Fleas...gotta love em.

I absolutely love fleas....even a very bad flea is better than housekeeping ...heck anything is better than housekeeping !

I have mentioned in previous blogs that my husband Tom and I are semi-quasi antique dealers. We have a booth at a local mall and occasionally exhibit at shows & flea markets in the Midwest. This past weekend we had a booth at a local antique flea market in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. It is one of the best in this neck of the woods....southeastern Wisconsin. A small town with a good size flea around 500 dealers on the county fairgrounds. As with most fleas you can find everything there...from herbs...to French lighting..to homegrown tomatoes...to framed Victorian bridal veils...to garden art....to breweriana..to vintage jewelry.......primitive items......to antique patriotic...to dress forms....to buttons & beads galore....to spools of antique lace and the list goes on and on...of course many of these items were in my own booth..lol.

People line up at the gate an hour or two before it starts ...when the gates open ..it is craziness. You can also get in early the day before during setup ...I believe the gate price is a lot higher at $25.00 per person...we get a lot of Chicago dealers coming in early for first pickings. They know Wisconsin prices are good prices to buy and then resell.

My husband and I set up the day before in our usual spot inside the small animal building. The weather forecast was iffy....wet and cold but we put on a brave face and carried on. I don't usually get a chance to shop early...too much to set up in our own booth which takes 8-9 hours. But I do take a peek when I take potty breaks...lol. I grab some cash and yell to my husband "I am going to the bathroom"..of course he is not stupid knowing this means "she is going to the bathroom BUT will also shop along the way & on the way back"....yes, he is not a stupid man.

This time I didnt have to go far for my first purchase....a life size lady mannequin right next door to our booth. The dealer who has been next to us the past few years gave me a real deal....she is a sweetheart. I was going to keep the mannequin and name her...but alas decided to put her in the mall for sale ....I have a lot of vintage clothes and hats so she will show off what I am selling while being for sale as well. I would prefer an older mannequin as this one is pretty current....very pretty but I like the look of a vintage mannequin.

Our booth at the mall and at flea markets is a real eye catcher....we get a lot of compliments from the customers...which is so nice when you are extremely tired, cranky and need a bath....lol I have several dress forms in which I dress with funky clothing and use the front of the forms to showcase my bracelets and necklaces. Of course at every show or flea customers want to buy the dress forms..I could have sold each one 2o times over. There are 5 full size ladies and 3 children plus an upper torso form. Not only do I display my handmade charm bracelets at the fleas but I specialize in vintage holiday items, vintage ladies and children clothing, lace...mega hats, Victorian scrap, ladies vanity items, teddy bear & accessories and old toys that need good homes.








On one of my few trips to the bathroom I did manage to sneak over and visit other dealers I knew and obtain a few bits and pieces for the bracelets...all from one vendor. He specializes in jewelry, vintage bits and bobs, buttons and beads. I pull up a chair and sort thru his boxes...it is amazing how fast time goes by. I carry a walkie-talkie so my husband can contact me if a customer has a question or he is bored and really needs to hear my voice. Of course, this happens frequently when I am in the bathroom stall doing important things....lol.

You meet the most interesting people at the fleas...a first time flea market visitor...she was in her 50's and she was thoroughly enjoying herself....even though she spent all her money she was just delighted to be there.... her eyes were glazed over, she was shaking and could barely talk and was so excited that I wanted to give her a hug. Then I met a man who was a bit strange...he told me he was an angel...OK I thought I will hear what he had to say. Needless to say he entertained himself more than he did my husband and I. After 20 minutes he shoke our hands and left. My husband & I just looked at each other and smiled. Of course after meeting an angel what does one say...lol.

I noticed a lot of people love to give you their life stories ...they love to talk about their purchases & what they will do with them...most are so interesting ..others not so much. I think they are lonely ....I am a good listener and always thank them for stopping. I have several customers stop who have bought from me over the years...it is like seeing old friends...I cant remember their names but I usually remember what they bought....go figure.

I had an elderly man stop and looked at my antique cardboard mask of Uncle Sam...he is also a collector of vintage patriotic. He didn't have one of these in his collection and we talked a bit about it. He left and I knew he would be back. A little less than an hour he brought his wife...took the mask off the shelf and brought it over....he treasured that mask I could tell. We agreed on the price and he left with a treasure that day...I think it made his day actually. I love when that happens.

The weather was pretty nasty...it was COLD & WINDY & RAINY......I am so thankful we had an inside spot...although there was a small leak in the roof right over my husbands head. We brought a small heater and after turning it on for a few minutes it knocked out all the lights in our aisle...lol. The dealer next to us knew where the electrical box was and turned them back on. We turned the heater on to minimum and manged to not knock out the lights again. Of course, my husband had to go around and tell the other dealers it was us that did it. This is what happens when you marry an honest man. Several dealers laughed...others smiled because they thought it was their heaters that knocked out the circuit....lol.

Even for being bad weather ...the crowds were great....I saw a lot of stuff go by...our sales were good...a bit less than hoped for but I am happy with what we made. Of course I cant wait for the next one on June 26...then we bring the fans !


Yours in whimsey,

Karen

This Saturday.....

I am delighted to tell you that....this Saturday, May 14
I am being represented by

Felicia Hymer of The BEAR SCOUT


* Felicia Hymer *



at the

Philadelphia Doll & Teddy Bear Artist Convention
at the Ramada Airport Hotel.

then

On Sunday, May 15
she is holding a Bear Scout "Trunk" Show at

Country Meadows
in Kutztown, Penn.
This is adjacent to Renningers Antique Mall

11am - 5pm

*

At both events, she will be featuring along with other bear artists
a number of my pieces...

as

The MAD Hatted Bear

from my bears...to cat dolls ...to whimsical pincushions...to bunny muffs


~ Sweet William ~



~ There's A Pig Dancing In My Garden ~



~ Miss Puss ~


and as

MADAME Whimsey

....assorted bracelets with charms of teddy bears, The Roosevelt Bears,
old toys, Brownies and more !

~ A Bears Story ~


~ I LOVE Old Toys ~


~ Teddy Bears Are My Passion ~


~ The Roosevelt Bears ~

* * *

Felicia Hymer
has been an exclusive rep of teddy bear artists for the past 15 years.
She is also known nationally as a lecturer and even has been
a judge for the Tobys three times.
Internationally she has written several articles
for the teddy bear magazines
around the world.

Her website is


www.thebearscout.com



***

Her email address is



bearbroker@aol.com


***

Her Facebook site is under her name -


Felicia Hymer


Check out her website for upcoming teddy bear show schedule in your area....it is well worth the trip so see so many fabulous teddy bears & friends
represented in one place !

Yours in a whimsey,

Karen

And yet another trifle....for your perusal.... a whimsical pincushion !

This whimsical pincushion on my Easter web show was fun to create.
I called this one of a kind...

~Victorian Easter Frippery ~

Over the years I have accumulated a rather large collection
of antique portrait pins and sometimes
select one to place on
a creation when it calls for an interesting
bit of trifle !


The bunny is 4..25" tall .... entire vignette is 12.5" from
bottom of base to top of bunny ear.

I just love the polka dot sash !



Note vintage millinery flowers...very hard to find these days.


Completely hand-sewn bunny.

This endearing pinkeep
commemorates the days from long ago.
A wee hand-sewn white wool bunny sits upon a 2-tone
chocolate wool egg. The arms of the bunny are jointed with one holding
a wee basket waiting for Easter treats.

The bunny named Harvey wears a silk ribbon gathered collar,
has an embroidered nose with tiny bead eyes.
A pink blush covers his tummy.
The large egg features on the front, 2 wool felt medallions of creme
and pink with a brown pleated ribbon encircling the egg.
On top of the medallions is a wired creme with brown polka dot sash, 2 vintage floral sprays, a brown velvet ruffle
& an antique portrait pin of a mother and daughter.

The bunny is removable as it is attached with a vintage corsage pin to the egg.
The egg rests on 2 wool felt skirts of pink and a star shaped dark brown.
The egg is permanently attached to the wood base which displays a velvet ribbon.
Both bunny & egg are stuffed with polyfil.

~Victorian Easter Frippery~
Pincushion

Price $ 195.00

Free shipping to US.
Paypal accepted!


Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.....I dont bite much !


Yours in a whimsey,

Karen A. Meer

Easter Web Show is up & running...yahoo !!

Yes, I finally got the Easter Web Show up and running....
my eyes are bleary,
I can't remember the last time
I went to the bathroom

and

I just ate cold pizza for dinner at 10:30pm.....but the web show is DONE !!

I am offering ...

~ Gorgeous Pincushions ~

~ Hand-painted Chalkware Novelties ~

~ Adorable Trinket Boxes ~


and so much more on 2 Easter Web Show Pages !

Check it out at -

www.themadhattedbear.com



Yours in a whimsey,

Karen

Easter Web Show is coming soon....

Yes, I will have an Easter Web Show...and yes, I realize Easter is on Sunday...lol.

Well, due to house problems.....a huge pipe in basement cracked and flooded our basement with not such nice stuff, our plumber went on vacation for a week and then when the pipe finally got replaced they hit a light that shorted and knocked out 1/2 of our house electricity...which included the 1/2 of the house with the computer and sewing machine. Yesterday, the electrician fixed the problem and life is back to normal "gulp" I hope.

Needless to say I have fallen behind at least a week. So.........I am frantically finishing up the pieces that will be featured on my Easter Web Show....hopefully tomorrow unless the lightning I hear in the distance strikes our home...lol. Ok...that is not funny.

Yours in a semi-catatonic-albeit frenzied-humble state of being,

Karen

Brownies ....should we eat them or just play with them ?

Yes....I enticed you to read this blog about Brownies....not the wee Girl Scout lass or unfortunately the yummy hi-caloric chocolate
very naughty gooey dessert treats

BUT

whimsical little creatures albeit kind-hearted sprites created by Palmer Cox during the later 1870s.

~ Brownie Nine-pins ~


A few years back a dear friend Mrs. S. was conversing with me via the phone and somehow the topic about Brownies came up. Thinking she was speaking about the dessert brownies I was anticipating a pan of chocolate goodies for our next trip...lol. Alas it was not meant to be BUT the conversation got me interested in pursuing a little more info on these tiny gentlemen of whimsey and design a MADAME Whimsey special bracelet for Mrs. S.


~ The Foot Race ~
Postcard


~ Handkerchief ~
The Dude was the most popular !


Four years later....and I am hooked....lol. I will not say it is an obsession nor the main focus of my collecting. BUT......I love to read, gather and absorb all that I can find about the Brownies and their creator...lol...OK I have just a wee obsession.

Over the next few months I will include more info & photos I have gathered...
there is no set schedule.....it takes about 5 full days to gather, sort, write and edit.....I am an artist and make no claim to fame as a writer....lol. Plus my husband needs a little attention once in a while...

Check back often for interesting facts and images. I would love to include images and info from my darling readers !

There is a quiz below....lol...and a dandy prize to boot !



* * * Brownies * * *

PART 1 -

Most of the information I found is from current & past magazine articles & a few websites about Palmer Cox. There is a wonderful & diverse selection of Brownie items also for sale on the internet... via Ebay of course and websites of antique emporiums like Ruby Lane.

* Brownie Items *
Many of these antique items are comics and books written & illustrated by Palmer Cox the creator of the Brownies. Due to the popularity of the Brownies, dolls were created in different materials which lead to more merchandising with the Brownie images on dishes...


~ Brownie Salt & Pepper Shakers ~

Update 4/25/11
I just found out more info on these shakers. They are Napoli pattern glass by Mt. Washington Glass. The Napoli pattern is a raised web-like design....very rare.

They sold through Skinner, Inc.in a live auction a few winters back for $6000.00.

Source: The GPSA Gazette June 2007


....rubber stamps, frames, humidors, desk items, toys such as nine-pins and ten-pins...

~ Brownie Nine-Pins Box Cover ~

....puzzles, blocks, postcards, trade cards, candy, candy containers, biscuits in the shape of Brownies, spoons, stickpins, charms, handkerchiefs and of course the "Brownie" camera !

Two of the most unusual items I came across were a .......

~ Brownie Slot Machine & The Merry Band Of Elves Ten-pins ~
Photo from Roy Nuhn article (see sources below)



and

~ A Set Of Brownie Andirons For The Fireplace ~


* Brownie Dolls *

Dolls were some of the most popular items created representing these sprites other than books or comics. (1)The books, save for the cover, were in black and white. The dolls, of course did something else. They made the unseen Brownies, the Brownies who only came out at night and could only be seen by Uncle Palmer, who had "second sight," visible and huggable.

(a)Brownie dolls were made of papier-mache', rubber, bisque and even kid heads and armature bodies. In 1899 Schoenhut Co. created 12 different large wooden Brownie characters for a display at the National Export Exhibition in Philadelphia.

Some of the more colorful Brownie dolls were printed as paper dolls & were very popular. I will write about these & show photos at a later date.

Other Brownie dolls that were very popular with children were printed on cotton fabric panels featuring the most popular Brownie characters. There were 12 cloth dolls not 10 as some sources state. A person would purchase these 1 yard panels for 20 cents in dry good stores and take them home, cut out the back and front of the 8" with seam the individual printed doll. More than likely they were hand stitched together and made doll-like with a bit of stuffing made of cotton, wool, fabric scraps or even bran for a more hefty feel. Once sewn the doll size was smaller from 6.5" to 7.5" depending on the skill of the sewer in sewing seams & how much stuffing was used.

* My Brownie Doll Collection *

I am at the beginning stage of collecting...my accumulation of Brownie items is quite meager...lol. I do have high hopes of accumulating more as time goes by.

Recently I was able to acquire all 12 of these small cloth dolls either as a large panel of six, individual panels of three dolls and seven completed sewn dolls. The panels are in fair to good condition ...color is slightly faded & stained but details are still notable. The sewn dolls are a bit ragged & soiled from years of tugging, dragging and hugs from the wee human folks (children).

~ My Indian Brownie Doll Panel ~
Arnold Print Works
North Adams, Mass.

~ My Highlander Brownie Doll Panel ~
Arnold Print Works
North Adams, Mass.



~ My Set Of Antique Brownie Dolls ~
The Dude, Canadian, Irishman
John-Bull, Highlander, Chinaman, Sailor

~

* Larger Cloth Brownie Dolls *

There was also larger size Brownie dolls that measured
at 12" & 16.5" before sewn.

I include 2 photos from the few images I have come across.
Information on these larger dolls is very scarce.

~ Larger Brownie Doll Photographed With Toddler ~

~ A Cotton Fabric Panel for a 16.5" Brownie Doll - Uncut ~
Cocheco Manufacturing Company
Lawrence & Co.
Boston-New York-Phila.

* Some Interesting Tidbits *

Female Brownies

Most collectors and well known antique experts state that the Brownies were all male characters however, after extensive research I found an article (b)that stated there was one female a Nurse....the only woman among the men. She was added to Cox's cast of over 50 male characters at the urgings of his publisher. To date I have not seen any doll or image of her but I will pursue the hunt for this elusive female....lol. I am dying to see what she looks like.

Another source (2)does state that the male Brownies did dress up as women during a few escapades.
Oh my, I do hope one was not just dressed as a Nurse & there really is at least
one female Brownie.

Famous American Soldier Plays With Dolls
General George S. Patton played (c)with a group of six Palmer Cox cloth dolls - Sailor, Indian, John-Bull, Highlander & the German. In fact a set of 26 Brownies went to bed with him every night. Born in November of 1886 he was raised with a life of hunting, fishing, horseback riding and playing history games. He loved to reenact battles and was quite imaginative.

One can only imagine the trials those little Brownies went through in the tiny hands of this future commanding and highly decorated General. The dolls were on exhibit at the Patton Museum of Calvary and Armor at Fort Knox, Kentucky. My magazine source (below) is dated 1986 so contact the museum first before making the trip.

~

* My Fascination *

Due to my wee obsession over these past few years I am offering as a tribute to the Brownies limited edition reproductions of these cloth doll Brownies printed on fabric with both sides of the doll showing a front and back. They are completely hand stitched ( 3- 4 hours ) and I created them larger at a size of 8-8.5" when sewn. The original antique dolls were 6.5" to 7.5". They are a lot of fun to place with a favorite teddy or in a basket as if peeking out or placed
with a vintage toy such as a small piano, wagon or vintage toy car.

With Easter coming.... The Dude Brownie riding a rabbit or pig would be a hoot !

The characters include - The Dude (most popular) which I offered in February of this year & the Irishman which was posted for sale just a week ago.

~ The Irishman ~
Larger replica with antique doll
sorry antique doll not for sale

"In greatest trials always bright, I bear a heart 'That's ever light"


At an introductory rate the replica Irishman dolls sell for $ 22.00 each...as the limited edition sells...the price does rise. So I am featuring the Irishman this month of March. The price of $ 22.00 is good until I feature the next Brownie.....guess who.



~ The Dude ~
Larger replica with antique doll
sorry antique doll not for sale

"I'm called a dude because I show The fashions, and good form, you know"

The first replica doll featured in February ....The Dude now sells for $ 24.00.

The remaining characters I will be offering for sale over this year of 2011 are -

Policeman, Indian, Uncle Sam, German, Canadian, Highlander, Soldier, Sailor, Chinaman and John-Bull

The month they are introduced they will start out at $ 22.00 each until the next replica doll is featured. Shipping is extra but minimal.

~

I did create 2 Brownie charm bracelets....which I will feature at a later date. I made one for
Mrs. S and a customer of mine last summer when we attended the Golden Glow Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This years convention which I am attending with Mrs. S will be in Rye, New York.....I cant wait !!

~

My dear friend Mrs. S created the most fabulous Brownie pincushion as a birthday gift to me last November...it is wonderful and very whimsical ....I am so tickled that I will share with you on a later date. My wee gentleman is so cool and anyone who sees him will be coveting him. But you will have to wait as his unveiling will be in the summer....probably around the 4th of July.

~~~~


~ Children Dressed as Brownies ~
sorry photo image is not great




* Sources *

I am listing my sources...I will try and include the web page source where I discovered sites online or the name of the magazine & author featuring the article. If I can identify the author or photographer I will do so...I have saved articles over the years for my own amusement and just didn't think of making note of the original source.....my bad & apologies.

Magazine Articles & Photos-

(a) Talking Antiques Palmer Cox's Brownie Band, Ever Adventurous Imps by Cynthia Musser * DOLLS Magazine Dec. 2007

(b) Palmer Cox's Brownies A Merry Band of Elves by Roy Nuhn * ANTIQUE DOLL Mag. 2004

(c) It is 1986 - Do You Know The Toys Your Children Play With ?
by J. H. Schoelwer * DOLL READER Magazine April 1986


Website or Web pages -

(1) www.gnomesandfairies.com/vagabond.html - Wayne Morgan lecture notes from
the 1996 Letita Penn Doll Club conference.

(2) www.toycollectormagazine.com - Article called Palmer Cox's Brownies From Folklore To Funny Pages Written by Dr. Arnold T. Blumberg * TOY COLLECTOR MAGAZINE

~ Brownies Around The Maypole ~


Please feel free to share with me...your own knowledge, interesting unknown facts and images about the
Brownies or Palmer Cox.
I would love to include your photos of individual items or groups of items collected.....
from the tiniest to the biggest...from the common to the absurd.

There will be a quiz.

There is always a quiz !!!


* QUIZ *

Why were the Brownies called Brownies ?

There are actually a few reasons.....and an interesting tidbit about their faces as claimed by the creator Palmer Cox !

Who could actually see the Brownies ?


What time of day did the Brownies come out ?


The first person to answer all three correctly according to my sources ....wins my one of my replica The Dude cloth dolls....yes really.

~ The Dude - Front & Back ~


Only rules are:

• Send your answers via email to meer2@execpc.com or via this blog....no phone calls please
• 
  
• The doll has to be shipped via US Mail within the US
• 
  
• I am allowed to mention the winners full name & state in the blog.

Offer ends April 18, 2011.

Hint: some of the answers seem easy but are a bit tricky.....so do your research carefully on cloth dolls, the Brownies and the biography of Palmer Cox via books, articles and the internet dont forget knowledgeable historians, doll dealers and museums.


Yours in a whimsey,

Karen the Brownie Stalker

Speaking of Ireland.....lol

I was recently corresponding with a bidder of mine on Ebay. She was curious about my last name....here is what she wrote -

Hello, Karen.

I love your art & recently bid on your "Emmeline & Friends" vignette. I was disappointed my bid was not sucessful, however I was quite interested in your surname as it is also my mother's maiden surname. She was born in Co Sligo, Ireland in 1930 & imigrated to the Philadelphia area at age 19. She was 24 & my father 31 when they wed. My father was so fond are saying she was a meer child. I believe there are a few Meer families in America that have their roots in the west of Ireland.

I thought I'd share my background in the event your family (or your husband's) is from Ireland as well. It is such an unusual Irish name. My mother would tell me the Meer's were quite smart or quite sassy or both. Some were a bit daft she'd say. Her favorite Meer cousin was Cassie Meer Mazza who was a bit of an actress & a Broadway Producer. She was a wonderful character who called everyone darling!

Thanks for the opportunity to share this with you.

My best, Kate

********************
I wrote back -

Dear Kate,

HI..what a great email...thank you for the "meer" info ! My husbands family comes from Germany...maybe Holland....as Van Der Meer. In fact our niece found family in Germany recently and they have been emailing back and forth. I keep meaning to get the info and correspond as well. I am part Irish with my moms maiden name being O'Donnell. So I have more Irish blood so to speak than my husband...he is definitely close to being ALL GERMAN...lol....very stubborn and dry wit. Being part Irish I am the smart, sassy AND daft one in the family...lol.

I often ask my husband to help me with my "crazy" projects around the house and use the excuse that I am just a meer woman and thus need his strength and intelligence to get the project done. He just rolls his eyes at me...lol....but it still seems to work after 30 years of marriage.

We have a good friend who came from Ireland years ago...I love to hear her speak...she tells us stories about her family..one of 19 children...it is a hoot to hear about her relation & their antics.

OK..enough of my stories.

Thank you for the email...I loved reading it.

With warmest regards and an Irish blessing,

Karen The Daft

*****************
Hi, Karen.

Thanks for your nice words. Meer does sound more German or Dutch. Maybe some drunken Irishman said he wanted more beer, and with his brougue it sounded like he said his name was Meer!!

Does your husband know who Johnny Vander Meer was? If he's a fan of baseball he should know.

Feel free to include anything you'd like in your blog. My (first)cousins in Ireland may write back!

I'd be delighted if you'd include me on your mailing list. I do like my fancy tickled.

Nice chatting with you, Karen. Have a grand weekend.

Kate Sacco

*********************

OK all you Irish cousins...I would love to hear from you....even the smart, sassy and daft ones !

Yours in a whimsey,

Karen The Sassy

Happy St. Pattys Day !!

May those who love us, love us.

And for those who don't love us,

May God turn their hearts.

And if he can not turn their hearts,

May he turn their ankles,

So we may know them by their limping.

May you live as long as you want, and never want

as long as you live.

Being that I am one third Irish...I want to wish all my dear Irish
and "wannabee" Irish friends and family
a very blessed day.

I am celebrating this year in a quiet manner.....no big
celebrations ...just me
and my gas station pizza.....yum.
~
I am so excited to show off my second in the series of 12 wee Brownies....
whimsical rag dolls. The little fellow I am featuring
tis' most appropriate for this month -

~ The Irishman ~

"In greatest trials always bright, I bear a heart That's ever light"

He is a replica cloth doll of the

original from 1880s, printed on both sides with

special attention to detail.

He is completely hand-sewn...which takes about 3- 4 hours.

Note the original antique cloth doll next to

the replica.

Antique cloth doll is over 110 years old.....sorry not for sale.

The replica Irishman stands a little over 8.5" tall

~ The Irishman ~ ~
Price $ 22.00 each
~ limited edition ~

US Shipping is $ 5.00
or
$ 8.00 for 2 dolls.





Way Back In February...

I featured The Dude as the first Brownie cloth doll.

There are still some available for sale .....these are all
limited editions so when they are gone
...they are GONE !


♥♥ The Dude ♥

~ The Dude ~

"I'm called the dude because I show The fashions, and good form, you know"

The Dude is the first in a series of 12 Brownie

cloth dolls that I am featuring

over this next year....

one per month.

He is a replica cloth doll of the original from 1887,

printed on

both sides with special attention to detail.

He is completely hand-sewn.

Note the original antique cloth doll

next to the replica.

Antique cloth doll is over 110 years old.....sorry not for sale.

The replica Dude stands a little over 8".

~ The Dude ~
Price $ 24.00 each
~ limited edition ~

US shipping is $ 5.00
or
$ 8.00 for 2 dolls.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
~~~~~

Yours in a whimsey,

MADAME Whimsey