A Happy Hoarder: A Very MERRY Thrifted CHRISTMAS to You! But Beware of "False Advertising"!

A Happy Hoarder: A Very eBay Christmas to YOU! Care, Repair, and Accessorizing Collectible Santas

Scandinavian Jule Nissen: A Bouquet Enterprises Timeless Collectible Santa by Jena Hall REDUX

I can't believe I could not find my before pictures of this Santa!

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, so since I don't have the pictures...here are my 1000 words! Just kidding! But be warned, if you are a purist, then my redux might offend you, but being a Santa crafter, you might be inspired!

I purchased this Santa "As Is" off eBay because he was "broken" and could no longer stand on his on. He also has some stains on his socks and his beard is shedding. 

As it turns out, fixing his stance only required that I reattach his two dowels that ran through his legs to support him back on to his stand. But this was no easy feat! First of all, he had enough hot glue on his feet to hold a house down in a hurricane! I don't know if this was because someone had previously tried to "fix" him or he was made this way.

So, I reattached his stand and then, instead of adding more glue to his feet, I used an empty glue gun to melt his existing glue and secured him.


But the stand was a bit beat up and I never liked the way his glue showed before I repaired him so I decided to add some batting around his feet, because being from Scandinavia, he might encounter a bit of snow during his gift giving. Still, it is completely removable.

As for the socks, well, I just pulled the pants down over them.

I stitched his bag, that was originally hanging awkwardly loose and threw him out of balance, to his back making it more sturdy and an more appealing design.

I have also added toys to his empty bag. Now, having a collection of Bouquet Enterprises Timeless Collectable Santas, I believe he might have originally had something in his bag. He looked a bit bare for their typical Santas. 

So, using floral picks attached to vintage or "vintage style" wooded ornaments (I can never tell the difference) I feel it gives him a more festive look.

Also, I removed a set of 3 bells that were looped over his belt and secured with a bit of hot glue and replaced them with this set of decorative goat bells that I've had for a long time.  I thought they'd go better with him that any of my other Santas since he comes from an area where they are typically used.

Jule Nissen comes with a tag telling his story and of julesnisse, the Scandinavian pixie from which his name is derived.

Joseph, The Gift Giver. A Very Special Santa Claus Redux and A Very Special Story

I just love this Santa! Although, I really don't call him "Santa" I call him "Joseph, The Gift Giver" because every time I look at his sweet face, I think of Paul Simon's "Under African Skies"

Joseph's Face was black as night

The pale yellow moon shown in his eyes

His path was marked

By the stars in the Southern Hemisphere

And he walked his days

Under African Skies

Still, I consider this figure to be a wonderful representative of Primitive, Folk Art, and/or Black Americana Art instead of African Folk Art primarily due to his vintage quilt coat. 

But I should start from the beginning.

I am a Santa collector  and crafter. I have collected over 1000 Santas and through the years have bought and sold some depending on what I was "collecting" at the time.

I even had/have some African American Santas and a couple of "Kwanzaa Claus" collectibles but this one is extra special.

I actually have very few artist originals primarily due to their cost. Most of my larger Santas are reproductions that I've happened to pick up at my version of "affordable" prices.

Regardless, I am always on the lookout for another Santa (I know, i it is a disease!) and I found "Joseph" at shopgoodwill.com. If you haven't visited their site, then check it out. If you've already caught the bidding bug, then you'll know it can get as aggressive as eBay once you're on to something you really want.

But I was fortunate, I knew that I found this Santa for a reason so bid I did! 

I have been a Santa crafter for many years (mostly gourds and cypress knees) but years ago, I crafted "dolls" and figures. Recently I found a box full of "toys" that I had collected for my figures and found these three Black/African American rag dolls and I was thinking that I should sculpt a Kwanzaa Claus or something "folk artsy" to use them with. Then I put them back in the box where I'm sure they would have stayed for years, until I happened upon this particular "Santa".

I was so thrilled when he arrived that I already had his basket of babies ready to add to him. 

He originally came with only the bear (that has some sort of antique finish that gives him a grungy look) and the tree. Something had once been glued to the base and there was a damaged spot on his vintage quilt coat where something else had once been glued.

Also, he was filthy. I did my best to blow off some of his dust with a hair dryer (on cool) and beat some of the dust off his faux fur and coat, but mostly, his "grungy" patina is part of his vintage charm.

His face composition is unknown but it is very dense and it could be carved from wood or sculpted from clay or some form of polymer material.  He does have a couple of tiny paint chips that I did not want to repair because I was trying to avoid taking to much away from his "authenticity". 

His beard is made locks of dark wool that has most likely been hot glue on. 

I really believe that he is an original sculpture. Unfortunately, he is not signed by the original artist. However, I have signed him as a "Santa Redux".

But there is more to his story.

When I got him, I went on a "HUNT" and I mean I went through boxes and boxes of miniature toys and stuff that I have collected for my Santas to find the perfect ones to go with him. I do this all the time when I have a Santa to "redux". Not just any toy will do, I have to add, subtract, rearrange, etc. It is like decorating a living room! Some things just don't fit, where other things you just have to have!

So, after about two days of digging through all my stashes in storage rooms and my studio, I came up with several ideas.

First, he is wearing a suede belt from a vintage coat. This piece actually went around a wrist to tighten the sleeve over winter gloves. I think its age and grungy "patina" as perfect for this fellow!

He is carrying a very special ornament that I "composed" from found objects to honor two very special elephants. "Shirley and Jenny".  

"In 2000, “The Urban Elephant” brought viewers the touching story of Shirley and Jenny, two crippled elephants reunited at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee after a 22-year separation. The bonding was immediate, intense and unforgettable between the two former circus elephants."

This ornament is in honor of the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald Tennessee where I donate money when I can to support Shirley, an elephant I've known since my childhood growing up near the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo. It is a great story you can read here! It is a tear jerker! I can't even watch the video without crying! 

I actually took the ornament from another Santa that I had added it to because I felt "Joseph" gave it much more meaning. 

Even though Shirley and Jenny are Asian Elephants, the sanctuary takes in African elephants as well. So, if someone asks you what you want for Christmas...ask them to donate on your behalf!

Also, tucked in the basket, is a tiny paper book with miniature illustrations and the poem "'Twas The Night Before Christmas". The cover is missing, so the book is turned to an illustrated page. 

He also carries a tree (original) with a star (added) made from a palm leaf (I think)and, like most of the goodies I stash away for Santas, I have no idea where it came from but it has two tiny holes where it must have once been an ornament. I also added some switches just in case.

He has two quilted blocks hanging from his old leather belt and a snowflake that is actually glued over a damaged area of his vintage quilt coat with faux fur trim.

At his feet is a wooden train, a rag doll bunny and a wooden top.

Just looking at this "Santa" fills my heart with sentiment as I think all collectible and heirloom Santas should be. If you have a "store bought" or even an artist's original, I recommend you add something special to it to make it more your own.

Usually, I do NOT glue anything on my Santas but I did have to glue the train to cover the existing glue from a missing toy, the star on the tree, and the snowflake.

Hopefully, you will be inspired by this Santa/Joseph, The Gift Giver, and find a song that fits your favorite Santa as well!

Update November 22nd, 2015:

Wow! Literally, by the grace of God I discovered a Santa on eBay that was actually the "white" version of my "Joseph".

As it turns out, both dolls (as well as many others) were crafted by a very talented Santa artist named Linda Randall during the late eighties and early nineties and I found this information from a previous eBay post:

The artist, Linda Randall handcrafts her Santa dolls, creating individually made clay faces and clothing them with genuine antique quilts.  She recognizes the importance of preserving the heritage that old quilts represent.

I also found this image of the card that came with one of her original Santa figures.

I wish I could find out more on this artist. I feel my additions to her Santa was very much in her style and I will keep my eye out for more her work.

Update November 27, 2015:

Before, when I checked the bottom of the stand and the doll for a signature by the artist, I had not seen one. Then l I read on a post of one of her other dolls that Linda Randall signed them in pencil. So, I put on my glasses, held the him under a good light, and checked the bottom. 

Sure enough, there is a signature:
Linda Randall 1 of 1 1990
The pencil was barely noticeable against the color and grain of the wood.

And my final notes on this memorable Santa.

I sold him on eBay because my collection is so out control that I am trying to let go of some of my Santas; even my favorites, because they are just getting lost in the crowd. I felt that this Santa deserved a very special place and need to go to someone who would appreciate him. 

I have crafted many Santas over the past 25 years, but giving this Santa a redux will always be very special and I'm glad I had the chance to save him.

Another update! (6/26/2016 I found this Linda Randall Santa on eBay a while back but I forgot to add it to this blog post. 
Isn't he ADORABLE!!! 

Creating Unique Steiff-like Teddys for your Heirloom Santas

I'm doing a double post blog because my latest post on my other blog http://creativedazewithgeri.blogspot.com ended up pertaining to creating your own Heirloom Santa Claus Figures.

So, check out my other post!

How to Turn a Hobby Lobby Plush Bear into a Stylized Antique Steiff Bear

The Gail Griffith Santa I Was Meant To Have

In June of 2015 I purchased this Santa from a buyer on eBay; however, there was a shipping issue where I was being charged an additional $6+ for FedEx shipping than what I was originally quoted. So when I tried to resolve this with the seller, they responded by cancelling my purchased.

I reported them to eBay but to no avail.

As it turns out, there has been other issues with the FedEx calculator on eBay. But the seller would still not sell me the Santa.

So, in October of 2015, I had a friend buy it for me.

Finding anything about the artist has proven difficult, but I did find this one in Daily Press that I'd like to share:

'A Little Bit Of Everything''

General Store Brimming With Neat Stuff, Toys

July 22, 1992

By RODNEY L. SNELLING Correspondent

BURGESS — It's not unusual for two businesses to share the same building. Gail Griffith has gone one step further by co-owning

and co-managing two independent businesses, each with a different partner, in The General Store located on Route 200

in Burgess.

In the larger front area of the building, Griffith and her partner, Charlotte Braxton, sell antiques, collectibles and gift items under

the business name of The General Store.

``We have the new, the old and the in-between. We have a little bit of everything. We have quality pieces of older furniture,

boxes, tools, pots, dishes, kitchenware and jewelry. We also have gift items and collectibles such as glassware, crocks, afghans,

T-shirts and linens. Because we acquire merchandise each week from a variety of sources, the items available may be quite

different from week to week.

``We try to keep everything we have at a reasonable price. I think that's one of the reasons we've been successful,'' Griffith says.

Open year-around from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, The General Store draws both tourists

and local customers.

``We hope to have something to offer everybody. People just love to come in and look around or they may buy a card or a gift for

a friend,'' says Griffith.

Friends for more than 20 years, Griffith and Braxton originally ran an antique shop in Fredericksburg many years ago. After

years apart, during which time they each ran their own antique shops, they reformed their partnership and opened The General

Store in March 1990.

In the back area of the same building, Griffith manages a second business, the Sunny Bank Folk Art Company. Griffith and her

husband, Jerry, make reproductions of antique toys to sell wholesale to gift and antique shops in the United States, Canada and

Australia.

``I have always loved antiques and antique toys,'' she says.

In 1973, she began making reproductions of antique Santa Claus dolls that she sold at an antique market in Pennsylvania. As

demand for her dolls grew, she and her husband began to produce a small line of other toys, in addition to the Santas, under the

name of the Hillside Folk Art Company.

In 1988, the Griffiths moved to Northumberland County and brought their business with them. Operating out of their home for

the first two years, they continued to produce toys for a growing list of customers.

When Griffith and Braxton opened the General Store in 1990, the toy-manufacturing business moved in with it, under the new

name of the Sunny Bank Folk Art Company. Today, Jerry Griffith still manages the woodworking at their home while Gail and

her assistant, Cindy Bryant, assemble, paint and sew the Santa dolls at the General Store. Gail's father, William Garde, does all of

the hand-carved animal figures that are sold with several of their items.

Sunny Bank produces approximately 30 toy items, including wooden wagons, carriages, animal figures, wheeled horses, arks and

a dozen different Santa figures. Designed more as collectible pieces rather than children's toys, all Sunny Bank items are

handcrafted under Gail Griffith's watchful eyes.

``We're considered to be in the high end of the handmade toy market. Our Santas are all signed and numbered and will retail for

about $250 for the standard size and up to about $500 for some of the larger ones. We cast the plaster heads and feet, just like the

antique ones. The body is a wire frame, covered by costumes that can be pretty elaborate,'' says Griffith.

``The faces take a lot of time to paint on but in the end, each Santa that I make has his own personality. That's because no two are

exactly alike, even though they may have the same costume.''

None of the Sunny Bank Santas resembles the fat man in the red suit that children today think of as Santa Claus.

``The Santa Claus we know today didn't really become popular until the 1920s. Thomas Nash's illustrations of the poem `The

Night Before Christmas' gave us the short, jolly Santa Claus we have today. Before that, Santa Claus was seen as a thin, Father Time

like figure,'' says Griffith.

``Likewise, the red snowsuit is a modern concept. Santa Claus figures at the turn of the century wore navy blue pants and had a

red cloak, lined in blue, with a hood. Our Patriotic Santa figures come dressed in red and white flags and is based on a design

popular right after the Civil War and into the late 19th century.

``Many of our antique Santas are based on European Christmas traditions. For instance, we do a Saint Nicholas figure, all dressed

in white, who brought gifts to all of the good children at Christmas time. He had a servant named Black Rupert, who was dressed

all in black and delivered switches and coal to all of the bad children. We make dolls of both figures,'' she says.

Although the demand for the Santas is better around the Christmas holidays, she says Sunny Bank sells them year-round.

``Another of our mainstays is our line of wooden arks. We have five different models, which have from eight to 19 hand-carved

animals on each one.''

Griffith lines up most of her wholesale customers for Sunny Bank products when she attends the Country Heritage Market Show,

held twice each year in Pennsylvania. Reorders then come in by phone and by mail throughout the year.

``One of the fun parts of Sunny Bank for me is meeting my customers at the shows,'' she says.

``Each year we add new items and discontinue others. We sell toys year-around but we don't keep much inventory around

because it goes out as fast as we can make it. Most of my customers reorder from me year after year because they know they can

sell my merchandise.

``Sunny Bank items are now carried in the Country House, Country Loft and Gooseberry Patch mail order catalogs. They are also

carried by several antique and gift shops in Williamsburg, Fredericksburg and Virginia Beach,'' she says.

``Most of our work can be seen in the upcoming Christmas issue of Country Living magazine. Also, my work has been in a

couple of museums, such as the Museum of American Folk Art in New York.

``I like to think of my work as tomorrow's quality antiques,'' she says.

Brown Bag Santa Claus Cookie Molds and Preserving Salt Dough Ornaments

I have a collection of Brown Bag Cookie Molds dating back to the 1980's so it only made since that I, as an artist and crafter, would venture into making salt dough ornaments back in the mid-1990's.


Unfortunately, and in spite of my attempts to preserve them as suggested...bugs found their way into my sealed storage box and took a nibble on my Santa's toes.



That, and the heat of my attic caused them to warp.


In cleaning out my studio recently, I decided to go on a toss my adorable little salt dough Santa ornaments.

Believe me, between being a hoarder of all things creative (not to mention Santas) this was a challenge that I'd have to admit was NOT cathartic.

In order to help ease the pain of their loss, I wanted to share them with my readers along with some other pointers I've since learned about how to craft and properly store Salt Dough Ornaments.



First, I went with a very basic recipe for Salt Dough Ornaments. There are dozens of variations but I used one like this one available on cooks.com:

SALT DOUGH ORNAMENTS

1 c. all-purpose flour 1/2 c. salt About 1/3 c. water Mix the salt and flour together in a bowl. Add the water a little at a time. Squeeze the dough with your hands until it is smooth. Roll out dough using rolling pin (on a floured surface). Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Let air dry on aluminum foil covered cookie sheet for 24 hours. Or bake in 225 degree oven about 5 minutes. Watch closely - do not burn ornaments.Be sure to put a hole at the top of each ornament before baking, so you can hang them on Christmas tree. May paint or use markers to decorate. May coat with clear shellac or nail polish to preserve ornaments.

When using the Brown Bag Cookie Molds, you will need to coat them. I used a product like Pam.

The directions say to let dry OR bake...I did both.

I actually used acrylic paints, an antiquing gel, and finished it off with a spray varnish. 

I can see the benefit of the use of watercolors to give the ornaments a more translucent wash of color versus the opacity of the acrylic paints.

According to some of the articles I've read, the varnish should deter insects. These ornaments were about twenty years old before something nibbled on them. 

I stored them wrapped in tissue paper and I believe the "air tight" container my have attracted too much humidity which caused the eventual warping.

WELCOME to 365 Days of Santa Claus!

Usually, this is the time of year when folks pull out their boxes and start putting away their Christmas decorations. Me, I'm sorting through my Santas to see which ones will be left out for the rest of the year.

I don't know exactly how I started collecting Santa Claus figures, all I know is that I have so many and that the time and money I have invested in them, why not enjoy them year round?

Originally, I kept them tucked away in that seldom used room we in America like to call "The Formal Living Room" but then we moved into a home where most of the ones I made lived in my studio and some of my more collectible Santas were stored safely in a china cabinet in my formal dining room.

Now, in the home where we will hopefully will stay forever, there is no designated "room" for Santas in our open floor plan, so many of the Chalkware Santas I crafted are displayed an a cabinet in the area designated as a foyer, and those I've collected are mixed in with my china in the dining area.

So, my plan for 2015 is that before I put most of the Santas I collect away for another year, is to document them and share with my readers how much fun I have collecting and crafting Santas.

Please check out my posts in my other blog: http://www.creativedazewithgeri.blogspot.com to read more about my adventures in Santas collecting.