Welcome to Sandy Shores^TM

Miniature villages aren't just for Christmas anymore. Glitterhouse designer Howard Lamey is has branched out to add houses for Halloween, and now he's adding a series of sea-side structures and accessories that will bring summer cheer to your home, even if you haven't got to Spring Break yet.

So far we have finished documenting two structure projects and one scenery project for this series, but Howard is always thinking ahead, so more Sandy Shores^TM structures could appear at any time. That said, many of our Glitterhouse or Spook Hill projects could be adapted to look right at home in Sandy Shores^TM. Think about using pastel colors, and sand instead of holiday colors and glitter.

Each project features:

• Lists of recommended tools and materials (Xacto knife, glue, acid-free paper, various kinds of cardboard, etc.)
• Free downloadable scale plans (in PDF and .jpg format)
• Step by step instructions (with hints, tips, and options)
• Links to other useful articles and resources.

The following Sandy Shores^TM projects are currently available, including not one, but four new seaside-themed buildings from our Tribute to Tinplate(tm) collection. In addition, you can supplement the Sandy Shores^TM projects with many of our other building projects.

The Sandy Shores^TM projects look especially nice with:

What if you like these structures but can't build them yourself even with our instructions? Howard has often been "commissioned" to design and or build vintage-style cardboard houses for collectors and fans of this delightful, but usually underrated art form. That's why he started his own web site, LittleGlitterHouses.com. If you would like to ask Howard to bid on a project for you, or if you have any questions for Howard, stop by there and you'll find direct contact information. If you have any questions for Paul, use this link.

Finally, if you have a similar project you'd like to share with your fellow readers and hobbyists, let us know. We'd love to add it to one or both of our sites, and we'll be sure to give you full credit for your contribution.

Other Articles related to vintage pastboard houses include:

• What is a Glitterhouse? - an introduction to the history of those Japanese pasteboard Christmas houses, and the hobbies of collecting and reproducing them.
• LittleGlitterHouses.com, Howard Lamey's own site about glittered cardboard Christmas houses, featuring many he designed himself.
• Building a Glitterhouse - A detailed primer on building your own vintage Christmas cardboard houses.
• Winter Trees from Floral Picks - A quick and inexpensive way to add interesting textures to your putz or Christmas village.

To Return to the BIG Christmas Trains^TM Primer Page, click here.