MiniMaven Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 I am looking to write a post with a round up of tips about the best advice for putting together a dollhouse kit. It is for a blog that is attached to my website. You guys have hundreds of years of combined experience, so I thought I'd start here first! I am looking for just one tip per person...which I'm sure is sort of hard since you probably have many! I'd be happy to feature a link to your blog or even a photo of your favorite assembled house on this post if you wish. Thanks in advance!!! I will share the post before publishing so you're OK with how you're quoted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sable Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 My best kept secret, but here goes: How to make a granite countertop: Plexiglass, Textured Stone spray paint, White spray paint. 1-Cut 1/8” plexiglass to size with a mini table saw. Smooth edges with sandpaper. 2-Spray the underside with textured stone spray paint, dry, spray with white spray paint, dry. 3-Attach to top of cabinetry. http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/?app=gallery&module=gallery&controller=view&id=120646 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniMaven Posted November 17, 2017 Author Share Posted November 17, 2017 5 minutes ago, Sable said: My best kept secret, but here goes: How to make a granite countertop: Plexiglass, Textured Stone spray paint, White spray paint. 1-Cut 1/8” plexiglass to size with a mini table saw. Smooth edges with sandpaper. 2-Spray the underside with textured stone spray paint, dry, spray with white spray paint, dry. 3-Attach to top of cabinetry. http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/?app=gallery&module=gallery&controller=view&id=120646 I love it, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sable Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 I also like working with real stone for an authentic look. I used a diamond blade on my mini table saw to cut and grind real stone to make this fireplace: http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/?app=gallery&module=gallery&controller=view&id=115379 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madtex1967 Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 Walk away when you are making mistakes and get frustrated. Come back to your project a few days/weeks/months later and it will give you a new perspective and you won't be frustrated. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniMaven Posted November 17, 2017 Author Share Posted November 17, 2017 Just now, madtex1967 said: Walk away when you are making mistakes and get frustrated. Come back to your project a few days/weeks/months later and it will give you a new perspective and you won't be frustrated. Yes, that is good advice when anything is rankling you! My husband is always trying to get me to take a break when I start "running hot" because of frustration. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thimble Hall Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 Juggle your priorities, there are so many exciting things to do and if you are learning you want them all today. It is impossible to learn everthing you see here as quickly as your heart wants to and one can get bogged down trying to, so pick one new thing and keep the others on a bucket list. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniMaven Posted November 17, 2017 Author Share Posted November 17, 2017 Just now, Jeannine said: Juggle your priorities, there are so many exciting things to do and if you are learning you want them all today. It is impossible to learn everthing you see here as quickly as your heart wants to and one can get bogged down trying to, so pick one new thing and keep the others on a bucket list. Patience is a virtue, as they say! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Some of my best bashes came about from repairing "oopsies". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryKate Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 I learned this at a mini workshop years ago: Patience is the art of finding something else to do while the glue dries. ;) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 9 minutes ago, MaryKate said: I learned this at a mini workshop years ago: Patience is the art of finding something else to do while the glue dries. ;) This is when you make the furniture, drapes, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inge Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 My tip would be to not glue in the windows until you are finished decorating inside. This includes making curtains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyole Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 Don't feel like you have to keep something you (and the house) are not happy with. I have redone all kinds of things that I was sure were going to look great but looked terrible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeGee56 Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 Test-assemble major sections without glue and study the parts to know how it goes together and where there are going to be fit problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 Well, duh! *head slap* Of course the dry fit! that's when you can sand/ file/ shave the slot & tabs for a perfect fit and leave it up so the house can tell you what it wants to look like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgwyn Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 My tip is: You don't always have to follow the directions included with a kit. For instance some kits tell you to hot glue the house together and everyone on this site will tell you that is a big no-no. Think it through and figure out what works for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendapetruzzi3 Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 Maybe I overlooked this when joining but can I post about houses that are not Greenleaf? I do buy a lot of Greenleaf products and I did make 2 houses that are Greenleaf. Since my illness and disability, I just finished remodeling an antique beautiful Dollhouse that is not a kit, very large 2 story house. The first floor is all antique toy's and the second floor is living quarters. The one I'm working on now is huge 14 rooms. I'm not sure if it's a kit it doesn't look like one. I thought if I can post pictures someone here may know, is it allowed? Thank you for your help : ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 Brenda, Greenleaf hosts this site for miniaturists. We have a subforum that includes questions about kits by other manufacturers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodentraiser Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 Brenda, you can post pics of your house asking the ID of it in the General Mini Talk section. You never know, your unknown house may turn out to be a Greenleaf. I think you have to have 5 posts before you can post pics. I'm not sure because I'm such a chatterbox I probably had 5 posts in my first 30 seconds! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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