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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. |
| 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? |
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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. |
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Later generations have not experienced the magic of tinsel on Christmas morning. Lead based lametta has been banned from the American market since the 1960s. The past two Decembers, I’ve walked the aisles of German Christmas markets in search of the real thing. Sadly, this magical tradition seems to be out of vogue in German households nowadays. Although we visited markets, stores and flea markets in city after city, sightings of that old-fashioned lametta were few and far between. |
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| But, I am persistent. During the past two years, little by little, I’ve gathered quite a collection of tinsel lametta, both vintage and newly manufactured. I’ve come to appreciate the graphics on those early packets. They represent an era – a time gone by.
I hope that you will appreciate them as much as I do. Who knows? Perhaps you’ll find something new and affordable to collect! Click here or on the angel to view the tinsel collection. New stock arrive this fall! |
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Author: Connie Porcher
David Strand Designs … We Have a Winner!
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| David Stand is offering Celebrate365 readers an opportunity to participate in his 2010 collection. This special dated ornament needs a catchy name.Here is a look at the first clay sculpt of a new 2010 ornament. You are seeing a pair of snowmen on an old-fashioned railroad handcar. Here are the details of the decorative elements for this ornament.
Holly leaves and berries in the center of the hat band Classic snowman coloration with white, black, red and a bit of green Micro-glitter and lacquer paint Put on your thinking caps! These little guys need a catchy name that reflects their character and setting. ——————- David Strand has selected two winners in the Name That Ornament contest. Mary Beth H. Mary Helen E. Strand has adapted these suggestions and will be using the name ON TRACK FOR 2010. Both collectors will receive an ornament with David’s compliments. Congratulations! |
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The Thomas Glenn Collection … A Final Look
| Were you too late? Did you miss out on Thomas Glenn’s Hot Pink Camo ornament featured in the December issue of O Magazine? Sorry to say that there are no more of the popular style in the warehouse. We’ve all heard that patience is a virtue. That’s true for ornament collectors, too. Thomas Glenn Collection will be offering these three popular styles next year, along with other popular styles that you have seen on the Celebrate365 web site this year. If you would like to pre-order any Thomas Glenn ornament styles for August 2010 delivery, please click the CONTACT tab above with your wish list. No pre-payment and no obligation. | ||
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| Hot Pink Camo | Christmas Camo | Orange Blossom |
| Now in Stock! Just arrived today … and check for returned ornaments. You might find some surprises! | ||
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| Dragon Ball | Ebony Lantern | Japanese Lanterns |
Behind the Design … from Thomas Glenn Collection
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Who is St. George?
He is patron saint of England, Greece, Portugal, Russia and a host of cities and profession. Canonized in 494 AD, he is one of the most renowned saints in the Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church, and the Eastern Catholic Churches. He is regarded as one of the most prominent military saints. Who is this epic figure? He is St. George and his chivalric character led to the allegorical fable of his slaying of the great dragon. While there are no firm dates for his birth and death, sources estimate his date of birth between 275 and 281 AD and his death as April 23, 303. Born in Cappadocia in Asia Minor (now Turkey), his family was Christian and was part of the nobility. |
| Roman Emperor Diocletian began persecuting Christians under his rule in 302 AD. St. George opposed the emperor’s decrees and soon found himself imprisoned and tortured. Publicly dragged through the streets and beheaded in Nicoimedia (Palestine), he became one of the earliest Christian martyrs. According to legend, the emperor’s wife was impressed by his faith. She converted to Christianity and was also put to death. | |
| What about the Dragon?
St. George’s myth and legend seems to date back to the 12th century. Storytellers recounted his heroic deeds, which continued to mount through the centuries. By the 14th century, traveling troubadours spread his embellished, but certainly romantic, legend. In Silene, Libya, there was a dragon doing his part to terrorize that portion of the country. The town of Silene had fed it the majority of their livestock in order to try and satisfy the monster. The monster was not appeased and proceeded to feed upon the townsfolk. Thinking that the dragon must desire an even better sacrifice and set upon offering up their local princess, Cleolinda. At that precise moment, St. George appeared, killed the dragon and rescued Princess Cleolinda. He married her, and the whole town converted to Christianity. |
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From Switzerland – Day 9
Saturday, Dec 12
Our last day in Europe and the day that Melvin and I have been eagerly awaiting – the lure of antique Christmas ornaments! Our first stop was at Zurich’s large flea market. We had plenty of time for browsing … but lunch was a quick one since we didn’t want to miss a treasure that might be lurking in some undiscovered booth. In the afternoon we visited Zurich’s annual antique Christmas fair. We had learned that at least one member of the Golden Glow would be exhibiting. What did we discover? You’ll have to be patient until I return home and have more time to write and photograph our treasures!
We’ll be arriving back in Ohio (via Atlanta) Sunday afternoon.
Thanks to everyone for their patience in awaiting your ornament orders while I have been away. I will begin shipping on Monday, December 14!