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Post by gretch on Feb 19, 2014 9:36:41 GMT -5
I have decided to invest time and energy into a quality half scale house. I began trolling the internet for kits that would inspire creativity and be worth time and effort for the finished product. Having been involved in Miniatures since the 1970's I have worked with every dollhouse company in business over the last 40 years. While each company still in business has a great product, I wanted something more than a box with a roof. I wanted detail, style, and charming character, with a warm country flair. The offerings for half scale were slim and choices were not many. About a year ago I saw the houses listed on ebay from a new company, Laser Dollhouse Design. I was intrigued by the variety of designs, the intricate detail and gingerbread, and the option of 3 different scales. I didn't jump into the ring right away, I just watched with interest the growing list of selections. I have worked with tab and slot and like a lot of builders, had my doubts. I have built several of that type, and while the design offerings are great, the reality of building them with the type of materials used and the die cutting, requires much work to get a finished product that looks professional. With the advent of laser cutting technology, things have improved, but the materials from other companies where still poor and the tab and slot where far from fitting well. Warping parts where still a major issue. Hence my hesitation about jumping into another tab and slot construction, but I couldn't resist the Little Ann Cottage by Laser Dollhouse Designs in half scale and so one day I ordered it and to my delight it is fantastic. When Leonard says tab and slot he means it. Snap, snap, snap and it is together and stays that way, no instructions needed. Every thing fit to precision, and the detail etched in the wood is perfect. But the best is the quality of the wood, it requires very little sanding and nothing is warped. I was a convert. We can now have it all. Innovative designs in 3 scales, quality materials for our base house, windows, doors (love the doors) and gingerbread trim, scribed siding and shingles, and ease of construction. But the best is the engineering on these kits is so well executed that the only slots left showing when the house is together is on the roof, which most likely will be covered with some kind of roofing material. What a great thing that is, no more filling and sanding and filling and sanding to cover up the slots.
I am now a convert and I have choose the Stephanie in half scale for my project. Well, it's not the only one I have but it's the one that say's I'm next. While I wait for my kit to arrive, I will gather what I need to get started. And report back with pictures as progress is made. As the house progress I will talk about the laser burn issue and the painting techniques for a great finish. Hope to share lots of fun and ideas with all
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Post by thelma on Feb 20, 2014 9:12:39 GMT -5
Great post, Gretch. I'll be waiting to see how your Stephanie in half scale goes together. Hearing and seeing your upcoming experiences with the Stephanie, both pro and con, will be great for all of us.
I only have one half scale done...an older tab and slot which was my very first kit and is a castle. One day I will rework it to bring the quality of it up to par.
Anyway, hope to see lots of pictures as you proceed.
Thelma S. in Tucson
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Post by gretch on Feb 20, 2014 14:37:20 GMT -5
Thanks Thelma, getting things together now for the kit arrival
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Shel
New Member
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Post by Shel on Feb 23, 2014 10:02:35 GMT -5
Gretch, your description heightens my anticipation of your project. Thanks for the detailed post, which is very helpful.
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Post by gretch on Feb 24, 2014 15:47:10 GMT -5
 My friends in the miniature business say I am a clean builder, a great technician, which sometimes means I sacrifice creativity for technical achievement. I think that might translate to OCD. I like to start with clean and well prepared materials for building anything. Sanding is a must. The wood Leonard uses is of the very best quality and his laser cutting is very clean and detailed. I love the smell of the burnt wood when I open the packages from Leonard, just like I was back in wood shop sawing and sanding. But if you do not liking the laser burn there are several ways to take care of the problem. Alcohol pads from the drug store can be used to wipe the burn away. I like to sand the burn off the flat surfaces with 320 and 400 grit black sandpaper, Home Depot-Loews-Sears Hardware. Not only does it remove the laser burn but it gives a smooth clean surface. As to the edges, I seal with a few different things depending on what kind of finish I will be doing on the building. My all time favorite sealer is Deft in both can and spray. But there is a strong odor and this must be used in a well ventilated space. The spray is excellent for sealing inside the edges of all the lovely gingerbread. This product dries fast and a finish sanding after it dries will provide the smoothest finish on the bare wood. You won’t want to paint it. If the odor of Deft is not to your liking Cermacoat makes a water base sealer that will do the trick, no spray, so you will have to brush into all the nooks and crannies to seal all the edges. The final method is to seal all the pieces with Kilz, either spray or brush-on. This product is used to seal walls and wood from mold and stain and works very well as the undercoat for dollhouses. I like the spray because it seems to go on with a lighter hand than brushing and it’s easier to get the edges. Again, sanding after it dries gives a nice surface for painting and wallpaper. I can’t stress enough that sanding will help in ease of building and finishing. Please don’t be heavy handed in applying any of the products, this is just to prep the surface and don’t get the slots and tabs full of sealer or Kilz. You might even want to use painters tape to prevent anything from getting in the slots and on the tabs. My Stephanie kit arrived on Friday evening and while doing mundane chores on Saturday I had the dry fit. I will post pics tomorrow. The wood was beautiful and as always the pieces where precision cut, and went together exactly the way they should. What a pleasure to work with this kit. |
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Post by Leonard on Feb 25, 2014 15:04:38 GMT -5
Gretch,
Good explanation and thoughtful information. Just what we are looking for to help those who are entering the miniature world, the newbie I am sure would find this most informative. Can not wait to see another great kit from you and the talents you will display. Thank you.
Leonard
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Post by gretch on Feb 26, 2014 9:07:49 GMT -5
thanks Leonard, feedback is always appreciated
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Shel
New Member
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Post by Shel on Feb 27, 2014 12:14:50 GMT -5
Gretch and Leonard, I wholeheartedly agree as a newbie to this type of hobby (my previous work is plastic models and tailoring clothes for dolls). The post by Gretch is most helpful.
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Post by gretch on Mar 4, 2014 9:23:21 GMT -5
I have all the pieces of the Stephanie prepped, so I need to make some choices as to color and treatments for the interior and exterior. I have selected an assortment of half scale papers from Brodnax, arts and crafts and Victorian with a similar color range. I tested colors for the exterior and came up with 3 shades in the putty to green family and a contrast of terra cotta for definition of the trim. For paints on quarter scale any good quality craft paint works fine, perhaps watered down just a bit. Several thin coats give a better finish with some sanding between coats. For half and 1 inch I like to use good latex paint and the sample jars are the best, no more mixing a full quart for a small house. I do water the paints down for ease of painting. I also like to use spray paint by Krylon for intricate gingerbread where ever possible. Not only does it cover well and quickly but it provides a beautiful finish. What I don't want to be painted I mask off with painters tape. If you need a little for touch up just spray a puddle on a paper plate and apply with a brush. For finishes on the exterior of the house and the foundation I have decided to use stone and stucco. My choice for stone work is egg carton stone or brick. Paper clay works very well and I admire those who use it extensively, unfortunately my relationship with paper clay is rocky, so I will cut an infinite amount of little bricks to glue on the foundation. Paint and age and seal once it is all glued. For the main part of the house I will stucco. I have 2 materials I use with equal success. Elmers wood putty, either the yellow or white in a tub or tube. Put some in a container and add a little water, to the consistency of pancake batter, and apply with a sponge brush. Easy application and you can texture as much as you like. Don't add too much water as you don't want warpage on your boards and you want to be able to texture easily. If you can't find wood putty Dap fast and final will work the same way. Both of these products will provide a great stucco texture and fill any gaps and holes that need filling. If you have too much texture you can sand when dry. Then paint and if you want to add character age with paint washes or dry brush some colors, both lighter and darker. On another topic I am so happy to see people using this new forum and communicating back and forth about creating and questioning. There are a lot of talented people who have so much to contribute to this hobby and to Leonard's forum. Let's all keep up the great momentum. I have learned so much for each of you and been inspired by your creative ideas. Thank you
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Post by gretch on Mar 17, 2014 8:35:05 GMT -5
Some progress has been made in this project. Here is pic of first window for color and brick treatment at top. Bricks are the egg carton variety. I think this will work fine. Also put some brick on the arches of the sunroom and the bottom portion of the sunroom. There were some questions about type of glue to use. There are so many different kinds of glue and brands of glue, it's hard to know what is the best. And glues change, you find a great one and next thing it's off the market and you have to find something else. At the moment here is what I like to use. For wood to wood, houses or furniture I like yellow wood glue, like Elmer's, why, because when it cures it is hard, not flexible like white glues. If I have a piece of wood that may be stubborn I may use a few drops of crazy glue to help bond faster. It doesn't dry clear but it does give a good bond and less is better. For flooring, egg carton brick and trim I use Aileens tacky or fast grab and again less is better. For wallpaper in smaller scales I prefer scapbooking glue sticks, less mess, less moisture on the materials and holds just fine. I am not a fan of Yes glue, 3 months later the paper will be peeling and buckling off the wall. Cellulose wallpaper paste from Home Depot is much better and less costly. Again, anything stubborn that doesn't want to stick where I want it gets a small dot of crazy glue along with the white or yellow glue and some clamping if possible. When to use hot glue guns - never. While they may stick it now and fast, it won't be stuck for long. We are all investing too much time and energy into our projects to have them fall apart a few months from now. Better to take a little more time now than redo later. On another note, a big kudos to Leonard and family for another superior design for the Tudor request. That house is a show stopper!  Attachments:
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Post by bokchick on Apr 7, 2014 13:20:53 GMT -5
Gretch I can only admire your perfectionism!
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Post by gretch on Apr 8, 2014 7:21:30 GMT -5
Thank bokchick, your finished project was great as well, I have made a lot of progress and will post pics by end of week. Real life has reared it's head and demanded my attention. I am thrilled with all the enthusiasm and progress I see on this forum. I have a real desire to see Leonard and his family, make this adventure into something special, he's designs and his skill merit attention. And I hope we can all help get the focus pointed his way. My inventory of house kits is expanding monthly. I will be at this for a long time.
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Post by gretch on May 13, 2014 9:26:05 GMT -5
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