Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Glitter Houses


I love glitter houses! I fell in love with them last year while browsing a local antique store and eye balling a entire village of vintage glitter houses. They were magical. And they were sold. I was so sad. I wanted them to come live on my mantel for Christmas.
Paper and cardboard houses, covered with mica, were popular holiday decorations years ago. They were imported from both Europe and Japan starting as early as the 1930's. Although they were made in different sizes, the majority of vintage pieces seen today at antique stores are in the 2" - 4" size.
Today you can buy-or better yet-make new houses made to look like vintage pieces. Last week I was in Cracker Barrel and found that they had some glitter houses. Currently they are on sale for 25% off. They retail at $7.99 each. I also got some trees to go along with them.

I got to inspecting them when I got home and decided that my family needed to each build our own glitter house to accompany my collection. So off I started looking around the house, gathering boxes and papers, some paint and lots of glitter. I plan to make it a competition of sorts. Because that is the way our family does things.
If you are wanting to try your hand at making some glitter houses too, the latest issue of Better Homes & Garden has glitter houses in it complete with templates! But, being the thrifty one that I am, I will save you the dough and give them to you to download here. It's simple. Just cut out the templates. You can also find some in Memory Makers Magazine.

I think that you will enjoy constructing these little homes. I think it is fun to get the family involved. Perhaps it can be a new tradition to do together-building a house each year for your collection. Be sure and email me those pictures of your homes! I want to see what you did. I will share them on my blog, if any of you are crafty enough to give it a try. I'll show you mine if you show me yours!
As for me....one of the tops fell off the bottle....now I am off to vacuum glitter.
Get busy!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Leigh! I love these houses. I have been on a quest for years to find originals. They bring back lots of childhood memories for me. I have some that I purchased from the Gazebo in Helena, though they are not old and not very colorful. I like the bright colored ones. Check out the Vermont Country Store website. They have really cute ones.

Bama Belle said...

They are beautiful and too fun. I want one might have to go to Cracker barrel. Not sure I trust the 2 O's with open glitter just yet! Can't wait for Christmas

Valarie Lea said...

Those are really cute! I love me some glitter! :)

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Thanks for the lead Amy!! I will check those on that website out. I wish I had known about th eones at the Gazebo. I heard she may open for the season, but...who knows.

Bama Belle- I guess you would have to put them some place high, like a mantel or shelf.

Now Valarie, you and I both know you can make these. Send me pics if you do.

Mari said...

They are beautiful! I love the white ones on the bottom.

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Mari- The ones on the bottom are by Ballard Designs.

Charnita said...

I am sure my glitter house would look like my tree I painted.....they are cute and very festive but I am not very crafty.
May have to buy us some with my yard sale money!

ValleyGrande said...

The Glitter Houses are beautiful I am going to try to get my daughter and sisters to do some at our next girls night out. As always, thanks for the tips and great information.

Glitter & Bliss said...

You guessed it... I love the glittered houses!!! My sister and I plan to make a few of these, and I will let you know when I post them. Also, I need to check out Cracker Barrel. Thanks for letting me know...

Glitter & Bliss said...

Love all the glitter... My sister and I plan to make a few of these. I will let you know when I post them. Also, I need to check out Cracker Barrel. Thanks for letting me know.