Shiny Brite

Shiny Brite

I love Christmas. And I love vintage ornaments. My tree has nothing on it that is newer than I am. All my ornaments, my tree topper, even my tree skirt fake snow blanket thing and my tinsel and lights... all vintage. I can't resist the Shiny Brites. I especially love the bells, but I haven't yet found any nice reflectors, and think I really need some.

Needless to say, I'm always keeping my eye out for vintage Christmas stuff at thrift stores and estate sales. The other day I found three nice grab bags of ornaments for $1 each, and half off that. Some of the ornaments are... not appropriate. Either too new or too tacky, or whatever. But these ornaments, the ones in the picture, my lovelies, are beautiful. One of the bags was entirely miniature ornaments from occupied Japan, and they are completely awesome. I got two Shiny Brite bells, one in silvered with pink and aqua stripes, and one in silvered with red and orange stripes. Also, one each hot pink, light pink and raspberry Shiny Brite balls (I love the non-traditional colors!) and a beautiful blue ball from Poland, which I've never seen before.

Among the non-pretty ornaments was one ornament that was so very very tacky that I loved him instantly. This is tacky pig. He's a papier mache ornament, signed "de sola" and with a "Made in Mexico" sticker on his underbelly. I can't hang him on my tree. My tree is too pretty for him I'm afraid, but unlike the rest of the tacky ornaments, this little guy is definitely staying with me.



So, I just love vintage ornaments, but how is this crafty? Well, first of all, I always think decorating is crafty, and Christmas is definitely crafty, so decorating for Christmas is not only crafty in and of itself, but also puts me in a total crafty mood. However, because that may not be enough for some folks to justify a post on a craft blog, and because my tacky pig is so kitschy cool for words, but also way too... kitschy... for my pretty, pretty tree, I'm finally going to get around to making myself a wreath, with tacky pig as the focal point and also primary color inspiration. Maybe this weekend. I have a gift certificate for Hobby Lobby burning a hole in my purse.