VINTAGE SOCK MONKIES

My collecting habits are ever changing and after I acquire a new item, it seems like it starts a new collection. So be it with the vintage sock monkeys. I see them in an all new light as I realize that the vintage ones are all different. Being homemade by mothers, every one is different and so charming in their own right. Even though they're made of basically the same sock, they all have different expressions... fat, skinny, long tail, short tail, hats, clothes... on and on. The little green girl is a little different, made of men's dress socks and dressed in a vintage dress. The bears like to snuggle in with them as well as the cats. I'm sure there will be more to come.

ANTIQUE SHOOFLY ROCKING HORSE

I always have a hard time buying in Florida, but I always find a few fun things. At Mt. Dora, selling was good, buying was challenging, but persistence found me a couple of great things. My favorite was an antique shoofly rocking horse, early one. I love these rockers and I do already have a few, but this one I particularly liked due to its smaller size. It also has wonderful stenciling and remains of red paint. I guess I just can't resist these wonderful little rockers, and the bears just love it. This same dealer had some wonderful primitives and I also purchased (among other things) an early abacus. I've never seen one quite like this...I'm wondering if it's a homemade one. This will look great on the bears old school desk along with their bear books.