Chartres -

Deep reds, framed in gold Austrian glass beads, reminded us of the luminescent light filtering through the stained  glass window. After talking to Walter, he said it was the Chartres Cathedral in France. Here on a 3” ball can be change to any of the alternative colors we offer as long as it matches the beads and trims colors .

Over the past few months there has been quite a number of our ornaments listed   Many of  these were being sold as the result of a large purchase of them from an estate sale. The Ornament KIT listed here is one of over 223 currently listed in our catalog plus another 150 that are part of our "Golden Oldie" program. Located in Pennsylvania for over 35 years the Cracker Box has always designed Christmas ornaments kits that are handed down from generation to generation. Our ornament kits have been assembled and displayed all over the world.

Our customers have purchased these ornaments and often given them away as gifts to family and friends. A number have adorned a Christmas tree display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC., and have been displayed in a number of governors mansions, senators homes and even the “White House"  One of over 2500 letters we have received over the years still is special to us.  One of our Canadian customers purchased a kit called “CROWN PRINCE", completed it and was so moved by the design, forwarded the finished ornament to the Queen of England who then gave it to Lady Diana on “Prince  William"1^st Christmas. We have in our office a letter from Buckingham Palace thanking the customer for this personal gift.

"WHAT MAKES THESE ORNAMENTS SO SPECIAL?"

Other than the incredible talent of Paul and Walter in designing these unique and beautiful ornaments over the past 40 years, a lot of the value is in the materials used.  I think a quote from their catalog will best explain why they are so special and have such value  - "WE BOTH DESIGN AND PACKAGE EVERYTHING.  If a design calls for faceted jewels from Austria or Germany, for instance, it's because no company in America makes them.  THE MOST EXPENSIVE KIT IN OUR COLLECTION is CINDERELLA'S COACH, and it has 8 FEET of Swarovski strung rhinestones, in settings that have been gold plated, PLUS 130 deep emerald FLAT-BACK rhinestones".  As you can see, many of the ornaments are truly designs of distinction.  Many of the braids and other materials that go into the making of these ornaments are made exclusively for them as well.  Since the kits contain these special high quality and unique trims, some of the earlier kits and ornaments cannot be recreated due to the inability to acquire the materials necessary.  This drastically increases the value of those original ornament kits.  You will see this especially as the kits reach the GOLDEN OLDIES list or, in this case, this ornament is no longer available, on any of the lists.  As you can see, incredible design talent, only the finest and unique trims along with the unavailability to recreate some of the past designs make these ornaments, not only some of the most beautiful, but most collectible ornaments available.

     CRACKER BOX INC  

"Chartres"

A copy from the catalog page showing the ornament is included in the listing. 

Please see other listing from the Cracker Box Inc.  

Come join our family of ball-o-holics.

Cordially:

PAUL (in spirit) & WALTER 

Linda and Mike      

The Cracker Box Inc.