Link to an eBay page
Shiny Brite Ornaments
Christmas Past
I hope they all had shiny and bright Christmases...
That all their wishes were fulfilled...maybe a puppy, skates with keys, dolls and sweet treats…maybe a ring?
Who? You ask...
The families who owned our vintage Shiny Brite ornaments before us. Some are from our own families, but most have been collected from other resources like eBay.
I love thinking about all the hands that held each Shiny Brite ornament up to a branch. What were their lives like? Was there music playing as they decorated, laughter, snow falling…?
I like to think they were happy.
That all their wishes were fulfilled...maybe a puppy, skates with keys, dolls and sweet treats…maybe a ring?
Who? You ask...
The families who owned our vintage Shiny Brite ornaments before us. Some are from our own families, but most have been collected from other resources like eBay.
I love thinking about all the hands that held each Shiny Brite ornament up to a branch. What were their lives like? Was there music playing as they decorated, laughter, snow falling…?
I like to think they were happy.
History of Shiny Brites
The Shiny Brite Company of New York was founded in 1937 by Max Eckardt.
Max worked with Corning Glass to mass produce glass ornaments. This all American made product was the most popular Christmas decor of the 1940's and 50's.
The ornaments started out as unadorned glass bulbs from Corning. Then in his factories in New Jersey, Mr. Eckhart had these bulbs hand decorated & machine lacquered.
What makes Shiny Brites so shiny & bright to this day is the silver nitrate coating applied inside the bulb.
After WWII was declared this use of the silver metal was prohibited. During that time, the bulbs were transparent & only hand painted on the outside. These transparent ornaments are sought after by collectors.
Also during the war, again due to a metal shortage, the caps were made of cardboard. Thereafter, the hooks were made of metal again and elongated.
The Shiny Brite Company closed it's doors in 1962. It seems that plastic ornaments were more popular then - durability & costs most likely factors. ( Oh the sixties were a troubled time even for Christmas ornaments! )
Max worked with Corning Glass to mass produce glass ornaments. This all American made product was the most popular Christmas decor of the 1940's and 50's.
The ornaments started out as unadorned glass bulbs from Corning. Then in his factories in New Jersey, Mr. Eckhart had these bulbs hand decorated & machine lacquered.
What makes Shiny Brites so shiny & bright to this day is the silver nitrate coating applied inside the bulb.
After WWII was declared this use of the silver metal was prohibited. During that time, the bulbs were transparent & only hand painted on the outside. These transparent ornaments are sought after by collectors.
Also during the war, again due to a metal shortage, the caps were made of cardboard. Thereafter, the hooks were made of metal again and elongated.
The Shiny Brite Company closed it's doors in 1962. It seems that plastic ornaments were more popular then - durability & costs most likely factors. ( Oh the sixties were a troubled time even for Christmas ornaments! )
Link to an eBay page
ornament stamped with "Shiny Brite"
How do you know an ornament is a Shiny Brite?
Shiny Brites with the metal caps are stamped with the company name. The also have the distinctive "crinkled" tops.
Another easy way to tell whether you have an American made vintage Shiny Brite is if it comes in the original box.
As people pack their ornaments away each year, the tendency was/is to keep the boxes to protect & store.
So, more than other vintage items, vintage Christmas ornaments are often found in the original box. Boxed sets are wonderful to find, not only for the ornaments themselves, but the box has vintage charm as well. In fact, it can be used as a decoration too!
Another easy way to tell whether you have an American made vintage Shiny Brite is if it comes in the original box.
As people pack their ornaments away each year, the tendency was/is to keep the boxes to protect & store.
So, more than other vintage items, vintage Christmas ornaments are often found in the original box. Boxed sets are wonderful to find, not only for the ornaments themselves, but the box has vintage charm as well. In fact, it can be used as a decoration too!
Link to an eBay page
Using Vintage Ornaments in Christmas Decor
How I use my Shiny Brites in my Christmas Decor
Our family tree is dotted with Shiny Brites from my grandmother & my own treasure hunting. They mix in beautifully with the handmade ornaments created by our girls & newer ones we have collected.
A full box of red Shiny Brites adorn my little vintage silver tree. I found the tree in a crumbling box at an estate sale. I wasn't sure all the branches would be in the box, but took the chance. Good news ~ all there! You can find a similar tree here.
To showcase, my very special Shiny Brite ornaments, I put them in bowls and group them on shelves and tables. Off the tree the beauty and patina of the individual ornaments can really be appreciated.
A full box of red Shiny Brites adorn my little vintage silver tree. I found the tree in a crumbling box at an estate sale. I wasn't sure all the branches would be in the box, but took the chance. Good news ~ all there! You can find a similar tree here.
To showcase, my very special Shiny Brite ornaments, I put them in bowls and group them on shelves and tables. Off the tree the beauty and patina of the individual ornaments can really be appreciated.
Link to an eBay page
Shiny Brite on a vintage tree
Adding charm to your Christmas decor with vintage ornaments
Finding Shiny Brite ornaments is easy and they are reasonably priced.
Of course the more elaborate the ornament the higher the price. Such as the Shiny Brite tree toppers.
You can expect to pay as little as ten dollars for a small box of solid colored vintage beauties. A small price to pay for the amount of charm you will add to your Christmas decor!
And, if you are anything like me, having ornaments with a past makes decorating a bit more special.
Do you have any ornaments with a 'past'?
This guide was written by Kelly who authors the blog My Soulful Home. You can visit Kelly there for more heart, mind & soul of the home.
Of course the more elaborate the ornament the higher the price. Such as the Shiny Brite tree toppers.
You can expect to pay as little as ten dollars for a small box of solid colored vintage beauties. A small price to pay for the amount of charm you will add to your Christmas decor!
And, if you are anything like me, having ornaments with a past makes decorating a bit more special.
Do you have any ornaments with a 'past'?
This guide was written by Kelly who authors the blog My Soulful Home. You can visit Kelly there for more heart, mind & soul of the home.
