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Thanks for the compliment!

This particular kit is by Kisoy - they do some other kits, which were actually pictured on the box for this one, if you want to get some ideas of other ones to possibly do. I've also done a couple of kits by CuteBee. They were pretty much the same in terms of the quality of the parts (although this kit also came with a few very basic tools, which was nice).

I got this kit from Amazon, although it can be found on other sites as well (AliExpress, Banggood, and Wish). Definitely shop around, because I bought it at around $22 and saw it on Amazon the other day for about $15. Other sellers had it at $30+. Do try to go for free shipping if you can. I've bought a couple of kits from AliExpress, and you can usually get good prices and free shipping if you're willing to wait a little longer to get it from them (although Amazon wasn't significantly faster, really). Incidentally, I've seen a few people selling these exact kits on Etsy and they're definitely on the pricier side there.

With every kit you will have to make everything from scratch, so I guess it comes down to what kinds of things you find the easiest/simplest to make. Upholstered furniture like sofas and chairs can be tricky. Pillows can be tricky (although I might just be bad at making them, haha). Paper flowers are usually tricky. If you see a kit with tiny "metal" cafe chairs or candelabras, those will start as straight pieces of wire that you will have to shape a certain way. Most of the kits have lights, and you will have to wire them through the model AND connect them to a battery pack (not too hard once you get the hang of it, honestly).

As for tools? You'll want a good craft glue that you're comfortable using, first and foremost. Some people like Elmer's Craft Bond or Aleene's Tacky Glue, for example; I really like Beacon 3-in-1 crafting glue. It sets up quickly but not-too-quickly, dries clear, and is easy to clean if you get it on your hands. I'm not a huge fan of hot glue for projects like this, but some people swear by it. It's up to you.

You'll also want a decent pair of scissors, preferably small ones, as you'll be cutting a lot of paper and fabric very intricately. A craft knife (X-Acto, etc.) is also very helpful. Tweezers are invaluable for placing and holding little bits in place as the glue sets up. A ruler (with metric!) is great for double-checking the dimensions of parts. If you get the kit with the music box, you'll need a small screwdriver to attach it with.

Other handy stuff...a box of some sort for putting away your materials when you want to take a break is great. So is having some sort of work surface that you don't mind getting messy (I used parchment paper). I also used a very small cardboard box (from a bottle of Advil) as a right-angle and support for lining up the walls correctly.

This all seems like a lot, but don't spend too much if this is your first time crafting something like this. You can get by with basic tools that you probably already have around the house. If you decide to do more crafting later, you can invest in some better tools then.

One other thing: the box will say that this kit takes AA batteries for the lights, but it does NOT. The very small battery pack uses 3 silver oxide button/watch batteries of the type SR1130, which you can find online probably easier than you can find them in a store (there is a staggering variety of these types of batteries!) I'm not even sure where you would fit an AA battery pack on this kit TBH.

I hope this all helps!

Depending on what they already have, a craft mat is amazing, a nice craft knife, a tiny square (this is expensive, but you can probably find a cheap one elsewhere. This is honestly such a valuable tool.). A high quality, tiny metal ruler, a .5 or .25 mm mechanical pencil, 1/8" graph paper for making stencils, tiny clamps. If they are super duper into the hobby, this book (in color), is super inspiring. Any of these things would be incredibly appreciated by a beginning miniaturist. You're very thoughtful for researching and supporting your friend.

I bought this kit recently: ZUINIUBI Doll House Kit DIY... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KYDRKVT?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

It was my first mini kit and I absolutely loved it, very easy to follow and everything came out just like it said. Good luck!

First i marked out where the portal was going to be on the base.

I then carved out a bit of the portal.

For the rocks, i was just pinching bits of it off to give it texture. Then was a base coat of some matte mod podge and black paint. Then dry brushing it grey, then another dry brush of white.

Next, i had the Das modeling clay to smooth out the bottom. Then added the LEDs.

Glues the rock bits down with mod podge and coated the bottom bit with gloss mod podge to prevent leaks when i pour the resin. I did this a few times just to be on the safe side.

Coated the entire base with acrylic mud for the ground. (Forgot to take a picture of this) Then laid out some fine grass turf, then the static grass to finish it off. (4mm)

Poured the resin with a mix of silver, purple, and blue mica powder. (24 pack here for $13)

Just threw the wires in there, nothing fancy since this is just a test. Didnt really know exactly how this was going to turn out but wanted to apply it now so i know what to do in other builds. Dont worry, i wrapped the wires when i was done.

IT GLOWS!

So far i love how it turned out. The resin could have been a bit darker with more purple but i like it.

Kisoy Romantic and Cute Dollhouse Miniature DIY House Kit Creative Room Perfect DIY Gift for Friends,Lovers and Families(Romantic Forest Time) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0716PHVVR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_L87ZBb6C5DZSV

I've already started on this one next, which is a fair bit more ambitious for my second project, but it was too cute not to try. I have however been side tracked by the discovery of those Diamond Dotz things, and I'm having a ball with one of those. But I'll be back :)

Your feedback is all so kind and encouraging! For reference: rug is just upholstery fabric that had fringed edging anyway, the blanket is crocheted w/ a smaller/lightweight yarn and a larger hook so it could drape, and the pictures are from magazines that I 'matted' with a piece of a junk mail envelope. The pebbles in the top pic are kitty litter, from an ad, haha. Everything else came with the kit, though I didn't make everything it came with so I didn't end up with a cluttered look.

I'm pretty addicted to these kits after this! I think this is my next one.

I think I found it? I saw some other brands and prices as well on amazon of this same model: Flever Dollhouse Miniature DIY House Kit Creative Room with Furniture for Romantic Gift (Happy Time) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5GU7NH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_CzWODbJN92ZPA

I really picked this kit because I liked the guitar, but I hated the colors, so I made it look like my ideal Bohemian living room. Very happy with how it came out!

Thank you! I used super glue and Aleene's Clear Gel Tacky Glue!

If you want a fun little project Cute Room Kits are really small and detailed but awesome! And cheap.

Yes, it's this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077HRM9TJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Super fun. A little more frustrating than the other two kits I did though as things didn't fit as perfectly as in the others and a couple of the pieces I got were warped. But they did send replacements, so that was nice.

I actually wound up ordering this one Decdeal DIY Miniature Dollhouse Kit 3D Realistic Wooden House Room Craft Furniture with LED Lights (Blue) https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07G9FZJNF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Zq4ODb3ZX9YHW and it arrived on Thursday. Hoping to get a chance to work on it this week since it’s Canadian Thanksgiving tomorrow! I want to paint my actual house blue so it felt destined to be lol

Have you considered using vynil film instead of paper? Like this? (Well, that specific one looks too big, but there’s some with patterns that are compatible with miniatures.)

I’m not sure if it will work, but I’ve recebtly thought of covering a mini fridge in vynil imitating stainless steel. I’m still waiting for my vynil to arrive, so I don’t know if it will work, but in the past I’ve had success covering all sorts of small objects with car wrap vynil.

I make 1/700 ships, and they are a pain to store & display.

They are typically 30cm long by 5cm wide and incredibly fragile.

I custom made a 'shadow box frame' that would allow me to display 2 cruisers in one picture frame. I plan to hang them on the wall to save space with custom backgrounds and soft LED lighting.

You can find shadow box frames on amazon, or you can find DIYs on youtube. I also have a feeling golf ball display cabinets can work for 54mm miniatures like warhammer

Pretty sure it's by Cutebee, but it's listed under something else on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GTYL2FP/

MAGQOO Dollhouse Miniature with Furniture Wooden DIY Dollhouse Kit with Voice Control and Music Movement 1:24 Scale Creative Room Idea(Time Travel) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GS323G7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_w1ADDb7EPNRRP