Author: Connie Porcher

Traditional German Holiday Artisans: Ino Schaller Candy Containers

ON SALE NOW FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

Ino Schaller, Celebrate365.com Celebrate365 supports traditional artisan and hand made craftsmanship.
Whether you’re a serious collector or an admirer from afar, antique papier-måché candy containers from Germany are still highly coveted, and even reproduced today. One of the last remaining native producers is Thomas Schaller, great grandson of noted craftsman Carl Schaller. Ino Schaller Santa, Celebrate365.com
Ino Schaller Santa, Celebrate365.com
Following in his great grandfather’s footsteps, Thomas uses the original molds Carl Schaller crafted in the 1890s. At the dawn of the 20th century, Carl had a successful business creating much-loved holiday decorations. In keeping with the magic of the holidays, almost all of Schaller’s antique figures served double duty: they were candy containers that had secret compartments that opened from the bottom or middle.
Ino Schaller Santa, Celebrate365.com Carl’s son, Ino continued his father’s work after World Wars I and II. Consumer trends forced Ino to shift production to pressed cardboard figures and, in 1961, to plastic. Both Ino and his son Dieter produced plastic plush-covered figures through the 1970s and 80s.
When selecting any Schaller design, collectors can be assured of time-honored family craftsmanship and pride in holiday collectibles for generations to come.
Excerpted from McCann, Susan.  “Papier-måché – the Schaller Way”, Celebrate365, Holiday 2005 issue.

 

Tinsel Time: The Magic of German Lametta

I confess. I have a thing for tinsel. Not just any tinsel, mind you. I want that wonderful, heavy metal stuff from my childhood, those silvery strands that my father patiently hung on the tree one by one.

What incredible dedication. And, what a magical sight to behold! Mom certainly did not have time for that! Taking down the tree was just as time consuming. Off they came one by one to be carefully flattened and saved for another year.
What is the best selling item at Celebrate365.com?  Surprisingly, it’s not an ornament!  In fact, it is traditional German icicle-style tinsel.How did this tradition begin in our little family? I never knew. Since decorating the tree was Dad’s domain, I think that tinsel must have been a Mitchell family tradition remembered from his own childhood Christmases in Dayton, Ohio.Wow! Have you ever seen so many icicles?

Tinsel

I know that tinsel or lametta originated in Germany in the early 1600s. German glassblowers from the Lauscha region crafted crystal ornaments, some looked just like icicles. When the candles were lit on the tree, oh how those icicles glistened! As the years passed, craftsmen created icicles from tin and even silver. By the 1920s, the time when my grandfather Edgar Mitchell was celebrating Christmas in Dayton, Ohio with his wife and children, German craftsmen had invented lametta, tinsel icicles made from lead. My grandmother’s family was German-speaking. Perhaps that’s how my father’s love for a Christmas tree dripping in tinsel began.

Celebrate365 offers this German tinsel.

Cyber Monday Sale!

Celebrate365’s First Ever Cyber Monday Sale! 

Super holiday bargains from Bethany Lowe Designs, Ino Schaller Paper Mache German Santas, Soffieria De Carlini Italian Ornaments, Thomas Glenn Polish Fabrege-Style Eggs. 

Holiday 2011 Front Cover

 

Click on the laptop image above to view the full page of bargains. Many are “one only” items!

Quantities are limited to items in stock. No rain checks or special orders. When items are sold out … that’s it!

This first ever Celebrate365 Cyber Monday Sale includes 25 different styles. There are limited multiples from Ino Shaller and Thomas Glenn. The De Carlini Candy Cane ornaments are workshop samples, limited to one per style. Signed Halloween pins are from the owner’s personal collection and are also limited to one per style.Shop the Cyber Monday Sale!

Celebrate365 supports traditional artisan and hand made craftsmanship.

 

The Reason for the Season …

Angels, Nativities and Religious Figures
Nativity, a synonym of birth
Nativity Scene, a group of figures arranged to represent the birth of Jesus Christ
Crib, a Nativity scene in Italy
Creche,a Natvity scene in France

Visit Soffieria De Carlini and learn how these delightful glass Christmas ornaments are created.
De Carlini Italian Glass Ornament De Carlini Italian Glass Ornament De Carlini Italian Glass Ornament
The Nativity scene is said to have originated with St. Francis of Assisi when he constructed a manger scene in a cave in the town of Greccio in 1223. Tradition holds that he led Christmas Eve mass there and organized a nativity pageant.
De Carlini Italian Glass Ornament De Carlini Italian Glass Ornament De Carlini Italian Glass Ornament
The crib is the most important focus of celebrations during the Christmas season in Italy. Each church displays a nativity as do many town , stores, public areas and private homes. The Christmas cribs may be quite elaborate or very simple. Families usually set up a Chrismtmas crib in their home on December 8, the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception. A family might add a new piece or two to its display each year.
De Carlini Italian Ornament De Carlini Italian Glass Ornament De Carlini Italian Glass Ornament
De Carlini Italian Glass Ornament De Carlini Italian Glass Ornament De Carlini Italian Glass Ornament
While Mary, Joseph, shephards, animals, and magi may become part of the scene on December 8, Baby Jesus usually is not placed in the manger until December 26.
De Carlini Italian Glass Ornament Thomas Glenn Blue Pearl Ball Ornament Thomas Glenn Coronation Ball Ornament
Epiphany,January 6; a Christian feast celebrating the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus to the Gentiles as representated by the Magi.Epiphany, January 6, is an important celebratation day for Italians. A family’s crib remains the focus of a home’s festivities until that day.