I found the website for the people who registered the patent - They manufacture and sell fire-safe memorial items (inspired to do so by the death of a child, which made me very sad), which is what the patent is mostly about.

However, the thing that caught my eye, while reading over the website, was this phrase:

"Please e-mail us your questions or special requests.
Or call toll-free 1-888-333-8376, fax 520-744-5340, or by mail at: EternaLight, Inc., P.O. Box 1137, Cortaro, AZ 85652."

They may well be willing to sell the lighting mechanism independently for use in dollhouses, though the individual memorial units are fairly expensive, and the electronics may also be.

It can't hurt to ask, if you want a real-looking fire in your house.

Maura

Unfortunately the flicker firefly unit can't be used to make a flicker fireplace unit for a dollhouse.

It's not because they won't work for that it is because there is an existing patent which almost any attempt to use a microprosesor to control a psuedo random flame generation unit with LEDs will violate.

This is the patent link, I am posting it because there will surely be future interest from SSD members in creating flicker flames for dollhouses and they need to be aware of this patent. US patent number
5924784 http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5924784.html

Karin Corbin

I prefer the look of real wood logs over painted resin logs so I am making my own fireplace log sets.

While working with the LEDs for the flickering fire unit prototype I felt dissatisfied with the use of silicone or other adhesives in the method of pulling up peaks to simulate the flames. That was not properly dispersing the light all the way to the tips of the simulated flame.

LEDs are used with light pipes and fiber optics to carry the light to a distant point of illumination. You can use light pipes with other types of bulbs with a few restrictions. The bulb can't be encapulated as heat buildup will burn it out. Also I don't recommend placing the light pipe I am going to tell you how to make directly against a standard 12 volt bulb unless you use a high temperature rated epoxy.

I have created a custom flame shaped light pipe for my log set so the flame area is well illuminated. The height of the custom flame shaped lite pipe is determined by the position of your lights. The bottom of the light pipe must be placed close to the lights and the top will be the height you want the flames to reach. The width is determined by the width of your logs. My method of creating the flame is as follows.

Place a small piece of plastic wrap on your work surface. Under that place a simple sketch the size and shape you want for your flames. Mix some clear 5 minute epoxy and puddle it on the plastic in the approximate width of your logs. Using a toothpick or bamboo skewer pull some of the epoxy into flame shaped peaks. This is done flat on the plastic wrap, you are not pulling the peaks into the air.

After your flame is dry it will peel right off the plastic wrap. Lightly scuff the surface that was against the plastic with a piece of fine Scotch Brite, that will be the back side of your flames.

Scuffing is necessary to get a side emitting light pipe, otherwise only the tip of the flames will light up. At this point your flame set is flat which does not look realistic. Heat up a curling iron, by laying the flame set over it for a very short time it will soften the epoxy and can then bend it into a slight waves and curl the tips as well. That will help simulate the look of air moving across the flames in a fire. This custom flame shaped light pipe can be inserted into the silicone as you create your fireplace log set in the way Rik Pierce has taught in his classes. You should create several sets to insert between the gaps with multiple logs so there is more dimension to the effect.

Please remember that flames are yellow in appearance, they are not red. If you are working with an LED unit the light pipe should be resting on the yellow LEDs, not the reds. You might not be working with colored LEDs so you will need a way to change the bulbs or the flame light pipe itself to yellow. The Krylon company makes a spray stained glass paint for glass that is transparent. Krylon makes red as well as yellow and orange. I have had good success using the product to paint light bulbs and other small glass and plastic pieces. I do not spray the objects, I spray a small amount into a cup and then brush the color on. You can color a clear plastic drinking straw, top half yellow for flames, bottom half red for glowing coals. The Krylon Stained Glass spray adhered to my plastic drinking straw and did not melt it.

If you are going to be producing a lot of flame sets for a class you might want to consider casting them.

Karin Corbin

Delph miniatures (UK) have added central heating to their range.

main link: http://www.delphminiatures.co.uk

Radiator page: http://www.delphminiatures.co.uk/2444/frames.php

I haven't seen the actual radiators in reality but may be useful of the DIY radiators don't work out.

Beverley

I have turned miniature lace bobbins out of Deer Antler and crochet hooks out of wood.

Regards
Michael Hunt

http://www.stores.ebay.com/miniaturepotteryandwoodturning

I make three types of lace bobbin, a thumper, a Honiton and an antique version (for which I have no name).

All are available in 12th & 24th, in ebony, yew and boxwood. Unfortunately, they are not on the web site but I can send pictures and prices.

I am based in the UK.

Regards
Martin Pearce
www.willowmodels.com

One source for bobbins might be belaying pins made for scale model sailing ships - they come in different sizes. I have a couple that are wood, a couple that are plastic, but paintable and a few
that are too big for our size projects.

I'd like to do a lace maker's pillow, and have gotten as far as decorating one bobbin as it might be in life size. (Some of those "real life" bobbins are beautiful, aren't they.)

Maybe you could check out ship modeling supplies and see if they would suit you.

Susan, formerly in Gan, now on the road

I have lace bobbins and crochet hooks in 1/12 scale for sale in my shop and they are from David Edwards. His work is incredible. If you would like pictures just let me know.

I use the EZ cube for most of the pictures I have on my web site. I just love it !

Larrianne
http://www.larriannessmallwonders.com

Rachel Munday of A Woman's Touch web site is at: http://www.dollshousechina.co.uk/

Frances

Once again we have found an excellent Glass Producer and we have now launched our latest batch of newbie's on our web site. We have introduced an exciting range of British Made Glass Spirit Bottles and Pharmacy Jars and Tins, we also have a delightful 24th scale trinket jar now available and some 24th scale jars of jam and marmalade.

This range is now available to the trade and a price list is available upon proof of trading. Feel free to contact us for details.

Denise

Web Site: www.aminiaturemarvel.com
E-mail: info@aminiaturemarvel.com