SPUN COTTON ORNAMENTS

I recently joined the collector club Golden Glow of Christmas Past, a club for collecting all things Christmas.  To say the members are enthusiastic is an understatement.  As I was looking for a papier-mache restorer for some of my antique toys, Golden Glow member Jerry Arnold was recommended to me, and this past weekend at a Ohio Golden Glow event I was fortunate to finally meet (and spend quality time with) Jerry and his wife, Darla.  Jerry and Darla are long-time members who collect Christmas and Halloween with a passion.   When I asked Darla how many trees they've put up for Christmas this year, it took her a while to give me an accurate count and then said, "17."   Jerry and Darla's ornament collection and knowledge of antique ornaments has not gone unnoticed . . . even Martha Stewart had Jerry on for a segment on antique paper ornaments, while Darla spent her time waiting for Jerry to finish taping in a room "with the Emmys." 
(See the video of Jerry's segment with Martha here:  http://www.marthastewart.com/909540/jerry-arnolds-paper-christmas-ornaments)

But Jerry and Darla weren't satisfied collecting just the antique ornaments which fill their home.  Both having a background in art, Jerry and Darla began creating spun cotton ornaments about seven years ago.  Darla creates the spun cotton bodies to Jerry's specifications, and then Jerry takes over creating one-of-a-kind pieces painted, dressed and trimmed wherever his imagination takes him.   Golden Glow members are the bulk of his customers, and I wanted to share their spun cotton pieces with you so you can enjoy them (and begin collecting them if you like). 

Jerry's talent shines in these two ornaments.  The detail is amazing.   His extraordinary handpainted papier-mache faces are flawless.  The figure on the left is based on an antique piece he once restored.  It is a telescoping ornament, meaning the legs fit into the body, the body into the head and the head into the hat, 10 inches tall when hanging. 

                                                Circus Elephant

                                                    Fanciful Bug

Halloween Veggie figure of spun cotton . . . this time on candy container.

                                       German Baker Ornament

                                       Girl on Horseback Ornament

                                          Halloween Centerpiece

                     Pumpkin Boy on Firefly . . . for your Halloween Tree!

   Owl ready to eat her mouse . . . incorporating Dresden and crepe paper trim

      Santa with Babies Ornament . . . with die cut faces and Dresden buttons

In the end, I couldn't resist.  Who could?  Take a look at that face!  I brought home this telescoping witch ornament.   Just one of many more to come, I'm sure.

You can contact Jerry at jgarnold25@yahoo.com.