Did December get away from you? Do you need to get a last minute, 19th century appropriate gift before next weekend?
I recommend:
A Hair Kit!
Check out this quick video that looks at what can go into a basic hair kit:
You can pick up the items for a nice hair kit in two stops: Your local craft store like Joann’s or Micheals and your local pharmacy or Sally’s beauty supply.
From you craft store, pick up a paper mache box, small wood box, or period appropriate paper covered box.
From you local pharmacy, pick up the following:
A packet of plain hair nets
A couple packs of faux tortoise hair pins
A pack of hair elastics in black
A pack of faux tortoise hair combs
A gift bag and tissue paper to wrap everything in.
Some of the items to look for at the pharmacy or hair supply store. Hair nets should be nearly invisible, thin like hair. Faux tortoise hair pins can be like these or longer, leaner versions. Hair elastics should be plain, black, elastic. Metal hair pins can be these plain pins (which may not be at most pharmacies) or common hair pins.
Open the packages (except the hair elastics) and put them in the box. You can wrap each item in tissue paper to make unwrapping even more special. Wrap the box in tissue paper, or reproduction fabroc, and place in the gift bag. You can also add a gift certificate for a pomade or a reproduction hair comb to the kits.
Bonbon Boy Progress Today, I sat in a stream of sunshine as I worked on a hat for the Bonbon Boy and a garland of candies for him to hold. Peppermint candies circle his silk conical hat as a series of wrapped bonbons radiate upwards. I was quite pleased with the fit of the hat that slides onto his head without the need for ties. His garland is a simple string of gold, silver, and copper wrapped bonbons. I had pictured a second garland of peppermints, but found such a garland needed a silver bead to seperate the candies. This may happen next week. His lack of hands and feet was a concern to several young visitors this week. I am picturing a pair of mittens to solve part of this worry. His feet may need a pair of boots, which are a bigger challenge. Other than his second garland plus hands and feet, which may need to wait until the right mittens and boots are found, Bennie the Bonbon Boy is nearly finished. I will finish up the last current detail next Sunday.
I wanted to have one more little book of handmade gift ideas for the holiday open house program, where I am talking about holiday gifts. I already have reprints of a few other books to display. I just love these two articles from St. Nicholas Magazine: “100 Christmas Presents, and How to Make Them” from December, 1875, and “A Budget of Home-Made Christmas Gifts” from November, 1877.
There were a couple, um speed bumps, in making this little book. I had transcribed the 1875 article and began laying it out. I had pictured it with a nice cover, printed on cover stock. The cover stock I thought I had. When I discovered I did not have the coverstock, the idea deflated for me. I printed the 1875 and 1877 as they were in the original publications; shorter, easier. Then went about figuring out what might make an okay cover. Turns out the taller paper grocery bags only have printing on one side, leaving enough paper for a cover. I sewed each section together, then the sections together and the cover on. Since my original editions do not have the covers and the covers for each magazine is lost when bound, I created covers which were glued onto the brown cover. (I anticipate finishing the transcribed booklet when I have a coverstock or nice marbled paper for a cover.)
Both articles give insight into child crafts and gift giving, but also into a few other life details such as wall shields and toiletry habits.
After having a conversation last night*, I realized my original Quilted Winter Hood Pattern is now a decade old.
Wow! Time flies.
My first Quilted Winter Hood Pattern was the first pattern I released publicaly. Initially published in print form in 2011, this winter hood got me through a very difficult time. I wrote the pattern while we were “living” on an air mattress in a spare room filled with boxes. The winter hoods I created using this pattern literally paid the bills and got us through. Beyond the financial aspects, this winter hood kept me connected, kept me researching, and kept me creative, while I was emotionally shut down during the situation.
In the past decade, this hood has kept many heads warm across the country and around the globe.
I have decided it is now time to allow my first Quilted Winter Hood Pattern to retire. At the end of the year, December 31st, the pattern will leave my shop.
At some point in the future I will develop a new quilted winter hood pattern focused on the many quilted hoods in my collection.
At the beginning of the month, I was focused on the launch of two new winter hood patterns: The Wadded Hood Workbook and The Princess Capote Directions.
I was also focused on holiday shop offerings, both historical and whimsical. I am super excited that all but one of my gift filled pockets sold out so quickly. I am completely smitten with my wool cats.
Each weekend of November, I shared a crafty video over on Don’t Paint the Cat for a A Little Whimsy for the Holidays series. Check those out here.
The weekend before Thanksgiving, I left the 21st century behind for a weekend of 19th century Preparing for Winter. I had a great time talking with visitors about winter clothes.
I was delighted to find, to finally find, the edition of St Nicholas’s Magazine I had been trying to find at a price I could afford. It came just in time for December’s programs. Video
This brings us to looking ahead to December. It has been a while, a long while, since I’ve had a month scheduled this busy. I have the mundane things of getting new glasses, various appointments, and getting the heating /cooling system for the car flushed. Heat is a necessity in NY. I have the seasonal festivities of community parties. I have three weekends of Yuletide Open House where I will be talking about handmade gifts. Oh, and I have work too.
Years ago, my What Do I Get My Wife for Christmas post was a big hit. Actually, it got spike in views for years after writing it.
Time for an update!
There are some great craftspeople creating wonderful items to give as gifts. This is a short list of some of my favorites. I am trying to include newest products or at least new to me. Each (non-consumable) item I’ve included is well researched by the makers and made to last.
Fits in a Stocking (under $30)
Reproduction Handkerchiefs based on originals from the Susan Greene collection at GCVM available exclusively from Burnley & Trowbridge. I literally squeeled and jumped out of my chair when I saw these beautiful pieces announced. B&T added these 3 new handkerchiefs, each suitable for a different span of decades to their already excellent line of handkerchiefs.
I am late on the up-take with this next one.i finally tried LBCC Historical Apothecary‘s products this summer. They instantly won me over. They offer period cosmetics and fragrances. They detail their offerings with era and ingredients.
Tea can be a favorite gift for some. In recent years, there has been an increase in small shops offering loose tea. Most offer an assortment of period correct varieties. I pick my tea up from TeaLicious Trendz. You may have a shop local to you. (ps – Tea ships well because it is light weight.)
I wasn’t going to include anything from a previous list. But, I love Delp’s silk stockings too much not to recommend them. Their silk stockings are a great gift idea. They come plain and clocked, in a few different colors. Blue has been on my personal wishlist. I find them to be an excellent summer stocking, staying comfortable all day. They fit comfortably on my 18 inch calves. (ps – I also recommend several of their other stockings. Their speckled blue/white ones used to fit my mountain of a Dad.)
Wraps up nice
Family Heirloom Weavers Fabrics available through the Button Baron. I’ve been swooning over these fabrics for months. Each one is based on an original textile or garment. The wider width means you only need 5 yards (6 to be extra safe) for a dress length. A single yard will make an apron or a sunbonnet.
SJ Pottery. I’ve become a big fan of this potter over tha last couple years. (It takes a lot to distract me from my fabulous local potters who I also highly recommend. Find the GCVM pottery in the Flint Hill Store..)
Do you have someone who likes to bake? I stumbled onto SR White Carver when looking for a friend. These are handmade cookie molds. How cool is that? (I have not yet personally bought from this artisan. GCVM also offers beautiful Springerle molds in their Flint Hill Store.)
Shaker, or Shaker style boxes are useful for holding sewing tools, hair pins, or even jewelry on the go. They come in many sizes from a couple inches to about the size of a serving bowl. While I get my personal Shaker style boxes from a local artisan, here are two online options to choose from: the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill and C Mack Shaker Box. (PS – You can put more gifts inside when you wrap this one.)
There May Be Tears
Looking for a drool worthy gift for the late 18th to early 19th century? Check out the millinery offerings of Kitty Calash. Her work is excellent with high attention to accuracy.
Beth Miller Hall’s Reproduction Gutta Percha and More. Beth is recreating a fine selection of broaches, earrings, necklaces, and even haircombs to mimic gutta percha, horn, and bog oak. Her pieces are thoroughly researched and carefully crafted.
May I selfishly recommend one of my own Gift Filled Pockets or Filled Sewing Pockets? While most of the gift filled tie on pockets are sold out, I do have two left at this writing and am working on making some additional sewing work pockets. Either of these can be a very useful gift, being used again and again throughout the years.
I am having a difficult time deciding whether to recommend a reproduction Jenny Lind Fan or a knit purse from Ruede La Paux Repros. So, I will recommend both. These are both detail pieces, amplifying an impression. Either will make a delightful gift.
I have an assortment of select items in my shop this year., including Gift Filled Pockets, Pen-Wipers, and sewing accessories. I will be adding a limited number of straw millinery during Thanksgiving week (as I complete each piece.)
❄Please remember to order early. This increases the likelihood of safe and timely shipping. It also helps the artisan or craftsperson you are ordering from. ❄
If I Had My Own Blue Box: 