Hallmark Ornament-Milestones in Life

I recently listed an ornament from what I believe to be one of the most underappreciated aspects of Hallmark Keepsake ornaments: the family themed ornaments.  For years Hallmark has produced ornaments that celebrate the milestones in life, first (2nd or 3rd) Christmas’s for children, couples first christmases , graduations, etc.  They also produce ornaments that celebrate family relationships for husband,wife,grandfather, grandmother,granddaughter and grandson.  Since all Keepsake ornaments are just produced for one year, there has been a new array of these delightful ornaments each year. 

First Christmas Together 1988

For some reason, I find a lot of these ornaments in my purchasing trips and just can’t resist some of the delightful and whimsical designs.  While they don’t have the appeal of the Hallmark series or the trends of the day, I believe that they speak to the continuing importance of family relationships and life milestones.  I hope that Hallmark continues to produce these ornaments and I look forward to the new designs in each Dream Book.

Closed 9/27/09

Rauch Boxed Ornaments…2 Lots of Glass Spike Treetops

Link to My eBay Store to view and bid.

 Now listed in  eBay Store

 Now listed in eBay Store

 Now listed in eBay Store

Closed 9/26/09

Shiny Brite Box of Ornaments…2 Lots of Rauch Boxed Ornaments

Link to My eBay Store to view and bid.

 Now listed in eBay Store

 Now listed in eBay Store

 Now listed in eBay Store

Closed 8/29/09

Satin Wrapped Ornaments

Link to My eBay Store to view and bid.

Now listed in eBay Store

Closed 8/8/09

Repro Felt Stocking…2 Lots of Sheer Envelope Ornaments…Mardi Gras Christmas Garland/Necklace

Link to My eBay Store to view and bid.  Now listed in eBay Store

 Now listed in  eBay Store

 Now listed in eBay Store

 Now listed in eBay Store

Rauch Industries,Inc.

Former North Carolina state Sen. Marshall Rauch founded Rauch Industries in 1952 as a thread manufacturer. Seeking alternative uses for thread, company officials came up with the idea of wrapping thread around Styrofoam balls to make satin ornaments. Eventually, they bought equipment and silver paint and got into the glass ornament business.  They claim to be the oldest existing domestic manufacturer of Christmas ornaments.

Rauch Satin Ornaments

Rauch’s products include ornamental glass balls, soft goods such as tree skirts and stockings, and seasonal home decor items. The company sells its products to leading domestic merchandisers such as Wal-Mart, Inc., Target, Lowes, Walgreens and other leading drug stores, supermarkets, specialty retailers, department stores and holiday catalogues. The company’s corporate headquarters are located in Gastonia, North Carolina with a distribution facility in Chester, South Carolina.  In the past 5 years, they acquired the Christopher Radko brand and currently produce several lines under this brand name.

Closed 5/30/09

Rosbro Candy Container…New Year’s Hats…Chenille Stem Ornaments

Link to My eBay Store to view and bid.

SOLD

Now listed in eBay Store
Now listed in eBay Store

Closed 5/23/09

Red Garland…Avon Ornament Bottles…2 Lots of Vintage Gift Wrap

Link to My eBay Store to view and bid. Now listed on From Grandma’s Tree
Now listed in eBay Store
Not relisted
Not relisted

Spun Cotton Ornaments

Spun cotton ornaments are made by taking thin cotton thread and winding it into a ball or other shape.  This blank or “watte” is then decorated with dye or paint, paper scraps, glitter or dresdens.  Originally spun cotton ornaments were made in Germany in varying shapes and forms.  Vegetables, fruits, icicles and doll ornaments are all fairly well documented.  These were hung on the tree.

Spun Cotton Head-Japanese Figurine

When Japan entered the spun cotton ornament market, they took a unique niche–the spun cotton head atop a chenille or cardboard figurine.  And a whole new art form was born.  Spun cotton heads were mounted on pine cone bodies, chenille bodies and cardboard bodies and decorated usually with painted on features and hair.  These ranged from simple to elaborate designs.  These were used mostly as party favors, table decorations or gift embellishments. They were less frequently used as ornaments.  You still find the spun cotton heads mounted on picks for crafters of the day to use in their creative efforts. 

Spun Cotton Head Angel Ornament

Reproductions of the spun cotton ornaments are available and crafters can acquire the basic spun cotton watte forms from d. blumchen

Closed 4/8/09

Nativity Sheep…Nativity Animals…Ornament Hangers…Chenille Icicles…Gilded Angel…Clothespin Ornaments

Link to My eBay Store to view and bid.
Now listed on From Grandma’s Tree

Now listed in eBay Store

Now listed in eBay Store

Now listed on From Grandma’s Tree
Now listed on From Grandma’s Tree
Now listed on From Grandma’s Tree