Mixed-Media Dollhouses: Techniques and Ideas for Doll-size Assemblages [Paperback]

Tally Oliveau (Author), Julie Molina (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2010

This book takes the artistic approach of assemblage and collage, and combines it with the long-loved tradition of making doll houses--but these doll houses are anything but traditional! Begun as an artistic challenge between a group of talented friends, these mixed-media doll houses include beautiful castles, undersea fantasy-lands, gothic attics, inspiring tree houses and much more. Authors Tally Oliveau and Julie Molina share a host of interesting alteration techniques while showing readers how to construct beautiful, fantasy doll houses. Readers learn to how to construct or repurpose found boxes into rooms and houses, how to decorate interior surfaces, how to build miniature furnishings, how to make their own paper dolls, and how to embellish their houses using a variety of imaginative materials.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Oliveau and Molina cover everything from painting and creating smooth corners, to which adhesives to use for attaching different types of items, to how to create 3-D inters and “cool dangly things.” The book is rounded out with a gallery, some copyright-free images, and several templates.”  - Book Review by Barbara Delaney, “Cloth, Paper, Scissors” May/June 2010

About the Author

Tally Oliveau is a collage and mixed media artist and has been widely published in Somerset Studio, Belle Amoire, Somerset Memories, and Somerset Home. Tally is the president of Papier Studio, a greeting card company. Her artistic cards are sold in stores all over the country. She lives and teaches in Los Angeles, CA.

Julie Molina is a collage and mixed media artist. She has been published in several of Stampington’s publications including Somerset Studios Magazine and her work is included in 1000 Artist Journal Pages by Dawn DeVries Sokol. Julie lives in Los Angeles, CA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Quarry Books (March 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592535887
• ISBN-13: 978-1592535880
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #457,249 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, inspiring, very creative, March 20, 2010

By 

D. Meyer "Kachina Doll" (Atlanta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mixed-Media Dollhouses: Techniques and Ideas for Doll-size Assemblages (Paperback)

I am so glad I got this book! The pictures and ideas are wonderful. The book is full of inspiration. Only a couple of grammatical errors in the text, but the photography makes up for everything. Anyone can now make creative dollhouses for any theme, with any materials, and at little cost. I will buy another copy of this book for my sister - I know she'll love it. Can't wait to get started. I bought a little journal and I'm jotting down ideas that come into my head as I'm looking through this book. A big THANK YOU to Tally and Julie! Would love to see a sequel book, too.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars thank you for writing this book, April 22, 2010

By 

Tracey A. C. Kazimir "traypup" (fort collins, co usa) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mixed-Media Dollhouses: Techniques and Ideas for Doll-size Assemblages (Paperback)

I have been creating shrines and other assemblage for over 10 years now and when I think back to my childhood, I remember that it all started there. We couldn't afford the Barbie Townhouse, so I made my own. I was always creating little living spaces for my dolls or imaginary people and when I think back to it, it makes me happy.

That happy feeling got me started on a new dollhouse. An altered dollhouse. I started with a box from a warehouse store, painted it and gave it a cool brick-looking roof. And then I got scared about wasting my time on something so silly.

Oh, but wait, it makes me happy, doesn't it?

My friend showed me this book yesterday. I have only looked at the photos (haven't read a stitch of text) and immediately went to the store to pick up a copy of my own. I went home and dragged out my dollhouse and am looking at it with a fresh eye and "permission" to play.

And it makes me happy.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stupendous!, April 29, 2010

By 

Latin Pod (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mixed-Media Dollhouses: Techniques and Ideas for Doll-size Assemblages (Paperback)

This book could encourage anyone, regardless of artistic skills, to become engaged in the art of assemblages. The idea for the book was born when the authors, Tally Oliveau and Julie Brill Molina, challenged a group of artist friends to create specific rooms for a theme house. When the participants finished, the rooms were assembled into a house. Apparently, they had so much fun, that they created a collection of houses - a tree house, a castle, a circus house, and 4 others. Each room is basically a shadow box which is intricately decorated with miniatures, paper dolls, mixed media, and much, much more. The book could be useful for someone interested in a form of self-expression or easily adapted for an elementary through high school project.