The clouds parted long enough for me to pull out some treasures from Saturday's auction to photograph. There were surprisingly few Christmas ornaments (maybe people in the family took them - I kind of hope so) but I did get a box that included these wonderful old lights, which don't come around very often.
One can never have too many zeppelins, especially zeppelin Christmas lights. I'm just looking for excuses to use the word zeppelin repeatedly, because it's a fun word. Like gazebo. Gazebo. Zeppelin. Good, hard-consonant sounds. Feel free to add to the list.
My daughter's eyes lit up when she saw two new sledders to be added to our Christmas village. For reasons I'd rather not explore, she and her friends like to rearrange the existing pieces and create scenes that hint at peril. The addition of two new people, with sleds no less, clearly got her thinking about this year's round of gruesome accidents delightful holiday tableaus.
This is a combination of two box lots, one for which I paid $1, and one for which I paid nothing. There were significant strings attached, however. The $1 box came with two television-size boxes of absolute junk, and apparently my dismay was evident when the auctioneer threw those in, because he said, in his auctioneer cadence, "No need to thank me, ma'am; the look on your face is enough."
The free box, with Christmas stuff, came from my so-called new friend "M.," who was bidding against me for it. When I realized that he was probably interested in the other box that was in the lot, I dropped out and immediately asked if he wanted to sell the Christmas box. "Just take it," he said, which was really nice, except later we got into a serious bidding war that he won. It's still a little painful. I should have kept going. Except if I had, I'd probably be sick about the money I spent.
The Christmas box contained all sorts of delightful treasures.
Jean's Decorations is one of my favorite stores ever. Unfortunately, as far as I know it was never open during my time here. I just see the price tags and think how heavenly it must have been.
However, the real reason I had to have that box was an abundance of brand-spanking-new spun heads. 19 of them! That brings this year's total to 27. Although my annual, never-achieved goal of 100 seems pretty far away, this certainly was a boost.
This Putz church came in its original box, which mentioned that it had a light. I thought that the light must have been broken, though, because there was no sign of it in the box, and the hole in the back was sealed with paper.
When I got home I discovered that the light was sealed inside the house - it had never been used. I plugged it in, and it works beautifully. Thankfully, it blinks, so its installation this year next to my Twinkle-Light Blinking Putz House will be very eye-popping.
There's no reason for you to remember that I already had a lifetime supply of millinery fruit, and so now I have enough millinery fruit to last through two lifetimes. What on earth could one do with all that fruit? Well, let me show you.
You could make yourself one of these.
Or a pair of these.
You no doubt know what they are.
See the candleholder in the center?
This is 1960s housewife craft raised to folk-art status.
I could take pictures of it all day. I think this is one of those objects that you absolutely love, or that you think is just awful. Clearly you know which camp I am in. Suffice it to say that I am the only person in the household who feels that way.
Those candle holders would make a nice top for Carmen Miranda, no?
I LOVE the little flowers in the candle holders, I loved them as a child, they just give me the nicest warm fuzzy! I've never found any. Ever. But thanks for letting me see the millinery you find!
Posted by: Tina | June 23, 2011 at 12:25 PM
Nice score! I would love to see the angels inside that box. I have started collecting those for a little project I have in mind.
I would be tempted to see if I could use that little birdie light as a night light. Sweet!
Posted by: Kathy | June 23, 2011 at 04:00 PM
You will need to give me time to get the drool wiped up for the next chapter...lovely...Renee
Posted by: Renee | June 23, 2011 at 04:35 PM
I'm totally in love with your lights. I've been collecting the Asian lantern shaped ones because they remind me of my daughter. You have lots of beautiful eye candy!! That putz house is simply fantastic!!
Posted by: Musings from Kim K. | June 23, 2011 at 04:37 PM
Great find on a Putz house that has never been used! Those Christmas lights are so cool. I have never seen ones like those before. I'm curious though what was in the other box the man wanted.
Posted by: Joy | June 23, 2011 at 04:45 PM
Oh my goodness, what fun finds. It is always such a delight to visit here. Not only do you find great things, but your commentary is hilarious.
Those candleholders are interesting. I must say Carmen Miranda is what came to mind when I first saw them.
Posted by: Kim | June 23, 2011 at 05:16 PM
So strange, but I have never seen a spun-head at an estate or yard sale. And you get 19?!
Posted by: Mary Ann | June 23, 2011 at 06:44 PM
Before I even read your last paragraph about the candleholders I was thinking those are the perfect combination of god-awful yet enchanting. I'll go with enchanting. I'm a little sad we won't ever get to see the entire tablesetting they were a part of.
Still no vintage Christmas to be found in my neck of the woods. I'm not panicking. Yet.
Posted by: Into Vintage | June 23, 2011 at 06:44 PM
You know me Barbara, totally digging those wonderful candle holders. Jealous of the box of millinery fruit which I use to make my Carmen Miranda ornies (if you decided to part with it, name your price). Glad that spun head count is climbing...the gal with the purple hat is swell. Enjoyed Act 2...bravo!
Posted by: laurie magpie ethel | June 23, 2011 at 10:05 PM
Once again, so freaking jealous, I could spit. MAN I love Christmas! Anything heading for Etsy??
Posted by: Sonya-Dime Store Thrift | June 24, 2011 at 09:26 AM
Barbara, I am going to want to see some of the tragic events these poor, unsuspecting sledders will be a part of this winter!
Posted by: Tina | June 24, 2011 at 12:50 PM
I like all your finds and just wondering where in the heck are you I mean what state?
I am jealous of all the good sales you find
janice
Posted by: Curtains In My tree | June 24, 2011 at 02:47 PM
You have a sixth sense about where to find ornaments at these sales!
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Kula | June 24, 2011 at 04:39 PM
'Love' is just not sufficient enough a word for the emotions elicited by those fabulous and over the top candle displays :->
Suzy
Posted by: georgiapeachez | June 27, 2011 at 10:32 PM