Dollhouse Wiring 101 pt 6 Finding the Tapewire to Install Lights

Watch the video here.

So now you have all the wallpaper covering up your tapewire and you want to install some lamps in your roombox or dollhouse. But with the wallpaper in place you can no longer see the tapewire so how do you find it?? It is really easy. We did a couple of things way back when we started to make this step easier. Remember that line I had you draw all around your room? The one I told you to center your tapewire on when you applied it. That was one of the things we did to make finding the wire easier. That combined with those pictures I told you to take of the wiring will give you a pretty good idea of where that tapewire runs along the wall. Now we just need to use the test probe that came with our wiring kit to get a precise placement. Just gently poke the prongs of the prob into the wallpaper where you are fairly certain the tapewire is (you will need to have the wiring system plugged in to do this) and when the probe lights up you know you have found your tapewire. On a wooden structure I suggest using a pencil to mark where the holes from the test probe are so they are easier to find again. Now you just need to make holes for either your brads or grommets and install your fixture. See I told you this was an easy step (as long as you followed the steps earlier in the process)

Supply list for wiring part 6

This week we have a really short supply list again.

To follow along your will need:

your roombox or dollhouse that you are working on

lead in wire

transformer

source of electricity

wiring kit (or the items that come in one)

lamp that you want to install

the photos you took of your wiring before you covered it with paper

Tips for Dollhouse Miniature Crafting- Cleaning Your Ceramic Tile Work-surface

Watch the video here.

Since a couple of weeks ago I told all of you that you needed to go out and get a ceramic tile to work on I figured a quick lesson in cleaning it would be in order.

First I always let any glue or paint dry if possible before I clean it up. It is just easier that way. Then I first use a paint scraper to just scrape off anything on the tile. Then a quick wipe with a wet wipe and you should be ready for your next project.

Occasionally I wash the tiles just like I would a plate in hot soapy water. Then let it dry completely standing on its side so that both sides will dry.

I have even run them through the dishwasher a few times and they did just fine.

The only thing you have to worry about when washing them is make sure the back side (the un-glazed side) is completely dry before you put it back on your table. That back side holds a lot of moisture and will stay wet for a long time.

Dollhouse Miniature Trash to Treasure Covered Accent Table

Watch the video here.

This week for our Trash to Treasure project we are going to make a cute little accent table for the dollhouse. This can be varied to work with any holiday or occasion since the paper cupcake liners come out decorated for just about every occasion you can think of. Just be sure to pick ones that don't have definite top to the design since we will be using them upside down.

This would be a fantastic project to teach to a group (especially a group of beginners) since it is so inexpensive to make and really simple to do.

In addition to the cupcake liner you will need:

an empty thread spool that is about 2” tall (or use your imagination and see what else would work)

two circles cut from a cardboard box that are 1 ¾” in diameter

glue

paint (optional- I do recommend spray paint for this)

an optional spacer if you want to make your table taller (like one you might sit at) I would use a ½” block of wood. 

Dollhouse Miniature Easy Corner Roombox pt 6

Watch the video here.

This week we are adding the baseboard molding to the bottom floor of our roombox. Please ignore the messy spot on the wall where I tried to cover up the paint smear. It has been a long week and I just didn't have time to fix it. Hopefully I will get it looking better by the next time we see the bottom floor of the roombox.

I used a strip of 3/8” by 1/16” basswood, you can pick whatever you want to use. You can also choose to either stain or paint yours. It all depends on the look you are after in your room.

This project is really easy and really fast so I hope you all enjoy it.

Be sure to post photos of your project, I want to see what you are working on!

Supply List for Dollhouse Miniature Easy Corner Roombox pt 6

This week we have a really short supply list:

Your roombox or dollhouse you are working on

Some wood strips to use for baseboard trim. (I am using some Bass wood that is 3/8” wide by 1/16” thick.

Paint or wood stain as desired

Clear top coat (if needed)

Easy cutter or saw to cut your trim

Glue to attach it.

That is about all we need this week.

Tools for Making Dollhouse Miniatures- The Ceramic Tile Work-surface

Watch the video here.

If you have watched any of my videos you have seen at least some of the ceramic tiles I like to work on. I first got them just to work with clay but soon found out they are really practical for lots of crafts, especially messy ones. They are durable, easy to clean, easy to get and inexpensive. All things I love.

Seriously you haven't picked up at least one of these you are missing out. I prefer the 12” by 12” size most of the time although if I had room for it I would probably get a couple of the 18” by 18” size by since I film most of what I do and they wouldn't fit under my tripod they wouldn't work for me. Maybe if I get a different tripod????

Anyway, I just wanted to share my favorite work-surface with all of you. Come back in a couple of weeks and I will give you some hints on cleaning your tiles.

Dollhouse Miniature Easy Corner Roombox pt 5

Watch the video here.

This week we are going to be finishing the lower floor in our corner roombox. I love this technique and it is so easy and inexpensive to do you might just become hooked on it.... LOL

For the base that we will be working on I am using a piece of poster board. I discovered my local Dollar Tree had 11” by 14” pieces of poster board in packs of 5 a while back. So much easier to use than the large sheets I usually buy when I just need a small piece. Whatever size your room is try your best to use one piece of poster board to cover the floor area. It is really hard (not impossible) to hide a seam in this.

I just use the same paste for adhering this to the floor that I used for the wallpaper. It will need to get all the way dry before you start with the paint. Also you might want to weight it down for a while to make sure it doesn't warp your floor depending on what your floor is made of.

Once the paste is dry the fun part starts. For this you will want a variety of craft paint that compliments/ matches your project as well as a variety of sponges, cotton balls and anything else that looks like it would give a neat texture when used to apply the paint. In past projects I have also used terry cloth scraps, paper towels, rags made of various fabrics. Really if it is soft and you think it will work give it a try.

I do recommend having a minimum of at least 3 to 5 colors. I got out 10 and I think I used between 6 and 9 of them. (I didn't keep track) Try to have some dark colors, some light colors and some medium ones. The variety will give your floor more depth and make it more interesting.

Work with about 3 colors at a time and just have fun. Remember it is going to look really bad in the beginning so just go with it.

Once you are done and happy with the pattern you have come up with give the floor a clear coat of whatever your favorite clear finish is. I used a Satin Mod Podge and it looks great. The clear makes the floor look more realistic and gives the colors more depth.

Dollhouse Miniature Trash to Treasure Easter Candies

Watch the video here.

This week for our trash to treasure project we are going to do something that is super simple. It is almost a non-project but it sure is fun to make.

We are using some of the colored foil candy wrappers that are so prevalent this time of year to make some doll size Easter candy. Of course this can be done with the foil wrappers from any holiday all year long.

So the first step in doing this project is go eat a couple of pieces of candy. I know, tough job right? LOL

I like to use a small bead inside of my candies, I think they get a better shape that way but you can do the same thing with just the foil.

I think these would look so cool in different colors in jars in a mini candy store.

Corner Roombox pt 5 Supply List

This week's video will be a continuation of the roombox series and we will be putting in the lower level floor. Here is what you need to follow along with me.

A piece of poster board that is bigger than you floor.

Wallpaper paste/ Yes! Paste (whatever you used for the wallpaper)

Brush to spread paste

An assortment of craft paints- I am using mostly creamy colors, peaches, brown, and maybe a few metallic that blend in. If you have a wallpaper with a design pick your colors from that. Try to have at least 5 or 6 colors, more is better in this case.

An assortment of sponges, cotton balls, and anything else you can think of to “pounce” your paint on with.

A clear finish of your choice- I will be using Mod Podge

Optional- you might want to use a large tile or other item to weight down your floor until the paste gets partially dry to avoid warping. This will depend on what your floor is made of. 

Dollhouse Wiring 101 pt 5 Installing a Dollhouse Ceiling Light

Watch the video here.

This week we are going to be installing the ceiling light in our roombox. The procedure is the same in a dollhouse too, as long as there is going to be a room above. I tend to not install ceiling lights in rooms that don't have a room above. Also I make sure that any room on the upper floors that contain the wiring for lights below have carpet because that is not glued down. If we ever need to replace that fixture we will need to be able to get to those wires.

The first step is to drill a hole through the floor/ceiling where you want the light to be. If your structure is wood you will need a tiny drill bit (like the one in the handle of the tool that comes in our wiring kit) for the foamcore I just used the same tool I have been using.

If at all possible turn your dollhouse/roombox upside down while you are gluing the fixture to the ceiling. That way you can get a better view and gravity won't be working against you. I know that most (if not all) the light fixtures have a sticky back. I still always glue them. I just don't trust that that sticky is going to last forever. Don't use too much glue, you don't want it to seep out onto your ceiling.

Once the glue is dry you can start work on getting the wires hooked up. Just like with the front porch light, same steps. The biggest difference is that in the future you will be able to get to these wires so you can fix it later if need be. Or you could even change it out later if you decided to change the style.

The magic part is always when you plug the electricity back into the house and get to see the bulb light up.

One other thing I wanted to mention keep those wires you cut off the fixtures, you use them to make more lamps for your dollhouse. They always come with really long wires so you might as well have them in your stash.