Exciting News from Department 56!
Winter Magic in the North Pole
by Deanna Pietrzak on 07/17/18Introducing the new (and economical) Silver Series for the North Pole collection!
These three wonderful designs come as convenient sets and include everything you need. The Silver Series is made of durable resin that allows the light from within to fill your home with a warm glow. Priced for gift-giving and collectors on a budget, this is the perfect opportunity to start a new tradition!
Christmas Surprise in Dickens' Village
by Deanna Pietrzak on 06/19/18Introducing the Silver Series for Dickens' Village. These three wonderful designs come as convenient box sets and include everything you need...a lighted building, an accessory piece, and a bag of snow!
The Silver Series is made of durable resin that allows the light from within to fill your home with a warm glow.
Start a tradition for someone special...even if that someone special is YOU!
The Curse of the Hope Diamond! Muahahah!!!
by Deanna Pietrzak on 05/22/18
Senator Robert Reynolds served in the U.S. Senate from 1932-1945. While he was in Washington, Senator Reynolds became acquainted with Evalyn Walsh McLean, owner of the 45 carat Hope Diamond, and he eventually married her daughter, Evie.
The year following her purchase of the Hope Diamond in 1911, Evalyn Walsh McLean's mother-in-law died of pneumonia. A few years after that, Evalyn's little boy was hit and killed by an automobile. Not long after, Evalyn and her husband separated, he later dying in a mental institution from an alcohol-related affliction. Just five years after her husband died, Evalyn's only daughter and wife of Senator Robert Reynolds, Evie, died of an accidental overdose of sleeping pills at the age of 24. The following year, in 1947, Evalyn herself died at age of 60. Robert and Evie's daughter, Mamie, was the heir to the Hope Diamond. She sold it in 1949 to jeweler Harry Winston (YOU BET SHE DID!!!) who donated it to the Smithsonian Museum, where it is still on permanent display.
Are all of the tragedies experienced by Evalyn Walsh McLean a result of the curse of the Hope Diamond? You decide. Muahahah!!!
The Senator Robert Reynold's family home, Reynolds Mansion, is located in Asheville, North Carolina. It opened as a Bed and Breakfast in 2010.
Making Room for New Merchandise!
by Deanna Pietrzak on 04/24/18The new pieces are starting to arrive and they look great!
I’m in the process of getting them displayed so excuse my mess.
Don’t forget to browse the sale section, I have added items. This is a great way to start a new village or to add to an existing village.
Dept. 56 Art & Architecture Series
by Deanna Pietrzak on 02/26/18Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect, writer, educator, and an interior designer who designed over 1,000 structures, 532 of which were completed. Dept. 56's Christmas in the City collection has two examples of these structures, the Heurtley House and the Robbie House, both of which are prairie style architecture.
The Heurtley House has nearly an uninterrupted ribbon of art glass windows that runs beneath the large overhang of the house’s hipped roof.
The Robie House features cantilevered roof eaves and art glass windows. Both houses had the mortar dyed to match the brick to emphasize the horizontal and vertical lines of the house.
Nighthawks is another building in the Christmas in the City collection, inspired by the famous painting with the same title from the artist Edward Hopper. Dept 56's artist provides insight into the rest of the building that holds the famous window scene.
The last art and architectural piece is in New England Village, American Gothic. This piece was most likely inspired from the most famous painting of the well known farm couple by artist Grant Wood.
Do you know what all of these things have in common?! All of them are in Illinois! The paintings can be viewed at The Art Institute of Chicago and there are tours to view the Frank Lloyd Wright houses in Illinois. Sounds like a road trip...to The Village Shoppes to get these buildings to add to your Dept. 56 collection!
