WyckedWood

I would put a paint stripper on the wood. I like the citrus type paint removers, they go on like a gel and stay put. Once the original stain is mostly gone, assess how much stain you want to add back to the wood. Sand sharp edges to be more rounded and used looking. I prefer using burnt umber oil paint instead of regular wood stain. Brush on, wipe off. As far as the globe thats trickier- would depend on how it’s made, but possibly an antiquing medium would work- sold next to craft paint. have fun- I totally get it about getting re obsessed with your dollhouse. It comes in waves for me lol- Karin

This is how nice and down to earth Rik was: A friend of mine from high school worked for a carpet installation company in Portland. He happened to find himself one day putting in new carpets in Rik Pierces house in Vancouver WA. He had a long conversation with Rik about Riks past in art and how he got started etc. He allowed my friends little girl to come and visit the dollhouses- keep in mind this was a random carpet installer lol- my friend knew I was a dollhouse person and later told me about it and showed me photos of his little girl and Rik and the dollhouses. I had always wanted to take a class but back before Rik retired that was not in my budget. I did gain years of inspiration from studying his work in photos. And if you look through the old small stuff digest archives his advice and help and knowledge is still there to see. At least as long as the archives are viewable.

I have built countless dollhouses and always feel mildly terrified when I begin a new one. Sorry- that’s probably not helpful. One step at a time and make lots of lists!

Very sad to hear that Rik Pierce has passed away. Thank you for the years of inspiration.

Found the magazine in this lot- it’s on eBay. It’s the Jan/ Feb 1999 edition of Miniature Collector. https://www.ebay.com/itm/333805734622

Judee had written a feature in Miniature Collector magazine for one of her beds- this isn’t much help because although I have the edition I don’t know where it is to check- but it’s on the cover if you wanted to look through old back issues of MC on eBay. She called it the Butterfly bed, because the headboard was shaped like butterfly wings but aside from that it was the same canopy pattern as her other beds. - Karin

Thanks Shannon. Holly, it took me half an hour to find my own albums. It’s nice to look through Christmas photos for ideas but for me I have to start a project in June if there is to be any hope of finishing by December. Karin

This was my first Christmas gingerbread house, a cute little mouse house and one of the first houses I made. Before I made dolls I made Brambley Hedge style mice

This one I made for my sister, it’s half scale .

This one I made for my Mom.

This is my Holly Cottage. I added dolls after I had just begun to make them myself, I didn’t actually make these dolls I just painted and dressed them so my skill in that regard improved a little. I made this house from a kit called Jasmine cottage (I think, if I’m remembering right) by laser dollhouses on eBay.