new otterine’s miniatures blog
Update Dec 2025: Most of the content has been moved over from the old miniatures blog, with a couple dozen posts still needing to be updated and published. If you run across broken links, it might be because I have moved some but not all related posts. Or, it might be an oversight on my part.
Feel free to contact me using the form at the top if you see something wrong or can’t find what you are seeking. To leave a comment, you’ll need to click on an individual post title; the form will be at the bottom of the post.
Categories: Miniatures
December 8, 2025 | 0 commentsPopular tutorials
Here is a recap post of the more popular tutorials I’ve done. I thought this might make it easier to find than searching each time, though this is definitely not a complete list of all the tips and tricks on my blog. Unfortunately, many suppliers from my older posts are either no longer in business or the links have gone dead.
——————–
Homemade shrubbery – tutorial available in my etsy shop
Miss Lydia Pickett Cottage Clock in 1:12 scale (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
Setting hinges – Watson Mill
Enamel tabletop – Watson Mill
Circle library – Watson Mill (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
Security gate – The Brownstone (work in progress)
Photographing minis without a room box
Staining and painting unfinished/bare wood furnishings – covering glue marks and uneven grain
Abandoned bathtub – Milo Valley Farm (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
Realistic tree (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
Mini paperwork, checks and invoices
Making a custom door – Otter Cove (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
Spiral staircase – Walnut Bay Light
Turning wood into concrete – Walnut Bay Light
Hummingbird shower – The Artist’s Studio (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
Wood stove – The Artist’s Studio (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
The leaf deck – The Artist’s Studio (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
Cutting plywood without power tools
Flickering jack-o’-lantern – Haunted Heritage
Stone spiral stairs – Aero Squadron Lounge
Cutting egg carton bricks with links on finishing
Heat registers – Haunted Heritage (adapted from a Kris Compas tutorial)
Stone fireplace – The Haunted Heritage (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
Fancy parlor floor – The Haunted Heritage (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
Working pocket door – Haunted Heritage (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
Weathered wood (part one and two)
Saltwater aquarium – Baxter Pointe Villa
Fitting Houseworks components – when doors and windows are too thick for dollhouse walls
Fixing gaps in purchased doors – when light shows through the edges around the door
Rusted tin roof – Baslow Ranch
Old worn out mattress – Baslow Ranch
Flipping the opening direction of a Houseworks door
Working café shutters – The Newport
Hard wiring table lamps with faux outlets
Wood porcelain sink – The Newport
Faux crochet throw blanket – tutorial available in my etsy shop.
Categories: Miniatures
December 8, 2025 | 0 commentsDog pile!
Sherwood is a handsome model, no? Pillows available in my etsy shop.
Categories: Animals and birds, Miniatures
January 29, 2024 | 2 commentsNew Pillows and free ship over $35 is back!
There are always new designs being worked on behind the scenes, and below are a few samples of the most recent listings in my etsy shop!
I also have brought back free shipping on orders over $35. For orders under $35, there is flat rate shipping.
Categories: Miniatures
September 24, 2023 | 0 commentsCat mummies
Many moons ago, I bought a cat mummy kit from L Delaney. One thing I didn’t realize about the kit was that it contained air dry clay. It was hard as a rock, so I used Sculpey terracotta color polymer clay since I have a lot of it and you paint the mummies anyway. It’s also soft and easy to work with.
The paint included was also dry but I was able to reconstitute it with water. I made a swatch of it, so I could mix more of a similar color in the future. The kit comes with a lot of paper to use as mummy wrap, and you use 1/16″ wide strips. I could make a lot of mummies, but I started with a pair hoping to get at least one good one.
I ended up with two that complement one another well, don’t you think? :D
Ra and ibis statues by Neil Carter; ceramics by Carberlin Minis.
Categories: Animals and birds, Miniatures, Polymer clay
July 2, 2022 | 0 commentsBunny pull toy
I found these kits at a local mini show years ago. Each kit comes with all the things you need and detailed instructions.
I added wood pieces for the hands and a bead for the pull rope. I skipped the whiskers, because I worried it would ruin his face if there were any mishaps, but I’ve since painted the tiny heart on his chest like the kit drawing. :D
It was a fun, quick and cute project!
Categories: Miniatures
April 17, 2022 | 0 commentsAn indispensable dispenser
A. Third hand
B. Swearing reducer
C. Masking tape dispenser
D. All of the above.
I can’t believe it has taken me so long to get one of these. :D
I’ve been swearing at minis for years trying to hold something in place while tearing off a piece of masking tape from a tape roll I can’t find, even though I just had it in my hand a moment earlier. I’m already happier having this new tool for my workspace.
Categories: Miniatures
February 27, 2022 | 0 commentsBeatrix Potter vintage books
This Beatrix Potter book set from Art of Mini makes 20 books, but I have finished only 10 so far.
I love the vintage, well-loved look.
Categories: Miniatures
January 15, 2022 | 0 commentsHappy New Year 2022
I spent some time over the New Year weekend making a mini scene and cleaning up my workspace for new projects. I’m excited to work on new minis for myself and for sale. :]
—–
Chester the cat by 2014erok; sideboard by Minterior; sunflower blanket by Gweaneth’s Dream; slippers by Freedom Miniatures; mouse toy by A. Smith Arts; bacon sandwich by Sugar Charm Shop; grapes by Rina Vellichor; mug by Woodland Trail Whimsy; water bottle from Shepherd Miniatures; painting by blueprintminiatures; coffee table by minisx2.Categories: Miniatures, Roomboxes and Mini Scenes
January 3, 2022 | 0 commentsA Coral Pink Christmas, part 4
Wishing you a very Merry Coral Pink Christmas! I finished just under the wire.
I had so much fun playing and digging through my stash for retro inspired minis! :D
I opted for silver thread from my stash of sewing supplies. For being so fine, the thread is very strong and easy to work with.
I glued the strings to the tree since the ornament beads are heavy and would not stay put on their own.
Here’s the new tree base to replace the original wood round. Just some scrap basswood cut to fit and glued to the center wire.
I used a tree skirt and presents from past scenes since I didn’t have time to make something new.
The retro clock (and the wood cats) were made by the talented Cyd of Mod Pod Miniatures.
———
Sideboard from Minterior. Sunflower afghan by Gweaneth’s Dream. Bear in red hoodie by Obscurely Small; pink bear by LugArt Petit. Calico cat by Paizley Paws. Snowman figure by Sherry Moller; plant pot snowman from Just Miniature Scale. Egg nog punch bowl and cups by Sue’s Little Things. Pink vase by Lorie Marsh. Doily from Stewart Dollhouse Creations. Coffee table by minisx2. Wrapped dollhouse by A Pocket Full of Wishes.Categories: Miniatures, Roomboxes and Mini Scenes
December 25, 2021 | 0 commentsA Coral Pink Christmas, part 3
Continuing work on the coral pink Christmas tree. On a side note, I had a big project come up in the past month, so I won’t be able to make two trees. I do still plan to make a second to sell, but it might not be this year.
In getting back to the tree I had started, I did make a quick change to the lighting. I’m still using warm white string lights from Evan Designs, but I swapped out the 3V 26-light string for the 7-19V 26-light string (listed as 6-18V 26-light string on the website). The reason for this is the 7-19V string has a smaller circuit pack than the AA battery holder. I can make a faux gift box to hide the circuit more easily.
I used a 9V battery while working, though this string can be plugged into the 12V dollhouse system. The lights are plenty bright with the 9V battery. The switch can be purchased from Evan Designs as well.
I opted for the silver Kreinik Micro Ice Chenille for the garland, tacking it in place with light glue here and there.
We are ready for ornaments now.
The various tones of the ornaments should work well with the pink and silver.
Categories: Miniatures
December 19, 2021 | 0 commentsA Coral Pink Christmas, part 2
Continuing work on the two coral pink Christmas trees. Time to make ornaments. I’m using Swarovski Elements 8mm beads.
A tiny crimp bead serves as the topper.
I had some thin wire in my stash that worked perfectly for the loop, formed with round tip pliers.
I don’t know if I will tie strings on the loops or just glue the ornaments in place.
Categories: Miniatures
November 18, 2021 | 0 comments
NOTE: All content on otterine.com is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in part or in whole. It takes a lot of time and effort to write and photograph for my blog. Please ask permission before reproducing any of my content. (More on copyright)
new otterine’s miniatures blog
Update Dec 2025: Most of the content has been moved over from the old miniatures blog, with a couple dozen posts still needing to be updated and published. If you run across broken links, it might be because I have moved some but not all related posts. Or, it might be an oversight on my part.
Feel free to contact me using the form at the top if you see something wrong or can’t find what you are seeking. To leave a comment, you’ll need to click on an individual post title; the form will be at the bottom of the post.
Categories: Miniatures
December 8, 2025 | 0 commentsPopular tutorials
Here is a recap post of the more popular tutorials I’ve done. I thought this might make it easier to find than searching each time, though this is definitely not a complete list of all the tips and tricks on my blog. Unfortunately, many suppliers from my older posts are either no longer in business or the links have gone dead.
——————–
Homemade shrubbery – tutorial available in my etsy shop
Miss Lydia Pickett Cottage Clock in 1:12 scale (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
Setting hinges – Watson Mill
Enamel tabletop – Watson Mill
Circle library – Watson Mill (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
Security gate – The Brownstone (work in progress)
Photographing minis without a room box
Staining and painting unfinished/bare wood furnishings – covering glue marks and uneven grain
Abandoned bathtub – Milo Valley Farm (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
Realistic tree (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
Mini paperwork, checks and invoices
Making a custom door – Otter Cove (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
Spiral staircase – Walnut Bay Light
Turning wood into concrete – Walnut Bay Light
Hummingbird shower – The Artist’s Studio (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
Wood stove – The Artist’s Studio (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
The leaf deck – The Artist’s Studio (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
Cutting plywood without power tools
Flickering jack-o’-lantern – Haunted Heritage
Stone spiral stairs – Aero Squadron Lounge
Cutting egg carton bricks with links on finishing
Heat registers – Haunted Heritage (adapted from a Kris Compas tutorial)
Stone fireplace – The Haunted Heritage (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
Fancy parlor floor – The Haunted Heritage (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
Working pocket door – Haunted Heritage (the process ends here, but you can click back through the links at the beginning of each post to see the full process)
Weathered wood (part one and two)
Saltwater aquarium – Baxter Pointe Villa
Fitting Houseworks components – when doors and windows are too thick for dollhouse walls
Fixing gaps in purchased doors – when light shows through the edges around the door
Rusted tin roof – Baslow Ranch
Old worn out mattress – Baslow Ranch
Flipping the opening direction of a Houseworks door
Working café shutters – The Newport
Hard wiring table lamps with faux outlets
Wood porcelain sink – The Newport
Faux crochet throw blanket – tutorial available in my etsy shop.
Categories: Miniatures
December 8, 2025 | 0 commentsDog pile!
Sherwood is a handsome model, no? Pillows available in my etsy shop.
Categories: Animals and birds, Miniatures
January 29, 2024 | 2 commentsNew Pillows and free ship over $35 is back!
There are always new designs being worked on behind the scenes, and below are a few samples of the most recent listings in my etsy shop!
I also have brought back free shipping on orders over $35. For orders under $35, there is flat rate shipping.
Categories: Miniatures
September 24, 2023 | 0 commentsCat mummies
Many moons ago, I bought a cat mummy kit from L Delaney. One thing I didn’t realize about the kit was that it contained air dry clay. It was hard as a rock, so I used Sculpey terracotta color polymer clay since I have a lot of it and you paint the mummies anyway. It’s also soft and easy to work with.
The paint included was also dry but I was able to reconstitute it with water. I made a swatch of it, so I could mix more of a similar color in the future. The kit comes with a lot of paper to use as mummy wrap, and you use 1/16″ wide strips. I could make a lot of mummies, but I started with a pair hoping to get at least one good one.
I ended up with two that complement one another well, don’t you think? :D
Ra and ibis statues by Neil Carter; ceramics by Carberlin Minis.
Categories: Animals and birds, Miniatures, Polymer clay
July 2, 2022 | 0 comments
NOTE: All content on otterine.com is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in part or in whole. It takes a lot of time and effort to write and photograph for my blog. Please ask permission before reproducing any of my content. (More on copyright)