European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 06, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse Page 16 the stars and stripes Friday. December 6. T985 consumer watch european collectibles Are Christmas hits s8.s Fioro by Linda Sparks artist Norbert Lankau left has treated a fantasy world of wooden Puzzle toys. The finished animal figures Are As popular with adults As with children. By Mary Neth stall writer c of i pc titles Are in Lor Christmas in i reunited states each year More and More people Are opting for old fashioned Trees or Trees decorated with Keepsake americans overseas have a Golden Opportunity to col act such ornaments Lor Only a fraction of they would Cost in the states. Tor example , to a Survey by the United pre internat my. Hand blown ornaments from Germany have d m popularity As tree doccr.hir.e-, m America it to indy season. They h be not Only skyrocketed in any but m Poco. Too the Jne is True of Oik Art fit j Cranall painted Angels sleighs and santas to hang on the tree in example have been Selling in Ca i Foifua boutique c it hops Lor s3 to s6 each some Cost even More in Germany the same run irom 3 to 0. Marks at 2 50 Mark to the Dollar is 20 to a 40 or toss to make a real hit with the folks Back Home include a few of a your Christmas gifts As package decorations now a the Lime to look for these traditional decorations plus unusual handicrafts throughout Europe visit the pre Christmas markets that feature both. Larger department stores also have Christmas sections loaded with such ornaments. At one in Germany hand blown Glass Bells were Selling for 12.95 Marks $518 for a package of live 20 Small painted wooden figures Cost 11.95 Marks $4,78 and typically Tolk Art Straw stars were 3.95 Marks $1.58 or 10. These Are prices that just can t be equated in the United states. Many of the european Christmas markets also include work by Young artisans. Blown Glass enamel paintings etchings Watercolours. Straw decorations and wooden toys often Are shown. Frequently Tho Art demonstrates his technique. Al 0" such Christmas lineup of handicrafts in Darmstadt Germany a Young artist exhibited humorous unique wooden toys. Norbert i Pankau. Who last year won a prize for an etching symbolizing German american Friendship turned to Art after graduation irom secondary school despite the tact that he has had no Lornal training or venture. Which rerun Irjud in a shop called the Ril on Taurus Sara set in Darmstadt has been a Success because of Germany s critical unemployment problem alter i got out of school. I decided the Only thing to do a to Start my own business. I decide. specialize in Art objects that Young couples could afford Otten Ravji crafts Are priced so outiageou1 in that no one or an average income can buy them he said. Many of his wooden animal toys that fit together like puzzles Are bought by adults As room decorations he says. The smaller ones sell for 7 Marks $2.80 larger sets Ideal r Aylings for one and two year Olds Start at about ?1 Marks $9.20. Lankau uses Woods such As Cherry red Alder and Oak. Will the permission of a forester he Sable to go out Inlo the local Woods and collect it himself. It takes two or three years for the Wood to be correctly seasoned so it can be he notes adding that the finished to a Are quite Sale. I use natural Plant colors and besides his own work his shop also features creches puppets doll houses and paintings irom other artists i Don t handle mass produced irom i at go l runs Only that of Independent artists or smaller there a a Many such Small artistic enterprises today in Europe. Finding them and Oll the beaten track specially stores can make shopping an adventure and result in one of a kind gifts. Those old fashioned tree decorations can add up to a collection of prize ornaments to be handed Down for generations. " takes careful cutting to create the animal figures
