One of our readers thought you all might find this interesting:



http://www.etsy.com/shop/karincorbin?re ... p_redirect

Paul, those are really cool! I'd hate to be the guy painting or installing windows in them!!

Hey Paul, I just joined the forum although I have enjoyed seeing all the vintage Putz on Papa Ted's site for many years. I grew up with some of those on the Christmas tree. They always fascinated me as a kid. I have created quite a few small structures over the years and I am still designing and making new ones. I have a life long love of old buildings, especially the half timbered ones from Europe.

The microminiature putz kits are my work. That kit is available in two sizes, tiny and micro
They are very popular for using inside of 1:12 scale dollhouse projects but are fun for other types of scenes as well.
I have attached photos of a couple of ways of using them other than for dollhouses. But they are also fun for snow globe scenes.

Regards,
Karin Corbin
http://www.karincorbin.blogspot.com

Painting is easy, I use a small, angled, flat artist brush. Just like a miniature version of a brush you would use to paint trim on your real house. The flat brush works much better for sneaking in under a roof line and can cut in an accurate edge. I paint after assembly. Glitter after assembly too.

It is easy to put "glass" windows into the micro scale houses. Work on the inside surface of the walls before you begin assembly. To make glass use clear fingernail polish. It is thick enoughto span across and fill in the open "cell" of the window. I use quick drying polish. If you want your window "glass" tinted yellow us a highlighter marker over the polish, again working from the inside of the structure before assembly to apply the color.

Karin Corbin
http://www.glitterhouses.blogspot.com

Karin, one of our other members brought these to my attention. Pretty cool. My old eyes aren't up to it though.

They will be available as larger sized kits in 2014. Sales of the kits at my Etsy store were terrific this Christmas seasons on the little sized ones so I am re investing some of the profits in a professional quality cutter which can easily handle the lightweight chipboard materials. I could cut them on the laser here in the workshop but I don't like dealing with the smoke residue, it bothers my bronchitis.

I am starting production on the new series of buildings for 2014. Small sizes are first off the cutter, they are 1:220 scale which works with Z scale model trains. The buildings can be used individually or the roofs can be trimmed back so the building sides touch each other. These will also be scaled up in several larger size options. They will look great in a row on a fireplace mantle. Photo is of the prototypes, some minor changes on a couple of the buildings. One of these days I will get around to putting them in a snowy scene but I already have a bunch of pre-orders to fill first.