Blog

Two Children Framed by a Spanbaum Heart - Perfect for Valentine's Day

Posted on February 04, 2022 | 0 Comments

From the Emil Helbig Workshop in the Erzgebirge, Germany. A wonderful gift for your Valentine.
      
The Emil Helbig Workshop is the oldest (since 1933) woodcarving workshop in the Erzgebirge. Three generations strong and celebrating the native linden tree.
Winner of the 2007 Erzgebirge Craftsman and Toy Makers Association Award for Outstanding Care in Preserving the Erzgebirge Tradition. 

Posted in Emil Helbig, German Folk Art, Valentine's Day

Deer with Flower Child / Emil Helbig 85th Anniversary Jubilee Figure

Posted on January 03, 2020 | 0 Comments

We are privileged to offer a limited stock of this very special figure offered by the Helbig workshop in honor of their 85th Anniversary - the Jubilee Figure was created only in 2019.

     

In a wood chip box and on a wood base the flower child leads the Deer through the countryside.

4" tall by 5-3/4" wide.

The deer has a bell around his neck and carries two packsacks of flowers.

Hand-carved. Hand-painted.

Created in the Erzgebirge, Germany. 

Each box is numbered. And we are fortunate to have ones that are in the teens and 20s.

_______________
Emil Helbig Workshop - since 1933
Grunhainichen - A Toy Makers Village
Oldest Woodcarving Workshop in the Erzgebirge
Three generations strong - Celebrating the native Linden Tree
Winner of the 2007 Erzgebirge Craftsman and Toy Makers Association
Award for Outstanding Care in  Preserving the Erzgebirge Tradition
Unique - Original - Elegant

Posted in Emil Helbig, Erzgebirge, German Folk Art

The Helbig Workshop Nativity - Your Way

Posted on December 09, 2015 | 0 Comments

The nativity set from the Emil Helbig Workshop, the oldest wood-carving work shop in the Erzgebirge (Germany's Christmas Capital), is without a doubt one of, if not the, finest hand-carved German nativity sets.

The joy of the Emil Helbig Workshop nativity is all the possibilities - rejoice in the complete set (above).

Choose a Helbig Nativity with a Bavarian stable (below) and a selection of nativity figures plus Bavarian accessories.

Choose the simplicity (below) of the Helbig Mary, Joseph, and Jesus with a hand-carved tree and a tree platform (both from the Erzgebirge).

or choose a set of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus (below)

When and if you want to add additional Helbig figures to your selection, we now offer all of them separately -

     the three kings

     the ox

     the donkey

     the sheep     

     the shepherds   

     and the camels     

We feel privileged to be able to offer the Emil Helbig nativity figures to you.  To find them in our shop - click here or on any of the photographs above.

______________________

Emil Helbig Workshop - since 1933
Grunhainichen - A Toy Makers Village
Oldest Woodcarving Workshop in the Erzgebirge
Three generations strong - Celebrating the native Linden Tree
Winner of the 2007 Erzgebirge Craftsman and Toy Makers Association
Award for Outstanding Care in  Preserving the Erzgebirge Tradition
Unique - Original - Elegant

Posted in Christmas Traditions, Emil Helbig, Erzgebirge, German Christmas, German Folk Art, German Traditions, Nativities

Emil Helbig Wood Carvers - Enchanting!

Posted on November 29, 2015 | 0 Comments

Three generations strong (1933-present) the Emil Helbig Workshop in Grunhainichen, the Erzgebirge, Germany, is the oldest wood carving workshop in the Ore Mountains. This year we have expanded our offerings considerably, with fairytales

     

children      Easter, and more.  

Their art is distinctive and elegant in its simplicity.

The exceptional Folk Art of the Emil Helbig Workshop has thrived over the years, suffering through the stark demands of the communist period, and then flourishing again since 1991 in the hands of Emil's son, Walter, enjoying a rebirth of the classic wood-carvings established by Emil himself. Their woodcarvings are created with a simple precision - the essence of the figure is revealed with a few, precise cuts. The native basswood, a bright, simply grained wood, is vital, accentuating the charm of the carvings through the final step - the full splendor of color. The art is in the omission! Emil Helbig's creative spirit lives on.

A celebration of humanity, from the figures created to the creators themselves, they are simply dear!

 

Posted in Emil Helbig, Erzgebirge, Fairy Tales, German Folk Art

Bavarian Stables - Perfect for Santons or Helbig Nativity Figures

Posted on November 13, 2015 | 0 Comments

We have expanded our offerings in wooden stables this year.  We are always looking for the best. These hand-crafted in Bavaria stables are stellar pieces of folk art in their own right, and work ever so well with Carbonel's Santons or the nativity figures from the Emil Helbig workshop.

For Carbonel Size #3 - the Grande - 3-1/2" size - this stable is perfection...

On a wooden platform, wooden and plaster walls, a hay crib - click here or on the image above to see close-ups of the architectural detail.

For Carbonel Size #2 - the Elite - 2-3/4" size and for the Emil Helbig Workshop nativity figures, choose between these Bavarian stables. Again, they are of wood and plaster, and are superbly crafted.

       

Bavarian Folk Art for display of your chosen nativity figures.
To find them click on the images above or click here 
My Growing Traditions offers Free Shipping for all three of these stables.
We know you will find them to be exceptional!

 

 

Posted in Carbonel Santons, Emil Helbig, French Christmas, German Christmas, German Folk Art, German Traditions, Nativities

Miniatures - Putz - for your Christmas Village or Nativity Scene

Posted on October 31, 2015 | 0 Comments

We have added charming miniatures this year - perfect for use with your French Santons or German nativity scenes. These are just a few examples - baskets, wood, metal, copper, clay.

To find the miniatures and trees below, simply click on the images

              

They work well alongside the Carbonel accessories available for each size of Santons, and with the Erzgebirge Emil Helbig Workshop nativity figures and creche sets. 

                            

The German verb putzen means to decorate and one commonly finds the word putz to describe miniatures for a Christmas Village or Nativity Scene. Putz, miniatures, accessories, whatever one calls them, they add a very special touch to your Christmas. The traditional nativity figures, a few larger accessories, a few miniatures, and a few trees -

create a tableau, small or large, that is special to you. In both Provence and Germany, each year families wait for the Christmas fairs during Advent to find new treasures to add to their nativities (just as we in America rejoice in adding new Christmas ornaments to our trees).

Enjoy both...it all adds up to a bit of wonder!

To follow our Pinterest Board on Putz - Click here

Posted in Carbonel Santons, Christmas Traditions, Emil Helbig, Erzgebirge, French Christmas, German Christmas, German Folk Art, German Traditions, Nativities, Provence Christmas, Trees

New Angels and Children from the Emil Helbig Workshop

Posted on November 21, 2014 | 0 Comments

The Emil Helbig Workshop in Gruenhainichen (in the Erzgebirge and known as a Toy Makers Village), Germany has been in business since 1933 and is the oldest woodcarving workshop in the Ore Mountains. Their work is unique, simple, and truly elegant.

We have expanded our Emil Helbig offerings to include two sweet little children bringing flowers.

                                                         

The young boy carries a nosegay and the girl has collected a bunch of flowers in her apron. 

Our new Angels are the Angel with a Deer (the Deer admires the star the Angels holds in her hands)

and the Angel with a Baby in a Cradle.

All are classic Emil Helbig wood carvings - delicately carved and finely painted. A joy to add to your collection! 

 

          

Posted in Angels, Emil Helbig, Erzgebirge, German Folk Art