Sunday, October 30, 2011

Monday Montage

Being tomorrow night is Halloween and I will not be my computer,
I am featuring Monday Montage today.
My treat for you all!

The History of the Feather Tree

Feather trees began in the mid 1800's brought to the USA by German immigrants, because cutting live trees was banned to save German's forests.
President Theodore Roosevelt increased their popularity by ordering feather trees for the White House one Christmas instead of live trees to preserve our own nations evergreens. 

Feather trees have become quite collectible and are sometimes called
the Nuremberg Christmas tree because of their German roots.
 Others will say they were the first true artificial Christmas tree.
 Branches were made from a series of wires wrapped with real feathers
 then attached to a wooden trunk, which was then secured to a painted wooden base which was either square or round.

Sears Roebuck introduced the feather tree in their Christmas Wish Book in the 1920's.
They offered their feather trees from two to thirty inches. In later years they ranged as high as eight feet. They also introduced hand blown glass ornaments and handmade candles. Sears also offered their feather trees with electric lights once electricity came around. 

Now I have always wanted my very own antique feather tree.
After many years of searching, I finally found one last year after Christmas. 
These trees are getting harder and harder to find, and because of their rarity are not cheap.


This little beauty is from the late 1800's.
Those with the round base such as mine are older.
It measures just a little over 2 feet but unfortunately has lost its berries.
Each tip should have had a red berry.
My feather tree is not as big as I would like it to be, but we all have to start somewhere.
However it fits perfectly our slanted desk.

Now I am on the hunt for ornaments.
This silver acorn is the only ornament I have at present.


It measures 2 inches high.
 
I also purchased some vintage silver candle clips complete with off white candles.
 
However they are too heavy for this little tree.
So this gives me an excuse to find a bigger feather tree. LOL

Now on my craft side this past week, 
I created another type of tree, along with a few other items for our store
 that I will share later in the week. 


I have named this snow character who is holding his favorite tree 
WHITE PINE
After our state tree.

Well back to creating ladies.
Don't get into too much trouble tonight on
ALL HALLOW"S EVE!!!

A Wicked Blessing to all
Janice






   

4 comments:

  1. Thanks Janice for sharing the history of the feather tree. I love yours. I have a few but not old ones. They are hard to find here and even with the new reproductions they are quite expensive. I am so ready to start my Christmas decorating. Have a Happy Halloween.
    Angela

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  2. Janice, What an interesting informative post thanks so much for sharing ! I love your lil tree just darling! Love your new snow folk hes a cutie for certain! I also wanted to THANK YOU for my wonderful prize package it is awesome !I apologize for not posting it yet as I have been sick and super busy with the move I will post it this week sometime!Have a great week ! hugs lilraggedyangie

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  3. Fascinating....I knew about feather trees in a general sort of way - and also know that I'd give my eyeteeth to find a good old one at a halfway reasonable price - but you still taught me several things. Thanks for sharing. (There is a company in Wisconsin that actually makes some pretty amazing repros - almost as pricey as the old ones, but actually done with real feathers and made in any size you like....very faithful repros I might add.....) Happy, happy, boo night! Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

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  4. Wonderful tree! I love it!

    Carmen and the Primcats

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