Do you Putz? (or Dimestore Cardboard Houses)

Oh the joy of timy things and Christmas. Beginning in 1926, dimestores and catalogs sold small cardboard Christmas houses. In 1928, the houses were then decored with "snow" of mica, translucent windows, and lights. There are various types pf Putz houses from the US, Japan, Germany, Italy and other countries. An excellent history is found on Papa Ted's Place http://www.papatedsplace.com/earlyperiod.html His site also has lots and lots of photos of vintahe Putz as well as cleaning and repair information. Below are some styles of vintage and modern reproduction Putz.

Want to try your hand at making a Putz? Here is a small folded pattern

and two scaled patterns on graph paper Download PaperHsepattern.pdf Download PaperHse2pattern.pdf
You can also purchase a cardboard house from Art Chix Studio. Mica glitter can be found at Silver Crow Creations, though regular glitter will work, too. Don't forget Bottle Brush Trees (they have them at Michaels or Katies Collections. Finish with more fake snow and your favorite figurines. There is a set you could cutomize at Vermont Coumtry Store. Have fun "putzing" around :-)

Comments

[calamity kim]

Hi! I am your vintage Christmas swap partner and I don't know if it's supposed to be a secret- but if I am yours also, then you already know!! I just wanted to let you know your box is only half full and I just can't mail it like that. I am leaving today to go to see my son in Tallahassee then on to Augusta, Ga to visit my Mom for her 80th birthday! I am going to stop at any likely places along the way to put more vintage christmas in your box and then mail it from my Mom and Dad's! This will make it a wee bit late(I will be there tomorrow) but worth it!! Thank you for posting the pdf's for houses. I adore them and only have a few but am planning on making more when I return around the 12th of Dec! Christmas will be here so soon! It's nice to meet you and I have enjoyed reading your blog. Happy Holidays and thanks for your patience! xxoo(*<>*):)k

[Linda]

Hi!

I love the Putz houses you show, and am looking for sources for NEW houses. I have so many of the old, which are fun, but I want to get creative with new materials. Where do this items come from? Can you help?

Thanks so much!

Linda

[Paul Race]

Many more free downloadable Putz house patterns and instructions are available at Howard Lamey's LittleGlitterHouses.com. Here's the most direct link:

http://www.littleglitterhouses.com/paul/howard_how_to.htm