Come to the Island

Come to the island!

Which island, you ask? 

I don't know–just pick one.

Just make sure it's tropical.

The other day I added this charming tropical 

couple to the Ozark collection: 

eBay pic

Island Dancers, made by W. Goebel, the company best

known for its Hummel Figurines.

source

The pair was introduced in 1968 – "Created For The Island"

eBay pic

It even says so on the bottom of each figure.

eBay image

I tried to pin down exactly which island 

Goebel had in mind, but, couldn't find any 

definitive information.  My best guess? They 

weren't intended to represent one specific 

island at all.  

After World War II, Americans became 

fascinated with tropical destinations like 

Hawaii and the Caribbean. In response,

European and American designers created

figurines, artwork, and exotic home décor

that blended influences from Polynesia, Hawaii,

Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and other island

cultures into one romanticized vision of paradise.

Goebel's Island Dancers fit that mold perfectly.

They're a cheerful tropical couple whose

clothing, guitar, conga drum, tropical plant, and

overall styling feel much more West Indian

than Hawaiian or Polynesian.

Ironically, I found them completely by

accident.

I was actually searching for a entirely

different figurine.

A while back, I bought two framed

vintage reproduction travel posters

of the Caribbean:

"Fly to the Caribbean by Clipper"

by Pan American World Airways

and "Caribbean" by British West Indian 

Airways–The airline of the Caribbean.

I was especially intrigued by the girl 

doing the limbo on the B.W.I.A. poster.

As it turns out, she was BWIA's 

advertising mascot.

source

Her name was Vicki Viscount,

eBay image

and she appeared in 

magazine advertisements,

eBay images

matchbooks,

travel brochures,

and other promotional items.

source

source

Eventually I stumbled across a photo of an

adorable promotional Vicki Viscount figurine. 

Naturally, I thought "How hard could it be to 

find one?"

Not easy, as it turns out.

source

A Google image search came up nearly empty.  

I found only a single photograph and 

no examples for sale.

However, Google suggested a few similar-looking

figurines– and that's when I 

discovered my Caribbean couple. 

The price was $49, plus tax and shipping, 

bringing the total to $65.60. 

I have to admit, a couple of the other 

figures that appeared were tempting as 

well. One represented a Trinidad and Tobago 

couple, while another had no specific island 

identified. 

Unfortunately, both were just a little beyond my budget.

To display my Tropical finds,

 I picked up a wall shelf from Hobby Lobby.

It has a fun Caribbean feel–or at least

that's what I tell myself–

and quickly filled it with my 

growing collection of island treasures.

including my Quon Quon 

toucan pitcher from eBay,

and my Nautilus tiki mug 

from Trader Sam's Grog Grotto,

A gift from my ol' buddy Alex, 

A few years ago, he was on assignment in Florida 

working on a Muppet project,

where he was responsible for keeping the Muppet's 

costumes in good repair.

and sometimes the Muppet's themselves. 

But I digress.

  My Caribbean couple 

may not be Vicki Viscount,

but they capture exactly 

the carefree

Caribbean atmosphere 

I was hoping to find.

Still... I might keep looking for Vicki.

Thanks for stopping by,

and happy hunting!

"Eh, It's A Living"

I found a weird bird planter on eBay,

When I first saw it I was intrigued,

I loved his smile. 

I thought "what a perfect whimsical toucan".

Source: eBay

I had just the place for it in 

my Enchanted Tiki Bed-Room.

Listed as a vintage 50's toucan,

I love its classic haphazard airbrush paint job.

It reminded me of the ceramic chickens my 

great aunt had in her kitchen from the 50's

similar this this one...

Source: Etsy

it's painted in much the same fashion.

Source: eBay

There are a bunch on eBay with chips and crazing,

but this one is in great shape for it's age. 

Source: eBay

It was listed for $29.95 or best offer.

I offered $25.00 and it was accepted!

Source: eBay

When Sam saw it, she said it looked like a dinosaur.

She's not wrong, it does look a little prehistoric.

Source: eBay

That got me to thinking, he looks a bit like those birds 

the Flintstones used as needles for their record players.

The camera would cut to a close up as they

turn towards us and say "Eh, It's a living".

They actually use birds for a lot of things

like, a car horn, a work whistle, 

or an intercom system.

I tried to research the maker of these odd little birds

but I couldn't find any information on line.

AI will tell you it is most likely a decorative planter 

or cachepot imported from Japan from 

the mid 50's to the mid 60's listing for $30-$75

Probably missing its "made in Japan" sticker.

Source: eBay

I did find another odd little bird planter.

They're listed on eBay as a Vintage 50's Cockatoo.

It has a very similar paint job and tail, 

so they must be cousins.

Source: eBay

I do enjoy mine smiling down 

at me from the amour. 

He reminds me of the birds carved on each side of the 

Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room sign.

source:

Then again, 

he also remind me of this...source:

He is whimsical though,

Thanks for stopping by

and happy hunting!

Easter Accent Light

 I've been wanting an accent lamp

on the Easter hutch for some time,
similar to the little light I found at 

Pier One for the Christmas hutch.

I just love the warm glow that radiates

when the light turns on –it gives 

everything such a cozy feel.

I decided Easter needed the same effect.

A quick search on eBay

turned up a delightful find:

an Egg Cluster Accent Lamp 

by Cheyenne Lamps.

Originally sold at Wal Mart for $19.94 

(Estimated Circa 1993?)

One was listed on eBay for 

$15.00 + $22.45 Shipping

Not the best price, but I really liked it

and thought it would fit in nicely on the 

Ozark Easter Hutch.

These lamps seem old and many 

on eBay have cracks in the 

paint and scratches on the eggs.

this is one on eBay that I didn't buy.

Very few still have the original box.

Sam let me pick out one that looked the best.

I found this one...

New In Box, Never Used, for $100.00 

with Free Shipping

Sam said "No".

So I went with my second choice.

Gently used at a decent price...

A little rearranging of the Dipped Chicks

was needed, but it turned out to be the perfect 

size and fit right in.

It looks Egg-cellent when turned on, even 

if it does have a few cracks in the paint.

Maybe someday I can fill 

them in with a little

paint and patience.

Thanks for hopping by

and happy hunting!