Starting in the mid-1980's:
Bethany Lowe Designs is a small family-owned business that started approximately twenty years ago. Lowe's vision was to create unique, original, vintage-style folk art and designs for the wholesale market.
Limited Editions Santa Claus Figures:
Early years were devoted to making limited edition and one-of-a-kind Santa Claus figures, studio-made ornaments and Christmas decorations.
Overseas = More Reasonable Prices:
In 1997 Bethany traveled overseas to see if high-quality
handmade designs could be produced at a more reasonable price.
After two years of working with different manufacturers in
different countries, she was able to replicate her designs while
maintaining the desired quality.
Artist Folks Figures and Holiday Home Line:
There are two distinct lines from Lowe, artist-made folk figures and holiday home collection, with price levels for everyone. Collections now include all the holiday seasons and designs are made in paper-mache, resin, tin, paper pulp, wool, cotton batting, glass, woods and paper.
Folk Artists :
Dee Foust Collectibles,” “Hobgoblins” from the vintage collection of
Bruce Elsass, “Trout Creek Tales” by Virginia Betourne and “Dresden Star
Heirloom Ornaments” by Gail and Glenn Giaimo are the licensed artists for
this year.
New Artists for 2006:
Joining Lowe in January of 2006 will be Scott Smith, of “Rucus
Studio,” with his whimsical interpretations of old holiday treasures; and
Casey Mack, who creates delightful small-scale wonders from cardboard,
glitter and paper. And finally, the fanciful woodcarvings of artist
Greg Guedel will be reproduced and hand-finished in every magical detail.
Bottom Line:
Lowe has a terrific selection of vintage-look pieces for every holiday, but I was particularly excited with the Halloween designs. The collection of reproduction Halloween was well-researched and nicely done. It should appeal to collectors of both vintage and new Halloween folk art.
Meanwhile, the artist edition collections are welcome treasures and will bring many of the artist pieces to the Halloween enthusiast who cannot always afford or even find an original.
Vintage Halloween is rapidly becoming out of reach for many collectors and the Bethany Lowe collection can easily satisfy the "need" for the vintage look, but at very affordable prices.
Source:
Bethany Lowe Designs
