Snowbabies by Department 56 Now at Beacons Glow Collectibles
Did you know that Snowbabies figurines by Department 56 have been produced for more than 22 years?
Austin, TX, September 04, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Beacon's Glow Collectibles, an online gift and collectibles retail store specializing in dolls, teddy bears, and collectible figurines (http://www.beaconsglow.com/), is pleased to announce that they are now an authorized retailer of Department 56 Snowbabies. These very popular bisque porcelain figurines convey an endearing personality to the sweet simplicity of childhood.
Kristi Jensen Pierro, designer of Snowbabies by Department 56, has been drawing Snowbabies for the past 22 years. The creation of a Snowbabie includes making a rough sketch which is transformed into an actual illustration. Kristi then makes a scale drawing to include each side, top, and bottom. And, of course, she adds little touches along the way that ultimately makes each Snowbabie collectible irresistible – whether it be a waterglobe, a figurine, an ornament or a musical piece. Currently Kristi is a Department 56 artist and Executive Director of Product Design. Kristi gets her inspiration for these whimsical figurines from her life experiences, photos and stories. Her wonderful creations have always reflected the activities of small children.
According to Wikipedia, a snowbaby is defined as follows: “A snowbaby is a small figurine that depicts some aspect of the Christmas holidays or of winter sports such as skiing and ice skating. The traditional snowbaby is made of unglazed porcelain bisque and shows a child dressed in a snowsuit. The suit itself is covered in small pieces of crushed bisque, giving the appearance of snowflakes.”
Where did Snowbabies originate? One theory dates back to 1893 when polar explorer Admiral Robert Peary was living in Greenland at the time. During that time. his newborn daughter Marie was called Ah-poo-Mic-kaninny, meaning "snowbaby" by the Eskimos, due to her snow-white skin. The second theory traces Snow Babies to late 19th century Germany when "sugar dolls" were a favorite confectionery decoration.
Many snow baby collectors are familiar with antique German snowbabies or Japanese snowbabies. Snowbabies figurines date back to the early 1900’s. During the decade beginning about 1905, German artisans carefully painted each snowbabie by hand. Japan began to produce snowbabies just before World War II, but they were of a lesser quality than those made in Germany.
Currently Beacons Glow Collectibles has 5 main categories of Snowbabies by Department 56: 1. Classics, 2. Celebrations (figurines to celebrate that special moment in time), 3. Guest (includes special pieces that incorporate other famous artists (Disney, Rudolph the red-nosed Reindeer, Wizard of Oz, etc.), 4. Christmas, and 5. Snowbunnies (Easter collectible figurines).
The increasingly popular Snowbunnies were introduced in 1994 and feature a bit of a variation on the classic Snowbabie. Each Snowbunnie has a pair of bunny ears with a delicate dusting of pink in each ear. All of these figurines are done in pastel Spring-like colors.
Earlier this year Department 56 joined with Enesco, a global leader in the giftware industry, to assist with worldwide distribution and support. This has proven to be a win-win situation for both parties involved, and allows Department 56 to focus on continuing product design.
Snowbabies by Department 56 continue to be very popular with collectors and these charming, hand-painted bisque porcelain figurines offer countless ways to celebrate life’s memorable moments.
To peruse Beacon’s Glow Collectible’s brand new line of Snowbabies, just follow this link – (http://www.beaconsglow.com/snowbabies.html).
Beacon's Glow Collectibles also carries many other manufacturers’ line of collectibles in addition to Snowbabies. Bear and plush animal manufacturers include: Steiff Bears; Boyds Bears; Bearington Bears; Charlie Bears; Deb Canham and Robin Rive Bears. Predominant doll manufacturers include: Madame Alexander Dolls; Marie Osmond Dolls; Lee Middleton Original Dolls; and Pauline Collectible dolls. They also carry the very popular Jim Shore Figurines.
Please take a moment to browse their site (http://www.beaconsglow.com/) - Collectors of all types will be pleasantly surprised at their wide variety of manufacturer's lines and products.
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Kristi Jensen Pierro, designer of Snowbabies by Department 56, has been drawing Snowbabies for the past 22 years. The creation of a Snowbabie includes making a rough sketch which is transformed into an actual illustration. Kristi then makes a scale drawing to include each side, top, and bottom. And, of course, she adds little touches along the way that ultimately makes each Snowbabie collectible irresistible – whether it be a waterglobe, a figurine, an ornament or a musical piece. Currently Kristi is a Department 56 artist and Executive Director of Product Design. Kristi gets her inspiration for these whimsical figurines from her life experiences, photos and stories. Her wonderful creations have always reflected the activities of small children.
According to Wikipedia, a snowbaby is defined as follows: “A snowbaby is a small figurine that depicts some aspect of the Christmas holidays or of winter sports such as skiing and ice skating. The traditional snowbaby is made of unglazed porcelain bisque and shows a child dressed in a snowsuit. The suit itself is covered in small pieces of crushed bisque, giving the appearance of snowflakes.”
Where did Snowbabies originate? One theory dates back to 1893 when polar explorer Admiral Robert Peary was living in Greenland at the time. During that time. his newborn daughter Marie was called Ah-poo-Mic-kaninny, meaning "snowbaby" by the Eskimos, due to her snow-white skin. The second theory traces Snow Babies to late 19th century Germany when "sugar dolls" were a favorite confectionery decoration.
Many snow baby collectors are familiar with antique German snowbabies or Japanese snowbabies. Snowbabies figurines date back to the early 1900’s. During the decade beginning about 1905, German artisans carefully painted each snowbabie by hand. Japan began to produce snowbabies just before World War II, but they were of a lesser quality than those made in Germany.
Currently Beacons Glow Collectibles has 5 main categories of Snowbabies by Department 56: 1. Classics, 2. Celebrations (figurines to celebrate that special moment in time), 3. Guest (includes special pieces that incorporate other famous artists (Disney, Rudolph the red-nosed Reindeer, Wizard of Oz, etc.), 4. Christmas, and 5. Snowbunnies (Easter collectible figurines).
The increasingly popular Snowbunnies were introduced in 1994 and feature a bit of a variation on the classic Snowbabie. Each Snowbunnie has a pair of bunny ears with a delicate dusting of pink in each ear. All of these figurines are done in pastel Spring-like colors.
Earlier this year Department 56 joined with Enesco, a global leader in the giftware industry, to assist with worldwide distribution and support. This has proven to be a win-win situation for both parties involved, and allows Department 56 to focus on continuing product design.
Snowbabies by Department 56 continue to be very popular with collectors and these charming, hand-painted bisque porcelain figurines offer countless ways to celebrate life’s memorable moments.
To peruse Beacon’s Glow Collectible’s brand new line of Snowbabies, just follow this link – (http://www.beaconsglow.com/snowbabies.html).
Beacon's Glow Collectibles also carries many other manufacturers’ line of collectibles in addition to Snowbabies. Bear and plush animal manufacturers include: Steiff Bears; Boyds Bears; Bearington Bears; Charlie Bears; Deb Canham and Robin Rive Bears. Predominant doll manufacturers include: Madame Alexander Dolls; Marie Osmond Dolls; Lee Middleton Original Dolls; and Pauline Collectible dolls. They also carry the very popular Jim Shore Figurines.
Please take a moment to browse their site (http://www.beaconsglow.com/) - Collectors of all types will be pleasantly surprised at their wide variety of manufacturer's lines and products.
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Contact
Beacon's Glow Collectibles
Brenda Mize
512-990-9881
www.beaconsglow.com/
Brenda Mize
512-990-9881
www.beaconsglow.com/
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