Keys To Building Your Dollhouse Hobby

Become that creative designer and pass on a family treasure that is continually enjoyed with your special dollhouse. Enter into a great creative sport where children can grow in social skills and storytelling, and, adults can enjoy the creative and relational aspects that clubs and the internet offer.

Playing and displaying dollhouses has been popular since the 1700's when the affluent were engaged in the hobby. Today it is for anyone with an interest. Let's explore several keys to building an enjoyable dollhouse hobby.


What will you use your dollhouse for? As an adult collector, consider the finer and more delicate models for display. If you have young children you also may want to provide them with a sturdy dollhouse so that you can enjoy them together. This may keep them from harming your work. For child's play, consider 3/4 or 1/2 inch base with 3/8 inch sides and roofing, or select plastic construction.

What is the most appealing size? Selecting the scale you will use depends on 3 basic considerations:

If you have dolls that you want to fit, select the size that provides several inches of ceiling headroom and a comfortable fit in furniture. This may mean building a non standard size with custom built furnishings.

The most popular size is 1:12 where 1 inch equals 1 foot. This scale provides a very large selection of products.

If space is an issue or you love miniatures, opt for the 1:24, also called half scale. 1 inch equals 2 feet, or 24 times smaller which is becoming more popular. The downside is smaller availability and selection of products.

How will you acquire your dollhouse? Three obvious strategies include making your own from scratch, buying it ready made, or buying and assembling a kit. Making your own will require some skill and the right tools. If you are a DIY enthusiast and adventurous, you might even design your dream doll house using Google SketchUp, a free 3D modeling software package.

What type will you select? There are wonderful models to select from. The most popluar styles include a Tudor, Victorian, Georgian, Colonial, and modern. If you are starting from scratch, you may want to try an easy 1-2 room single floor cottage. Purchasing door and window units adds to the ease of construction and professional look.

What hobby hand and power tools will help? For the DIY, there are many precision hand tools that will aid in your more intricate work such as mini clamps and helping hands, mini hammers and pliers, and mini table saws and lathes. Mini hobby power tools are built for finer delicate work. One example of a versatile tool called the Electro-File can help cut, shape, sand, and finish delicate models.

The fun part: How will you build, wire, and add décor?
Select or design your own pattern. Cut and organize your parts. Consider painting them prior to assembly.

Plan out your working lights, ceiling, floor and table locations. The most popular wiring is twin wire or the socket strip method. Drill holes and run wires along the wall edges from each light into a socket board best positioned at the back of the house. The socket board attaches to a transformer that then plugs into your house outlet.

Add wallpaper and paint, and floor coverings made of doll house tile, wood, or carpeting.

Dollhouse construction can be complex with so many little pieces, so be sure to read all of the directions.

How will you furnish your home? A wide range of quality and price of furnishings and dolls are available. The range is huge. I visited an artisan who built intricate working models of custom doll furniture priced up to $10,000 per unit and he had a two year backlog. For the more faint of heart, you might try eBay, hobby trade shows, and the wealth of dollhouse websites.

Your will enjoy your doll house for years to come as you invest over time and perhaps one day pass it on as a treasured family heirloom.

By: The HobbyTooler

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

If you need that special tool, our mission is to support you with the right www.hobbytoolshed.com”>hobby hand and power tools for your well stocked, versatile workshop. You'll find many hobby books and www.hobbytoolshed.com/freevideoclips.html”>free instructional video clips for your enjoyment and hobby development. Let The Hobby Tool Shed help you delight in your dollhouse experience.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated