August 2011
A look inside the Dolls House Furniture book of my choice: This is an older book, Easy-to-make projects in 1/12 scale however it is packed with information about "how-to" make doll furnishings. It contains a variety of wonderfully imaginative pieces.
It's contents list: a great introduction, tools and equipment, materials, construction basics, easy upholstered accessories, simply balsa, imitation basketwork, basic pieces, dolls house furniture construction, basic cabinet pieces, alternative seating, using ready-turned components, upholstery plus, power tools, types of wood, further uses for turned components, project miscellany, Portuguese-style painted items, trimmings and needlework, conversion tables, acknowledgments, and index.
Some things to Consider about this Awesome Book
Amazon may have the "Temporarily out of stock" warning but it's not them you would be ordering it from. It's any of those other confident marketers they have aligned themselves with. And take it from me, I have bought items threw them before and find them exceptional in their service.
So it is from this instruction manual that I have incorporated a pattern for a dolls house furniture piece in play-scale. My personal favorite scale. One of the main reasons being, I have this text on hand and trust the info presented.
So, hurry on to the next section to see what is in store for you there...
The last four month issues look into other topics related to dolls house furniture creation. Check those issues out here.
More Info on How to Build accessories here...
If you prefer, buy ready made Furnishings here...
Design Tip #11
Imagine Filming a Walkthrough of your Miniature !
Walkthroughs
A 3D Walkthrough is a series of picture files saved in .avi format that can be played like a movie by other applications such as Windows Media Player.
There are two ways to record a walkthrough:
Entry Vanity Table (of sorts...)
And no you will not find this project in Freida Gray's Dolls House Furniture book. I have just basically studied the how-to's and then proceeded from there to design my own table.
I am sure Barbie will love it, as do I.
My Materials List:
For your Information: Hovering your mouse over any picture below will display the info for that item. Clicking on the picture will take you to Amazon. A list of all needed materials for this craft can be found below this display.
Instructions:
Step 1
With your Dolls House Furniture Book in hand, make a decision of what pattern you will pick.
Will you make one exactly from the book...? Or, recalculate and do one of your own designs?
If you choose to make any of the patterns outlined in the book, begin by photocopying the pattern you have selected. This will help keep your Dolls House Furniture copy in mint condition.
While you work on your pattern you realize that no two people work alike and accept that your version may not be just as illustrated. And actually I hope for your individual sakes that it is not. That's what makes doing any pattern fun and very rewarding anyway. That you plan on putting something that is totally you into it. The pattern will be used for your own immediate use only.
Step 2
Read all instructions before starting. You don't want any surprises you were not expecting to emerge, lol.
Step 3
Write out any ideas you plan on merging with this dolls house furniture project to help make it your own. (e.g. painting it with a different finish, adding something to it...)
Maybe go completely wild and design something using the instructions but making your own new item. The sky's the limit if you use your own design with the basic know-how that's supplied in this book.
A word of caution: Some retailers or manufacturers of wood products have put on a marketing sticker. This tells you what size/kind of wood you have purchased. However, they are sticky enough to actually mare your wood piece when removing them. Always make sure you place any such section, if you have to use it, face down so it isn't on the finished side of your dolls house furniture piece.
Step 4
Next measure, calculate and cut all pieces. Maybe even if need be resizing it. After all if you design your own you will be simply using the instructions as to "how-to" make an item.
I will reveal at the end just what I fashioned using the basic know-how found within this volume. So stay tuned.
Step 5
Sand, seal and paint all pieces to help in the finishing stage. So as everything looks the best when you are finished.
The sealing done in this stage is to help the paint stay on the surface of the wood better. So we won't need as many coats of paint.
Step 6
Glue every piece in place. Use clamps to hold. After the glue dries touch up any place needed with paint, then matte varnish.
Make sure you clean up any messy glue spots before you begin painting or varnishing in this finishing stage.
Step 7
Incorporate your own ideas into your dolls house furniture finished piece. Make this your own by adding additional items you want to include.
"Barbie is welcome onto a large front porch with an overlooking grand terrace.
Includes doll bed, full length mirror, dining room table, 2 chairs, couch, entertainment center with TV and stereo decals, coffee table, lamp, decorating details, and kitchen unit with microwave, oven and sink."
by Step 2
"This house is extremely sturdy. My one year old son uses it as a climbing toy when we're not looking and it has held up like it was made for it! The house comes with a good amount of barbie sized accessories that are pretty cute too.
This house is really big but it fits really nicely in my daughters small room pushed up against the wall. She just pulls it out to the middle of her floor to play with it.
Overall, I am really pleased with this product and can see it withstanding years and years of play." Quotes from Amazon.com
Unfortunately Step2 Grand Balcony Dollhouse is no longer available.
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