Entries tagged as ‘vintage’
Czech Beaded Ornament with Bell Dangle
The term “Czech beaded ornaments” refers to ornaments made of glass beads strung on wire and applies to ornaments made with as few as one large single bead, to the complicated, made with literally hundreds of individual beads on each ornament. They were made throughout Czechoslovakia, mostly in towns near to Reichenberg, Gablonz, and throughout the Thurigin area. There were similar beaded ornaments produced in Bohemia, Prague, Moravia, Silesia, Austria, Vienna, and Germany. Beaded ornaments were also manufactured in Russia and Japan but with a distinctly different look from those created in Europe,
Czech Beaded Ornament-3 Dimensional
Czech beaded ornaments were largely a cottage industry with individual craftsmen purchasing the beads or making them themselves and assembling them into designs. These ornaments were popular because of the novelty of the clever designs of the ornaments. The craftsmen who built them did so in a manner that gave the ornaments a semblance of life. When they were hung by thread on a Christmas tree lit with candles, the ornaments were so light in weight; they were able to move on the warm air currents. Children and adults both watched in fascination as the airplane ornaments seemed to soar under their own power and miniature ships sailed on the air. Animals circled, butterflies turned as if searching for flower ornaments. Figures of people danced. These ornaments gave life and movement to the Christmas trees of the past.
Sources:
Golden Glow of Christmas Past
The Beaded Ornaments of Czechoslovakia By Sandee Kelsey
Categories: Article
Tagged: beaded, Czech, ornament, vintage
This article is about the older Christmas light bulbs and not about the miniature lights of today.
C6 or Conical 6/8" Miniature Base Lights
That being said, you may have noticed that there is a confusing array of terms used to describe the sizes of vintage Christmas light bulbs. So here’s a quick guide to some of the terms used
- Base Size: the part that screws into the socket comes in three sizes: miniature, candelabra and intermediate. However, most of us commonly refer to these as C6, C7 and C9.
- Envelope or Glass Size: Size 6=6/8″ wide, Size 7= 7/8″ wide, 9= 9/8″ wide
- Shape of Glass: Describes the shape of the glass envelope. C= conical, G= globe or globular, T= tubular
So this means that a C6 light would have a cone shape, be 6/8″ wide and have a miniature base. A C7 light would have a cone shape, be 7/8 inches wide and have a candelabra base. A C9 light would have a cone shape, be 9/8″ wide and have an intermediate size base.
There’s nothing more frustrating than ordering a replacement lamp that is the wrong size. Hopefully the sizes and measurements here will help you sort out the seller’s descriptions. If it’s not clear, ask before bidding or buying.
I’m endebted to The Antique Christmas Light Site for their clear and accurate information. I treat them as an authority in the area. You should too.
Categories: Article
Tagged: C6, C7, C9, candelabra, Christmas, cone, globular, intermediate, light bulb, light bulb base, light bulb sizes, miniature, sizes, tubular, vintage
You may have noticed that I list quite a few vintage floral picks and sprays. I absolutely love them.
The designs are fabulous and they can be used for so many things. On my google search I found directions for making a floral centerpiece, a kissing ball, a spruce forest, candlestick florals, a door swag, and a mantle piece. Here are some other ideas:
And did you realize that you can use the larger ones on your Christmas tree? Just insert them into the branches to make your tree look fuller and to accent your ornaments. It’s also an easy fix if your tree has holes in it.
Categories: Article
Tagged: arrangement, floral, how to, pick, picks, spray, sprays, vintage
Who doesn’t love bottle brush trees? They’re so versatile for filling out a putz scene or serving as favors on a table setting or just sitting on a shelf or mantle.
- Bottle Brush Trees
Bottle Brush trees are made in the same way that the old fashioned brushes for bottles were made. With a central twisted wire catching bristles that fan out around the center wires. They’re just mounted into a base,trimmed to a cone shape and dyed to imitate a tree. They were first introduced in the 1930s and have been popular ever since.
What to look for…
Look for good even color. These trees were dyed with dyes that faded when exposed to light. So fading of color is common. The more even and deep the color, the more valuable.
- Faded vs Non-Faded Bottle Brush Trees
Look for nice even branches. These were often stored on their side in a box so you’ll see a flattened side or missing bristles where the damage weakened the fiber and it broke away.
- Slightly Damaged Bottle Brush Tree
Look for accurate age description. These trees are still being made today, so study your guidebooks
so you can recognize the various bases and styles of decoration used in the different eras.
For a quick demonstration of these points, take a look at this Bottle Brush Video
Categories: Article
Tagged: bottle brush tree, bottlebrush tree, vintage
Categories: Sneak Peek @ eBay Listings
Tagged: 1970s, 1980s, clear, colored, Hallmark, hand made, light bulb, light bulb base, Merry Christmas, miniature, push in, Santa, tiny, vintage, vintage pin, white base
Categories: Sneak Peek @ eBay Listings
Tagged: christmas tree, cloth puppet, elves, fencing, Hallmark, hand puppet, Santa, tablecloth, Taiwan, tree, vintage, vintage paper, wooden
Categories: Sneak Peek @ eBay Listings
Tagged: advent, advent tree, box, clear, colors, countdown to christmas, decorated, ephemera, holly, miniature, ornaments, petal shape, replacement, screw in, set, vintage, vintage light bulb
Categories: Sneak Peek @ eBay Listings
Tagged: 10 light, 100, 3 candle, angel halo treetop, animated, Candolier, GE, light sting, miniature, miniature lights, musical, Noma, reindeer, treetop, vintage
Categories: Sneak Peek @ eBay Listings
Tagged: camel, candle, candle decorating kit, figurine, miniature, original card, Paragon, plastic, vintage, vintage nativity, Western Germany
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