Countdown to Christmas: 44 Days Santa Figures with Fiber Optic Beards...NO THANK YOU!

I admit I collect a lot of unusual Santas but I have to draw the line at Santas with fiberoptic beards. It's just a bit too creepy.

Generally, I stay away from animatronic figures because I do not like the sounds of their motors, but a Santa with beard glowing in a rainbow of colors better not find its way into my home!

But your opinion may differ.

Available on eBay

Words just can't express how I feel about this Santa with out undoubtably offending someone, so each to his own.

And since everyone is entitled to their opinion, check out Crazy iPod Reviewer's video review.

Good job, Kevin...but I still think they are creepy!

Countdown to Christmas: 45 Days Primitive Santas

For this post, I return to my favorite resource, eBay, for my inspiration and for images to share with my readers.

I actually like primitive Santas a great deal, but I very few in my collection Primitive Art is known as a form of "un"educated artwork.

If I did have a collection, or a rustic home or cabin to display them in, I would stick to the more serious, minimalist Santas, or those with a flair for something that looks like it stepped out of a Tim Burton film.

How fun to have a group of matching Santas to share with those who come bearing gifts.

Some come with a hefty price.

The frustrating thing about searching for primitives on eBay is that you get so many hits for "patterns'; however, if you subtract patterns from your search, you will miss out on a lot of clever Santas.

Many celebrate American

The possibilities for creating and collecting primitive Santas are boundless and, because most are made of fabric, very durable.

This one is ready to go!

Typically one does not find a great deal of dimension on the face of a primitive Santa, but this artist has managed or give this one a lot of personality.

This is a pattern.

It never fails that I spot a primitive Santa on eBay that I like, but the auction is only for the pattern.

This artist created a Santa on a spring.

Below are mass produced "primitive" Santas.  I added this photo because I thought it made a nice composition.

Multiple Santas in a box or basket makes and eye catching center piece and great gifts for your guests.

Some just make you smile.

And then there's this guy...

Where traditional Santas figures and ornaments are more my thing, that does not mean I don't enjoy looking at all the imaginative Santas artists have created. So, as I like to say, "Everyone is an artist. You just have to find  a way to express yourself." and these cleaver Santas are proof that someone out there is doing what they love. 

Seriously ? How can you not love to create Santas?

Countdown to Christmas: 46 Days Creating a Generous Bag of Toys for Your Heirloom Santa: Vintage Dolls

I derive just as much pleasure finding the perfect toys for my Santas as I do decorative my tree, or home for that matter, with meaningful trinkets.

I recently purchased a few lots of vintage baby dolls and dolls that were the appropriate proportion for the Santas I generally make. I was looking for dolls that need "TLC"because I knew my purposes were to make them look like new toys and I didn't want to change the appearance of a mint or near mint representation of our history.

Available on eBay

For example, this lot of dolls (the tallest is only 6" long) appear to need a little make-over, but I do the least bit I could in order to preserve their vintage appeal. The one on the left could use a diaper and maybe add some eyes, the smallest I would swaddle in a blanket and tie a bow around it, and largest, I would try to brush of as much dirt possible with a dry craft brush and tuck it into Santa's bag.

Available on eBay

I believe scale is important but I really feel that toys and gifts should reflect the period of the Santa or St. Nicholas figure.

In other words, I hate to see a basketball on a Bellsnickle, or a contemporary Santa with a vintage toy.

Available on eBay

You might have to glue the loose limbs in place fi you do not know who to repair the doll. This will make them rigid, but after all, they are mean to be decorative. In the case of the one with the missing limb, I think I have a doll like that and I can cast a mold. I wouldn't want to cant's molds for dolls with sleeping eyes or those that still have their hair. BU the good news is that I will giving these babies a new purpose.

I'll end with this one doll who came with a batch of dolls I purchase from Canada. The photo from the eBay post did not do her justice. 

 I'

Countdown to Christmas: 47 Days Touching Up an Already Awesome Little One of a Kind Santa.

Next to Sean Bean, I'd say Ray Winstone, another fabulous actor from the other side of the pond well known for character being killed off, that would make a great Santa Claus...or Kris Kringle.


























Just look at those crinkled eyes and rosy cheeks!

But I'm off on another tangent after seeing him BRIEFLY in the movie "Hugo"... in which he was killed off.

Speaking of cute Santas...

I purchased some Santas from a seller on eBay and this little guy was in the group.

He is only about 9" tall. His beard was rather schmooshed when I took him out of the box, and his clothes were disheveled, but I fluffed him up a bit before this photo.

His sweet little sculpted (or modified press mold) face seems to be madefrom polymer product.

 His tiny hands are from a press mold where the thumb can be on either side.

I saw that he had a tiny belt and buckle, but on closer examination, I discovered that it was the wristband from a lady's watch.

This is a very clever accessory but it doesn't reach completely around the back of this Santa's tummy. I think it would have been better to have just left the watch face on the wristband/belt versus gluing the pieces on the side.




I find a lot of ornaments that make great toys for Santa to carry. This drum was mostly likely an ornament or maybe it was a piece from a floral pick, but the hole was rather obvious.










One think I really liked about this Santa was his handmade boots that are most likely sculpted from polymer clay.

And the tiny oranges are only about a quarter of an inch, yet each one is textured and has a little dimple on the bottom.













I tiny wrapped present sits at this feet that is rather sturdy, perhaps wood? His color pallet is one of my favorites with the light green tunic/jumpsuit :) and his red and gold quilted coat. Each corner of the half inches squares is accented by a tiny gold bead.

His spray of gold twigs (are these for spanking bad children?) are lightly glittered, and his wreath (although shedding leaves and berries) is the appropriate scale.

I am always on the lookout for things to use when adding accessories to my Santas.

I chose this box with the goose, the tiny white reindeer that probably came from a vintage floral spray, but I am still not sure about the snowman.

Finally, I gave his head a little tilt and, to me, this gives him that little extra bit of personality.

HOLIDAY POINTERS:

Don't be afraid of "playing" with your Santa. add or remove items to make him more to your liking. You can always photograph him in his original attire in the event you every want to sell him.

Thread a needle! I don't really care for the look of hot glue all over everything 

Countdown to Christmas: 48 Days I Admit It! There is More to Christmas than Santa Claus

Some days I just get this feeling that there is something at Rolling Hills Ministry Thrift Shop that is meant for me. All I have to do is go search for it. 

Tuesday morning, I had a bit of time to kill and what better place than Rolling Hills, or as I call it, "New to Me". So, I was wandering the aisles with a couple of interesting items balanced in my arms. (if I get a buggy, I get a bit carried away) and I saw a shopping cart full of items any seasoned thrift shopper would envy. Beside it knelt a woman checking out stacks of dishes. I commented on her goodies, because Rolling Hills is one of those places where you can strike up conversations with total strangers, plus we're in The South...but I digress.

She responded to my comment by looking up at me with a big smile and proceeded to show me some of her goodies, but more important, upon meeting her, I knew she was that SOMETHING I was meant to find at Rolling Hills that day. 

Barbara and I are kindred spirits!

She told me her purpose for buying a buggy full of baskets, pieces of china, and other decorative items she had so carefully, and thoughtfully collected. She creates gift baskets to sell with the proceeds going to help her disabled son.

These aren't just any baskets, Barbara Ellis Durbin creates one of kind baskets that tell a story where the receiver is instantly transformed into the main character of their own romance novel. 

 Even though I find a lot of great things at Thrift Shops, many of Barbara's items appear to be from higher end antique stores and estates sales.

She also creates these instant vignettes just waiting on a table or shelf for which to be displayed. 

She told me she spends hours selecting the right combination of treasures and treats, but her "labor" is that of love and it really shows.

All of her work is securely shrink wrapped, but done so with elegance. Who knew shrink wrap and elegance could appear in the same sentence!

I could go on and on, but I'll let her photos tell the story.

Barbara's baskets can be found at

Vintage Bee

100 Main

Jonesboro, LA

And aren't we in luck!

They are having an open house Sunday afternoon on November 9!

But if you can't make it, you can always ask her if she ships. Imagine receiving one of these in the mail and taking a few moments (or hours) to enjoy the contents.

And remember, it may not be new, but it is new to you!

Countdown to Christmas: 49 Days Breakfast with Barry Belcher! This and a cup of coffee (or two) will jump start your creativity.

If you haven't met Barry Belcher, it is time you do!

I came across one Barry's videos on YouTube while searching the web for ideas others have shared on decorating for the holidays.  I spent the next hour watching video after video.

Originally, I was waiting to add him to my blog on December 1st, but since his "vlog" includes some clever decorating ideas for Thanksgiving, I thought I'd get you hooked on him as soon as possible.

Prepared to be entertained!

My friend, Karen, and I share a philosophy, "The smaller the budget, the greater the creativity."

I feel Barry is a kindred spirit.

As I ATTEMPT to prepare for the "Santa" season, I am still working on swapping out Halloween with Thanksgiving decor.

I just love these foam plastic Jack-O-Lanterns and have added to my collection over the past few years.  Usually, the bases are draped with burlap, black tulle and spider webs. My son decorated this year and didn't want to put forth that extra bit of effort.

photo coming soon...it is pouring down rain today.

Makes me wonder why I bother.

Halloween 2009 

Twinkle lights tucked beneath the tulle helps light the way for Trick-or-Treaters and the Jack-O-Lanterns' individual bulbs are replaced with battery operated tea lights because I don't want to do the whole octopus thing with the cords.

photo coming soon, it is pouring down rain today.

So, once Halloween is over, a quick about face, and now we are ready for "Turkey" Day!

photo coming soon...it is pouring down rain today!

Steph McCrombie, Photographer

HOLIDAY POINTER:

Occasionally, I pick up a Jack-O-Lantern from a thrift shop or garage sale that I already have. No problem, just a few well placed slices with an Exact-O knife and Voila, I have a new expression.

photo coming soon...it is pouring down rain today!

Countdown to Christmas: 50 Days Sean Bean as Santa Claus? Well, at least we know he won't get killed off...or will he?

Sorry folks, it's not a new major motion picture...it's just a meme. But I'd be glad to take a meeting with a film exec and discuss my ideas.

Sean Bean has played some iconic characters like Zeus (Percy Jackson), Boromir (Lord of the Rings), Caesar (Is this the Shakespeare version? I haven't seen it yet), and of course, Mellors "Aye, I Luve Ya" in Lady Chatterly's Lover.

So, why not cast him as Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, or Father Christmas?

Although I don't really see Sean Bean as the Kris Kringle type, he could definitely portray one of the more nobler gift givers.

But how does one go from John Ryder (The Hitcher) to Belsnickle? Hmmmm

Anyway...

During my countdown to Christmas, I will be making "Ned" evolve into a more festive character...one who will surely keep his head about him during the holiday season.

Steph McCrombie, Photographer

HOLIDAY POINTER:

Follow Gus (and Travis) on Instagram @ifitwags