Tuesday, December 8, 2009

lighting the present...

I rather like old things...and so I have many of them in my home. Many years ago...I saw an old glass bee-hive shaped insulator used as a candle holder in a metal stand...and quite liked it.


I borrowed the candle stand as a 'pattern'...commissioned hubby to make me a few...and went in search of the old glass insulators. We struck a 'gold mine' along an abandoned telegraph line...and came home with a box of insulators.

From the 1850's until about 1960, insulators were manufactured by several companies...exclusively for telegraph lines. They protected the wires from the extremes of the weather...and held the lines in place on the poles. They vary in size, shape and colour...

...some with an antique bubbled rim. I rather like the green glass ones...and won't be parting with those anytime soon.

With time we changed 'the pattern'...and the next batch of candle holders looked more like this. The insulators are the perfect size to hold a tea light...or a votive. Over the years we have given away dozens as gifts. If you are a friend or relative...you likely have one sitting on a shelf! My box of insulators is almost empty...it's time to go hunting again. I have also given away most of my candle stands in stock...it's time to commission the welder once more.

At this time of the year...I pull out all my candle stands and enjoy a touch from the past...while lighting the present.

12 comments:

  1. You must have been thrilled to hit the mother-lode of insulators all those years ago! I really like the idea of giving new use to something no longer needed and you're very lucky to have an 'in-house' artisan to make your holders. Good luck with the hunt for a new supply of insulators!

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  2. Hey, that's a great idea. I have some insulators and I'll be doing that too. Thanks!

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  3. I like those. Might have to comission my welder when he gets back to the Northwest ... :0)

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  4. Super great idea! The icy turquoise color is so nice year around too.

    I think the bubble edge on glass is called " boppie" on ebay. First time I read that I name I laughed.

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  5. An Insulator . ..when I wanted to talk about my candle holder from you . .I couldn't remember what it was called. I love mine. .it really is so special to have a home crafted gift.

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  6. I don't know what an insulator is, but I do like your candle holders.

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  7. I feel honored to be a recipeient of one of those candle holders, and more we decided that we could light these and always bring our children before God in prayer, so it has special meaning.

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  8. Oh I remember the insulators. Great idea. I wish I had some. I hope your find some more. I bet they are high in an antique store.
    QMM

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  9. You quoted in this post, "that if you are a friend or relative you probably have one of these sitting in your home". I went looking for mine. Seriously, I love this concept. They look so good with the stands your husband created. How blessed you are to have your own designer living with you. My neighbor has a collection of these insulators sitting on her country home windowsills. I think they are the perfect way to burn tealight candles. Great post!

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  10. I have always found these insulators to be interesting, but had no idea what to use them for. This is a great idea. I imagine they look really pretty when the tealight is burning. Thanks for sharing your clever idea ... now I just have to find a good welder :-)

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  11. They are beautiful candle holders Judy! What a nice recycle idea. Your husband made very nice holders for them..they are wonderful gifts!

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  12. What a great idea! I have a bunch of the insulators but didn't know what to do with them. Now, If I just had a welder....

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~ Ralph Waldo Emerson