Old toys, a love that never dies

I used to have a humble collection of old toys.  My heart goes soft every time I see wornout toys, that means they have been cherished and played with for years.  I stopped quite some years ago and even sold many of them.  But when I happen to bump into these unexpectedly...

... I quickly take a snapshot and move on before I change my mind.

Seen on a very small fleamarket in a tiny village in Bavaria.

A beautiful antique traditional wooden box...

... and a mini version of the still very popular Lederhosen.

A few days later in Füssen ...

A lovely shop called Nina's Fleamarket ...

... luckily it is closed at the time we're walking past.

Another shop ... hmmm ...

I like this kind of humour ... I have to go in and discover more...

The very narrow shop sells traditional clothes from different parts of the world, but I'm attracted by the amazing amount of old vintage toys filling every available nook and cranny.

Steiff originals.  It is the owner's private collection and is not for sale (so I can look around at my heart's content as I'll resist temptation).

A few snapshots, not good quality pictures.  Three people were waiting for me, the lighting wasn't good, but I had to grab a few... I could spend hours looking around.

  I'm pretty sure I've missed some real treasures...

Irresistable...

A toy cable car... I'd love that running through my room.

Naive wootcuts, so many unexpected things in a clothes shop!

Vintage mannequins with original dressing.

The shop also sells second hand traditional clothes.

It takes some time to fit a skirt I've picked from the rack looking at all the details in the fitting-room... and people are waiting...

The last surprise ... when buying a new item it will be packed in a new bag, but if you're bying a second hand item - as I did - it comes in this recycled bag from KARM MARG, a project for children in New Delhi.

I love the attitude of this shop!  I just wished I lived a bit closer to stop by from time to time.

Gwandhaus click to enter site
first and second hand traditional clothes
Brunnengasse 10
D-87629 Füssen - Germany
There is a leather and hat shop right next door by the same owners.

Colourful crafts in Füssen

Western Bavaria, a small town called Füssen.  The central street towards the castle is very crowded but the side streets are deserted.

Cheerful colours make my day.

We almost walked past this small passage along the main shopping street, but something dragged me into it...

... wooden sculptures invite you to go and explore ...

... more ...

... no, it isn't a dog that just walked past, it rained a few hours ago...

A small garden leads towards a studio/shop.

I love the bold colours and rough texture of the wood.  I'm sorry I didn't get the name of the artist.  I picked up a leaflet of a wood sculptor, but looking at his site I don't think he's the one who made these.


There is more colour ... vibrant and radiant

Gorgeous leather bags...

by Häette

More delicious bags by Mielie and here is their BLOG

Another colourful designer with bags, upholstery and lampshades...

Barbara Gottschalk

I think these furry rucksacks are stunning...

Don't have the name of the designer.

I missed taking pictures of unique wooden items, jewelry and more beautiful designs.  A little treasure cove...

On our way out of this tiny but delightful shop ...

100% HANDWERK

Reichenstrasse 22

D-87629 Füssen - Germany

Owner Andrea Stahl will start a blog to keep the newest arrivals online.  As soon as this happens I'll fill in the missing details...

Fake carvings and real sculptures

Another castle on a hill, without the knights' tales but with surprising features.

From the bottom of the hill it looks stark and inaccessible.

Coming closer, a few specks of colour appear.

Past two gates the amount of colour and decoration increases.

And that is what it is... colour.  Trompe l'oeil or 'deceiving the eye' painted stones.

Past three gates lies a decent sized castle, at a closer look we see that all of the features around the doors and windows and on corners are painted.

Fake balconies with extra windows next to real ones.

Pretty weird 'corner' stones.

Only the wooden door, the plant and the rock are real.

Pure coincidence that there is a sculpture exhibition going on right now.  kunst means art in German.

I have a vague impression I've seen similar sculptures very recently...

only a few hours ago actually...

Georg Lerchenmüller

Hohes Schloss

Füssen - Bavaria - Germany

until October 2011

entrance to the courtyard is free, the jewelry exhibition inside is not.

and on our way back to our cosy hotel we do spot these in a meadow near the road...

It is the same  local artist ... Georg Lerchenmüller.

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