SAVE THE DATE and join us for our first ever Sizzlin’ Summer Warehouse Clearance Sale.  ONE DAY ONLY – lots of new-old items recently uncovered in one of our warehouses and we still have more to go through!!

You’ll find spectacular deals on everything in our clearance section as well as the Real Good Toys Factory Outlet Store.  We’ve been stocking up on summer minis just for you!

In addition to the sizzlin’ sale – our resident dollhouse guru Gary is planning to WOW you with some technique demonstrations.  These demos will include Flooring (score, stain, faux-wood), Wiring (tapewire, eyelet connections, LED’s) and Shingling (dying, applying and valleys).

Plan a road trip with your mini friends, drive up or down, and meet us Saturday, June 30, 2012.  Sale hours are 9AM – 5PM.  Demonstrations are planned for 10AM, Noon & 2PM.  Sale location is at Real Good Toys Factory Outlet Store & Clearance Area, 10 Quarry Street, Barre, VT 05641.   Have questions?  Feel free to call Jen or Jodi at 1-866-524-0222.  We hope to see you all!

Mini wishes – Jennifer

The First Lady Dollhouse

One of my most favorite things to do at Real Good Toys is to dig through old dollhouse archives, sorting through old pictures and dollhouse history. I don’t often get to do that except when a customer has a request, and recently we’ve had a few inquiries about the “First Lady” dollhouse from the 1980′s. Many of you long time miniaturists may remember this grand creation and the story that surrounds it.  It’s a bit of Real Good Toys history that is worth sharing.

Real Good Toys was approached in the fall of 1980 by an interior designer. He claimed to have been selected by Rosalynn Carter to create the 1980 White House Christmas display. He wanted Real Good Toys to provide a dollhouse to add to the old fashioned Victorian style display. As you might imagine, Jim Abrams and John Javna, then partners, were not at all sure this was a legitimate request.  Over the years people had suggested projects that never happened, so their skepticism was warranted.  This designer had seen our dollhouses at a New York City miniatures show and was quite sure he wanted a Real Good Toys dollhouse.  He wanted a bricked Victorian with a tower, wraparound porch, lots of gingerbread…the works.  That’s when it hit Jim and John…this was real. A Real Good Toys dollhouse was going to the White House!! Read the rest of this entry »

Our 1 inch scale Dog House kit is now NEW & IMPROVED!  The old die-cut version of this kit was so popular that when it came time to manufacture this kit again, we decided the kit itself could be greatly improved if we were to laser cut versus die-cut.

The new & improved Dog House kit features 1/8 inch thick laser cut pieces and assembles easily.  The finished dollhouse dog house measures 2 1/2″W x 3 1/4″D x 2 7/8″H.

Come on, doesn’t your mini dog deserve a nice place to live and a bone?  That’s what I thought, order your Dog House kit today!

Mini wishes,
Jennifer

WOW – Jodi and I never expected such a great response to our 2nd Annual Facebook Build-Along Project!  The Puzzle Dollhouse Kit has really resonated with many people who love to create something in mini.  I don’t think any of us really knew what we were getting into.  As we unpacked all of our 70+ parts and completed the inventory, there was a “what have we gotten ourselves into” moment.  We were certainly “puzzled” with the huge stack of parts we had but once you start playing with those blocks, your imagination takes over.  Before you know what’s happened, you’ve created a one-of-a-kind dollhouse, market, tree house, 2-car garage or book store.  Truly, the possibilities are endless.

We’ve seen a ton of ingenuity with the Puzzle Dollhouse Kit and it’s just the beginning.  We have several more months to complete our projects.  Good thing because Jodi & I have alot of work to do!  Jodi is creating a Coffee Shop with live-in apartment above.  She had a vision of a spiral staircase and with Gary’s help, this will definitely become a reality.  I have decided to build a custom 2-car garage with man cave on the 2nd floor.  I’ll be logging the garage to match my Ponderosa dollhouse and Jodi is using these amazing bricks (which are Made in Williamstown, VT).

One thing is for certain – this is not your typical mini project.  Usually you receive one of our kits, unpack the parts and start prepping the pieces with paint, stain, etc.  This kit is a little different because you actually have to create your own walls and glue your blocks together before you can even consider painting or staining.  This is a whole new experience for Jodi & I and I’m sure many of you too, but oh what fun we are having with everybody who is participating.

If you haven’t stopped by our Event Page, make sure you do so soon and see what is so puzzling about this Build-Along Project.  You can see mine and Jodi’s progress by checking out our Photo Albums on our Facebook Page – Real Good Toys Dollhouses.

Stay tuned next month for more on the 2012 Facebook Build-Along Project – The Puzzle Dollhouse Kit!

Mini wishes,
Jennifer

Did you enjoy putting puzzles together or playing with blocks when you were a kid?  Real Good Toys is ready to return to that carefree time in our lives with our NEW 2012 Facebook Build-Along Project.

The NEW Puzzle Dollhouse Kit consists of 70 pieces and offers various sizes of rectangles and triangles in 1/4” and 3/8” thick MDF (medium density fiberboard).  The (2) floor panels measure (1/4”) 12 13/16” by 8 31/32”.  These pieces can be arranged to create many different styles of dollhouses as well as varying roof designs. 

This project can be as simple or as detailed as you choose.  Each kit will have a parts list and a sample block layout page to get you started.  We’re positive, once you start playing with these puzzle pieces, you will really start to think outside … the blocks!

Jodi & I are both planning to use 2 kits because “the more blocks…the more fun!”  We hope you’ll consider joining us on this new mini adventure.  We’re positive you’ll learn some new techniques and make new friends along the way.  Check out all the details and see many sample pictures by clicking here!

Mini wishes – Jennifer

I remember the first time I met Lynne and Laurie, it was at a tradeshow.  My first impression was they love what they do and it shows!  They were so knowledgeable and funny and I really enjoyed visiting with them.  They loved attending the many tradeshows each year, always in search of the classic minis as well as the very unique, one-of-a-kind items their shop was famous for selling.

In 1981, Once Upon A Time opened for business!  Three years later they moved to the 120 Church Street location where they have been a part of the Vienna community for the last 27 years.  The store and its owners evolved with the times and were always willing to try something new.  They were constantly looking for new ways to improve the business while still retaining the same charm they’re known for.  If they didn’t have that particular dollhouse or miniature you wanted, they’d do everything they could to find the precise item to make you happy.  Because at the end of the day, that’s what it was all about…making their customer’s happy!

We’ve already heard from many of their customers and how sad they are to see them close their doors.  For 30 years they have made many a person’s dollhouse and miniature dreams come true.  With their fabulous enthusiasm and wonderful customer service, Lynne, Laurie and the gang at Once Upon A Time have truly shown their customers how much they care.  It’s definitely going to leave a big gap in the mini world.

On one hand, all us at Real Good Toys are deeply saddened by the closing of Once Upon A Time’s store in Vienna, VA.  But on the other hand, we’re also very hopeful for their future endeavors and wish them nothing but the best!  May your next 30 years be even more successful than the last 30.  We are truly proud to call each of you our friends!  Farewell and good luck!

Marilyn Loprete, Owner of Circus Circus Dollhouse, has been through so much this year.  Not only did her store get severely flooded from the wrath of Hurricane Irene, her home did as well.  Many people wouldn’t even know where to begin to start re-building your entire life!  However, Marilyn is a fighter and a survivor and she has done just that!

On August 27th, 2011, Hurricane Irene tried to dampen the spirits of Circus Circus Dollhouse with 4 feet of water in the store.  After 32 years in business, Marilyn had to decide to let it all “float” or put on her boots and start cleaning up.  She chose the latter and the work began.  For 8 weeks, friends and customers were happy to help her out.  After all, that’s what friends do, right?  Walls were torn down, carpeting ripped up, new air conditioning and heating were installed.

After all that hard work, the store has a new, fresh look!  You’d never know that Hurricane Irene tried to turn Circus Circus Dollhouse Store into a mini-disaster.  Marilyn is happy to have the store open and available for business as usual.  She happily says, “Here we are…All Departments are Open…and we have a bright, fresh, new look!” 

Bright, Fresh New Look at Circus Circus Dollhouse in Pompton Plains, NJ

Stop in and visit Marilyn and her crew soon.  She is located at 445 Route 23 South, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444.  Her store hours are Monday thru Saturday 10AM-4PM.   Take advantage of 20% off your purchase (not including sale merchandise or labor) and let her know Real Good Toys sent you!  She’ll be happy to see you and you’ll be glad you stopped in!

Good luck Marilyn – may your holidays be bright, happy and prosperous!  Oh, and mini wishes from the entire Real Good Toys gang!

The Kiwi-The lights are on!

Our Lilliput® Kiwi Cottage Dollhouse Kit is finally done!  After adding some finishing touches, Jen and I can proudly say that we have successfully wired a dollhouse!  Seeing your hard work come to fruition is very satisfying.  But isn’t that the case with every dollhouse you build or miniature you create?

Come on in. We've left the light on for you!

We started the Kiwi with the idea that we would focus on wiring and lighting and not so much on the finishing details.  Having said that, we still put stucco on the exterior and wallpapered a couple of rooms.  We wanted to  experience several different wiring situations while working with a couple of different fixtures. To wire a dollhouse is to take a real leap of faith.  We did lots and lots of prep work, running tapewire, spackling and using liner paper to hide the wiring.  Then we tested our work.  We actually held our breath when we held the tester to the tapewire to confirm good connections.  And then….there was light.  We got that “kid on Christmas morning feeling”.  We were on a roll. Read the rest of this entry »

Whimsies Dollhouse Shop in Greenwich, Connecticut has expanded their business to a new and larger location, just down the street from their previous location.  Susie Vallon, the owner, contacted us earlier this year because she had a vision of what her newly acquired location would look like with the help of Real Good Toys new Miniature Showcases. 

Real Good Toys was able to help with Susie’s requests by customizing our Miniature Showcase kits to work for their specific needs.  Susie and Casey assembled, painted and electrified each Miniature Showcase unit and the final presentation was incredible!  Check out these amazing photos:

You can visit Whimsies Dollhouse Shop at 39 Lewis Street, Greenwich, CT.  Phone – 203-629-8024.  Store Hours are 10AM – 6PM, Tuesday thru Saturday.  Make sure to tell them Real Good Toys sent you!

Everybody here at RGT wishes Whimsies Dollhouse Shop the best at their new location!  May you make everybody’s mini wishes come true!

Gary Root, RGT Production Manager

When you think of momentous 30 year anniversaries that have occurred so far in 2011, you might rememer (or not) that MTV turned 30. The 30th anniversary of the 1st space shuttle launch was also celebrated this year. The most important  2011 milestone in the world of dollhouses is that Gary Root, dollhouse wizard, has been with Real Good Toys for 30 years!! Recently, the employees of Real Good Toys had a luncheon to celebrate this event. It was a very pleasant afternoon full of funny anecdotes, interspersed with a bit of nostalgia, honoring Gary’s 30 years at Real Good Toys. Gary has such a following of miniaturists through Facebook and his website, and his contributions to the success of Real Good Toys dollhouses is so important, that I thought I would let everyone know a little something about this special guy.

In 1981, Gary came to Real Good Toys by applying for an advertised job for Production Manager. The day Gary applied for the position a Powermatic table saw broke down during an important run of work. Story goes that no one knew what to do. No one knew how to fix it. Gary saw the dilemma and, althought not yet a Real Good Toys employee, rolled up his sleeves and took the motor apart. Minutes later it was back together and working like a charm. Needless to say, Gary got the job. Here we are 30 years later, and Gary is still willing to roll up his sleeves and do whatever it takes. He is the epitome of the word multi-tasking. Gary has worked at a myriad of different jobs anywhere from a gardener to a shrimp fisherman to a lumberjack, with lots of others in between. He was a licensed master electrician at the age of 18 and studied engineering at Cornell University. His experience has proven invaluable to Real Good Toys. Read the rest of this entry »