TAPE WIRE, A Step by Step Tutorial for Electrifying a Dollhouse or Room Box

[@creatrixcorvusarts876]

Thank you! I’ve been looking for a lighting tutorial that talks to me like I’m 5! Seriously….I have a huge dollhouse I need to wire, and your video has helped me feel much less overwhelmed! I’ve saved it to refer to later! Thank, thank you….❤

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

I'm so happy to hear that! I too needed to be explained to like a child, it took me forever to finally get brave enough to begin the lighting process. There are other ways to light a dollhouse but this is a good way to do it and learn!

[@slimplynth]

Also given me a great idea for offering engraved/patterned, wooden floor panels 😁👌

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

oh that would be so amazing!

[@queencityminis]

I havent even wanted to learn how to tape wire bc I felt like it was a rabbithole, but this is explained so well. I could do this. Thank you!

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

This is a good beginner level way to wire! If I can do it, for sure you can. :)

[@CassandrajustCassandra]

I have to admit I was against electrifying of mine because I was sure I'd mess it up. Thank you for giving me hope of being able to do it myself when I have the right space. You're just so awesome and dance so cute 🤗

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

You got this! It's way easier than it seems. Always daunting at first. I say just start will something small and practice. Once you do it, you gonna be like, "why did I put this off?" :)

[@NekoKaoru]

This is amazing! You explain it so well thank you for sharing!

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

I am so happy that you found it helpful! Thank you for letting me know!

[@ghoulgoil5029]

What a pain in the brass! Ha! You crack me up! Never a dull moment with you. ❤

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

Ahhhhh I was wondering if anyone caught that! Lmao! 😀😀😀thank you !

[@bethrundle5560]

Such a clear explanation!!!! Thanks

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

You are so welcome! So happy it was a good video for you

[@JeffnRiah17]

This came exactly at the right time - I just bought all the supplies to start wiring my house! Thank you for the informative video!!

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

I love perfect timing! I hope this does help as you begin your process. Thank you for watching. :)

[@mandyflaniken1900]

Very informative! Great job!! I do have to try this at some point. I’ve got a gorgeous chandelier for my dining room lol

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

Yes for sure, you have to do it. It will make such a difference. I think a practice round in a room box (or hat box) is probably a good start. Once you have the confidence you will be able to get to the house and get that chandelier up in no time!

[@kat3910]

You totally rock. That is all.

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

Thank you for that...I will take that with me all day! You made my Wednesday!

[@AudreyMasonStory]

Thank you so much for your clear explanation and for taking the time to record close-ups on the complex steps. I'm working on my first dollhouse wiring and this has been so helpful!

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

You are in every way welcome! I'll be doing more lighting in the future as I do other projects. I'm so happy to hear it was helpful for you :)

[@slimplynth]

Thanks, I've got a laser engraver and 3d printers, been designing 1:12 Victorian dolls house models to print/paint.. including a street lamp.. I'll need to build a doll house to get photos for my Etsy, so glad I watched this video.. never seen the tape wire system, thank you x

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

oh wow that is so cool! I have a 3D printer and have just now really began to get into it, I printed my first cool thing for my upcoming Willy Wonka room, pretty excited about learning more about 3D printing. I'm so happy you enjoyed the video. Tape wiring is pretty cool but in truth hard wiring is a better long term method, someday I'll do a video on that too!

[@slimplynth]

@@WhitneyLaBrie I can highly recommend the GKTwo resin printer 👌 printed off my current dolls house designs at the weekend.. without wanting to sound like I'm blowing my own trumpet (it's the printer that's done the work) love seeing them match the on-screen version.. I've got a few fdm printers but this is the first resin one.. such a difference 😁 Electronics was the hobby that got me into printing.. I really want to incorporate an ESP32 project into a dolls house but would end up spending that long, it wouldn't make financial sense to sell 🙈.. maybe I should do a 1/24 scale 🤔.. your 15 room mansion looks ace.. I wish I had room to build one that size.. keep up the good work, great videos👌

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

@@slimplynth thank you for that info. I’m just starting my 3D printing journey and it does feel daunting. The one I have has been literally sitting for a year and I just look at it and the way things have progressed it’s probably outdated already! Lol

[@zeldamorgan9260]

Thank you, I'm working my first house, and I'm having good luck connecting tapes with the grommets, but not getting my brads to keep the wires in. I think now I'll be able to do it!

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

I’m so excited for you!!!! Great job and thank you for the comment. 🥰🥰🥰

[@LAA14560]

Thank you. It is very easy to understand your instructions, and I don't feel as intimidated as I used to

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

I am thrilled to hear that. I hope that it helped. :)

[@lynnmack3905]

I love the wee 1:12 scale you that's dancing at the bottom of my screen. I'm going to build my first house, and I want her to move in. She makes me smile. I subscribed!

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

Oh thank you for my subscription! Yes TINY Whitney loves to dance and be silly! I'm happy to hear she makes you smile. she often shows up in my videos! I'm so excited that you are building your first house, it's such a fun and joyful hobby! Always reach out if you need anything! I'll try to help the best I can!

[@MrsRobinson0741]

THIS is my demon!! I’ve been at a standstill for over a year…THIS scares me! I think I have all the stuff…couple sets but I’ve never & feel I can’t do it! I know once I FINALLY do it…I’m guna be like…what took you so long!! 🙄 I’ve saved this video!! Wish me luck…when I eventually attempt wiring!!

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

I spent years putting off learning how to do this and then when I finally said, "I'm gonna learn how!" I was upset at my self for not learning sooner. I know if I can do this, you can!

[@madelinemurphy5773]

This is very helpful I'm building my first doll house and never did wiring before. Thank you for posting !

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

You are welcome…hope it helps when you get started! ♥️

[@amydanos349]

Thank you! I definitely needed this 🥰 I’ve been avoiding this! 😂

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

I know the feeling believe me!

[@slimplynth]

Thanks!

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

oh my gosh! Thank you for that! Made my day!

[@thecreativebohemian4927]

Thank you Brittany. I am just about to light my dollhouse and this was a great refresher since the last time I did tape wire was twenty years ago. 😊

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

oh that's great to hear! I'm happy it was helpful. :) Good luck!!!!

[@deborahmcleod-morris6290]

Well done, you are a great teacher. Thank you! Now I can start on my dollhouse.

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

Thank you for such a sweet compliment! You are very welcome!

[@MossyMozart]

I had no idea that these items existed! Thank you.

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

You are very welcome! I hope this helps!

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

Yeah I know that feeling! Somehow I managed to keep a handful of my 80s toys but I do often think about all the ones that got aways from me! lol

[@graceh8866]

I love your music inserts 🤣🤣😂😂great video .

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

thank you! I really love music, so it was fun incorporating it into this video!

[@heathermartinez8640]

Great tutorial! Wonderful information. Thanks so much!

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

Thank you Heather. Let me know if there was anything that I could add for future lighting videos!

[@vickinoeske1154]

I may have to watch this a few times.😅

[@MrsRobinson0741]

Funny…we both have the same name & same problem lol although I’m with a Y 🤪😉👍 IYKYK!!

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

Yes, it will take a few go backs. But once you get the hang of it, I know you can do it!

[@Kittyhammertoe100]

Thank you. Im gonna try it!

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

oh great! It's a little overwhelming at first but then it gets easier!

[@Siennaflower]

Nice music choices!! ❤

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

Thank you! I love music and I love so many different genres, how about you?!

[@Siennaflower]

@@WhitneyLaBrie I love BTS, and they explore many different genres. I play piano and keyboard, and love to play classical music. I also love anything danceable! ❤️

[@MiniatureWerewolf]

This was helpful! Thank you

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

I’m so happy to read that! I hope you are successful in your project!

[@WillinrowArts]

Great tutorial ❤❤❤

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

Thank you so much! I hope that it was helpful for you. 💕

[@Kittyhammertoe100]

I did it! Thk u!

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

yay!!!!! I'm so proud of you!

[@jojosmumdorothy2829]

It can be scary I haven't done mine yet oops . Hope your well hun loving the dancing 😅 haha xx x🎉

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

Yes for sure, many of us get hung up on the lighting...it can be intimidating. I'm happy you love the dancing..TW loves to get down! lol

[@vintagekastle7145]

LOL!!! Love little Whitney jamming to some good tunes 😄😄 So happy to see this video, I'm not sure I can tackle tape wire, I'm just not into that, but I definitely plan on doing round wire in my dollhouse, I've already drilled holes in some rooms, I sure hope you'll do a round wire tutorial as well! I'm still building my house right now so still planning where lights will go. I'm not using round wire throughout the house though, I want some lights to be LED battery lights. Do you know if a separate transformer is needed for a fireplace? I plan to have at least 6 in my dollhouse. Wow, the large dollhouse you showed as an example with the tape wire is beautiful! Is that one of the big houses you're working on? I didn't know you can test the lights with a 9 volt battery, that's great to know, so much easier.

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

I’m sorry some how I missed your comment! In reference to your lighting question…you don’t have to separate the fireplaces from your regular lighting system but you will need to make sure your transformer is the correct size. Yes tiny Whitney loves to jam!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@dawnvanderbur2391]

I have the worst luck with those little CirKit replacement plugs. I end up breaking the wires or pulling them out more times than not when I try to plug or unplug them. Do you have a method to make them more durable?

[@gerryannwestcott9365]

Help! I've listened and feel I understand. I've completed 3 intersections with 2 brads each that all work, but I've done the next intersection 4 times and it still doesn't work! Any tips for why or things to avoid or what I've done wrong?

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

Sometimes when this happens it could be that the holes created for the brads/nails were too big and the brads are not actually touching the copper tape. Press down on the brads/nails at the same time you insert your test probe and see if the test probe comes on, if it comes on that usually means that your brads are not fully touching the copper tape. Also I’m not sure if you already installed lights but if the wires are accidentally touching then it won’t work either. I hope that makes sense!

[@meme-du8xj]

Since we know the "brad" is made of brass, could you not use something else made of brass instead of a tiny brad that is more finger-friendly and easier to wrap the wires around? Idk like a brass push pin?.... if that exists....

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

yes of course you can. One of the reasons the brads are so small is because of the need to hide it behind the wallpaper. Soldering is the best way to do lighting and I'm hoping to eventually do a video on that.

[@meme-du8xj]

I guess I need to see this on a bigger dollhouse

[@gerryannwestcott9365]

Would using eyelets be an idea? Can they be added over a brad that's not working?

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

What type of wood r you using

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

I ask because if you are using MDF eyelets are a nightmare. I haven’t tried that method of eyelet over Brad and so I’m not sure!

[@gerryannwestcott9365]

​@@WhitneyLaBrie It's a pressed product that is a kit from Real Good Toy Company.

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

@@gerryannwestcott9365 ok so yes it’s MDF, it will be difficult to use the eyelets.

[@gerryannwestcott9365]

Emailed the manufacturer today. It's MDF and their recommendation is eyelets. Can't tackle this now; hopefully next week.

[@thecreativebohemian4927]

Sorry, I meant Whitney. 😮

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

lol..no worries, that happens a lot!

[@recoveringsoul755]

Saw the description where at this time, you still have timestamps that look like the entire thing took over 16 hours. So everyone, take your time.

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

lol..its minutes not hours..

[@recoveringsoul755]

@@WhitneyLaBrie so it's minutes, seconds, and fractions of seconds?

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

@@recoveringsoul755 yes….

[@recoveringsoul755]

@@WhitneyLaBrie I came across some videos on electrical that came out years ago. She did 2 series side by side. One was construction of a corner room with foam core board. The other series used that structure but was a series on doing electrical wiring. It took me awhile to gather all the videos into my own playlist so I could find them easier. I'm sure the playlist now has additional videos about miniature wiring now. Channel was Joanne's minis, something like that. One thing she did I really think was a great idea, was she made a Practice Board. She messed around on a practice board before tackling the actual structure. That's brilliant really for anyone afraid of messing up.

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

@@recoveringsoul755 I agree

[@user-ko9fv6mg9o]

What is the name of the store you were in?

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

Laurianne's Small Wonders in Ventura CA :)

[@gerryannwestcott9365]

It's probably MDF

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

yes, let me know if you try it and how it turns out and if you figured a "best practice" for getting the eyelets into the MDF. When I built the RGT dollhouse I hard wired the house and did not to tape wiring because the materials was just too dang hard to tape wire.

[@artkingofwholefoods74]

I suddenly thought. What if there is a short, and my StarWars play set melts. Then I realized… It’s not a real house. It’s not like I’m gonna leave for work, and there’s a risk of a fire. Just turn it off when you’re done looking at it. 😝

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

I really felt this....I've had moments like that where I've had to talk myself out of silly fears!

[@jcstarshine6075]

can't we just solder the connections?

[@WhitneyLaBrie]

yes you can! I will likely do another video at some point showing that. Many find soldering very intimidating and so I didn't push that here.

[@jcstarshine6075]

@@WhitneyLaBrie i'm a silver smith , i can handle it but looking foward to your tutorial !