COLLECTIBLES EXCLUSIVELY FOR RANDOLPH STREET MARKET BY NENA IVON, REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION

I started thinking about this post when I did the Paint By Number piece, and while I don’t have any Ceramic Christmas trees in my collection (I actually collect Christmas Angels), I do find them charming. I found several at the Randolph Street Market….while the Market is on hiatus you might try Etsy or EBay. Many of the vintage versions commend mega dollars….again educate yourself or just buy what you like.

Both the above examples were found at RSM…delightful. Photos taken by Nena Ivon.

“Ceramic Christmas trees were a common sight in the late 1960s and early ’70s. They usually came in green or white, had colorful twinkle lights, and occasionally rotated and played music. By the 1980s, the kitschy keepsakes had declined in popularity, but today they’re experiencing a nostalgia-fueled comeback.” The originals were painted and decorated in craft classes. Most of the original molds have been lost or destroyed. (Quote from the Mental Floss website).

“Back in the 1960-1970’s, Mom or Grandma wanted to create their own gifts, keepsakes, pots, and dinnerware so they went to learn how to paint their own ceramics at a local shop. This lead to holiday decorations and – you guessed it – ceramic trees!

Several different ceramic mold companies in the Midwest started producing their own version of the now classic Ceramic Christmas Tree. The earliest versions of trees had tiny electric bulbs that lit individually. As technology developed in plastics and lighting, the older versions of tiny individual bulbs were replaced by trees that lit from within using only one light bulb to light and entire tree that is decorated with small, colorful plastic “bulbs.”

Vintage trees from this era are painted in a variety of colors, styles and textures. Some are glazed, some finished in acrylic paint, some with snow and many without, but one thing is clear — people still love those remarkable handmade ceramic Christmas Trees!

Since these trees are made from fired clay, little care is required, making them perfect for holiday decorations and gifts that easily last many, many years.” From Ceramic Christmas Trees Info website.

A few unusual ones….plus some display ideas.

Ready to be adorned…

Perfect for a Mid-Century Modern home…

You knew I would include a book, here you go.

Several ceramic vintage and modern menorahs to celebrate Hanukkah, stunning examples to honor the tradition. Definitely not DIY!

All photos unless otherwise noted from Pinterest credit unknown.