Esco - The German Easter Bunnies / Rabbits with the Distinctive Pointed Ears
We are happy to announce that we now carry the world renown classic German Easter Bunnies / Rabbits / Hares collected by our mothers and grandmothers. Our own collection was acquired during the Soviet period, a period of time when individual workshops were not identified. Nowhere could we find a label specifically identifying the Esco workshop. Just recently we were able to put two and two together and finally add them to our offerings. Known as the Bunnies / Rabbits with the distinctive Pointed Ears, they have been hand-crafted by Esco since 1930.
Kissing Easter Bunnies
Esco began as a small workshop (growing to around 15 craftsmen in 2005) in Leubsdorf, Germany, at the foot of the Erzgebirge (Ore) Mountains. Esco is synonymous with the pointed ear bunny - creating more than 300 different figures. We are happy to offer a selection of their best -
you can find these and more here
They are especially known for introducing the original Easter Bunny School
inspired by the book "The Bunny School" by Fritz Koch-Gotha in 1924.
Amazon Germany describes Koch-Gotha's masterpiece as "probably the most famous picture book of this [the twentieth] century. Who does not know them, the story of the Hasenhans and Hasengretchen and their schoolmates?"
In 2007 Zeidler Holzkunst took over the Esco company. They added tradition to tradition, as they are one of the most traditional wood craft workshops in the Erzgebirge. A family business, since 1866, they originally created wooden toys, and now have grown to produce many Christmas items as well as the Esco Easter Rabbits.
We hope you are as pleased as we are that we found them.
Marcel Carbonel Santons introduces - New for 2016 - the Dowser / Diviner / Seeker - Sourcier - Size #2 / Elite
Marcel Carbonel's mustached Dowser Santon, Size #2 / Elite (the 2-3/4 inch - 7 cm size), is nattily dressed with his hat, vest, blue cravate, and skin gaiters covering his shoes. His divining rod is crafted out of metal. Both metal and wood dowsing rods are traditional.
The dowser / diviner / seeker has a charm of his own. Dowsing, a pseudoscience, having a mystical / magical quality, has historically been used to search for water under the ground using a special stick. Seeking ground waters is also known as divining or water dowsing. The dowser uses a dowsing rod (divining rod) as shown below in the picture of a Frenchman holding his rod (traditionally a forked/y-shaped tree branch).
This new figure from Carbonel is certainly topical, given that the world is and will be increasingly addressing the need for water sources. A perfect time to add the Dowser to your collection.
You may also enjoy our Marcel Carbonel Santons Pinterest board.
A Scandinavian Christmas with Nils Olsson Dala Horses
It is Christmas and Nils Olsson Dala Horses (Dalahästar), the premiere Dala Horse Workshop, since 1928, in Nusnäs, Dalarna, Sweden, handcrafts the finest of all Dala horses. A Dala Horse is, simply said, a must for Christmas. The classic red is a tradition. Of course, we are proud to offer a selection of colors and sizes.
If you are looking for recipes, Trine Hahnemann's Scandinavian Christmas is a joy. She offers a potpourri of festive and traditional recipes.
Find a Scandinavian Christmas here on Amazon.
And, you may enjoy following our Nils Olsson Dala Horse Board on Pinterest.
Wendt and Kühn's New Advent Calendar
This year, for the first time, Wendt and Kühn has created an on-line advent calendar. Each day one can visit their calendar to discover a favorite Wendt and Kühn figure.
Check it out, here... and move forward each new day of advent...
Such a fun way to celebrate all our favorite Wendt and Kühn figures - one of those extra special delights of Christmas.
'Tis the Season to Gather and Send Advent Calendars
Advent Calendars are a special part of the Christmas season. From December 1 through Christmas Eve open a little door to discover an image or a biblical quote. They are simple and of an everlasting nature (spiritually and because they can often be reused year-in-year- out). They bring us a bit of "quiet time" amid all the hustle-bustle.
Angels Looking After the Children
All of the advent calendars that we offer come, of course, from Germany. We try to add a significant selection of new ones each year.
and rejoice in keeping as many of the standard classics as well.
Santa and Angel with Horse Drawn Sled
They make a perfect little gift for family and friends - add a touch of joy throughout the holiday season. Find our full selection here - German Advent Calendars .
New for 2016 - Christian Werner's Zoo Set
We have carried Christian Werner's
folk art for several years now and are delighted to offer his new Zoo Set this year -
Christian Werner of Seiffen (since 1985) is one of only eight who work in Reifendrehen, or ring-turning. Ring-turned animals have been made for generations. As the wooden ring turns,
the Reifendreher meticulously uses chisels to create precise grooves in the moist spruce wood. The raw shapes of each animal, the Tiger here being an example, 
are sliced off the wooden ring using a hammer and knife. The toy maker's skilled hands carve the animal's final shape, embellish it with tails and ears, and finally they are painted by the workshop's artists.
The set includes the zoo platform with a pond, trees, elevated tiers for delightful display, and a separate "Cave" that sits on top WITH 12 sets of zoo animals - each set includes an adult (the same size as Werner's Size Small animals) with an offspring. The young animals are unique to Werner's collections and are adorable. You can add to your zoo with additional adult animals found here.
The sets of animals included in the Zoo Set are: Elephant, Camel, Giraffe, Deer, Lion, Zebra, Panda, Polar Bear, Tiger, Crane, Pastas Monkey, and Rhinoceros.
Enjoy the classic folk art of ring-turning - Reifendrehen - since the 1800s
Follow our Pinterest board on Christian Werner here
Wendt and Kühn's New for 2016 Orchestra Angel with Percussion Drums
This years Orchestra Angel from Wendt and Kühn is a three piece set - the Angel with two separate percussion drums.
We have added a number of other members of Wendt and Kühn's Orchestra Angels and now offer more than 40 to choose from. You can find your favorite instruments here.
Enjoy!
