Elsbeth

Oh and here's something from the archives here:

I have read about people putting them into a plastic bag, with liquid stain, shaking it up and then laying them out to dry. True story. Wear gloves.

They included tons of details in the original house (I have that little afghan!). The bedspread on the boy's bed is also perfect - a brown wool plaid design - really captures the old times.

I love Jane Harrop's minis!

I have a Norman Rockwell dollhouse from Franklin Mint that has 40s decor. I'll see what photos I have - but I can point you to some pics online - it is a ver nostalgic house that I think reflects several generations of furniture. There's a photo of their son on the mantle in a uniform, and there is a radio and a record player from the 30s and 40s. It's cute. I found myself adding things like magazines from the 40s and some shoes and little things. https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/franklin-mint-memories-christmas-136960924

I use the EZ cutter a lot, I also have a Chop-it which is really handy for smaller pieces of trim, and a micro dremel-like tool I got for $10 from harbro freight - which is great for miniature work. Chop-it: https://www.micromark.com/Chop-It?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo4e2p9Kf6gIVvj6tBh1yfQBFEAQYASABEgIbwfD_BwE Cheap Rotary tool that works for my minis: https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/rotary-oscillating-tools/rotary-tools/rotary-tool-kit-80-pc-63235.html I also love my micromark glue jig. https://www.micromark.com/Magnetic-Gluing-Jig-10-1-4-Inch-Square?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI45XskNOf6gIVdiCtBh2ZnAWMEAAYASAAEgKzFfD_BwE I am afraid of power saws.

I stumbled across this info: https://krugercollection.unl.edu/kruger-collection University museums are usually free and have marvelous things in them - If I was in Nebraska, I'd be going to visit the Kruger Collection located in the college of Architecture (call first of course). I was always going to the university archaeology museum in the midwest college town I grew up in - you could just wander into it, free of charge - also the ornithology museum was always open - and it was marvelous - and often very quiet. I never thought to check for a miniature collection somewhere in the campus museums (I should have gone to the architecture building! darn!) - but if you're in Lincoln Nebraska, now you know! The Kruger Collection -go see it! Or view it online like me (as I'll never get to Nebraska): https://mediacommons.unl.edu/luna/servlet/view/all?sort= Her dedication to acquiring historically accurate pieces led to the development of one of the most impressive miniature collections in the country. At the time of her death in 1995, her miniature collection numbers over 20,000 pieces.

I felt the same way for years. And I have a great collection of built/furnished dollhouses I got secondhand to show for it - it's so nice when others do the work, lol. But, years later I started building little things, and now I do a lot more creating. I had been ejoying varioius mini magazines, and then one day all that info seemed to have sunk in and I was able to make things and like them for once. I think some 1 inch or .75 inch strip basswood and something for brackets can take care of your plate shelf if you go that route. Good luck!!