Standard Homemade Clay Recipes

Standard Homemade Clay Recipes

You've probably used a form of one or more of these age-old homemade clays in the past. If you use one, it will save you some money...can't beat that!! Cold Porcelain Clay 1.  Combine in a non-stick pot*: 1 cup polyvinyl acetate glue such as Elmer’s Glue All 1 cup cornstarch 2 tablespoons baby oil or pharmacy quality mineral oil 1 tablespoon lemon juice (lemon or lime juice is a great emulsifier) 2.  Cook on low heat, stirring constantly for approximately 10 minutes. If done, dough will come away from the sides of the pot. 3.  Remove from heat and allow to cool. 4.  Knead until it has a smooth, clay consistency. 5.  Seal in a container or seal-top bag and store in a cool, dark place like the refrigerator. 6.  Tempera paint powder may be used for coloring the dough. Most users actually paint the modeled item after it has dried. _____________ *Use a heat diffuser under the pot or use a double boiler. I use a smaller pot in a larger pot filled 1/3 of the way with hot water as my double-boiler.   Salt Clay (Victorian Version)  1.  Mix in a non-stick pan*: 2 cups salt 2/3 cups water 2.  Stir constantly over a low flame heat for about 4 minutes (do not boil). Remove from heat. 3.  Quickly mix in another container: 1 cup cornstarch ½ cup cold water 4.  Add the cornstarch mixture to the heated mixture. If combined ingredients do not make a thick paste, place pan back on low heat and stir for about a minute until dough-like. 5.  Place dough on flat surface and knead dough until it is smooth and pliable. 6.  Place in an air-tight container in cool dark place like the refrigerator. 7.  It may take up to 2 days for a modeled object to dry at room temperature. For quicker results, preheat oven to 350 degrees F, and then turn the oven off. Place the modeled item in the oven, preferably on a wire rack, and leave inside until the oven has cooled off. I wouldn't advise putting the paper gingerbread house core in the oven though. 8.  Dried items can be gently sanded with a fine grit sandpaper. ___________ *Use a heat diffuser under the pot or use a double boiler. I use a smaller pot in a larger pot filled 1/3 of the way with hot water as my double-boiler. Homemade Play-Doh 1.  Mix in a large bowl: 1 cup of salt 1 cup of flour 2.  Slowly add the following: 1 cup of water (stop adding if consistency is good) 3.  To preserve the clay add the following: 2 tablespoons oil 6 teaspoons alum 4.  Continue to mix, then knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic without being sticky. 5.  You may color with food coloring. 6.  Store in cool dark place in a sealed container.

£1,500 Victorian doll's house for sale in estate agent's window | the Daily Mail

£1,500 Victorian doll's house for sale in estate agent's window miniature house collector was getting so overcrowded at home she was forced to put one of them on the market - at an estate agents. Prospective buyers were fooled by pictures of the stunning detached Victorian townhouse on display in the window of R House estate agents in Torpoint, Cornwall - thinking it is a full sized house. It is being marketed as a bargain at just £1,500 being within the reach of any first-time buyer with no stamp duty or solicitor fees, no HIP, a survey - and no chain. Scroll down for more... Read the full artical with images here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=494974&in_page_id=1770 ~hugs~ Cre8

Miniature Plants Tutorial

Translated version of http://lasminiaturasdenualamary.blogspot.com/2007_09_26_archive.html

Translated version of http://lasminiaturasdenualamary.blogspot.com/2007_09_27_archive.html

Translated version of http://lasminiaturasdenualamary.blogspot.com/2007_09_27_archive.html

Mini Flowers: June 2006

Mini Flowers: June 2006

Real or Miniature? You be the judge

Daniel McPharlin - Design & Illustration http://www.danmcpharlin.tz4.com/ Pocket Synthesizers, Electronic Analog Ensembles, Modular Marimbas to Hexatrons. All Hand-made cardboard models. If I did not see them with my own eyes I would not ever have believed it had anyone ever told me about them. They are truly just amazingly done. These tiny handmade cardboard miniatures of old analog audio equipment by Daniel McPharlin have to be the cutest things I’ve seen in a long time. The fine details of these vintage machines that he has recreated into miniatures exhibit an amazing craftsmanship. According to Dan they are “an interesting experiment to render hi tech objects in a low tech medium such as paper or cardboard.” Check out the rest of Daniel’s miniature on his flickr set.

Celebrating Our 35th Year With NAME

Only Through Sharing can We Really Enjoy Our Treasures

National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts

Celebrates 35 Years of Miniatures

This blog belongs to Region E-3 Florida member Andrea Herrera AKA Cre8

and region M-1 New York member Pearl Vivies AKA Mini Diva

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The Miniature Gazette was established in 1972

This semimonthly publication is distributed to the supporting members of NAME. It alone is worth the cost of membership. The materials published in it is contributed by individuals for the reading enjoyment of NAME members. Chock full of articles, projects, photos and reports related to miniature activities.

Classified Advertising in NAME's Miniature Gazette

Weather or not your a member of NAME or would just like to advertise your miniature related Internet or brick & mortar store front do it in the Miniature Gazette for only 65 Cents per word, and for $25 you can add a logo, photo or artwork.

Interested in Advertising in the next issue?

Send request to:

Dorthy Hansen, Gazette editor

PO Box 1285

Monroe, WA 98272-4285

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MINIATURE SHOP

Now days with all the miniature related websites and auction sites there seem to be less real stores to walk into as well as less visitors showing up to shop the miniature shows.

Many people think they are saving on taxes when in all actuality they are spending more on shipping and handling as well as taking big chances making purchases they can not see the real quality of online as they possibly could if seen in person.

If we wish to keep the hobby of collecting and or even creating dollhouse miniatures alive and well we need to make purchases where ever we are able to. Not just to those shops who have a website and sell only online or on auction sites like Ebay, but have you ever given any thought to calling up a brick & mortar shop that does not have a website and asking them if they will sell and ship to you? I bet if you tried they will.

OCTOBER

International Dollhouse & Miniatures Month

Do you know of a Brick & Mortar Shop for purchasing Miniatures and or Dollhouse Hobby related items that is worthy of mention from our blog here?

At no cost to you, just comment to this post letting us know who they are, where they are and what they do, sell, teach etc... You might just be selected to have your mentioned store featured here in our blog. All mentions will be linked or advertised for free. Its just our way of helping to keep the hobby alive and hopefully we can infect some others to open new shops in areas around the globe.

Well it has been my pleasure writing to you this first of many more posts to come. Please bookmark our blog and come back to see what myself, "Mini Diva" Pearl or one of the other guest divas we may have collaberate here may talk about next.