Getting a Handle on Things
Getting a Handle on Things
Jul 31
One of the more common breaks I see with nutcrackers are the handles.
This is common if the piece gets dropped.
I’ve fixed a number of these over the years (most recently – Anri Dog & Rolling Eye Anri) some more difficult than others, but all came out great.
Here’s a great piece from one of the Nutcracker Collectors’ Club members that needed the handle repaired.
The original piece was gone, so a new one had to be added to the existing break then carved and blended to match.
Here’s a before picture showing where the handle was broke.
Figural Nutcracker – Rear handle broken
Here are a few pictures of the piece all fixed and ready to be put back out on display:
The piece came out great and the customer was very pleased with it.
—–Brandon
New Piece Available
New Piece Available
Jul 24
I carved a few unique nutcrackers to take to the 2016 Nutcracker Collectors’ Convention.
Here’s a brand new design I came up with for the convention to demonstrate the type of work I do.
It’s a Screw Type Skull Nutcracker. It’s hand carved out of Mahogany, it’s 3 inches tall, and about 5 inches long.
It’s signed and is the first and only one of this design so far. It’s numbered as #1.
This piece is currently available for purchase at Ardoria.com.
Old English Cottage
Old English Cottage
Jul 16
While I collect and restore antique nutcrackers, I also make my own pieces that I sell on occasion.
Recently I carved an Old English Cottage nutcracker to take to the 2016 Nutcracker Collectors’ Convention.
This is a highly detailed piece that I carved out of Walnut just for fun. It’s about 4 inches square and stands about 9 inches tall.
I used Pyrography to add some of the very fine details (door hinges) and accentuate the smaller carvings (window tracery). This also gave the piece a camp fire aroma which was an added bonus!
Front of the cottage showing the details accentuated using Pyrography
Right side of the cottage showing the chimney details
Back showing the screw knob and roof details
Left side showing the window tracery details
Bottom showing the screw nutcracking mechanism
This was a very fun piece to do and I am very proud to report this piece was bought by the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum at the convention.
Stay tuned for more great pieces i took to the convention.
—– Brandon
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 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.