building a Dolls' House For Your Grandchildren

Dolls' House Building: A Magnificent Obsession

When I was a child it was just after the war and materials were in short supply. I didn't have many toys - and don't think I missed them, since I became an obsessive reader and never had my nose out of a book. An exception was when I was in London with my godmother, who took me to museums.

Dollhouse Families

The day I saw that great big, beautiful dolls house, which had belonged to Queen Mary, was a milestone - one I have never forgotten. I was wholly entranced by the wonderfully detailed furniture, the wee people, the wallpapers - all in 1/12 scale. How I loved it. I suppose I must have been about 8 when I fell.

Then I hit my teens, got into rock'n roll, (no sex and drugs for me!) studied for my exams and forgot about the dolls' house.

At forty I was ready to have other go. But this time I knew that I wanted to build a dolls' house. Not a dolls' house from a dollhouse kit, but one from plans, cutting the wood myself and truly being in charge of it all. Let's start at the top -why not?

Why not is because I had no perceive at all with carpentry. I had made clothes for myself and others, I had knitted genuinely complex patterns, my cross-stitch was the envy of friends. But this was a distinct kettle of fish. I had no tools to speak of, an uncooperative husband, who in any case wasn't a carpenter, and a burning desire to make a dolls' house.

I went to the local friendly hardware store with my plans and explained myself. They were wonderful. I marked up the dimensions I wanted and for the price of the plywood, plus a teeny bit more, they cut my house for me. I bought a keyhole saw, for the window apertures, and a few wee bits - tiny strips of prepared wood, sandpapers, glue, tiny screws, tiny hinges, one long piano hinge, a few small screwdrivers and a spirit level. Armed with all that and a lot of optimism I went home and made my dolls house.

I was immensely proud of it. I closed it with love, wallpapered the walls, made internal doors, painted the woodwork, together with the skirting boards (something I would Never do now) and stood back and admired it. Then I made the furniture, using plans from a second book and copying some of my own furniture in 1/12 scale like the rest.

When it was closed - oh, maybe a year after I had started - I looked at it again and realised how bad it was! But I had learned the skills, and knew many wee things that would carry me through the creation of the second, bigger and best house. And it Was both bigger and better. When I saw how much better, I threw away my first attempt.

A station building (built from a picture to my own plans) and a shop followed. Then I made just one house in 1/24 scale which was fun and quicker, but not so satisfying.

So there's the history - until manufacturers began development wonderful, fairly cheap dolls house kits. At first I felt it wold be cheating. When temptation overtook me I bought my first and speedily made it up. Oh,how easy it is to make up a kit. It's square, it's complete, all the wee pieces you forget you're going to need are there. The kit is built in no time at all, leaving you more time to buy or make the furniture. By this time eBay was operating and astounding stuff for the dolls house could be bought for very wee money.

And then I decided to share this with others. I'm no genius, and I wanted to share my enthusiasm with other women. I had come to this with no formal training, and, with the advent of dolls' house kits, knew that none was needed. So I went into the business of finding out how to sell this idea on line. It has been a real educational journey, which continues. I am not there yet, but I know more and more each day. My website is up and running and now there are hunt engines to learn about.

What I do know is that women can build dolls' houses, and that they enjoy, no - love, doing it. I have a wee group of habitancy I know who share my joy of it. My grand-daughters both love the houses and the nine-year-old has built one with me. She became quite possessive about the colours we would decorate it in, and insisted on choosing the bedroom wallpaper. I bought a astounding Cd off person clever on eBay, with which I can print my own flooring (which I do on matte photo paper) and wall coverings (ordinary paper works). So we have a wide option of papers easily available on my pc and colour printer.

Bedding and cushions are fun wee projects for us both, and I made (actually Made) some habitancy to go in the house. We have a father, a mother and one kid. (Oh, and lots of wee babies who came on eBay). It isn't closed yet - well, the house is but the interior still lacks the odd thing, but I am already onto the next task, renovating an old house given me by a friend.

I have to confess, the storeroom is rather full. And I'm probably spending too much time on it. But what else would I be doing? I still go to the theatre, visit the family, play the piano, watch Tv, read. Other times I work on the most recent doll house project. And I wouldn't change any of it. Sometimes I forget the housework - you know, the real stuff. Who cares? I'm working on my dollhouses and having a astounding time.

building a Dolls' House For Your Grandchildren

Should Boys Play With Dolls?

Traditionally speaking, playing with dolls has been carefully a girl's pastime. From the 1940s to the 1960s, when dolls were fast gaining popularity, it was the female children who could be found role-playing in the shoes of their mother or grandmother. Today, more and more population are beginning to embrace the belief of boys playing with dolls.

The deliberate upon of boys and dolls is a long-standing, often relationship-dividing, argument. Parents of young boys often find themselves at arms with each other over a simple toy, and it doesn't take long for other family members, friends, and neighbors to get involved.

Dollhouse Families

Much of the concern - from a male point of view - seems to stem from the fact that dolls are carefully a feminine toy. Fathers and other men struggle with the mental image of watching their "tough" young son coddle a toy baby; in fact, many men worry that playing with a doll will cause negative consequences in their son's future. Acceptance begins with the adult male's outlook on life itself, together with his potential to embrace other people's lifestyles, such as that of homosexuality.

Most experts agree: Playing with dolls cannot possibly cause a young boy to establish an overtly feminine side. What many parents fail to perceive is that caring for a doll requires imagination, care, love, and concern on the child's part. There is something about watching a young boy care for a baby that is heartwarming and genuine, especially if that child is otherwise rough-and-tough.

From birth, most boys are taught to be resilient and to play with trucks and tractors. Although it is inherent that boys instinctively gravitate towards "boy toys", they also mimic real life and other playmates. If a young boy sees a young girl having fun with a doll, he will also want to play a role. It's also coarse for boys who spend the majority of their time with their mother or female caregiver to be drawn to approved girl toys. Adult females are often more accepting of the situation than male influences, supporting a young boy to consequent wherever his imagination may take him.

Overall, most parents and educators agree that activities should not be split by gender. Boys should have as much of an opportunity as girls to play house, care for dolls, or use toy mops and brooms. As the years progress, less and less focus is being located on former roles, production it increasingly prominent for young boys to perceive the importance of gender equality.

Should Boys Play With Dolls?

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