Alison Jr. Dollhouse Kit by Real Good Toys

Enter to win a FREE Real Good Toys Dollhouse Kit at Zoolabees.com!

Zoolabees Dollhouse Miniatures is an online retailer of dollhouse miniatures including dollhouse furniture and accessories, building components, miniature lighting, dollhouse kits and dolls. See below for sweepstakes entry instructions and rules.

Sweepstakes Instructions & Official Rules:

1. Prize includes Alison Jr. MDF dollhouse kit manufactured by Real Good Toys.

2. No purchase necessary. Complete the sweepstakes entry form below and hit submit. One entry per person.

3. Double your chances of winning! Go to www.zoolabees.com and register for a user account (one account per person).  If you are currently a registered user of Zoolabees.com, please send us an e-mail at customerservice@zoolabees.com with the current registered user name on your account.  Upon verification, we will submit your second entry. Please note that you must also submit the sweepstakes entry form below in order to participate in this sweepstakes.

4. This sweepstakes will run June 2, 2009 through June 30, 2009 and is open to individual legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia. The last day to enter is June 30, 2009. A winner will be randomly selected from all eligible participants and notified by e-mail on July 6, 2009. Prize to be awarded within 1 week of notification. Return of any prize notification as undeliverable will result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner.

5. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means will be void.

This contest has ended. Check back later for winner notification.

Technorati Profile

ShareThis

EBay's Million Dollar Dollhouse

In the not too distant past, an exquisite mansion went on the market. This distinguished custom built home featuring a classical European architectural design was complete with the finest hand-turned woods, antique ivory, marble, sterling silver and silk tapestries. As an added bonus, each room came fully furnished with custom furniture created by internationally-renowned designers in an array of period styles. A home whose decadent and ostentatious design would surely make a member of the royal family drool, retailed for a bargain price of one million dollars. Not a bad deal in today’s real estate market. The catch? Its occupants must adhere to a mandatory height requirement of 7 inches or less.

The home I describe is actually a dollhouse. Perhaps, the world’s most expensive dollhouse and it was for sale on eBay for a mere starting bid of 6 figures. Barbara Crews wrote an article on About.com describing this abode and its astonishing million dollar price tag. The 1:12 scale dollhouse (1 inch = 1 foot) was designed and built by a collector of miniatures, who reportedly collected dollhouse miniatures for over 40+ years. This miniature home actually houses a vast collection of miniature pieces that took this collector 42 years to accrue.

The dollhouse which took over 3-1/2 years to build featured replicas of works of art popular during the 17^th century through the Art Deco period (modern period). Crews tells us that, “approximately 40% of the items contained within the dollhouse are antique miniatures, several of which are centuries old.” The thousands of miniatures contained within come from all parts of the world including Istanbul, Paris and Madrid as well as many other countries.

Featuring hand-turned walnut columns and ornate decorations in the Italian Baroque design, this impressive dollhouse exhibit measures 8-1/2 feet long and 50 inches wide and rests on a solid wood oak base built in one piece. The dollhouse was designed so it can be viewed from each side and each room contains its own miniature lighting system.

Some of the extraordinary details contained within the house are mind-boggling. Over 56 styles of miniature chairs, a miniature table with over 1,000 pieces of inlaid wood, a collection of tiny guns, knives, swords and medieval weaponry made by jewelry makers who are also miniaturists, and a complete boxed manicure tool set with parts that actually move. The tiniest set of china known in the world today is displayed on a table measuring 1-1/4” long. The house contains many more miniature items made of hand blown glass, antique ivory, silver and other precious materials. The spectacular miniature furniture and accessories contained within this masterpiece are too numerous to list here, but were crafted by the finest miniature artisans known to our time. You can read the specifics about this remarkable antique dollhouse collection here.

So, what was the ultimate result of this auction listing on eBay? With a starting price of $400,000, this auction reportedly closed with no takers. Rumor has it the seller has taken the home off the market as they contemplate a short sale.

ShareThis

Dollhouse Bonsai Tree by Falcon Miniatures

The month of May has brought many new and exciting dollhouse miniature products to zoolabees.com! We’ve continued to expand our dollhouse baby and nursery, bathroom and bedroom categories to include unique miniature furniture and accessories for all of your dollhouse projects.

If you haven’t browsed our website in awhile, we encourage you to stop by and take a look. Be sure to bookmark our New Products page and check back often as new items are added daily.

Here are our top 10 most popular new dollhouse miniatures added to our website during the month of May.

1. Dollhouse Victorian Bath Tissue Holder: Made with beautiful light blue satin fabric and trimmed in lace, this decorative miniature toilet tissue holder can be hung on a mini door knob and will add character and charm to your Victorian dollhouse bathroom!

2. Mini Pail of Seashells: This mini sand pail contains real seashells! This tiny pail makes the perfect complement to a beach-themed dollhouse or miniature beach scene.

3. Miniature Powder Compact: Our dollhouse miniature powder compact is an instant hit because of the intricate details contained within this item. This tiny dollhouse compact even features a mirror and mini powder puff!

4. Dollhouse Feminine Bed Tray: So adorable, this miniature breakfast tray features all of the breakfast accoutrements you’d expect to find on the tray of a distinguished lady - right down to the elegant dollhouse teapot and tiny pink napkin in a ring.

5. Hansson Miniatures Mahogany Toilet, Washstand & Bathtub: Each miniature piece is available separately, but this 3-piece dollhouse toilet, bathtub and washstand are absolutely decadent! Finished in rich mahogany, details abound on each of these collector-quality dollhouse furniture pieces.

6. Dollhouse Bonsai Tree:  A great miniature accessory for an Asian-inspired dollhouse, this mini bonsai tree features details galore and is even planted in a shallow terra cotta pot. So real, you will have to do a double-take once its in your dollhouse.

7. 3-piece Miniature Jewelry Set: This tiny set of beautiful miniature necklaces will look fabulous displayed in your dollhouse bedroom on a dresser or vanity. Each dollhouse necklace is displayed on a black velvet easel board.

8. Heidi Ott Dollhouse Mirror: This quality oval gold mirror is a Heidi Ott original. Its versatile style and design makes it the perfect wall accessory for almost any room in your dollhouse.

9. Reutter Porcelain Dresden Rose Bath Accessories: A new addition to our family of dollhouse artisans, Reutter Porcelain of Germany is the creator of this exquisite 10-piece set. A tiny miniature sea sponge is even included. So adorable!

10. Dollhouse Linen Closet Sheet: Perfectly folded and wrapped in ribbon, this tiny light blue cotton dollhouse sheet is ready for display in your miniature linen trunk, dresser or dollhouse linen closet.

To see these and more new products, click here to be taken directly to our new products page.

ShareThis

Modern Dollhouse Bathroom Set by Handley Classics

When decorating a dollhouse bathroom, it’s all in the details. Zoolabees Dollhouse Miniatures has recently expanded our dollhouse miniatures bathroom category to include a host of miniature bathroom fixtures and accessories for this very important room in your dollhouse.

We carry everything from the basics you’d expect to find in any bathroom to the decorative accents you never thought to add. One of our more popular items includes our 3-piece dollhouse bathroom set with top-flush toilet which includes a bathtub, pedestal sink and old-fashioned miniature toilet. This beautiful set is made of classic white porcelain.

Looking to decorate your dollhouse bathroom in a more traditional style? Consider decorating with our dollhouse bathtub, wash stand and toilet in beautiful carved mahogany. Made by Hansson Miniatures, these traditional mahogany Victorian-style fixtures will act as standalone dollhouse furniture pieces in your mini bathroom. If old-fashioned top-flush toilets or high-end furniture-style bath pieces don’t suit your taste, check out our selection of the many other doll house bath fixtures styles we carry.

Zoolabees has also expanded our selection of miniature health and grooming accessories. You can find tiny versions of dollhouse after shave bottles, tubes of toothpaste, mouthwash, hair dryers and even a miniature curling iron. We also have the little unexpected treasures that will add character to your dollhouse bathroom scene such as a set of miniature dentures or a tiny bottle of valium!

Decorative accessories are the garnishment of any room and the bathroom is no different. Consider adding a dollhouse bath accessories basket or mini perfume bottles to your mini bathroom to give it a finished, lived-in look.

Of course, the essentials of every bathroom are also available through our website. We stock dollhouse bathroom supplies including miniature toilet paper rolls, toilet plungers and toilet brushes.

Sit back, enjoy and let your imagination take over as you browse through the dozens of tiny possibilities that will bring your mini bathroom to life.

ShareThis

Dollhouse Beach Ball from By Barb Miniatures

As the long-awaited warmth of summer begins to emerge, we begin to ponder how we can bring the delight and excitement of the season of sun into our dollhouse creations. Whether you are creating a summer-themed miniature scene, or you have a dollhouse that was finished years ago in need of a little pizzazz, here are 10 fabulous dollhouse accessories that will bring a glimmer of summertime excitement into your dollhouse scene.

Lawn Mower: Every miniature garage or dollhouse yard isn’t complete without a mower. Nothing says summertime like the distant roar of a neighborhood lawn mower. Bring the sensation of summertime into your dollhouse with a miniature lawn mower.

Beach Ball: Bring the beach into your dollhouse with a miniature beach ball from By Barb Miniatures. This authentic-looking beach ball will add vibrant color and a touch of summertime whimsy to your dollhouse.

Barbecue Grill: Thoughts of a barbecue bring visions of sizzling patties and delectable aromas that accompany a summer cookout. Just the sight of a miniature BBQ grill is sure to make your mouth water!

Garden Tools: Miniature garden tools piled against the side of your dollhouse or tidily displayed on your porch are a sure sign summer has arrived. Add a pair of garden gloves and some beautiful blooms planted in terra cotta pots to complete your scene.

Beach Toys: If you are not creating a miniature beach scene, consider adding a sandbox to your dollhouse landscape. Fill the miniature sandbox with a set of dollhouse beach toys.

Garden Hose: It’s time to bring out the dollhouse garden hose! Our garden hose set includes a miniature faucet and hose reel to keep this miniature hose neatly stored on the side of your dollhouse.

Sandals: Casually lay a pair of dollhouse sandals outside the front door or anywhere in your dollhouse yard to add a touch of the season. This is a great opportunity to do some seasonal decorating inside your dollhouse too. Leave them inside the dollhouse next to your front door, or consider displaying them in your dollhouse bedroom.

Plants & Flowers: Go wild with summertime blooms both inside and outside of your dollhouse. A miniature hanging flower basket makes the perfect addition to your dollhouse porch. Add a blooming dollhouse hydrangea or potted rose plant inside your dollhouse.

Camping Tent: Nothing says summer has arrived like a pitched tent. A miniature tent is perfect for a camping-themed miniature scene. A tent can also be displayed in your dollhouse yard to give the illusion of a backyard campout!

Paint Can & Brush: It’s that time of year for home maintenance and the dollhouse is no exception. Display a miniature paint can and brush just outside your dollhouse to show those gazing at your display that a do-it-yourselfer has been hard at work!

ShareThis

Zoolabees Dollhouse Miniatures is an online retailer of dollhouse miniatures including dollhouse furniture and accessories, miniature building components, miniature lighting, dollhouse kits and dolls. See below for sweepstakes entry instructions and rules.

Sweepstakes Instructions & Official Rules:

1. Prize includes $100 electronic gift certificate to be used towards the purchase of any in-stock merchandise currently featured on our website.

2. No purchase necessary. Complete the sweepstakes entry form below and hit submit. One entry per person.

3. Double your chances of winning! Go to www.zoolabees.com and register for a user account (one account per person). Please note that you must also submit the sweepstakes entry form below in order to participate in this sweepstakes. If you are currently a registered user of Zoolabees.com, please contact us at customerservice@zoolabees.com to notify us of the current registered user name on your account. Upon verification, we will submit your second entry.

4. This sweepstakes will run April 20, 2009 through May 20, 2009 and is open to individual legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia. The last day to enter is May 20, 2009. A winner will be randomly selected from all eligible participants and notified by e-mail on May 22, 2009.  Prize to be awarded within 1 week of notification. Return of any prize notification as undeliverable will result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner.

5. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means will be void.

This contest has ended.

Congratulations to Heidi Reynolds of Beloit, WI who was randomly selected as the winner of our $100 shopping spree. Thank you to all who participated.

Please continue to check our blog on a regular basis for more upcoming promotions and exciting new products. Join our e-mail list below and receive VIP notification of new sweepstakes promotions and other great offers.

Join Our Email List Email:

ShareThis

International Miniatures Dollhouse Novels

There are many great dollhouse miniatures resources on the web. Whether you are looking for a great how-to book on building a dollhouse, seeking a local dollhouse club in your area or just browsing the internet for creative new project ideas, this article will help guide you in the right direction. Be sure to check out these must-see websites:

Minisites: This online miniatures directory links to all things miniature. Find great information on dollhouse exhibits, museums, organizations and one-of-a-kind limited edition miniatures!

My Miniatures.com: Truly a one-stop-shop directory, My Miniatures features loads of useful information for both beginners and experienced miniaturists alike. This site features a complete listing of miniature artisans, dollhouse websites, shops, clubs and upcoming miniature shows.

Imagination Mall: This fabulous dollhouse miniatures site is a virtual mall - with a complete listing of artisans, miniatures shops and websites, clubs, museums, events and shows.

My Small Obsession: This website promotes dollhouse miniatures and provides information for beginners, enthusiasts, artisan and dollhouse collectors. Be sure to check out their section on miniature articles to help guide you through the process of building and finishing a dollhouse kit.

Small Stuff Digest: A daily digest put together by the community of individuals who share a common interest in miniatures.  A subscription to this daily reader provides helpful suggestions, tips and ideas on all things miniature related.

Miniature.net: This website’s mission is to promote dollhouse miniatures and provide a forum for beginners to learn from experienced crafters. A great resource to locate fellow collectors on the web. Check out this site’s helpful “Mini Tip of the Day”.

Printmini.com: This website features free printable minis and helpful hobby calculators to help calculate scale.

ShareThis

Town Square Miniatures Victorian Doll Family (Brunette)

Are you a dollhouse miniatures enthusiast looking for a fun and new project idea? Perhaps you are looking to build your first dollhouse, or you are an experienced artisan looking for fresh, creative ideas. Here are 5 great websites for new dollhouse miniature project ideas to help start your creative juices flowing:

1. Recreation and Hobby Directory - Search this great directory to find new dollhouse miniature project ideas! Directory includes listing of project ideas, photographs, how-to instructions, free plans and printables for do-it-yourself hobbyists.

2. Dollhouse Miniatures Club - Check out this great website featuring dollhouse miniature projects, plans and step-by-step guides you can download and make yourself. This site features a great section for beginners too!

3. Dolls House Artisan - Visit this website for immediate access to over 330 dolls house projects, ranging from How to Make a Poinsettia Wreath to Tiling your Dollhouse Roof!

4. Thrifty Fun Miniature Dollhouse Dolls - Make your own miniature dolls to put in any dollhouse, book shelf or as a special gift for someone.

5. Blohm Design Projects and Tips - Great project tips and ideas for the budget-minded miniaturist. Blohm’s dollhouse mini project ideas focus on turning trash into miniature treasures.

Enjoy searching these 5 recommended websites for project ideas. Please feel free to comment with any other great website project ideas!

ShareThis

Dollhouse Miniature Teddy Bear by Multi-Minis

When accessorizing a doll’s nursery, be sure to add these classic dollhouse miniatures to your baby’s room:

1. Dollhouse Lamp – A must have for your dollhouse baby dresser or chest. Look for children’s themed lamps that include embellishments such as a teddy bear or duck.

2. Crib Sheets – Often overlooked, most miniaturists just go with the patterned or solid print on the mattress that comes standard with dollhouse cribs. Consider adding a pretty crib sheet set to your dollhouse crib’s mattress. If you don’t want to fit the mattress with a crib sheet, you can also display the baby’s linens spilling out from a partially-opened baby dresser drawer.

3. Baby Blanket – Drape a miniature baby blanket over the side of your dollhouse crib or on the back of a dollhouse rocking chair.

4. Miniature Baby Clothing – Adorable clothing choices are available and will really warm up your dollhouse nursery. Some dollhouse baby outfits come with hangers, so you can display these on a wall hook. Otherwise, have fun filling the dresser drawers of your baby chest. Remember to add baby shoes too!

5. Diapers – Display a miniature box of diapers in your nursery. You can also purchase a few cloth diapers to display on your dollhouse changing table.

6. Diaper Bag – Casually flung over the back of your rocker or carefully placed alongside a changing table, the diaper bag adds a traditional detail to your doll’s nursery.

7. Nursery Toys – Dollhouse nursery toys are an essential in every nursery. They help to define the space as a nursery. Look for traditional dollhouse nursery toys such as miniature stick horses, baby blocks and teddy bears.

8. Baby Bottles – Thoughts of a nursery almost instantly conjures up images of baby bottles. Display these almost anywhere in your dollhouse nursery.

9. Baby Care Supplies – The dollhouse diaper stand or changing table is an empty space begging to be filled with charming accessories. Display miniature baskets filled with baby care essentials such as miniature bottles of baby lotion, baby powder, baby shampoo and baby oil.

10. Wall Decorations – Accessorize your dollhouse nursery walls with wall art, shadow boxes, pictures, embroidery hoops or decorative plaques. For a baby girl’s room, display a miniature ballerina wall plaque. For a boy’s room, display a miniature embroidery hoop in blue.

ShareThis

Hansson Miniatures Black Leather Arm Chair

For those with a love of dollhouse miniatures, a museum devoted to all things small is a must-see for the miniaturist-at-heart! Consider a visit to these charming miniatures museums during your next outing:

The Great American Dollhouse Museum: Located in Danville, Kentucky this museum provides “villages” displayed in one continuous landscape including neighborhoods, streets and rural land. Visitors of this 6,000 square foot museum can stroll through the variety of avenues and alleys (as if in a real town), peering into the open backs of the homes for a peak at the décor and the lives of the dolls that reside in each miniature home.

Art Institute of Chicago Thorne Rooms: Located in Chicago, Illinois the 68 Thorne Miniature Rooms enable one to glimpse elements of European interiors from the late 13th century to the 1930s and American furnishings from the 17th century to the 1930s. Painstakingly constructed on a scale of one inch to one foot, these fascinating models were conceived by Mrs. James Ward Thorne of Chicago and constructed between 1932 and 1940 by master craftsmen according to her specifications.

Angel’s Attic Dollhouse Museum: Located in Santa Monica, California Angel’s Attic is located in a historic Queen Anne Victorian and features a captivating collection of antique dollhouses, miniatures, dolls and toys.

Toy & Miniature Museum of Kansas City: Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this dollhouse museum boasts the largest collection of fine-scale contemporary art miniatures in the world. This museum contains working reproductions of actual pieces crafted by highly skilled miniature artisans. A great place to also learn about the creation and history of dollhouse miniatures!

Miniature World: Located in Victoria, British Columbia, this museum calls itself the “Greatest Little Show on Earth!” with over 80 exciting miniature dioramas and two of the world’s largest dollhouses with over 50 rooms beautifully furnished and decorated.

ShareThis