Dateline: December 2000
Connie, I know you see a lot of new ornaments and new lines of Christmas collectibles. What are the ones that are most exciting to you right now?
I am enchanted with the Austrian Christmas Tree line, hand blown glass ornaments which tend to be clear glass. They are very traditional which appeals to me and have a very Austrian/German look.
Austrian Christmas Tree is a small workshop of about twenty women who are trained in folk arts and folk painting. The company is owned by Romana Gugerbauer in Europe and Gertrude Theriault in the US. It's a totally distinctive line, not like anything else around.
And lastly do you have any favorites from this year that you feel are particularly special?
Right now I think the Twelve25 ornaments by Old World are a wonderful value. The line is machine blown in China but it is very affordable. In the long run, I think that it will introduce new collectors to glass ornaments.
My newest "favorite" is the Patricia Breen Sunflower Santa, done for the Art Institute of Chicago. One piece I feel is a sleeper is the Breen Last Present, an all glittered disc with a reindeer. The Winter Woods Walk cobalt reflector from Slavic Treasures is outstanding. Radko is so huge, there is something for everyone -- but Winter Portrait is a good buy! Winter Portrait has Mom and Pop with two little snow kids and well executed glittering. Another favorite is the Radko Russian Russian Santa.
Susan Cherry Designs, now being manufactured in China, are a very good buy. Most of her ornaments are $12 or less. One, which is especially cute, is the Snowman Snowflake.
