Book Description
With a little imagination, ingenuity, and these colorfully illustrated projects, anyone can learn to make personalized furniture to decorate a dolls' house! Start with basic pieces that require little more than a craft set; as confidence and skills increase, move on to more demanding work involving cabinet construction and miniature power tools. At every stage, there's an inventory of the necessary tools, equipment, and materials, plus same-size drawings, cutting lists, and color photographs of the completed furnishings. Try easy upholstered furniture; balsa tables, benches, and birdhouses; and imitation basketwork, including a laundry bin. Among the beautiful and small-sized items: a simple winged chair; picnic table; elegant double bed; wardrobe, tall kitchen dresser, and a range of magnificent Portuguese painted pieces. They're works of art!
Customer Reviews:
Not as good as her Miniature Gardens book........2005-09-13
Simple projects, but nothing groundbreaking that isn't available elsewhere.
Book Description
You won’t need any special equipment, because the new polymer clays are easy to sculpt, and even easier to harden, right in your kitchen oven. Once they’re firm, you can carve, sand, paint, and glue them, and even add details and bake again. Using the dollhouse scale of 1:12, these charming projects (with templates) include men, women, girls, boys, and baby dolls with a variety of faces, ages, and hairstyles.
Customer Reviews:
Miniaturist and dollmaker.......2005-08-21
I found the pictures and descriptions very helpful. Good ideas and easy to follow, even if this is new to you.
MUST BUY BOOK.......2003-09-24
I was very frustrated when I was looking to but miniature dolls because they are so expensive. I'm a do it yourself kind of person and this book really helped me through the entire process to make my own dolls. The book starts with a description of all kinds of polymer clay and the author makes her recommendations of clays suitable for miniatures. The book has patterns to make women, men, girls, boys and babies. There are different variations for the different periods (for example the position of the breast to fit better the different styles of dresses, the shoes, etc.) It also has variations to make the dolls look older. The diferents periods represented in this book are: Tudor, Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian. It comes complete with patterns, fabric guidance and full instructions on how to dress the dolls and how to make the wigs. A lot of photos of beautiful dolls in a doll house setting. Do not get discoreage if at the beginning you don't get good results, the author herself advises to practice until your skills improve. It really doesn't take much. Buy this book, you won't be sorry.
Just Fantastic!.......2001-09-03
Very clear directions and instructions with lots of pictures. This should be the first book that anyone buys, if they're wanting to make dollhouse dolls... simple enough for a beginner. Historical details.
Excellent even for beginners.......2001-01-17
I do a lot of different handwork, including very occasional polymer clay, but I bought this book because my then 5 yo daughter loved it. Everytime we went to the store that carried it, I browsed patterns and fabric, she lusted over this book. Finally, I just had to give in to her before someone else bought "her" book. :-)
We haven't been disappointed. The illustrations are very clear, and very much to scale. I love having clothing patterns for the dolls available- they're worthwhile even if you never make one of the dolls. The clear directions make it almost easy to make a face that actually looks like a face. The supplies lists are very straightforward and doesn't include anything you can't easily pick up at your local craft supply stores.
I highly recommend this book, even for children. A 6 yo is a little young to be able to carry out the project on her own, but working together with an adult is very possible.
absolutely outstanding book.......2000-09-21
If,together with this review,I could place a picture of the two dolls I was able to make following Sue Heaser's instructions in this book,you would know why this book should be in everyone's library (that is,all miniaturists). Do not miss out on the author's "Making dollhouse miniatures with polymer clay". This is,in my opinion, another "five stars" book that I absolutely love.
Book Description
No specialist carpentry skills are required, and extraordinarily detailed, large-size photos and drawings make the instructions easy to follow. All the basics are covered, from tools to fabric and woods to making seat cushions. Choose from a black leather Chesterfield sofa, an elegant Knole-style setee that replicates a real 17th century piece, a Victorian bedroom chair, club suite, and more.
Book Description
It takes only a few pages to lay out the tools and weaving techniques, which primarily involve plaiting cotton around wire strands. Twenty-five breathtaking projects, shown in color photos, include a dining room table and chairs; bed and blanket box; bathroom shelf; kitchen storage baskets; and much more. From a baby’s cradle to a chaise longue, each item is a small masterpiece.
Customer Reviews:
Need supplies for this book?.......2007-06-13
I've read a lot of complaints about not being able to find the supplies in order to make these beautiful miniatures. I just recently purchased this book and did a lot of investigating.
Cake wire is just "cloth wire" in various gages. This kind of wire is usually found in the floral section. [...]. You can also find linen cord here which (I think) resembles wicker the best.
The mount board the author is talking about is more commonly known as "illustration board" to artists. Its approximately the thickness of the backing to a school notebook and comes in a few colors. Its very sturdy but on the pricey side.
Any questions please email me. I would be delighted to reply to your emails. :)
Simple and objective explanations.......2006-11-04
I adored the book because he teaches the technique of clear and objective form. Exactly never having made an only part before, I did not find difficulty to understand the execution. E really the parts are pretty.
Cake Wire?.......2006-07-19
I loved the pictures in the book, and was looking forward to try to make some of the items. I have searched the internet trying to find cake wire no.22 that the author of the book says is the best wire to use, but I haven`t found anything called cake wire. When in comes to the thread used, I would think you would get a more realistic look using waxed linen cord, as I know some other wicker artists use. I guess I just have to try to find some other kind of wire that can be used...
Where do I get the Materials?.......2005-06-19
Real excited when I glanced through this book. Beautiful pictures and instrutions. Where do I purchase the materials to make these little treasures? CAKE WIRE No 22....says they are available from "cake decoration specialist". No one knows what I am taking about locally, nor can I find it on the Internet. MOUNT BOARD -- what thickness? Is it cardboard, foamboard or what? THREADS -- Twilley's Lyscordett No. 5. crochet cotton. Unable to find locally or on the Internet. I assume it is a 3 ply cotton crochet thread. AUNT LYDIA'S FAST FIVE may be comparable. Book is published in England, I was unable to communicate via the Internet with WickerCollections.com-- Shelia Smith site for sales of Wicker. I have USA Oregon e-mail "barshere@earthlink.net". would appreciate any information or help on locating these products.
Customer Reviews:
A Beautifully Photographed and Designed Book.......2001-09-09
I've used this book as a reference on how to make clay tiles for roofing and flooring. It has other good tips on designing rooms, and information on making the furniture in the rooms. The furniture is way beyond my ability to make, but it's still a lovely book.
A superb book that will sweep you into the world of minis.......1999-03-16
Venus and Martin Dodge have produced (what I feel) are the most beautiful books on the skills of making miniature scenes, dolls and accessories. My first project was the kitchen in this book. It turned out beautifully. I cannot stress enough how realistic their roomboxes are. Have a great time creating!
A great source of ideas for beginners and experts.......1998-11-07
To start a dollhouse may seem discouraging for many people when you think about the time it takes to finish such a project. Here are the ideas how to do just one room box, but still create the atmosphere that you want in a miniature. This may inspire the beginner to really start with a project to try his/her new hobby, but it is also a great source for the advanced hobbyist to try for a real masterpiece. I can only highly recommend this book to everybody who is into 1/12 scale.
Book Description
No doll house is complete until it's been decorated and furnished in its period style--and no house becomes a home until all the finishing touches have been added. Inside, readers will find step-by-step instructions for over 350 fun, fascinating projects in 1/12 scale, including kitchenware, food, crockery, cleaning equipment, toys, board games, floral arrangements and more.
Packed with photos, easy-to-follow instructions and invaluable templates, this book will inspire all doll house owners who wish to bring their finished models to life.
Customer Reviews:
Varied and detailed.......2007-03-03
I took this book out of the local library because I am in search of projects to build in a larger scale (about 1:3.5) and wanted to get ideas from the dollhouse hobby. It is so lovely to see the photos of all the different completed items put together in a scene, it gives one lots of good ideas and inspirations. Many of the designs are made simply so that they can be copied exactly by the amateur, or expanded upon by the expert. Doll house making is such a varied art, and there is room for many styles. "The Artist's Workshop" chapter is also rather amusing, and "The Illustrator's Studio" is cute. Those and the Conservatory are the ones I personally would most be looking to emulate.
I think there must be some petty gossip and whatnot going on in this miniaturist hobby. There are some exceedingly immature reviews that have been posted below and I hope that amazon gets around to removing them. What do these persons want, some kind of textbook to copy exactly so that everyone's work will look alike? Such a lack of professionalism only makes the hobby at large look bad to the rest of the world. This is a fine book and I would love to see any of these things "live" at a show.
Another Addition to Your Miniature Library.......2005-09-28
Yet another excellent volume to add to your Miniature Library. This book also by Kath Dalmeny, is perfect for those wanting to make their own accessories instead of the commercial items available. Lots of very useful templates to take the guesswork out of those boxes, crates, labels etc. Ideal for those who like constructing things!
Amazing Projects.......2003-10-10
This book is packed with the most amazing craft projects, Kath Dalmeny's attention to detail simply breathtaking. I have her next book and if you want to make your own dolls house furniture, rather than buy it in a store these are the books for you.
The stuff may be a bit European looking to American eyes but that simply adds to the charm. Is she English? I guess so with cricket bats and the like maybe she can get over here and produce an American version with mini bleachers and baseball bats!
To the reviewer from Chicago, if you can do better then I look forward to YOUR book!
My recommendation is buy the book, get inspired and try your hand.
Perhaps I'm just too fussy?.......2003-07-29
While this may be a good place to start if you are new to the dollhouse hobby, on the whole I was dissapointed with this book. The instructions are simple, and easy enough to follow, and there are neat little pictures to photocopy, but the projects themselves are not as high quality as those from many of my other dollhouse books. Great for those who are dabbling with the hobby, but for more experienced mini fans, I would give this one a miss.
FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!.......2003-02-11
This book is absolutely fantastic, it has many projects with easy instructions. (as long as you have the necessary supplies) But if you do its a piece of cake!!
Customer Reviews:
Has some wonderful ideas.......1999-03-08
This book is chock full of great ideas and includes some more modern furniture..something that many miniature books are lacking. The directions are a bit difficult to follow and have to be read very carefully. Measurements are sometimes not correctly stated. If your unsure..make a paper pattern first. Final results will be much better.
Everything you need to know to decorate your dollhouse!.......1998-06-14
Among "How-To" books, this is a standout. Includes specifics on how to build everything from victorian parlor furniture to a palm-shaded island porch. Instructions are clear, patterns are already in 12-inch scale. Beautifully illustrated. A must for any miniaturist!
Book Description
A Victorian milliner's shop contained within a hat box... a fairy house conjured up in a hollow log. Create these enchanting scenes in amazing detail, using nothing but everyday containers, basic tools and readily available materials. "Whether you're a compulsive maker of dolls' house miniatures or a fascinated beginner, this book is for you." --Home & Country
Customer Reviews:
Miniature Worlds Delivers In A Big Way!.......2001-12-25
Susan & Martin Penny have written a fun book that is chuck full of projects for do-it-yourselfers. They show how to create miniature items from inexpensive materials (craft sticks, aida cloth, beads, pins, paper, clay, etc.), and/or things you might normally throw away (bottle caps, coffee stirrers, aluminum foil pie plates, etc). There is a wide range of projects, including a tea room inside an old teapot, a ladies hat & accessories store inside a hatbox, a whimsical fairy dwelling (made with twigs, dried cones, and other interesting things you may find in your backyard or the woods). There is also a wizard's room depicting an open book, which serves as the walls of the castle where the wizard lives. This is a book that will pay for itself in no time at all with the money you save by making your own accessories. It's a must for the DIY-er and I highly recommend it!
Miniature Worlds in 1/12 scale.......2000-04-18
I have made doll houses and miniature furniture and have used unusal things to create the furniture and furnishings. I borrowed this book from the library and couldn't put it down. Couldn't wait to get started and wasn't happy about having to return it to the library. I found so many inexpensive easy ways to create so many things to add to the doll houses. I couldn't wait until Mother's Day to get it as a gift. Went right to Amazon.com to get it NOW. Didn't even want to search in the stores. Thank you Amazon.com for having this available!
Book Description
Create authentic period shops in miniature with the help of the full-color resource. Rich with historical facts, full-color photographs, line drawings, diagrams, patterns, and how-to instructions, this delightful volume is a must-have for doll house enthusiasts. Recreate an early Victorian book store, a 1930s Grocery, an Art Deco tea room, an Edwardian toy shop, and more. From tiny cash registers and merchandise to window awnings and shopkeepers' uniforms, you'll be delighted by the wonderful details of these tiny worlds.
Customer Reviews:
LONG OVERDUE!.......2001-09-03
This book caters for those mini-fans who enjoy authentic finishes and offers many easy to cut plans for counters, sneeze-tops, display units etc. It is categorised into many inspiring sections such as the basics to start with (tools, materials, techniques, lighting and resources) and then proceeds to 5 superb projects - An Edwardian toy shop, Victorian Ironmongers, Art Deco tea room, Victorian bookseller and 1930 Grocer. Do not think that this is only for this time period - there is so much inspiration! Many woodwork items can be used in a modern bookshop/grocer for example. Plans are included for each "shop" with background info to ensure authenticity. How to cut the pieces, assemble them and finish the shop are all included. Load. Its one of my favourite books & well worth the cost.
LONG OVERDUE!.......2001-09-02
This book caters for those mini-fans who enjoy authentic finishes and offers many easy to cut plans for counters, sneeze-tops, display units etc. It is categorised into many inspiring sections such as the basics to start with (tools, materials, techniques, lighting and resources) and then proceeds to 5 superb projects - An Edwardian toy shop, Victorian Ironmongers, Art Deco tea room, Victorian bookseller and 1930 Grocer. Do not think that this is only for this time period - there is so much inspiration! Many woodwork items can be used in a modern bookshop/grocer for example. Plans are included for each "shop" with background info to ensure authenticity. How to cut the pieces, assemble them and finish the shop are all included. Load. Its one of my favourite books & well worth the cost.
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