When I first heard the name HingeHeads -- I had absolutely no idea what the heck a HingeHead was. Not a clue. Then when I visited the site in conjunction with the Red Hat Society links, all I did was shake my head. Why on earth would anyone want a little sculpture/statue stuck on their door? In the current marketplace of retros, reproductions and re-makes, they certainly were a new idea and product. But why?

Then I was contacted by HingeHeads asking whether I wanted a sample of the product. I decided a sample would at least let me have a good look at one and I'm never one to turn down a sample!

The samples came -- I put them aside for a few days, before finally getting them out of the box to look at them. I was becoming a little more impressed. The tiny figures are really well-made and quite attractive, but I still couldn't see myself putting them actually on a door hinge. I still questioned why?

Finally I broke down and tried two of the samples, putting Sol on one of our double front doors. The sample was the Duet model which consists of the top finial and a paired foot finial for the bottom of the hinge. I will admit I was surprised at how quickly I was won over, it gives a very finished look to the door hardware that I didn't realize was lacking. It didn't look like it was "stuck-on", but looked like it really belonged there. It would be a bit much to put them on all or most of your doors, but when you can coordinate them with your interests or room decor, they will be a pleasant, but subtle, visual surprise.

It took just a few moments to figure out how to attach the HingeHead with the supplied putty. The bottom foot finial is also attached with putty and I am curious to see if there is a problem of the putty giving out and the piece falling off, but so-far, so-good.

Although HingeHeads are made for decorating (doors), I can also see them being accumulated by collectors and displayed on shelves, a desk or with other like objects in a collection. Especially those that collect animal figures -- there is quite a menagerie to choose from. At around $10. each, the HingeHeads are not only attractive, but easily affordable.

HingeHeads makes over 150 designs, with more coming out all the time. At this time there is a licensed Red Hat Society piece, as well as dogs, cats, frogs, sports, celestial, dragons, angels, cupid, gargoyles and lots of tropical-themed figures -- something for everyone! And if there is someone difficult on your gift list, the person who has everything, there is sure to be a HingeHead design that is appropriate and it will be one thing they don't have YET.

And yes, I am going to finish off the front doors with another matching Sol HingeHead -- I'm hooked!