Customer Reviews

Family Dollhouse: 2 (A Studio book)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A Family Dollhouse describes and pictures how to make miniature furniture, pots and pans, candles, and other household items. Jobs that require simple soldering are included, and explained in such a way as to make learning how to do this seem manageable. The author also shows how to whittle a small rocking horse. The variety of materials and items is unusually good. All tools and techniques needed are presented in clear language, with excellent photographs.

A Family Dollhouse is a book that will open a world of wonders for anyone who loves dollhouses and crafts. This is not your usual miniature dollhouse with everything made to scale with real life objects. In this dollhouse, many objects are either a little small or a little big, or in scale to the two little dolls who live there. This creates a marvelous effect in that the dolls in the dollhouse are actually living among a lot of objects that reflect the way real children see things. It's easy to slip into the child's point of view! The warm reds, yellows, and browns of the dollhouse create a warm and cozy feeling. The objects in the house are all made with gentle curves and soft rounded corners, which furthers the illusion of safety and comfort. The individual objects--small copper pans, crocheted nightgowns, comfy knitted blankets, needlepointed rugs and pillows, a miniature set of "stoneware" dishes,a carved rocking horse, and much, much more exude a rare charm that is missing now in children's toys. The author's directions are easy to follow, so that success is easily achievable on most of the furnishings and after a few tries for the more difficult things like the copper cooking pans and the carved soapstone fireplace mantel. This project kept me busy for a couple of years (you cannot create something like this in a week!) and became the product of many loving hands, including my mother and several sister-in-laws. My two daughters and all of their friends played with it their entire childhood. I later used it in my counseling office where it helped to repair many broken hearts. It is now retired and waiting the arrival of grandchildren to begin new adventures!