Here is a look at the machine I purchased and a list of the product features. Read on before clicking the link to see my honest opinions after using it for a few months.

Bambu Labs P2S Combo W/AMS Pro 2

• Intuitive Touchscreen Interface: Seamless control at your fingertips.
• Fully Enclosed Chamber: Engineered for the safe and consistent printing of advanced materials.
• Multi-Color Printing: Unlock limitless creativity with AMS-powered multi-material printing.
• AI-Powered Oversight: Intelligent error detection makes 3D printing simpler and more reliable.
• Integrated Filament Drying: Keep your materials in peak condition with the 2nd-Gen AMS.
• Built on a Legend: The power of the best-selling P1S, completely refined and reimagined.
• Full-Scale Build Volume: A spacious 256 × 256 × 256 mm³ canvas for your biggest ideas.

There were always a few reasons I didn’t want to get into 3D printing, but in the last few years, things have changed. There are two types of printers: resin and filament (FDM), and each has qualities to be considered before purchase. Below are the main qualities to consider when looking for a 3D Printer. The qualities below are the very reason I decided to go with the Bambu Labs P2S, including the affordable price!

• Resin printers use a liquid material, have a strong smell when working, and involve a messy cleanup. I also believe (don’t quote me here) that resin printers – unless there are very expensive ones – print only one color at a time.
• FDM filament printers use plastic that is in the form of a string shape. While some FDM printers can print one color at a time, there are many on the market now that can print multiple colors at the same time. If you look at the image above, you can see four colors/spools of filament inside the box at the top of the printer. This box is called the AMS Pro2 and can feed all four colors into a single print or print any single-color filament into a single print. The P2S also has an external spool holder that comes with the machine, which can be used to add a fifth color. Plus, you can add a second AMS to the machine, giving you nine colors total.

Another point I strongly suggest is to purchase your 3D printer locally at Best Buy, Micro Center, or any big-box store that offers an extended warranty. I purchased my printer from Best Buy with the extended warranty after learning that if anything goes wrong, they will either fix the printer or exchange it with a new one – no problem. Dealing with a local company is far better than trying to deal with emails back and forth in a foreign country!

Once I received my order, with the help of the excellent setup manual and watching a single setup video online, I had the machine running and making my first print in less than 45 minutes! It truly is that easy. Bambu Labs also has Bambu Academy with several FREE courses you can take to learn all about the printer and how it works.

Once your printer is set up, Bambu has a “first print” little boat called a Benchy. It’s a simple push a button, choose your color, print to see how your printer works. Inside MakerWorld, you can find a ton of altered Benchy prints for more fun. Below are two Benchies I printed.

LEFT: printed in a golf PLA. RIGHT: printed in white and black PLA – multicolor print.

Bambu Labs has everything you need to get started, and trust me … you won’t believe how EASY it is to get started!!!

• Bambu Studio: Bambu Studio is an open-source, cutting-edge, feature-rich slicing software. It contains project-based workflows, systematically optimized slicing algorithms, and an easy-to-use graphical interface, bringing users an incredibly smooth printing experience.
• Bambu Handy App: The Bambu Handy app is a one-stop 3D printing service platform designed to offer a convenient, seamless, and enjoyable 3D printing experience. With Bambu Handy, you can control printers anywhere, connect to the MakerWorld models library, and print your favorite designs easily!
• Maker World: Is a fantastic place you can go to get thousands of FREE 3D print designs! You simply pick the item you want to print, download it to the operating software, and get it ready to print. You can visit MakerWorld even without a printer to see the types of prints available!

Do I have to learn a new software program . . .

Another comment I always made when asked about getting a 3D printer was: “I don’t want to spend the time learning another software program”. I wound up eating these words when I helped a friend set up her own printer and discovered just how EASY Bambu software is to use!!! I printed things the same day I set up the printer, even though I’d never used a 3D printer before! It truly is that EASY!

In MakerWorld, most files are set up by the designer, so you just download the file, open it in Bambu Studio, slice the print, and print it. Prints can also be sized up or down as you like and printed in any color of filament you have loaded. And while the Bambu Academy will teach you a lot, you can do this as you like and do not need it to get started printing.

Here is a look at some things I printed in the first few days after setting the printer up . . .

Notice the turquoise parts on the printer and AMS in the photos above? These all come from inside Maker World, are free, and are a fun way to decorate your machine! There are tons of different options to choose from and a great way to get used to using the printer.

Is a 3D printer safe to use in my house . . .

Now, about “smell”, my other concern. There are a lot of different types of filaments to choose from such as PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU, and Nylon. Each is suited for different uses and strengths. If you use only PLA and PETG, created with safe materials. PLA is plant-based, while PETG is made with the same material used in clear water bottles. They have no smell and are safe for indoor use. That said, you should always consider venting any machine running indoors by opening a window and keeping the air circulating. The other filaments do have strong smells and need better venting setups. For most needs, PLA or PETG will be fine when creating items for decor or general use. PLA is suited for indoor use, with no direct hot sun exposure, while PETG is stronger and can be placed outdoors. When printing parts for the 3D printer, inside or outside, you should use PETG due to it’s tolerence for heat!

Final thoughts . . .

I do not regret my choice to purchase a 3D printer and am so happy I went with a Bambu Labs machine. The machine works like a dream and is so user-friendly for beginners. I have only had one issue with the machine, my fault, and the machine interface walked me through how to fix it! It will also remind you when it’s time to do any upkeep or maintenance on the machine! No big deal, just wiping down the rails and adding grease or lubrication to them. Easy peasy.

I chose the P2S AMS Combo machine after viewing tons of Bambu Labs printer comparison YouTube videos. One, it’s an enclosed printer. Two, it has great reviews, is easy to set up and begin using right away, and the price was affordable. I suggest that you search Bambu Labs P2S videos on YouTube to see how easy setup is. There are hundreds of great videos about these printers and 3D printing online, and tons with tips on using the software (slicer) program.

One thing I will warn you about… You will have so much FUN that you just might want to purchase another printer in the very near future! I know I have already thought about it.

A very important point I want to mention is that if you ask friends who have printers about Resin over FDM, they will most likely say: ” Oh, you can’t get the small details with an FDM printer that you can get with Resin.” In my opinion, that is not 100% true. FDM printers have come a very long way in the past 3-5 years and continue to evolve. I have printed some very tiny, detailed houses and trees that turned out lovely. There are options in the slicer software that you can choose to get better details when needed. This adds additional print time to the project, but it’s worth it. You can also purchase an additional nozzle for finer details.

Last but not least, as with all machines, there are other items you will want to purchase at some point, but you do not need these right away if you get the AMS Pro2 with the machine. I will be making another post about this subject next week.

I will leave you with a look at the most recent thing I printed. This print comes from PA1 Maker, who has tons of FREE fantastic files on his Patreon page. His print files are designed to be printed in parts, without using an AMS. Parts are either snapped together or glued. You can see the parts for the Nutcracker on the left side photo. He also has some offerings on MakerWorld and a few other places. I just had to have this for Halloween!!!

Follow My 3D Printing Journey

Follow my 3D Printing experience, and let’s see what I can make for miniature projects! I will be printing for my own use while I learn more about the printer and the software. Eventually, I will be creating printed miniatures for sale in my shop here and at any shows I attend.

Happy crafting!

Here is my version of the final project.

We have had so much rain, many flooded areas, tons of evacuations, and the flood warnings along with more rain just keep coming. It’s so sad to see what many families have been going thru and I thank God we have been lucky so far other than the way it affects how I can work.

Both the laser cutter and 3D printer machines I use must be vented out a window due to the size of my office. It’s just not healthy to breath and fumes or particles that are released into the air from these machines and I prefer to be safe than sorry (grin). This means that when the weather is bad, raining, or storming, I can not run these machines and will generally find some other project to work on that doesn’t require the use of the machines.

While picking up some filament from Michaels the other day, this little wood kit caught my eye and I decided to give it a try. You will see from the images and info below that I’ve altered it in some ways below to give it more of a miniature build look and I’ve enjoyed the process along the way. I hope that this post inspires some of you to think a bit differently when you see kits like these and will try one while making it your own along the way.

The kit was $39.99, less with a 40% off coupon and includes everything needed to complete the project. The structure is made of decent quality wood parts with plastic for the windows. A very good booklet of clear instructions is also included. They even included glue, tweezers, and a small piece of sandpaper. The kit is close to 1:48 scale in size or smaller.

I began the project by building the structure first on Page 13 of the instructions so that I could see how much I could alter the house. For the most part, the tabs fit but in the base they are a bit tight or do not line up perfectly. I did do a bit of trimming here and there on the tabs.

I did however add tissue to the inside of the windows and door so that the viewer will not be able to see inside the house.

Here you can see the base has been built with the walls simply sitting in place as a test. There are to many issues with trying to add a floor in the center of the structure so I have decided to just alter the exterior and the base.

The kit does not have a place where you can install lights so I cut a section of the back wall out and installed two tea lights. I will use a piece of tape to hold the cut-out piece in place when the project is on display.

I have found that parts fit together well for the most part. I’ve glued the main structure in place and added some purple paint to the shutters and door. Some black soot distressing ink was applied to the chimneys as well.

Here are some accents that I’ve made up and painted with the purple paint pen. There was a printed paper to be glued to the top of the awning but I decided to use paint pens instead for a more realistic look.

In order to add more realism to the project, I used two Sizzix 3D Texture Plates by Tim Holtz to emboss grey and brown cardstock. These were used to cover the ground at the base of the structure and the wood area below/base. Chalk pastels, paint, or distress inks can be used to add varying color to both of these, creating a stone and wooden board look.

NOTE: You can find a list of additional materials I’ve used on the project listed at the end of this post!

Above and at left, you can see how I have aged the stone and wood papers. Additional elements have been added on and around the structure, with several being painted using a purple paint pen.

Looking at the base, you can see that I have added glue to the existing holes. I will be covering this base with other materials and not using the holes at all.

It remains to be seen how many of the little decor items that I will use on the house.

Before working on the base, I’ve used Black Soot Distressing Ink all over the entire structure for aging.

Now it’s time to add ground cover and other elements to bring the project to life! The ground cover was created by applying a layer of quick-dry glue, working in small sections, then sprinkling on various Woodland Scenics materials such as dirt, two colors of fine turf, and tiny rocks. I gave the ground cover about two hours to dry, then spray sealed it with Krylon Matte Sealer. The other elements were either from the kit or things I had in my stash.

A couple of skeletons have taken over maintenance of the shop!

Combine course green turf with glue and a bit of water to create moss that sticks easily to the roof.

This was such a FUN and easy project to build. Perfect for those who might want to get into building miniatures from kits, any crafter wanting something fun for Halloween, and experienced miniaturists who love to bash or alter miniature kits.

When time allows, I am planning on adding a larger base for an outside eating area and a spooky tree. I will update the post when these are done, probably sometime after September 15th.

I hope you found this project interesting and that you are encouraged to try one of these kits out in the future!

Happy mini making, Teri

• ©Teri Hanson/terihansonminiatures.com

• FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY

PREMIERES AT THE T&D INDIANAPOLIS SHOW 9/11-12

Around 5-10 years ago, I created a Craftsman cabin with foamcore and cardstock, which I gave away when we moved from one state to another. I have always loved this style of house and decided this year to recreate it as a wood kit. Unlike the original version (shown below), I have only created one side (section) so far. I do plan to create the additional section in the next few months and release it at the Chicago 2027 show.

My reason for splitting the project into two parts was to make it more affordable for as many as possible and so that I could use the first part as a workshop kit. I also wanted the project to feature a variety of affordable materials so makers could experience using different materials for miniatures.

The project features Glossy Accents, kraft board, embossed cardstock, cardstock, and glossy sticker paper. The workshop may feature a few other additional materials. As a workshop kit, the project can be built and finished in sections, to be glued together later. This allows travelers who fly to shows a way to carry the project home.

1:24 Half Scale Craftsman Cabin kit is cut from 1/8″ and 1/16″ quality wood. The project features several materials such as: glossy accents, embossed cardstock, cardstock, and glossy sticker paper. The floor comes pre-scored as seen below, and the loft can be left out or used as you wish.

FUN project that can be styled with a variety of design styles.

Finished size: 10.5″W, 8.75″D, 9″H

CABIN KIT $65.00

• Finished size: (1:24 half scale) 10.5″W, 9″H, 8.75″D

KIT INCLUDES . . .

• laser-cut wood structure pieces to create the basic structure with scored flooring, loft, railing, ladder, door, windows, inside and outside trim, fireplace, and cabinets.
• plastic for windows
• complete instructions with lots of photos
• images of the original version for alternate project ideas

FURNITURE KIT $25.00

• couch
• 2 end tables
• 2 chairs with foamcore for cushions
• coffee table
• bar/dining table with 2 stools
• single bed
• bed table

Here is a look at the Original Design ©Teri Hanson Miniatures. I will be creating an addition to the cabin kit that includes the second room like the one shown below. This will not be released until the 2027 Chicago show.

Thanks for visiting my website today, and to Newsletter subscribers! Feel free to reach out or leave a comment on this post should you have questions.

I look forward to seeing you all at the Indianapolis show!!!!

Teri

The first thing I purchased was the 39″ dual monitor stand riser with drawers. $39.99 at the time of this post.

The color of the drawers is a bit more on the dirty yellowish color, and not my fave, but I think I can spray paint them with a pretty color at some point.

The stand is made from sturdy wood – probably MDF, and sits nicely without being wobbly.

The next thing I purchased was two of these desk organizers with drawers. $23.74 at the time of this post.

These stack well without shifting and are available in various configurations.

The colors are pretty true to the photo and add some nice color to the room. I think that I will add more of these colors to my craft room in the future.

I did add some of those small adhesive rubber feet to the very bottom drawer, so the entire unit does not slip on the stand. These worked perfectly!.

So now all the tools I use daily are nicely stored at hand, easy to reach for and put away, and my workflow should be more fun!

I still need to find a tray to fit in the middle area to hold the notebooks and guides I use for every project. So far, I have not had much luck because the space, not including the 1-2-3 blocks, is an odd size. I may have to make one somehow. I also want a colorful bucket to hold all the glue instead of that white basket.

I found a Boho-style peel-and-stick wallpaper that I hope will match well with the colors of the storage bins. Wish me luck on that!! I’m expecting it to arrive today.

I thought this was a very fun design, and I’m looking forward to all of the color it will add to the room.

I will be making new inserts for all of the bins on my Dream Box cabinet. Maybe in some other areas, like the cube cabinets as well.

Lastly, someone a while back had asked about the light over my desk . . . it is also on Amazon and can be found HERE. It’s a remote control dimmable LED light with several brightness and color settings. I have truly enjoyed this light and find it bright enough for working on tiny minis.

I hope that you found this post interesting and possibly found something for your own craft room. I will be updating several areas of the room over the next few months when time allows, so be sure to sign up for my newsletter to receive email notices of future posts!

Till next time, happy mini making!

Teri

• Meet Neadeen Masters
• http://www.neadeenmasters.com/
• Facebook Group: Neadeen’s Dollhouses and Miniatures

Harbour Light Cottage – Neadeen Masters

“The Fine Art of Intentional Clutter”

There’s clutter… and then there’s intentional clutter.

And if ever there was a place where this fine art reaches its full, unapologetic glory, it’s a seaside establishment run by a stubborn old Sea Captain who has never thrown a single useful thing away in his entire life.

Welcome to Harbour Light Cottage

Neadeen’s YouTube Channel showing the Harbour Light Cottage can be found HERE

article from Neadeen. . .

• Article and photos reposted with permission of Neadeen Masters
• ©2026 Neadeen Masters

“The ‘Just In Case’ Empire: A Miniaturist’s Confession” by Neadeen

There comes a moment in every miniature enthusiast’s life, usually while elbow-deep in a drawer labeled something like “Tiny Brass Things – Possibly Useful”, when a certain realization quietly tiptoes in and makes itself comfortable: this is no longer a hobby. This is a lifestyle. Possibly a condition. A very organized, beautifully justified condition… but a condition nonetheless.

Because for those of us who live in this world, you know who you are…we know our tribe…there is no such thing as “a few supplies.” What we have are collections. Thoughtfully acquired, deeply meaningful, and absolutely essential items that we are keeping, for very good reasons, “just in case.” Just in case of what, you ask? Well, just in case we suddenly need to build an 1820s seaside apothecary with a back room for herbal tonics and questionable life advice. It happens. One must be prepared.

And so the studio grows. Drawers become bins, bins become boxes, boxes become cabinets, rows of cabinets and cabinets become entire ecosystems. Each one is carefully categorized in a system that makes perfect sense to us and absolutely no one else. We have fabric scraps that are far too small to be useful and far too beautiful to throw away. We have miniature items that are “broken but fixable,” a category with no timeline, no urgency, and no intention of ever being addressed, but very important nonetheless. And then there is that elite, mysterious grouping of objects that defy all explanation. We don’t know what they are, we don’t know where they came from, but we know, deep in our soul, that they are critical to something. Someday.

Naturally, this entire operation is supported by our projects. Not project, (singular) projects. (Plural) There is the current build, of course, the one we are actively working on. Then there is the next build, the one we’re thinking about while working on the current build. Then the backup build, in case we become emotionally overwhelmed by the current build. And finally, the grand, sweeping “someday” masterpiece, a project so ambitious it requires skills we do not yet possess but are fully convinced will arrive suddenly, perhaps at 2:17 in the morning, fueled by determination and a questionable amount of caffeine. To us, this is not chaos. This is delicious vision. This is preparedness. This is having our creative life completely under control.

And then… the children walk in.

Our children, the ‘minimalist generation’, the ones who believe that owning more than two coffee mugs is a slippery slope into emotional instability, step into our studio and immediately stop in the doorway. There is always a pause. A long, cautious scan of the room, as though they have just stumbled upon an ancient civilization and are unsure whether it is safe to proceed. Their eyes move slowly, taking in the shelves, the bins, the drawers, and, inevitably, the barrels. So many barrels.

You can practically hear the thoughts forming.

Why are there so many chairs?

Why are none of them functional?

Is that a loaf of bread?

Why is there a drawer dedicated entirely to doorknobs?

And then, with complete sincerity, comes the question that cuts straight through generations of creativity like a dull butter knife: “What is this for?”

For.

For???

This is for imagination. This is for creativity. This is for the very real and urgent need to have seventeen varieties of miniature fabric on hand in case a fictional Sea Captain suddenly refuses stripes and demands something “less citified” at a moment’s notice. But to them, it is just… stuff. Tiny, confusing, slightly alarming stuff.

And in that moment, right there between the jar of microscopic buttons and the box labeled “IMPORTANT – DO NOT THROW OUT”, a new thought quietly creeps in. A sobering one. What happens to all of this when we cross over?

Because let’s be honest. Our children are not standing there thinking, “What a magnificent artistic legacy.” No. They are quietly doing the math. Can this be sold? Is there a market for tiny barrels? Why are there this many tiny barrels?

You can almost hear the future conversation:

“Hi, yes, we’re clearing out our mother’s studio… yes, she had a lot of… small things… no, not small, like really small…miniature… yes… including an entire fish shop… and 4,000 tiny plants…and…”

And somewhere, in the great beyond, we are absolutely losing our minds, shouting into the void, “Don’t you dare throw out the drawer labeled ‘Odds & Ends’, that’s where the good stuff is!”

Because here’s the truth. Every single piece, every scrap, every bead, every slightly suspicious thrift store find we insisted had “potential”, meant something. Each one was a possibility, a spark, a tiny building block in the creation of entire worlds that existed because we imagined them into being.

So maybe they don’t understand it. That’s alright. Because we do.

And if, in the end, they only keep one thing, just one small piece of this glorious, confusing empire we’ve built, let it be the box labeled “IMPORTANT – DO NOT THROW OUT.” Because yes, it probably contains absolute nonsense… but it also contains at least three things we’ve been looking for since 1998… and quite possibly the entire reason we started this madness in the first place…

interview . . .

• Storybook Farm Cottage – Renovated Pierce Dollhouse by Neadeen Masters

• If you’re interested in how Neadeen created the project shown at left…she did a YouTube video…it’s on her channel by the same name as her Facebook group.

1. How long have you been creating miniatures

• About 12 yrs…My 40 yr career as a professional Artist morphed into minis…

2. What is your favorite scale to work in?

• I only work in 1:12 scale

3. Do you have a favorite theme for creations? What inspires you? 

• I love exploring themes that tell stories…especially those with a vintage vibe.

4. Do you use any 3D printers or laser cutters when creating?                

• No, everything is cut by hand, except with standard electric saws.

5. What is your favorite step when working on a miniature?        

• Planning how I will execute or approach the mini. Thinking about the steps needed.

6. What is your favorite quote that might pertain to mini-making or artistic creation in general?            

•  “What you are is God’s gift to you, what you become is your gift to God.” ― Hans Urs von Balthasar

7. Do you belong to NAME or IGMA, and if so, what is your favorite part about being involved in the group?

•  I do not belong to any organization.

I hope that you enjoyed this little piece on Neadeen and that you will take some time to not only join her Facebook group but also visit her website!

• http://www.neadeenmasters.com/
• Facebook Group: Neadeen’s Dollhouses and Miniatures

Till next time . . . happy mini making!

Teri

Just a quick one today!

We all had such a great time today while creating mini scenes inside the small pocket watches! There were 3-4 watch styles and sizes to choose from, a couple were locket size, several backgrounds, and many different tiny people and animals to choose from.

Everyone made some really cute scenes and had a blast. I can hardly wait to cut a wooden watch stand to display mine! It’s so fun when you can make a mini in an everyday item like the pocket watches. Look around your house and see what you can find to make a mini scene inside.

I came home with extra supplies to make a second watch and will post it here when finished.

UPDATE . . . I made a little holder for the watch!

Happy Mini Making,

Teri

Here is a look at the amazing finds I purchased this year . . . if you see something you love, visit the vendor’s website.

As you can see, I went a bit dragon crazy this year lol. Just couldn’t resist these amazing 3D printed ones.

Top: T&D Miniatures had these amazing dragon scale bookcases that I want to place beside the larger dragon archway figure.

Right: This little guy was purchased at the Bishop show, but the vendor did not put a card in the bag. The irridescent colors are amazing on him!

Just some random tiny things. Isn’t the Jack Skeleton jar soooo cute! It’s hard to see, but the dragon book has a glittery finish on it that was very kewl.

The table and chairs kit above is hard to see, but it’s amazingly crafted and has a beautiful finish. I will be sure to show it later after I’ve built the kit1

I could spend the entire day looking at all the amazing kits from Blackthorn Studio!!! The unfinished pieces at the back will be so fun to finish.

One of the new mini-friends I met was so kind and gifted me this set of 3D printed items. Now I just want to make a bathroom diorama lol.

Now for my fave finds . . .

Michael R Miniatures is a MUST VISIT vendor for me at the Bishop show, and his items this year did not disappoint. Just amazing quality and such cute facial expressions.

No idea yet how I will use these, but I may just make a simple room to showcase my collection, as I do plan to add to it each year.

Last but not least . . . let me introduce you to ZELDA!!!! (If you follow my Coven Lighthouse special project, you know.

Isn’t she just perfect as Zelda! Just walking down the aisle at the show and saw her immediately, thinking that is Zelda. I just knew she had to come home with me, and I can hardly wait to add her to the lighthouse.

So that’s everything that came home with me this year. I LOVE every single piece and am looking forward to adding them to my mini projects.

Hope you enjoyed the quick view.

Happy mini making, Teri

My first full-scale, 1:12, size dollhouse, and the second miniature I ever worked on was the Lighthouse from Real Good Toys. Sometimes, the space allotted in a dollhouse room can be smaller than what you would like, and you will need to find a creative way to make use of the space. This is exactly what I had to do in the top room of the lighthouse when using it as the bedroom. To this day, this is still one of my favorite ideas. I hope you find this tutorial helpful, and maybe it can be a solution for you one day!

Here is a look at the full room . . .

What I did was to create a loft bed with a sitting area underneath and a bath area on one side. In the first photo you can see a repurposed bought miniature cabinet, a little mirror I created from scraps, and a bathtub made from a food container. I love the faux wood wall and the ladder taking you up to the sleeping area.

Most of the items within the room has simple furnishings that were created with mat board and are non-functional. Beads make great furniture knobs, and bakers twine can add a nice accent to any miniature piece. Old washcloths were used as mini towels, while various beads and a paper butter cup were used to create a lamp.

The sitting area featured a long couch, bookshelf, coffee table, and wall sconce lighting. Added later but not shown here were a few books for the bookshelf and magazines for the coffee table.

The entire loft bed section was created with white mat board. The bed needs to be high enough so that a person can actually walk underneath comfortably, but low enough from the ceiling that they can sit upright in the bed. Keep that in mind for your own space and measure accordingly. Once you have these dimensions, you can decide on the size of the couch. I suggest making the couch as deep as possible so that it can be used as a second sleeping area for a guest. You could also make it like a trundle bed with a pull-out mattress underneath.

You can use post-it notes, printer paper, or cardstock to create a template for the shape of the area where the bed will rest against the walls. Keep in mind that these walls slant inward as they rise upward, so you need to take that into account when deciding on the height of the sleeping area. Once you have a template made, cut a single piece that will fit against the walls and come outward to the side and forward towards the room opening for a double-size bed. You can’t see it in the photos, but I left a space towards the back wall side of the bed for a small nightstand and an area where a person would be when they climbed the ladder.

There are so many options you could do with this space. You could add railings on the side of the bed that are viewed from the front, or add a higher wall on the same side with a board/shelf across the top for use as a nightstand. Let your imagination run wild and have fun!

Last but not least, in case you are wondering, the ceiling light was created with a large starfish shell. I carefully drilled a hole in the center to run the light wires through and secure the bulb. I love how it turned out.

Thanks for stopping by, and till next time, happy mini making!

Teri

When I first ran across this project, I fell in love with it and envisioned a very run-down haunted Lighthouse. If it grabs you as well, click the link below the title above and watch her construction videos. There is also a FREE PDF file with a cutting guide on her blog.

The original project was created with chipboard and scrapbook paper. Unable to cut straight lines with thick chipboard anymore, I choose to use Cricut Kraft Board and cardstock. So far, it’s worked well, but I did need to double up on the walls by adding kraft board liners inside. The same with the base as well as a support square in the center of the larger base.

As you can see from the images below, I’ve gotten pretty far in a weeks. Using Cricut Design Space, I’ve recreated all of the pieces based on April’s dimensions in the cutting guide. You can also see that an extra base has been added. This will become a graveyard.

The final thin base was created with 2mm chipboard, then covered in blue cardstock. I had to create this base in two pieces because of the size: 12″ wide by 15 1/2″ long.

The two bases were covered in cardstock that was embossed with a bricks folder from Darice, then inked with Ranger Distressing Inks in Black Soot and Vintage Photo.

I’ll be using the folder on the left for the tower section. I’m sorry, but there is no name or brand listed on the folder, but most likely it was purchased on Amazon.

To finish the top base, I’ve used the house to draw around so I will know where ground cover can be placed. You can see that pavers have been added from the front door at this point. These are cut pieces from the embossed sheets.

That’s it for this time, but stay tuned as I add new pics and info while I work more next week!

Week Two

This week, I’ve finished up the graveyard and top base area. Fence and headstones are all images from Cricut Design Space. Cardstock in black, grey, and white was used, then white pigment ink was applied for a distressed look.

The ground was created using old black tea grounds and salt crystals. Woodland Scenics fine turf and coarse turf were sprinkled on the base as well.

Fence sections were welded together in Design Space, cut twice, then glued together. The double thickness is needed to keep the fence firm.

Lastly, the brickwork from the sides of the base was repeated for the top base floor. The house will not be attached to the base but instead rest on top, giving access to the light.

UPDATE . . .

As you can see below, I’ve begun to add the siding strips. These are 5/16″ high by 11.50 long and cut on the Cricut Maker. Add scor-tape to the backside and apply to the house with each additional strip overlapping the preceding strip just a tad. On the corner,s use 1/2″ strips folded in half for trim.

did find that I had to make changes to the lighthouse part of the project. The original way was not working well for me, most likely due to the thinner materials. Instead, I created a hexagon shape, added stonework to the bottom, and different windows on three sides.

I’ll be using another embossing folder for a different type of brick on the lighthouse section.

THURSDAY UPDATE

There’s something about making shingles and siding, then applying the strips that I find so relaxing. Call me crazy, but it’s always my favorite part of a build. Today I’ve added both the entrance and main roof, then covered them with shingle strips and a cap on top.

You can also see that I’ve changed the original design once more by omitting the chimneys and adding an accent piece with an octagonal window. These were added to both the left and right sides.

Also, notice that all of the shingles are now glued on. You can see that they were left off one of the windows that has been boarded up.

FINAL UPDATE!

I managed to finish up the Haunted Lighthouse today!!! Well, the base still needs something, but I’m not sure what yet. The house, however, is now finished and has lights. Check it out . . .

The tower light is one of those bottle lights that has a USB charger inside it. I painted the light cover purple with alcohol inks. An LED round light has been used inside the house. It has several colors and can be changed with a remote.

A few paper cut-outs from Artfully Musing were added. I may add some spider webs at some point, but for no,w I’m done.

Hope you are inspired to try this project, and do visit Craft Knife Chronicles website as well as the YouTube channel for lots of fun projects!!!

Teri

• Thurs 10-7 Fri 10-7 Sat 9-4
• Wyndham Garden Hotel – Schaumburg, IL
• 1725 E Algonquin Rd.
• There will be a shuttle to take people from this show over to the Tom Bishop show and back

It’s begun . . . The countdown to the Chicago Spring Showcase of Miniatures has started, and I have several NEW products to share!

By request, I decided to offer pre-order options for some of my new kits for Chicago. Since I can only fit so much into my car, the quantity of kits I can bring for everything is limited to between 5 and 10 each. Last year I found myself pretty much sold out by noon of the second day! While that makes me very happy, I was so sorry when some of you came to my table looking for something specific, only to find I was out of them. Hopefully a pre-order option this year will prevent that.

PRE-ORDERS NOW SOLD OUT! I WILL HAVE FROM 5-10 KITS PER DESIGN AVAILABLE AT THE SHOW.

TILL THEN, HERE IS A PREVIEW FOR SOME OF THE NEW KITS . . .

I was soooo excited to finish up this new 1:48 scale Modern House kit in time for Chicago. It’s the first modern miniature that I’ve created, and I can see more coming in the future.

• Finished size (W/O Base) – 12″w, 9″h, 5.1/2″d. With base: 13 1/2″w, 9 1/8″h, 6″d
• Features: a wood ceiling in the living room and a fireplace. Larger openings from the entry to the living room and from the living room to the kitchen. In the hallway, there is a unique floating staircase.
• The walls and rooms are pretty much set to be built as seen in the photos. Making changes would cause pieces to be out of line or not fit so please consider this.

THIS IS A LIMITED EDITION KIT!

My Tea Shoppe was first created as a chipboard-and-cardstock project PDF and has since become one of the most popular designs. Now that I am working with a laser cutter, it seemed a good time to convert the design into a wood kit.

• FINISHED DIMENSIONS: 8.25″w, 12″h, 5.75″d
• ROOM SIZES: 7.5″w, 5.75″h, 5″d

FURNITURE ALSO SOLD SEPARATELY

DECOR PACK PREVIEW

A FULL KIT is also available that includes the basic kit plus the furniture and decor pack.

FURNITURE KITS PREVIEW

New Roombox Kits . . .

This 1:24 scale roombox has a few options with it. You can move the divider as you like, use or not use the faux door, and apply the siding to the inside or outside. Printed papers are included with the kit in three color options: Blue, Green, and Gray.

This 1:48 scale roombox has trim for the outside and is perfect for a single room setting.

This little roombox is one of a kind! Perfect for 1:48 scale, there is a slide-in, slide-out plastic sheet to protect the display. The back has been covered nicely in faux leather. Just imagine what type of scene or special miniature you could place inside.

The last of the Witchy Clocks will be available at the show. This 1:48 scale miniature is completely built, with lights, and ready for you to dress. And yes, the clock actually works, is battery-operated (mine has run for several years now on a single battery), and the battery is easy to change when needed.

The lights are controlled with an on/off switch and batteries hidden inside the bottom drawer.

Great Halloween decoration!!!

As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch should you have any questions! For those who pre-order, please be sure to download the PDF to print your proof of purchase! You will need to bring this to the show with you!!!

Take care mini friends, and I hope to see you in Chicago!!!!

Teri

Hello mini friends! While working on a recent project and figuring out measurements, it occurred to me that keeping a record of these measurements and design ideas would come in handy. So you will begin seeing these posts at random times at least once a month on my blog. I hope you find them helpful!

Here is a handy chart for wainscot paneling in three scales, showing typical heights for wainscotting and beadboard installation. These same ideas can be used for a combination of beadboard, wainscotting, and wallpaper.

This is a look at my current project using the chart above for placement on both the wallpaper and beadboard.

The beadboard was made from kraft board, which was scored by hand with a scoreboard tool. You can easily paint this material with acrylic paints if you like.

A heavy cardstock, like 100lb weight, would also work for making beadboard.

Here is an idea for adding trim and baseboard to a wall with beadboard. You could easily add a shelf on top of the top trim piece for a fun place to add minis!

And here is a fun idea for beadboard on a ceiling. I love unique ceilings on minis.

Make some beadboard and add it to your next project for something different!

Till next rime . . .

Teri

You can purchase a light set, which includes everything you need in a package, for only $5.50. Additional lights are available for $2.50, and a battery, battery holder, and switch are priced at $3.00 each.  (THESE PRICES COULD HAVE CHANGED SINCE I MADE THIS POST) At these prices, for a two-room building or smaller, your lighting is super affordable and far easier to work with than round or tape wiring!!

UPDATE !!!! – I’ve since started ordering ALL lighting materials from a shop called Model Train Software.  Please visit their website for lighting products. Great customer service! They are more than happy to answer any questions and help you with ordering the correct materials.

Here’s a look at what comes in the “set” package and how it comes to you.  Now don’t panic!!!  (grin).  This is so super easy, even I couldn’t mess it up!!

Basically, you have two wires connected to the LED light and two wires coming off the switch/battery unit.  Place the battery into the battery holder, plus side to plus side (marked on both the battery and the holder).  Now, see the little black tubes?  Slip one tube on each of the wires coming off the switch/battery unit, then twist the light wires to the switch/battery unit wires . . . red to red and then the other two wires to each other.  And when done, this is what you have . . .

Make sure that the little black tubes are covering all exposed wires, and then use a hair dryer to heat up the black tubes so they shrink tightly around the wires where you twisted them together. Test the lights to be sure they are working before you heat up the shrink tubes!

NOTE: The only issue I had was that my blow dryer wouldn’t get hot enough to shrink up the black tubes.  I had to get my craft heat gun out and use it.  With the heat gun, the tubes shrank up in seconds, but be careful not melt it all!!

Now here’s the light, lit-up

And here it is inside my house with the battery and extra wire up on the shelf in the shop ceiling. You could easily run the wires to the back of the structure and then use my upcoming Storage Shed Kit to hide the battery pack. Look for the shed to appear in my shop soon. It’s great for connecting to most any type build and will be available in several scales.

And in a dark room, so you can see how much light it gives off.  Pretty good, huh!  Bright enough that you can see what’s inside the house, looking through the windows.

As to the use in the village shop, you might want to make the ledge bottom wider, as the battery holder is almost an inch in diameter.

That all said, there is one more thing I want to mention, and another good reason to maybe run the light wire from the back of the building, through the wall to the inside.  According to the tutorial from the shop where I purchased the lights, you can actually connect several lights to one battery holder!!!  This means you could, for the shop, attach two or more lights to one battery holder and then run them into the shop for each floor. From the switch to the end of the wire where the light is, you have about 9″ to play with, and that will go pretty far in these shops.  If I thought a bit more, I probably would have done this for my Tea Shop!

Lastly, these lights would be great for lighting the inside of a cabinet or an under-counter light for a shop display counter.  I’m sure too that you could find a way to use these on the outside of a shop!  Or . . . get an inexpensive street lamp and add one of these lights to it!

So that’s it for now, but I’ll come back and update once I have my lights in place!

Update – 01

I used a small flat clear button, glued to a larger curved flower button for the shade.  The LED light runs through the button hole and back towards the trim, where it’s tucked into the trim.  Any remaining wire will be painted white to hide it.

Update – 02

So after the above was said and done, I ran across another type of LED lights and received them today.  As before, the same way to build the light was used, but these actually have two lights per set/battery, and they are larger and brighter than the ones above.  Here’s a look at the pkg and the light, parts, and finished.

Here’s a link to where I purchased these lights.  The item I purchased was the “Miniaturists Lighting Package

• coin cell holder : 4 inch wires
• LED wire Length : 8 inch wires
• coin cell battery : 1 battery
• Color : Warm White
• 1.8mm LEDs : 2 light packet

As you can see below, they are brighter than the other lights mentioned in the original post.

So this “package deal” will give you two lights to use in a single shop while having only one battery to conceal.  You can also change the package deal by adding as many as 6 lights and longer wires if needed.

Pretty inexpensive for lighting!

Happy Mini Making . . .

Teri

Typically used for milling, these 123 Blocks are awesome for setting on pieces when you need weight while the glue is drying.

They are also helpful for keeping pieces upright and straight when gluing two or more pieces together!

If you work with clay, this is an amazing Rolling Pin with Baking Mat tool for rolling out the clay and keeping it at the same overall thickness.

In the photos, you can see how the discs on the end of the pin can be removed and used to get the thickness you need for your project.

The silicone mat is easy to clean with a lot of measurements on it.

A set of Flush Cutters are almost a must-have tool for mini making. They can cut just about anything, get into small areas, and you get two cutters in a pack!

I have used these little Finger Sanders constantly since I bought them.

You can purchase these in several configurations, depending on what sandpaper grit you use often. Refill sandpaper strips are also available. The strips attach to the sander with velcro

As always, watch for more tool talk in the future as well as some video reviews. Please feel free to leave a comment below sharing your favorite tools!

Happy mini making,

Teri