When I was at a craft show this weekend, I unexpectedly ran across a crafter that had a few vintage items sitting out. I wasn’t expecting ANYONE to have vintage items. At all. I was just attending the craft show to support the local community and to get out of the house on a dreary Saturday morning.
Just the other day, Erica at The Adventures Of Two (Pyrex Crazy) Thrifting Sisters posted about finding vintage Gurley candles at an estate sale, so it was like a light shining down from heaven when I saw this guy sitting on the table.
Surrounded by his buddies.
Gurley was a candle manufacturer that made highly collectible figural holiday candles from the very late 1930’s through the 1970’s. You probably remember them from Grandma’s house. If you’d like to learn more about the candles, you can check out this article from Marta Stewart (which happens to feature a photo of my snowman friend).
I picked up one of the candles and saw that it had a paper label on the bottom that said Tavern something or other on it. I was only mildly disappointed that it did not say Gurley, because I still loved the vintage looking little guy. Little did I know at that point that Gurley produced the Tavern brand candles. Hello, Tavern = Gurley!!!
In the most casual tone I could muster while my brain was doing cartwheels in my head, I asked him how much the candles were. I thought I only would buy the turkey, since it’s close to Thanksgiving and I need another turkey like I need a hole in my head.
Mr. Crafter started shuffling around and him-hawing and I thought “Oh, crud, this isn’t going to turn out well!” He finally said he’d really like to sell them all together, so if I would take all the ones on the table and the ones he had in the box over there I could have them for $8.00. Box, what box? OMG, there’s a box!
Uh sure, that sounds reasonable to me. So I quickly handed him $8.00 and ran out of the craft show.
It was only after I got home, that I actually looked at all the candles. There are 7 that say Gurley (Mr. Turkey happens to be a Gurley), 6 that say Tavern and three that don’t have any tags on them, but look very Gurley/Tavern-esque. BTW, the box is not the candle box, but an old peanut box, so I sort of got overly excited about nothing there.
But still, a much more fun day at the craft show than I expected.
Sherry@Back2Vintage
You were one lucky lady!!! Thanks for all the info about Gurley/Tavern candles! I haven’t heard of them and I always love to learn more about vintage things. Only thing…now I have something else to look for!!! Thanks, I think!!!
Jill
I had been reading about the Gurley candles too and never really know what they were – thanks for all the extra info – I’ll be on the lookout….
Astrid
Awesome find on the vintage Gurley candles!! That would of made my day as well. Love the turkey and snowman ones!
Kim K.
I’m having Gurley envy. Seriously amazing deal on ALL those candles. My pilgrims need a turkey or two. Good for you, dear Pam!
susie @ persimmon moon cottage
Lovin’ your Gurley candles. Are they tagged on the bottom as Gurley/Tavern? I have a little deer candle that I am thinking it might be Gurley. Have had it since I was a little girl. We never burned candles at our house when I was a kid, except on birthday cakes; so it was never used as a candle, besides it was just too cute to burn. I remember playing with it. I see that everyone else must have thought that their Gurley candles were too cute to burn. Amazing how painted/dyed wax candles have kept their colors for so many decades!
missielizzie
I’ve not heard of them before either, but well done you!
Tightwad
What luck! I love Gurley/Tavern candles and have collected, a little at a time, for years. I have found that many times those little paper tags have fallen off. I only have a couple of boxes which I also like to display. Have fun with them!
Debby
What a find. You are a lucky one.
20 North Ora
I’ve seen those candles and my Mom had lots of them but I never knew what they were and that they were all made by that company.
Thanks for the informative post.
Judy
Olive
You are now the vintage candle expert. They look brand new. What an unexpected and delightful find.
Ann@A Sentimental Life
I would of thrown the money at him and run!! Good job! I love them and pick them up when I see them. Because, Grandma had them, I still have her pilgrims and turkeys!
ThrifterSisters
Sounds to me like you have been bitten by the Gurley bug! I can’t believe the amazing price you got for all of those! I have a lot of Christmas but no snowmen or glittery trees. I’m jealous:-)
Erica
Donna Wilkes
You basically stole these wonderful little candles! I used to collect them, but when the number hit 100, I sold them. My favorites are the choirboys and the snowmen. Happy Collecting!
Carlene @ Organized Clutter
My Grandma had Christmas Gurley candles. I remember them well. Fun find!
Vickie @ Ranger 911
I pass these candles up all the time at estate sales, but now that I see yours all together, I’ll have to inspect them a little closer. Congrats on a fun, unexpected find!
NanaDiana
I am so jealous I don’t even want to leave you a comment. Oh..OKAY~~~~!!!! WHAT a great find and I am GLAD you got them. However, if it was anyone except you we wouldn’t be speaking!;>) xo Diana
Fairhope Supply Co.
I learn so much from other bloggers. I’m ready for some CRAFT TRIVIA!!!! These actually remind me of a candle making kit I had when I was a little girl. Very cute, indeed!
I don’t suppose you’ll light them?
Ha.
Glad I found you through Coastal Charm.
Danavee
Ohhhh I love this post. I was just educated! Thank you! NEW FOLLOWER!
Joanne Noragon
Haha. Grandma’s house? My mother put these out every Christmas when I was growing up. Good job.
Marci
I also collect Gurley candles. Great thing to hunt for and they are usually not too expensive. The halloween ones tend to cost more (check out some completeds on ebay, some are crazy high!) You got a great deal!
Van
I LOVE the gorgeous holiday candles, so expressive. Now I know what they’re called too, I never knew.
Diane
I’ll have to keep a lookout for those candles, they are adorable! How lucky for you to find them at such a great price.
Ellie VanCaster
I never knew those candles were something collected but gosh I sure remember seeing so many of them out and about for holidays.
Cool find!
Ellie
Laurel@chippingwithcharm
Lucky you! I can almost see you racing out with your cute little “finds”…been there 🙂
Lynn@ The Vintage Nest
You lucky dawg….what a find and buy! I remember a couple of years ago, that the gurly candles were really sought after and prices were high. Haven’t seen many out in the antique stores lately. Love yours!! Happy Wednesday.
Vicki
I often wonder how these vintage candles have survived for so long and not melted. I laughed over the box. I would have been the same way…just as excited over the box as the candles. Still a cool old box!
TracyMB @ Crows Feet Chic
A girl can learn so much sitting on her butt reading blogs when she should be working on her list of chores!! 🙂 So much to know about these cuties! Congrats on your great find… that chubby little snowman is my fav’. 🙂
Decora Adora
Lovin’ your Gurley candles. . Amazing how painted/dyed wax candles have kept their colors for so many decades!
I love your blog you have a New follówer from chile
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
OH I love these…and that photo of all the candles with the picnic basket is absolutely awesome!
Julia@a-living-space
Wow, what a deal! I haven’t heard of these candles before, but now I’ll have to keep an eye out for them! So adorable… I love them all!
Thanks for linking up with us 🙂
JoKnows
What a great shopping tale! I love the candles. So sweet! Congrats on the happy find. Now following you on GFC. Joann
Robin
LOL! you always have the best shopping stories! Love your BOX of finds – lucky girl. The turkey is so sweet as is the snowman.
Paulette
These candles brought back memories of days gone by. I never knew who made them or how collectable they were, thanks for information. They are cute.
Robin
Me again, Sorry. I forgot to mention how much I love your new blog banner!! It’s so sleek and vintage looking at the same time. Did you design it yourself?
Object of Maya*ffection
LOL! This post was funny! Love the narration! I got a Gurley turkey last year at the thrift and left it in the car too long and it melted…It still has its shape BUT doesnt stand!I still Love it anyway!