Hobbies And Interests
Variety of Materials
Create one-of-a-kind lamps by using a deep plastic bottle cap, such as from laundry detergent or medicine bottle. Fill it with plaster of paris or clay, and stick in a small wooden dowel. Cut the dowel to length--you have a floor lamp or a table lamp. Attach the other end of the dowel to a small piece of base wood.
Create a doll's hammock by adhering two wooden dowels into two wide, shallow bottle caps, and tying a piece of cloth between them. Use fabric that's longer than the doll who will be using the hammock and about three times as wide. Cut the ends of the fabric so they can easily be tied to the dowels.
You can also use a small scrap of fabric to cover an overturned bottle cap or thread spool to create an end table.
Wood can be carved and sculpted into many shapes, including furniture for doll houses. Use simple shapes and create couches, beds and TVs. Glue a favorite snapshot or picture from a magazine to the TV to give your dolls something to look at.
Of course carving wood may require more tools and skill than you care to invest. In that case, use Styrofoam. It's lightweight and easily shaped with a utility knife. Use paint or fabric to cover any doll accessory you carve from it.
Look around any home and you'll see fabric on many surfaces. The same is true for a properly outfitted dollhouse. Sew small curtains for the dollhouse windows. Stitch pieces of felt together for blankets, and stuff tiny pillows with quilt batting.
Accessories include more than just the furniture and fabric in the dollhouse. Use clay to create tiny food, pots, pans, utensils or a remote control for the TV. Children's imaginations can be very helpful. Give them clay and let them come up with clever dollhouse accessories. Also, have the kids draw very small pictures and frame them with tiny twigs or short pieces of wooden dowels so the dollhouse can have handmade art on its walls. If you don't have children and don't want to draw yourself, frame out small pictures or postage stamps in the same manner.
Miniature Kits
If you'd like your dollhouse accessories to be less rustic but still homemade, purchase a kit. Craft stores and many sites online sell kits that allow you to make your own accessories but with the end result being as polished as something manufactured. You can always purchase finished accessories as well to intersperse with those you have created.
Use Others' Creations for Inspiration
The United Kingdom's Queen Elizabeth II is a doll collector, according to Fashion-Era.com. Peruse her collection online or photos of others' collections to get more ideas for creating accessories.