DHW261

E CHEESES TO MAKE JUNE 2014 £3.95 PAINTINGS DOLLS HODUOLSLESWHOORULSDE WOcRuLtoDutscutoutsdollshouseFREE TOFRAMEWORLDUK’S No1 MINIATURES MAGAZINE www.dollshouse.tv www.dollshouseworld.com Permission to photocopy 07 Permission to photocopy cutouts 176.indd 87 CUTE KITS YOU’LL LOVE cutouts 176.indd 87 07/03/2007 11:48:26MagmicianliaturesTO MAKE YOU SMILE CREATE A SEWING ROOMISSUE 25671 BRUSH UP ON YOUR Flower 06 PAINTING TECHNIQUES POWER 9 770961 092055 DON’T MISS OUR GUIDE DOLLS HOUSE WORLD: JUNE 213 TO PAINTING YOUR Put pots BRICKWORK & WALLS together with wire Crochet a mini dragon

dollshouse contentsWORLDTHE UK’S TOP-SELLING MINIATURES MAGAZINEIssue 261 - June 2014The small print 4 Pets at the vets 6Editor: Richard Jennings A wonderful miniature surgery inEmail: [email protected] memory of a beloved catAssistant editor: Jill Mundy What’s inside of Watson’s desk?Email: [email protected] Sarah Boone’s love of mysteries led her toFeature writer: Sandra Harding create a room box for Dr. WatsonAdvertisement sales: 9 ShowcaseMaria Fitzgerald - 01903 884988Email: [email protected] Delightful mini kits that are based around fairy talesSubscriptions:Email: [email protected] 12 Meet the Maker In a special DHW retrospective we look back at someDesign: Wendy Crosthwaite of the magnificent miniature creations of Tom Roberts 19 Make marble pedestalsContributors: Sandra Harding comes up with a simpleMarianne Colijn, Sue Kirkham, Ronnie Godfrey, project using cake pillarsMari Meredith, Martha Puff, Deb Weissler, 22 Finely falling flower potsAlison White, Beryl Hales, Jan Clarke A full-size floral display in a neighbour’s garden inspired Elke Skinner to create one in miniaturePublished by ashdown.co.uk 24 How My Big House kept on changing Sandra Harding looks back on a trip to a junk shopISSN 0961 - 0928 and the start of an obsession with her Big HouseDistributed to the newstrade by Comag. 27 Shelving for jugs and mugs Assemble this quick and easy little shelf unit toTo reach us: display your collection of favourite chinaCall us on +44 (0) 1903 884988 29 Tasty dishes of miniature riceOr write to: The Editor, Dolls House World, Marianne Colijn’s rice dishes will add flavour toUnit 5E, Park Farm, Chichester Road, your mini spread—all without using polymer clayArundel, West Sussex BN18 0AGEmail: [email protected]: 01903 885514Internet address:www.dollshouseworld.comUS office: Ashdown Inc., 68132 250th 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, 34 Add fur to your pet68132 250th Avenue, Kasson, MN 55944, USA. Your tiny animals will seem to jump off the scene withCanada Post International Publications Mail - a realistic, furry coat made using this techniqueSales 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

38 It’s your own stitch in time editor’s Patsy Morris tells us how we can create this entire welcome 1/24th sewing room in a few simple steps ‘I’VE SEEN the Thorne Rooms… and they didn’t make me a bet-40 Club news ter miniaturist.’ I’m thinking of putting that on a T-shirt. Sandra takes on the club challenge of making decorative eggs I should explain further. Many years ago I visited the Art Institute of Chicago to see the incredible collection of 68 miniature42 All in the name of love rooms. Sally Lohman created roomboxes full of memories for her colleagues on her retirement They were created by Narcissa Thorne between 1932 and 1940. She had a team of master craftsmen working to her specificia-45 Tudor in our times tions and the twelfth-scale rooms span centuries of European and How one man decided to make a name for himself American interiors. by designing and creating Tudor structures They are certainly stunning, and I came away in awe of the48Yes, you shall go to the ball incredible craftsmanship. But they didn’t improve my miniature A stunning bouquet by Marianne Colijn finishes making one bit. Obviously I was missing something. every lady’s outfit for any upcoming event For when Tom Roberts, at the age of eight, saw photos of the50Rescue mission Thorne Rooms in a magazine it kick-started his life-long love of A one pound bargain from a car boot sale miniatures. He went on to create some incredible roomboxes of his ends up as an intriguing home own during an illustrious career in the hobby.52 Treasures at a train show Tom’s now 83 and this month we look back at some of the amaz- A crash course on how to incorporate model railyway ing rooms he has made. So show this issue to any eight-year-old you scale items into your next mini project know and you could be inspiring a future mini genius.55 Coming to life with paint As for me, I’m getting on with making that T-shirt. Tom Yorke discusses painting techniques for a variety of surfaces and materials Richard Jennings - Editor. [email protected] Home, home on the vineyard 66 Crochet a mini dragon How Mary Carroll re-created Ellie Rutherford’s This Amigurimi-style toy is perfect for any 1920’s home on beautiful Martha’s Vineyard children’s room, or classroom64 Meet the Makers 71 Smile and say cheese Andrew and Liz Peerless took over Romney Miniatures Join Tanya Waughman to make cheese three years ago and have never looked back for a sandwich board 75 Cut outs 82 Fair dates House Hunt FIND THE little house hidden somewhere in this issue. Last issue it was on page: 69.

SMALL ACCOMPLISHMENTS Pets at the vets Sandra Harding talks to a woman who has created a wonderful miniature surgery in memory of a beloved cat By Sandra Harding D aniela Frenzl-Scheu, from Hattersheim in Germany, was just a little girl when her dearly beloved grandpa introduced her to miniatures. However, it was not your usual doll’s house he gave her, but a special Christmas house which was bought out at Christmas time every year. Each drawer in the house held a sweet for the little girl, and she had great pleasure in opening and finding the little treat. Years later, her husband made her a twelfth scale collectors’ house with no front on it, but plenty of room in which to put all of the miniatures Daniela had collected over the years. Daniela was by now quite a talented maker, so much so that when her adored cat Nikki died in December 2013, she wanted to make a permanent little memo- rial for her, and the idea of a vet’s surgery was born. It is made from wood and is designed and built in two rooms, a surgery and a waiting room. It is fully-equipped with operating table, covered in all the instru- ments needed, plus of course various animals, including a cat with a protection collar round his neck. They are all posing for the camera, as most animals do when they are in the spotlight. In the surgery there is a surgical lamp, made from a hearing aid battery4 JUNE 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

OPEN HOUSE display, some boxes – now that’s what I call ingenious. rack on the wall. I was fascinated by the polymer clay, All of the furniture in the delightful clever LED lighting effect created, as it LEDs and is hidden under the silver beam on the a doll stand. waiting room looks very authentic, and top of the wall – quite inspired. The infusion the amount of time and attention to detail stand is made really shows here. Look at the lovely Nikki was obviously a well-loved cat from clothes chairs, and even the magazines on the and Daniela tells me she was a very loyal hanger wire, more polymer and intelligent Abyssinian, who wouldclay, a picture of an infusion bag, and a follow her around the house, often stop-small silicon hose. The X-ray viewer is ping to give her a “high five” when shemade from the wrapping of a memory held out her hand to her.card, an LED and small piece of sheetmetal.The scales are made from alumini- I should also tell you that the twelfthum profile and an aluminium rod bought scale collector’s house mentioned earlierin the building supplies shop. has a pussy cat resident in it, namely a The operating table has been bought little replica model of Nikki made outin the UK and the stool is a bottle top of polymer clay and, as Daniela tells me,and a screw with a distance piece pur- it means that she will stay forever in herchased from the building supplies store. collection.The metal corner table is designed andhand made using aluminium profile and Looking forward, I am told thataluminium rod from the same building Daniela’s next projects are alreadysupplies store. The newly added trolley planned. A fairy world in a small cactusis made from clothes hanger wire, a cou- greenhouse, and a little Asian restaurant.ple of beads, and the bottom of Reutter I look forward to telling you about these in time, and maybe even the collec- tor’s house (with Nikki in residence of course). DHW D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D JUNE 2014 5

ROOMBOXESWhat’s inside ofWatson’s desk?Sarah Boone’s love of mysteries led her tocreate a room box for Dr. Watson—acharacter from the Sherlock Holmes series By Sarah BooneIhave been an avid mystery a really clear picture of the my reading, I was further desk. reader my entire life. sitting room at 221 B. Baker inspired by a passage in “The Passionate fans have Surprisingly, I did not Street thanks to Arthur Resident Patient.” Sherlock discover Sherlock Holmes Conan Doyle’s attention to Holmes describes Watson’s been avidly recreating theuntil this summer. I made the daily life of Holmes and desk, and says it holds an Baker Street apartment everup for lost time by reading Watson. Doyle frequently unframed portrait of Henry since the stories were firstevery bit of The Complete provides the curious reader Ward Beecher and a framed published. Therefore onceSherlock Holmes Volumes with itemised lists of the portrait of General Charles I started looking online and1 and 2. I started with the room’s contents. It is easy to Gordon. This passage con- in books I realised that therevery first story, “A Study in imagine this large room filled vinced me that I should start was lot of information alreadyScarlet” and did not stop until to the brim with newspapers, taking notes and make my available to me includingI reluctantly completed “The telegram forms, smoking own room box featuring my room plans and photographsField Bazaar.” accessories, lab equipment, favourite detective. from the Sherlock Homes and detecting tools. museum which features a life- While devouring these One mistake I made was size rendering of the apart-mysteries, I started to form About halfway through that I initially tried to make ment. There are even bio- my own list of Watson’s desk graphical sites devoted solely items from scratch, using to Watson’s early life. This the stories. Because Sherlock information was really useful Holmes has to be one of and saved me a lot of time. the best-researched literary figures of all time, there is, My original plan was to in fact, a gigantic amount of make the entire apartment information already gathered containing the large sitting on the topic of the sitting room and the two bedrooms room, and even of Watson’s and perhaps even the bath. As I began to gather a mountain ABOVE: Sarah’s completed of information, I revised my room box of Dr. Watson’s corner plan so that I would just make of the 221 B. Baker Street apart- Watson’s corner of the room ment. instead. For one thing, this LEFT: Close-up view of the would be less of a Herculean desk, along with the medical task. For another thing, the bag Sarah handmade from felt for the doctor.6 JUNE 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

ROOMBOXES As I began to gather a mountain of information, ABOVE: Items from Doctor Watson’s office space include‘I revised my plan so that I would just make a small revolver hidden inside a’Watson’s corner of the room instead. desk drawer.more I thought about it, I located in the bookshelf next is historically inaccurate, and BELOW LEFT: A scrapbookliked the idea of celebrating to Watson’s desk. The doc- just keep my eyes open for a with photos and cards fromthe sidekick. Watson is not tor bag, fountain pen set, and better revolver later. Watson’s personal history as itthe star of the books, but is cane are also handmade. After is told in the classic Sherlocka very important character. spending several hours trying Here is what is in Watson’s Holmes mystery series.Having spent most of his to make a period revolver out office. The furnishingstime being gently mocked of polymer clay, I decided that include a roll top desk and added an umbrella, a walkingby Sherlock for exercising I would buy a gun charm that office chair, a bookcase, an stick, a revolver to go in hisfaulty reasoning and falling Oriental rug, and a lamp. I top drawer, pipe and tobacco,for red herrings, I felt like he a key, and a desk set. Watsondeserved his own room box. would have a souvenir from his time in India, so I added I asked my husband to a small elephant to sit on hisbuild me a square 7” box, to shelf. I made a medical bagpaint it, and to add simple out of felt and cardboard andtrim. I decided to use mostly filled it with a stethoscope,store-bought furniture and tweezers, syringe, and tinyaccessories except in the cases glass beads with clay lids thatwhere I could do a good job look like jars. I located themaking the item. I wanted two tiny portraits and, follow-to get the room furnished so ing the books, framed one andI could get started with the left the other unframed.books, because one of itemsthat I would make myself Where I really had fun iswould be the reading material with the next step. What kind of reading material would Watson have? I decided to make some tiny books using D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D JUNE 2014 7

ROOMBOXES Choose from our library of project downloads, interviews & techniques Missed an issue, or after a project that caught your eye? Search easily for hundreds of back issue projects from DHW and download them to your computer. thecraftycloud.com PROJECT PROJECTSthe wealth of primary docu- ABOVE: The Doctor Watson’s the Blackheath rugby team, leather finish for56DOLLS HOUSE WORLDments available online. In this desk room box has found a fit- a postcard from his father A NEW LOOKinstance, the books are to ting home nestled among the in Australia, a picture of the Create your own leather-look furniturescale so that they will fit on many mystery novels on Sarah’s HMS Orontes, a card from to match the décor of your house andthe shelves, but the articles bookshelves. Mycroft Holmes’ Diogenes give it that stylish feelcontained within are oversized Club, and other amusingso that people can actually Watson injured his leg) rolled details gleaned from Watson’s By Elaine Dayread them. up and stored on the shelf. life. I included a picture of a young Victorian woman that YOUWILLneed F inding the right piece of upholstered applying the next. I downloaded a Bradshaw’s Another mistake I made could be his deceased wife furniture for a room can sometimes 2. Lightly sand the sofa – if you use a veryRailway Guide with the was in labelling the London Mary. ■ Upholstered piece of furniture be impossible – so why not look fine paper that is on a sponge pad, thisschedule from 1893 and Journal of Medicine books ■ Gesso – available from art and beyond the fabric finish and look helps to get into the corners and curvedshrunk a few pages down using cut out printouts. I had a lot of fun making just at the shape because it can always areas easier.to make a book. I located The leather covers are very this little room. I am already craft shops be given a leather-look finish that will look 3. Wipe over with a soft cloth – makingthe annals of The London attractive and it would have thinking about Captain ■ Antique stain – available from perfect in any period of house. Giving a sure that all of the dust has been removed.Journal of Medicine from been better to leave them Nemo’s library from Twenty fabric sofa a leather-look is done by a 4. The gesso should by now have com-the same period and created blank, or to figure out how to Thousand Leagues Under art and craft shops number of easy stages. pletely covered the fabric underneath. You4 books using actual articles emboss them with tiny titles. the Sea, the wardrobe from ■ Acrylic paint – darker colours 1. First apply several light coat of gesso should not be able to see any of the pat-from there. They have sug- I stopped halfway through so The Chronicles of Narnia, – this helps to seal the fabric. Make sure tern, if it does still show then apply anothergestive titles like “Cholera in two of my books have titles and other literary doll’s work better for this project that each coat is completely dry before coat of gesso, dry thoroughly and thenJapan” and “The Health of and two have blank covers. houses. Hopefully this room ■ Soft cloth sand lightly.Glasgow” (Watson is from The blank covers look more will inspire you to pay tribute ■ Sanding pad 5. Then comes the painting – apply theScotland and might be inter- realistic. to your own favourite fictional ■ Pin Pusher – tiny pins paint in two or three very light coats, againested in this subject). I made character, even if it does not allowing it to dry thoroughly before addinga tiny Pall Mall Gazette with My final task was the happen to be Doctor Watson. the next one. PROJECTthe intriguing headline, “A most enjoyable of all. I made 6. Now sand gently all over and wipe offFearful East End Calamity.” Watson a scrapbook. If it were Any book that creates a every bit of dust.It contains an actual article life sized it would be quite strong feeling of place and 7. Finally to give your piece that leather-about a fire at the Forest large. I wanted people to be give you details, coupled with look, apply the antiquing stain, lightly wipeGate Pauper School and is, able to actually flip through it stuff you add pertaining to off with a soft cloth – leave to dry.I believe, really fascinating. and enjoy it. The scrapbook the era, pertinent reading 8. To add the cushioning effect – use a PinThere is a map showing the contains photos of the colleges material, and accessories can Pusher available from the DHW Craft Club.Battle of Maiwand (where Watson attended, a picture of produce a room box that will Mark where you want the pins to be on the have deep meaning to you. DHW cushion and sofa - put a pin in the end of the Pusher and press down hard on the first mark. Continue until all pins are in place. DHW BUYnow The Pin Pusher is available direct from Dolls House World. Buy online today at www.craft-club.com D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D 67 PROJECT chocolates without D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D 45 the calories! Make a lovely gift or stock your sweet shop CUT OUTS with some home-made chocolates that look delicious enough to eat By Diana Carpenter C hocolates, just what we need 1. Condition your clay - this means moulding ters you might have stamp out some shapes to cheer us all up! Unfortunately your clay until it is soft and pliant. from the white clay. I used a tiny round, a chocolates have that nasty 2. Add a tiny piece of black clay to the heart shape and a tear drop cutter. If you ingredient called calories, which is brown clay to make dark chocolate. Set don’t have cutters never mind, fingers were just what we don’t need! aside. used before cutters were invented, just keep 3. Next add some white and translucent clay it small and as even a shape as you can However, we can indulge our fancy with to some brown clay to make milk chocolate, manage. chocolate without piling on the pounds by set aside. 6. If you like, you can layer some white clay making some in polymer clay for a grateful over dark clay to make layered chocolates dolls house family and here is how to do it. Clean your hands thoroughly for the next or make a cane of white and a cane of dark bit! If you don’t you will regret it as Fimo and stack these together to make multi- Youwillneed picks up dark colours and transfers it to the coloured chocolates. next thing you pick up. 7. Next try some dark mix and cut out some n Fimo or polymer clay of your 4. Mix together some white and translucent shapes and then some ‘milk’ chocolate choice – Chocolate; white; and a tiny pinch of yellow clay to make white shapes. translucent; black chocolate. Try mixing your different colours, light and n Selection of cutters From now on, work on your tile. dark brown sandwiched together, white and n Tile to work on I suggest you use the white mix first! light or even all three. 5. Roll out your white mix and using any cut- See cut outs pages for Decorating chocolate boxes Now comes the fiddly bit. Decorations are now needed. 8. I used a tiny ‘worm’ of clay and squiggled it onto some of the chocolates, try grating a tiny piece of cooked clay to make chocolate shavings, or use a tiny piece of red to make cherries, a piece of white for almonds, the choice is yours, let your imagination have free rein. 9. When you have finished, the Fimo must be placed in an oven and following the mak- ers instructions cook for the stated time. Leave the chocolates on the tile when cook- ing. 10. The chocolates can now be displayed on a plate to go on the dinner table or a little box, or if you have a sweet shop, displayed on the counter just like the very best of con- fectioners. DHW D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D 67 12 345 6 78 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D 258 JUNE 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

MINIATURE SHOWCASE miniatureSHOWCASE WITH MARTHA PUFF•These beautiful fairy-tale inspired scenes are actually made ABOVE: Crow’s Landing is made from a styrofoam pump-from 1/48th kits supplied by Grandt Line Products. Phyllis kin. It includes materials for a porch, fence with arbour,Nishimori told us: “My favourite themes stem from the fairytales windows, smoke stack, landscaping, and scarecrow withI’ve always loved and the feel of Gustaf Tenggren illustrations.” top hat. Instructions included for hollowing out the interiorTenggren was chief illustrator for Disney in the late 1930s. of the pumpkin. 3” tall, 5” x 7” base.“Adding whimsy to my scenes is the best part. My dad, Cliff LEFT: “Run, Red...Run!” is Grandma’s house with the wolf in Grandma’s nightie. The kit includes everything, from Red Grandt, a pioneer in the model railway hobby, inspired my Riding Hood’s dropped basket and cookies to the wolf love of all things tiny. Quarter-scale has been peering out the front door. Finished project is 5” x 7”. part of my life forever.” BELOW: “Ollie’s Place has a whimsical off-centre roof,” Phyllis says. “The kit includes cottage walls from a plastic cup, windows, doors, landscaping material, a tiny bird- house that mimics the cottage, and a little sign for out front.” 6-1/2” tall, 5” x 7” base. MINICONTACTS Grandt Line Products 1040 B Shary Court Concord, CA 94518 USA Telephone: (925) 671-0143 Email: [email protected] www.grandtline.com JUNE 2014 9

Est 1976SussexCrafts Miniatures Specialist Makers of Top Quality MiniaturesPlovers Cottage, 43 Rollesby Way, on Happisburgh, Norwich, the Norfolk NR12 0QJ web Tel: 01692 650389 www.modollhouse.com [email protected] and if you prefer Rita’s still on the phone: 01279 659220 MAIL ORDER AND WEB MM FAIRS www.sussexcrafts.com Dolls House & Miniature Fairs VISA AND MASTERCARD ACCEPTED SUNDAY - 9th November 2014OnRleyaSduyptpoliFeidll The The Civic Hall, Market Street, Original£3.75 NANTWICH CW5 5DG PVA Glue Applicator 10.30am - 4.00pmPLUS P & P SUNDAY - 7th December 2014For all aspects of miniature 1/12th and 1/24th scale The Town Hall,construction and especially those finer detailswhich make your creations look so real. SUTTON COLDFIELD B73 6AB 11.00am - 4.00pmSupplied Ready-to-Fill withyour own preferred brand of MM Fairs Tel: 01332 660428PVA White Glue, Fray Stop www.dollshouse-fairs.co.ukor Wood Glue, the 0.5 mmmetal tip delivers a line ordot of glue precisely whereyou want it. Used with Fray Stop it makes easy work of hemming fabrics. Clothing and soft furnishings look so much more professional. There is NO waste and NO mess ! “Easily the most useful tool in my craft box, not sure how I survived this far without one!” Worldwide secure mail order service www.finetip.co.ukAnne Peak, 7 Coniston Road, Morecambe, Lancs. LA4 5PS Telephone 01524 - 41118310 JUNE 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

Miniatura® The only park in Basle with always sunnyThe World Class Miniatures Show weather.National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, UK. September 20th & 21st 2014Model houses and everything that goes in them with an outstanding level of detail to satisfy the most demanding collector.See fantastic craftsmanship supported by tools, materials and techniques unique to this hobby making it a DIY heaven for modellers.See more at www.miniatura.co.uk Toy WorldsGeneral enquiries - 0121 783 9922 Ticket Hotline - 0121 767 4100 Museum Basle Saturday / Weekend tickets are limited in number and must be bought in advance. Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel | Museum, Shop and Restaurant,Sunday tickets available in advance or at the door. Doors open 10am - No charge for parking. daily from 10.00 until 18.00 | Steinenvorstadt 1, CH-4051 Basle The building is accessible by wheelchair | www.toy-worlds-museum-basle.ch SWMB_Anz_DollsHouseWorld_Park_90.5x129.5mm_E.indd 1 17.03.14 15:42 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D JUNE 2014 11

meet the maker COURTESY OF JIM WALKERTimeless designsfrom Tom Roberts Tom Roberts was inspired to make miniatures at the age of eight, when he saw The Thorne Rooms. Now, aged 83, he is still making his own magical scenes in twelfth scale. Here, in a special DHW retrospective, we join him to look back at some of his magnificent creations By Martha Puff, with notes from Tom Roberts FPHOTOS BY PHILLIP TATE MCPHERSON, MICHAEL PUFF AND PETER WEISER rom Egyptian mystery to French antiques, Tom Roberts’ imaginative room boxes can’t help but make you smile. At 83, he continues to conjure up unique singular work to tantalise collectors and admirers. Each new scene reflects a finely honed vision, as well as originality and creativity with a tad of magic. Tom is recognised as one of the top miniature designers in the U.S. He has several scenes in the Toy & Miniature Museum of Kansas City and The Kathleen Browning Miniature Collection at the Kentucky Gateway Museum. His work is in a number of private collections A long time resident of San Francisco, Tom now lives across the Bay from “the City” in the residential elder commu- nity, The Lake Merritt. With space at a premium in his small but comfortable apartment, he rents a separate workspace nearby. His studio is in an ex-factory building that was converted some time ago into individual art studios called “The Hive.” His work area doubles as a display space for earlier settings and storage for yet-to- be-used miniatures. Looking back with Tom Tom tells us: “For more than seventy years, I’ve had a love affair with mini- atures. I work only in twelfth scale and 12 june 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

meet the makeroften think of my rooms as stage sets. far left: Room box “Behind the Scene inMuch of my inspiration has come from the Egyptian Museum, Cairo.”extensive travel abroad. Sometimes a above: Cluttered storeroom with “in prog-piece of furniture or an unusual object ress” large painting of an Egyptian temple onwill suggest a possible scene. I seldom, if back wall.ever, make anything in the rooms I cre- right: Clean, organised, entry hallway withate. I simply design using the elements I Egyptian obelisk on top of the display cabi-find or already have. net and a large picture of the three pyramids at Giza on the edge of Cairo. Born in Hollywood, California, mylife has always centred around the arts. I Francisco. An opera enthusiast, I was ahold a Master of Fine Arts degree from season subscriber to the San Franciscothe University of California, Berkeley. In Opera for many years. In my youth, Ithe early 1970s, I designed sets and cos- “supered” at the San Francisco Opera.tumes as well as acted for The American As a supernumerary, I was part of theRepertory Theatre in Europe. crowds that do not sing on stage - such as spear-carriers, angry peasants, etc. I This led to the beginning of my love also performed in several local little thea-affair with Paris and three summers tre productions.touring with the troupe in Italy. I havea fondness for Parisian locales. For me, At the age of eight, I fell in love withanything in Paris is better than anywhere miniatures after seeing some photos ofelse, except possibly San Francisco. Mrs. James Ward Thorne’s Miniature Rooms in Life magazine. I’d never seen For a long period, I was a freelancegraphic designer. At one time, I part-nered in an interior design firm in San D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D june 2014 13

meet the makeranything like those beautiful rooms. They above: Room box “Tyrannosaurus Rex and entry hallway would be a good visualsimply knocked me out. The Thorne Friends.” contrast to the jumble of the storeroom.rooms are part of the Art Institute of right: View of well-lighted centre and right The floor is three colors of faux marbleChicago, where a special space was cre- side, Soane’s Attic. tile. My friend Phil McPherson did theated to house them. below far right: “Sir John Soane’s lighting that creates the perfect ambiance. Attic” filled to overflowing. Here are a few of the scenes that I Tyrannosaurus Rex and Friendshave created, along with a bit of informa- the objects not on display were kept. A couple of years ago, a group oftion about each room box. One of the Probably all would be in much betternicest things anyone ever said about my order than I’ve displayed here but I think friends and I went on a culture trip tosettings was that he felt as though some- a crowded catchall is intriguing. the Oakland Museum of Art. It has aone was about to come in or had just left. Not to leave well enough alone, I decided wonderful Gift & Book Store, where II’ve never forgotten that. to add the activity of an artist painting bought two of the large prehistoric crea- a large picture of an Egyptian temple. tures in the scene shown here. The nextBehind the Scene in the Egyptian The actual painting is a copy of a draw- day, I realised just two creatures wouldMuseum, Cairo ing that I did several years ago. It is of not work. So, I returned and purchased an Egyptian temple in the Metropolitan the third. For me, an uneven number Ever since I was in the 5th grade, I’ve Museum in New York City. The artistbeen intrigued with ancient Egypt or the has climbed the ladder, sketched the tem-idea of it. In the sixties, I made a trip to ple in gray, and is now adding color toEgypt with friends. It remains vivid in the sky and stones. The storeroom man-my memory. ager’s desk is down front left with hardlyIn my miniatures collection I had a enough room to move. Both he and thenumber of unrelated Egyptian things and artist are out having lunch.some pretend Egyptian things. How tocombine them? And why? The answer Next I felt that a clean, organised,came very easily: imagine a storeroomat the Cairo Museum where many of14 june 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

of like items are far more interesting towork with than an even number.The visit suggested another Museum -this one devoted to prehistoric creatures.They are on raised platforms to makethem more special and vaguely off-limits.Stone benches were provided for thepublic to sit and admire the beasts.Sir John Soane’s Attic This is one of my favourite settings.Many years ago on a trip to London,I had the great unexpected pleasure oftouring Sir John Soane’s home adjacentto Lincoln’s Inn Fields. Soane (1753-1837) was England’s premiere architectof his time. He was an avid collector of D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D june 2014

meet the maker left: Tiny one-man studio specialising in faux finishes. above: Detail of right side of garden/plant shop, with chandelier. above far right: Le Jardin du Roi & L’arte de Vivre, full front. far right: Cluttered worktable, sample boards, supplies, and cleanup sink. anything and everything architectural (Greek, Roman, Egyptian - you name it). His home was filled - and I mean filled floor to ceiling - with marble, stone, wood, and plaster architectural frag- ments. Over the years, I’d collected similar bric-a-brac in miniature, and wondered what Sir John’s attic might look like. This scene is the result.16 june 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

meet the makerLe Jardin du Roi & L’Arte de Vivre Le Jardin du Roi (The King’sGarden) is a pretentious little garden/plant store complete with crystal chan-delier. All the urns and pots are storedbehind the tall lattice room divider. The little studio on the right is L’Artde Vivre. It is a one-man enterprise thatspecialises in faux finishes. His sampleboards are lined up on the right wall.Les Bon Vieux Temps “Les Bon Vieux Temps” is my frac-tured French version of “the good olddays” which in this case refers to anantique store. The showroom is on theleft and the crowded storeroom on theright. It is filled to overflowing withantiques and collectibles. D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D june 2014 17

meet the maker MINICONTACTS Postal Mail: Tom Roberts #304, 1800 Madison Street, Oakland CA 94612 USA Email: [email protected] Website: TomRobertsMiniature.comabove: Les Bon Vieux Temps antique store.above right: Storeroom with life-sizestatue of Napoleon and oddities.right: Centre of shop. The storeroom isbehind the large floor standing screen. A multi-panel screen divides thespace. The screen is one of the few itemsthat I actually built myself. The lessimportant antiques are shelved in theshallow gallery above. A bigger than life-size statue ofNapoleon dominates the storeroom whilea smaller porcelain bust tops an 18thCentury desk.In closing Look for “Part 2: Inspired Scenes byTom Roberts” in the next issue of DollsHouse World. His delightful designs runthe gamut from tea time at the Victoria& Albert Museum to a Russian palacewinter garden scene. You can learn moreabout Tom and his designs by visiting theTom Roberts Miniatures website. DHW18 june 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

QUICK AND EASY mPEaDkEeSmTAaLrbSle Sandra Harding comes up with a simple project using cake pillars By Sandra HardingIsuggest before you start you check out Instructions some marble, either via pictures online and in magazines, or the real stuff at 1. Cut out cardboard shapes to fit on the National Trust properties. You will be top and bottom of the pillar, and glue inamazed at how many colours, styles and place over the holes. Let them dry com-patterns there are; in fact, almost anything pletelygoes.YOU’LLneed 2. Using medium brush and white emul- working very quickly, but without over work- sion, paint the pillar, holding it by the top ing. Cover the whole pedestal, including ■ White plastic cake pillars and bottom. Let it dry. Paint the top, and the top if you can, to make sure it matches. ■ Set of cheap acrylic paints then the bottom of pedestal. Let it dry. Add If you like the effect let it dry. If not use a ■ Small pot white emulsion another coat if needed. The emulsion will be damp kitchen roll, wipe it off, let it dry and ■ Fine watercolour paint brush, the base coat for the marble finish. go back to stage 2. ■ Medium watercolour paint brush 3. Place a largish amount of white emulsion 5. Using the fine brush and darkest colour ■ Oil paint brush, or toothbrush in the centre of your empty ice cream tub, you are using (or maybe just try black) apply ■ Water, kitchen roll and place small amounts of your various the lightest of lines, delicately and, if need- ■ Two empty ice cream tubs or colour choices around the outside of this ed, and before it dries, feather it out with a main quantity without mixing. dry brush to soften the edges. Add other similar 4. With medium brush, loosely blend in colours to create the effect you want. ■ Thin light coloured card colours creating a “whirl” of each colour, ■ Scissors, and without further blending apply quickly It’s quite fun to experiment at this stage, ■ Glue to the pedestal, in different colour whirls, remembering that you can always wipe it ■ Spray on hobby varnish off , let it dry and start again if it doesn’t go quite right. I had quite a few “didn’t go rights” before I was happy with the result. Let it dry 6. Lay the pedestal in another ice cream (continued on p23) D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D JUNE 2014 19

Dolls House & Miniatures Fair VISITING BLACKPOOL or EVEN at The Inn On The Lake Hotel DA12 3HB LANCASHIRE then you need to visit (on A2 between Dartford & Rochester) ASlvUeNrtoDnJA MuYn aFneAo1rI,Rs TStru2ro0 T1R41 1ZQ  Dolls Houses Are Us Admiss8iothnA£2p.0r0ilac&com1p1atnhieNd ochviledrmenbferere  10.00 am - 3.30 pm The only dedicated Dolls House shop Travelling from t1he0s.3ou0thamtowtaord4spLomndon on A2: in Lancashire (That we know of) Turn left Aat dmuotlotrswa£y1s/igcnhmiladrkreednCofrbeheam, 3rd exit off roundabout follow signs for hotel. 99-101 Waterloo Lots oTrfavleollvineglfyromm LinonidtohnionngAs2a: t Truro’s Road, Blackpool Look for ‘Inn on t2hned(Laeaxnkited’astmirgoniu,nnedexai!tb)aotuftnireasxntdtsfdloipollorlowla’dssigahnnsdoffuoorlslohewotfesali.ginrs. for Cobham, FY4 2AB FaceEbeomm0o1aa6kiil3:l4pEce3oam7pr0anm402i0s0a1h’@/sp0ma7Ae8sd6rtwi7tesa5y@2&.8o8rtg5eC.3uskrcaof.tnFeat yres Tel: 01253 341240 (look for the mouse) Out of hours: Emma’s Doll’s House Fair 07930136014Chacewater Village Hall, Nr TRURO, Cornwall TR4 8PZ Follow us on FB. Dolls houses are us blackpool Twitter. @dollshousebpool Saturday 26th April and 25th October 10.30am to 4pm Website. www.dollshousesareus.co.uk Adults £1/children free Stockists of: Dolls House Emporium • Streets Ahead • Blackwell’s • Wonham Tel: 0777 3709164 Email: [email protected] To name but a few Facebook: Emma’s Arts & Craft Fayres (look for the mouse) Telephone and email orders welcome all major credit and debit cards accepted.PMJ MiniaturesCrumpled & Rumpled THE DOLLS HOUSE by JUDITH LAIRD PMJ MiniaturesTHEDOLFLoSrHaOUllSEyour small needs Visit one of the LARGEST ranges of dolls house items in East Anglia.Individually one of a kind handcrafted 1/12 scale WVeisairte o10n0e%oDf OtLhLeS HLAOURSGE,EwSiTthrTaHnOgUeSAsNoDfSdoof allcscehssoourisees, iatems HUGinE REAaNsGtEAonf gholiuas.FeosW,rpaellulsayrwoeuoor1ds0,me0al%elcltnriDecesO,dfLsaLbSricHs,ObrUaiSdsE&, wyairtnhs.minFiraotmurepefirgioudrecsomstaudmeefrtoommopdoelyrmn edracyl.ay. PMJ MiniaturesTHE DOLLS HOUSEHVRHWaeiUsenidiGgtaiEeorOsenRtiten1A,c0RNoTlHWRu0efGdaueH%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, PMJ MiniaturesVWiseitaorene10o0f%theDLOALRLGSEHSOTUrSaEn,gwesitWohfaTrdwHoFiOclloksUrMShSRAioanTutNailaarsDltneeusSyrgiemetooseetf,musaHasrsceAcapiisnernHWVthrsmhEiUcsoseea&oliGadsturaaHtiEleoruddolAesnRmcn,e,ne1Aegat:e,0HNsloiJ0ae,fGBae.%cdtEDakihJdssoearoDiinjbfcLOoshOaAkaLnoRrnsLtu,daGSots,m’EWensHSasRsOn,TaMyeUprramlLnFf(SuoawuoBeineoEnnlt1usialrsdo,digt9eruwcwl8!ewuerWd)ekssotrmiihiastJoonoetbuhnMPdaesBfgstLcT,oaidngihyosmHennnorfFy-,lfbsnOcleiloetafsRchUeTrometortrShlhrauatAiAodhaoce4rieuNs7nrles,DelW,esfS!ay,iDbotoo(nAfLeoHrBefeenvimul1cialiaeeshoas9rsrcutw,a-a8ciriWDsboner)emtnrstmihaaEasJhseMtibauwodaCsesBruss&titcloaiesg&DlhAomeslnHnlf,nue-yefbsgamaoesetclfrhiroimtaengeri.sodn.etAhnss4,e,,7 HUGE RANGE of houses, plus wood, electrics, fabrics, bRranidgse&s iynacrlundse. : Barbras MoldiAnvgiast,ioTnhMeuWseounmham Collection, Streets Ahead,PMJ MiniaturesFor all your small needs THE DOLLS HOUSERanges include: Barbras Moldings, The Wonham Collection, StHreeeidtsi AOhtet,adR,eutter Porcelain, &DWcTeHeoeTniows-tHmbDnrLeeEyaecnBw,Dhn1JODa9Rc8oeLkasLsdiSgonnHss,AOKLaiTy4nUnTnga7nodsSsmmEaanpWTyrooimwFL(dsBeiubnonL1icrsedy9etucsn8B!ur,h)ens1DaJo9Ritujno8osBntLaa,yomdnffbnetRhreoAKLaiAy4ndTn4g7no7s Heidi Ott, Reutter Porcelain, Dee-Daw Designs, Tasma producWts,aDrwijoicnk, Miniatures, Hearth Warwick Miniatures, Hearth & Home, Jacksons and many more!Visit one of the LARGEST ranges of dolls house items in East Anglia.PMJ MiniaturesWe are 100% DOLLS HOUSE, with THOUSANDS of accessories, aHUGE RANGE of houses, plus wood, electrics, fabrics, 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 MuseumRanges include: Barbras Moldings, The Wonham Collection, Streets Ahead,Open s7WHVitieUFsed:iGitaanTEorhydeJnResue1ACu0Nsoar0saftG%fwtEthooDoeeDfneffLeOnLhA,yLkLtoRnBTLhyu,nGSe1sne1aE9eRHnS0s8oROA,TaoaUpRd4ormlSamu7oEns,,agtwCAnKwedoih4nsoeiTegt7ooo4shas(dftB.rnT,d3uHe1oWt0lOl9elgpscU8aitsShmrr)diAboceuNsean(s,D4ctefcSaehpiBbtnoemrtfa-rimceams,sfcS,ocCibbunellirsflenEafosoiaro)dwrsrdstiLse&AestHn,hiyegsaaaelurtiianTnr.sgee. l.ephoAn4e70L1ynB9nW149R5e8oa5adr8e2h0AKe0i4nr4Teg7osHeidi Ott, Reutter Porcelain, Dee-Daw Designs, Tasma products, Dijon, Also onWarwick Miniatures, Hearth & Home, Jacksons and many more! Open 7 days a week, 10am to 4.30pm (4pm Sun) Telephone 019Find us on Lynn Road (B198) at Bamber Leisure Just off the A47 near Wisbech - follow the signs for the HRaeAnidgliseOsotitn,ocRlnuedusTWetti:oetsiwBsreibanP:greobncTrrchahsesleaMfinooC,ldrrDianetgefht-sD,eLDaTynwhenAenDvW,eisoTaignetnhisaao,mTnRaCosoMmloleamuctpis,oroneCd,uuhScmtetrses,e.tDtnsijuoAnht,egada,rden centTWreoiw,sbnCelicfhfords Lynn Warwick Miniacteunretrse, Hearth & Home, Jacksons and many more! centre Heating B1101 Find us on Lynn Road B1101 (B198) at BamberCommis Aviation Museumwelcomedsions Open A47 We are here Leisure Just off the A47 photograpfrhosm Also on s7ited: aThyesCarafwt DeeLeny,nkBnT1,e9R1a8o0Radoaomm,AKtCi4nohTg7ose4st.n3ut0gpamrden(4cepnmtrOe,SpCuelifnfno)rd7s near Wisbech - A47 We are here Telephone 019f4ol5low5t8he2s0ig0ns4for the (4pm Sun) Telephone 01945 Hdeaatyinsg a week, 10AavimationtoMu4seu.3m0pm . Open 7 days a week,Wisbech 10am to 4pmTown on site: Craft Den, Tea gAa4r7den Cliffords Heating Telephone: 01945 582004centre Lynn Also The Room, Chestnut To centre, B1101 B198 Kings Lynn Road Wisbech LynnT3el00B1e2a1c3o5n77R9o8a1d•, eWmaalsilajllu,dWitheslat [email protected] Town www.crumpled-and-rumpled.co.ukAlso on A47 We are here centre Also oBn110s1 ite: The Craft Den, Tea Room, Chestnut Garden Centre,7 days a week, 10am to 4.30pm (4pm Sun) Telephone 01945 582004 A47 We arCe lhieffreords Heatingsite: The Craft Den, Tea Room, Chestnut garden centre, Cliffords Heating Open 7 days a week, 10am to 4.30pm (4pm Sun) Telephone 01945 582004 Also on site: The Craft Den, Tea Room, Chestnut garden centre, Cliffords Heating20 june 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

StudleyGrange Dolly’s Daydreams Events visit our Web Shop at www.studleygrange.co.uk/dollshouse SUNDAY 4 MAY - 12th Year! Felixstowe Leisure Centre, The Seafront STOCKISTS OF THE FOLLOWING SUPPLIERS Felixstowe IP11 2AE (next to Pier) • Dolls House Emporium houses and furniture • Dolls House Workshop houses • Heidi Ott quality Miniatures • Little Trimmings Haberdashery • Reutter Porcelain MONDAY 26 MAY - 22nd Year! • Sid Cooke Houses • Streets Ahead Houses and Furniture • Wonham Furniture Waltham Abbey Marriott Hotel 3 good reasons to visit Studley Grange Dollshouse Workshop… Waltham Abbey EN9 3LX (M25/Junction 26) Ample FREE parking on site, just register • Earn up to 10% discount with our new loyalty scheme your vehicle at Hotel Reception on arrival! • We can match most of the discounts offered by Dollhouse Emporium on their website SUNDAY 15 JUNE - 16th Year! Portsmouth Marriott Hotel, Southampton Rd. • 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 Portsmouth PO6 4SH (M27/Junction 12) Ample FREE parking on site, just register clothes, a further 4 fabulous dollshouses, adding to our existing collection, fine your vehicle at Hotel Reception on arrival! furniture, carpets, lighting and a huge range of wallpapers. SUNDAY 29 JUNE - 2nd Year! •Dolls houses in kit form or fully built – 24 different stock styles Holiday Inn Ashford-Central •Build your own dream home to your own specification •Full range of electrical equipment Canterbury Road, Ashford TN24 8QQ One of the biggest selections in the South West (M20/Junction 9, then A28 to Canterbury) Telephone: 01793 854606 www.studleygrange.co.uk All fairs open 10.30am to 4pm. Unit 5, Studley Grange Craft Village, Hay Lane, Wroughton, Swindon, Wilts, SN4 9QT Half price entry from 1pm. Children FREE all day! follow brown signs from M4, Junction 16 (1/2 mile towards Wroughton) Dolly’s Daydreams 01945 870160/07860 517048 www.dollysdaydreams.com D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D june 2014 21

PROJECTFLOWfinEeRlyPfOaTllSingA full-size floral display in a neighbour’sgarden inspired Elke Skinner to createone in miniature By Elke SkinnerW hile spending the winter in This project will show you how to make chase some in sizes to match your scale of Florida one year I came upon your own flower pot pyramid from beginning choice or use whatever sizes you happen to a flower pot pyramid in a to end. There really is not much to it! I have have lying around in your mini stash. I used neighbour’s garden that tickled made up two different versions of the pyra- a one-inch clay pot for the bottom of themy fancy. As soon as we arrived back mid, one with different coloured pots and pyramid and four half-inch clay pots to buildhome that spring, I set about constructing one with pots of the same colour. You can the top of the pyramid.one of these for my own garden. It turned make whichever best fits your mini décor.out quite lovely and the idea struck me My own pyramids, real and miniature, are of Make sure the pots all have a hole in theimmediately—why not make one in the different coloured pots design. bottom and feel free to paint the pots in theminiature, too! colours of your choice. You could go with a Step 1: First you will need to decide what fun, springy multi-coloured design like mine; Not having made very many miniature size pots you would like to use for your a nice neutral palette of colours would likeflowers in the past, I improvised with other miniature pyramid. You could either pur- very nice too.materials, and although it turned out alright, Step 2: Now take a small piece of stiff wireI was not completely satisfied with it. I then and a bit of putty. Use the putty to securecontacted my good friend Ruth from Hanky the end of the wire in the bottom of thePanky Crafts and ordered several of her dif- larger pot.ferent floral kits. Step 3: Simply weave your four smaller Ruth was most gracious in giving me flower pots onto thepointers when I got stuck and never tired of wire, making sure theymy endless questions. And with her won- go in opposite direc-derful instructions I was able to create some tions. Add a small droppretty little flowers for my miniature flower of glue to the bottompot pyramid. edge of each smallYOU’LLneed pot to keep it secured on the pot below. ■ Miniature clay pots in Step 4: Now all you two different sizes have to do is add ■ Stiff metal wire a dollop of putty to ■ Paint and brushes ■ Putty each pot that can ■ Glue hold your miniature ■ Miniature flowers flowers securely in place. You can now fill your pots with the22 JUNE 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

flowers of your choice— either ones you’ve dent. Do each side more or less the same,purchased, made from a kit, or made from and then the top. Any large spots can care-scratch! Either way, it will be beautiful! fully be smoothed in with a dry or damp brush, depending on the effect you want. This little pyramid will fit well into any Let it dry.miniature yard, garden, or front porch, and 7. Repeat with any other colour you wantwill add a much-needed dash of spring to use, washing brush in between, other-freshness. Try making some with lovely wise it will just look muddy. Let it dry.greenery spilling over the edges for an 8. Lightly spray with varnish to add sheeninteresting twist on your average indoor and give it the “marble” look. DHWhouseplant. And remember, with a profu-sion of lovely flowers spilling over the edges For the birdsof your new flower pot pyramid, it really canbe spring all year ‘round! DHW •To create a bird bath, leave offBELOW LEFT AND either the top or bottom piece ofRIGHT: Try arranging card, and glue in a paper plate. Paintyour miniature flow- it all as before. When it is dry, justers and greenery so add scenic water.they gracefully spillover the sides ofeach flower pot.BELOW: Whenyour mini flower potpyramid is finished,why not make onefor your real gar-den for an extradose of springfreshness? (continued from p19) tub. Using the oil paint brush or tooth- brush, and using any of the other colour choices, dip brush gently in the paint, and using your finger nail or thumb nail, splatter the brush lightly over the pedestal from about 4-5 inches away, using caution until you get confi- BELOW: Here’s a full-size pedestal Outdoor display and bird bath so you can work on that aged look. •To create an outdoor flower display, leave out the card from one end, paint as before. Half fill hole with oasis, and create a flowery display for your garden. D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D JUNE 2014 23

OPEN HOUSEHow My Big Housejust kept on changingSandra Harding, DHW’s Feature Writer, looks back on a life-changingtrip to a junk shop and the start of an obsession with herBig House. We’ll follow the progress over the next few issues By Sandra HardingIwas born to a wealthy BEFORE family during the latter part of World War 2, and ABOVE AND RIGHT: Look how AFTER the estate carpenter was it’s grown. These before and to our surprise we ended upasked by my parents to build after photos show how Sandra’s buying a sad and neglectedme a beautiful doll’s house. It house has developed over the doll’s house. It was obviouslywas to house their collection years from the simple junk shop home made and had beenof valuable miniatures and find above, to the impressive painted yellow inside and out.paintings that they had brick-clad mansion right. It had a few pieces of furni-acquired during their grand ture, windows at the front andtour in the years before I was Later (much later) I got So here we go. back, and no internal doors.born... into doll’s housing myself and Fast forward a very long I very quietly wondered what I thought you might be inter- on earth I had done, and I layIf only! ested in the story of My Big time, with growing up, fam- Sorry about that, I’ve House. It started off as a con- ily, work, and life in general ventional grand-dad house, happening, until a trip to visitdrifted into my fantasy land and evolved into something family in Guildford in theeven faster than usual! I must much grander. It is a long mid 1990s changed my life.(briefly) get back to reality, story so we have decided to My husband and I stoppedthat stubborn and unforgiving spread it over four issues. at a junk shop, just to browsestate we all have to live in. you understand, and much My father did not reallywant daughters, and mumand dad lived hand to mouth,as most people did at thattime of real war-time auster-ity. As a result, we had verylittle in the way of toys, andthe only doll’s house I sawin my childhood belonged toa friend of my sister. I wasnot allowed to touch, beingonly 8-years-or so, but I havenever forgotten the thrill ofseeing the little people in it.24 JUNE 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

OPEN HOUSEawake that night wondering Dorking, Winchester, no plan in mind. I also got decorating, I realisedhow to take it back and woke Guildford, Salisbury, and several small pots of paint that the windows at the backup with a headache. Chichester - now all sadly from B&Q. I started decorat- were a nuisance. Also, I could closed, leaving only a cou- ing the house as it was, being not dress the room properly I put an old tablecloth over ple fairly local to me (The a complete novice of course, as I wanted fireplaces, internalit for a few days, hoping it Little Chapel at Whitchurch, and somehow just got car- doors, bigger rooms, and Iwould go away, but curios- and Wicor Models at ried away with it all. I didn’t often wished I had not boughtity soon got the better of me, Portchester). During this stop to think about electrics, this house at all. However, asand I started peeping at it time, I also purchased my first or ceilings, or scales, or being often happens, I had becomewhen I thought no one was copy of Dolls House World, sensible, so my husband attached to the project, andlooking. After a few days, and once I had recovered mentioned a few of the more started planning things Ithe tablecloth came off, and I from seeing the beautiful rational things to me and I (or rather we) could do toactually looked at it properly, objects inside, I knew it was slowed down a little to review improve it. Do you all recog-and promptly put the table- something that I wanted to what we were doing. (Yes my nise the way it’s going now?cloth back on. At about this do. Oh foolish me! By now, friends, it was a “we” by now.time my husband acquired I was also buying every doll’s My husband had also begun Looking at the old pho-the knack of looking at me house book I came across in a to show an interest in what tographs taken at the timeblankly, in that rather con- massive learning curve which was to become a long stand- the first phase of this housefused state men get into. continues to this day. ing and very happy, obsessive is easy to see. There are no hobby for us both). internal doors, and the win- The next thing that hap- I recall that on visits to the dows at the back are still inpened, I suppose, is we visited shops mentioned, I purchased Very soon after starting the place. I have decorated, anda few doll’s house shops, in wallpaper, carpets, and manythe days when there were a other little bits and pieces tofew about. I remember there keep me amused, but withwas one each at Farnham, D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D JUNE 2014 25

OPEN HOUSE‘After a great deal of muttering, even now). I also bought a Dolls. Then began the start of “pouring” teapot, and an egg my collection of unexplainedand reading several articles about “falling” into a bowl of flour, children from various sources. both of which fit into the You will see most of thesewiring, my husband soon fitted he cook’s hands. These were also dolls later in their final posi- from Naomi, and I change tions plus, of course, all the’ceiling lights in the rooms. them regularly, just to con- other dolls that are to follow. fuse her (the cook that is, not Naomi). I also started collect- I knew by now that Imade my first clumsy attempt including some from Dolls ing the perfect Stokesay Ware wanted a bigger kitchen,at making curtains, and House Emporium. kitchen items. bigger sitting room, and inmatching bed covers, with You will also see that I The older lady in black fact bigger everything. I alsoreasonable success I suppose. have started buying my lovely (grandmother in the play- realised that the stairs hadMind you, although most are dolls. I think the first one room) and the lady and now become a nuisance, and Ilong gone, I notice that I have was the cook from Naomi’s gentleman of the house soon started planning how to createtwo sets still in use, the gold Miniatures (still in business followed, from Woodside the illusion of doors withoutand the blue velvet. Notice actually having them going anywhere. However, I was far from that stage, so I persuad- ed my husband to build me a new basement, and just one new wing. (I still do not know why I asked for only one wing at this stage) but all that is for part two. I must apologise for the quality of the photographs, I had an old second hand camera, I wasn’t a good pho- tographer, and anyway, no one was supposed to see them but me. DHWthe kitchen is crammed full of • See how Sandra’s house developed,‘stuff ’, a sure sign I neededsomething really big to allowfor the expanding family. including how the kitchen was created,I had also persuaded my in Part Two next month.husband to cut out one of thewalls in the middle floor tomake a larger sitting room. Ivery soon wished I had gothim to cut out all the othersat the same time, but this didcome later, when it was at themost inconvenient time!After a great deal of mut-tering, and reading severalarticles about wiring, my hus-band soon fitted the ceilinglights in the rooms. Luckily,he knew quite a bit aboutelectrics, so common senseplayed a big part, or so hetells me. At the time, I pur-chased the easiest lights to fit,and those readily available,26 JUNE 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

projectJshUeGlSvin&gMfoUrGSAssemble this quick and easy little shelfunit to display your collection of favouritejugs, mugs, and everyday china By Alison WhiteIlove collecting jugs – miniature ones, of niture that would have been mounted on a three inches long. course! I have some delicate ones and wall wherever there was space. A travelling 6: Mark the position of the hooks. others that are more rustic in style but journeyman would make it in exchange for 7: Holding the wood pieces in a vice using they do need somewhere to be stored a hot meal and a night’s sleep in the dry. a hobby drill and a fine bit drill holes for theand displayed. Even a simple piece of furniture like this hooks. Please see Pic 2. would have been decorated in some way 8: Hold the eye pins in a pair of pliers and If I had lived around the turn of the 19th showing the journeyman’s pride in his work. open the eye to make a hook shape. Usingcentury, I might have asked a traveling jour- 1: Cut three pieces from strip wood each wire cutters cut off the length of the eyeneyman to make me a set of shelves. ½in wide and 3in long. pin leaving approximately 1/6in in length. 2: Take the two side pieces and shape one Please see Pic 3. Cottages and farmhouses usually had end of each piece by cutting an angle away 9: Put a small amount of glue into eachquite a few jugs as jam was often bought in and smoothing with sand paper as in Pic 1. hole and place the hooks in position. Leavejugs and they were also very useful for stor- 3: Mark the place that you want the shelf the sections until the glue is completely dryage. A simple jug or mug rack with nails or type sections to be in pencil. 10: Glue the narrow sections in placehooks to hang them from was often made 4: Glue the three pieces as shown with the where you made the marks on the sideeither by someone in the household or a cross piece at the top between each of the sections. Please see Pic 4.travelling journeyman. The most basic ones side sections. 11: Using miniature architrave make a dec-were made of crossed lathes which were 5: Cut three more pieces of wood only orative top by cutting with miter snips as inattached to the uneven walls by a metal this time they need to be ¼in deep but still Pic 4 and glue on the top of the rack. DHWspike. This was a very simple piece of fur- 1 2You’LLneed 3 4 n Hacksaw n Hobby drill and drill bit n Drill bit n Mitre snips n Vice n Fine sandpaper n Strip wood - ½ inch wide (it needs to be thick enough to enable holes to be drilled for the hooks) n Miniature architrave n Eye pins (jewellery findings) n PVA glue D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D june 2014 27

MMGGMM FFAAIIRRSSMGM Fairs are organizing the following Dollshouse and Miniature Fairs in 2014. TO ADVERTISE IN MGM Fairs are organizing the following Dollshouse and Miniature Fairs in 2014. dollshouse WORLD Sunday 11 May 2014 HSTSahauetrnueCdwrodnaoyayogyrd2e3HHM1aolalM,urNscaoehry,thT22R0h0o1e1a4d4R, NidrgTeimwsbauyr,y,PBLAYTMH,PBTaNOENS,,BPAL2Y0JMG OUTH, Devon, PL7 2AS the markets leading doll’s house magazine THSahureenwIdomoadypHe1or1iuasMel,RTahoyeoR2mi0dsg1,e4wImayp, PeLriYaMl RPToOadN,, PMLAYMTLOUOTCHK, D,evDone,rPbLy7sh2AirSe, DE4 3NL call Maria on BSTShuraeantInumdgrpawdeyraiya7ynl RS3Roe1oepmcMtsee,pamImtyipboe2ner0iraH1l2R4a0ol1la,d4,aMndATFLoOyCeKr, ,TDheerbGyshuiireld, DhEa4ll3, NSLWANSEA, SA1 4PE SHBSruauannrngeddwwaayoynyoR97decNSHepeootpivoutensemeHm,ablTble,hearnred22R0F0o1i1dy4e4gr,eTwhaeyG,uPildLhYallM, SPWTAONNSE,AP, LSAY1M4POEUTH, Devon, PL7 2AS 01903 884988 or email [email protected] Sunday 12 October 2014 for more information TPhleeCasoenyNgroetHe:alMl, NGoMrth FRaoairds, NhraTviempsbousrtyp, oBnAedTHth, BeiarNsEeSc,oBnAd2B0JaGth Show in October which Sunday 9 Novehmasbneorw20b1ee4n moved forward to the 1 March 2015. Harewood House, The Ridgeway, PLYMPTON, PLYMOUTH, Devon, PL7 2AS ContaCctonGtaactilGTaiul TcukcekrerffoorraaBBoookoinkgiFnogrmF, oorrdmow, nolroaddofrwomnlwowawd.mfrgmomfairws.cwo.wuk.mgmfairs.co.uk MGMMFGaMirFsa,irLs,yLnynddhhuurrsst,t,BeBckefcokrdfoRrodadR, Boaathd, B, AB2a6tNhQ, B– ATe2l: 061N22Q5 4–66T53e3l: 01225 466533Al Lili-Anne Miniatures Exquisite Collectable Dolls House Bathrooms & Accessories Exclusive to Lili-Anne Miniatures • All produced in 12th scale • Authentic Thomas Crapper High-level W.C. set • Victorian roll top bath with stunning shower taps • Victorian sink including taps & tiny plug • Toilet roll holder with toilet paper • Ready made or in kit form • All hand made in England Also a range of ‘one of a kind’ creations in a grubby, worn or distressed appearance www.lili-anne.co.uk or tel: +44 01702 30491928 JUNE 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

projecttasty dishes ofMINIATURE RICE Marianne Colijn’s delicious rice dishes will add flavour and variety to your mini spread —all without using polymer clay By Marianne ColijnI am very fond of oriental food: Indian in real life is rice cooked with spices and Making rice curries, Chinese stir-fries, and also coconut milk—by using a yellow eraser. Indonesian food. Chinese food in There are other types of rice that you can Let’s start by making some boiled rice. the Netherlands is very different from make just changing the colour of the eraser. Rice means small grains that look light andChinese food in the UK because ours has If you use orange you can make saffron fluffy. For me grated eraser fits the bill per-come to us via Indonesia so it has been coloured rice and there is even green rice fectly. All you will need is an eraser, a realmixed with the Indonesian cuisine. But I am cooked with spinach water. You can mix fine grater, and a container. It is that easy.sure these dishes will inspire you to make different kinds to make the dish more inter-some really good food that will look very esting. Step 1: Start by grating your eraser intotasty! tiny, little pieces. I served my yellow rice with an Indian Step 2: Now to make your rice stay in One dish I made was yellow rice—which curry called Kheema do pyaza which trans- place, thin some tacky glue with a little lates roughly into minced meat with onions. water and mix this with your rice. Step 3:YOU’LLneed I love making mince meat using grated Place on your plate or serving dish and cork. It is so easy and very effective. You leave to dry. It is a good idea to leave the ■ White and yellow erasers will need a real cork for it because the plas- rice for a few hours but do check on it and ■ Real cork from a wine bottle tic kind cannot be grated. if you feel it needs fluffing up a little, use a pin to do it. (not plastic) For the curry I mixed grated cork, tacky ■ Nutmeg grater glue, a bit of brown paint and added some Chinese stir fry ■ Tacky glue small onion rings. Just for fun I added some ■ Container for mixing curry powder for colour and scent but that The white rice has a Chinese style stir fry ■ Kebab sticks for stirring is totally optional. to go with it. I used green beans, red pep- ■ Brown and red glass paint. ■ Craft foam—brown and orange Onion rings can be made using white ■ Floral tape—white, light and floral tape. Cut a piece of the tape and roll it up width wise. If you cut the tube you made dark green. into little rings, they will look like onion rings. ■ Scrap of foam board I decorated the curry with some tiny bits of ■ Hairs from a brush or broom dark green floral tape to suggest coriander ■ Brown paint the colour of leaves. For the cook book look I painted the finished curry with a tiny bit of brown glass peanut butter paint, it gives a nice shine. ■ Craft knife and scissors ■ Mod Podge Below I’ll share some of my no-clay rice ■ Piece of wax paper dishes with you. From Indonesian sate to ■ Plates and dishes Chinese-style stir fry, there are many deli- cious-looking dishes to enjoy. D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D june 2014 29

projectpers, leeks, and cubes of meat all mixedinto brown glass paint to create the stir frysauce. You could also use red glass paint tomake it look like a more spicy sauce forred usually means chilli peppers have beenaddedFried rice green floral tape will work great. Just mix to be perfectly square, a bit irregular looks them in with the rice. more natural. Fried rice is rice that has been boiled in Step 3: For meat you can add some Step 2: Make tiny holes with a pin andthe usual way and after is has been left to cubes of brown craft foam if you like. In the thread them on natural hairs from a brush.cool, it is fried with a mix of spices and veg- Netherlands where I live this dish is usually The hairs look pretty much like skewers.etables mainly leeks or spring onions and served with a fried egg on top. It can be Step 3: Paint the whole thing with thecarrot. It is very easy to make fried rice in eaten as a meal by itself but it can also be brown paint and leave to dry. Colouring theminiature. Follow the steps for white rice till served to accompany different Chinese or foam with watercolours or oil pastels worksyou have mixed the rice with the glue. Indonesian dishes. well too.Step 1: For the carrots cut tiny, tiny pieces Step 4: For the peanut sauce I used brownof orange craft foam. Indonesian sate glass paint because I like the spicy kind. IfStep 2: For the leeks tiny bits of dark you prefer a mild sauce, use some amber A big favourite is the Indonesian sate. coloured paint mixed with some tacky glue. Sate is small cubes of roasted meat on bamboo skewers. It can be chicken, pork Green beans or goats meat. It is always eaten with pea- nut sauce. The base of the sauce does look Green beans are very easy to make a bit like peanut butter to which soy sauce using green flower tape. Light green for the and spices are added. There are many dif- raw beans and darker green for the cooked ferent recipes and the sauce can be thick beans. and mild with a lot of peanut taste, or also thinner and spicy up to very, very spicy depending on your preference. Step 1: Make the meat by cutting tiny Step 1: Tear off a piece of the flower tape cubes of foam board. They do not have and roll it into a very tight roll.30 june 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

project Tip: Wrap the end of your tape around a pin to help get started with the rolling.Step 2: Paint the finished beans with ModPodge to give a smooth finish. The onesI used in the stir-fry have been cut in halfbefore I added them to the sauce.Chili peppers I also made some raw chilli peppers fordecoration. You will need floral tape againto make these.Step 1: Use the lightest colour of floral Step 1: For a leek make a tight roll out of Tip: It’s important to tear the tapetape you have and roll a piece of that into a white floral tape that is about 1 cm long. I and not cut it because a cut endthin roll with a pointed end. added a little bit of glue to keep the whole will show while a torn end willStep 2: Dip the top part into red glass thing in place and tightly rolled. blend in with the rest of your tape.paint and leave to dry. Step 2: Add some glue to the top of theStep 3: Cut off excess floral tape, but be roll and wrap a narrow piece of light green Step 3: Now add some glue to the top ofsure to leave a tiny bit at the end to shape around it twice. Tearing the floral tape is the green area and add dark green in theinto a stem. important here for the torn edge will make same way. the green sort of melt into the white. Step 4: Add a few rounds that are going to Tip: You may need to add an be longer than the white roll so you can tear extra layer of glass paint for good this into strips for the top of the leek. coverage. If you think the chilies Step 5: When the leek has dried you will look too shiny, rub them between have to paint it with Mod Podge to cover your fingers to make the shine go the stickiness of the tape and to make the away. leek more smooth and even. Spring onions are made in the same way only way thinner and smaller—really fiddly stuff, but worth it. I hope you will try out my recipes and will have fun making these no-clay rice dishes that are full of flavour and colour. DHWStep 4: To make cooked peppers spreada thick layer of red glass paint on a piece ofwax paper. Leave to dry overnight.Step 5: The next day you can peel thepaint off the paper. Cut into small parts witha sharp (!) craft knife. You can also fold thepeeled off paint into a roll and cut that soyou get rounded slices.Leeks and onions I wanted to try and make some leeksand spring onions and found that floraltape is a brilliant ingredient for them. Youwill need white, light green, and dark greentape. D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D june 2014 31

Dolls House World subscription offer All of these great gifts free when you subscribe Subscribe or renew to the print edition ofYou save on the iMag Dolls House World for one year and we’lland TV channel give you a stash of free minis. You’ll get a beautiful porcelain vase and adorable tea-When you subscribe to the print version, you pot, plus the gorgeous heart cake and coldqualify for big savings on the Dolls House World meats and cheeseboard set handmade byiMag digital library. Home Petite Home. PLUS you’ll get the full-size, fold-up doll’s house shopping bagWith the iMag you will be able to read all the (shown above).current magazines on your computer, plus youget access to back issues of Dolls House World Subscribe for two years and we’ll send youin the iMag library. All for a one-off additional all of those five gifts with an additionalprice. Reutter’s set - either the wine and cheeseAlso, don’t miss Dolls House World’s very own set or the perfume set (seen right). That’sonline TV channel (www.dollshouseworld.tv) an amazing £49 worth of gifts...yours free.It’s like having a workshop in your home. You Subscribe today.can watch programmes 24 hours a day via theinternet on your computer or mobile device. PS: The first 50 subscribers will receive a bonus gift - the beautiful little posy bowl easy ways to subscribeOnline at www.dollshouseworld.com Call free in the UK on 0800 4355533 US: 1-866-606-6587. Outside UK: +44 (0)1903 884988 By post using the form on the rightOne year magazine subscription (12 issues): UK £49; US $110; Rest of world £810800 435553Call FREE today on: Outside UK: +44 (0) 1903 884988

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PROJECTadMopAtKaE pITetINorMINI Your tiny pets will seem to jump off the scene with a realistic, furry coat made using Angela Schiavone’s technique By Angela SchiavoneIlove little animals. and I also love and so can you! Once you get the animals Making animals watching the birds in my garden, looking realistic, you can start adding all the especially one I helped reunite with his fun pet accessories too. Animals really are the life of our homes— parents when he fell out of the nest. even the mini ones!— and making themHis name is Arrow. I also love Westies, YOU’LLneed realistic adds a lot. You can find little plasticespecially my friend’s dogs, Lucy and Nelly. ones in all sorts of places, and the flock isThose puppies love playing with stuffed ■ A little plastic animal available in scrapbooking stores.animals— especially ones that squeak. ■ Flock in the colour(s) of your Step 1: Pour a little bit of flock on your work surface. I did this so that I could easily There is also my boyfriend’s dog, Missy. choice pick up tiny clumps with my fingers.She gets in the rubbish bins all the time. ■ Glue with a small tip Step 2: Simply take your little animal andShe adopted a cat named Kiba. Missy ■ Sharpie cover with glue. You won’t need too much,thinks he is her baby, and Kiba thinks he’s a so don’t overdo it.dog! Of course, we try to keep these pup-pies out of a particular area that has wild Lucy the fluffy Westiebunnies living in it. I adore those bunnies, just loves her stuffedand my boyfriend and I have named them teddy bear, and Arrowall. Cuddles is my favourite. sits perched atop her house.Love and animals Life is full of animals, so why not reflectthat in miniature work? However, if the ani-mals don’t look real enough, they can throwoff the illusion of reality and give away thatthe scene isn’t real. This is why I started mysearch for a furry animal. Fur will look more realistic than shinyplastic. I finally found my little Westie andproudly displayed him in the garden scene.Still, finding furry animals is hard and can beexpensive too! Ironically, it was the grass inthe garden scene that gave me an idea. If I can glue on fibrous flock to make asurface look and feel like grass, why can’t Ido the same for animals? Turns out, I can,34 JUNE 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

PROJECTStep 3: Sprinkle the flock onto the ani- more realistic. tation of Missy, Kiba, Cuddles and Arrow.mal and pat it lightly with your finger. When the glue is dry, carefully cut out Why not recreate your own furry loved oneRemember, most animals have multiple in mini? DHWshades of similar colours. You can easily the tag (a razor blade may be needed soadd in small areas of different colours. Avoid make sure you ask for help if you need to), ABOVE LEFT: Arrow the bird was rescuedadding fur to the inner ears, eyes, nose, and glue it just beneath the collar. and reunited with is family.and any other area that doesn’t usually ABOVE: A family of ducklings scurrieshave too much fur. Use a toothpick to clear Dog food - There are great resources across the backyard while a furry brown pupthe area if you accidentally get fur where online for printies. Search around until you with a blue collar keeps watch.you don’t want it to be. Once the fur dries, find a dog food container that you like. Print BELOW LEFT: Mischievous Missy and heryou can touch up areas that look a little it, and glue it together! You can also make kitty friend Kiba get into all sorts of troublehairless. dog bones for inside by cutting the shape with the rubbish bin.Step 4: I also use a Sharpie to colour in out of tan clay and baking it according tothe eyes and nose. This makes them shine the clay manufacturer instructions. Doghouse roofa little more like real eyes and a wet nosedo. Doghouse - Use the pattern below to cut your own doghouse out of paper. You Now, birds don’t have fur, they have can easily glue the pieces together. For afeathers. However, baby birds are much more realistic look, cut the pattern out ofmore “furry” looking. For adult birds, you cardboard. You can then glue shingles tocan put a thin layer of glue on top of the fur the roof and paint the outside. Make sureto make it slicker. to include a name plate! Pillows, toys, and blankets inside are a plus! I hope this project will inspire and help you to add that perfect pet to your next mini scene. My display includes a represen-Accessories These little bits and pieces are just ideasto add a little more fun. Most of these arepretty simple but are things that most petshave.Collars - Collars are very simple. Just usea thin piece of ribbon and glue it aroundthe neck. To make a dog tag, print out asmall picture of a dog tag (you can printthe name on it using a computer or pen)and dab a little bit of glue over the tag. Letit dry. The glue will make the tag look shinyand raise the surface a bit to make it lookDoghousewalls D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D JUNE 2014 35

Criss Cross The Wallpaper Lorraine Miniatures Miniatures Specialists - (The Dolls House Store) Beautiful Handcrafted Miniatures & 1/12th scale hundreds of wallpapers Craft Materials for Miniaturists. hand-stitched, available from around Many pieces are exclusive and one of a kind.framed pictures Only the best quality items are offered, at and screens. the world affordable prices. Hand-crafted Period and Please ring Specific commissions undertaken if you want leather-upholstered furniture. for shop something made to your individual needs. Email: [email protected] opening hourswww.crisscrossminiatures.webeden.co.uk www.lorraineminiatures.com 5 Appledore Terrace, Walsall,Drceaantmcrousmee West Midlands WS5 3DU. Beautiful Range of Craft Kits for Dolls House Enthusiasts. 1/12th, 1/16th, 1/24th Tel: Walsall (01922 616298) Craft Packs are DIY project kits that enable you to make furniture available. Over forty houses on display. www.jennifersofwalsall.co.uk handmade doll house miniatures, celebration cake toppers, Lots of new stock on two floors room boxes, miniature framed scenes etc. We look forward to seeing you Each pack is beautifully presented, with full, easy to follow instructions 27 Upper High Street, Epsom and all of the materials that you need for each project. KT17 4QY. Tel: 01372 722221 Open: Tues to Sat 10.00am -5.00pm www.thecraftpackcompany.co.ukwww.miniaturedreamscancometrue.co.uk.www.odinsminiatures.com INSURE YOUR DOLLS Online Discount Code OMDHW10 ALL RISKS NO EXCESS £ 5,000 cover £31 p.a.*We supply exclusive Miniature £10,000 cover £56 p.a.* kits, silk & leather footwear, craft materials and a large *plus Insurance Premium tax range of hand-crafted items. We cover All COLLECTABLES: Stamps, Postcards, Coins, Medals, Diecast Models, Teddy Bears etc 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.uk Authorised and regulated by The Financial Services Authority World Of My Own & TO ADVERTISE IN Rob Lucas Miniatures dollshouse Dollshouse Dolls WORLD and Whitewood the markets leading Furniture doll’s house magazine 18 London Road, call Maria on Farningham, 01903 884988 or email [email protected] Dartford, Kent DA4 0JP Tel: 01322 862680 for more information Email: [email protected] JUNE 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

We are now able to offer promotional Visit our website at www.hobby.uk.com Tudor Rose Miniatures opportunities on our exciting The Modelmaker’s FIND US ON FACEBOOK Dolls House TV Yearbook £3.25 Annual 2014 • No.44 • 316 Pages P&P FRee www.facebook.com/dollshousenorfolkBe one of the first to take advantage of this new and innovative form of • New 12TH SCALe BATTeRY-POweReD DOLLS Bluebell Square, advertising. But hurry as there is LeD LIGHTING HOUSE Bawdeswell Garden Centre, limited availability. • MODeLLeRS wORKSTATION SPECIALISTS Bawdeswell, • AMATI MODeL KITS MUSeUM QUALITY Norfolk NR20 4RZ To find out more, call Maria on • New BRICK & TILe CONSTRUCTION KITS 01903 884988 or 01362 688669 MATCHMODELLER Email: [email protected] email: [email protected] STePHeNSON’S ROCKeT KIT www.tudor-rose-miniatures.co.ukdollshouse .tv LORD OF THe RINGS - Shop open 6 days a week New RANGe 3D PUZZLeS Closed Mondays New PReCISION SCALe MODeLS (PAPeR) QuickBuild pre-coloured, push fit, no glue, age 5+ FRee PLAN - BIG BeN MATCHSTICK MODeL Hobby’s (Dept DHw) Knight’s Hill Square London Se27 0HH 020 8761 4244 [email protected] www.hobby.uk.com Available from 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 MOULDINGS A family run business with 15 years experience making quality dolls houses for the UK. 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.net Get 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 JUNE 2014 37

PROJECTit’s your ownSTITCH IN TIMEPatsy Morris tells us how we can create thisentire 1/24th sewing room, from the box to theitems, in a few simple steps By Patsy MorrisT he idea for this pretty little 1/24th YOU’LLneed sections and the middle section all black. scale sewing corner came to mind Step 9: When dry, glue the two 1” sections when I found the window and ■ One metal half-inch sewing to the inside of the two square pieces. curtains, made from resin, in a gift machine Step 10: Insert the centre piece and clampshop. The bright colours immediately called together until the glue completely dries.for wallpaper to reflect it. ■ Plastic or wooden laser cut Step 11: Glue four black or gold seed oriental fan beads into the holes to create the drawer Working in 1/24th scale means that only handles.tiny amounts of materials are required, and ■ 1/32” strip of wood (for shelf) Step 12: Paint the metal mini sewingeven if you can’t find a window, making cur- ■ 1/4” square balsa wood (for machine black and trim it with gold, thentains is an easy task. finally glue to the top section to finish off the drawers) sewing machine table.Corner box ■ Four craft sticks Corner cabinet This box is perfect for becoming your 1/2” for the pedal.mini sewing room. Step 3: Cut out two 1/2” pieces of You can keep your sewing room clean the 1/4” square balsa wood. Then by organising all the delicate mini items onYOU’LLneed score them in the middle. this pretty cabinet. Step 4: Centre and drill a ■ MDF board hole in each piece for the Step 1: Cut two pieces 2 1/2” ■ Floor covering bead (handle). long x 1/2” wide for sides. ■ Wallpaper Step 5: Cut a piece of Step 2: Cut a small V 1/32” wood 1/2” wide by in the bottom centreStep 1: Cut a base 4” x 4” and two walls 11/2” long; this is the top for of each side.also 4” x 4”. the sewing machine to be set Step 3: Cut oneStep 2: Cover the floor with wood or car- on. piece 2 1/2” long x 1”pet. Step 6: Glue the two square wide for back.Step 3: Wallpaper the two walls. pieces of balsa to the top piece, Step 4: Cut four pieces 1/8” from each edge. 1” long x 1/2” wide forSewing machine table Step 7: Paint or stain. Step 8: Paint the two 1” fan shelves. Add a vintage look to this room with a Step 5: Glue sides to back,painted sewing machine. and insert bottom shelf 1/8”Step 1: Cut two sections from the oriental from bottom side edges.fan, both of them 1” long and 1/2” wide. Step 6: Insert the top shelfStep 2: Cut one small section of 1/2” x 1/8” from the top edges. Step 7: Measure and insert38 JUNE 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

PROJECTYOU’LLneed ■ Wood 1/32” thick, 2” by 5/8” ■ Foam board ■ Fabric for cover ■ Two craft sticksremaining two shelves an equal distance Step 1: Form a Fimo iron shape. Step 4. Use thin wire and wind around aapart. Step 2: Stick a straight pin in the back of cocktail stick; pull off and glue into the iron.Step 8: Paint colour of your choice. If the iron to form a hole for the cord to glue Step 5: Glue a seed bead on the end forstaining, be sure you stain all pieces before into. the plug.assembling. Step 3: Cut a 1/4” piece of thick wire and Step 6: Paint the iron silver on the bottom. bend into a curve for the handle; insert intoIroning board the top. Bake at 275° for fifteen minutes. Now your sewing room is ready for any mini project! DHW Every sewing room needs an ironingboard!Step 1: Cut a piece of wood 2” long and5/8” wide then taper one end to 1/4” wide.Step 2: Glue a piece of thin foam board tothe top for padding.Step 3: Cut a piece of fabric at least 1/4”larger than the top and glue over the pad-ding, tucking and gluing it underneath.Step 4: Cut two pieces of craft stick, each2” long.Step 5: Cut angles as shown on the to-scale diagram below.Step 6: Glue to bottom of board.Fimo iron Keep your clothes pressed and readywith this iron.YOU’LLneed ■ White Fimo ■ Thin wire ■ Thick wire (tiny length) ■ Black seed bead ■ Silver paint ■ Cocktail stick Ironing board Sides for corner cabinet Ironing board legs Use this diagram to ensure that you are cutting out the correct sizes for each little piece. D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D JUNE 2014 39

clubNEWS ■ Share your club events and activities with readers around the world - write to Club News, Dolls House World, Unit 5E, Park Farm, Chichester Road, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 0AG, or email [email protected] Club takes on the egg challenge Sandra Harding tries her hand at egg-making at a Chichester Dolls House Club meeting By Sandra HardingAges ago Rosemary show us and guide us through then had to wait whilst the var- Cooper invited me to the process. Rosemary and nish dried. (I am not going to try my hand at making Tanya supplied all the eggs and mention the amount of nail var- a Faberge egg at the bits we needed, and between nish I saw on things that wereChichester Dolls House Club them they made the evening a not meant to be varnished.)meeting, and much to my great success, including findingtrepidation the day had finally time to make their own eggs However, the drying periodarrived. and help others complete theirs. gave us enough time to pluck up the courage for the next I had seen sample eggs Going back to the beginning,made by Rosemary and I was we started with a varnishedin awe of the amount of fine white egg which we all lookeddetail that had gone into their at in sheer panic for at leastmaking, and the realisation that five minutes, finding it hard towe would be using real cocka- visualise the finished product.tiel eggs. Eventually, with encouragement from Rosemary and Tanya, we However, although Rosemary all chose the colour nail varnishhas not been in good health we wanted our finished egg tolately, she was there (with the be, and varnished them. Wesupport of Tanya Waughman, to40 JUNE 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

stage - to saw the eggs in half able, as you can see from the CLUB NEWS(or not) as some chose pictures. More cake with friends By now, there was great deal This busy club has 15 mem-of laughter and chat about how bers, and meet each month Sandra Harding joins up with herwe were all progressing, and at 7.30 pm at The Fishbourne mini group to make a toy theatreby the time we came to choos- Centre in West Sussex, toing our decorations (nail jewels, create something lovely in It was at Paula’s homefancy paper decoration, find- miniature. Many more projects this time for a group ofings and other stick - on bits) are planned for the year, includ- friends to meet and chat,we were (mostly) fairly happy ing a wicker chair, lamps and enjoying each other’swith our effort. Mind you, I did lampshades and shoes to name company, drinking tea andhear one or two mutterings just a few. DHW eating cake, and eventuallyabout “finishing it at home”, getting round to makingand considering the time factor •For further details of the club something lovely for our(about one and a half hours) the miniature world.end results were quite remark- contact Chairman John at 01243 530317 or Tanya on This time the something lovely was to be a toy theatre, led by 01243 771802. the very talented Julie, who produced one she had made earlier, which made us all want to run for the door (taking our cake with us of course). However, after the initial panic, reassurance from Julie (and the thought of possibly missing out on the cake) we all settled down to the task. Julie had supplied full instructions, card and little cut outs, which included a dragon, which I will no doubt mention again. The instructions were copied from the brilliant 2003 book by Jane Harrop, “Toys and Games, Do It Yourself Book”. After a faltering start, and with trembling hands, we began measuring and cutting, which took ages, as most of us kept switching between metric and inches. Very disconcerting indeed. However, we eventually all had our little theatres cut out, and began gluing paper cut-out curtains on the front, a backdrop, and three sets of tabs to create the scenes. We then glued our theatres together, adding grass for the floor, and then added the three little tabs across from side to side. By now I had began to realise how tiny the figures and dragon were, and whether my scissors were small enough to cut around the dragon’s tail (which they weren’t by the way – I had to borrow Julie’s scissors). We glued the figures onto thin card and cut around the figures, and although most of us tried very hard, we were scared of cutting off the dragon’s tail, so ours were not as neat as Julie’s. Ellen also had a moment’s panic when she dropped her leading lady, and thought she was lost in all the other tiny bits of paper scattered around the floor. She found her in the end, so all’s well that ends well – or is that from another play without a dragon? We were all happy with the results, and thanks must go to Julie (and Jane Harrop), and Paula for her lovely lemon cake, and use of her very large dining table. DHW D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D JUNE 2014 41

FEATUREAll in thename of loveWhen she retired from her job after 20 years,Sally Lohman decided to leave colleagueswith roomboxes full of memories By Sally LohmanW hen you work with someone Glory Days the Rachel Carson State Office Building. for twenty years, building a The coffee table book for Larry’s A truck hit the front of the building, and program like Pennsylvania’s I picked up a small piece and asked a internationally recognised, box is made from pages I scanned and workman if I could keep it. I hollowedaward-winning municipal waste recycling reduced from West Virginia University’s out the top of the table and filled it withprogram, you become exceptionally “football vault.” Each page is real, plastic wood to hold to hold the graniteclose— like family. And when the twenty including the ones describing all the con- in place.years have passed and the time has come tributions Larry made.to retire, the memento left behind must On the TV is a picture of the play thatalso be exceptional. The coffee table itself has been altered enabled WVU to beat Penn State for the with an inlay of granite from the front of In December of 2008, I started aproject of twelve miniature boxes, eacheight inches by eight inches by eightinches, created by my friend, DonGreenfield of Greenfield Creations inMiddletown, Pennsylvania. It took ayear of intense research and work, but itwas well worth it, since I had found mycolleagues’ interests and dreams to befascinating over those twenty years that Ispent with most of them. Originally, I intended to sneak inafter everyone had gone home oneevening and leave the boxes on theirdesk. But that did not work out, so Idelivered them during the Bureau’s 2009Christmas luncheon. The recipients wereastonished. Of course, miniatures cast aspell over just about everyone. An emailannounced to each person the particularitems of note in his or her box, as wellas the other boxes. On a whim, I namedeach box, beginning with my boss, Larry,the Division Chief.42 JUNE 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

FEATUREfirst time in twenty- unguarded, they’re watching the birds— The bird feedereight years. The score- very closely. And those few plants will is a small glass vial filledboard lit up—“Finally!” The wait until she gets around to the repot- with small seeds and finishedother pictures show Larry’s late ting in the work area paved with crushed with pieces of cereal box painted tomother as a bride and his pride and stones and tyre chips! The tire chips look like metal. The water holding thejoy, the next generation of Holley boys. are real, scraped from a larger piece cardinal in the birdbath is glass repair of tyre with an X-acto knife. Georgia liquid. On the arm of the couch is the adop- was involved in promoting the use oftion certificate he often joked about. I tyre chips in civil engineering projects, Family Dayscreated it on my computer and reduced including a bridge project. Mark’s hobby is his family. He’sit. My boss is young enough to be myson. football savvy, and three boys keep him on the ball. What better way to haveGarden Days the family around than to cook up their Over the years, I learned that favourites and put out the toys!Georgia’s favourite times are when shecan see the animals and plants in her gar-den and watch their antics, or see themflower. The cats don’t care that there’s candy D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D JUNE 2014 43

FEATURE were hand-created from Pam Buzan of Miniature a slew of pieces of a white Corner Too! came to my res- I included everything plastic model—highlights and all! cue. Imagine asking a mini- from hamburgers to Chesapeake And finished in Citrus Orange, I ature dealer if she has any auto- Bay crabs (collected at odd shows might add. motive repair equipment (metal, and stores on Maryland’s Eastern not wood)—she had it all! Shore over the years) and homemade ice cream. I customised the patio floor I must thank Kathy with a clear plastic sheet purchased Stephenson for her assistance from Kathy Stephenson of on the garage floor. Instead of Stephenson’s Miniature Shop in painting wood to look like con- Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, crete, she suggested I use a light- and painted in favourite colours. weight grout for both this floor Note that the marbles are real, in and for the beach in another box. miniature, but I kept them in the It was so easy! bag, so that they don’t provide any unanticipated “trips” during the The walls are black construc- picnic. tion paper and bass wood trim. Muscle Days Once the construction paper is applied and dry, everything sticks Keeping the floor of Charlie’s to it instantly. There is no bench garage clean was an exercise in like this one available commercially, temptation. It was tempting to so I constructed this from bass splash oil or paint where it would wood. The hole in the side to accom- have normally gone, but in this modate a vice was actually the result of dream garage, I knew oil spills cutting the piece too short. DHW wouldn’t be allowed. •You can read about the other eight The Challenger front and rear panels are the only thing not in inch- room boxes in upcoming issues of DHW. to-a-foot scale in any of the boxes, Photography: Thompson Photography of but since the car is still in parts, it’s Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. believable. That front and back panel 44 JUNE 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

meet the makerTudor inour timesOn a suggestion from a friend, one mandecided to make a name for himself bydesigning and creating Tudor structuresAretired builder, suffering from gested miniatures. When I looked into it BELOW LEFT: Kevin developed and built arthritis in his lower joints, I found that there seemed to be a lack of this market house. It consists of about 2500 couldn’t even play golf anymore. detailed Tudor houses available so decid- individual pieces and needs a certain amount Needing something to keep ed to try to make a name building them.” of woodworking skills to be able to follow.him occupied, he turned to others for The actual house shown was sold unseen byinspiration. Utilising his twenty years of building a customer who wanted something special, experience, Kevin now creates individual, and bought it as a birthday present for her Kevin Jackson said:“A friend sug- handcrafted Tudor houses that can cost sister, which he had to ship to New Delhi. BELOW: The “Great Hall” option with its double height extending up into the roof tim- bers and large floor area make it perfect for setting up as a banquet. Just imagine suits of armour standing in each of the corners as though looking over the scene in front of them. D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D june 2014 45

meet the makeranywhere from $,100 to over $5,000, ABOVE: Another view of the Great Hall,“but as I take on commissions and build showing the handmade real-stone fireplace,to customers’ specifications, the price and how the room lends itself perfectly forcould go up to anything,” he adds. For hanging shields and stags heads to thethose houses not custom-made to order, walls. Tapestries look fantastic fixed high upKevin just begins working— no plans, no on the back wall or hanging from the roofinstructions, no final vision. “The design timbers.of each house evolves” as he works, and LEFT: The Deluxe Rochester is a verythe result is a truly one-of-a-kind, unique popular house, as it is of medium size whilststructure. still having all of the character, with outside space to use beneath the external stairs and The best thing about being his own to the front. This house would look fantasticboss, says Kevin, is “that I don’t have a with some colourful hanging baskets on it.‘typical’ day. I can work for as many oras few hours as I want each day. After the structures and the specifications he’s25 years of working under the stress of following for custom orders, and eachmeeting deadlines in the building indus- takes about four to five weeks to com-try, I find it very relaxing and only feel plete. All are in twelfth scale.pressure if I create it,” such as imposingdeadlines on himself for shows or exhib- “(My family) are all surprised thatits. Due to the physical restraints, Kevin I have the patience to be able to buildcan only make about six or seven houses them,” Kevin says with a laugh. Anda year, depending of course on the size of patience is key to achieving the realistic46 june 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

‘After all my years in meet the makerthe real construction D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D june 2014 47industry I do tend totry to build my housesas architecturally’correct as possiblelook that Kevin creates. “After all myyears in the real construction industryI do tend to try to build my houses asarchitecturally correct as possible,” headds, which means working with solidtimber, laying the handmade internalfloor boards one at a time, and includingindividually cut, drilled, and fixed tim-ber pegs on the exterior to show wherestructural joints would occur in originalTimber frame houses. “On average, thisresults in 100-130 separate pegs beingfitted to every house,” Kevin states. The wood used for the beams, posts,floor boards, bargeboards, and bracketsare wire brushed “to bring the grainof the timber out,” then distressed andaged before being stained with at leastthree coats. The handmade doors includetwisted metal pull ring handles anddummy hinges. All of this has happened in just afew years. Kevin’s popularity has risenso quickly in this short time due to hisgreat attention to detail. “I even had onewoman say she would order one as soonas her inheritance came through from herfather,” Kevin says, then adds, “I didn’twant to ask whether he had actually diedyet.” DHWABOVE RIGHT: This Rochester housedoesn’t sit on a brick plinth and has a solidbalustrade detail. This was an early stage ofKevin’s houses and does not have the realis-tic door handles and hinges or extra detailedwindows now built in each house.RIGHT: This photo was taken in Kevin’sback garden using five houses lined up justa couple of days before he delivered themto various customers. This was in the earlydays of his doll’s house building and wasbefore he developed the more detailed fea-tures incorporated into his houses today.

project yes, you shall go to the ballWhether for a ball or wedding, a stunningbouquet by Marianne Colijn finishes everylady’s outfit for any upcoming event! By Marianne ColijnI love minis and I do admire Bouquet holder Filling materials nice basis to work with for this people who can do very bouquet. This still had the green complicated projects, but I These days you see a lot of Now that we have talked plastic cup attached so I used usually find myself looking bouquets made on plastic hold- about the bouquet holder we will that too.for an easy way to get a nice ers with a piece of foam in them. need flowers, leaves, and filling Step 1: To make it easy to holdresult. I guess this is because I This makes arranging them a materials to make a bouquet. I the bouquet while working on it,am a sort of Jack-of-all-trades lot easier than the old-fashioned took a few silk lavender flowers I glued a piece of plastic stembut a master of none. Anyway, way of having to wire every apart, which provided me with a into the hole so I had a handlea few weeks ago I saw some flower and leaf and tie them into ton of small flowers; I also used for the bouquet. I started by glu-lovely bouquets and wanted to a bouquet. tiny plastic and paper leaves, ing green plastic leaves to thetry and make some too. I think paper roses, mini plastic flowers, bottom of the green cup to givethey would work for brides or I started looking for some- and flower foam. a nice shape.ladies going to a posh dance thing that I could use for a min-where they used to have special iature bouquet holder. I have a Other than the plastic bits Step 2: This left me with someball bouquets. box with plastic pieces that once and your floral materials, you will space between the stamen were parts of silk flowers and need tacky glue, scissors, and centre and the green cup thatYou’LLneed they looked like the very thing. fine wire (optional). I could easily fill by gluing the Under the flowers and between small lavender flowers in there. n Bouquet holder the circles of silk leaves there Green and lavender Step 3: Then I also added n Filling materials, such are little green plastic “cups” that bouquet some lavender flowers bunched are perfect for this. I have taken together to create the centre of as silk, plastic, or a picture so I hope you get the The first bouquet I made the bouquet. And your first piece paper flowers and idea. The plastic centres of some was very simple. I used the is finished! leaves flowers look like a little bouquet plastic centre with the stamen n Flower foam when you take them apart. I am that I removed from an old silk This is not a really sophisti- n Tacky glue also going to use a small cluster flower, which gave me a really cated bouquet, but it’s still quite n Scissors of little flowers with its green cup. pretty and works well when n Fine wire (optional) Some of the cups have a bit of a stem, which makes a nice handle for the bouquet. If there is no handle, it is easy to add one because the cup always has a hole. You can just add some green wire, a bit of plastic stem, or whatever you have by gluing that into the hole.48 june 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D

projectyou’re on limited resources and spaces between the cluster glued the three mini pink plastic into an old-fashioned bouquettime. The fun thing too is that it flowers to glue a lavender flower flowers in the centre—check by adding a lace or leaf “collar”also looks nice when placed in a to the plastic cup. with the photos for placement. and a daintier handle. Usuallyvase or basket for a table deco- Step 3: To add a little bit of the old-fashioned bouquets hadration and not only in a wedding colour, I glued a little bit of flower Step 2: I used two lavender more than one type of flower soor other large event. foam between the cluster flow- flowers to fill the space between you could add a few tiny flowers ers. Now you have a little round the pink flowers and the leaves. between the roses to get thatBall bouquet bouquet that is called a “bieder- At this stage the bouquet looks effect or perhaps work in rings meier,” or ball bouquet. more or less round. Again I of flowers and colours when you The second bouquet was used a trailing ivy branch to add glue the bouquet together.made using a cluster of small Step 4: You can easily turn this length and shape to the bou- Step 1: I used a green plasticflowers. I removed this from into a more formal bouquet by quet and this time also added a cup shape as the base for mya stem with several clusters gluing on two trailing sprays of fourth pink flower to the top of bouquet. I cut the red roses offof flowers. It already had the ivy like I did. This is ivy made out the ivy. their stems, as these were quitegreen cup and a convenient little of paper leaves and fine wire. I thick and ugly, and glued themplastic bit that had held it to the added some tiny berry clusters To fill the spaces I used to the cup. If you have rosesstem and could be my handle. to the top of the ivy. If you use several sizes of flower buds in with nice thin stems you could the bouquet as a ball bouquet pink and white. Just glue them thread the stems through theStep 1: I glued a pink rose in it would be nice to add a pretty where you feel the bouquet hole in the cup, which looks verythe centre of the flower cluster; it silk ribbon bow. needs something extra or check effective.looked really nice. I used a paper with my photo. Of course yourrose, but it was a bit big so I Pink and lavender bouquet will not look exactly like The cup will keep both rosesfirst peeled off a few of the outer bouquet mine because you may have dif- and stems in place if you add aleaves and only used the centre ferent materials, but that is the bit of glue. I glued some lengthsto glue in the bouquet. The third bouquet required fun part about this kind of mini of fine green wire into the hole a little bit more flower arranging project: each and every one will to create the stems. The finish-Step 2: Then I used the three skill. Once again I started with be different and unique. ing touch could be a few extra a green plastic cup with a small leaves glued to the back of the stem. Modern rose bouquet bouquet and a lovely silk ribbon bow. Step 1: To create a bit of a For the last bouquet I made Step 2: If you want to add lace backdrop for the flowers, I glued a more modern one. These days you will have to gather some two plastic leaves to the outside many bouquets look like a sim- fine lace with a running thread of the cup; one at the top (slight- ple bunch of roses tied together and tie it round the stems and ly to the left) and one at the bot- with ribbon. Sometimes the against the cup, making sure the tom (slightly to the right). Then I bouquet has a sort of “collar” lace shows when you look at the of leaves but you could forget flowers. A modern bouquet will about those. often have white ribbon wrapped around the stems several times. The stems form the handle of Sometimes there may also be a these bouquets and small bow made out of narrow the handle looks ribbon. bigger than the dainty handles on I hope you will have a lot of old-fashioned bou- fun creating these simple but quets. This bouquet effective bouquets for the ladies can easily be made in your doll’s houses. DHW D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D june 2014 49

OPEN HOUSERescue mission endsat The Wren’s NestA one pound bargain from a car boot sale,coupled with furniture from a rubbish bin,ends up as an intriguing home By Sandra HardingT he happy couple living in this fashioned; but as it is so comfortable and to the cottage, so the money will be use- pretty little cottage are Jack and has such happy memories, they intend to ful, just in case the family gets larger. Jill Tarr and their baby daughter keep it that way. Jenny, who is fast asleep in her That’s enough fantasy for anybody, socot. Sitting looking warm and snug is Baby daughter Jenny, the latest addi- I had better get some facts into the story.their ginger cat Nelson. tion to the family, is a lovely, yet expen- sive drain on the budget, so much so that When Judy Wooldridge took a regular Jack, being an only grandchild, Jack may have to exchange his coveted trip to a car boot sale at her local school,was left the cottage by his grandfather, motor bike for a more practical car. They she had no idea that she was going to gotherefore most of the furniture is old also really would like to add an extension home with a lovely little sixteenth scale cottage in need of tender loving care at the cost of one pound. I use the word “lovely” very loosely, as it was in fact in a sorry state according to Judy. But she saw potential and, as often happens, she felt a rush of sympathy for the little cottage. Not one to ignore a challenge, Judy set about refurbishing it, and the end result is what you can see here. It all started off with Judy filling in bits that should be filled in, cleaning and tidying, and then papering and decorating. Judy did not have any 16th scale fur- niture at this stage, but a friend had coin- cidentally found some in a rubbish bin would you believe, and she gladly handed it to Judy for her renovated little cottage. The ‘rubbish’ not only contained a family of what I believe to be 1970s, 16th scale Lundby dolls in their original outfits, it also contained a complete Lundby 1970’s bathroom, original Lundby cooker and50 JUNE 2014 D O L L S H O U S E W O R L D