Here we have “Treasure Chest Santa” by Joy to the World. It was part of a set of ornaments offered by JTW on the Jewelry TV cable network. It features a real pearl in the treasure chest, and the back of Santa’s coat features a map and galleon.
Here we have “Treasure Chest Santa” by Joy to the World. It was part of a set of ornaments offered by JTW on the Jewelry TV cable network. It features a real pearl in the treasure chest, and the back of Santa’s coat features a map and galleon.
“Peppermint Parade” is by Christopher Radko, and was a gift last year from my parents.
After a “spring break” so to speak, I am back to the blog. Now that is is July, we are (in my eyes) just around the corner to this year’s holiday season. I have spent the last few months cataloging, organizing, and catching up from last year’s purchases and designs. Now I am busy organizing this year’s purchases, and deciding what this year’s display will entail.
For the next few weeks I will feature some of this year’s acquistions. To start with, a vintage Donald Duck, probably by an Italian maker. This was purchased off of Ebay.
Actually, I forgot the Williamsburg Village when I was doing the first floor, so “last but not least…”
The Williamsburg Village is made by Lang and Wise. It is fairly large, I had trouble finding room to display it, and that will be next year’s challenge. It was a little tight for my taste, and I could not get everything on display. I have a few more houses and figures to buy to complete the set, so there still needs to be a little more room. The houses and figures are very well done, this part of the holiday display attracts a lot of attention.
Some detail shots:
Last of the trees – in the guest room is what I call the “vintage tree.” The ornaments here are all from the 40s/50s/60s/early 70s, the majority made in Japan. I love the design and color of these – I think you can see some elements of Anime design in them.
Here are some close-up shots:
A girl made of paper and fabric, marked “Mr. Xmas 1968.” To her left is a mouse musician, to her right Little Miss Muffet.
A cute little santa with tree.
A pixie elf, with Jack of “Jack and Jill” in the background.
At the end of the second floor landing is the Hallmark tree. This was a new addition, previously most of my Hallmark ornaments hung on the main tree. But space was becoming premium, and I had enough ornaments by Hallmark that I could do a tree on its own. When I started collecting in the early 80’s, Hallmark was one of the few options. A lot of the glass designers that are the focus today were not in operation yet.
Although I have been concentrating more on glass, I still enjoy the Hallmark creations for their quality and detail. Many of them also have a fun, playful feel you often miss from the “designers.” I appreciate the many references to popular culture that Hallmark utilizes as well.
The tree, view from the hall:
Sideview, from the guest bedroom:
Here you can see the bottom of the tree – it features vintage milk glass vases with poinsettias, on a late 60’s handmade felt tree skirt purchased on Ebay.
Here are some close-ups of the Hallmark tree:
“Ice Sculptor” from 1981, with the Mayor from Munchkinland (1998) to the left and a 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 (2007) to the right.
A 1985 rocking horse, next to “Enchanted Evening Barbie,” from 1996.
A vintage Shiny Brite lighted tree top finishes off the tree. I’m still looking for a Hallmark treetop to use.
We now move upstairs to the second floor. The staircase features a lighted garland decorated with ribbon. On the garland are life-like bird ornaments, with birdhouses I painted and glittered to match.
At the end of the second floor hall is the Hallmark tree. We will focus on that tomorrow.
We are now in the Dining Room. In this room we have two smaller feather trees, a white and a green one, both by Martha Stewart. The white tree features several sets of the Department 56 “Partridge in a Pear Tree” minatures set:
The green feather tree features small glass ornaments, including number of vintage ones.
Off the living room is the kitchen office area. Here in a nice, deep window I have a kissing ball decorating with a vintage-style garland by Seasons of Cannon Falls (I think). On each side are reproduction Shiny Brite ornaments by Christopher Radko. On the window sill are picture frame ornaments featuring some past pets, along with a set of Neapolitan angel pictures on card stock from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Finishing off the living room is a table with some nautical themed holiday items.
There is a ship’s captain nutcracker on the right, the sailboat model (which is in the room year-round) is decorated with a miniature light garland by Kurt Adler. The Santa Sailor to the left is by Jim Shore
