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At one time, the creation of a dollhouse was a mystery known to only a select few highly trained artisans. Dollhouses were commissioned works, available only to the extremely wealthy. Mass-production techniques combined with newer materials and tools, however, made the construction of dollhouses a project that can be performed by anyone with a reasonable level of carpentry talent and experience.

Your first step is to design the dollhouse. Once you have accomplished this step and have a clear idea of exactly what you want the finished product to be, you are ready to begin construction. You have two choices. You can buy a ready-to-assemble dollhouse kit, or you can create the dollhouse completely from raw materials.

A dollhouse kit, by its very nature, will not be as endlessly customizable as a dollhouse built from scratch. However, a wide variety of kits is currently available on the market, enabling you to choose one that closely fits your vision. If you are uncertain about your carpentry skills, you may want to purchase a kit.

If you choose to build the dollhouse from scratch, you will need to decide on the type of material you want to use. Wood is the most traditional. However, some types of wood work better than others. If you want the dollhouse to be reasonably sturdy and able to be handled, plywood is generally a good choice. 3/4” plywood is the most durable choice for the floor and structural components. 3/8” is acceptable for non-structural walls, doors and the roof.

Draw out a pattern on paper. You should have a pattern for every feature of the house including the base. Remember to keep the scale that you selected (most commonly 1:12) in place. Be sure to mark your walls and doors as well.

Cut out the pattern and use the pattern to mark the wood. Although the wood can be cut by hand, a circular saw and perhaps a jigsaw will make your job both easier and less time consuming. Pre-drill holes with an electric drill in the corners of all openings such as windows and doorways.

Once the pieces are cut, you will want to sand all of the edges smooth. A plane may be necessary if the cuts are uneven, otherwise simple sandpaper will suffice. Use a rough grain first and finish sanding with a fine grain.

After all of your pieces are sanded smooth, you are ready to join them together. Use a thin layer of wood glue and a series of common nails. Small screws can also be used for added stability. Be sure to drive all screws flush and countersink all nails. Sand again over the finished nails or screws.

If you want to paint the dollhouse, you have two options. You can paint the pieces individually before assembly, or you can paint the whole dollhouse once it is assembled. There are pros and cons to both methods. The method you select will ultimately be based on your painting skills and the design you envision for the dollhouse.

Building a dollhouse can be as elaborate or as simple a project as you would like. If your carpentry skills are not advanced, a dollhouse kit will allow you to do more elaborate construction. If you are confident in your skills, then designing and building your own dollhouse will allow maximum freedom. The decisions are completely up to you.

About the Author:

Learn more about the fascinating world of miniatures. For a great selection of charming dollhouses, visit www.TheMagicalDollhouse.com today.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Building a Dollhouse

Wooden Doll House Kits, including Victorian Doll Houses avai

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Dollhouse Miniature Blue Enamel Cookware $2.99 Dollhouse Miniature Set of Blue Enamel Cookware designed for the 1:12 scale miniature setting. Made of painted metal. Measures: Stock pots 1 1/4 in wide x 1/2 in tall, Large sauce pan - 1 1/4 in long x 1/4 in tall, Large sauce pan - 1 1/2 in long x 1/2 in tall. ...

1:48 Miniature Pink Basket Quilt Kit by Lindee's Little Linens $12.99 Miniature Pink Basket Quilt Kit by Lindee's Little Linens designed for the 1:48 scale miniature setting by Lindee's Little Linens. All Lindee's linens are made of 100% cotton fabric. The ink will not run because linens are water resistant. Makes 1 quilt and 4 pillows. Quilt measures: 1 3/4 in x 1 3/4 in. You will need fabric glue with a metal tip and scissors to complete this kit. Complete step by...

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The Beacon Hill Dollhouse Kit $163.99 Dollhouse has seven rooms and two hallwaysDollhouse features three fireplaces, three bay windows, and a winding staircase add to the elegance of this dollhouseKit goes together with tab and slot construction that only requires glue

Magnolia Dollhouse Kit $71.04 Now you can fulfill those ambitions on a modest with the lovely Magnolia dollhouse kit. This classic country farmhouse comes with two floors and four large rooms.

Vineyard Cottage Dollhouse Kit $66.99 Your child will love playing with a Vineyard Cottage Dollhouse KitHobby item is representative of the carpenter-gothic cottages built after the Civil WarDollhouse front is bedecked in gingerbread and bargeboards mimicking tent trim

Lily Dollhouse Kit $86.99 Create your own family treasure with this dollhouse kitThe plain wood dollhouse has seven spacious rooms on three floorsA wrap-around porch, back door, and Mansard roof add grace and dignity to the architectural style

Arthur Dollhouse Kit $47.99 Arthur dollhouse kit is a wonderful little house for the new collector or young miniaturistDollhouse features include silk-screened windows, a quaint front porch and four ample roomsGingerbread trim make this cottage appealing

A wooden doll house is one of the nicest gifts you can purchase for your daughter. Doll houses let little girls explore their imagination and if you are planning to purchase an unassembled or DIY kit for a wooden doll house, it will develop your child’s patience and creative skills as well as giving your family precious time to bond with each other.

To help you buy the ideal wooden doll house for your little girl, here are several tips to keep in mind.

Scale
The standard scale for doll houses, whether wooden or not, is 1:12. Simply put, the size of the doll house is twelve times smaller than it would be in real life. This is also the ideal size if your little girl intends to use the doll house for her Barbie dolls.

Of course, there are some models that use smaller or larger scales. You can use that, too, if you deem it preferable for any reason.

Types of Wood
The two major types of woods used for doll houses are plywood and MDF. Some models, however, use other types of woods.

MDF is a compressed, man-made form of sawdust and glue. It is a popular choice for wooden doll houses because it’s durable and affordable, it’s easy to cut, and its smooth surface is paint-friendly. The fact that it doesn’t splinter is also a plus for your children’s safety.

Some people, however, dislike using MDF because it’s not genuine or top-quality wood and it working with it also generates a huge amount of dust.

Plywood is thinner than MDF, which makes it less durable. It has a somewhat rough surface and even with a layer of paint, the grain of the wood can be still visible. You’ll see it mostly used with collector’s edition of doll houses because they’re perfect for fancy doll house trimming and other small elements. Plywood comes in large sheets and because of their lightweight quality, they’re easy to transport from one workplace to another.

An example of rarely-used wood for doll houses would be oak. They are rarely painted when used for making doll houses because their natural look is worthy of appreciation already. Besides, with the price you’d be paying for such materials, you should let people know that you’re using oak for your doll house, don’t you think?

Style
Lastly, consider the style of doll house you intend to purchase. This is especially important if you are planning to purchase a DIY kit rather than a finished one. Consider the level of difficulty involved.

Remember these tips when you go shopping and you’ll come home with a wooden doll house that’s sure to bring a smile to your daughter’s face.

About the Author:

Find out the important considerations for buying a wooden doll house. DollHouseGifts.com offers a wide variety of top quality wooden doll house.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Essential Tips for Choosing the Right Wooden Doll House

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