31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 30 I'm not always a SHOPAHOLIC...but October is a great chance for Christmas Bargains...if you are willing to hunt for them.

I have a lot of small trees that I bought several years ago at a 90% off Christmas sale. I haven't used them like I hoped I would because I think they are just lacking something. So last night I got this idea that I would take pretty glass beads and fashion my own mini ornaments.

Today, I needed some "therapy" to help me deal with the failing health and decline of my nearly fourteen year old LabraWeimer, Hero. She was at the vet for two days and I missed her so very much even with knowing she should be coming home soon. So, I went shopping at my all time favorite store, Rolling Hills Ministry Thrift store.

So, getting back to my idea to fashioning ornaments from beads, the volunteers had recently put out several sun catchers with unusually crafted beads.

I bought all they had because the many of the beads on each strand would make great ornaments.

Even though I started this post late last night, I had to do most of the work on it this morning because I was too exhausted to type.

Over my past couple of visits to Rolling Hills and another church run thrift shop, First West, in West Monroe, LA, I found several small toys that work great with my Santas and some fabric in the form of remnants, placemats, two pillow shams, and a table runner that will make wonderful Santa attire.

To give you an idea of size, the tallest doll in the background is only a8-9" tall. I'll keep updates on either these blog posts or others under my creativedazewithgeri.blogspot.com to keep you updated on how I modified the toys or used them as is to enhance my holiday decorations.

The winter holiday, whether it be Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanza, or however we choose to snuggle in during the long winter nights, is a celebration of abundance. It is definitely the time of year where our homes are filled with colorful, collectible, and festive decorations, our hearth with the warmth of glowing embers, and as fragrant delectables from the kitchen, we anticipate the time of year where generosity flows from our hearts.

I decorate my Santas the way some people decorate their trees.

Photo from eBay auction

I couple of days ago, I received these two Santas from an eBay seller. I must say, he is very inspiration. I love to make the faces, but when you start getting into costumes, I get a bit frustrated. If you recall, I hate my temperamental sewing machine, but I do love being the assistant to a fabulous theatrical costumer so I know I can make just about anything I put my mind and patience to.

I have a "collecting" disorder, and two of my MANY collections happen to be candlesticks and industrial textile spools, so I think you see where I am going with this.

Anyway...I took one and gave him a few accessories.

Face it, Santa, if you have arms...I'm putting you to work!

As you can see, I kept to his bright red and more contemporary color scheme.

This is really more fun than you can imagine. Because ornaments are usually affordable and easy to find, I hope you have a great time decorating your Santa figures.  It is yours, do whatever you want with it

photo from eBay auction

I purchased this lot a while back with the intention of giving the tallest Santa a face lift. I did not think I would like his felt costume, but when I received him, I think that his coat may be a wool felt versus polyester or at least it looks that way.

So, later I found this wonderful auction of felt ornaments just minutes from ending with no bids.

Photo from eBay auction

They are the perfect accoutrements to this handsome Santa Claus. I also replaced his sisal wreath with a larger jingle bell wreath from another auction.

The lamb at this feet and the carousel horse due for a repaint, is still under consideration.

Photo from eBay auction

This cutie pie received a nutcracker, a barn, and a sheep pull toy.

He still has his basket, it just isn't showing the photo. I am looking for small things to fill it.

sorry, a bit out of focus

Yesterday, I found a very simple tree topper Santa for $1.99 at Goodwill.

I added two porcelain dolls that I found on shopgoodwill.com. I just thought it seemed befitting to add Goodwill dolls to a Goodwill Santa.

Now it appears this Santa is either delivering dolls or abducting children.  I'm going to have to work on this.







































And finally, my beautiful Dee Gann (replica) Santa arrived in the mail. I have added nothing to him but that glittered Silent Night sign he's holding might have to go in a box.

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 26 A Simple Way to Make Your Own Heirloom Santa

I hate to sew.

Well, maybe I don't really hate sewing, I just have a really cheap Brother sewing machine that takes all the fun out of it.

I am the assistant of theatrical costumer, and she probably hates sewing more than I do, so she does all the fun stuff like draping, and I end up cutting and sewing.

But give me something to embellish, and I am a happy camper!

This is why I have been combing eBay for inexpensive Santas who have great costumes. I can always replace the head and beards, replace the fake fur with real, add some embellishments, then make this Santa my own Heirloom Santa.

I am always collecting toys, trees, and other accouterments to add to my Santas. I search garages sales, estate sales, and thrift shops for clothing made from vintage fabric, leather, suede, and fur.

Most people would not think to "tamper" with an original, and I would not if it were an original piece. I am talking about the mass produced versions that you would pick up at chain store.

Compared to some of the $300-$500 Santas, you could create your own Heirloom Santa for less than $100

For example:

This Santa has nice "bone structure" but his eyes look a little dead.

I would start by removing the beard and hat and giving this Santa a new paint job adding a few lines to accent his wrinkles and give him a more "gleeful" look. 

Another trick is to actually make the pupils larger than these using a pale blue acrylic, add irises and a couple of highlights. Gray eyelashes would give him a more realistic look.

On small faces, I use a wooden toothpick dipped into the paint. I also like to use a glassy acrylic sealer to give the eyes that extra sparkle. 

A trick I used from a Santa Claus artist is to add a single piece of glitter to each eye. It is harder than is sounds but the effect is awesome.

This $1200 Santa on eBay is a good example of how to paint your Santa's face to give it more character.

Bard's of Illinois Display 

I also would replace the artificial beard with Tibetan Lamb Hair like the Bard Santa.  You should be able to use the original beard as your patter

Available on eBay or Amaz

This "Tree Topper" Santa does not have legs, instead the costume is draped over a plastic or cardboard cone with added padding to soften the form.

However, you can find or make a muslin doll boy to fit this particular costume, or use an armature and wrap it in batting.




I chose this particular Santa because I felt it had a well constructed costume, but don't be surprised if the Santa your buy is constructed mostly from a hot glue gun.





This frayed end of this knot could easily be clipped. You can add fray check or even super glue to the end to prevent further unraveling.












There are so many things you can do to embellish this hat. I would add gold braid to this hat or at the minimum, sew a gold jingle bell or tassel on the end.

Now if you go with the armature, he'll need some pants, even if they are covered up by the robe. I just prefer a more finished look.

And don't forget the boots. Boots can be a challenge to sew but you can always buy a pair.

Porcelain Santa Boots

Something that bothers me is a Santa without mittens or gloves. If he is dressed in a heavy fur lined robe...wouldn't his hands get really cold and chapped?

Now what this Santa needs is accessories!

I would take his bag and empty out the stuffing because it looks too light and does't hang as if it really has something (other than stuffing) on the inside.

Shopping for toys and accessories can be an ongoing thing and in my opinion, the more the merrier.

My advice, find or make wrapped gifts, miniature books, toys, bells, a sleigh, a wreath, and a tree that is in proportion to your Santa.

Doll house miniatures are just too small for this Santa so look for something more on a three inches equals one foot scale.  I find a lot of ornaments in the appropriate size.

3" Jointed Teddy Bear

3.5" Rag Doll

4" Tall Nutcracker Ornaments

Have fun putting together your own Heirloom Santa! And when you're done, please send me a photo of it in the comment section.