u/haperochild

I live in LA county and I'm having a hard time finding sheets of balsa wood for making miniatures. I'm wondering if I'm just not looking in the right place.

The only things I can find are pre-cut kits for making things like pinewood derby cars or dinosaurs at the usual art/craft stores like Michael's and Blick. (I'm avoiding Hobby Lobby where I can for my own reasons). The only other option of larger uncut sheets I've found are to buy it online from Home Depot or Lowe's and have it shipped to me.

I'm trying to avoid paying to have something shipped if I can drive to go get it in person, and overall trying to shop more local.

Do any IE/LA county crafters or miniaturists have suggestions? TIA.

I’ve lived in my current apartment since December of 2022. Early 2023, Oreo had a home. Her collar had a tag with her name and home address on it. At some point between then and December 2025, Oreo didn’t have a home anymore. She became a “community cat.”

I’m putting that in quotes because even though everyone was feeding her, nobody was taking her to the vet or bringing her in when the weather was bad. The day I took her in was the first day of a horrendous rainstorm around Christmas. She was dripping wet, cold, and alone. I brought her in, dried her off, and turned on the heat in the house for a little while so she could warm up. When the rain let up a little I went to the address I remember being on her collar to tell them she was safe. They told me they’ve never had a cat. I posted on Ring, and someone reached out to tell me that Oreo is well-taken care of and it was okay to just leave her outside.

I thought, “If she’s being cared for, why does she have 2 different kinds of worms? Why is she so overweight? Why was she outside in the pouring rain all by herself?”

Oreo has been with me for about 4 or 5 months now. She’s worm-free and has lost a bit of weight since December. She’s the sweetest cat in the world (even if she beefs with her little brother sometimes). She likes to sleep in bed with me. She follows me everywhere I go in the house, even to the bathroom. Oreo is such a loving little kitty. I can’t imagine who could ever lose her and not look for her; or worse, just move and leave her behind.

She’s also very smart, but she doesn’t like puzzles. I tried giving her some treats in Newton’s Kong and she looked at me like, “Excuse me, why are my cookies in there? Please take them out.”

Oreo also has such a polite little mew. When she cries for me to let her outside, she sounds so sad. It breaks my heart but I always tell her that staying inside is keeping her safe. (I’m her mom now, that’s my job.)

I’ve given her the following silly nicknames: Double Stuff, La Bonita Vaquita, and The Double Stuff Oreo Princess.

I try to tell her I love her a lot, because I want her to know someone really cares about her. I just hope she understands.

Today I came home from a quick errand and found her napping like this in the same spot where I always sit in bed. It made me smile so I just wanted to share.

He wanted to know when Smooth Dinner would be served.

Places to get miniature supplies? (More info in body)

Oreo lounging in my bed made me really happy.