Idaho Gifts Wholesale is a company that Karen

from Karen’s Collectors Cottage, Inc. & Art Gallery

School is in session again. Before you know it, the holiday season will be upon us. I love the holiday season with all its celebrations and happy memories in the making. Groups of kids attending fall festivals in their special costumes brings back wonderful memories of when we were young. Eager children playing tricks on unsuspecting adults adds fun to Halloween. The smell of that big turkey and all the trimmings on the Thanksgiving table warm the heart and soul. A special time when we can tell those we love thank you for being a part of our lives. The children filled with glee running to the Christmas tree to see what Santa has left them is such a delight! As adults, we gather around to see their excited expressions. It

While not as popular as some other collectibles, there is a plethora of penguin-themed items available for the enthusiast. Many animal collectibles center around more familiar animals, often ones that are beloved pets like cats and dogs. Most people have never seen a penguin outside a zoo; still, there are many who find them appealing, and companies have responded by turning out a large number of really cute penguin collectibles, including:

• Toys
• Stuffed Animals
• Figurines
• Mugs
• Clocks
• Calendars
• Clothing & Hats
• Backpacks, Totes, and Purses
• Magnets & Keychains
• Umbrellas
• Christmas Ornaments
• Salt & Pepper Shakers

The largest collection of penguins belongs to Birgit Berends of Germany, with 5,098 different items, as of 12 March 2008, which she has been collecting since 1990. Birgit started her collection at the age of 18 because of the animated series “Pingu”, although her very first penguin dates back to her days in elementary school. Her favourite penguin is a real living penguin named Alfred whom she has adopted in the Cuxhaven Kurpark in Germany.

How many collectors have started this collection we all love yet not understand the process behind collecting? These might be some of your questions:
What should I buy first? Should I start a series? Am I able to get the retired pieces to a series? Should I try to find Carolers that have been retired? If so, how do I go about it? Do they all appreciate in value?

From my experience of selling the carolers since 1983, I will attempt to share with you my insights into collecting.

Traditional or Victorian? – First decide if you prefer Traditional or Victorian style or if you like them mixed. Remember Traditional Carolers are dressed in plaids, felts, wool, or cotton material. The Victorians are clad in velvet, lace and moiré. They usually are very easy to recognize.

The majority of collectors tend to purchase either all Victorian or all Traditional. I believe mixing the styles looks the best. Some collectors like to choose all the same color tones but I feel it’s more important to mix the colors.

Family – Most collectors begin their collection by designing them after their family. Such as, if your husband has a mustache you would choose a Caroler with a moustache and similar hair color. For yourself you would choose a lady you feel resembles you, matching your hair color as well. If you have two boys and a girl in your family then you would purchase two boys and a girl. You can either choose Traditional or Victorian Carolers or one that holds an item that is reminiscent of your child. Such as does he skate, or ski? Did she work in a candy store (Kids with Treats)? I personalized two of mine with old toys. My daughter collects Donald Duck so I found a small Donald for a girl Caroler to hold. I had a very old matchbox from one of my sons so I placed it in the hands of a boy Caroler.

Have fun and take your time building your family. You can then add Grandparents, a favorite aunt or uncle or whomever.

Cry of London – Choose a series you like such as, The Cry of London. It may be difficult to acquire all the retired pieces but it is such a great series you’ll enjoy trying. On occasion we do have some of the retired pieces in our secondary market from our collectors. Joyce also designs pieces to accompany the Cry of London series. This is a great street scene for you to create.

Dickens Collection – This collection includes Scrooge, Mrs. Cratchit, Mr. & Mrs. Fezziwig, Marley’s Ghost, Spirit of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, Bob Cratchit & Tiny Tim, and Happy Scrooge. These all were introduced as first and second editions. The only pieces left in this series in current production are Scrooge, Mrs. Crotchet, and Bob Cratchit & tiny Tim second editions. However Byers’ Choice is re-introducing Mr. & Mrs. Fezziwig in the year 2000 for a short period of time. I feel certain they will re-introduce all the other pieces not currently available at later dates so if you do want to start this collection this would be a good time to do so as you will possibly be able to acquire all the pieces.

More recent collections or series are:

Christmas Traditions – Christmas Traditions was introduced in 1999 with the Pickle Children. They were extremely popular and have been discontinued. And difficult to find. In the year 2000 Joyce has designed the next pieces in this series: The Children with Stockings, available only in the year 2000.The Williamsburg Collection – The Williamsburg Family of Four introduced in 1998 are now retired. There will be a new family of four available in the year 2000. The Colonial Man with Fife and the Colonial Man with Drum was introduced in 1999 and are still available. In addition there are two more pieces being added to this collection for the year 2000: The Inn Keeper and the Serving Woman (Bar Maid).

Pilgrims – The Americana series as we at Wayside call it pieces in the series are as follows: The original Pilgrims (now retired), The Pilgrim Boy and Girl, The Indian Boy and Girl (retired) and the Plimoth Plantation Man and Lady (retired from open stock). In the year 2000 the Original Pilgrims are being re-introduced but will be carrying different props from the first version.

The Nutcracker Ballet – The entire Nutcracker Ballet is now retired so this would not be a good series to start. Even though the pieces in the edition have not increased much in value some of them may be difficult to obtain.

Appreciate – Not all Carolers appreciate in value. The limited editions, privately made pieces, and pieces made for one year only are more likely to appreciate over the years.

I always advise customers to purchase the pieces they truly like rather than feeling they need to purchase them all. Chances are most collectors will never sell them anyway so why purchase a piece if you are not crazy about it.

Secondary Market – To purchase Carolers that are discontinued you will have to buy them from a secondary market source. Be prepared to pay more than the issue price. The prices fluctuate quite a bit so be sure that once you purchase a secondary market piece from anyone, you are satisfied with the price. We have a secondary market case in our store, which is supplied by our club members.

by Joan of Wayside Country Store

by Tom Carrier
Source: Worthpoint

If you’re one of those folks who wears a sweatshirt in December that says “Let It Snow,” then you should be talking to Bob Eckstein. He has had such a fascination with the snowman that he not only has a unique collection of snowman memorabilia, he has written a book about them.

Eckstein first amassed a personal collection of about 1,200 antique paper and historical objects—probably the world’s largest known collection of snowmen. Many are advertising memorabilia, such as Snowman brand ‘Can’d Ice’ that “cools everything,” and magazine covers featuring the snowman for its winter editions. There are also postcards from the turn of the 20th century featuring the snowman to sell ice or to illustrate children at play in the winter. There are plastic snowmen on skis, Christmas ornaments, some made of paper mache, others used for holiday decorations.

“The book began about six years when I decided I wanted to solve a big mystery: Who made the first snowman,” Eckstein says. “I’ve talked to top professors and leading historians on the subject and I’ve learned that the snowman has this amazing history. I started initially that the snowman would originate at the turn of the century or with the movies or with TV.”

Instead, he says, he discovered that the snowman can be traced back to the Middle Ages. The colored images of early depictions of snowmen show them as part of the illuminated manuscripts of the era, drawn to illustrate an aphorism or to define a part of the written story. Over time, the snowman is depicted as benign or wicked in children stories, too.

However, by the early 20th century, the snowman, particularly in postcards, has been depicted as a drunkard or a womanizer, and used increasingly in advertising something cold, like beer. “This is known as the ‘Dean Martin Years,’” Eckstein says. A plastic snowman he has holds up a plastic bottle of Oertel’s Lager Beer, circa 1950, for example.

But with the environmental issue of global warming and the disappearance of ice from the world’s glaciers, the fate of the snowman may be meeting its inevitable end. All we will have left, like the life of dinosaurs, are books that show the evolution of a once common feature of everyday life, like “The History of the Snowman.” Perhaps, in time, there will be a museum of the snowman, too, right next to the museum of the tree. Not any time soon, I hope.

So, it’s true that whatever you collect, whether it is fine art, classic cars, or snowmen, it all has to start somewhere. Eckstein’s book “The History of the Snowman,” with its warm side as well as its cool side, makes me want to find snow and relive its ancient history by building a snowman, right next to the snow angel. And I’m cool with that.

By the way, the world’s largest snowman was created in Bethel, Maine, in 2008. Technically, it’s not a snowman, but a snowwoman, as “she” stood 122 feet, 1 inch tall and was named in honor of Olympia Snowe, the senior senator from Maine. Global warming isn’t winning yet.

Cat themed objects are a popular collectible, both for cat owners looking to demonstrate their pride in their pets, and for those who simply love the grace and beauty of these fluffy creatures. There is a wide variety of items to choose from, ensuring that the cat collector can find something to suit their desires. Here is a list of some of the more popular cat items:

• figurines
• coffee mugs
• pins/brooches
• plates
• cookie jars
• art
• plush toys
• charms
• clocks
• Christmas ornaments
• yard art

Tips on How to Start Your Collection

Choose a Theme

There are so many cat collectibles available that choosing a theme will help you focus on what you are truly interested in. For example, you could decide to focus on one specific type of collectible, such as cat clocks, or you could decide to collect items related to Garfield, Felix, or cartoon cats in general. There are also many styles available these days, from the whimsical to the bizarre. If you like a certain style of art, you can be sure to find a series of cat items that fit that style, such as the whimsical figurines at the top.

Determine what Type of Collector You are

There are different types of collectors. Some will collect anything cat-related and have items that range the entire spectrum of available items, from figurines to yard art. Others collect only a specific type of item or on a theme, as suggested above, but often in a casual manner. And still others choose to be even more specific and try to obtain a complete collection of their chosen theme. For example, collecting every figurine in a series. Knowing what kind of collector you want–or are most likely–to be will help you decide how to start your collection.

If you love cats, you are sure to find something that will tickle your fancy. Enjoy the process of selecting a unique cat collectible!

by Val Ubell
Source: Collector’s Quest

Every spring we have a wonderful treat as we look out our kitchen window. We love birds and sometimes lament the cost of buying the seed, the continuous chore of filling up the feeders in the cold Wisconsin winters, and putting suet into the ‘cage’ with frozen fingers. But we do get some special rewards for our endeavors! We have an incredible visitor – an indigo bunting! Vibrant blue, small and cheerful, he makes us smile and we always vie for which of us will spot him first. He is our ‘bluebird of happiness’, you might say!

But long before he came along, I have loved blue birds. I have them in the kitchen, on old china pieces, on salt and pepper shakers, a creamer, a vase, and even a sentimental plate. My most recent treasure is a German, lustre canister set that is just covered with them! (This was a gift from dear hubby for our anniversary.)

As I glanced around at them this weekend, I realized they needed to be cleaned for anticipated guests and family. (Kitchen items do tend to get a bit ‘greasy’, even though I am constantly teased for not cooking a lot.) I began to wonder just why we call them ‘bluebirds of happiness’ and if this was a fairly new thought process. So, using one of my favorite tools, I “Googled” those words “Blue Bird of Happiness” and ‘voila’, I received the requested information and learned a lot.

It turns out that to many Native American tribes, the bluebird was sacred. According to the Cochiti tribe, the firstborn son of Sun was named Bluebird. The Navajo hold the Mountain Bluebird to be a great spirit in animal form and associate it with the rising sun. Their Bluebird song is still used in social settings and performed in the 9-day Ye’iibicheii Winter Nightway Ceremony.

I also learned that a popular song by Jan Peerce and Art Mooney and his orchestra called “Bluebird of Happiness” was recorded in 1948 and introduced at the Radio City Music Hall. There was also a stage play called “The Blue Bird” by Maurice Maeterlick in 1908. It was made into several films throughout the 20^th century, including the 1940 original starring Shirley Temple.

But the mythology of the bluebird actually goes back a lot farther. For example, in Europe, a noted fairy tale is called “L’Oiseau Bleu” (The Blue Bird) by Madame d’Aulnoy (1650-1705) and it seems to be the root of modern accounts of bluebird symbology and myth. In this tale, King Charming is transformed into a bluebird, who is the love interest of the younger princess Fiordelisa and aids her through her trials.

In magical symbology, bluebirds are used to represent confidence in the positive aspect and egotism in the negative. A dead bluebird is a symbol of disillusionment, or the loss of innocence, and of transformation from the younger and naïve to the older and wiser.

Indigenous cultures across the globe hold similar beliefs. It is the most universally accepted symbol of cheerfulness, happiness, prosperity, hearth and home, good health, new births, and the renewal of spring! Virtually any positive sentiments may be attached to the bluebird.

So I am not alone in my thinking. I will wear my bird pins and earrings regularly, display my blue birds around the house and whistle a cheerful song! How big is your bluebird collection?

Hummingbird figurines are an eye-catching addition to any décor! Colorful and compelling, these engaging creatures make perfect collector items, ideal for home or cottage.

Hummingbirds have always attracted admiration. They were known to the Incas and Aztecs, then brought to the attention of Europeans over five hundred years ago by Christopher Columbus. The fascination continues and hummingbird collectables are gaining in popularity as a way for people to enjoy these beautiful and interesting birds.

Hummingbird figurines come in many colors and depict appealing surroundings. They are crafted from porcelain, ivory, glass, resin, or ride on currents of sparkling crystalline. Detailing is exquisite. Hand enameled models reveal both vibrant and subtle shades.

Picture a petite porcelain hummingbird diving into hibiscus blossoms for a fragrant feast. Imagine a bird in sculptured glass swooping into a flowered chute, while his glowing feathers are reflected in a beveled mirror base. In spun glass, four hummingbirds cavort on a carousel and in another figurine, a hummingbird sips from delicate scarlet flowers.

Frosted hummingbirds, with lifelike crystal eyes, peak out at you surrounded by a bed of flowers; ruby-throated hummingbirds hover over fuchsias. Hummingbird collectables are highly sought treasures—and with good reason!

Artists spend many hours studying hummingbirds to create authentic and detailed reproductions of these colorful and diminutive birds. Hummingbird figurines give perfect expression to artistic talent.

One well-known artist, Lena Liu, has captured the essence of the hummingbird with her hummingbird collectables, charming representations of these adorable birds amidst dew-kissed blossoms in enchanting gardens.

The Internet is a great place to shop for hummingbirds. Online stores offer pictures of different available figurines and online catalogues make for a satisfying browsing experience. Hummingbird figurines can be ordered online and shipping brings them to your door in record time.

Hummingbirds make unique gifts and if you are looking for something special, figurines are treasures that will be valued for a lifetime. These can be ordered online, wrapped, and sent out to a specified address.

Collecting an assortment of hummingbirds can be a rewarding and satisfying hobby. Hummingbird collectables provide owners with hours of enjoyment. So much so that there is always room for another specimen to add to your collection.

Your spirits will dance with these captivating companions. Darting amidst flowers and sipping nectar, lively and fast—every bit as enchanting in your home as in the garden—hummingbird figurines bring cheer and beauty to any shelf, mantle, tabletop, or cabinet.

Source: Miniatures & Collectibles.com

by Pamela Wiggins
Source: About.com

It’s easy to recognize the beauty of a fluttering butterfly. When it comes to collectibles, however, you’ve probably walked right past a picture, tray or piece of jewelry made using butterfly wings without giving them a second thought. That’s the beauty of butterfly wing collectibles.

Are Those Actually Butterfly Wings?

It’s true, genuine butterfly wings have been used to fashion objects, many of them travel souvenirs, for decades. The Morpho butterfly, captured in South American rain forests, imparts the lovely sheen found in these collector’s items, according to an article by Janet Lawwill for Vintage Fashion and Costume Jewelry Newsletter.

The pretty peacock blue butterflies were captured by South American natives and sold to crafters for about $5 apiece back in the 1950s. They were also raised on “farms” in Europe for use in small pictures, jewelry and other decorative objects as far back as the 1920s. Most of these items were made in England, and some still have paper tags attached indicating the origin.

How Do I Recognize Butterfly Wing Collectibles?

Oftentimes it’s not immediately obvious when collectibles are decorated with butterfly wings because they tend to be used as a background to simulate water, sky or even cloth. The main feature of the piece is a silhouette done predominantly in black, but a little colorful accent can be part of the decoration as well.

These are generally produced by a technique called reverse painting. That is, the tint is painted directly on the back of glass and then placed atop the butterfly wing background.

What are the Most Popular Motifs?

Motifs vary according to where the items were originally sold, and it seems they were retailed all around the world at one time or another. Since a good number of these items were sold in tropical tourist areas, they feature palm trees, boats and water scenes. Other popular motifs include women dressed in period costumes, American Southwest cactus scenes, and Dutch children.

When Were Butterfly Wing Collectibles Made?

Most of the pictures utilizing butterfly wings for decoration seem to have been produced somewhere between the 1920s and 1950s. Jewelry items, which include pins, pendants and an occasional ring, are still being made today in Brazil and Belize, but the newer pieces aren’t as nicely crafted as the older ones. In fact, many early butterfly wing jewelry items made in England were set in sterling silver and feature fancy scrollwork along the edge of the setting.

How Can I Tell if They’re Genuine Butterfly Wings?

Before paying top dollar to adding a piece to your collection, you’ll want to make sure that you’re actually getting genuine butterfly wing items rather than simulations. Some of these objects still have stickers attached to them denoting the origin of production and that they are in fact “genuine butterfly wing” pieces. Or, as seen with some jewelry items in the original box, the description will be printed on the container.

If these signals aren’t present, look closely at the iridescent background. If you have a jeweler’s loupe, you can actually see the tiny overlapping scales indicative of true butterfly wings. Pieces that simulate butterfly wings were usually made with colored foil background and it’s obvious upon close examination. With a little practice, you won’t even need a magnifying instrument to see the difference.

How Much are They Worth?

The value of these items can vary widely. In general, older jewelry pieces tend to be more popular than the newer pieces. Another aspect to consider when deciding a value is the quality of the decoration. After examining a few butterfly wing items, you’ll probably notice some differences in the skill level of the artists who painted the silhouette decorations. High quality painting adds value to your piece.

And keep in mind that pieces with fading, discoloration or showing disintegration should not be valued as highly as items still holding their pretty luster. Most small butterfly wing pictures in excellent condition sell for $50 or less, but there are exceptions exceeding $100 depending on the rarity and desirability of the theme.

Butterfly wing jewelry prices can vary widely. Sterling bracelets with charms or multiple butterfly wing links can bring $75-100, while those made of other metals with more simple designs may only bring in $25-40 in online auctions. Single charms, or small pendants, seem like a bargain at under $10 apiece. Small pins generally sell for $25-50, with older sterling examples bringing in the top range.

How Do I Care for My Butterfly Wing Collectibles?

To keep your butterfly wing collection bright and beautiful, avoid exposure to harsh light and moisture. For jewelry, take care to keep it put away when it’s not being worn. When displaying pictures, trays, decorative boxes, compacts and other butterfly wing items, do so in areas with low light and low humidity.

With a little TLC you can continue to enjoy these interesting pieces for years to come.

by Sari B. Tietjen

Dog lovers are avid collectors of anything that deals with dogs. Antiques, paintings, bronzes, crystals, books, post cards, stamps, toys anything and everything that depicts the dog – are all prime collectibles. The items can be old, used, reproductions, or new oftentimes only the availability, subject and size of the bank balance are the determining factors.

1. Collect only what is truly desired. As with anyone seeking to create, develop or maintain a collection, an item of purchase must be something that is liked for itself, not just because it is your breed, nor for its potential as an investment piece or as a compromise because something else was not affordable and/or available. If you do not like something when you buy it, that dislike will probably just grow rather than diminish over time.

2. Collect only the breeds or groups that you are interested in. There is a lot of dog-related material available. In order to fine-tune your interests, stay with those breeds you really like; or

3. Collect specific artists regardless of the breeds involved. If you like the way a particular artist portrays dogs, then expand your collection by seeking out other works of art by the same artist. Beware, however, that you will not necessarily admire all of the works done by that artist.

4. Be prepared to be patient as good dog art work is not always available.

5. Take time to look for pieces something you may like could be far away or as close as your neighborhood antique store. In either case, casual perusing in stores, catalogs, auction listings, dog show booths – all can yield something that needs further investigation.

6. Seek out the best quality you can find. A few superior items makes for a better collection that a lot of inferior ones.

7. Collect what you can afford. Do not over spend. Be aware of price and condition. Know what you are buying before you make the purchase.

8. Learn as much as you can about the particular medium you are interested in collecting. Read reference materials, study your likes and dislikes, and fine-tune your eye.

9. Do not be afraid of selling earlier items you collected if your collection ideas have changed and your eye has drawn you to another style. If you do not want or like a particular piece anymore, then sell it.

10. Also sell if you have more items than you have room to properly display or store. This is especially true if you continue to be an avid buyer.

Collecting anything in the dog-related genre is fun. It is also a natural extension of your love of the dog. As you love being around your dog, you also enjoy being around objects reminding you of that dog. This is one reason why dog lovers are such inquisitive and acquisitive collectors.