XOXO

I mentioned earlier this month that I have a small collection of salt & pepper shakers. It started somewhat accidentally, I think, but I think once it hit the 10-pair mark, it sort of became its own animal. And since most of my supercute shakers *are* animals, you might say I have acquired sub-collections (not to be confused with a collection of subs 😛 ) of multiple varieties.

One such sub-collection would be VanTellingen Huggers — the figures are made to entertwine in a hug for {1} efficiency of space, and {2} adorable-ness of display. 😉

VanTellingen (Ruth VanTellingen Bendel) designs have been popular with collectors for years. Besides the huggers, Ms VanTellingen also designed stackers (S&P shakers that stack onto one another) and is responsible for the famed peek-a-boo cookie jar and matching shakers that were produced by Regal China in Antioch, Illinois.

I have three pair of VanTellingen Huggers: pink bears, yellow bears (pictured), and green bunnies. They were also made as ducks and ladybugs, and the idea has – since its inception in the 1950s – been often imitated. (I recently picked up a pair ’70s made-in-Taiwan Christmas mice S&P shakers that utilizes the concept, but rather than a full hug, the boy pepper mouse has his arm around the back of the girl salt mouse, and she’s designed to snug right up into a hugging pose with him. CUTE.)

In all honesty, I can be a bit squiggy about hugs even though I find them a fantastic way to convey care and affection. I have very exacting tendencies when it comes to touch and I really can’t stand to have my personal or breathing space invaded. You have to be one of “my” people for me to allow that particular intimacy, so very few people who know me would consider me to be a hugger.

That doesn’t stop me from collecting huggers though.
Or from signing my notes with X’s and O’s. 🙂