In the history of making "handmade" miniature food, sellers would use bread dough; which is a mixture of bread and glue that is molded, dried and painted. The only problem with this is in time bread will attract mold, crack, break and attract bugs. Over the years on ebay I have seen bread dough items. These items mostly resemble a smooth consistency, they are very soft when you touch and very easy to slice with a razor, they don't have that crisp look. Items made from bread dough you want to avoid purchasing.

On the other hand we see items made from different clays and materials.

We have Sculpey, Fimo, dried clays and plaster of Paris. Avoid purchasing dried clays or plaster of Paris that will start to crumble or crack if you drop it!

Sculpey and fimo clay items are great only if the seller made their food the proper way. An experienced seller of miniature food items will fully bake their pieces to ensure the quality of their item will last. When I make items for Chef Gina's I do add to my clay or ice cream pieces. I also test my products out, unless my items are very precise and fragile (shrimp cocktails). In front of customer's I have been known to drop my products or throw them against the wall, just to show the durability. Sculpey and fimo is the way to go!

You also want to watch if a seller spray's their piece with an enamel or gloss. Items that have a very high gloss/shine look like someone sprayed a top coat of hair spray on it. Items that have been sprayed will not last in the light. They will start to fade even from sunlight coming thru a window.

Don't be afraid to ask the seller is this item was made from Fimo or food items? But, keep in mind, the seller will most likely not tell you how they made their item. I know over the past 6 years when I opened Chef Gina's I have had many emails and letters on the "recipe" of my items. My response is: A good Chef, never tells her secrets. However, I will tell if I used Fimo.

Another brand is "Kitchen Littles," the famous brand of small Tyco Barbie size foods. The rumor has it "Kitchen Littles" was bought out by Mattel when they saw the success of these adorable pieces. A good package of "Kitchen Littles" items I have seen auction off at $70.00 and that was for 6 pieces! That's $11.67 cents a piece! But, how do you know your items are authentic? If you purchase your "Kitchen Littles" in an unopened package, your auction is a solid purchase. When you scan ebay with the words "Kitchen Littles" you will get the "Kitchen Littles" brand, you will also get sellers selling ReMent and saying it's "Kitchen Littles." Tyco has ceased "Kitchen Littles." Which means it's no longer in circulation. No new products are coming out.

We are all looking for a good buy on ebay.

You can always find your top quality, designer name brand, Barbie food items at an affordable price on ebay! You just need to know what your purchasing and who you are purchasing from.

As the old saying goes in the restaurant industry: "When in doubt, throw out!"

Love to you all,

Chef Gina