Okay, let’s be real: making dollhouse miniatures is addictive, tiny, and sometimes a little messy—but it’s also the most fun you can have! Over the years, I’ve learned that a few key supplies can make or break your miniature game... these are the ones I reach for constantly, and honestly, I don’t know how I survived without them 😂
1. Tacky Glue - This is my go-to glue for basically everything. Thick, sticky, and slow-drying, tacky glue gives you just enough time to wiggle pieces into place without everything sliding off. Tiny furniture? Perfect. Mini decorations? Nailed it. If there’s only one glue you grab, let it be this one. I personally love the "Always Ready" one because the glue always stays at the top of the bottle, so you don’t have to wait for it to slowly travel from the bottom to the tip 😂
2. Glue Roller - Sometimes you don’t want glue squishing out or warping delicate paper. Enter the glue roller. It’s fast, neat, and almost magical for mini books, boxes, or packaging. You just roll it on, stick your piece down, and voilà—clean edges every time. No mess, no fuss.
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1. Tacky Glue - This is my go-to glue for basically everything. Thick, sticky, and slow-drying, tacky glue gives you just enough time to wiggle pieces into place without everything sliding off. Tiny furniture? Perfect. Mini decorations? Nailed it. If there’s only one glue you grab, let it be this one. I personally love the "Always Ready" one because the glue always stays at the top of the bottle, so you don’t have to wait for it to slowly travel from the bottom to the tip 😂
2. Glue Roller - Sometimes you don’t want glue squishing out or warping delicate paper. Enter the glue roller. It’s fast, neat, and almost magical for mini books, boxes, or packaging. You just roll it on, stick your piece down, and voilà—clean edges every time. No mess, no fuss.
3. Acrylic Gesso - Think of gesso as the unsung hero of miniature painting. It preps your surfaces, smooths out imperfections, and even adds texture when you need it. I use it on wood, paper, or even plastic. Once a piece has gesso on it, it’s ready to take on paint like a pro 😎
4. Acrylic Paints - Mix colors, layer them, PLUS they dry super fast. Walls, floors, furniture, tiny accessories... you name it, acrylics can handle it!
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5. Spackle - I know, spackle sounds like something from a home renovation, but trust me—it’s gold for miniatures. Fill gaps, smooth out rough edges, or create tiny bricks and stone textures. It adds depth and realism without a ton of effort.
6. Nail Polish - Clear or colored, nail polish is surprisingly handy in miniature crafting. Clear polish seals and gives a shiny finish; colored polish adds little bursts of detail. Bonus: the little brush is perfect for painting minuscule details.
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7. UV Resin - UV resin is my secret weapon when I want a super smooth, glossy finish.. or when bonding tricky pieces! It cures fast under a UV light, so no waiting around for hours.
8. Nail File - Don’t underestimate the humble nail file. It’s perfect for smoothing rough edges, shaping tiny pieces, and prepping surfaces for glue or paint. I use mine constantly—it’s gentle but precise, which is exactly what you need for mini work.
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9. Pen Knife - Precision is everything in miniatures, and a pen knife is the ultimate tool for that. Hold it like a pen and you can carve, cut, and shape with control. I use mine on paper, thin wood, and plastic. A sharp knife equals clean edges, and clean edges equal happy me 😂
10. Ring Light - You can have all the right supplies, but bad lighting can ruin everything. A ring light is a game-changer. It gives even, 360° light without shadows, so you can see all the tiny details while you work. Plus, if you’re filming or photographing your miniatures, your creations will look as good on camera as they do in real life!
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These 10 supplies are basically my mini studio essentials! They make crafting easier, faster, and way more fun. 10/10 recommend! 🥰
Ps. You can find a comprehensive list of all my favourite supplies for miniature making here!
6. Nail Polish - Clear or colored, nail polish is surprisingly handy in miniature crafting. Clear polish seals and gives a shiny finish; colored polish adds little bursts of detail. Bonus: the little brush is perfect for painting minuscule details.
7. UV Resin - UV resin is my secret weapon when I want a super smooth, glossy finish.. or when bonding tricky pieces! It cures fast under a UV light, so no waiting around for hours.
8. Nail File - Don’t underestimate the humble nail file. It’s perfect for smoothing rough edges, shaping tiny pieces, and prepping surfaces for glue or paint. I use mine constantly—it’s gentle but precise, which is exactly what you need for mini work.
9. Pen Knife - Precision is everything in miniatures, and a pen knife is the ultimate tool for that. Hold it like a pen and you can carve, cut, and shape with control. I use mine on paper, thin wood, and plastic. A sharp knife equals clean edges, and clean edges equal happy me 😂
10. Ring Light - You can have all the right supplies, but bad lighting can ruin everything. A ring light is a game-changer. It gives even, 360° light without shadows, so you can see all the tiny details while you work. Plus, if you’re filming or photographing your miniatures, your creations will look as good on camera as they do in real life!
These 10 supplies are basically my mini studio essentials! They make crafting easier, faster, and way more fun. 10/10 recommend! 🥰
Ps. You can find a comprehensive list of all my favourite supplies for miniature making here!