I recently posed this question in our Facebook community, and it sparked some great discussions! It turns out there are a few materials and techniques many of us would rather steer clear of. Let’s go through some of the advice and experiences that stood out, shared with plenty of humor and hard-earned wisdom!
- Wallpaper and Adhesives: A Sticky Situation
One thing nearly everyone agreed on: using the wrong glue can lead to some real frustrations!
Many of us avoid PVA glue for wallpaper because it tends to cause bubbles and warping. One member shared their favorite find: stick flat glue, which works like a charm without the drama. Another suggested spray adhesive for smooth, bubble-free wallpapering.
And then there’s hot glue—this one stirred up mixed feelings. While some people have no issues with it, others find it unreliable. A popular opinion was that hot glue works better for temporary fixes rather than long-term stability, especially in areas that might be prone to lifting or shifting over time.
( A personal note on hot glue</strong 🙂 /em>
You càn see me using hot glue on my Youtube channel, but this is more for being able to film my tutorials easily, as it drys quickly, but in other circumstances, I would always use crafting glue like Grab Fast Tacky Glue by Alleenes!
=> I have used tons of Tacky glue already on my treehouse, you can say that it's made of Tacky glue hahahahaha!
- Flooring and Shingles: Avoiding the Warp
Water-based glue was another "no-go" for flooring or shingles, as it can warp the materials over time. Many members avoid this type of glue on wood altogether, opting for more heavy-duty adhesives when working on floors, walls, and roofs.
Here's where I described how to avoid warpingduring the painting process:
- Super Glue: The Love-Hate Relationship
Superglue came up often, with some calling it a “necessary evil.”
While it has its uses, there’s a common theme of members accidentally gluing their fingers together more often than the actual materials! One person even joked that acetone has saved them from a few panicked visits to the walk-in center. If you’ve been in that situation, you know how true that is! 🙂 /p>
Personally, I only use it for wires that need to stick together fast, like in some DIY dollhouse kits, the Chocolatier from Cutebee would have been a disaster without superglue to assemble those pesky chairs!
- Real Food: Avoiding Critter Attractants
This one might sound obvious, but several people warned against using real food in miniatures. It can attract mice and insects, especially things like coffee grounds, flour, or icing sugar. So, while real food might look realistic for a day or two, it’s not worth the pest risk.
Some members say they also avoid things like dirt, sand, and eggshells as they can develop mold over time.
- Questionable Materials: Plastic.
Plastic was also a common “no-thanks” for many, as it sometimes lacks the authenticity that other materials provide in dollhouse miniatures.
- Scale Matters!
Scale was a surprising but important mention! Many members find it frustrating when items of different scales sneak into a 1:12 scale dollhouse, throwing off the overall look. Consistency is key to achieving that miniaturized realism we all love.
If you are worried about using the correct scale, I have a FREE scale converter tool on my website here!
- A Few Fun Tips:
- Thumbnails as handles? Yes, someone mentioned using small thumbnails for cabinet handles—a clever touch!
- Keeping things loose: Some avoid using sticky-backed items, like adhesive lights, as they tend to lift or peel over time.
- Letting loved ones help: One person humorously advised, “Avoid letting your husband help.” Sounds like there might be a story there! 🙂 /li>
Thank you to everyone who contributed your insights, tips, and laughs! These shared experiences make our dollhouse community so valuable and fun. Have any other techniques or materials you’d avoid? Drop your thoughts below!
Happy crafting!
Lizzy
