Mayberry Street Miniatures is a name familiar to many miniature enthusiasts, but to me, this brand has been confusing, hence why I wrote this article.
If you have ever been to Hobby Lobby, you probably have seen a number of different bags, filled with all types of minis, with this brand’s name on them.
But they also have DIY dollhouse kits on another scale, which was the reason why I was confused and I just had to figure it out, cause I like a challenge haha! Let’s dive into it!
Has Mayberry Street Miniatures Transitioned?
Miniature accessories by Mayberry Street: a little review.
So, Mayberry Street Miniatures has its own distinct range of dollhouse kits and miniature accessories, but let’s focus on the miniature sets first.
In the video below, you can see how to make these miniature sets look more realistic and transform them into something fantastic that you will want to put in your dollhouse.
Because a few of these undecorated pieces can be a little basic, to be honest.
(This is a great video by the way by Whitney LaBrie Miniatures )
The video demonstrates how to turn a mini basic artist’s case and the cutest mini jars into unique and detailed pieces.
Techniques included adding realistic aging to the paint palette and repurposing jars into a modern laundry shelf.
This video also addresses some challenges with the miniatures, such as oversized paint brushes and glue residues on the jars.
The host’s creative solutions included painting, sanding, and adding personal touches to enhance the miniatures’ realism.
These miniature sets are actually on a scale of 1:12, while the DIY kits that I talk about below are on a scale of 1:24 (or so they say). Which is kind of peculiar, if both are from the same brand, no?
Online, I haven’t found these sets on stores like Amazon anymore, but I still found some on Etsy and Hobby Lobby, of course.
Mayberry Street miniatures by @Cathyssugaart
I even found a vintage set of mini pots and pans-set from before 2000, talk about nostalgia hahaha!
Mayberry Street pots and pans by @SorthingwithSamantha
But what are the DIY kits of Mayberry Street all about?
However, the brand now has a website with the exact same name, and I can’t find those same miniatures in scale 1:12 on it, but they primarily offer rebranded kits from other manufacturers.
And they just lead to DIY kits on Amazon by means of an affiliate link!
This means that while you may find a “Mayberry Street” kit, it might be the same as one branded under a different name by another manufacturer.
I have written before about these rebranded DIY kits, like “Flever” and “Anavrin“, so just be aware that this rebranding and reselling can lead to variations in quality and packaging!
For example, they link to this DIY kit from Cutebee, called the Chocolatier, which I assembled myself, and it was definitely NOT from Mayberry Street 😉
Quality and Packaging
A common issue reported with Mayberry Street DIY kits is the inconsistency in quality and packaging.
Reviews on Reddit and such indicate that while some kits are neatly packaged and well-instructed, others may not and have unclear or vague instructions, and the parts are difficult to fit together.
For instance, the Century Bookstore Kit has received mixed reviews.
While this particular kit DOES seem to be created by the original brand ( again, quite confusing, right? hahaha ), it has its challenges.
The Challenges include:
- Complexity: The instructions can be tricky, requiring multiple readings and careful attention to avoid mistakes. And Instructions Gaps: There are ambiguities or missing details in the instructions, leading to confusion.
- Difficult Assembly: Some parts, like the windows and roof, can be challenging and may not fit perfectly, requiring additional adjustments or fixes, and yes, patience.
- Glue Issues: Different types of glue are needed for different parts of this kit, and superglue can be problematic due to sticking your fingers together haha!
- Repeated tasks: like making numerous books and dealing with small components, can be tedious
- Wiring Complexity: Wiring for the lighting can be confusing, particularly for those unfamiliar with electrical components.
Also, remember that you can always “kitbash” these types of miniature kits, check out this post on Reddit for a fabulous transformation of this kit!
My Final Conclusion
So the mystery about Mayberry Street Miniatures is partly solved, but some things are still unclear like: what is their history, and why the distinction between the 1:12 scale sets and the 1:24 scale DIY kits, which aren’t even all of their own. Sorry, but I still don’t have a clue haha!
All I know for certain is that they have been around for a while at Hobby Lobby 🙂
If you have more information about this brand or disagree with something I said, feel free to share that info down below in the comment section!
Or you can join any of my social media channels, especially check out my YouTube tutorials if you like, thanks!
I wish you happy crafting!
Kind regards,
Lizzy
Hi everyone!
My name is Lizzy, and I am an amateur miniaturist obsessed with everything in the dollhouse and miniature world, ever since I was a teenager.
So far, I have created 2 dollhouse projects, a backyard shed and a miniature treehouse, tons of DIY dollhouse kits, and “hacked” some.
I also created a fairy garden, and lots of small and simple miniature projects on my YouTube channel. (mostly made from trash or everyday items).
I love to write as well about all things happening in the miniature world, hence the reason why I created this blog!
I wish you happy reading and crafting!
Lizzy
