Recent Acquisitions
Recent Acquisitions
Jul 09
In this business I get to work on some really great pieces for Nutcracker Collectors’ Club members and other clients.
One of the things that fuels my passion to rescue and restore damaged pieces for people is that I’m also a collector. I understand each piece’s value and the historical significance to fixing it right.
Compared to most, I don’t have many pieces; but the pieces I do have are good ones I bought reasonably and restored for myself, or are ones I really liked and/or admired the carving or style.
I bought two pieces at the 2016 Nutcracker Collectors’ Convention. They both are pieces that caught my eye and I really liked them.
What’s most important is, I don’t have to fix them. Just wax them and set them out for display.
Cat Nutcracker with “VITZNAU” carved into the handle
Nice old Boxwood screw type nutcracker
I’m very happy with my new acquisitions.
Coming soon — The original pieces I took to sell at the convention (spoiler alert! – The ones I didn’t sell are currently for sale on Ardoria).
—– Brandon
2016 Nutcracker Convention – Day 2
2016 Nutcracker Convention – Day 2
Jul 02
As promised, here are some pictures of the second day at the 22nd Nutcracker Collectors’ Club Convention.
The meeting and auction were held at the Holiday Inn Express in Lexington Virginia.
A club member from Lithuania presented the history of Josiah Pratt (1767) brass nutcrackers and other notable makers (Edward Grouttage (1770), William Ward (1770), Rob Moor (1770), and Richard Eades (1770)) .
A few collectors brought pieces from their collection in for display
A collector from Connecticut’s pieces on display
A collector from Ohio’s recent additions to her collection
Others brought in some great pieces to sell
Nutcrackers for sale
The Silent Auction was in full swing and had a lot of great pieces available to bid on. Here are just a few of the tables
CBS (WDBJ-7) came by and did a lot of filming and interviews. The news story can be found here – Nutcracker Collectors Gather in Lexington
Nutcracker collector interview – CBS (WDBJ-7)
After the convention, everyone had a little free time to wander before meeting for dinner. We went antiquing a little, then downtown to a couple galleries.
Downtown Lexington Virginia
Window display downtown advertising the convention
Everyone gathered at the Southern Inn for a great dinner and to say goodbye to fellow collectors and great friends til next year.
Missy and I had a great time. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed getting to see everyone.
We can’t thank Lynn and Ann enough for doing such a fabulous job hosting this year’s convention.
Stay tuned for pictures of the pieces I took to the convention to sell and pictures of the pieces I bought.
2016 Nutcracker Convention – Day 1
2016 Nutcracker Convention – Day 1
Jun 27
This year marks the 22nd annual Nutcracker Collectors’ Club Convention which was held in Lexington Virginia.
First off, I have to say Lynn and Ann did a great job putting this year’s event together. I can’t imagine the time and work that goes into this. They really did a fantastic job!
Here are some pictures from the first day of the convention. This is where the Nutcracker Club members get to visit the hosting member’s home and see their personal collection first hand.
Lynn and Ann provided local beer and wine, delicious home cooked food, local fried chicken, and decadent deserts to die for. All this was provided as we toured their home, viewed their beautifully displayed collection, and visited with members and friends we haven’t seen for a while.
Everything was beautifully displayed. Their home and their collection are absolutely spectacular!
Click on the pictures for a larger view.
- Arriving at the convention host’s house
Their stairwell lined with nutcrackers and the local paper covering their collection and listing the convention
- The fireplace mantel
- Display case full of metal nutcrackers
Display case full of wooden nutcrackers
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Close up #1 of the wooden nutcrackers
Close up #2 of the wooden nutcrackers
Close up #3 of the wooden nutcrackers
Close up #4 of the wooden nutcrackers
Very rare cane nutcrackers on display
Nutcrackers displayed on the bar
Nutcrackers displayed on top of the bar
More nutcrackers displayed on top of the bar
At the end of the evening (and the convention), everyone was given a travel mug commemorating the event.
Stay tuned for Day 2 to see the great pieces members brought to show off and/or sell.
More importantly, stay tuned to see what great items I came home with!
An Old Anri Dog
An Old Anri Dog
May 28
Here is a another older Anri that came in for repair from the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum.
As you can see in the pictures below, this piece had a lot of damage around the mouth and a badly broken handle.
Here are a few pictures of the piece after all the repairs:
I was real pleased with how this piece came out.
Well, that is all the Anris from the lot of 9 that the museum sent in for repairs.
They were all sent back and should be on display at the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum for many visitors to enjoy.
Groden Update
Groden Update
May 21
If you remember, I fixed a Groden a few months back (http://www.brandonetto.com/?p=2712).
I only had to do the repairs, the customer’s wife was going to paint it once they got it back.
The piece is done, and they were kind enough to send me photos of it painted.
All I have to say is – Wow! She did a fantastic job!
Here is a quick reminder of how the Groden looked when it left my shop:
Here’s a picture they sent of the Groden painted. She really did an awesome job on this!
