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Santa's

By Pipka

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2010 Collection

6" Figurine & 4" Ornament

Dear Friends, In the late 1990’s, I had pictures taken of me with “Santa’s” Reindeer. I carry those pictures with me, sign them and hand them out to children all year long. When I first began handing out pictures, I would simply sign “To …, Love Santa.” This really was not the message I wanted to convey. After much thought, one fact became crystal clear. In the faces of every one I met of all ages, there was a look of wonder and awe that is best summed up by two words “I believe!” My message had to be “Always Believe!” The belief which I’ve seen is not a belief in me as an individual, but something far greater than I. I cannot put into words the feeling of all that I have seen and experienced, but to me it is a reflection of Christmas and the Christ Child. I think it is a belief in all that is good, kind and forgiving. I feel so blessed to be a messenger of hope and love. - Bill Motzer (Santa)

6" Figurine

For centuries, Nicholas of Myra, St. Nicholas, has been the patron of Russia. It is claimed that Vladimir the Great, Prince of Russia, went to Constantinople in the early eleventh century to be baptized. On his return, he brought back tales of the wonder of Nicholas. Thus, Nicholas was chosen as the protector of a country that covers on sixth of the surface of the world. Many churches in Russia were dedicated to him, and his name has been a favorite for boys in every station of life from that of lowliest pheasant to the Tzar.

6" Figurine

"We know that Honey Bees are an important insect in all of our lives. Bee keepers are fighting to save the honey bee, so they will continue to provide all of us with honey, along with pollination of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Santa Claus could wear an old fashion outfit, like bee keepers worn in the olden days, now the outfits are pure white. Santa is not alone in his bee keeping duties; the friendly little bear cub has come along to do some taste testing. Honeybees are not native to the United States. They are European in origin, and were brought to North America by the early settlers. Honeybees are not aggressive by nature, and will not sting unless protecting their hive from an intruder or are provoked. They represent a highly organized unit, with various bees having very distinct roles during their lifetime. The queen bee can live for several years, unlike the worker bees; they live for only six weeks during the busy summer and four to eight months during the winter. The honeybee hive is perennial. Although quite inactive during the winter, the honeybee survives the winter months by clustering for warmth.

6.5" Figurine

Alaskans celebrate Christmas on December 25th, like the rest of America in the lower forty- eight states. In this state near the artic circle, Santa Claus visits villages by dog sled. Just like many Alaskans, his prized sled and Huskies are his trusty friends in this cold and snowy land. As Santa rides, he thinks about the famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race hosted by Alaska each year. The event begins in Anchorage and ends in Nome. Mushers cross 1,150 miles of the roughest, coldest, and most beautiful terrain Mother Nature has to offer. Just like the Iditarod competitors, Santa travels over the jagged mountain ranges, frozen rivers, desolate tundras, and miles of wind-swept coastline. He mushes not to win a race, but to deliver gifts and holiday wishes.

6" Figurine

The Snowman Santa has made some wonderful snowmen dolls for children around the world, especially those who live in the land of snow and glaciers. Since everything is so white in the mountains and snow covered plains, Santa has wrapped all the gift packages in bright red papers to add cheerful color under the Christmas tree. Santa himself wears a bright red scarf and hat so as not to blend into the icy terrain. The anxious children’s imagination can see him coming from miles away and anxiously await his jovial arrival. The Snowman Santa was inspired by the many cold, snow-filled winters of Door County, Wisconsin, where Pipka lives and spends endless hours in her quaint, inspirational studio. Many years ago, Pipka would be seen outside with her daughter, Angie and son, Jon, making their snow friend. Now that her children are grown, it’s her grandchildren that convince Grandma to bundle up and have fun in the snow.

6" Figurine

In the Northern part of the world Santa travels the cold regions wearing fur lined coat and boots. He braces the cold north winds by holding steady with a skiing pole. His friend, the polar bear, accompanies him on his midnight journey. Santa enjoys the companionship and feels the warmth of the season by spending it with one of God’s magnificent creatures. The Cold North Santa’s bag is filled with toys of the region that represent the vast wild life, such as a whale, seal, moose and polar bears. Every child that lives in the snowy mountains need snow shoes and Santa is well aware that many have to be delivered on Christmas Eve. Many families will be surprised when the Cold North Santa brings fresh fish to serve as part of their Christmas meal. Favorites are trout and Northern pike. It may be a cold Christmas up North, but homes will be glowing with the warmth that the holidays bring.

6.25" Figurine

The Pennsylvania Dutch, who were not Dutch at all, but "Deutch", or German, are credited with bringing many of their country's Christmas customs with them to America. This helped to shape the New World Christmas traditions. As early as the 1820's, Father Christmas shows up in Pennsylvania as Belsnickle, of the German "Pelz-nickle", which means "Nicholas in Furs". Belsnickle would travel the Pennsylvania countryside looking for good children to give out his small gifts of cakes, nuts and handmade toys. Father Belsnickle has a carved staff, a traditional craft of the German Pennsylvanians, and is accompanied by a little kitty that just might be tucked into some lucky little child's stocking on Christmas Eve.

6.25" Figurine

Books, trains, soldiers, balls, dolls and a gingerbread house peak out from the top of Santa's magic sack full of never-ending toys. He sifts through his bag, selecting which toys to leave at each house, accompanied by his little helper, a young deer who has come out of the forest to be with Santa on his long night's journey. The little deer knows his way through the woods very well and will guide Santa to his destinations this Christmas night.