One of the focuses of my business is dollhouse miniatures.... to answer the questions on scale you have several scales that are popular or gaining popularity.
1" or 1/12 scale is the most common with tons of Yahoogroups for it and other online forums including Small Stuff Digest which is where I got my start... large international list for nothing but miniatures (not just 1" scale tho)
1/2" or 1/24 scale is smaller and has gained popularity in the last couple years as the 1" scale people run out of space for minis This is a niche market that has a growing base... not saying 1" scale is on it's way out just that 1/2" is growing in popularity due to the main body of crafters being retired or *my* elders (I'm not yet 30) and on space and money budgets that are shrinking.
1/4 scale is also popular but I'm not up on it much but I can say it is extremely tiny ... if you've ever seen the original 80's Poly Pockets those come close to the correct scale or a Z scale train is right. This is considered a dollhouse scale for inside a 1" dollhouse!
On the larger end of the scale is 1/6 scale which is Barbie and the number of adult collectors wishing there were more things for her that weren't Barbie Pink has a huge base. Then there's the Tonner and larger 15-18" fashion dolls that would dearly love more items including houses and such for their dolls.
As for places to learn about miniatures or dolls.....Ashdown Inc produces Doll Magazine (I'm a correspondent....Pattern columnist- unpaid except for exposure), and American Miniaturist (used to subscribe and adored it but budget had to give somewhere)
Jones Publishing and Scott Publications produce Doll Crafter, Miniature Collector, Dolls, Doll Costuming and a whole host of other magazines that deal with various subjects within the doll or miniature world. (Don't ask me which publishing company publishes which I just know that those are the 3 big magazine producers)
I've been into dolls since 1988 when my mom started her doll business. I have been seriously into collector dolls and miniatures for about the last 2 years.
I should also add in something about reborns, repainters and art dolls... there are lots of those out there too who redo, repaint or sculpt their own dolls that need and use props... you might just have a niche in one of these catagories.
1" or 1/12 scale is the most common with tons of Yahoogroups for it and other online forums including Small Stuff Digest which is where I got my start... large international list for nothing but miniatures (not just 1" scale tho)
1/2" or 1/24 scale is smaller and has gained popularity in the last couple years as the 1" scale people run out of space for minis This is a niche market that has a growing base... not saying 1" scale is on it's way out just that 1/2" is growing in popularity due to the main body of crafters being retired or *my* elders (I'm not yet 30) and on space and money budgets that are shrinking.
1/4 scale is also popular but I'm not up on it much but I can say it is extremely tiny ... if you've ever seen the original 80's Poly Pockets those come close to the correct scale or a Z scale train is right. This is considered a dollhouse scale for inside a 1" dollhouse!
On the larger end of the scale is 1/6 scale which is Barbie and the number of adult collectors wishing there were more things for her that weren't Barbie Pink has a huge base. Then there's the Tonner and larger 15-18" fashion dolls that would dearly love more items including houses and such for their dolls.
As for places to learn about miniatures or dolls.....Ashdown Inc produces Doll Magazine (I'm a correspondent....Pattern columnist- unpaid except for exposure), and American Miniaturist (used to subscribe and adored it but budget had to give somewhere)
Jones Publishing and Scott Publications produce Doll Crafter, Miniature Collector, Dolls, Doll Costuming and a whole host of other magazines that deal with various subjects within the doll or miniature world. (Don't ask me which publishing company publishes which I just know that those are the 3 big magazine producers)
I've been into dolls since 1988 when my mom started her doll business. I have been seriously into collector dolls and miniatures for about the last 2 years.
I should also add in something about reborns, repainters and art dolls... there are lots of those out there too who redo, repaint or sculpt their own dolls that need and use props... you might just have a niche in one of these catagories.
Sue
www.suestinycostumes.com
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