Collectibles

The Story Behind In many Native American cultures the fox is thought to be wise, due to its cunning nature. It is also considered a trickster for the same reason. Foxes are adaptable and opportunistic, but are also family-oriented, often forming lifelong...

The Story Behind Birds are symbols of happiness and joy, and so they are regarded as a necessity on the Christmas Tree. Glassblowers often kept wild birds during the winter months since the sound of the gas flame in the workshop prompted the birds to...

The Story Behind Santa works very hard and has a really big job. Every once in a while, however, he likes to take a vacation. Since the North Pole is cold and snowy most of the year, what could be better than a getaway to relax and have fun on a river...

Flutes appeared in every culture and exist in many forms today as folk instruments. In Western culture, the flute has evolved into the metal, keyed instrument we know today. The concert flute is a precision woodwind that uses a system of keys to produce...

The Story Behind For centuries, firefighters have used helmets to protect their heads while risking their lives to extinguish flames. While the shape and materials have changed throughout the time, the fireman s helmet has always been a symbol of these...

The Story Behind What could be better than that childhood favorite a shiny, bright red Fire Truck! Toymakers often turned real-life items into toys for children, so they could learn as they played. A child could imagine being a heroic firefighter bravely...

The Story Behind This helpful gadget was invented over 100 years ago, initially to help Italian factory workers take shorter coffee breaks. Today, we enjoy our espresso as a single shot, or mixed with steamed milk and other flavorings in a festive to-go...

The Story Behind This beautiful glass ornament was carefully mouth-blown into a finely crafted mold. Then a hot solution of liquid silver was poured inside. Finally, the ornament was delicately hand-painted with many brightly colored lacquers and...

The Story Behind Beavers have thick fur, webbed feet, and flat tails making them good swimmers and well adapted to their semiaquatic lives. They are peaceful, sociable, and incredibly industrious. Celebrate that exceptionally energetic and enthusiastic...

The Story Behind A dumbbell is a type of free weight used to build muscular strength and endurance. The term dumbbell comes to us from England in the 1700s when a poet described it as similar to an apparatus for ringing a church bell but with no bell, so...

The Story Behind Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday that brings families and friends together to pray and remember the loved ones who have passed away and to help support the spiritual journey. It is believed the gates of heaven...

The Story Behind Dachshunds, also known as wiener dogs due to their long build and short legs, were bred for below ground work. They are affectionate, clever and courageous with a lively disposition. The Dachshund embodies power in a small package...

A trip on a Cruise Ship offers a vacation where the voyage and the ship's amenities are a large part of the experience. Organized like a floating resort, a Cruise Ship offers fabulous food, entertainment and cultural adventures. This beautiful Cruise...

The Story Behind Dating as far back as 221 BC, in the Qin dynasty, people have been using compasses to help find their way. Originally the Chinese used a lodestone compass to tell fortunes, and later developed the luopan for Fung Shui. By the 11th...

The Story Behind For centuries, coffee has been a favorite beverage around the world. In today's fast-paced culture, "coffee-to-go" has become increasingly popular. Now to the delight of coffee drinkers, many drive-thru venders offer premium coffee and...

The Story Behind For centuries, coffee has been a favorite beverage around the world. In diners and restaurants coffee is served from coffee pots to caffeinate and energize its drinker. The coffee pot ornament makes a great gift for a waitress, waiter or...

The Story Behind A coach s influence does not stop when the game ends. Coaches shape character and integrity for life by teaching athletes how to manage emotions, perseverance, resilience and conquering fears. The Coach s Whistle ornament makes a great...

The Story Behind The first motorhome was built by Raymond Frank so that he could take his family on vacation to the Midwest and Florida. His invention caught the eye of other travelers who soon requested that Frank build more. Suddenly an industry was...

The Story Behind This beautiful glass ornament was carefully mouth-blown into a finely crafted mold. Then a hot solution of liquid silver was poured inside. Finally, the ornament was delicately hand-painted with many brightly colored lacquers and...

The Story Behind Nestled in quaint little villages, cottages represent the heritage and culture of the glass ornament artisans. They often created images that reflected their day-to-day lives. Therefore, cottage ornaments were proudly styled after the...