31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 14 What to Do With Broken Santas

Today I received another broken Santa from an eBay purchase.

This is my THIRD purchase to arrive damaged during shipping.  The woman who packaged him did not bother to wrap him or the other Santas he came with, but I am grateful it was only this one.





















If you've read my previous blogs, you'll recall that my first to arrive in pieces was the Costanza Santa that I was so looking forward to adding to my collection.











He arrived with his feet and base broken off.

Then I received another shipment of Santas that were not wrapped at all. I could not believe it when I picked up the box and heard the ornaments rolling around.

I bid on this lot because of the three House of Hatten (2 Santas/1 elf in a stocking) that apparently now one else saw because I got the entire lot for the opening bid of $6.00. But when I opened the box, Ebenezer Scrooge's (top left) hand was broken and one of the jingle bells on the metal Santa (bottom center) was broken off as well. I am just glad that the H of H ornaments made it unscathed. That was a miracle!

So, what does one do with a broken ornament? 

Resin is a very popular way to make copies from an original piece. I have pieces that are cast in a heavy resin (usually brown) poured into silicone molds. This made for heavy figures. You can usually tell if a hand carved figure is wood or resin by the weight in that if it is solid resin, it is heavier than most woods; if it seems light in weight, it is probably a hollow resin copy. I can tell by tapping it against my bottom teeth whether it is wood or resin.

The hollow resin technique is used in mass produced ornaments and decorations that need to be lighter weight, and are made by pouring the resin in a mold and giving it a swirl. Resin in this form is not the ideal material to work with.  It can be as thick as half and inch in some areas paper thin in others, therefore it can break easily. 

I have found that when it breaks, unlike bisque, ceramic, or porcelain, it tends to flex. This can make it difficult to alight the pieces. When repairing resin, I usually use super glue or a modeling glue that performs the same as super glue. 

Usually, there will be some touching up to do and I've found acrylic paints can touch up the cracks and last a long time with minimal handling. I usually put a dab of sealer over it that is either flat, gloss, or a mixture of the two to match the piece I am repairing.

I recently repaired a few House of Hatten pieces. They really do break easily, usually because of a paper thin area of resin. I used super glue and a tiny amount a non firing clay that dries to a hard finish to fill in the chipped areas, repainted and dabbed on some matching sealer. 

I found this huge piece by Denise Calla (H of H artist) with both of the front runners broken clean off. It only cost me $5 at Goodwill, but after I repaired the damage, it could easily pass as mint and go for over $100 on eBay. 

Of course, zoomed in you can see the where it was repaired.

I need to find some of this fine glitter to cover up the repaired area.

I tried scraping off some of the loose glitter but it wasn't enough to really patch the repaired area, but if you look at the whole piece, there are several other bare areas.

The clay works well for me but in the case of missing pieces or pieces that are just to thin to glue, I found this great little tip on Yahoo Answers. 

"Dave" offered this suggestion and I may have to use this technique one day.

"I would look into an automotive body filler such as Bondo or an epoxy putty such as Tech Steel. You should be able to find both, or similar, in an automotive store. They both are shapeable, harden quickly by a reactive process, can be easily filed and sanded when dry, paint well and have similar properties to the resin that the ornament is made out of. I would tend to suggest the putty first because it is firmer and more mouldable but be aware that it hardens in a few minutes. You will need to form a rough shape and then fine tune when fully hardened."

I first started repairing ceramic, bisque and porcelain figures in the early nineties. Because as an artist, I work with so many different mediums, I tend to have a lot of materials on hand to experiment with. I would find things at flea markets and yard sales that had minimal damage and repair them. The damage areas were undetectable. 

My greatest challenge was a Lladro figurine that a friend brought me that was broken in half along with several small pieces. Glueing it together was one thing. Gluing heavy pieces together can be challenging enough, but adding the small puzzle like pieces with some inside beveled edges was a whole other thing. I figured out how to assemble the pieces, but I still had to fill the missing chips and repaint and find a glaze that would work.  

So, after I matched the Lladro signature blue with watered down acrylic paint, I touched up the filled in chips and added Diamond Glaze. This is the product I used on my Santa Claus eyes because it gave them a more realistic look. When I bought it, it was in a jar. Now that I have finally recalled the name, I found that it now comes in a bottle. Great stuff! And it adheres to glass. So, the Lladro was saved. I can't say it was my best work considering all the damage. But I can say that it looks better on a shelf than in a trash can!

Don't give up on your broken ornaments. There are plenty of products out there you can use to repair the ones that are the most sentimental or are a part of your favorite collection. Practice on some that you are not as sentimental about and you'll be surprised with what you can do.

I don't care much for the Gorilla brand of Super Glue. It is a paint work with on any surface and I had to glue this one twice which meant a layer of glue which caused the crack to be more pronounced.
Also, super glue can cause a bit of reaction to the paint (like turpentine or paint thinner) and you can see where it smeared on the white and how the crack is visible.

Since this is not a collectible ornament, I took some liberties with my painting technique and added some ermine. I was painting rather quickly, and I wish now that I had taken my time and done it neatly. DANG IT! But the added detail camouflaged the repair. You can still see a tiny crack but I'll touch that up later. I couldn't see it until it was blown up on the image.

I also painted a date on him, just for fun.

So here he is, back in one piece and not so worse for wear. His hanger was missing so I added a screw eye. I did not have any gold so I painted it red.

Finally, I replaced the wire belt around his waist, touched up a few too many dark spots on his beard, and this Christmas he'll join the rest of my 300 Santas on the tree.

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 13 Great Blogs by Other Santa Collectors

Instead of writing about my collection or crafting, I decided to dedicate the 13th day to other crafters and collectors who blog about their Santas.

Angie McKaig blogs about her Santa Claus and Crafting at http://www.santacollectors.com A year-round guide for fans of Kris Kringle. Angie is way ahead of me with her blog and Santa enthusiasts can find very well researched and written posts on the various types of Santas to collect, along with information about other Santa artists and crafters.

Dorothy's blog, "The Joy of Christmas", is chocked full of anything and everything you'd want to know about the holiday season.

David Claudon share's his Santa Claus collection (including the tiniest Santa I've ever seen) on his blog David's Gallimauphry. According to his site, a gallimaufry means a a hodgepodge, jumble, confused and his blog features such a variety of interesting topics, that is the perfect name for it.

The Collection Studio is a great blog site featuring articles on every type of collecting you can imagine. The link I've added is an article about Mr. Jean-Guy LaGuerre, the Guiness Book of World's Record holder for the most Santa Claus items. Believe me, I have no intention of competing with his over 25,000 Santas!

I be sure to add more blogs and blogposts as I find them.

Well, once again, it is late and I've been working at the lake house. I finally finished the tiled backsplash in the kitchen but it still needs grouting.

I'm taking a few days off, so I hope I'll get to play with my Santas and maybe craft a few as well.

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 12 How to make Santa Claus Collectibles for Fun and Profit

When my parents tore down the livestock barn at our home in Choudrant, LA, I saved some of the pieces of wood. I participated in an Arts and Crafts show at Barksdale AFB (around 1992-1994) and I mass produced these very simple Santas out of 1x2s. I sold them for $3 each or 2/$5 but if you made a $50 purchase, from my booth, you got one for free. They sold like hotcakes! My cost and labor were minimal but the money I made off the the dozen or so I sold more than paid for the table fees.

I still have these two because they were the "prototypes" and I tend to save my first of every Santa I market. I will post more of these later.

I also taught a class with kids where they all got to paint a pair of these. So simple a kid can do it...yet still folk arty enough to add to any collection!

Do you ever wonder what to do with ALL those plastic Easter eggs?

I covered one in a paper mulch product and created this clever little Santa ornament. You can also cover both pieces separately and create a little candy box.

This is also a fun and easy project for a class; however, the drying time makes the project last three days.

First you coat the egg with about a 1/4 inch layer of Celluclay (an instant paper mache' product) and let it dry at least over night in a dry area.

Then add the details and let them dry completely (usually overnight) before painting.

I sprayed the completely dried painted piece with an acrylic sealer, then (once that dried) I antiqued it with an antiquing gel product and finished with another coat of sealer. The possibilities are endless.

My Oyster Shell are simple yet beautiful. I've seen others, but I none that are as appealing as my own.

I know, I am being a bit pretentious.

This particular oyster shell was a double and I have saved it for myself. First you have to seal the oyster shells with a good primer that will stick to glass. I used acrylic paints and (in the past) a high gloss glass-like finish sealer, and metallic gold paint. I used to use a gold leaf paint but the calcium in the oyster shells reacts to the copper in the gold leaf creating a beautiful, but not intentional patina. The copper flakes in the acrylic paint do the same, just not as much.

Now, as my luck would have it, I can no longer find my wonderful glass-like finish and this new version of high gloss glaze yellows. DANG IT!

In this badly out of focus photo are some of my other Santas who hang out in studio. Tucked way in the back is a "nekkid" Santa doll I made about over fifteen years ago from an oddly shaped homemade doll body I found at a garage sale. I'm not quite sure about that square head, but one of these days, when I finally make him some clothes, I hope his hat will will disguise it. The round headed Santa (far left) I painted on a strangely proportioned bottle gourd back in 1992. He is one of my first Santa Claus gourds and the only one of his kind. The moon shaped Santa was painted on a wooden salad bowl, one of many I picked up at garage sales, and I sold them at A&C shows. The Celluclay Santa (center) is built up just like the little ornament, except I used a styrofoam cone instead of a plastic egg. This is another fun class project than can be done at the same time as the ornament. The rustic teal adorned Santa was also made from the barn wood. I sold several of these at the same A&C show as the others.

I will be adding more crafty Santas to my blog...so keep checking back!

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 11 I don't collect EVERY Santa!

I am a writer, among other things, and I take the one hour plus drive Bossier City and Shreveport, LA where I attend meetings with a critique group, Romance Writer’s of America, and Sister’s in Crime.

While there in Bossier City and Shreveport, I like to hit a few of the Goodwills and thrift stores in the area. Today, I found a Longaberger basket and the perfect dust ruffle, valance, and pillow shams for my lake house, a couple of  cute things for my house and a very adorable hand carved Folk Art Noah and his Ark.

But sadly, I found no Santas to add to my collection.

Oh, I saw a lot of Santas, but I don’t collect EVERY Santa, which is why I think this is a great topic of my blog.

I went out to my studio and took some quick photos of a few Santas who are looking for a new home.


These were not gifts, I actually bought these, but as my collections change, I trade out.

Collectors can be very discriminating with their taste in their chosen passion. Now, just because I am not artist specific, and collect a variety of styles, this doesn’t mean I prefer just any Santa. So, it is always best, that if someone wants to give me a Santa as a gift, it should really fall into the various styles I collect.  I only have so much room!

Unfortunately, this has rarely happened and I discourage people from giving me a Santa as a gift unless they are observant enough to figure out what Santas I do collect versus those I do not.  What makes me really sad is that my husband and two sons haven’t a clue as to what kind of Santa to buy me even though a portion of my collection surrounds them in our dining room year round.

·      I do not collect dollar, chain craft store, discount super center, or big box store Santas.  

·      I do not collect ceramic Santas, but I do have a few vintage pieces or ones that I painted.  

·      I do not collect other artist’s gourds or cypress knee Santas but I have picked up a couple of small ones. 

·      I do not collect Santa dolls, but I have a few that are mostly vintage (50’s 60’s) rubber faced dolls.

·      I do not collect soft plastic or flocked Santas, but I do collect vintage (50’s to 60’s) hard plastic and celluloid Santas and reindeer.

I prefer name brand Santas (yes, I’m being snobbish) like the House of Hatten and artist’s originals when I can afford them, quality artist’s reproductions (also when I can afford them), and just about any hand-carved Santa.

I just can’t figure out why anyone who has been in my home and, even if they saw only a portion of my collection of which I probably have about a thousand, could not discern the quality of the pieces I do have. I compare it to someone who decorates their entire home in Stickley, and Arts and Crafts style furniture and someone gives them a Queen Anne piece. Hmmmm.

But let me say this…

I am so overwhelmed with joy when someone gives me a gift that says, “I get you, Geri.”  But I really believe that quality time spent with family and friends is truly a precious and graciously received gift.

And I’ve always got room for that!

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 10 Sculpted Santa Claus "Dolls"

Okay, I am posting this a day late, but after working all day yesterday at our lake house (1 hour's drive from our home) I was too tired to type.

However, I was composing this post in my mind (until I got distracted) so I think that should count for something.

Last night I was doing some research on sculpting dolls.  I have a few Santa Claus dolls I sculpted back in mid-90's (photos to follow) that I created from white Sculpey (sp?) that I seem to recall only came in white back then.

I was first inspired by the work of Lyn Haney, whose limited numbered dolls I found at a great little Hallmark/Gift shop in Del Rio, TX.  Mr. Haney, who graduated from Texas Tech, my husband's alma mater, incorporated his eyes into his sculpture versus adding glass (or acrylic) eyes to his Santas.
So my first dolls had eyes sculpted into their face. Of course, I added my own "personality" to my Santas and learned a lot about what NOT to do.









Below are two of my first attempts at sculpting Santas.

When I saw a collection of original Santa Claus "dolls" at my favorite little shop, St. Nick & Friends in Wimberly, TX, I fell for the beautiful glass/acrylic eyes they were using.

So, I took a class in doll sculpting from an artist who not only created ceramic dolls, but sculpted Santas and Native American figures as well. She taught me how to build a form first that would incorporate the eyes, then sculpt using a product called Cernit.

So, I invested in a pair of beautiful blown glass eyes from Germany, and created a wonderful face from the Cernit and added silky Mongolian sheep hair beard and hair.

However, the first Cernit I purchased was "flesh" and I found it rather pale and lifeless. You can add real makeup to Cernit but it will fade over time. Then my very expensive Cernit dried up, which it tends to do in only a short period of time. The benefit of Cernit is that you get a very ethereal skin tone, but when you add the blush or makeup, it flattens is out. So, these very expensive materials went into a Santa beautifully sculpted (if I do say so myself) doll that looks like a mortician created it (not to dis morticians) and he has been tucked away in a basket along with his half finished (a couple of sizes too small) fur coat. He was supposed to be a gift for my mother fifteen years ago.

About a week ago, I started looking at glass eyes. Funny how they've doubled in price over the past 15 years. After winning a bid on some ornaments (including a Bolinger I got for next to nothing...but that's a different post), I contacted the seller about adding some of the "eyes" they had up for auction to my order. So, I ordered SIX pairs of different color (blues/blue-grays/grays) materials (acrylic/glastic), size (18-22mm) and style of eyes, but no glass ones. Glass is just too high at about $40 for good one, plus the acrylics are usually a lot more beautiful, anyway.

I also purchased some "suntan" Cernit in hopes that my new Santas would look more alive.

NOW I will tell you why I was distracted last night and could not get this post completed in time.

When ordering eyes, there was a lot of references to "Reborn" dolls. If you are not familiar with Reborns, I suggests you get educated. Just do a search under images for "Reborns" and you'll be amazed at the artistry involved in creating these, and if you can afford the $500 price tags, you might even want one for yourself.

I was studying the techniques used by these artists and their skills at adding more depth to the otherwise flat vinyl surfaces of these doll's molded heads and limbs. I was hoping I could learn a few tricks to help me bring my other Santa back from the dead.

Then I went to YouTube to look for videos about how these were created but soon mesmerized by the variety of the videos that included obsessions that some people have over these baby dolls. It really opened my eyes to the psyche of addictive behaviors.

There is a growing trend of adults self-soothing with objects associated with their childhood. When a mother holds her baby the soothing hormone of oxytocin is released. Rumor has it that a similar experience happens when holding a Reborn Doll. So really, we can not fault anyone for appreciating the work these artists put into the fascinating little sculptures. I would compare it to a grown man collecting action figures or model trains.

However, I am a conspiracy theorist, and it is my opinion (a well educated opinion) that the U.S. Government is putting additives in our foods that is causing addictive behaviors to rear their ugly heads.

For a while, I was doing okay with my own addictive behavior by eating healthy cooked from fresh veggies and "natural" meats.

Working on the lake house meant a lot of fast foods and quick meals (what we like to call "Chicken in a Bag") and I have noticed that I am more anxious about collecting and, for a long time, I stayed away from eBay, but now...

See what I mean?

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 9 Buying Santa Claus Collectibles through Online Auctions

Day 9

I realized today that it is very difficult to talk about my Santa collection if the majority of my Santas are packed away.  So, I've been doing some online shopping; mostly on eBay.

I'm always on the search for interesting Santas to add to my collection, and this afternoon I gave an unusual Santa a ride in my shopping cart around Rolling Hills Ministries Thrift Store, then I decided I really couldn't fit him with my other Santas, so I left him there for someone else to enjoy.

I did find a photo of him on eBay (I've added the links to the auctions on each image) and discovered there are more like him.

I do collect a lot of chalk ware Santas cast from vintage chocolate molds, but this jolly fellow, albeit very cute, would clash with my more vintage 50's and 60's or folk art style collection.

Anyway...
Here are some others I found on eBay. You should check them out. The starting bid is very reasonable or you use can buy it now with free shipping.

I also like to shop at Goodwill and have recently been bidding on a few things (not just Santas) on their http://shopgoodwill.com auction site. I have found a lot of great art. I love collecting original paintings, etc. and pick up a lot of great pieces at Goodwill. I am rather amazed at the number of very pricey art they have on their site.  But I digress. They also have a great collection of Santas.

I strongly suggest you know your Santas before bidding because many of the titles and descriptions can be misleading. For example, (not to pick on Goodwill, because eBay sellers do it as well) this Santa is described as a Hand Carved Santa Claus Statue w/ Gifts, but as you can see in the photo, he is clearly made of resin.

Typically I don't collect teapots or coffee pots, but I think this cross-collectible Santa Claus coffee pot is a very nice piece. 

Don't forget to do searches under Santa's other names like St. Nick or Nicholas. I found this figure from The Legend of Santa Claus series under a search for "St. Nick".

I used to collect The Legend of Santa Claus by United Design, and had a few of the larger pieces that featured animals. These Santas have the most beautiful eyes. 

When I moved to Ruston, LA, my new home did not have the space to display all my Santas, So I sold these large pieces but I ended up buying more (smaller) Santas. because that's what I have to do. 

Another thing to consider when bidding on shopgoodwill.com is the cost of shipping. They charge a lot for shipping plus they add a handling charge that varies from item to item. Fortunately, if you purchase more than one item from the same store, they will combine shipping.

Update: October 22, 2014

I was JUST at my favorite store, Rolling Hills Ministry Thrift Store, and I found this Santa for fifty-five cents.

He's a cute but rather large ornament, and his missing ski-pole can easily be reproduced.

Then, while mindlessly searching through Santas on eBay. I find this...

Just a reminder that you shouldn't let the price some seller "set" make you think something is more collectible.

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 8 Sad Day for One Anthony Costanza Santa

I did an update on my post (Day 3) when an Anthony Costanza Santa that I won on eBay arrived in the mail broken.

I was so excited about receiving this Santa. He was about two inches taller than the tallest on I have already. Most of my Costanzas are about ten inches or less. 

But today, I had to take him to the post office to file a claim. They had to keep him and told me he would be tossed in the trash once the claim and been accepted. This made me terribly sad. I doubt I will ever find this exact one from the same "generation" as the other pieces in my collection that is actually signed by the artist, nor will I be able to find one at that price.

Perhaps the Lord did no mean for me to have him.

Yet still, I have been searching eBay for Costanzas that I can afford and I found this one. 

He was manufactured by Enesco, but I think he will go well with my other Costanza Ded Moroz by Enesco.

The Costanzas I purchased in the 90's (Silvestri) have a different face and artistic style. This one is very similar, but if you compare the other faces, I think you'll notice the difference.

I almost always paint my Santas with blue eyes. Most of the Costanza Santas I have collected have brown eyes, with the exception of Ded Moroz.

This next Costanza Santa in the chimney is from around the same time frame as my original collection and was a product of Silvestri as well.

As you can see, he is also signed by the artist and he will look great with my other traditional Santa by Costanza.

I am still waiting for these to arrive in the mail. Lets hope they make it intact.

I just love the way Anthony Costanza carves his Santa's faces!

And then there is this guy. He's only about 6.5" tall. At first the seller was asking a lot for the opening bid. The seller claimed it was wood, but I sent them a message to explain that since it is marked Silvestri on the bottom, and numbered, then this piece is actually made of resin. 

I also asked them (since the auction ended without a bid) if they would please re-list this Santa with an option to make an offer. They did, and when I made a very reasonable offer, they accepted. So, as of now, I am still expecting him to come in the mail.

All photos from this blog were pulled from their original eBay posts. Once I get all my Santas in, I will add them to my collection for a wonderful group photo to share with you.

I did not get to craft any of my own Santas today because I was substitute teaching art for grades Kindergarten through fifth. Teachers who work multiple grades every day must feel as though they have a split personality due to the way they must adjust their teaching and classroom management skills to every level.

But I just loved meeting all the new Kindergarten students and seeing how much my other students have grown and changed over the summer. The best part of being a substitute is that I get to "spoil" the students, like a grandmother, then give them back.

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 7 Finding a Santa Claus in Anything

Creating a Santa from anything and everything is the trend. I know, because I've found Santa in a number of unusual things including two Kalhua bottles.

I recently purchased these three Santas from an estate sale because I will buy just about handcrafted Santa I find. I have to applaud this artist for "finding" the Santas in these two pieces of dried cypress (I think) and a seashell. I've seen a lot of oyster shell and starfish Santas (I've even painted some myself) and sand dollar, and driftwood...etc., but I really like this artist's take on the spindle shell.

I just love the way this artist found the cape in this piece of weathered wood and the way Santa is pointing at something. The star of Bethlehem perhaps?

During my years of Santa crafting and attending shows, I have heard many, many times that is was all about the face, especially the eyes, that appeal to collectors.

This artist did not put a lot of effort into the face, but the shell and smaller piece of cypress do have quite a comical expression. Unfortunately, the larger on looks a bit deranged.

Even though I am VERY tempted to touch it up...I will respect the artist's vision.

Speaking of artist...for heaven's sake...SIGN AND DATE YOUR WORK!

All I have for this artist is his/her initials on the bottom of the largest one.

So, if anyone knows a Santa Claus crafter back in 1996 whose initials are B.G., please let me know.

Here are some Santa ornaments I crafted from slices of a cypress knee. I found these in a one gallon bag at a garage sale and probably only paid a dollar or two.

I've been painting this style of ornament since 1993.

Most of these cypress slice Santas were sold at the 2013 Holiday Arts Tour in Ruston, LA. And yes, they are signed and dated.

Now, I must get dressed and ready for my day. There is nothing like working in your pajamas but it is time to put on carpentry wardrobe because I am still working on my lake house while my husband is off.

We have owned this lake front property in a nice neighborhood on Lake Bistineau, LA for two years and we are still working on it. It's a long story and involves a criminal case...but what renovation doesn't? Believe me, this adventure deserves a blog of its own!

So, I have attached a photo of the house at some point in the remodeling process. This was out Christmas photo two years ago. That is how long this process it taking.

However, we do have one of the bedrooms completed and the bathroom. What else could we possibly need?

I'm looking forward to my husband returning to his real job so that I can get back to work on my Santas!

Sorry, Honey.

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 6 Bill Evans One of a Kind Woodcarvings

Another day of working on the lake house, so no Santa crafting for me, plus I have to keep this short! I only have until my husband finished his second cup of coffee and his breakfast yogurt to get this post finished before I'm off to work.

However, I do want to tell you a bit about my collection and the amazing woodcarvings by Bill Evans. Without going into a lot of details about Mr. Evans (you can find that on his website at http://christmaswhispers.com), I want to talk about why I began collecting his work.

Santas aren't the only thing I collect. The shelves on each end and the brass candle holder with the red candle are Ross Lindblad originals. He once had a studio in Ruston, LA and created lovely cabinets, furniture, lamps, and decorating accessories. I actually have a collection of his work that includes four table lamps. 

I used to live in San Antonio and Del Rio, TX and in November or December I would visit Wimberley, TX during their Market Days on the first Saturday of the month. This was when the vendors started bringing out their vintage Santas, bottle brush trees, and ornaments. I just love it, and the weather is usually wonderful that time of year.

For a few years, there was an adorable little shop within walking distance of the market. It was a Christmas themed shop that sold Anthony Costanza, Paul Bolinger, Lyn Haney, and other hand crafted originals.

The one to the left is carved
from a cypress knee

Unfortunately, the store didn't make it, but during its heyday, I was able to purchase some pricey pieces by some of the lesser known artist, but I will get to that later. The point to this digression is PRICE. I'm talking hundreds to thousands for original hand carved pieces.

So, in 2000, I found Bill Evans carved Santas on eBay at very reasonable starting bids. Mr. Evans has definitely created his own style and has given his Santas a serious expression. At the time I bought my first pieces, I can't remember if he had a website or not, but now his work can be seen all year long and it is still very affordable (approximately $7/inch) PLUS he does custom orders!

I encourage everyone take a look at his website and add one of his beautiful works of art to your holiday decor or Santa Claus collection.

Happy SANTA CLAUS crafting and collecting!