Germany | Celebrate365

Traditional German Holiday Artisans: Ino Schaller Candy Containers

ON SALE NOW FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

	*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.

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.
	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.

Inge-glas demonstrates ornament blowing techniques.

Inge-glas Artist Demonstration, Click Link to View

A short video clip at the Inge-glas showroom in Atlanta this afternoon.

Christmas is Coming … #1

The Holiday Issue is Coming … It’s at the printer in Erie, Pennsylvania with the final proof approved today.

Here’s sneak peek of the covers. Artist Michael Storrings created the art deco inspired cover illustration especially for this issue of Celebrate365. Santa flies through an art deco sky as his reindeer leap and bound, anticipating the task ahead. Non-traditional holiday hues –black, gray, white, gold, pink and fuchsia – lend a dreamlike quality and set the scene for the gift-filled morning to come.

Inside the Issue:

Meet Joellen Church, Landmark-Creations ornaments
Christopher Radko writes about how to decorate your dream tree.
All Decked Out for the Holidays, a century of change
Behind the Design with Maggie’s Memories
della Robbia, a Renaissance-Inspired Williamsburg Tradition
Pages and pages of Christmas-themed ornaments and folk art

Folk art designs from:

Jerry & Darla Arnold

Joanne Harper

Lori Ann Corelis

Celebrating Christmas 2010!

Front cover, Holiday 2010 Issue

Here’s the front cover of the newest issue of Celebrate365. It features classic reflector designs from Inge-glas, Joy to the World and David Strand.

Click on the cover to see the back cover and table of contents.

You can also purchase single copies from the link. I expect to begin mailing issue on Wed next week.

Check back as I add more information about this holiday issue!

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