How to Make Your Dolls' House Special

A plain wooden dollhouse can become a special creation when it is covered with a tile and bead mosaic.

A wooden dollhouse can be a basic dwelling for a family of dolls or it can be transformed into a spectacular and sparkling display that can challenge a young doll owner's creativity. A pattern of glass tile mosaic enhanced with pearls and glass beads will turn the doll's humble abode into a glittering work of art. Covering every inch of the dollhouse exterior with the mosaic design will result in a truly special creation.

Things You'll Need

• Wooden dollhouse
• 200 small glass tiles
• 100 pearls
• 100 glass beads
• 2 packages gold and silver seed beads
• White glue
• Spoon
• Epoxy glue
• Toothpicks

Instructions

1. Attach a row of glass tiles to the dollhouse roof with the white glue, placing the tiles as close together as possible, beginning at the roof's edges.

2. Alternate the row of tiles with a row of pearls, which are also attached with the white glue. Repeat the tile and pearl pattern until the roof is covered with pearls and tiles.

3. Place the dollhouse on its side, making the front of the dollhouse a flat horizontal surface. Attach beads and pearls around the dollhouse doors and windows with the white glue by spreading the glue thickly on the surface and placing the pearls and beads in the glue.

4. Draw a dollhouse name, for example "Nell's House," with a pencil or crayon on the flat surface of the front of the doll house above the front door. Use small beads placed in thickly spread glue to spell out the name.

5. Fill in all empty spaces on the dollhouse with seed beads. Attach them by spreading the area thickly with glue and dropping the seed beads onto the glue from a spoon. Let all glue dry thoroughly.

6. Apply small amounts of epoxy glue to the areas around the large beads with a toothpick for extra stability.

Tips & Warnings

• Find inexpensive beaded necklaces at resale shops. Use the necklaces' beads for the dollhouse's exterior mosaic.

References

• "The Ultimate Crafts Compendium"; Joanna Lorenz; 1998
• "Art Fun!"; North Light Books; 1997