Dollhouse Miniatures Magazine: Tiny creations come from big imaginations.
Written: Dec 15 '00 (Updated Jan 05 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Full of useful information, great for beginners, collectors or artisan's
Cons: expensive
The Bottom Line: One of the best Miniature magazines around.
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| Mininut's Full Review: Dollhouse Miniatures Magazine |
Christmas time is a time for all little girls and boys and even big boys and girls. Ever since I was little I wanted a dollhouse just like so many other little girls' have dreamed of. I however did not get my first dollhouse till 1997 and that was one of the best Christmas presents I had ever received.
How I got hooked on Miniatures
In 1981 my grandmother passed away. I adored that woman so much and it was crushing to find out she had left this world. Grandma collected dolls and had some dollhouse furniture when she was a young girl. After she passed on the furniture disappeared. In 1996 my great grandmother was going through some boxes in her attic and found the dollhouse furniture. Now since I am the oldest grand daughter she shipped the miniatures to me. I will never forget when I opened that box of tiny gems. From that day on I was instantly hooked! Now I had this gorgeous set of 1" scale Victorian living room Furniture, a beautiful dining set and an exquisite bedroom set with no place to put them! I had to have a dollhouse and leave it to the dear hubby to come through for me!
How I heard about Dollhouse Miniatures
This magazine is hard to find in your local magazine shops but there are one or two here in Austin that occasionally get this magazine. Lucky for me in my quest for minis I came across this magazine as well as two others that you will learn about in later in this review. You will also see this magazine for sale on E-bay under its original name. That’s right Dollhouse Miniatures was once called Nutshell News. For years this wonderful little magazine astounded the beginners and experts in the miniatures field!
A little about Nutshell News
Around the late 1960’s someone had a brilliant idea to make a magazine devoted to Miniatures and what do you know! It took off like a rocket and has been non-stop ever since! Each month you would get a small magazine (9"H X 6" W) packed with great information on collecting and making Dollhouses and their furnishings. The size of the magazine was wonderful, it was perfect to read between chores and it didn’t take up a lot of space in your magazine rack either. There were numerous advertisements for Miniatures stores and dealers; articles on how to make featured items and schedules of the next miniature shows. The wonderful detail of the in color pictures is enough to make any little girl dream for that perfect castle of a dollhouse. Nutshell News also came complete with diagrams for that miniaturist that loves to build their own!
A little about Dollhouse Miniatures
In the late eighties to the early nineties Nutshell news went through a complete overhaul complete with a new name! Now this over haul lost Nutshell news several customers but it served to bring in a younger generation. Gone were the days of the small little magazine and in with the larger more modern size magazine (10 ¾" X 8"). Gone were the days of the small diagrams and in with the full size diagrams. Gone were the days of ½ Black and White print and half color and in with a full colored magazine with pictures you could see clearly. In the all-new Dollhouse Miniatures you will find a wonderful selection of miniatures from all parts of the world in full detail. Each issue comes with wonderful cut outs ranging from Chinese take out to Mini Pet products. These cutouts are a wonderful addition to any dollhouse and they can be used in a child’s dollhouse or an adult's dollhouse.
Lets break it down
In each issue of Dollhouse Miniatures you will find Featured articles that cover special designs and dollhouses made by Artisan’s (Professional Miniaturist) and beginners. You will find everything from making miniature bears, making your own window treatments or building planters. You will learn the names and work of Artisan’s such as Tom Bespaq who is the creator of the most sought after (and expensive) Bespaq Furniture. Meet Brooke Tucker, In my opinion one of the greatest miniaturist alive. She has exquisite workmanship and if you are truly lucky you can sign up to take courses and learn from her (If you happen to have a spare $1500.00 laying around for a 5 hour class). DM also offers Artisan Showcases that feature works from outstanding miniaturist such as Sue Thwaite or Maggie Pernice. Are you looking to build your own furniture? Visit the Furniture maker section and learn to make a mission style rocking chair, a sleigh bed or kitchen cabinets. Learn to use polymer clays and how to make treasured items in all scales from 1", ½", ¼" and yes even 144th scale. Send a letter, call or e-mail your comments to DM and you may be picked as a feature in their "Readers Write" column. Looking for that perfect dollhouse? Need to know where to shop? Well just take a peek under "Shopper’s Guide" or flip over to the "Show Calendar" to locate the perfect minis. Do you want to sell minis? Well call me first and if I don’t want them you can list them under the "Classified advertising". Yes this magazine has it all, whether you are a beginner or an Artisan or even if you just love to look and dream this is the magazine for you.
So how do I get Dollhouse Miniatures?
You can get 12 wonderful issues of Dollhouse Miniatures (DM) for $39.95, which is a great bargain. And this magazine makes a perfect gift for any lover of Miniatures no matter what the age is. If you want to save even more you can receive a two-year subscription for $74.95 or even a three-year subscription for $106.95. Now these prices are different for overseas and foreign subscriptions and you can subscribe on-line! By going to https://secure.kalmbach.com/kpc/cir/subscribe2.asp?pub-cde=NSN
If you would like to contact Dollhouse Miniatures then use the following information. Call toll-free 1-800-446-5489, Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST. If you are outside the U.S. and Canada call (262) 796-8776 ext.421 or fax (262) 796-1615. E-mail customerservice@kalmbach.com
Or go postal by sending mail to: Kalmbach Publishing Co. P.O. Box 1612 Waukesha, WI 53187-1612
Are there other miniature Magazines?
Well of course there are! The miniature world is larger than anyone could really imagine, from miniature shows and classes to magazines galore. "Dolls and Miniatures" Formerly known as Doll in Miniature is a wonderful resource for buying, making and collecting miniature dolls, bears and dollhouse accessories. Unfortunately the magazine is being sold and if a purchaser is not found, winter 2000 will be the last issue. You can find out more about Dolls and Miniatures at http://members.aol.com/DollsInMin/index.html And what dollhouse collection would be complete if you did not subscribe to "Dolls House World"Another wonderful magazine full of tips, hints and wonderful pictures of dollhouses and miniatures. You can also find a wealth of information on their web site at http://www.dollshouseworld.com
In Closing
Dollhouses are amazing, from the tiniest detail come beautiful settings and priceless heirlooms. For every little girl there is a dollhouse and if you were searching for the perfect dollhouse for that perfect little girl then the first place to look would be in Miniature magazines. If you would like to visit some of my creations in miniature please take a look at http://home.austin.rr.com/mininut/gallery.html
Big Smiles and Warm Hugs
Heather aka MiniNut
Recommended:
Yes
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Member: Heather
Location: Leander, Texas
Reviews written: 88
Trusted by: 274 members
About Me:
Mother of 4 gorgeous children and survivor of Cervical Cancer and Domestic Abuse.
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