All About Shiny Brites | H. Prall | Interior Design (2024)

FAQs

How can you tell vintage Shiny Brite ornaments? ›

As a collector, one big way to tell if Shiny Brite ornaments are authentic is by their hangers. Pre WWII, the caps were stamped with “Made in the US. of A.”. As I mentioned before, during the war, the metal caps were replaced with cardboard caps and hangers.

First made in Germany in the late 1930s, Shiny Brites were created by ornament maker Max Eckardt, who had the idea to coat glass ornaments with silver nitrate to make them stay shiny longer than any other ornaments on the market.

Transparent bulbs with cardboard caps are considered the Holy Grail for vintage Shiny Brite ornament collectors. All un-silvered ornaments aren't necessarily war-time. The company continued to produce them well into the 1950s. So look for that paper cap to be sure of the age.

Shiny Brites were proudly made in the USA (a selling point during WWII as previous to this many glass ornaments were imported from Germany).

Prices of Shiny Brite ornaments depend on quality, age and rarity. Individual ornaments have been selling online ranging from $5 to $89. Original boxes of six ornaments are being sold between $10 to $100, while boxed sets of 12 have been going between $15 to $250.

While there are so many brand new, modern ornaments that are mimicking vintage style now, the look of a vintage one is specific. Typically, there will be patina on the ornament like chipped paint and less glitter. They aren't nearly as shiny as modern decor, too.

Things You Need to Make Glitter Ornaments

You can also get them made of glass or shatterproof (a fancy word for plastic). MINWAX POLYCRYLIC – this is the stuff that you will put inside the ornament to get the glitter to stick.

One of the most important indicators that an ornament is vintage is patina, or the wear that comes with age. Antique and vintage Christmas ornaments will show some wear, even if they are in excellent condition. You'll see the mercury glass flaking off a bit or the metal taking on a dull appearance from tarnish.

Vintage Glass Shiny-Brite Christmas ornaments are still available at antique stores and on the Internet. Additionally Radko, who made ornaments in Poland, bought the Shiny-Brite name in the late 1990s and started selling replicas in 2001.

How do you tell if an ornament is mercury glass? ›

There are many reproductions currently marketed as "mercury glass", in table form, ornaments and other objects. New "mercury glass" can be distinguished from antique silvered glass in several ways, including lack of a double wall, and solid bottoms that are different from true antique silvered glass.

Due to their enduring popularity and limited availability, many Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments have appreciated in value since their release.

To clean Shiny Brites, use a clean cotton cloth or feather duster to gently wipe away dust. Do not use water or chemical-based solutions to clean the ornaments, as they can damage the original paint and designs. These ornaments are delicate, so keep them away from extreme temperatures.

Radko bought the Shiny-Brite name in the late '90s and started selling replicas of the old Shiny-Brite glass ornaments in 2001.

Affordable Glass Ball Ornaments

For instance, an entire box of stenciled Shiny Brite ornaments dating to the 1940s through the '60s in excellent condition might sell for $50 to $60. If you shop around to find them one at a time, you'll likely pay in the $5 to $10 range, or a bit more for rare or extra special examples.

How long do you let the ornaments sit before you use them? I recommend at least 24 hours! The longer you let them sit the better though. I like to set mine upside down in an egg carton for a week so that the polycrylic can dry and the glitter can set.

Use clear glue spray, or hair spray to protect

If glitter rubs off a Christmas ornament then stop it from happening by coating it with a thin layer or spray on glue or hairspray. You can use these items to add extra protection and prevent the glitter from rubbing off in the first place.

An engraved deer toe dating back 51,000 years is the oldest ornament in the world, according to researchers, who say it shows Neanderthals had an eye for aesthetics, Report informs via Daily Mail .

Different ways to determine whether glass is antique are to study the patina, the colour, its markings and its patterns, while also looking for bubbles and a pontil mark. Also check to see if the item is definitely glass, not crystal.

Some of the most collectible types & styles of antique and vintage glassware include Depression Glass, Carnival Glass, Milk Glass, Moonstone, Hobnail Glass, and Jadeite. One of the most popular styles of antique glass was a Hen on Nest, also known as Animal Dishes because of the variety of animals they come in.

How do you make glitter stick better? ›

Use hair gel to really make the glitter stick.

If you're applying glitter in areas that come into contact with a lot of different surfaces (like your butt), glitter artist Mia Kennington suggests using hair gel to really make it stick.

Apply a top layer of Mod Podge to seal in the glitter.

You could also use watered down school glue to create an opaque sealant for your crafting project. The top layer of Mod Podge acts as a sealant and will prevent the glitter from flaking away.

According to industry experts, Vintage refers to something that is from an earlier generation, while Antique refers to something that is over 100 years old. Collectors of Vintage ornaments and decorations are numerous!

DB. Damaged Box - The ornament itself is in mint condition, but the box is damaged. The box may be dented, be torn, crushed, missing the price tab, and/or other damage.

Hans Greiner made the first Christmas ornaments (also known as Kugels) in Germany. These were shaped like fruits and nuts using hand blown glass. At first, mercury or lead was used to fill the inside of the ornaments. However, to make the process safer, they eventually started using silver nitrate and sugar water.

The longest-running current ornament series is Frosty Friends, now in its 35th year. Since the line's inception, Hallmark has introduced more than 8,500 Keepsake Ornaments and more than 100 ornament series.

Originally sold as window decor, kugels ("spheres" in German), appeared on the scene in the early 1800s. They were the first iteration of glass ornaments (a style that has now persisted for decades), and it's rare to find originals with the color still vibrant—many pieces have worn over time.

Mercury can damage the nervous system, brain, kidneys, and developing fetuses. Over time, mercury in antique items can leak out as seals age or when the items are damaged, dropped or moved improperly.

Mercury glass, also known as silvered glass, contains neither mercury nor silver. It's actually clear glass, mold-blown into double-walled shapes and coated on the inside with a silvering formula, which is inserted though a small hole that is then sealed with a plug.

Silvered glass (also know as Mercury Glass or sometimes, Varnish Glass) is double-walled glassware with a silver coating inside the walls, similar to the silvering on a vacuum flask liner.

What is vintage mercury glass? ›

Mercury glass is also known as silvered glass because the effect can be achieved by using silver nitrate. This technique was used to create budget-friendly tableware in the 19th century for commoners who couldn't afford real silver.

Dating of the ornaments is often facilitated by studying the hook. The first Shiny Brite ornaments had the traditional metal cap and loop, with the hook attached to the loop, from which the ornament was hung from the tree.

Designed by Linda Sickman, the Rocking Horse ornament was the first in its series. Designed by Linda Sickman, the Tin Locomotive ornament was the first in its series. The Tenth Christmas Together ornament was designed to celebrate the 10 years since the beginning of Hallmark's Keepsakes.

Product Description. Clean and Brite is a concentrated, biodegradable, non-toxic, non-flammable, general purpose, butyl based cleaner, stripper, degreaser containing detergents, builders and water soluble solvents.

Radko is of Polish descent. He lives in Westchester County, New York.

In 2005, Christopher sold the CHRISTOPHER RADKO brand to Rauch Industries, which continues to make its own line of ornaments under that trademark. The all-new HeARTfully Yours line is being met with raves by eager fans both old and new.

Radko ornaments are crafted in Poland, Italy and Germany by teams of craftsmen and artists using Renaissance era carving, molding, blowing, hand painting, silver lining and finishing processes. Each glass ornament takes several weeks of painstaking craftsmanship to complete.

How do I know if my ornaments are valuable? ›

Condition Matters

The condition of an antique Christmas ornament is very important. Ornaments with missing pieces, crazing, chipped or flaking paint, or broken parts are worth considerably less than those in good shape. An ornament should look old, but it should still be beautiful.

Classic cars, fine art, coins, and stamps are popular collectible asset classes with a high potential ROI. But collectors can also profit from sports cards, celebrity memorabilia, watches, vintage whiskey bottles, old photographs, and even dinosaur bones.

Search for your item on eBay or Google to find the price of similar things, or upload a picture of it to a valuation website, where experts will estimate your item's worth. Then, if you want a professional opinion, talk to a certified appraiser or take your piece to a local antiques store.

In 1973, Hallmark introduced a small line of six glass ball ornaments and 12 yarn figures as the first collection of Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. The longest-running current ornament series is Frosty Friends, now in its 35th year.

There are many reproductions currently marketed as "mercury glass", in table form, ornaments and other objects. New "mercury glass" can be distinguished from antique silvered glass in several ways, including lack of a double wall, and solid bottoms that are different from true antique silvered glass.