I am an avid miniaturist, though I don’t have as much time for it as I’d like. I’m also a published novelist, writing romances, mysteries, and mainstream fiction as Jennifer Ashley, Allyson James, and Ashley Gardner. See my websites: http://www.jenniferashley.com and http://www.gardnermysteries.com for a look at what I write.
This blog is devoted to minis! And where I am on my numerous projects. I hope to post tips that will help miniaturists and also learn from other mini lovers.
I create minis for pleasure only, not for sale (thus far). I am always learning, so my projects are not picture perfect. But the idea is to have fun and try to create something beautiful along the way.
You may contact me with questions either by commenting on individual posts or through this contact form. Please note! Make sure you check your junk folders for my response–I suspect my answers to some people might be going there.
Jenn's Mini Worlds: A Dollhouse Miniaturist's Blog 
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Thank you for giving me hope, for being able to adequately hide the power strips, in my doll houses. I, like you, prefer the plugs. I do however, have a problem, getting them to push in all the way. They tend to “fall” out of the outlets, thus posing a problem, once the power strip is hidden. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Thank you so much for the information. The electrics of it all is my weakness..do you have any pics for your installation ? You have done such a really fine job of transforming your dollhouse.
This is such a great source of information I have a windflower dollhouse now and have given me wonderful ideas. Really like the lighting. Do you have instruction on the insulation.
Thanks again…
Thank you! Right now, the lighting (both indirect and direct) is installed simply by drilling a hole in the back of the house and attaching the cord to a strip from Houseworks, which leads to a transformer (see http://www.miniatures.com/Power-Strip-with-Onoff-Switch-P17643.aspx). I’m thinking about redoing the lighting using the Cirkit tape method, because I now have a ton of wires dangling out the back, and it looks terrible.
The indirect lighting in the Big House is LEDs by Nova Lyte. I prefer those to the sticky strips of LEDs–they look nicer and are easier to work with.
I’m not sure how I’m going to redo the electricity, but I’m going to give it a try. 🙂
A very good resource that explains both round wire and tape wire methods is “Dollhouse Lighting” http://www.miniatures.com/Dollhouse-Lighting-Electrification-In-Miniature-P17973.aspx Some of the references are dated (wish there was an updated edition), but the basics of planning and installing are essentially the same as they always were.
Another way to go is battery operated lights (lithium batteries right in the lights), though I find they don’t light the room as I would like.
So much to enjoy on here – I delighted to have found you. Thank you Captain Lacey 🙂
For my first project I didn’t have a dollhouse so I made a nice bookcase into a giant room box. It is 5′ x 36″, I used the top 4 shelves for 9 large rooms as a Victorian Boardinghouse. I had a servants room, gentlemen’s room, pantry, kitchen, dining & living room with piano, parlor and entry, bathroom, and owners’ apartment. I divided the rooms with thick posterboard which I wallpapered. Closed doors in the back of main rooms implied other rooms, hall and staircases, I used the posterboard on those walls also. Next project is stacked room boxes for a Medieval Dollhouse. It will start with 3 room boxes, 1 vertical and 2 horizontal for kitchen, hall entry and bedrooms.
This sounds cool! Very creative use of space.
HELP!! I also inherited a dollhouse; only partly built. I have parts, but no instructions. It is a Walmer Cherrydale, and although I have searched everywhere for a set of instructions, it seems like everyone who has posted instructions, have posted everything BUT. If you have these instructions, would you please post them, with a link? I would LOVE to finish this dollhouse for my wife – Thanks for your help!!
I unfortunately do not have the instructions! I got the Cherrydale already assembled, with no paperwork. Real Good Toys now makes the Cherrydale:
http://www.realgoodtoys.com/products/lilliput-cherrydale-dollhouse-kit. They also have a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/realgoodtoysdollhouses I would try to contact them either by phone, email, or posting through Facebook with your dilemma. They may be able to fix you up with plans. Also consider joining the Greenleaf dollhouses forum: http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/index.php Even though, technically, the discussion is about Greenleaf, people post about all the other dollhouse kits quite often. If you post your plea there, someone might have the plans, or at least advise you how to proceed. The Greenleaf forum is a great place to talk to miniaturists–lots of people with lots of knowledge!
Thanks, Jennifer; for both the prompt response and the suggestions! This is my first foray into the world of minis, so the guidance is GREATLY appreciated!!
– Sam
Welcome to the dark side! 🙂
I love your blog! I loved dollhouses as a kid and still enjoy them now as an adult. I have a dollhouse blog too, but I’m really bad about updating. I really enjoy reading all your posts about your work!
Love your projects. Glad I’ve stumble upon. Had me glue to your site for the past 1 hour.
I LOVE your projects and ideas, and I’m so glad I stumbled upon your site (while looking up 1/4 scale, which I want to try out). I also found it neat to find another romance writer into miniatures (I write paranormal romance, though as yet unpublished). I look forward to future posts and inspiration. Great website. 🙂
I LOVE you’re BIG HOUSE REMODEL I Have a Dollhouse of Almost the Exact Model. (I Noticed it from the Roundabout Porch.) I have been doing MY best to Remodel My Dollhouse, but I’m Mainly Stuck on the Front Entrance/Staircase. Because the Room is So Narrow. Any Pointers?
Hi Gini: The front hall was a challenge because of its narrowness. Mine opens on the side of the house, the only room to do so.
When I was remodeling, I took off the front wall (the bay window plus front doorway… ripped it out, more like), and painted / papered the back wall, fixed the staircase etc.
Then I repainted the front bay window / front door area and did curtains for it while it was still unattached. I didn’t put the front wall back on until everything was decorated.
You can see photos of the front hall here: https://jennsminis.wordpress.com/the-big-house-remodel/front-hall/ (before and after).
I have since replaced the floor, which I did a paper pattern for, laid the floor outside the dollhouse (on my worktable) and slid the finished floor in place. Hope to have pics of that soon.
I’ve become a fan of finishing as much as possible before putting things together. Not always possible, but it helps. Good luck with your own house!
wow! this is amazing! i do polymer clay miniatures and this totally inspired me.
Hi Jennifer
What a wonderful talent you have in writing and in miniatures. Thank you for sharing your world with us. I look forward to reading more of your blogs.
Kindest regards
Brian
Your blog is superb. Thanks for all of the information, the great, professional photos, and for your marvelous creations. Is it possible to follow? If so, where is your button?
A good question. I’m not sure where my follow button is. All my settings assure me I have one. I’m by no means a WordPress expert! 🙂
Hello, I just discovered your blog. What a surprise that you also are the author of some of my favorite books; I have read all of those by Ashley Gardner!
Thank you! I’m still writing Ashley Gardner books, I’m happy to say. (http://www.gardnermysteries.com for the latest news)
I just found your blog, too. Always looking for tips. Your miniature works splendid! I will also Check out your novels. I, too, am a writer…a freelance feature writer, but ai long to write a novel when I grow up.
Dear Jennifer,
I just found your blog and have been going through all your archives for the past few hours! I am really interested in interviewing you in my blog about your amazing talent. I couldn’t find an email address on your site, so please email me at belinndda@gmail.com if you’re interested 🙂 I would love to hear back from you!
Cheers,
Belinda.