New Wood-Shaved Trees - Spanbaum - for 2014
We have added to our popular Wood-Shaved Tree - Spanbaum offerings this year and we wanted to post the video here in our blog on how they are created. They are just so very special. They have many names - Spanbaum, span trees, wood shaved trees, chip or chipped trees, twilled trees, and curled trees. They were first created by Spanbaumstecherei (carvers of Spanbaum trees) in the 1930s and are crafted from the wood of a linden tree - the trunk lathed, and then each branch carved from that trunk, curl by curl. Watch the video - the process is exquisite.
We know you will enjoy these two new special trees - a 10" Spanbaum in green which is simply gorgeous 
and a 12" Spanbaum, wood-chipped, tree with a woodpecker nestled in the tree, pecking away... 
In addition, we now carry a Spanbaum, wood-chipped / wood-shaved, Christmas tree topper. 
They are a sight to behold - watching the video, seeing them pictured, and holding them in your hands.
Resting Waterfowl from Inge-Glas of Germany
New for 2013, Resting Waterfowl (Inge-Glas No. 1-095-13, 3-1/2" tall) is one of two new Inge-Glas of Germany ornaments with a Bird nestled in its nest.
This little glass duck is sitting on a nest made of natural materials and clips-on to your tree - hidden a ways into the tree as ducks would conceal their nests in the reeds or for you to place onto the tip of a branch front and center for all to enjoy.
We have a special selection of Inge-Glas' nesting birds but are particularly charmed this year with the natural nesting materials Inge-Glas has used for these two new ornaments.
P.S. the second nesting bird New for 2013 from Inge-Glas is a Limited Edition ornament - Nestled Contenment. Such perfection!
Little Who - Baby Snowy Owl - New for 2013 Inge-Glas
New for 2013 - Little Who (a Baby Snowy Owl) from Inge-Glas with Legend Card. Inge-Glas No. 1-066-13. 2-3/4" tall clip on ornament.
The Inge-Glas glass-blower family of Mueller-Blech has always been known for their production of glass birds. Birds are symbols of joy and happiness and are said to be messengers from God.
The owl brings wisdom and cleverness.
"The Owl... Perched in the tree tops, nothing escapes the owl's watchful eye.
Very concentrated, yet modest, the owl is a symbol of cleverness and wisdom.
'The wise old owl' ... an owl ornament on your Christmas tree is thought to help give you wisdom
and strength for the challenges that lie ahead in the new year." - Inge-Glas
All birds and all owls are a most welcome addition to our Christmas trees - the bird is the number one collectible figural ornament - yet, the Snowy Old is simply said a wondrous winter creature.
The Public Broadcasting System (PBS) has gathered most informative facts for the Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus). Paintings of Snowy Owls have been found in European caves dating back 30,000 years. A bird of prey, they were once placed in their own genus, but new genetic analysis revealed that they are closely related to the Bubo genus. According to Wikipedia: "The American (North and South America) horned owls and the Old World eagle-owls make up the genus Bubo, at least as traditionally described." They are active both during the day and at night - unlike most other owls who are nocturnal. They eat about 3 to 5 lemmings each day. In their first year of life they have more grey and brown flecking on their back, breast, and head. They molt over time into a white plummage.
And, of course, they have become a part of the popular culture because of the Harry Potter books: "Owls are magical creatures most often used for delivering post and parcels in the wizarding world. They are known for their speed and discretion and can find recipients without an address."
This little creature, Little Who, is a perfect addition for your Christmas traditions.
Inge-Glas' Snow Tweet with her Christian Ulbricht Cardinal
New for 2013, Snow Tweet (Inge-Glas no. 1-009-13, 4-1/4" tall) is a Limited Edition of 999 pieces, with Presentation Box, and most especially is in collaboration with the German wooden ornament workshop of Christian Ulbricht. Ulbricht has crafted the wooden bird - a Cardinal - in her hand.
Special in so many ways, Snow Tweet is a Snow Baby, or Snow Kinder, a Christmas decoration that has been around since 1905. As Wikipedia explains the original Snow Babies were "involved in some aspect of the Christmas holidays or of winter sports. The traditional snow baby is made of unglazed porcelain (bisque) and shows a child dressed in a snowsuit; the suit itself is covered in small pieces of crushed bisque, giving the appearance of fallen snowflakes." Inge-Glas replicates the porcelain figures in their Snow Kinder (Kinder is the German word for "child") glass ornaments, creating a fuzzy, snow-crystal like finish on these fun, active little children.
Snow Tweet carries a red bird, or Northern Cardinal, made of wood by the Ulbricht studios in Germany. The Northern Cardinal is long beloved as a symbol of Christmas cheer and is considered America's "Christmas bird."
My Growing Traditions offers an Inge-Glas Northern Cardinal
and we carry several Christian Ulbricht Christmas birds - a Cardinal on a bird feeder
and two simple little Ulbricht birds, which are not all red, but which are ever so much fun. One is 1-1/2" tall
and the other is 1/2" high 
Nestled Contentment
New for 2013, Nestled Contentment (Inge-Glas no. 1-004-13, 3" tall) is a Limited Edition of 999 pieces, with Presentation Box. Each piece is hand-numbered.
The coloration is not a perfect match, however, this little bird reminds us of an American Robin, especially the nest.
We love Inge-Glas' bird ornaments - and they are renowned for them - but we do admit, that the two new ones this year (see also the Resting Waterfowl) each with an elegant bird sitting on its nest, and with the nests made of natural materials, are very special.
Nestled Contentment will, without a doubt, become a Collector's piece.
Red-Headed Woodpecker
New for 2013 is Inge-Glas' Red-Headed Woodpecker Christmas ornament. Inge Glas No. 1-094-13. 5-3/4" tall.
Feeding on a tree festooned with greens, the Red-Headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) is a particularly charming member of the Inge-Glas bird collection. The Inge-Glas glass-blower family of Mueller-Blech has always been known for their production of glass birds. Birds are symbols of joy and happiness and are said to be messengers from God.
The Cornell University Lab of Ornithology provides thorough information on this majestic bird:
"The gorgeous Red-headed Woodpecker is so boldly patterned it’s been called a “flying checkerboard,”
with an entirely crimson head, a snow-white body, and half white, half inky black wings. These birds don’t act quite like most other woodpeckers:
they’re adept at catching insects in the air, and they eat lots of acorns and beech nuts, often hiding away extra food in tree crevices for later.
This magnificent species has declined severely in the past half-century because of habitat loss and changes to its food supply."
Their status is "Near Threatened."
Cornell's "encyclopedia of birds" page on the Red-headed Woodpecker even includes the opportunity to listen to their calls. Click through to their site to hear four different calls. "Red-headed Woodpeckers give all kinds of chirps, cackles, and other raucous calls. Their most common call is a shrill, hoarse tchur, like a Red-bellied Woodpecker’s but higher-pitched and less rolling. When chasing each other they make shrill charr-charr notes."
We are more than pleased that Inge-Glas has chosen this year to add the Red-Headed Woodpecker Christmas Ornament.
