Customer Reviews

Christopher Radko's Ornaments

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CHRISTOPHER RADKO'S ORNAMENTS tells the history of Radko and his ornament business. Almost single-handedly, according to author Olivia Bell Buehl, Radko brought back the mouth-blown, hand-painted ornaments back to the American Chrstmas tree. Any one who collects Christmas tree ornaments, or who would like to will find this book informative. Each chapter describes one aspect of the design and manufacture of ornaments. Illustrations are used thematically in each chapter. These include Santa Claus, snowmen, and finials. Each ornament is listed in the index by name and serial number, to allow a reader to find it on the primary or secondary market. Ideas for the ligting of the tree, use of ornaments in bowls, on mantles, around pictures or windows fill the book with ideas which a person could decorate any room, even a hospital room for the bed bound at Chrstmas time. The information is concise, though the writing style tends not to be as exacting, depending on the paraphrased quote, rather than the author's own thoughts. Anyone who enjoys Christmas ornaments, who enjoys Christmas, and who wants some new and different decorating ideas should add this book to their library.

I may be a little more jaded than most, as I work in the Christmas biz, but I only recommend this work for the beautiful photos. The text is mostly the same old trite, oft heard Radko propaganda and marketing BS.....If you want a picture book to flip through and get you ramped up for Christmas, this will well fill the bill....If you are a serious Christmas collector/businessman, ignore much of the text, as it will only insult you...."The man who single handidly saved the blown glass ornament from extinction"? Oh, please....