SundryShop

SundryShop.com offers the largest slection of collectible hand blown European glass ornaments on the Internet.  A primary reason why Christopher Radko, Patricia Breen, Kurt Adler Polonaise, Vaillancourt Folk Art, Larry Fraga, & other ornaments become enduring collectibles goes beyond supply and demand and includes the extensive skill, time, artistry, and quality of craftsmanship.

Although product characteristics differ among these companies, they all use fundamentally the same European hand blown ornament production techniques that have been passed down through the generations.  At least seven days are required from the day the glass ornament is hand blown to the application of the final finishes.  However, weeks and some times months are required to conceptualize and approve the design and mold before each ornament is made.

While glass ornaments companies such as Old World Inge Glas and the earlier Christopher Radko’s earlier creations have used glass ornament molds available from previous generations, embellishing the ornaments with their own artistic interpretations, these and other leading hand blown glass ornament companies also began creating their own unique molds, thereby achieving appealing innovations and expansion of themes.

Note that the production of hand blown glass ornaments, as explained in this blog, is different from the free form, mouth-blown glass ornaments made primarily in Italy, a glass ornament production process that will be described in a separate blog

Conceiving a New Design 

During the ornament creation, artists first render the new design in a drawing that interprets the ornament in three dimensions.  Ornament production ensues only after a prototype is approved by various parties within and possibly outside the company.  The artist must work closely with a skilled carver to create a model from plaster or clay and give final approval to the design, after which the carved piece is given to the mold maker.  A sand-cast mold from molten metal is then made using Renaissance-era techniques.

Day 1 – Heating the Glass & Hand Blowing It Into the Mother Mold

First the glass is heated and then hand blown into a heated metal mold using the following steps.  Because the assembled mold is completely sealed at the bottom, the bottom stem of the heated tube is clipped off, but a hole at the top of the mold allows the top stem to be preserved.  The older half of the mold is placed on top and secured in place.  Using the intact stem, the glass artisan blows into the encased, heated glass tube, enabling it to conform to the mold's contours.  After the glass ornament is blown, there will be a seam where the two sides join, a production artifact that is anticipated and aesthetically accommodated during the design and painting stages.

Once the glass fully cools, the clear glass ornament can be removed from the mold. However, the long stem at the top of the ornament is retained because it allows the artisan to more effectively handle the glass ornament during the subsequent gilding, painting, and glittering. Following this procedure, the clear glass ornaments are hand blown one at a time.

The glassblower uses either regular or tempered glass.   Similar to Pyrex, the tempered glass enhances durability, but also makes the ornament heavier.  Use of either type of glass is equally acceptable, with the quality of the mold and additional steps determining the completed glass ornament's collectible appeal.

The newly created clear hand blown glass ornament requires 24 hours to completely harden.

Heating a glass tube that will then be fed into the mold

The heated glass tube is blown into the mold.

Day 2 – Silvering The Glass Ornament

The inside of the clear glass ornament is hand infused with liquid silver.  It is this silvering that gives the ornament its amazing luminescence.  Again, 24 hours is required for the silver to dry.

Day 3 – Applying the Base Coat

The ornament artist hand-paints a base coat on the exterior surface of the glass ornament.  As examples, the artisan apllies the basecoat pearl color of a snowman or of Santa's red coat.  Additional dominant colors can be applied after the base coat dries.

On Day 2, liquid silver is inflused in the ornament.  On Day 3 the base coat i applied on the exterior.

Day 4 – Applying Lacquer to Add Vivid Colors

On the fourth day, the artist applies vivid lacquer colors that further develop the artistic theme and integrity of the ornament.  Once again, 24 hours are required for the paint to dry.

Day 5 – Adding Painted Details

On Day 5, artisans with strong aesthetic abilities painstakingly attend to painting details that imbue each ornament with its own unique essence and life.  Even though the clear glass ornaments are produced using the same mold, each one becomes a one-of-a-kind artistic creation.  Note how the artist continues holding on to the stem at the top of the ornament while applying paint and will also continue using it during Day 6.

Day 4, Applying colorful lacquer & Day 5, painting the detail

Day 6 – Adding Glittering Details 

Not only does the artist attend to some additional painting detail as needed, but glitter is applied, a painstaking process that can require the use of different glitter colors and textures.  The glitter gives the ornament a magical, dazzling effect.

During the 2000s, Patricia Breen innovated glittering techniques that became an art form in and of itself and required additional time for layered applications.  In effect, the artist painted with glitter, an extremely time-intensive process.  These have become some of the most collectible, sought-after contemporary collectible ornaments.

Day 7 – The Final Touches 

On the seventh day, the ornament is carefully inspected for quality.  Those that have problems are taken out of the primary ornament production and not sold because they are inferior seconds.  The long stem is clipped so that it can be covered by the customized cap, hanger, and tag.  The ornament is then carefully packaged for shipment so that it can be transported to ornament distributors and primary retailer.

Pictorial Summary of the Hand-Blown Ornament Production

The picture below summarizes the ornament production stages.  However, note that the representations exclude various different application stages of lacquer detailing, glittering, and revisions that truly make hand blown and handcrafted glass ornament production a painstaking, work-of-art process.

A picture summary of the ornament during the different steops of production

A Word of Caution

Most ornament seconds are destroyed, but now always.  Recently some Christopher Radko seconds have found their way to the collector because of private purchases made of Polish factory inventory following the sale of Christopher Radko’s business to Raush in 2007.  Collectors should exercise caution in buying from reputable sellers who don’t sell these inferior seconds. Also, pay attention to collector guide information and bulletin boards to avoid buying something other than the authentic, originally produced ornaments.

Original, highly sought-after limited editions made ten or more years ago, for example, are suspect if they show up for sale in large numbers through a secondary market seller - the strongly-in-demand ornament would have sold out shortly after production and would not still be aviailble in such large numbers.  Reproductions are beginning to show up on eBay, so please be careful.  While you might be pleased to  find a rare-find, prized ornament advertised in "like-new" condition auctioning on eBay after conducting an Internet search, the find creates a "tunnel view" of the one item that you end upbidding on.  You might not realize that the same seller has sold scores of the same ornament, all reproductions with hand numbered tags recently produced.  Most certainly, the originally produced ornaments can become available, but high demand, very collectible examples are tightly held by collectors.  While authentic fine European hand blown glass ornaments are likely to increae in value, paying several hundred dollars for a reproduced ornament is not a wise investment. Please exercise cuation.  Before you begin bidding, search the number of the same ornaments the seller has completed.  And if you are suspicious, observe for a period of time how many are still being sold.  If too many of a limited edition or artist proof (AP) ornament are being sold by one seller, then it's too good to be true.

SundryShop.com Extensive Authentic European Hand Blown Glass Ornament Collection 

SundryShop has created a unique webstore selling platform that allows collectors to find & purchase collectible glass ornametns at any time, seven days a week.  When you create a cart, all items are automatically combined and you will be immediately emailed an invoice following purchase.  The item that you purchase disappears from the webstore, although we in cases have more than one, selling each item with its unique condition and edition number cited.  In regard to condition, we cite what is present.  Therefore, if the ornament is in like-new condition but without a hang tag, it will be described as "mint".  If it is in like-new condition and with the hang tag, it will be described as "Mint with Tag'.  We work very hard to stipulate where the signature occurs, so plesase read the condition statement in the description carefully.

At this time, we are selling mostly the collectible, retired ornaments.  Many come to us through specialized consignments services that we offer to seniors or families in distress, and we also buy collections and individual ornaments.  Feel free to contact us at any time if you have questions about our merchandise.

Please feel free to browse our extensive collection of fine, hand blown glass Christmas ornaments, all extensively categorically indiexed so that you can quickly find what you are want:  Christopher Radko, Patricia Breen, Kurt Adler Polonaise, Larry Fraga, Inge Glass, Vaillaincourt Folk Art, vintage ornaments, Slavic Treasures, and more

SundryShop.com Explains the Oriigin of the Christmas Tree and Showcases An Amazing Collection of Collectible Hand Blown Christmas Ornaments

Imagine a world without Christmas trees around which the family and friends gather during the winter holiday season?  Truly, contemporary life would be quite different indeed!

Given that SundryShop's assosrtment of collectible Patricia Breen, Christopher Radko, Vaillancourt Folk Art, Old World Inge Glas, Kurt Adler Polonaise by Komoja, & vintage hand blown European glass ornaments is one of the largest on the Internet, it's befitting that we share information about the origin of the Christmas tree.   If you've ever asked, "Where then did the use of Christmas trees come from?", SundryShop.com has answers!

Mouth-blown and handcrafted glass ornaments are wonderful gifts that endure through the years and even the generations.  And they are terrific collectible investments.  Enjoy exploring our large collection!

The Use of Coniferous Trees During Pre-Christian Times

While we often believe that the Christmas trees has its roots in some Bavarian village before the Victorian era, in reality coniferous trees had celebratory meaning during much earlier pagan, Pre-Christian times.  After the foods were harvested and the leaves fell from the trees, mankind in Northern Europea dealt with the barren realities of winter!  Snow blanketed the earth during the winter months, with only coniferous trees reminding one of the fecund green world of the other seasons.  Consequently, evergreens took on special meaning.  The Old Norse custom of hanging jingling balls on coniferous trees strove to drive away evil spirits that they believed lingered longer during the long, winter nights.

Pagan Use of Jingling Balls Kept Evil Spirits Away

Not only was framing a door or window with holy with berries a visual feast, but the prickly thorns snagged the evil spirits, as well!

Prickly holly & berries kept evil spirits away

Pagans generally selected and lit outdoor Yule trees on which they suspended ornaments that symbolized the sun, moon, and stars that looked down upon the Tree of Life.  The tree lights also permitted remembrance of departed love ones and the hanging of sacred presents as offerings to deities.

Pr-Christian pagans ritualistically used fir trees

Christian Use of the Christmas Tree

The Christian use of the Christmas tree originated in what is now modern day Germany.  The English Bishop Winfri, who later was ordained a saint and became known as Saint Boniface, was a missionary who successfully preached Christianity primarily to the Hesse Germans and the French during the 8th century AD.  Certain legends evolved to explain how Boniface introduced the concept of the Christmas tree.

First,  Boniface in effect substituted as the Druid's object of worship the fir tree for the Donar Oak.   Boniface accomplished this by using the upside-down, triangular fir tree as a symbol to teach about the holy trinity.

Another story proposes that, upon returning to Geismar, Germany after visiting Rome in 723 to confer with Pope Gregory II, Boniface was angered when he discovered that the Druids had reverted back to old pagan ways and were about to sacrifice a young man under Oden's oak.  Boniface grabbed an axe and felled the mighty oak.  All in the fallen tree's path was crushed except for a tiny fir tree that magically replaced the oak tree.  Seeing that the gods spared both Boniface and the little fir tree, the Druids believed the little fir tree to be a miracle and named it "Christbaum" (Christ's tree).  Thereafter, the Druids not only became true Christians, but also used the fir tree (the Yule tree) in their Christian celebratory practices.

Children's Book About Boniface & The Little Fir Tree

Even into the medieval times, verdant coniferous trees were a powerful symbol signifying hope for a blossoming spring that would bring new beginnings. Because doors and windows were generally kept closed during the winter months, the stagnant thatch and straw flooring produced objectionable odors.  Displaying evergreens not only added a lively dash of color to the home decor, but also smelled “fresher”.  And, throwing a handful of readily accessible pine needles and cones into the fireplace produced pleasantly scented incense that also helped mask nasty smells.

It is believed that Martin Luther, the Protesant Reformer during the 16th century, established the precedent of using candle lit Christmas trees to replicate the brilliant effect of viewing stars through the branches of fir trees.  The use of Christmas trees became so popular that by the 16th Century, that ordinances cropped up permitting only one tree per household in order to prevent deforestation!  Christmas trees were traditionally decorated with fruits, nuts, dates, sugar twists, and candle figures, most of which were consumed while the tree adorned the home

Candle Lit Christmas Trees During the 16th Century

However, Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector of England, found both the use of decorated Christmas trees and Christmas carols to be sacrilegious and, using the threat of persecution, banned any celebration of Christmas other than attending church, thereby putting a halt to the Christmas tree usage for around 200 years.  Accordingly, the Puritans in North America followed suit.  This period of time represented a "dark age" for the Christmas tree tradition!

The Renaissance of the Christmas Tree During the 19th Century  

The Christmas trees as a more recent tradition can be traced back to 1848 after Princess Victoria married her cousin Albert from Germany.  Albert brought the Christmas tree custom to England when he decorated a “Yule-tree” to welcome his brother Ernest to Windsor Palace.  The tree was a big hit among the English nobility who wholeheartedly credited the “foreigner” Albert with introducing a great new idea that soon became a national English Christmas custom. Almost magically, the coniferous tree brought to the dreary, wintery English city elements of the green countryside and helped uplift otherwise oft depressed spirits!  And it provided a welcome enhancement of seasonal celebration and merriment.  Indeed, pictures of the royal family enjoying holiday festivities around the Christmas tree quickly came to epitomize a quintessentially perfect Victorian family activity.

Queen Victoria, Albert, & Children by The Christmas Tree

Lighted candles were again commonly used on potted Christmas trees during the Victorian era.  The trees could then be planted after the holidays.  The illuminating magical effect created by candles endured even though occasionally the home would catch fire and burn down.

Victorian Family Around a Candle Lit Tree

The Ongoing Evolution of the Christmas Tree

The holiday Christmas tree tradition quickly spread throughout the world, and it has evolved!  Today, the Christmas tree celebrates not just Christmas, but many different holidays.  Families commonly imbue their own unique value system and worldview into the tree’s decoration.  One can be as readily greeted by a patriotic tree, a tree enlightened by angels, a Valentines Day tree, a tree adorned with beautiful silk flowers, and much more!  Baby Boomers and their children are nostalgically collecting aluminum trees produced during the 1940s through the 1960s!  The environmentally conscious produce glorious displays on artificial trees.  Even the use of ribbons and choice ornaments on a well articulated tree limb can produce a festive treel.  Increasingly, families take time from the hustle and bustle of their busy lives to gather together and decorate the tree in personal, meaningful ways.  Why, some creative family even made a snowman Christmas tree!

The Snowman Christmas Tree

Collecting fine, European hand blown ornaments to share your holiday traditions with friends and families contributes to wonderful memories and can be a great collectible investment.  Visit SundryShop.com for the largest assortment of collectible glass ornaments on the Internet!

Share Pictures of Your Decorated Trees and Decorating Ideas

SundryShop.com welcomes your comments and pictures of your family tree!  And we invite you to share pictures of your tannenbaum creations on our Christopher Radko Holiday Décor facebook fan page, as well!  And also visit our main SundryShop.com facebook fan page to share your ideas!

[SundryShop.com November, 2012, All rights preserved]

SundryShop Showcases Patriotic Hand Blown Glass Ornaments for Veterans Day

In Honor of American Veterans, Create Patriotic Displays or Give A Gfit

Today, SundryShop.com recognizes the service of all military men and women veterans who have served their country.  As Elmer Davis states, “This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”

Veterans Day offers Americans an opportunity to showcase beautiful patriotic home decoration displays.  SundryShop.com offers some of the most collectible hand blown European glass ornaments available on the Internet. You'll find Christopher Radko, Patiricia Breen, Kurt Adler Polonize by Komozja, Larry Fraga, and Vaillancourt Folk Art patriotic ornaments that will allow you to honor American veterans by creating unique and memorable home decorations.  Not only do these keepsakes make meaningful gifts, but they also frequently end up on the holiday tree!

In honor of Veterans Day, SundryShop.com has created an original biographical story about an amazing 93 year old Veteran, Harold Van Heuvelen, who will witness today the first performance of a forgotten Symphony that he wrote over 67 years. The symphony is Harold's story about the World War II experience. The U.S. Army Orchestra will perform symphony during the morning of Veteran’s Day at Brucker Hall, For Myer, Virginia, near Washington, D.C.  It’s an all American story, and we hope that you enjoy it.  We’ve provided links of the actual performance at the end of the story.

Van Heuvelen's Forgotten Symphony No. 1, Opus 7:  SundryShop's Original Biographical Veterans Day Story

An Aura of Sadness

Lieutenant Harold Van Heuvelen WWII

The weather took a dramatic turn in Miles City, Montana as an early Chinook wind that had raised temperatures well above 60 degrees departed. Billowy, dense clouds formed as the cold air met the warm.  Snow was expected the next day.

Harold Van Heuvelen leaned the full weight of his body against the window jamb as his head came to rest on his lifted forearm.  He gazed outside the window as darkening billowy clouds gathered about his home.  A burst of wind swayed a large, leafless cottonwood tree growing next to a creek.  Relaxing his grip, the newspaper that he held by his side slipped to the ground.  The headlines, declaring war with Japan following the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, seemed to thunderously reverberate throughout the room as the ominous clouds suddenly flashed lightening and emitted deafening cracks.  Rain exploded from the bowels of the sky and pounded the ground with fury, soon creating a barrage of rapidly changing concentric circles in the enlarging puddles. Franklin D. Rosevelt was speaking on the radio, “…a date that will live in infamy!”

The U.S. entered World War II on December 7, 1941.

As he watched the raindrops splatter, Harold began hearing within his mind musical notes of melodies that he had created when but eight years of age.  The rain intensified and danced about with even greater animation, bringing to his remembrance the violin concerto that he had written when a music major during his junior year of college.  Suddenly, he began imagining that he would write a symphony celebrating the end of the war that had just been declared.

Harold thought about how the symphony would also express the ambivalence that he, like many Americans, experienced prior to Japan bombing Pearl Harbor.  He yearned for peace but also wanted to take action to end the horrible atrocities that were occurring in Europe.  As horrible as Pearl Harbor was, it broke the implicit double bind that held Americans captive and, instead, forced them to enter the war.

As though broken from a trance, Harold stood up, amazed that the falling rain had turned to sleet.  He turned, and headed toward the door so as to enlist before the weather became even worse.  Even as Roosevelt continued his speech, Harold’s symphony occupied his inner musical ear as he imagined the citizenry of the United States uniting and preparing for war. And, momentarily recapitulating to the scene he had just witnessed, he envisioned the flash of light and thunder produced by blasting weaponry and the gleam of determination in the soldiers’ eyes as they advanced to overcome the enemy.

Young Men Lining Up To Enlist For Military Service

 Military Life – Battles, The Horror of War, and Victory

After Roosevelt’s December 8 speech, Winston Churchill would write in his memoir notes, “The fate of the Empire rests on this enterprise. Every man must devote himself totally to the task in hand."  Although Harold saw himself among the soldiers sent to Europe, he would never see action overseas.  Instead, fate would lead him to New Orleans where he would train newly recruited officers at the 37th Army Air Force Base Unit.

The four years that ensued during his state side duty felt like an eternity as death tolls for his trained officers mounted and increasing evidence surfaced about the horrors of the German concentration camps and the deaths of huge numbers of civilians in heavily bombed cities throughout Europe.

Then military events rapidly unfolded beginning in late April through May 8, 1945, the official V-E date that ended the war in Europe.

But World War II was not over as long as the Allies continued battling the Japanese.  The rumor was that the officers at his camp would be shipped to Japan.  Harold pored over the newspapers, reading the details of the Pacific battles, uncertain from one day to the next if he would be called away from his young wife, Fran, to fight in Japan.

When Harold had time to himself, he would play his violin, particularly favoring the Brahms Violin Concerto in D Major. Playing music broke the monotony of his soldierly work and offered him a respite from the war fatigue that invariably affected every enlisted man, whether overseas or on duty in the US.  On August 6, 1945 while sitting next to an open window as Fran read a McCall magazine, Harold again afforded himself this luxury.  A warm August breeze offered a meek respite from the sultry, humid summer heat that had settled on the camp. The melancholic tune seemed to spill out of his violin and, embracing the modest wind’s offering, drifted over the roofs of the barracks to the distant Louisiana swamps where it caused a gator to pause briefly from devouring its newly caught kill.

Harold stopped to swat a fat fly that had found its way from a barrack latrine and landed on his violin, the same Andreas Guarnerius violin that his father and brother bought for him in 1933 for $1000.  With his free hand, he rolled up the magazine abandoned by Fran and left on the sofa, patiently waited for the fly to land some where other than his beloved violin and dealt it a deft, deadly blow.

Unexpectedly, Harold heard his men’s voices excitedly erupt.  He joined them as they were gathering, yelling and jumping about in the same compound where they met daily to practice their drills, producing a deafening sound.
“Settle down!” Harold yelled.  “What’s going on, Jon?” Harold asked of a newly recruited soldier.

Jon responded, “We’ve bombed Hiroshima!  The Pacific war’s gonna end!”

Harold remembered seeing Hiroshima on the map.  It was a large city in Japan’s mainland.

Jon continued, “It’s an A-TOMIC bomb, bigger than anything the Japanese ever seen!   One bomb wiped out the entire city!”

Harold vaguely remembered conducting military drills following the announcement.  Three days later, another atomic bomb exploded.  This time, the “Fat Man” had landed on Nagasaki.

Harold was only beginning to comprehend the immense devastation inflicted on these two Japanese cities when the Japanese emperor announced Japan’s surrender on August 15.  Just as abruptly as the war began, it had ended.  Again thinking about his symphony, he understood that he would want to give a cacophonous, raucous voice to the third movement to signify the war’s vast toll on humanity

The Gift of Peace

Over night, life on the base dramatically changed.  No longer receiving new officer candidates to train, the soldiers had a great deal of free time that they could use at their individual discretion.  Some of the men began drawing plans of homes they wanted to build.  When Jon asked Harold what he was doing, Harold responded, “Composing the symphony I had intended to write before I enlisted”.

Harold worked on the symphony during his work hours and at night, during his private time.  He completed most of his composition within three months, but polished it further for several more years.

In the early 1950s, Harold was accepted to Tanglewood, a prestigious academy in Lennox, Massachusettes and the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s summer residence.  Not only did Harold meet Aaron Copland, another student, but he also studied conducting with Leonard Bernstein.  Seizing an opportunity, Harold presented the master score to Bernstein who flattered Harold greatly by carefully reading all 208 pages.  Looking askance at Harold, Bernstein commented, “Your music sounds a lot like Brahms”.  For some time Harold puzzled over Bernstein’s comment since Harold believed that the only common propensity that he share with Brahms was ruminating about his music during longs walks.

Ultimately, Harold abandoned promoting his symphony when he decided to earn his living by teaching high school music in Bismark, North Dakota from 1946 to 1988 and raise his family.  The huge amount of work required to promote the symphony took a backseat to other important duties in his life.

Life Transitions – Consolidation and Discovery

Almost sixty years later, Harold’s son, Bob, a successful attorney and businessman, and his brother helped Harold clean out his Montanan cabin.  Harold’s wife Fran had passed and it was time for Harold to downsize.

When growing up, Bob was aware that his father had stored on a library shelf an original symphony that he had composed, but Bob and his brother never sought to learn more about it. Eventually, the music score book was forgotten and merely collected dust along with other books.  But now, the brothers' curiosity was sparked when they came across the hand-bound scripted score music. Bob queried, “What’s this, Dad?”.

“Well, that’s the symphony I wrote!  You remember me telling you about it?” Harold asked, glancing at his sons in hopes that the music might hold some interest for them.  Instantly, Harold’s head filled with the music that consumed his post World War II life.  The content of the symphony spanned America’s milieu before and during war.  It resonated the tragedy and suffering experienced by both the defeated and the victor. And it culminated with the American victory and hopes for enduring peace.

Harold glanced down, reflecting on those days. He shared, “I was so happy when the war ended!  Shame!  The hard fought-for peace didn’t last.  Other wars followed. The United States is still at war, this time with a very different type of enemy, the “terrorist”.

His sons were silent as they carefully turned the yellowed pages, not knowing what to say, humbled by the sheer volume of the work and the passionate effort required of his father to create the symphony.

They looked at his father, an octogenarian World War II veteran whose kind eyes still radiated warmth and energy and whose grin spread from ear to ear.  Harold returned his sons’ gaze.  “I was young,” Harold replied.  “Even when I learned that Pearl Harbor was bombed, I dreamed of writing the symphony when the war ended.  It was a promise that I made to myself and kept”.

Harold Van Heuvelen at 93 years of age

For a few silent minutes Harold stared at the forgotten, never performed score, collecting his thoughts.  He continued,

“I can now understand better why Bernstein said my symphony sounded like something Johannes Brahms might have written. Every day, your mother would see me off to work and never know if I would be shipped out to Japan that afternoon.  To ease the nerve-raking uncertainty, we’d often play on a Victrola the only four records that we owned, and one of them was a Brahms recording.  The Brahm’s music was not only part of the soundscape of our early-married years during the war, but it came to operate in the background of my symphony, even though I never duplicated a note.”

Harold again paused, still looking at the music score.  As tears swelled in his eyes, one trickled down side of his cheek.  He blinked and continued,

 “My symphony might have sounded a bit out of date for Bernstein, but, for me, it had to be written with a kind of romantic sensibility.  I lived through the war as a young man and served my country that I love.  I fell in love with a wonderful woman whom I married after the war began, but I was also heartbroken in having witnessed the ravages of the war.”

The sons looked at their father, born on 1919.  The symphony was conceptualized by their father at the onset of World War II and written right after the war ended.  It was their father’s personal story of the American World War II experience.  Bob spoke, “I’d like to take this to someone who knows about music and see what they have to say about it. Is that fine with you?”

Harold swept away his tears and burst into a laugh, “Sure, no harm in doing that!  You never know, maybe it’s a masterpiece!” he winked.

The Dream Comes True

In 2011, Bob created a digitized DVD of the symphony. Capitalizing on contacts, he shared his father’s story and the DVD with Senator Cari Levin, a classical music devotee and chairman of the Armed Services Committee.  Other senators joined Cari Levin in requesting that the army perform the symphony.

On November 11, 2012, Veteran’s Day, Harold’s dreams of hearing his symphony performed will be fulfilled.  The U.S. Army Orchestra will perform his neo-romantic symphony during the morning of Verteran’s Day at Brucker Hall, For Myer, Virginia.  The now 93 year-old Harold, his new wife Alma, a fellow musical student at Hope College back in the 1930s and whom he married at 87 years of age in 2007, and over a dozen members of his family will be among the audience to hear the first live performance of his Symphony No 1 in Virginia.  Of their relationship during their golden years and the common musical background that they share, Alma once stated, ""Music is almost like magic," she said, "Magic that never ends."   In addition to their relationship, both the intergenerational connectivity evident in Harold's family and the recognition of his symphony attest to the powerful truth of Alma's statement.

Harold Van Heuvelen ready to hear his symphony

The Army orchestra performing Harold's symphony on Veterans Day

Harold Van Heuvelen was esthatic to hear his symphony

Harold's warm gratitude for the army orchestra touched everyone's hearts.

After Harold left active duty, he spent another 30 years with the Reservist Army, rising to the ranks of Colonel.  SundryShop.com not only celebrates Harold Van Heuvelen ‘s first live performance of his Symphony No. 1, 67 years after its completion, but also pays tribute to Colonel Harold Van Heuvelen, an American veteran and a true American patriot.

http://www.krdo.com/news/After-60-years-WWII-vet-hears-his-symphony/-/417220/17356056/-/q6j4wsz/-/index.html

http://www.argusleader.com/videonetwork30181549101/1932290513001/Harold-Van-Heuvelen-symphony-to-premiere
[SundryShop.com reserves all rights pertaining to this original story.  While this is a biographical story, the author has exercised poetic license and fictionalized certain components of the story without violating overriding truths.  SundryShop.com hopes that the fictionalized portions of this story will lend insight into Harold’s life and the times in which he lived, as well as represent Harold and his family with all the dignity and respect that they deserves.]

SundryShop.com Montage of Washington Park Flowers & Collectible Patricia Breen & Christopher Radko European Hand Blown Summer Floral Glass Ornaments

Enjoy a video montage that captures the beauty of Washington Park’s flowers and beautiful, collectible Patricia Breen and Christopher Radko’s European hand blown glass floral ornaments!  And view the pictures below that SundryShop took of the Washington Park Gardens!

History of Washington Park

Built in 1999 to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of George Washington’s death, Washington Park in central Denver provided 165 acres of greenery and lakes around which south central Denver expanded.

During the course of its history, the park has accommodated Denver residents with a swimming hole, ice-skating, carriage trails, paddle-boating on the lakes, concerts, vast fields for volley ball and soccer, abundant tennis courts, a recreation center,  cross country skiing, running and walking trails, and superb landscaping and flower gardens!   And, of course, to the west loom the magnificent Coloradan Mountains, usually snow capped throughout the year!

Over 54 naturally arranged flowerbeds comprise the gardens.  One of the gardens exactly replicates Martha Washington’s Mt Vernon garden, a popular tourist site as evidenced with this 1941 post card!

Washington Park Mt Vern Gardens - 1941 Post Card

Pictures of the Washington Park Gardens during August & Mid September

Flowers in Washington Park During August

Washington Park Gardens Summer Flowers During Mid September

An Orange Cana Floral September Cascade

(Copyright 2012 by SundryShop.com. All rights reserved.)

You say “potayto”, I say, “potahto”.  You say ”tomayto”, I say “tomahto”.

“Sun-DRY” or “Sun-DREE?” There’s only one way to say it. “Sun-DREE”, as in SundryShop.com!

The philosophy of SundryShop.com is rooted in the meaning of the word “sundry”.

What does “sundry” mean, exactly? Often misunderstood and mispronounced, sundry is a Middle English word meaning “different for each.”

The English idiom “all and sundry” means “collectively and individually; each and every one.”

SundryShop.com believes in the collective and individual worth of each and every one of our merchandise and customers. Our sundry shop business is about our customers and the personal, familial, and historical relationships with their collectibles.

These collectibles are more than just their monetary value. Many times, they are keepsakes, heirlooms, and gifts to share with friends and family. The collectibles are imbued with nostalgic, sentimental, and aesthetic values that create household traditions and personal narratives.

We at SundryShop aim to engage with our customers and collector communities on a personal level by writing blogs, creating videos, and participating on social media.

We create original narratives in conjunction with sundry collectibles in order to relate their intrinsic worth. SundryShop provides a platform for collectors to function as a community and share their stories to add a special, shared meaning to the world of collecting.

We invite you to join our efforts to build this collecting community!  Share with us your holiday decor creations and recommend topics of interest to you!

Please take a few minutes to read some of our SundryShop.com blog posts as we create holiday decor tutorials as well as engaging short stories and cultural tributes.

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Preface

Radko Heart Spangled Banner American Flag ornament

For many Americans today, Memorial Day represents the end of spring and the first vacation weekend of the summer. It's a time to travel, bond with neighbors over barbeque, and engage in other fun events.  But the true history of Memorial Day pertains to honoring the armed forces soldiers who perished while defending the values and freedoms that we love in our country.

SundryShop.com’s offers a large collection of meaningful patriotic decorations to create a Memorial Day decorative display and to give Memorial Day remembrance gifts! Gifts with flag representations are particularly relevant.  Remember too that the now ubiquitous Sana Claus participates year-round in celebrating various different holidays – he's recognized as an ultimate symbol of giving and caring.

Fllag theme home décor items are particularly relevant as Memorial Day gifts.  Further explore the following collectible mouth-blown and handcrafted European glass ornaments links:

• Christopher Radko Breen Memorial Day theme ornaments

• Patricia Breen Memorial Day theme European blown glass ornaments

• Polonaise by Komozja Memorial Day theme European blown glass ornament

• Larry Fraga Statue of Liberty European blown glass ornament

To honor the memory of the hundreds of thousands of Armed Forces American fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives to protect our country, freedoms, and values, SundryShop.com presents, “Remembrance: An Original Story about the True Meaning of Memorial Day.”

Please share our story with your friends and family and also to comment below and share with us about any Memorial Day traditions you participate in!

SundryShop’s Original Story:  “Remembrance”

Incessant chatter drills through the walls of his cubicle as Thomas, a fit, clean-shaven twenty three year old with a precise crew cut, closes his workstation in order to begin the Memorial Day holiday.

“Oh Erin, you just have to come to the lake for our Memorial Day barbeque this Monday. We’ll have a ton of food and beer, so bring Richard too!” squawks Nancy, a bubbly lady in her late forties and occupant of the cubicle next to Thomas. “Come on Thomas, this is why they give us a three day holiday, to have fun! Oh, are you going to another Memorial Day event? Please tell me more!”

Just then, a four-year-old girl with long black hair comes roaring in to Thomas’s cubicle and springs into his lap. “ Are you ready?” she sequels with excitement.  “Yes. Let’s go home, sweetheart!” Thomas says with joy in his eyes.

Monday arrives and Thomas finishes packing his SUV. “Do we have all of the Memorial Day flowers and decorations?” Thomas asks as he turns around to see two shining faces; Maria twenty-three and Lena four. Holding small American flags in each of her hands, Lena gives him a big thumbs-up and Maria blows him a kiss. “Okay, lets go then!” As they drive, Thomas notices the parks and outdoor restaurants full of people laughing, playing and generally enjoying their day off from work.

Finally, they arrive at the county cemetery. A few small flags solemnly stand lifelessly next to handful of graves. Without hesitation Thomas drives to a neatly trimmed plot located at the back of the cemetery. They exit the car with their Memorial Day flowers and decorations and make their way to a grave marked by a modest headstone that reads “CPL Roberto Manuel Rodriguez: January 13 1986 – March 10 2010.”  Thomas considers how on this Memorial Day more than 250,00 grave decorating flags will honor the fallen soldiers buried at the Arlington National Cemetery.

Memorial Day Flags at Each Arlington National Celetery Gravestone

.

Thomas tightly clenches a facsimile of General John A. Logan’s handwritten General Order Number 11 of the Grand Army of the Republic from 1868, General John A. Logan Created a Memorial Order, establishing the first Decoration Day. The first line peers out over the top of his large hand:

General John Alexander Logan

 “The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land.”  

As they begin decorating Roberto’s grave, Thomas reflects on the meaning of Decoration Day, and how it became Memorial Day as we know it today. Another line of General Logan’s Order echoes through his head:

“Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains, and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of Springtime: let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor.”

Tears fall from Maria’s eyes as she places a beautiful floral memorial wreath against her late husband’s head stone while Lena plants a small American flag above her father’s grave. “Te amaré para siempre,” she whispers as she caringly touches the head stone.

Reflecting on the sacrifices made by many to protect their freedoms, they momentarily feel humbled with their purpose in visiting the grave. Thomas ponders, “How can we properly honor the struggles and sacrifices of the fallen heroes and their families?”

Then, glancing at his watch, which reads 2:59 p.m., he prepares for the National Moment of Remembrance. Established by President Bill Clinton in 2000 to honor those Americans who died while defending his nation and its values, the National Moment of Remembrance encourages Americans everywhere to pause for one minute at 3:00 p.m. (local time) to recognize and to silently commemorate the fallen heroes who died to give us the fortune to live in freedom.

As the 3 o’clock bell rings out over the cemetery, Thomas painfully grips the arms of his wheel chair and pushes himself to his feet with all his might. His body weight shifts uncomfortably as he balances on the titanium shaft that replaced his right leg. He uses his left hand to raise his right prosthetic hand to a salute. Choking back tears he silently prays to his friend, “I’m taking care of them now. Your wife Maria and little Lena are safe. Rest in peace my brother.”

The twenty-tree year old veteran stoically salutes at the grave of his closest comrade as he remembered when the explosion blew through their caravan. Thomas lost two of his limbs, while Roberto lost his life in that fateful instant.

Gone was his best friend and brother-in-arms. Gone were a little girl’s father and a loving wife’s husband. Reflecting on the unrecoverable loss of Robert that the three of them experienced, Thomas feels that too many Americans too often have forgotten the true meaning of Memorial Day, choosing instead to perceive the day as merely another three-day holiday and the first weekend of summer.

Thomas stands as a battered soldier, physically broken by war, but also as a man of great spirit and integrity who perseveres to salute his fallen brother as many brave warriors have done before him. He salutes not for himself or for what he has lost, but for the country that he loves and for his brothers that risk their lives to defend and preserve the freedoms and values for their families at home.

As he holds his salute, a sudden breeze embraces the Memorial Day flags, giving them renewed life as they wave freely and proudly, honoring the fallen soldiers.

Afterword

Remember the brave men and women who have fallen in action by creating a display with collectible patriotic home decorations. Many of these collectibles promise to be handed down through the generations, establishing continuity of this important tradition of honoring our service men who have given their lives for their country, and can also be displayed during other patriotic holiday events, such as the Fourth of July and Presidents Day!

We hope that you enjoyed our story. Please share it with your friends and family for their enjoyment. If you have any Memorial Day traditions such as decorating veterans’ graves, creating memorial displays, or joining with friends and family in special ways, we would like to hear about them; post and share your stories in the comments section below!

We at SundryShop.com wish you a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

(Story written by Nicholas who works at SundryShop.com & edited by the Sundryshop.com team. Copyright 2012 by SundryShop.com. All rights reserved.)

For generations, Czech beaded glass ornaments have captivated the imaginations and hearts of both young and old. Their lightweight, diverse forms permit hanging on smaller, more delicate branches without losing their presence and their intricate and often lively, kinetic structures endlessly please.

SundryShop.com would like to showcase a few of our

In the early 1500’s, artisans in Bohemia (modern day Czech Republic) began to craft glass beads. These

Antique Lampwork Bead

were originally made by using a lampworking bead-making technique that, unlike glassblowing, involved the wrapping of melted glass around a metal rod known as a mandrel. After the glass was cooled, creating a spherical bead with a hole as its center, the lampwork beads were then strung together, usually on wire, to make jewelry and accessories such as rosaries, necklaces and bracelets.

As early as 1845, Czech artisans began to use the beads for glass Christmas ornaments designs, a craft that became increasingly important as the Bohemians’ less costly production of beads substantially reduced the demand for comparable Czech products. Czech beaded ornaments were largely a cottage industry in which the entire family worked long hours, using specialized division of labor to efficiently produce the ornaments. Most of the craftsmen operated their business in towns near Reichenberg, Gablonz, and throughout the Thurigin area.

A “Czech beaded ornament” could consist of only one large bead or it could be a string of thousands on a wire. Mostly, the earliest designs were two dimensional, flat designs and commonly had beaded tails that hung from the lower edges. Regardless, careful consideration was always given to design the ornament so that it had a pleasing, lasting effect on the viewer.

At SundryShop.com, the Christopher Radko 1993 Star Bursts” Czech beaded glass ornament shows us how the early two dimensional, designs have remained influential throughout the decades. The ornament depicts a gleaming, gold star as it shines brightly in a winter sky.

Radko Beaded Star Bursts Ornament

Amazing that glass beads can accomplish a wonderful, artistic dynamic!  As one moves from the unifying central bead to the tip of each star flame, the ascending and descending sizes of the balls produce not only add an appealing depth, but also a visual dynamic, leaving us convinced that we’re indeed looking at a star burst! Each ray appears as if it is cascading outward in a brilliant burst; yet the entire design compels us to return to the center!

The use of longer glass tubes and smaller beads were also used to make other two dimensional shapes.  For example, spider webs  similar to Christopher Radko's Webutante Czech Republic beaded ornament, complete with realistically molded blown glass spiders were popular because of the common belief that spiders bring good luck.  And  Harps, such as Radko's Czech Republic beaded Merry Melody Harp, were great favorites.

Radko Webutante Spider Web Ornament

Radko Merry Melody Harp Ornament

In the early 1900’s, particularly the United States imported the Czech glass ornaments. The Americans loved the enchanting way the ornaments swayed on their Christmas tree branches and the Czech cottage industry greatly expanded to meet the American demand for their beaded glass Christmas ornaments.

In the 1920’s, partly due to the incorporation of solid glass rings called “bangles”, more complicated three-dimensional ornaments appeared. The bangle was a circular ring in which beaded designs might be displayed or dangling bells suspended. Soon, glass rods and rounded beads came to be used to create even more varied designs. By the 1930’s, the Czech beaded glass ornaments were representing complex designs such as the airplane, bells, churches, baskets, and bicycles.

Radko Beaded Bicycle

Radko Star Bell Beaded Ornament

Radko Church Window Ornament

The Christopher Radko 1996 Hawk Airplane Christmas tree ornamentis a great contemporary example of the type of beaded ornaments that appeared to actually come to life when dangling on display. Along with people, boats, and butterflies, airplanes became one of the most popular Czech designs.

Radko Beade Kitty Hawk Airplane Ornament

Christopher Radko's Luxury Liner Czech Republic beaded glass ornament created in 1998 certainly shows how complicated and intricate Czech beaded glass ornaments can be. Several beads of varying shapes and colors harmoniously come together to create this piece that is both bold and elegant.

Also note the use of the cylindrical beads extending from the ship’s center mast. Though they are not rings as bangles are, their use indicates the incorporation of solid glass pieces in beaded ornaments.

Radko Luxury Liner Beaded Ship Ornament

Radko’s Grand Dragonfly beaded glass ornament made in 2001 also shows us just imaginatively the Czech  beaded creations can be - the dragon fly endlessly appears ready to land on the tree limb as it dangles about! Note how Christopher Radko artistically makes use of different bead types and glass shapes. The dragonfly’s body, head and eyes are circular beads; the wings are constructed with rod and oval-shaped beads; and the main tail segment is a solid glass piece.
Indeed, the vibrant dragonfly ornament truly represents the generational culmination of beaded glass techniques.

Radko Beaded Grand Dragonfly Ornament

But, this and the other ornaments shown here are only a few of the Czech beaded glass ornaments listed on the SundryShop.com web store. We invite you to take a closer look at other Christopher Radko Czech Republic beaded glass ornaments to enjoy the diverse designs and artistry of this genre of fine European glass ornaments.

Preface

Although it is Anna Jarvis who on May 10, 1908 achieved the recognition of the Mother's Day celebration as we know it today, the true history of Mother’s Day can be traced back to Julia Ward Howe in 1870.  SundryShop.com brings Julia Ward Howe's amazing story to life with an original story.

SundryShop.com also offers wonderful gifts, including blown glass European ornaments, to give mom this Mother’s Day!  Moms love roses and flowers, Stephen Dweck & artisan amber jewelry, cookie jars, special storage boxes and many other exciting gifts available in our webstore, so have fun exploring the different SundryShop.com categories.

Oil Painting of Julia Ward Howe

Two Girls' Story About Julia Ward Howe's Mother's Day Proclamation

The warm June sun brazenly beams down upon the mass of people gathered in the Boston square. Katy and Ann, two young girls of eight and nine, dart though the mass of giant, flowing over-skirts, navigating their way to the front of the crowd. Their small bare feet seem to fly from cobblestone to cobblestone in excitement. Kathy struggles to keep her over-sized hand-me-down skirt from dragging while still tightly clutching a piece of paper that reads “Mothers' Peace Day Observance 1870 - Julia Ward Howe to speak.” Just then the band begins to play the powerful  “Battle Hymn of the Republic” melody.  Ann, who wears a much shorter, out-grown, cream-colored dress, frantically yells to Katy, “Hurry, hurry, she's going to start!”

Determined to gain the best view, the girls push onward through the crowd of women. As the band grows louder, they know they are close to the stage. Like lost explorers spilling out of a jungle, the girls tumble out from the vast sea of over skirts. They look up to see that they are finally in front of the stage and not a minute too soon.  The noise from the crowd swells with excitement as a proud, strong woman in her fifties takes the stage. “Is that her?” Ann whispers to Katy. Without taking her eyes off the woman on stage, Katy nods, “Yes!”

The larger-than-life presence of the author of Battle Hymn of the Republic and the celebrated abolitionist, political activist, poet, woman of letters, and song writer, Julia Ward Howe, stands before the girls and captures the gaze of each woman in the crowd as they await her every word.  Composed and self-assured, she begins her Mother's Day proclamation.

Julia Ward Howe's declaration is an antiwar statement. She is sickened by the Civil War's carnage and loss of lives and extends her displeasure to the ensuing Franco-Prussian War.  She calls for women all over the world to speak for an alternative government that seeks peaceful solutions to conflict so that future wars might be forever prevented.

“Arise, then, women of this day! Arise all women who have hearts, whether your baptism be of water or of tears! Say firmly: "We will not have questions decided by irrelevant agencies. Our husbands shall not come to us reeking of carnage for caresses and applause. Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy, and patience.” The crowd respectfully applauds.  “We women of one country will be too tender to those of another country to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."

Boston Square Mother's Day for Peace Scene

As the crowd erupts with cheers, Katy notices that a woman next to her, dressed in mourning black, begins to weep.  Compassionately, Katy reaches for the woman’s hand and holds it tightly.

Mrs. Howe's waits for the cheering to subside a bit before she continues.  Her speech once again spellbinds the listeners, “From the bosom of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with our own. It says "Disarm! Disarm!" The sword of murder is not the balance of justice. Blood does not wipe out dishonor, nor violence indicate possession!” As she completes her statement, the throng,  like a balloon over-filled with emotion, begins to chant, "Peace, peace!".  She pauses and her gravitas calms the crowd.  She continues,

“As men have forsaken the plow and the anvil at the summons of war, let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel. Let them meet first as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead. Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means whereby the great human family can live in peace, each bearing after his time the sacred impress not of Caesar, but of God.” In respect for the dead, the crowd reverentially applauds.

Julia Ward Howe takes a moment to allow her words to sink in. After observing that she again has the crowd's undivided attention, she begins the grand finale of her speech.  “In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask that a general congress of women without limit of nationality be appointed and held at some place deemed most convenient and at the earliest period consistent with its objects, to promote the alliance of the different nationalities, the amicable settlement of international questions, the great and general interests of peace.”

The crowd explodes into a sea of passionate applause. Overwhelmed, the two girls excitedly hug each other.  Then, Ann giddily laughs and playfully begins dancing the cake walk.

A Girl Dancing the Cake Walk

Instantly, others join in and dance the cake walk, as well!  The inspiring message for women to band together and effect universal peace throughout the world leaves the crowd feeling jubilant - the Mother's Day celebration has just begun!

Many years later the two girls, now grandmothers and great grandmothers, gather their families on Mother’s Day to tell the story of the day they saw Julia Ward Howe give her speech that would establish the precedent for Mother's Day, the holiday that honors the love and power a mother gives to her family and to the world.

Find the Perfect Mother's Day Gift

Give mom a special Mother’s Day gift from SundryShop.com - a gift that becomes a treasured keepsake that is handed down through the generations!

(Story written by Nicholas who works at SundryShop.com & edited by the Sundryshop.com team. Copyright 2012 by SundryShop.com. All rights reserved.)

Today is President’s Day: the day that we commemorate not just our American presidents, such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt, but also the characteristics that have been displayed by other great leaders of our nation such as Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin who worked closely with the Founding Fathers to write the constitution and establish the underpinnings of our democracy.

We at SundryShop.com truly believe that a leader needs more than just knowledge and charisma to guide our wonderful nation. To be the President of the United States involves humility, integrity, and the strength of mind in order to be diligent and to make the right decision to lead through the most tumultuous of times. George Washington led the Continental Army to fight for our independence from British colonial rule; Abraham Lincoln reunited a divided nation and preserved the Union. Each great American president believed that his vision could be accomplished and had the capacity to translate that vision into an actuality. Each spearheaded important changes that became part of the progression of democracy in the United States.

Our Presidents must certainly promote a sense of unity over the nation, and for that, they are loved by many and remain as timeless heroes throughout American history and are constantly paid tribute to in the arts and media. There are many ways to display their honor and achievements, from the painting of Washington Crossing the Delaware to the stencil poster of Barack Obama’s Hope.

This year for President’s Day, SundryShop invites you to take a moment to view some of our favorite Christopher Radko and Patricia Breen collectible, handcrafted and mouth-blown European glass ornament presidential tributes!

• First we have a full-body rendition of the mighty General George by Christopher Radko.   The portly man led the Continental Army against the British in the War of Independence.

• Take a look at this wonderful Christopher Radko glass ornament bust of Our Nation’s Father.  Did you know that George Washington actually had red hair? He is so often depicted in his powdered wig so many people think of him as having white hair!

• Did you know that Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin are the only two non-presidents to be featured on our currency? Can you guess which bills they show up on? Click our SundryShop.com Facebook page to learn the answer (and “Like” us, too!)

• Patricia Breen Benjamin Franklin handcrafted and mouth-blown, two-piece, glass ornament is a wonderful depiction! The two parts can be toggled together or displayed separately but within close proximity of each other. 

• Mount Rushmore, which honors George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt, was originally designed to depict full busts of the presidents, not just their heads. Christopher Radko's Mount Rushmore collectible glass ornament is a great rendition of the actual stone carving! 

• Christopher Radko’s Teddy for President is a whimsical representation of one of the nation’s most important Founding Fathers, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt in (Part 30438). “Teddy” sure was a man of nicknames – he was the one who officially named the President’s residence “the White House” in 1901!

SundryShop.com wishes all a Happy President’s Day, a day not just to remember great statesmen, but also to reflect upon our good fortune of living in a country in which we can follow the example set by these great Presidents and can believe in and actualize our hopes and aspirations.

Lucille Ball I Love Lucy Radko Christmas Ornaments

Every Christmas, we give friends and family members a complete copy of Lucille Ball’s recorded TV episodes. The list of recipients keeps growing, and we’re amazed about how often they contact us throughout the next year, sharing their favorite episodes! They laugh and chuckle as they explain how hilarious Lucy is! What a great way to stay in touch!

Since Valentines Day is around the corner, we thought it would be appropriate to showcase a few Christopher Radko "I Love Lucy" European glass ornaments.

Christopher Radko realized that Lucille Ball was a timeless performer whose works would gain popularity over time. His “I Love Lucy” series was created to commemorate over 40years since her TV show first aired!   Well, last year we celebrate the 60th anniversary! Needless to say, Radko’s “I Love Lucy” creations continue to gain in popularity and collectability!

Radko Candy Maker I Love Lucy 1997  

The Candy Maker – Chocolate Factory I Love Lucy Christopher Radko ornament is one of our favorites and captures a great comedic moment in television history!

The ornament depicts the famous scene from the 1952 episode, "Job Switching," where Lucy wraps chocolates in a candy factory. As her boss pressures her to wrap every candy without fail, the conveyor belt increases in speed, making it impossible for Lucy to keep up. Lucy hilariously does everything possible to make sure not one piece of candy gets by her unwrapped, including stuffing the chocolates in her mouth, hat and shirt. While in this predicament, her boss examines her work.

Here’s a You Tube of her Chocolate Factory performance. Take a few minutes and enjoy a great laugh!

Radko Grape Stomping I Love Lucy 

Accordingly, the Christopher Radko “Grape Stomping” ornament captures a mischievous and adventurous Lucy who stomps purple grapes with a bright smile on her face. She wears a glittered pearl scarf with green accents on her head, a pearl shirt, and green pants. By the time Lucy's grape stomping experience is over, she's in a fight with a native Italian grape worker whom Lucy's managed to insult. With grapes flying everywhere, the two go at it in the stomping barrel!

Here’s our favorite grape stomper episode quote, made immortal when Lucy tells Ricky about her role in the “Grapes” movie and Fred’s response:

• LUCY : Gee, did you hear that, honey? It's going to be called "Bitter Grapes." I wonder what part they want me for.
• FRED : Oh, you're probably going to be one of the bunch.

We will again showcase other great I Love Lucy Christopher Radko collectible ornaments that capture classic moments in the series.  Visit our webstore often to see all the collectible I Love Lucy ornaments that we have in stock, since these ornaments sell quickly!