kelpieprince Posted September 7, 2019 Share Posted September 7, 2019 Hi everyone! My name is Nikki and I am a complete beginner. I used to build dollhouses and roomboxes out of cardboard as a kid and always longed to build "real" ones, but I don't have carpentry skills (or money to buy pre-made rooms). I've decided to learn to build them, even if it takes me a long time. It's overwhelming looking at blogs and websites full of beautiful projects! I'm having trouble finding resources for a total beginner (ie, someone who does NOT know how to use a jigsaw). I want to build 1:12 roomboxes and maybe someday a full dollhouse. I've found some information on how to build rooms out of foamcore--is that something you recommend for someone like me? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated! Looking forward to seeing all the amazing projects on here and getting to know the community! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted September 7, 2019 Share Posted September 7, 2019 Welcome to the little family, Nicholas. Foamcore boxes can be glued (and also pinned with steel dressmakers' pins) to make sturdy structures; builders' foam is more rigid, so would be stronger. If you play with making papermache even corrugated boxes can be reinforced with it to make sturdy boxes. Your idea is a good one to experiment with getting scale right, handling and using various materials and techniques. I use a utility knife with lots of retractable blades to build the Greenleaf dollhouse kits, not a jigsaw. I started out at age 50 with no carpentry or cabinetry skills or experience, although as a little girl I scavenged shoeboxes and any other boxes I could get my paws on and made dollhouses, pueblos and the occasional monastery. Matboard is also lovely for making architectural doodads and furniture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sable Posted September 9, 2019 Share Posted September 9, 2019 Why not purchase a good wood room box from a place like Hobby Lobby. They have two types. The one I purchased has a nice glass door to keep the dust out. I even applied a veneer to give it a nice cabinet finish: http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/?app=gallery&module=gallery&controller=view&id=132831 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FurMama Posted September 9, 2019 Share Posted September 9, 2019 If you get one at HL you could use their 40% off coupon(online or in app). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mesp2k Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 Hey Nicholas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mariasminis Posted November 19, 2019 Share Posted November 19, 2019 I build out of foam core for almost everything (furniture, whole structures, etc). I highly recommend it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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