Christmas Past - Buy a live Burro!

This is definitely off the usual arts and crafts topic but while scouring the web I ran across vintage Christmas catalog pages from Sears, Penney's, and Spiegel. It's interesting to see what kinds of things were popular back in the day. I think the most interesting thing I found for sale in a catalog was a burro. Yes, a live burro. For some reason I just can't fathom a child screaming, "Mommy, mommy, can I have a burro for Christmas!!?" Or how about this:

Dear Santa,

I have been a very good boy. This year for Christmas I would like a train set, a Radio Flyer wagon, and a burro.

Love Timmy

If a burro didn't tickle your fancy, in 1955 you could buy a Shetland pony or a monkey. Is it legal to sell live animals from a catalog?? I'm sorry, but that monkey looks diseased.

From the 1966 J.C. Penney catalog we have some interesting dolls. Check out the doll on the page to the far right - the picture in the upper left hand corner. Now tell me, isn't that just about the scariest thing you've ever seen? Other than Wednesday Addams, I can't think of one child who would have put that down on their list. I would have been traumatized for life if I would have found that doll under the tree.

And on the left page, upper left side, we have the Jolly Green Giant doll. Huh? Might have been a favorite of some kid who lived on a farm in the midwest. In any event, it's nice to see some normal toys, like Superman, Batman, and Flipper (??).


As a child, I was always afraid of those Troll dolls. They looked demonic and scared the bejeebies out of me. I always thought they were probably some sort of voodoo doll, disguised as a toy. And they were usually naked - disgusting. Oh how cute, bride and groom tolls. Wouldn't that just be lovely atop your wedding cake?



Now here's a toy I'll bet would be hard to find in a catalog today - a complete chemistry set. I think I might know some adults who would love to have that for Christmas. Are they even allowed to sell these anymore?? I can just see some 8-year-old huddled in a corner of the basement working at his meth lab.



HaPpY Holidays to all!

ATC/ACEO's and Shadowboxes

I've been busy getting ready for the holidays and creating artwork to sell on eBay instead of blogging. Shame on me!

Don't get me wrong, I love eBay, but hesitate to sell my artwork there. It can be quite discouraging. I've seen beautiful pieces with VERY low starting bids go unnoticed and very sloppy artwork go for upwards of $50.

My "Queen of Bee's" is an ATC/ACEO (2.5 x 3.5 inches) that sold for $17.89. This was a little surprising since I had only about $1.50 invested in materials. Let's face it, it's made with chipboard, a scrap piece of decorative paper, a rhinestone, rusty wire, a reproduction vintage photo, and a few beads. I can compete with Domino's Pizza, assembling one of these little ditties in 30 minutes or less.


I also sold a 3D shadowbox. The shadowbox was 5x5 inches and a Dollar Store find. It took me about an hour to make the piece. Actually, I profitted nothing from its sale, but I suppose I gained exposure on eBay as many people viewed it... and the following week when I listed other items all but one sold. Its puzzling how a piece of cardboard can sell for much more than a concrete piece of artwork.

In any event, I seem to be attracting more "lookers" and that can potentially lead to bidders. With the Christmas season upon us, I hope to unload a few more pieces before I begin creating artwork for Valentine's day.