Most of my inspirations come from price tags. I take one glance at the price on something and, after I catch my breath, I run home and make something similar for a fraction of the cost. Its not that Im cheap; I just cant afford to spend big bucks on things just because theyre cute or unique. As my daughter was growing up she had some pretty unusual dollhouse pieces, thats for sure. Just as in real life - some dolls had the fancy home and swimming pool while others had the cardboard box house with the deli container pool. As in real life, again, just because you dont have a lot of money doesnt mean you cant have nice things. You just have to make many of those things yourself. Here are some of my favorite dollhouse things that can be made for pennies: Use empty prescription bottles to make tables and chairs. Use a large bottle for the table and four smaller bottles for chairs. Glue felt, lace or even vinyl around the bottle and over the lid. Glue the lid onto the bottle since it will no longer screw on. Its a cute dining set that will last for years. Use another prescription bottle to make a plant stand. Cut a circle of lace and drape it over the bottle. Set it in a corner with a fake plant on it.
Make fake plants by using soda bottle lids or other items. Glue tiny flowers and greenery into a lid spray-painted gold or another color. Or, stack the lids using colored tape around each set of lids to hide the seam. This creates a tall plant stand with a unique striped design. Cut a circle of cloth, set a clear medicine bottle lid in the center, then pull the cloth up and over the edges of the cup. Tuck the excess inside. Glue flowers inside the cup and allow them to spring up and out or even over the sides. Cut a section from a toilet paper roll and make a planter by covering the cardboard with decorative paper or even foil. Fill with fake plants and set outside, on a deck or elsewhere.
Make a giant pool for Barbie dolls by using the clear tray from a rectangular birthday cake. Fill the pool while the lid is where you want it; dont try to carry the lid full of water or the lid will surely break. This pool will last a long time if you slide it onto a thick piece of cardboard or a cookie sheet to change the water rather than carrying it by hand. Poke a hole in the top of a plastic or metal jar lid using a hot nail or nail and hammer to begin making a unique seat. Select a shank button to use for the center of the seat. Place a piece of twine through the shank of the button and set aside. Cut a piece of foam to fit the top of the lid and poke a hole in the foam. Thread the button through the fabric, through the foam, and to the underside of the lid. Secure with tape. Glue or tape a second lid to that one so that the bottoms of the lids face each other. Pull the fabric down around the lids, creating puckers as you go along, so that the fabric will become fitted. Trim away any excess fabric under the seat. Make a bed from a cardboad box about the size of a graham cracker but slightly longer. Simply glue a piece of thin fabric over the box and secure it on one side. Fold it a the corners to make a snug fit. Glue on beads or short dowels to make legs for the bed. Use bedding youve made yourself by simply cutting fabric and gluing on lace, ruffles or other trim. Make a canopy by using four wooden dowels from a craft store. Cut a piece of cardboard a little larger than the width and length of the bed. Glue a dowel to each corner and stand it up over the bed. Drape a piece of fabric over the top of it. Glue on ruffles or other trim. Its fun to make your own dollhouse furniture, and when you do, you have unique pieces that others can never buy. Look around your house to get even more ideas of things you can use. Small boxes make great furniture and appliances, cardboard pieces and magazine pics are perfect for wall art, and Styrofoam opens up all sorts of options for building cool things for the dollhouse. Your dolls will be thrilled!
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