Creating Small Worlds for Big Memories
The Christmas Putz Village
From my earliest memories I have always been fascinated by the miniature world. The scale models and dioramas of museum displays would catch my attention and inspire my creativity. It's only natural that I would channel that creative spark into my love for Christmas displays.
The putz or Christmas village has a century-old tradition as a integral part of many holiday celebrations. Maybe it is a small collection of vintage cardboard houses nestled beneath a Christmas tree or on a holiday mantel or perhaps a room-filling display of the modern ceramic buildings so widely available in today's marketplace. We find enjoyment in creating our own little world in which to store our precious memories of these celebrations.
The original three buildings in Kringleton Valley
ca. 2005
The collection I call Kringleton Valley was started with my first buildings in 2005. Here you will find creations reminiscent of the vintage originals so cherished by collectors today.
Kringleton Valley consists of three distinct neighborhoods.
The first is the Vintage Vale. These designs are inspired by the foreign, usually Japanese, houses that were imported to the United States in the latter 1920s up through the second half of the 20th century.
Just beyond Vintage Vale is Candy Container Cove, designs replicating or based upon the early houses that served the dual purpose of being candy containers that once emptied could be added to a Christmas village. Each candy container is covered with a detailed printed veneer and features a removable matching "plug" that inserts into the light hole on the reverse so the candy doesn't fall out.
Hometown Hollow is the final neighborhood. Consisting of replicas and original designs based upon the houses created in the United States beginning around World War II when imports were significantly restricted, these designs also feature whimsical printed exteriors.
In keeping with the vintage manufacturing traditions, Kringleton Valley is crafted almost entirely of 30pt chipboard with natural loofah accents for trees and bushes. Each original design is individually cut out, painted, decorated, assembled, and landscaped completely by hand. I design the structure templates, doors, windows, and exteriors on my computer. With proper care and consideration, the pieces can be illuminated by placing a small LED or other low temperature light through the access hole in the back of each structure.
