icklebits - Dolls house Miniature Tutorials

Nearly 900 Dolls House Miniature Tutorials

2011-05-04T15:18:00.000+01:00

Please visit the following link: http://dolls-house-miniature-tutorials.blogspot.com/

icklebits now has nearly 900 dollhouse miniature tutorials!

I'm no longer updating this blog because I have the following to update daily!:

Tutorials - New each day! (ish) - Click here to view.
Facebook - Become a fan! - Visit our page at facebook by clicking here.

Twitter - Follow us on twitter! - Keep up to date by clicking here.

icklebits - Main website - tutorials, articles,forum, directories and more! Click here to visit.

Look forward to seeing you all there!

Donna
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www.icklebits.co.uk

November Newsletter - icklebits

2010-12-17T18:02:00.002Z

Welcome to the November Newsletter. So what's been going on at icklebits in the last month?

NEW MEMBERS...

Welcome to Hazel, theambergiraffe, Lizettek, upstartgeek, priyajn, annieb1213, tumblong, Dorothy and lwhynda!
GALLERIES...

New...
Dolls by Hazel, The Amber Giraffe
New Photos...
I have added some pictures to my own of the profile of me in DHMS a long time ago due to a request from a member who missed it. View by clicking here.
The Amber Giraffe (8 new photos), McQueenie (2 new photos) Dollshouse/roomboxes, Dolls and Clothing, Holiday/Seasonal, Plants
Feature Updates...
Moved image descriptions to the right of the image rather than below. More visible. Please email if you don't like it that way!
Changed "Plants" title to "Plants and Garden"
NOTE...
Some people when registering are ticking the "Enable gallery" box but not putting what name they want. Without the name I'm afraid we can't set it up. If you are one of those people then please email me at gallery@icklebits.co.uk with your username and preferred title. Gallery will be set up within 48 working hours.
BLOGS...

New Blogs...
Hazel.D., Giraffe Talk
New Features...
A very good point was made this week: "How do I find out which are the lastest posts without having to view each blog?" Well I've finally sussed it. If you now go to www.icklebits.co.uk/blogs then you will see the latest posts by each member.
Also if you join us at twitter you can see the lastest posts via tweets! (see twitter window to left of website or bird at top left)
Notes...
It's been brought to my attention that people are setting up their blogs but not posting in them! You all clearly need an incentive to get posting...any ideas welcome. Please email us at blog@icklebits.co.uk
TUTORIALS...

New Tutorials...
Christmas Tree Angel Topper, Christmas Wreath, Bowl of Cereal, Christmas Stocking, Christmas Wrapping Paper Printables, How to Crochet a Dollhouse Christmas Tree
Click here to see all new tutorials for November
We now have 673 tutorials listed on icklebits (including videos)!!!

ARTICLES...

New Articles...
Where Dollhouse Enthusiasts Can Meet To Share Their Passion
Add Christmas Spirit to Your Home With Miniature Christmas Accessories For Your Dollhouse
How to Celebrate The Holidays With a Doll House Christmas
How do I create a new page for my blog?
New Ways To Keep Up With Members Blogs
How do I create an intro for my blog?
COMPETITIONS...

Raffle...
Winners of the October raffle were: 1st = Billy Boy, 2nd = Weeniemin, 3rd = Maggie
***SPECIAL OFFER*** - November raffle is still just 1 icklepoint. Yup you read right...just 1 icklepoint. That's the equivalent of one daily log in! Good luck!
Prizes have been increased for November! 1st = 200, 2nd = 100, 3rd = 50
ICKLEPOINTS...

New Ways To Earn Points...
Points will now be awarded when someone gets a medal.
100 icklepoints awarded for any published poll.
20 icklepoints awarded purely for suggesting a poll.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY...

New Entries...
Little People Thank you to Hazel for submitting that one.
Click here to view the all of latest entries in our business directory.
POLLS...

New Polls...
No new polls this week. Why don't you suggest one? Email us at admin@icklebits.co.uk with your suggestion. 100 icklepoints for any published! (20 awarded regardless!)
OFFERS...

Hazel from www.hazel-dowd.co.uk/ posted the following offer on the forum today:
"I have a reader offer in DHMS issue 199 on page 9....WOW...been waiting for this to come out, hopefully it will be taken up by some readers and then I can get cracking on a couple more. They take a lot of time but doing and planning. I did have help from my son in the finishing of the DVD's. It's going to run for 2 months and then I have other project coming through in the pipline for the mags next year." - Hazel
NEWSLETTER...

Would you like FREE weekly updates sent to your inbox?
These are just brief updates of new tutorials, galleries, blogs etc for that week to save you searching the website. We now offer that to your inbox for FREE!
If you would like that then after logging in, click on Newsletter in the User Menu. Then go to My Subscriptions and tick "Yes" and Save. If you would rather we do that for you then email us at newsletter@icklebits.co.uk with your username and request and we'll do it.
See you next month!

Donna

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Latest updates - interviews, advent calendar, printables etc

2009-12-01T17:28:00.000Z

Well yet again, time has flown by.

The advent calendar is live! As I said the other week, it features my top things of that day (searches, items, websites, tips, tutorials etc).

Also today, an interview with Steve Bailey went live.

We have more articles that can be found in our Christmas section.

The museums section is now live but we're still adding to it daily.

I'm working on the printables section so there is nothing to show for that yet because I don't want to launch it until I have a few for you to look at!

Due to lack of interest I've decided to leave the "top 10 picks" until the New Year. Sorry to those of you who do check it out.

Now please send us your letters for the letters page. There is one on there and its looking rather lonely! Just send us your opinions and news etc to letters@icklebits.co.uk (If you do send to that address we will assume its for publishing)

If you just want to contact me in general then please email me at donna@icklebits.co.uk

Don't forget to check out the Advent Calendar!

Busy, busy, busy!

2009-11-12T16:23:00.004Z

Well as you may (or may not) know, my little baby Charlotte had her operation last week. The latest op has really taken it out of her so all my attention has been on her.

However, due to a great deal of insomnia, I've been spending my nights on the site.

At the moment I'm preparing the advent calendar ready for December. Each day will reveal:

Fave item on ebay that day
Fave item on the internet
Shop of the day
Website of the day.
Interesting fact.
Tutorial of the day...
...and more!!!

To be reminded of it launching please sign up to the reminder service at www.icklebits.co.uk/newsletter and then click on icklebits reminders.

I'm also working on a museums section. I've done 11 of the American states so far. It's not live yet so please keep an eye on this blog or the front page of the website.

Don't forget to send your suggestions for the site to suggestions@icklebits.co.uk

Also we want your opinions on the new site for our letters page! Email us at letters@icklebits.co.uk

Take care all!

Donna
-X-

Website updates and Charlottes operation

2009-11-03T18:01:00.002Z

Just a brief one today. Baby Charlotte is going for her operation tomorrow so for a few days after I won't be about to answer emails. Obviously this means the website will be pretty static in the old update stakes...not a lot will change till the weekend!

Oh and I've had an idea that I want to share. An advent calendar on the website for December. A different website, favourite miniature, great deal etc behind each window. What do you reckon? Let us know at letters@icklebits.co.uk

Will update you on Charlotte through her blog and the website as soon as possible.

Take care all and thank you for so many kind emails of support.

Missing posts!!!

2009-10-19T17:16:00.002+01:00

Well it appears my posts are going walkabouts! I have posted twice since opening and only one of them is there. Hm.

Well here's the latest. Check out our interview with Viola Williams.

We've also added 58 tutorials on food and drink.

(Apologies that the link wasn't working earlier this week...all fixed now)

The new "Top 10 Picks" are also live. This week they are all Halloween themed.

More coming soon!

October 5th Newsletter - Good and bad news.

2009-10-05T14:14:00.001+01:00

Dear all,

There is good news and bad news, so please read all the way through!

The new website is launched! There is so much on there that it would take me forever to list it so I shall let you explore it yourself!

A brief outline: Over 300 tutorials, Articles, Top 10 Picks, Printables (coming soon), Interviews, A-Z directory, Projects, ebay special, featured, news, fun and games, coffee break, blogs and much much more!

We have an exclusive interview with Louise from Angelique Miniatures and more on the way. There is also one with myself...find out what makes me tick...

We have a directory bursting at the seams. Some of our latest entries are

www.12thscaledolls.co.uk
www.miniaturesdollshousefood.co.uk
http://www.jansminis.co.uk

Here's the bad news. I'm afraid that I'm going to be closing my shop on there. Not the miniature book shop (that's run with amazon) but my shop that sells my own work. I know I haven't been open again for very long but I have to put my family first as I'm sure you all understand.

This is because my baby girl is having her operation on Wednesday 7th October. Her care after means we have to get up in the night again and give her complete one to one care. I shall still be doing this website because quite oddly its my way of winding down at the end of a day! (I've still got another 60 articles waiting!) I just don't think I shall be able to make miniatures.

The "doors" will be closing on Saturday 10th October at 9am. All orders will be process over the following week in order that they were made. I shall email everyone as the orders are sent out.

It's not all bad news though! I shall be reopening the shop as soon as Charlottes care gets easier! It will more than likely be in the new year because Charlotte is going to be in her cast for at least 3 months.

As time will be short it will be hard to reply to all the emails enquiring after her health so there are several ways you can keep up.

Visit www.icklebits.co.uk/blog to follow her blog. Sign up to her newsletter www.icklebits.co.uk/newsletter Visit her page on the website: www.icklebits.co.uk/community/charlotte

If you want to take part in icklebits, please visit www.icklebits.co.uk/advertising/submissions.html to find out how.

Right, I think thats everything!

Take care all...and enjoy the site!

Donna x

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHED!!!

2009-10-02T19:14:00.002+01:00

New site is live!

There are lots of things that I need to alter and I shall do them eventually. I figured that if I kept tweaking it, then it would never get launched!

Enjoy and don't forget to send us your suggestions to suggestions@icklebits.co.uk

Maintenance

2009-10-01T23:46:00.002+01:00

Website closed for maintenance on October 2nd.

Sorry for any inconvenience caused but we just need to iron out a few little teething problems with the new site.

Nearly time to launch the new site!

2009-09-29T15:18:00.003+01:00

Well, its nearly the end of September and I promised the new site would be up and ready. Having a slight panic that its the 29th today but ho-hum...

The website is now at 721 pages. I'm still just polishing up but am ready to launch it. My only concern is that when I upload it that it doesn't work or something. Eek!

If you go to the website on 30th September and you get an odd blank screen, then you know its not going too well!!!

Wish me luck!

Delivery update

2009-09-23T13:26:00.002+01:00

My next despatch date for orders is Monday 28th September.

I have to say that I'm finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with the orders. I'm working day and night packaging orders so its no wonder the stock is dwindling fast! I really don't see how I shall be able to run the shop after Charlottes operation on the 7th October.

The new site is going to be launching next week so am spending all my spare time on that. Have a new profile on the way with Diana Carpenter of Mini Mixtures. She does fantastic food which i'm sure you'll love.

If you haven't yet signed up to the newsletter, please visit www.icklebits.co.uk/newsletter and get registered!

Take care all (and thanks for keeping me so busy!)

Donna
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Who stole time?

2009-09-15T15:21:00.004+01:00

Website pages: 705

Well, where on earth does all my time go to? Have you got it? I bet it was you who stole it...tut tut.

Nah seriously, I really don't know where it goes. As you can see with the latest page count, I've topped 700. I love doing this site because I find it winds me down.

I'm polishing it now. It's occurred to me that the logo should link to the homepage. That means changing it on 705 pages. If anyone knows a quick way of doing that then please don't hesitate to email me!!!

I have some great interviews on the site. Louise of Angelique Miniatures, Viola Williams, Karin Ashdown of Kay's Miniatures, Serena Hale of Serena's Crafts, Steve Bailey and a whole heap more lined up!

If you think we should interview you then please send us some photos and an email to features@icklebits.co.uk

Now what else is there to tell you?

Ah yes, the printables. I'm in all of a dither. They take ages to put together so its a case of do I spend some time on those or continue polishing. The printables will come together eventually. I have a few partners lined up to share their work so thats great.

Bit miffed that I spent ages doing the September fair calendar on the site only to not launch it in September. Duh!

Well I must be off as lots to do.

Please keep an eye out for an update on the future of icklebits shop in the next week.

Sign up to our newsletter at

Bye for now!

Website progress

2009-09-08T08:27:00.003+01:00

I have no idea where time is going! Each time I look at the site, I find a whole heap of new things to add. My mind is exploding with ideas, one of which is printables.

Hubby keeps saying "Stick to one bit till its finished!" but nope...off I go, creating a whole new section. Naughty, naughty!

Anyway, its really getting there now. Still lots to do. It shall be launching "Sometime in September" which gives me right up until the 30th..heehee

The shop is calming down now. Probably to do with the low stock. I'm finding no time to make new stock though. What I am finding time to make is white plates alone. I've come to the conclusion that with everything but white plates its a case of once its gone...its gone.

Charlotte has her operation date through. It's going to be tougher than we first thought so the shop may have to close for a lot longer than I had planned.

But on the bright side, you will have the fantastic new site to keep you occupied! I shall keep doing that because thats my way (strangely) of winding down of a night.

For more information on Charlottes operation and what it entails for the next year, please visit her blog at www.icklebits.co.uk/blog

I'm heading off there now to do a post so give me 15 minutes!!!!

Take care all.

Restocked...

2009-09-02T17:46:00.003+01:00

Well it was a manic day yesterday which resulted in me being out of stock pretty much by the end of the day!

I had to make a big decision and in the end I decided that I will no longer do fairs so have put all that stock in to the website shop. So we're now stocked up again.

Please note that with the way things are going I won't be making any more miniatures (EXCEPT plates) for a very long time. This means that once they're gone, they're gone.

I will keep making plates though.

I'm yet to find another bag of stock.There is one more somewhere because I'm positive I still have spilt milks and sandcastles but until I can find them they will show as out of stock.

Watch this space!

Anyway, a BIG THANK YOU to all of you who "remembered" icklebits and came back through those virtual doors yesterday. :-)

We're open!

2009-09-01T07:45:00.003+01:00

Well we're officially open again. The 1st September signifies the end of my maternity leave and its back to work. The shop is open today and the new website will launch in the next couple of weeks.

I was going to launch it the same day but have decided I don't want any bits to be unfinished so will continue to polish it up for a couple of weeks.

I'll name a date in the next few days when I've assessed my to-do list. Also it depends on how many of you bombard me with orders. :-)

Don't forget to go to www.icklebits.co.uk/newsletter to be kept up to date...or keep checking back here.

As for shop stock, there isn't as much as I thought. I dug it all out this weekend and it appears we sold more at the last fair before closing than I remembered. I should have got it out of storage sooner!!!

Anyway, I worked hard this weekend and have done up another 1000 white plates of each edging to keep us going.

Over to you!

Argh not long now! :-)

2009-08-20T09:19:00.002+01:00

Well there are only 11 days to go and I'm getting quite nervous now! The shop will definitely be ready to open but am wondering if the new site will be ready to launch. I'm working on it every second god sends so hopefully it will be.

Latest additions:

Interview with Louise of Angelique Miniatures!!!
Top 10 picks of items on ebay
Lucky Dip
Coffee Break section
Tips page
My recommendations
Featured seller on ebay
More clubs worldwide
Over 380 ebay shops added to the a-z

Things am working on:
Putting ebay shops into categories because in some countries the categories on ebay are very vague.
Adding all miniature websites to a directory
Uploading photos to Charlottes own page
Building letters page
Starting tips directory
Recycling section (what to make out of those bits of rubbish!)

...and much, much more!

The website truly is a monster and is now hitting over 550 pages!!!

I really, really hope you like it.

Don't forget that your contributions are greatfully received. Visit www.icklebits.co.uk/surveys for information on how you can help (in return for FREE advertising!)

Take care all

Donna
-x-

Blimey....

2009-08-11T08:32:00.002+01:00

Well I've just done a quick tot up of whats on the site so far...

14 video tutorials
I've sourced 303 tutorials.
Over 300 ebay shops
88 articles on miniatures
Over 200 miniature websites
118 clubs in uk alone
37 clubs in usa (but I'm only up to Colorado!!!)
Events for all round the world up till December
A few interviews and a few more in the pipeline.

...and much, much more!

Only 20 days to go!!!!

More additions!

2009-08-07T17:28:00.002+01:00

Another update...

I've been busy,busy,busy again this week and now plan to have 3 days break as its my Birthday weekend!

Have now added a calendar that covers fairs for all over the world.

Also have interviewed Karin Ashdown, better know as Kay's Miniatures and look forward to sharing that with you.

Added another 6 articles about minis and lots more!

The website is turning into a monster!!!

Don't forget to keep an eye on what Charlotte is up to at www.icklebits.co.uk/blog when you get a min!

Watch this space!

New additions to the website

2009-07-31T09:12:00.002+01:00

Sorry I've not posted for a few days...been busy, busy, busy!!!

Have now added the United States of America to the miniature clubs section. You will be able to see by State what clubs are available in your area.

The tutorials section now holds 319 tutorials and is still growing!

I'm also adding a directory of video tutorials which I've just discovered.

So as you can see I'm busy, busy, busy!

Just to clarify...

2009-07-22T14:35:00.002+01:00

I've had a few responses to yesterdays email with regards to the opening of the shop. Can I just clarify, the "shop" is the online one. I don't have a shop in the "real world" if you get me!

Sorry about any confusion caused.

icklebits newsletter - July

2009-07-21T16:59:00.002+01:00

Dear all,

Again, I apologise for the delay in updating you. I have no idea where time goes!

First the update on Charlotte and her operations. As you may or may not know, I've been hanging on for Charlottes operation dates before I could decide if and when I was reopening. I finally got an update from the hospital yesterday and they are delaying them. The surgeon wants to do the operation with another surgeon present because its a long one I guess. Anyway, this means they are delaying it due to them both not being available at the same time as soon as we had hoped.

We're now looking at September/October rather than August as we'd first hoped.

Well, I said I would reopen the shop in the Summer and as it doesn't officially end till 20th September then I shall achieve that! I have decided to take a full year off for maternity leave and will reopen the shop 1st September at 9am. I can’t promise that I shall be making new miniatures so it will more than likely be a clearance or something. Until Charlotte is settled I’m slowly accepting that I may have to put making minis on the backburner and let my other talent come forward. I’ve been trying to stockpile minis for those of you who emailed me to reserve them months ago but its not going to plan. I’m barely making a couple of hundred plates a week and I used to make a couple of hundred a day! I’m afraid it may be a free for all on the day.

To keep up to date please visit our blog which I shall update on an almost daily basis.

HOWEVER, as you may or may not know, I'm at present designing a new website. I find I can do this whilst looking after Bab where I can’t seem to do the same with minis. (hard to concentrate!) So far it has nearly 300 new pages!!!

I feel passionate about miniatures and its been a labour of love. I’m aiming for the new site to be the only place you need to go to for all your miniature needs.

Whether it be to buy something, find something, learn something, share something or just to read about Charlotte and feed the virtual fish!

It’s a place to showcase your work (for free) and to learn new things.

The new site includes:

Tutorials, Articles, Inspiration, Freebies, Printables, Directories, A miniature book shop, my original shop, Letters page, Tips, Links, Charlottes own page and blog, Fun and games and more, more, more!

It’s interactive and is a showcase for your work. Most importantly…its FREE!

This new website will not just be a shop. I want to help others out there promote their work. I was fortunate enough to get my profile printed in a magazine but otherwise advertising is expensive. That’s why I’ve found a way to do it for free. A lot of my customers and friends around the world have told me they can’t get magazines where they are which is another reason I’m doing this.
The new site should be up and running before 1st September and if not, then not long after! Either way, the shop door will reopen 1st September 9am. See you then!

Anyway, if you want to contribute a tutorial, article etc etc (in return for FREE advertising or recognition) then please go to www.icklebits.co.uk/surveys to send us a few details. Or if you would rather, then please just email me at donna@icklebits.co.uk for more information.

I want to thank you all for your patience with me over this last year. I had always maintained I would be able to create at the same time as looking after a small baby but I’ve learned that isn’t quite so!

Hugs

Donna (and baby Charlotte)