Learn more about the movers and shakers that make up the world of collecting. From book authors, editors, designers to people who make us smile everyday, here are the people I've enjoyed writing about over the years.
Harvey Ball, In Memory
Does that name mean anything to you? It might not be familiar, but I absolutely guarantee you know what he designed many years ago. Today the smile is a little weaker, as the man who has made so many of us smile has passed on.Curt Blanchard, Up Close and Personal
Curt Blanchard has been in the pottery world for most of his entire adult life and although he's a collector, it's not cookie jars!As Curt says "Been too close to them for too long. Antiques, American and Chinese Ephemera, political campaign buttons, antique decorative accessories such as Frankart, Tiffany, American and British art pottery etc are what I collect. I also draw recreationally, a kind of postman's holiday."
David Olsen, Author of Christopher Radko Ornaments, Vol 1
David says, "When I started collecting I was trying to find more information about Radko ornaments. I went to all the web sites, looked around and could never find the information I wanted. So, I started my own web site and built it up over time, adding the information I thought was needed. I was told that at one time the Radko company has used the information on the web site for training their representatives".Olsen's web site lead to Bangzoom Publishers contacting him about doing a book which will, in my opinion, become the definitive book on Radko ornaments.
Connie Porcher, Editor of Celebrate 365
Connie Porcher -- Christmas collector, teacher, historian and web master, started a new adventure in life in 1999. It was October 1999 that Celebrate 365, a quarterly (mailed) magazine, debuted for Christmas collectors.Don Winton and His Works
You might have heard of Twin Winton Pottery or perhaps have a few Brush Pottery pieces with a W as part of the mark, if so then you're acquainted with some of the works of Don Winton.His commissions read like the yellow pages of American Business - including Franklin Mint, Alberta Ceramics, American Bisque, Revell Toys, Frito Co., Bacardi Rum, Gerber Toys, Scripto, the movie Ben Hur (coins), Bob's Big Boy, Brayton Laguna Pottery, Brush Pottery, Kenner Toys, Kool Aid, Carnation, Mattel Toy Company, Chicken of the Sea, Coca Cola, Colgate, Van De Kemp, Disneyland, Duncan Royal, Pan American Airlines, Hanna Barbera, Hagen-Renaker Disney Characters, Ford, and Howard Johnsons.
