite helpful for soles sculpting and has modified some to suit (Regency her own specific requirements. period, nineteenth “Carefully sculpting into the wet clay, century which originally came from a mould, is England). a constant struggle, yet an affirmation14 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

FEATURE LEFT: Edwardian Lady (circa 1910) in a green silk and vintage lace dress with a silk chiffon overdress and elaborate hat. RIGHT: Sleeping child in modern-day handsmoked dress with five tiny but- tons, a plain cotton collar, and red painted Mary- Jane shoes. She holds her favourite teddy bear. Costuming BELOW: This elegant Edwardian Lady (circa Costuming begins 1908) is in a fine silk ensemble, trimmed with vintage braid and lace. She has a vintage only when Lisa is entirely lace shawl, an elaborate matching silk hat happy with the personal- with beautiful curled feathers, and a lovely ity of the doll. She simplifies parasol to complete her outfit. real historical fashion patterns to suitof my skills,” Lisa says. “I spend many one-twelfth scale.hours meticulously sculpting into the clayas I change the structure, add details, Lisa begins costuming by pullingand define features.” She manipulates together natural or vintage materials,and fine-tunes every minute facet to which often spill out of the numerousmake each creation her very own, and drawers in her studio. “Any professionalconsiders this an integral part of her doll- costumer will tell you it doesn’t mattermaking process. how good the costume is. If the under- garments are not true of the period, the Working in porcelain, Lisa uses por- entire piece will look wrong,” she says.celain slip. “Its texture and luminosity iswhat draws me to it. A beautiful mate- Using only natural fabrics, such asrial to work with—very fragile, quite silk, cotton, linen, and batiste, Lisa pur-unforgiving— yet it produces wonderful chases the very best materials she canresults.” Sometimes she knows what a find. “This is the only way to achievedoll will look like in advance. Often, the results I demand. I hand-sew all myhowever, the doll speaks to her as it fights costumes, although I am not averse toto evolve in a certain way. “I’ve learned to using special fabric glue when necessarygo with what the doll is asking of me.” to cut down bulk. I get great satisfaction, however, in seeing a tiny hand-stitched Painting is when Lisa has the oppor- garment.”tunity to breathe life into a doll. Usingspecial techniques— which involve many Finding gorgeous vintage materialspaint firings— allows her to create life- is becoming increasingly more difficult.like appearances. Through the years she has established wonderful rela- tionships with a variety of quality suppliers. She has an exceptional lace supplier who calls from time to time to say she has something very special that may be of interest. In her “library” Lisa has stashed many things that are beautiful and won- derful. “If I don’t have just the right something, I will create it D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 15

www.odinsminiatures.com For a price list of potted plants, garden items and Online Discount Code flower arrangements, OMDHW10 please send s.a.e. to: We supply exclusive Miniature The Flower Lady kits, silk & leather footwear, craft materials and a large 21 Kingston Park range of hand-crafted items. Canada Road, West Wellow Romsey, Hants. SO51 6DE TO ADVERTISE IN [email protected] www.jantheflowerlady.co.uk dollshouse INSURE WORLD JIM LARSON DESIGNS YOUR DOLLS the markets leading UNIQUE DOLLHOUSE ROOMBOX LAMPS AND OTHER MINIATURE CREATIONS. ALL RISKS NO EXCESS doll’s house magazine £ 5,000 cover £31 p.a.* call Maria on All individually designed £10,000 cover £56 p.a.* and built to the highest 01903 884988 or email quality and workmanship, *plus Insurance Premium tax [email protected] in 1/12 scale. for more information Themes can be modified We cover All COLLECTABLES: to suit your personality Stamps, Postcards, Coins, Medals, and commissions will be welcomed. Diecast Models, Teddy Bears etc View http://jimlarsondesigns.com or email: [email protected] PUBLIC LIABILITY for Societies from £20 p.a. DEALERS COVER available STAMP INSURANCE SERVICES C G I Services Limited (Dept 30DM) 29 Bowhay Lane, EXETER EX4 1PE Tel: 01392 433 949 Fax: 01392 427 632 www.stampinsurance.co.ukAuthorised and regulated by The Financial Services Authority FUN, FREE AND FABULOUS www.Knitsy.tv @knitsy116 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

FEATUREmyself in a new and novel way,” she says. LEFT: Edwardian“For example, I am more than happy to Couture. An Edwardianhand-paint fabric.” dress hangs from a quilted silk hanger near Wigging also requires reference to get an elaborate hat andthe style “just-so” and appropriate to the matching parasol. Lisatime period. Finally, finishing touches is also well known for her couture pieces. RIGHT AND BELOW RIGHT: Modern Day Girl is in a tartan hand- smoked dress with a lace collar and bow. She wears red painted Mary-Jane shoes with tiny pearl buttons, and her lovely curly hair is parted into two braids tied with red bows. BELOW LEFT: An Edwardian Lady (circa 1906) dressed in a pink silk ensemble trimmed with vintage laces and an elaborate matching hat. like hair ornaments, jewellery broaches, earrings, necklaces, parasols, and hand- bags are added. “I pay attention to every aspect of my creation—no matter how small. I con- tinually strive for perfection and, because of this, I grow as a doll artist while I keep learning from each commission. My favourite doll is always the last one cre- ated.” Creating doll magic Perhaps further on I would like to write For the past nine years, the dining a book on doll making. I always say listen to your heart and go with your room has been Lisa’s studio. She works intuition; it’s never failed me— there’s her doll magic on a desk near her kiln, magic in that! Dreams do come true, you an ever expanding collection of reference know!” DHW books, and drawers filled with fabrics, trims, etc. Her constant companions are Sophie and a TV. In looking ahead, Lisa says, “I’m often asked about holding a class on doll- making or costuming. As a result, I have lots of ideas whirling around in my head. I grow as a doll artist while I keep learning ‘from each commission. My favourite doll is ’always the last one created. D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 17

Tudor Rose Miniatures £3.25 We are now able to offer promotional FREE P&P opportunities on our exciting FIND US ON FACEBOOK The Modelmakers Yearbook 320 PAGES Dolls House TVwww.facebook.com/dollshousenorfolk ANNUAL 2015 • ISSUE NO. 45 • www.hobby.uk.com Be one of the first to take advantage Huge range of exclusive of this new and innovative form of miniatures +++ weekend NEW RC DOLLS advertising. But hurry as there is classes held throughout MODELS HOUSE limited availability. the year. REVELL SPECIALISTS MODEL KITS To find out more, call Maria on Bluebell Square, Bawdeswell Garden 01903 884988 or Centre, Bawdeswell, Norfolk MATCHITECTURE NR20 4RZ. 01362 688669 BUILDINGS email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] DREMEL dollshouse.tv www.tudor-rose-miniatures.co.uk RANGE OF TOOLS Shop open 6 days a week CONSTRUCTO Closed Mondays GALLEONS NEW ARTICLES NEW FRETWORK MARQUETRY KITS WGoFrrakRninEdgfEaMtPhaeLtrcAChNsloticckk Hobby’s (Dept DHW), Knight’s Hill Square, London SE27 0HH 020 8761 4244 [email protected] www.hobby.uk.com Available at WH Smith & leading newsagents or directRmeinaciahtumriosrtes tehvaenry4m0,o0n0t0hAn advert in Dolls House World will do BIG things for your business in the miniature world. Talk to Maria to see how our readers can become your customers. Call her on 01903 884988 or email [email protected]’s Miniature Dolls BEAUTIFULLY UNIQUE 1/12 SCALE DOLL MINIATURES, DRESSED IN HANDMADE VINTAGE CLOTHES. Every doll is individual, a completely unique one off. All costumes are hand-sewn, using only antique or vintage material where possible, to maintain period integrity.The dolls are also wigged to ensure a soft and natural look. All dolls come with their own certificate of authenticity.Telephone: 01789 720730 Commission projects are taken on by request. www.vanessasdolls.uk18 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

• And we are now twice as big so there is more to choose from! Including an exclusive new range of hand-made fruit and vegetables and hand-knitted clothes, unique dressed furniture made in our own workshop, adding to our existing collection, fine furniture, carpets, lighting and a huge range of wallpapers • Dolls houses in kit form or fully built – 24 different stock styles • FVulli sraintgeo ouf relewctericbal seqhuoippmeantt www.studleygrange.co.uk/dollshouse 3 good reasons to visit Studley Grange Dollshouse Workshop… • Earn up to 10% discount with our new loyalty scheme • And we are now twice as big so there is more to choose from! IdlingrcehlsutVVVisdnVeigiiidn sssi agfsiiiu natttirdntn ooo aieot xuhuuucurulerrrugr esmwwwi vwraaedeeen neegbbb eeibnw osss o frshhh uawhnrooo agoolepppwlp ponaaaaf p wahetttoartsnwwwrkdws-wwwhmwoapwwwd,w ea... dsssf.rdstttuiuuutnitug ddda tndlllodeee lo evyyyueyrgggg eegrrrxtaaaraisbannntilnengggsgg eee aceno...cccdl.le ooochcaot...inuuuo.dnukkk-,k k///fnindddi/tetdoooe fduolll rlllcnlssslolihhhtstuhhoooreeosuuu,, cusssuaneeerspiqeeutes, One of the biggest selections in the South WestId3I•d33I•d••l•l••••••l•••iiinnn3I•d•l••ggg rrrincccgeeeS••• gggrhhhcllleghsss TEEEDDDFAFFAFDAuuutttooolViiissssEDFAutuuuuaaaOodddnnnoooonnnieeesooouaLHDrrrdnlllloniiidddllllgggeollllCidddinnnnnnrlllll dddoeidtlgssss ls drrrrnnl K taaa gggwwwd iaaaafffsl uuurl hhhhd ilagwuuu nnnIerrr afusnnnnaaaeeepppthSu nooooireeerrrddd na epggggnnn H ToTnnnOerduuuuaaattt gaaaneeee o r aaanoooSuiiiaotrrreee ssssatiett a sssoeeemi teeeeooooresuxxxuuhhhut 111O seooo eocccssssxuffffqhsrrrnnnuuu1m000o lllcseeerfFnnnreeeeunuiiiiuuuoooggg0%%% nnnnle neilllliuaogeeesssmmmsss%wwwWTneeeenw liiilekkkksms wdddeHgvvvcccci rrr tttaaaitoiiiik tttdaaaiiitttteeevcsttttrooo ytsssaEdddwwweirrrrrt annnite t occcffffHsiiiidkwnnneeerm ccccnooooiiiggg Fooobvvvcfiscccne eeeaaaaacoeeeirrrrgOiiiovhuuueeeiiiicnnn ewwwbmmmmallllner sssiu onnne iooonLsw eeeemelaaai siiiooo n tttp aoLfffrrr ttteqqqqroooosssahi o uuuaaa ttOd wwwfr wwwtquuuuosrrrrHu bbbSSS unnnarrrawo wuiiiiWriii ffffaaabSriiiontttrgggppppoootttsggg uuuueii lllfahhhuuuieeeuphtgpmmmmotwwwlll gullllsIpppssslhu llll esemNdddwl oooyyyyooolooonnneeeepaaase l rd aouuuyolllfffGo nnnnn pppebbbbyasttteee www urrrlfhhh hhhttttn peeebuuuutte wyyySroooaaahnnnrrreeehteiiiiu llllysssUnnnwrrroaeeenrrrttttreiGGGkkkleee sdddnwwwrerPt––––Gsssk e rrr---dwiiiw –Phhh mmms2222sssaaalll r-iooo oooh L m44442sammmlnnnaaayyyIopppow 4Emdddnddddaaaaggg,,,yooop Reeellliiiiddaaaagrrr,eeeo.tttffff Seeeffffyyyelidddsafffreeeeetf: rrr efDDDdddydtssstttrrrrfeuuuooo reeeeccciiiDdustnnnoooriiiuhhh nnnntttoecicccggg noillleeedtttth aaanthhhlll c g mmmtttlsssnnnessstoooahloool tttthhhmdddtsnoooeseeeoooo o••••ooot hooodsssoccccvvveoy uuueeeo kkkkoeeeuuuscv rrrg uegggfffkeussssSDWRsss rrreee eeertttt rgteeefoooesas yyyyxxxtttrroeeatummmtaaaeelllloiiiyxWWWneeeesssettbbbemnatttli!!!tsssshmWesiiillltebnnneeetaooos!sgrialsss gggmne Arrron Pe aaasgkkkccch or CnnnBooo .sssaekcrcdddoolllhhhncoalllseee loeoddlhhhlooohleccclke aaatttppph.Hocsciiinnniutaooon………tpidddinonnnuok…---dn,,,kkksn /fff-ennn,iiik snnndiiifnttt ieeeatttnioeeet neffftddduuudel frrrl dcccuFnnnslll urooociiihntttlrtttuuuohhhniotrrrteeeiueeehtsssuur,,,e,,, er cccssuuue,aaa, nnn cerrruapppiiiqqqnreeeuuupitttqeeeesssu,,, t es, www.studleygrange.co.uk Telephone: 01793 854606• One of the biggest selections in the South WestUnit 5, Studley Grange, Craft Village, Hay Lane, Wroughton, Swindon, Wilts, SN4 9QT 3 good reasoFnosllotow vsiigsints Sfrtoumdl Mey4G, jurannctgioenD 1o6 l(l1s/h2o musilee Wtowoarkrdssh Wopro…ughton). • Earn up to 10% discount with our new loyalty scheme • STAOndC KwIeS TaSreO nFowTH tEwiFcOe LaLsO bWig IsNoG thSeUreP iPs LmIEoRrSe: to choo•s e fRroeumt!ter Porcelain Inc•l udDinogll sa nH oeuxcsleu sWivoer knsehwo pra Hnogeu soefs hand-made fruit and• v egSettraebeltess A ahneda dh aHnodu-ksensit atendd cFluorthneitsu,r uenique dre•s seHde ifduir nOittu qreu amliatyd em iinn ioautur roews n workshop, adding to •o urW exoinsthinagm c Coollellectcitoionn, fine furniture, carpets, lig•h tinLgit talned T rai mhumgien gras nHgaeb oefr dwaaslhlpearpyers • Dateman Books One of the biggest selections in the South West• Dolls houses in kit form or fully built – 24 different stock styles OOOnnneeeooofffttthhheeebbbiiiggggggeeessstttssseeellleeecccttiitooionnnsssiinnintthhtheeeSSSooouuutthhthWWWeeesst• Full range of electrical equipment st twww.studleygrange.co.uk Telephone: 01793 854606SSS•••••••••S••• TTT TOOOLHDDHLLDHOUCCCDLHiiioooeeetttnCiKKKtttoetiiilllllliKdddllltIIIeeeiltsssldlSSSiii Ie s 5SHHHTTTTTTiOOO HTrrr,TOSSSooo tttiiirSmmmSotttuuutiOOO mttuqqqsssOmmm uFeeeqFFFsuuumdoeF uiiiaaaWWWTTTnnnll iallleWlTnHHHgggiiioltttoooyHgsssiyyyEEEwtorrr s yHHHGEkkkrmmm FFF HsssksaaamrFOOOhhhsiiiiaabbbnnngOhoooiLLLnbeeeniiinopppaaaLLLLerrrgistttpaOOOddd LreHHHuuu tOd aaafWWW,Hurrrooor sssaeeeWCorouuuhhhsssseIIIrmuhssseeeNNNasIeeerrrseNf GGGyyyssseMrtGys VSSS4UUUSi,lU lPPPjauPPPPgnPeLLLcIII,LEEEt IHiRRREoaRSSSny:::S 1L:•6a n(1e/, 2W•••••••••••• ••••mr oRSRSDSDDWRWWiluttteeeeaaaRDWSrrroooguuutttteee annnteeerohttteeeutoettthhhmmmnetttteeeewoaaasssthmrrraaate mmmn aAAAasnnnPPPra ,mrhhh Aooo nPdCCCBBBSeeerrrh oooooooswCcccBaaae rllloooeeeodddoWlllciaeeelllkkknl oeaaadlHHHcccsssredlkiii tttaonnnooHciiisoiooouuutnoninnngsssou,eeeh nsWssste oaaasilnnn taddd)sn., dFFF Suuu FNrrrunnn4riii nttt9uuuiQtrrrueeeTr e One of the biggest selections in the South WestwwwwwwwwUUUUnnnwwwniiiwttti t...555 .5sss,,, s,SSSttt SttttuuuuuutFFFuuFdddoooddddollllldeeelllllooolllelyyyowwweeely GGGwe Gyyysssrrr yiiiaaasrggggggiannngnnngngggrrrnsssgeeer aaasfffe,,, arrr f,nnnCCCooor nCorrrmmmaaagggrmfff agMMMttteeef MteVVV444 ...Viii4,,,ccc.lll lllijjj,aaaclooouuu ljgggaounnneeeg...nccc,,,euuu.ttt cHHHiii,ut oookkkHiaaannnokyyya n 111yLLL •••6661aaaL •6nnna(((111 eeenTTT(///,,,1eT eee222WWW/, e2Wmmmlllrrr eeemoooliiirllleuuuoeeepppilgggu epttthhhhhhgooo tttthhwwwoooooootwnnnaaaoonnn,,,rrrna dddSSSn,reee ssswwwdS eWWWswiii:::nnn Wi:rrrdddn000oooooord0uuuo111nnnogggu,,,1nhhh777 gWWW,ttth7 ooo999Wiiitlllnnno9ttt333i)))sssln...t,,,3 )sSSS.888, NNN S8555444N 54444999 QQQ49666TTTQ6000 T0 6666 MOULDINGSSTOCKISTS OF THE FOLLOWING SUPPLIERS: • Dolls House Workshop Houses • Heidi Ott quality miniatures • Little Trimmings HaberdasheryBARBARA’S • Reutter Porcelain • Streets Ahead Houses and Furniture • Wonham Collection • Dateman BooksA family run business with 1w5wwye.saturdsleeyxgpraenrgeie.cno.cuek • Telephone: 01793 854606 making quality dolls houses for the UK.Unit 5, Studley Grange, Craft Village, Hay Lane, Wroughton, Swindon, Wilts, SN4 9QT Follow signs from M4, junction 16 (1/2 mile towards Wroughton). We also make a full range of wooden architectural mouldings such as skirtings and architraves. We produce sheets of very realistic brick and tile finishes for your dolls house which are embossed and textured. They are easily applied, can be bent around corners and are easily weathered to give an aged appearance. We are constantly adding to our range of houses and the images here show a selection of our new styles. Specialist suppliers to the trade. For your local stockist please ring 01572 770383 Email: [email protected] 27 Pillings Road, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6QF www.barbarasmouldings.netGet our latest brochure free by fax, phone, email or snail mail. D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 19

smallaccomplishments Share your fun with other readersSend us your photos Blue Heaven duoWe want to feature readers’projects every issue. So whetheryou’ve dressed a doll or deco-rated a mansion, send us thephotos. Don’t be shy. [email protected] withSmall Accomplishments in thesubject line. Or send photos toSmall Accomplishments, DollsHouse World, PO Box 2258PULBOROUGHRH20 9BAGreat BritainGift shop and greengrocer’s are the result It was to be a gift shop, with accom-of a club project which kept on growing modation above and is called “Blue Heaven”. It is stocked with any suitable By Sandra Harding and pretty goods one would normallyThis lovely couple of little semi- find in a gift shop, including many items detached houses have been floor so purchased a further ‘floor’ box from Noreen’s large collection. lovingly made by Noreen Jeffery from Burleigh and, before decorating using MDF, with a pre-made the complete structure, made the room Knowing Noreen as I do, I was not dividers to enable the family to have a surprised when she told me that shepurchased shop front and basement bathroom. wanted a second building to match theadded. first, and the shop was going to be green- grocer’s called “Top of the Crop”. TheThey came about as a result of aworkshop held by GOFAR (Gosportand Fareham Dolls House Club) whichresulted in each member making a shop/roombox from a kit supplied by Steveand Jane of Burleigh Miniatures, whoalso led the workshop.At a later workshop the membersmade a second floor for living accom-modation closely followed by a roof areawith mansard roof. Fake windows wereadded for that extra little touch and, atyet another workshop, a basement wasmade to house the kitchen. Noreen hadalready decided that she wanted another20 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

SMALL ACCOMPLISHMENTSstock for this shop, however, was going Noreen plans to have a very ornate light-to be made by Noreen’s fair hand, with ing shop when it is finally complete.the help of Fimo expert and friend DianeCarpenter (also a member of GOFAR). The items inside these two little shops and houses were made to home some of The stock they made has since found the large amount of stock that Noreenits way into yet another project, a garden seems to acquire, and include pretty pur-centre, which was shown in DHW 265. chased kitchen units, beds and furnitureThe left hand shop is still in the process that look just right in their new homes.of being stocked, but you can see that They also include quite a few gifted D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 21

SMALL ACCOMPLISHMENTS Poppy’s Collection (part 2) We take a look at more unusual houses in Poppy Higgin’s incredible collection By Sandra Hardingitems and some because Noreen par- When I visited Poppy 1991, which listed it as a plan toticularly liked them, which includes the Higgin at her home in the make yourself. It was design numberpretty cloisonné eggs and stands. Isle of Wight it was as a 1554/1, and made by P. Giles at a cost result of a conversation of £1.10 and obviously was at some- The sofa in the sitting room was the when she told me she had more than time made with love for a little one.first thing that Noreen remembers buy- 60 houses. Now, not being one to miss I don’t think they are still available,ing for herself, and it has rightly taken a trick like that, I arranged to visit to which is a shame. Unless you knowpride of place. report on this collection for you, and I better? hope you have already enjoyed reading However, to come back to this Further presents include the Art Deco the first part. shoe. It is based on “There was an oldset from her son, Brian, and a pretty shell This is part two of what I expect lady who lived in a shoe” of course,mirror from talented friend Julia who to be quite a few, as I have to plan but as usual with Poppy, nothing is asmade it from shells she collected herself another visit to see Poppy. I could it seems.from a local beach. Incidentally, she is only do about a third of the collection There are at least eleven dolls inone half of Mini Mixtures, a local couple first time round you see, as my head this house, and such an eclectic mix,of friends who exhibit regularly at local was spinning. they may not even be related. Thereshows, who also sell lovely jewel cases are 1950 dolls made of celluloid, someand other items made from these shells. The Shoe House rubber dolls, and moreThe cakes on the table were made by theother half of this duo, Diane. This interesting item modern ones, plus a cou- was one of the first things ple that look as if they This is a very pleasing pair of semi- I saw when I went into are from foreign shores.detached premises and I do believe that Poppy’s “museum”, and As Poppy is a REALif Noreen had the space, she would have was a first for me. I was collector, she just hoo-eventually ended up with a whole terrace shown a Hobby’s blue vers up her miniatures,of shops and houses. DHW book catalogue from wherever and whatever they may be, and is often not sure where they came from, or even where they are going to. Scattered about the house are also toys, ted- dies, and playthings of all kinds, all from this large collection. “If it looks OK,22 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

SMALL ACCOMPLISHMENTS large stock rooms. I hope you have enjoyed this peep into some of Poppy’s collection, and In the next part, I will choose from a church, a pub, a holiday home or maybe something made of tin plate. DHWin it goes.. somewhere,” Poppy tells me. Blue Creek Valley Coming back to the old lady supposed Watermillto be living here, I was told she was too This is one of those carbig so she ended up in some other house boot rescues that Poppysomewhere. That left the way open for a seems to find whereververy attractive blonde of about 25 or so, she happens to be. It iswho looks Dutch. It makes me wonder if marked PIKO Germany,the children from foreign shores are hers, circa 2000, and it cameand she just looks after the others for the with some of the items inold lady whilst she goes off on a cruise? and around it. The PondLiving rent free of course. is probably Emporium, and the lovely littleThe Blue Box This is not, of course, just any blue clothes line, with pegs and clothes basket isbox. It is actually a CD Playmobile. There arecabinet which Poppy has assorted animals, includ-turned into a home for ing chickens, goat,yet another eclectic mix a donkey, as well asof items. In the top room, Margaret and Michael,there is a lovely bedroom who I believe aresuite, which is probably mother and son. Inside,Kleeware from the 1970s the furniture and acces-which Poppy had dressed sories are from Poppy’swith pictures, jewelleryand bed linen. In the middle room,there is an eccentric chinatea table with tea cups,which looks perfectly athome, with old woodenchairs, a standard lamp,pictures, mirror, and oh yes,a fat plastic cat. In the bottom roomis the kitchen with moreBrimtoy or Kleeware fur-niture and a smart kitchenrange, pictures, clock andcalendar on the wall. D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 23

Dolls Houses & Miniatures Seaside Miniatures.at The Old Bell Pottery Specialists in 1/12th, 1/24th and 1/48th Scale Beach Huts, Lighthouses, Caravans A Womans Touch hand decorated Miniature China Shepherd Huts and Seaside Accessories. Both hand-crafted and Tel 01590 643546, 07970 484579. manufactured selection www.seasideminiatures.co.uk Also traditional toys & games, pottery & gifts for all occasions High Street, Lechlade, Glos GL7 3AD. Tel: 01367 252608 [email protected] www.oldbellpottery.co.uk Friday and Saturday 10:00 till 5:00 Sunday 11:00 till 5:00www.dollshousemouldings.co.uk Shop on line 24/7 Shop In-store Tuesday to Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pmD H C Wolls ouse ottage orkshop, Sawley Marina, Sawley, Long Eaton, Nottingham, NG10 3AE Phone 0115 9465059there’s always Jandorasomething Dolls House Improvementsfor every room Specialising in building, lighting, decorating, repairing and renovating dolls houses.in every doll’s house in themodollhouse BEFORE AFTER www.modollhouse.com Telephone: 01702 475703 Email: [email protected] ...and if you prefer Rita’s on the phone: +(0)1381 610775 www.jandora.net24 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

Miniatura® DOLLY’S DAYDREAMS EVENTS The World Class Miniatures Show SUNDAY 8 FEBRUARY National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, UK. Kelham Hall, Kelham, NEAR NEWARK NG23 5QX (on A617 to Mansfield) March 28th & 29th 2015 SUNDAY 15 FEBRUARY Model houses and everything that goes in them with an outstanding level of detail to satisfy the most demanding collector. The Rivenhall Hotel, Rivenhall End NEAR WITHAM CM8 3HB (on A12) See fantastic craftsmanship supported by tools, materials and techniques unique to this hobby making it a DIY heaven for modellers. SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY See more at www.miniatura.co.uk Holiday Inn Ashford-Central General enquiries - 0121 783 9922 Ticket Hotline - 0121 767 4100 Canterbury Rd, ASHFORD TN24 8QQ Saturday / Weekend tickets are limited in number and must be bought in advance. (M20/J9, then A28 to Canterbury) Sunday tickets available in advance or at the door. Doors open 10am - No charge for parking. SUNDAY 1 MARCH The Pride of Lincoln Hotel, Runcorn Road Whisby Road, LINCOLN LN6 3QZ (A46) SUNDAY 8 MARCH The Mill, RAYLEIGH SS6 7ED (A127) All fairs open 10.30am to 4pm. Half price entry from 1pm. Accompanied children under 16 FREE all day! DOLLY’S DAYDREAMS 01945 870160/07860 517048 www.dollysdaydreams.com www.facebook.com/dollysdaydreams PMJ MiniaturesTHEDOLLSHOUSE MMCIONouCDInAOtErTyLLhULoHEuRsOCeEsTUthISrOoEuNgh the ages PMJ MiniaturesTHEDOLFLoSrHaOUllSEyour small needs Visit one of the LARGEST ranges of dolls house items in East Anglia. WV eisairte o10n0e%oDf OtLhLeS LHAOURSG E,EwSiTthrTaHnOgUeSAsNoDfSdoof allcscehssoourisees, iatems HUGinE REAaNsGtEAonf gholiuas.FeosW ,rpaellulsayrwoeuoor1 ds0 ,me0 al%elcltnriDecesO,dfLsaL bSricHs,ObrUaiSdsE&, wyairtnhs. PMJ MiniaturesTHE DOLLS HOUSEWRHHVaieUsenidiGgtaiEeorOsenRtiten1A,c0RNoTlWHRu0efGdaueH%taEetnhit:rdeoeOgwDBirfeLaOTPOihUcsrAoLbHoktpRrLritucSnaEG,SeMlssclEARueDaHMliSisunenOOosN,Tdi,ulaUpdLDretltiDSwaLtnue:uEengeSsrB,S-srgeoDw,weaHPsaTsoori,wooOhtbooheHrddrUDffcaWT,eede,SsHesaaoolilEaOgnerleMcltinhscUnhlsaoctShe,,mrl&iAeodTDccuaNCissnesHost,DmgeelsfrloSeaa-siiocmbDt,otcperifraorTeimsocnawi,hds,sc,eu,eJcSicDabnestftWrrcsseae,Ea,skesioaoDbstdiassgnriosjtiroAnhen&AnhHissas,cen,,ymagaaUasTdlnri,,aCanGds.sobm.mElleraacaRntpiiyorAdonmFdsN,iuonScGr&dtetrs!eEu,eysDtoasoijnforAnnhLh,eysnao.dnu,Rsoeads, A DAY TO REMEMBERMJ MiniaturesRLGSEHSOTUrSaEn,gwesitWohfaTrdwHoFiOclloksUrMShSRAioanT utNailaarsDltneeusSyrgiemetooseetf,musaHasrsceAcapiisnernVHWthrsmhEiUcsoseea&oliGadsturaaHtiEleoruddolAesnRmcn,e,ne1Aegat:e,0HNsloiJ0ae,fGBae.%cdtEDakihJ dssoearoDiinbjfcLOoshOaAkaLnoRrnsLtu,daGSots,m’EWensHSasRsOn,TaMyeUprramlLFn(fSuoawuoBeineoEnnlt1usialrsdo,digt9eruwcwl8!ewuerWd)ekssotrmiihiastJoonoetbuhnMPdaesBfgstLcT,aoidngihyosmHennnorfFy-,lfbsnOcleiloetafsRchUeTrometortrShlhrauatAiAodhaoce4rieuNs7nrles,DelW,esfS!ay,iD botoon(AfLeoHrBefeenvimul1cialiaeeshoas9rsrcutw,a-a8ciriWDsboner)emtnrstmihaaEasJhseMtibauowdaCsesBruss& titcloaiesg&DlhAomeslnHnlf,nue-yefbsgamaoesetclfrhiorimtaengeri.sodn.etAhnss4,e,,7 uses, plus wood, electrics, fabrics, bRranidgse&s iynacrlundse. : Barbras MoldiAnvgiast,ioTnhMeuWseounmham Collection, Streets Ahead, DISCOVER ONE OF ENGLAND’S MOSTaturesr small needs BEAUTIFUL AND HISTORIC CASTLESE DOLLS HOUSEas Moldings, The Wonham Collection, StHreeeidtsi AOhtet,adR,eutter Porcelain, &DTcWeHeoeTniows-tHmbDnrLeeEyaecnBw,Dhn1JODa9Rc8oeLkasLsdiSgonnHss,AOKLaiTy4nUnTnga7nodsSsmmEaanpWTyrooimwL(FdsBeiubnonL1icrsedy9etucsn8B!ur,h)ens1DaJo9Ritujno8osBntLaa,yomdnffbnetRhreoAKLaiAy4ndTn4g7no7s hevercastle.co.ukcelain, Dee-Daw Designs, Tasma producWts,aDrwijoicnk, Miniatures, HearthHearth & Home, Jacksons and many more! Call 01732 861701 | Email [email protected] in East Anglia.PMJ Miniaturesccessories,a , braids & yarns. Find us on Lynn Road (B198) at Bamber Leisure Just off the A47 B1101 cennterear Wisbech - near Wisbech - fAovllioatwiotnheMusisgenuBsm1fo1r01the follow the signs for the For all yoAu47r smWaelalrenheeereds Aviation MuseumStreets Ahead,Open s7HVWitieUF sed:iGitaanTEorhydeJnResue1ACu0Nsoar0saftG%fwtEthooDoeeDfneffLeOnLhA,yLkLtoRnBTLhyu,nGSe1sne1aE9eRHnS0s8oROA ,TaoaUpRd4ormlSamu7oEns,,agtwCAnKwedoih4nsoeiTegt7ooo4shas( dftB.rnT,d3uHe1oWt0lOl9elgpscU8aitsShmrr)diAboceuNsean(s,D4ctefcSaehpiBbtnoemrtfa-rimceams,sfcS,ocCibbunellirsflenEafosoiaro)drwsrdstiL se&AestH n,hiyegsaaaelurtiianTnr.sgee. l.ephoAn4e70L1ynB9nW149R5e8oa5adr8e2h0AKe0i4nr4Teg7osucts, Dijon, Also onore!Open 7 days a week, 10am to 4.30pm (4pm Sun) Telephone 01945 582004ind us on Lynn RoadB198) at Bambereisure Just off the A47ear Wisbech -ollow the signs for the RHaeAnidgliseOsotitn,ocRlnuedusWTetti:oetsiwBsreibanP:greobncTrrchahsesleaMfinooC,ldrrDianetgefht-sD,eLDaTynwhenA enDvW,eisoTaignetnhisaao,mTnRaCosoMmloleamuctpis,oroneCd,uuhScmtetrses,e.tDtnsijuoAnht,egada,rden centTWreoiw,sbnCelicfhfords H Lynn Warwick Miniacteunretrse, Hearth & Home, Jacksons and many more! centre eating B1101 Find us on Lynn Road B1101 (B198) at Bamberviation Museum A47 We are here Leisure Just off the A47WTwetoniwDstebnreLeeenyc,nkBhnT 1,e9R1a8o0RadoaoBmm11,0AKLtC1iy4nohTng7nose4st.n3ut0gpamrden(4cepnmtrOAel,sSpCoueliofnfnno)rds7isteH d:eaTathyiTnesgeClaerapfwthDoeenene,kT ,0e11a 90RAfn4oTWaoevoTol5aliimwoasmrtwbneLi5Woe,ytncltn8BiChOshenoeM1bh2e9Rupesp 0ci84ossghea0htenu.nd-s34m1 uonfot00 rngAKpL7tiay4ahneTngmer7nosdm: den(0a4cty1 epons9 mAtr444ea7,Sp5 Cwulmif5nfWoe)8rede2sakrH 0 e, eh0aeti4Trnegelephone 01945 582004 Acentre lso oBn110s1 ite: T he Craft DA47 We are here T ea Room, Chestnut Garden en, Centre,pm Sun) Telephone 01945 582004 A47 We arCe lhieffreords H eating 582004ntre, Cliffords H eating Open 7 days a week, 10am to 4.30pm (4pm Sun) Telephone 01945 Also on site: The Craft Den, T ea Room, Chestnut garden centre, Cliffords H eating D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 25

OPEN HOUSETerry’s finishes wonderfultribute to his late wifeVisitors to the Kensington Doll’s House Festival were amazed at the Mackintoshhouse on display. But they were also moved by the story behind it. HereTerry Brown tells the story of the one and only doll’s house he will ever make By Terry BrownM y late wife Sue had for a long television. I am quite experienced as a house build). I received three offers and time wanted me to make model maker but doll’s houses were new was able to return home having made her a doll’s house and after to me. over £2000 for the Royal Marsden some procrastination I finally Cancer Charity.relented! She was also extremely keen on Fitting it in between work meant pro-the Arts & Crafts Movement and the gress was intermittent and unfortunatelybuildings of Charles Rennie Mackintosh my wife was diagnosed with cancer dur-in particular. ing this time. Despite a valiant struggle she finally lost the battle and died before So my task was to create that house. I was able to finish the house.I am not a doll’s house maker or a min-iaturist but have worked as a theatre For a long time I could not bringdesigner professionally as well as, for a myself to do any more work on it butfew years, being a production designer after the best part of two years hadfor a company that made model animated passed I felt that I needed to do some-films for childrens thing with the house. I made a big effort to complete it as much as I could with the aim of selling it to raise funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, the hospital where she had such wonderful treatment and support. I was offered the opportu- nity of displaying the house at the Kensington Dolls House Festival in November by Charlotte Stokoe. So I took it there and was fortunate enough to get quite a prominent posi- tion on the first floor. I was overwhelmed both with the interest shown and the kind remarks, particularly from much more experienced doll’s house makers than me (this was my one and only doll’s26 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

OPEN HOUSEThe hall & staircase Based on the hall and stairs of the Hill House outsideGlasgow. I added a portrait of the man himself as a gesture! The wall cladding was painted and then scanned andprinted to get the repeat. The wall clock, again based onthe Hill House, is a working clock built round a watchmechanism. The rug based on another Mackintosh designwas made by Sue. D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 27

Terry started with a bought kit which The sitting roomhe customised and furnished with a mix of This is based on anbespoke, commissioned and bought pieces.He refinished many of them to give a great- amalgamation of decora-er authenticity tion and furniture from other Mackintosh propertiesOther interior rooms rather than one single refer- There are four further rooms making up ence. The main reference for the walls and the fireplacethe remainder of the doll’s house. was the drawing room from They comprise the sitting room and 120 Mains Street Glasgow, which was the apartment thatbedroom on the upper floor and the dining Mackintosh and Margaretroom and kitchen on the ground floor. Macdonald first moved into after their marriage.28 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

The dining room The wall decoration and furniture is based onthe dining room at 78 Southpark Avenue whichhas been recreated in the Mackintosh House in theHunterian Art Gallery Glasgow. The rug is a generic Mackintosh design. D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 29

OPEN HOUSE The kitchen I had no reference for any kitchen in a Mackintosh house so because of what was available chose to make it a traditional Edwardian kitchen. There is a nod to moderni- sation with a gas cooker as well as a range. The bathroom Mostly generic period bathroom fittings but the panelling is again based on the walls of the bathroom at the Hill House. The shower unit I made and it is based on the shower in the Hill House bathroom. It does not work!30 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

Views of the house lit at duskThe bedroom Again this was based on the main bed-room at the Hill House with some referencefrom other Mackintosh houses. The bedand wall decoration are from the Hill Housealong with the washstand. The cheval mirror is based on the mirrorat 78 Southpark Avenue which had origi-nally been designed for 120 Mains Street. The two ladder back chairs are actuallyplastic and were found in the gallery shop atthe Palazzo Strozzi Florence Italy! D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 31

PROJECTMINIAmTaUkRinEgBaEDneatAuralea Krieger makes a little bed for the newesthouse that she has been working on and shareshow simple it is to create By Auralea KriegerM aking a bed for es. As you are laying out the your mini bedroom bed design you will probably can be so much change your mind a few times. fun. I always start Just trust your instincts and useoff telling myself I want to make the materials that make you feelit unmade and wonderfully happy when you look at them.messy. Unfortunately, I have amild case of OCD and it rarely Remember, there are NOends up that way. The same rules. This is only about whatthing happened with this bed, you want to do and whatbut I love how it turned out. makes you happy.This is such fun and the furtheryou push it the more fun you mattress upside-down, fold thewill have. fabric over it and cut out the ends as shown. This will make First I gathered all of my your folds less bulky. Put smallmaterials including a collection dots of glue under each lengthof trims and ribbons. Having of the material and with your fin-more than you will use is better gers, press/rub fabric to adherethan not having enough choic- to mattress back.YOU’LLneed Step 1: In this case my bed Step 3: Fold the corners so Step 4: Put the covered mat- came with a mattress that was that the seams are in the cor- tress into the bed frame. ■ Mini mattress already assembled. If you are ners. Glue the fabric to adhere it Step 5: Cut a piece of fabric ■ Fabrics starting from scratch you can permanently. that will be the top sheet. I have ■ Scissors use a thick piece of foam glued measured the sheet to fold over ■ Iron onto a thin piece of card stock. both sides, with some extra ■ Polyfill Then either cover it with the to trim off once I know how ■ Needle sheet material as shown in next wide I will need it. I only made ■ Thread step, or cover it in what would it 3” long because it will only ■ Trims and ribbons be a mattress cover and then need to show at the top of the ■ Fabric glue or Tacky add a sheet on top of that. bed when I fold it over the top Step 2: Cut a piece of fabric blanket. Glue for the sheet that will wrap ■ Hot glue gun around your mattress. With the32 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

PROJECT Step 10: Turn it right side out and iron the edges flat.Step 6: Cut the top of the Step 11: Fill lightly with polyfill. until glue cools. Do this for bothblanket the same width as the You can use scissor ends or the sides.top sheet and then fold it two eraser end of a pencil to shove Step 15: Glue down the trimtimes in different directions as the polyfill in. If you fill it too where the top sheet meets theshown below, then iron the thick it won’t have an authentic blanket fold.folds. look. Then fold in remaining fab- Step 16: Add all of your deco-Step 7: Iron the top sheet to ric and sew it shut. rative pillows! DHWfold over the blanket so that Step 12: Lay the blanket ononly a portion of the folded the bed and trim the sides of it Step 14: Lay the blanket withblanket section shows. as well as the top sheet to be top sheet attached on the bed the length you want. Then trim and position exactly where youStep 8: This is when you glue the bottom of the blanket leav- want it. With a hot glue gun, liftin the lace if you choose to ing enough fabric for a seam to the side and quickly leave dotshave some. If not, then you will fold under and iron flat. of hot glue down the side ofonly be gluing the blanket to the the mattress then press downtop sheet fold. blanket to mattress and hold Step 13: Glue on the trim to both sides of blanket.Step 9: Cut out the fabric forthe main pillow. Leave 1/8” trimto sew together. Leave one endopen to put the stuffing in. LEFT: There are endless possibilities when making decorative pillows. You can even add an extra blanket to the base of the bed. I used a piece of knit that used to be a shirt. D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 33

OPEN HOUSEHow Maria rescuedhouse from dumpAn abandoned Tudor house has beengiven a complete makeover, fittinglyusing re-cycled materials By Sandra HardingK nowing how I originally This house was unpaint- Swedish Miniaturist Eva Malmsten who discovered doll’s houses by ed, dirty, neglected and makes fantastic things from recycled accident, I am always fascinated maltreated… and just materials, she was hooked on recycling. to hear how other people got begging her to love it, and Maria decided that she quite fanciedinto the hobby by a stroke of fortune. breathe new life into it. developing the idea and using as many She suddenly became very recycled items as she could in her minia- Take Maria Nikolajeva. She was get- possessive, much to her ture world.ting over a serious illness and looking husband’s relief.for something to take her mind off her However, the very first thing she didproblems. After reading lots of was to give the house a good scrub, and books on the subject, then did what any sensible person would One day, quite out of the including several by do: she ordered a definitive book on theblue, her husband presented subject, ‘The Authentic Tudor and Stuarther with a ‘gift’ which he had Dolls House’ by Brian Long. I havefound at the local dump: a this book myself as I am in the middleTudor doll’s house in need of of doing up a Tudor House and it is anlots of care and attention. She invaluable reference book.ignored his “I’ll take it backif you don’t want it”, and was Whilst the house dried out Mariaovercome with the emotion began studying the book and, being aone gets when one finds an stickler for authenticity, she also beganabandoned puppy dog. Her visiting real Tudor houses, particularlyheart strings were well and in Lavenham, Suffolk. She also spenttruly tugged. many happy hours in the Museum of34 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

OPEN HOUSEChildhood in Bethnal Green collection of ‘pewter’ and, has recently joined some in the UKand to inspire her before she as in many collections, the including the one where, I am pleased tomade her Tudor bed, she various sizes somehow say, we met.viewed the great bed of Ware does not really matter (justin the Victoria and Albert look at any early cabinet or I do hope you have enjoyed thisMuseum, pus other items baby house to see this). glimpse into Tudor life and I look for-from the era. ward to showing you Maria’s other Talking to Maria I was projects including, she tells me, a grand Looking at the finished very interested to hear project called Womble Hall which willhouse, one can see many that she is Swedish and pay tribute to those famous recyclers,authentic touches, including that before she moved to The Wombles. DHWthe inglenook fireplace. In the the UK six years ago, sheoriginal house the fireplace belonged to a Swedishwas quite wrong, and, although Miniature group. SheMaria did not want to lose anyspace she realised that she hadto build a new wall, and lose aninch or two in the process. The resultspeaks for itself. She is also very pleased with the lat-tice windows, which are made from theempty orange bags from the greengrocer.Painted grey, and pasted onto transparentplastic sheets, they look just right. There are many more items through-out this house either made or recycled byMaria including the wall brackets, madefrom the black foil from the tops of winebottles, and the little shutters at the win-dows made from lolly sticks.. There are chess pieces at the bot-tom of the staircase, and the trestle tablewas made from off-cuts of wood. Manyitems were found on her trips to charityshops and car boot fairs, including the D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 35

WATCH ON YOUR COMPUTER, TABLET OR PHONE DON’T MISS OUR FREE ONLINE CRAFT COURSES!LEARN EVERYTHING FROM MINIATURES TO PAINTING www.mycraftacademy.com mycraftacademy We make it simple..you make it special

QUICK & EASYquJicEkWaEnLdLEeRaYsyCASESandra comes up with a simple, cheap wayto make expensive-looking jewellery By Sandra HardingYOU’LLneed■ Thin foam sheet (from Decide on the size of your ‘case’ For the standing display Hobbycraft). I used black, but and cut two pieces of foam the cut one piece of foam and there are many colours avail- same size, neatly rounding off front glue stick-ons on each of able. Or use thin card if pre- edges slightly. the front four sides. ferred Using dabs of glue, carefully Place centre ‘jewel’ at■ Scissors, glue, tweezers apply your chosen stick-on to both the bottom of the foam and■ Sheets of stick-ons (Hobbycraft) rounded edges. Leave the flat back place a very thin line of glue■ No hole beads (99p shops, in untouched. Let both dry making where you want the necklace to be. sure the edges are tidy. Add no hole beads to the line of glue; jars of many colours) shake off excess beads and tidy up the■ Tiny jewels, from Hobbycraft Choose one of the pieces of shape. Or, place stick-on jewels to follow foam as the bottom, and arrange the shape of the necklace. Let it dry. or card shops, or nail jewels your decorations, jewels etc until you are Glue small piece of foam or card behind■ Bindis (Indian decorations). happy with arrangement, and then carefully the display as a prop. Let it all dry. DHW glue them on. I have seen them at Claire’s TIP Don’t be afraid to cut your bindis Accessories or Accessorise. I Start with your centre piece, if it is the or anything else you have to make a got my bindis online. largest, and work each side to match, until pleasing piece of jewellery. Do it over you get to the top corner of the flat back. your work table as the tiny pieces Let it dry. might just fly away. Now apply the flat back top to the flat back of the bottom, at an angle. Glue them together at the flat backs and hold in place until you can safely let go. In the centre of the top apply tiny dot or similar to represent a small keyhole. I used the dots from stick-ons that have various different shapes on them. D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 37

clubNEWS ■ Share your club events and activities with readers around the world - Dolls House World, PO Box 2258Busy club is PULBOROUGH RH20 9BA Great Britainfull of ideas or email [email protected] catch up with the activeRainham club who have beencoming up with great miniideas for over 20 yearsT he Rainham and taken home. The club also ment store (a tribute to now made these and also made District Dolls House invites guest speakers or dem- Life President Jill). Members and lit the carcase to house and Miniaturist Group onstrators for some meetings. who wanted to participate were them. These departments can was started by Jill given a ready-made room box be inserted in any order asLucas in Kent in 1992 when Last year’s club project was to create a department of their required. If a member leavesshe couldn’t find a club locally ‘The House of Lucas’ depart- choice, at home in their own and takes their box with them ato join. time. Chairman George had new department can be made After placing posters in locallibraries and putting an appealout on her local radio station(Radio Medway as it was then)she held her first meeting inthe Oast House in Rainham.Ten people attended that firstmeeting with each one paying£1 membership. That £10 wasenough to pay the rent for thevenue for that one night. As Jillsays: “Would that rooms wereso easy and cheap to hire thesedays!” Very soon the club wasmeeting monthly and had elect-ed a committee to run it. Today Rainham is a busyand active club. The commit-tee meets every three monthsand agrees several projects.These monthly projects are alldesigned to be finished withinthe evening’s meeting as it isknown that half-completeditems often stay that way when38 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

CLUB NEWSWhen they meet The club meets onthe last Thursday of eachmonth (except December)at The Howard MemorialHall in Woodside,Wigmore, between 7.30and 10. Members canleave whenever theywant. There is no com-pulsion to stay to thevery end although onemember admitted “thebar does attract some tostay longer than they oth-erwise might”.to fill the gap. August Bank Holiday weekend, •If you would like further details Fund raising One of the previous projects when members bring along everything from a mansion to a please contact Sylvia on 01634 The club raises fundswas “A Corner” which proved 1/144th scale house. DHW 312038 or visit the club website: for the Kent, Surrey andvery popular and produced www.rainhamdhg.co.uk Sussex Air Ambulancemany and varied scenes and Trust, often through mininew ones keep emerging club sales when mem- bers bring in unwanted The latest project was a riv- items.erbank scene. At club meetingsthere had been a session onmaking a fishing rod, anotherhad a large umbrella and yetanother had fishermen’s boxesand bags. The club celebrates eachyear with a dress dinner (seeinset photo left). These provedso popular that for the lasttwo years there have beentwo dinners. The dinners are agreat way of giving everyone achance to talk to other mem-bers and guests about theirminiature world while enjoyingsome superb food cooked andserved in the meeting hall by alocal caterer. The club also holds an exhi-bition each year, usually on the D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 39

FEATUREHouses are perfect inevery period detail Incredible twelfth scale Guthrie Collection at Hever Castle in Kent reflects development of English country houses through the ages By Sandra Harding PHOTOS BY SUE HODGSON AND HEVER CASTLEI am sure many of you will have heard of you know of the fabulous miniature breathtaking displays laid out in front of of the wonderful Hever Castle near collection, quietly sitting there in its own me. Nothing I can write, and no pho- Edenbridge in Kent, which became building, just waiting for you to visit? tograph, can depict the wonder of this famous as the childhood home of totally perfect exhibition. I can only giveAnne Boleyn. But I wonder how many Having visited the castle many years you a taste of what to expect. ago and seen the display I realised on my latest trip that it was this very collec- The Medieval House tion that first made me want to get into The great hall is based on the one at miniatures. neighbouring Penshurst Place and has I was as excited as a child when I beams and rafters from 17th century oak. walked into the first room and saw the There are over 2000 handmade floor tiles, wonderful stained glass windows, and handmade tapestry with over 42,000 stitches. The carpet was inspired by a 16th century carpet now in the V&A museum. There are three open fires in the kitchen, and an interloper bag of King Edward potatoes (a joke by master miniaturst John Hodgson) The Stuart House This is based on Burton Hall in Yorkshire and occupied by a Stuart fam- ily in about 1640. In the garden the roses are real miniature dried rose heads and the other flowers are made of brass and hand-painted. In the parlour an elderly lady sits at her spinning wheel using Leicester long haired sheep wool. The gentlemen at the other side of the house are playing shovelboard, the predeces- sor of shove halfpenny. Notice the dark carved wood panelling, columns and plaster frieze. The ornate, open-well40 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

FEATUREstaircase has generous proportions toallow for farthingale skirts, or was it theother way around?The Restoration Drawing Room The Georgian House Guthrie, the current owners of Hever This room shows the decorative This classically styled house is based Castle, and the painting over the fireplace is a copy of the real one in the Hevernature of panelling, ceilings and furniture on Sledmere House in Yorkshire. The library. In the bedroom the bible can bewhich developed during the Restoration doors are solid mahogany and the marble read, as can the three books on the desk,of the monarchy from 1660. The fire- in the hall comes from Devon. In the and the harp in the drawing room can beplace depicts the Royal Oak of Charles amazing dining room the bone china played.II (c. 1660) and notice the general use dinner service is monogrammed “G” forof upholstery, making furniture morecomfortable. Floors were polished oakparquetry and the furniture highlightsthe influence of the Huguenots in the1680s. Notice the walnut and marquetrycabinet – a superb example. In the 1690s black Chinese lacqueredfurniture became popular, as depicted inthe cabinet on display. In 1689 the acces-sion of William and Mary introduceda more delicate, tall and elegant style offurniture and the chairs here are copiesof real chairs in the long gallery in HeverCastle. D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 41

FEATURE 42 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

FEATURED O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 43

The Victorian House paper ‘bower’ is William Morris c.1877, The drawing room is decorated in the floors are parquet woodblock and the carpet a copy of an Aubusson carpet.Gothic revival of which the windows, The furnishings are typically Victoriandoorways, ceiling mouldings and over with button back sofa and chairs, severalmantel are all classic examples. The wall- side tables, sewing table and plant stands. There is a floral bell pull by the fireside and a phonograph, which was a new invention in the 1890s. There are many more Victorian touches, for instance a shell collection, glass dome with magpie, dried flower arrangements, and numer- ous porcelain, glassware, silver and pictures. In the small hall there is a dado rail and anaglypta wallpaper, popular at this time. Below stairs the staff are preparing meals for the Christmas period. Note the pastry wheel, egg timer and mincing machine – items we use today, plus the wide range of household items on the dresser and shelves. To the right is a pas- sage, with a servant polishing his mas- ter’s boots using a wide range of brushes. The nursery is a small attic room, used44 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

as a day nursery, away from their par- FEATUREents. However, they did have all kindsof mechanical toys, hobby horses, tops Castle well worth visitand doll’s houses. The nanny also had Even without the attraction ofanother new invention, a sewing machine. The Guthrie Collection, moatedIn the beginning Hever Castle is well worth a visit. In 1989 John Guthrie, the owner Attractively compact with a com- fortable “lived in” feel and datingof Hever Castle commissioned John J. back 700 years, it is steeped inHodgson, master English miniaturist history, and yes, Henry VIII isfurniture maker, to create model period thought to have slept there. It is sethouses to form the basis of his collection. in glorious grounds and gardensEach house was to faithfully reflect archi- and it even has an adventure play-tectural features and every aspect of the ground for the children.period. The models are set within a per-manent twelfth scale exhibition to illus- The cafe is large and open plan,trate the development of English country the food is delicious, and the staffhouses through the ages, from Tudor to are brilliant, especially StewartVictorian times. Kinnear, who gave us excellent advice on the day. One complaint Well done John Guthrie and John only. I had a scone and coffee whenHodgson – I salute you. DHW we arrived, and after I took my seat in the garden, a mummy duck with four baby ducklings came over, mugged me, ate my entire scone, and then deserted me when it was obvious I had none left for them. Another truly magical moment. Add this to your places to visit, I promise you won’t regret it. •For further information go to: www.hevercastle.co.uk Telephone 01732 865224 See the ad on P25. D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 45

PROJECTCHaANspDaErLkIlEinRgCaroline Dupuis has found a simple techniquefor making a fancy chandelier and she ishappy to share it with you! By Caroline DupuisYOU’LLneed Acrystal chandelier is a seed beads to make a crystal industrial strength glue for this marvellous romantic chandelier. The wires are about step. But if you want to quickly ■ 22-gauge wire addition to a doll’s 5” long. The length will depend adhere the chandelier arms to ■ Tiny glass beads house. When I began on how big you need the chan- the long bead use hot glue. You ■ Thread building doll’s houses I wanted deliers to be. can then cover the hot glue ■ 5 spaghetti beads a beautiful chandelier to add with industrial glue for added ■ 1 long tube bead glitter to my doll’s house. I strength. ■ White glue looked on the Internet for a ■ Industrial strength tutorial. I followed the steps, but soon veered off course into glue (E-6000), my own version. I wanted my ■ Tissue paper of your chandelier to be simple, easy and quick. favourite colours ■ If you want to light Step 1: I cut 5 pieces of wire Step 2: Curled all five wires Step 4: String your beads onto for the arms. You can use around the cap of a paint bottle each top and bottom wires. the fixture a mini the number of arms you like. to create a curve. Curl the ends into a closed loop LED battery operated These are from 22-gauge wire. to secure the beads. light (but an electric You can use thicker wire if you light bulb can also be want a different look. 22-gauge Step 3: Glue the 5 curled wires Step 5: Thread a needle with used). works well if you want to string to the long bead. You can use about 30” of thread. Secure the thread onto the first bottom TOOLS loop. ■ Needle ■ Pliers ■ A hole punch (mine has a snowflake cut- out) ■ Scissors ■ Hot glue optional for some parts of this project.46 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

PROJECTStep 6: String the beads ontoyour first swag. You can makeeach swag as long as you want.Go through the next loop andsecure just like the first loop. Step 10: Repeat the same process with your swags at the top of the chandelier. I curled the top arms of the chandelier with a pen.Step 7: Go around all the Making rosesloops once for your swags.Then go around again for a sec- Step 1: Cut out your flowerond layer of swags. You can do shapes with 4-6 petals and leafas many swags as you wish for shapes.a grander look. Step 2: Take 3 flower shapes and 3 leaves.Step 8: Tie off by working your Step 3: Fold one of the flower this by shaping it on the end of into the first bowl and glue thatneedle through all the strings on shapes in half and roll it togeth- my pencil. bowl into the other bowl. Youthat loop. er. This is the rose centre. Step 5: Glue the rolled centre can use hot glue or white glue.Step 9: Secure where each Step 4: Shape the 2 otherloop and string come together flower shapes into bowls. I did (continued on p49)with a dot of white glue. D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 47

QUICK & EASYmake a simpleFIRE SCREENUse some coffee stirrers andsome skirting to make aneasy wooden screen By Sandra HardingInstructions1. Decide on the size of screenand cut two matching piecesof coffee stirrer for the top andbottom, and two pieces for thesides. Sand gently until smooth.These can be mitred or not,depending on style you wantYOU’LLneed (and also if, like me, you are not colour wanted, or leave as too clever with saws and mitre natural. Let them dry. ■ Paper picture cut-outs blocks). This will be the frame. 3. Cut out a piece of card to from magazine (see 2. Stain the stirrers to the the size you want, and to match P75) or suitable fabric the overall size of your “frame”. ■ Plain firm card (The frame will be glued onto ■ Coffee stirrers the card, so the card must be ■ Wood stain of choice big enough for this.) ■ Scissors 4. Cut out two thin pieces of ■ Tweezers skirting board, and make a ■ Fancy findings or small slot in each one for the frame to sit in. Stain them to jewellery finding match frame. These will be the ■ Gold/ black outline feet of your screen. 5. Choose your picture or piece stickers (Hobbycraft) of fabric and make sure it will sit ■ Glue nicely inside your frame. ■ Small piece of skirting 6. Carefully glue the four pieces of wood (coffee stirrer) onto the board ■ Paper “wooden” card to cover back if needed ■ Small saw ■ Small mitre block ■ Small sander/emery board48 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

Step 6: Glue the 3 leaves to PROJECT the back of the rose. (continued from p47 Step 1: I used mini LED lights that are battery operated for my chandelier. But you can also use an electric bulb. Pull the electric wires through the holes of your centre bead. Step 2: You can paint the wires to make them blend into your décor. Adding candles Step 7: Glue each rose onto Step 1: I cut 5 snow flake the chandelier until you have shapes with a hole punch out of covered the centre bead. Don’t card stock to make the candle plug the bead holes with glue! holders. I used 13 flowers to cover my Step 2: I folded the snowflakes centre bead. arms up so it looks like a bowl. Step 3: I glued a spaghetti Adding a light bead to the middle. If you want a little bulb shape just touchpiece of card, making sure the one and a cardboard trim on the end of your glue gun to thecorners are neat and tidy. Let the top of another. bead, squeeze a tiny amount ofit dry. 10. Glue the feet onto the bot- glue out carefully, pull the gun7. If needed, stick a piece of tom, holding it in place until the away and twirl the nozzle to cut“wooden” paper onto the back glue takes. Keep it upright and the hot glue string.over the card to give a tidier let it dry. Make sure the shapedfinish. side is to the front. DHW You’re all done! And now8. Glue your you have an adorable little lightchosen picture fixture that makes your doll’sor fabric onto the house feel warm and cozy. Andfront of the frame, you can easily adapt my designneatening it to fit to suit your tastes and needs. DHWinside the frame.Let it dry.9. Glue decora-tions at each cor-ner, which finishesit off, and hidesany slight imperfec-tion. Add a gold orblack outline stickerif wanted, eitherinside the frame, oron the outside edge.I added a little goldhandle at the top of D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D MARCH 2015 49

PROJECT TOsPteHaAmTpPuRnOkJECT Lianda Sutherland shares her technique with us on how to make an ordinary top hat into an extraordinary accessory By Lianda SutherlandIlove all things steampunk Step 3: Now use the largest and have such fun making circle on your ruler (36mm) and these little fashionable top match your cross to your mark- hats for my ladies I wanted ers and draw the second circleto share how it’s done. I find around the first.that thin leather works the best, Step 4: Now cut your circlehowever, it’s easier with slightly out and then cut it in half. Gluethicker leather. Personally I tend the half circle cut outs backto find a colour I like and then onto your paper, but leave amake the rest work for me. It’s 5mm gap in between them.really easy if you follow these This will now change your circlefew steps. Step 1: Get your circular rulerYOU’LLneed and find a circle size that fits comfortably on your doll’s head ■ Leather by holding it over them. The ■ Circular ruler one shown is 18mm. ■ Sharp scissors ■ Pen Step 2: Draw a cross on your ■ Piece of paper to draft blank paper. Lay your circular ruler on the paper and match the pattern up the marker points and the ■ Curved glue syringe draw your circle. ■ Leather glue ■ 10cm beading wire to make the spring ■ Photocopy of a small clock face ■ Thin bendable wire for the brim - this will help shape your brim ■ Cogs and feathers for embellishment50 MARCH 2015 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D