Happy Thursday friends and welcome to another edition of… What the Heck Is It?
For the last What the Heck you guys were able to help out my friend Kathleen from Our Hopeful Home, formerly Charm Bracelet Diva at Home, with this mystery item.
It turned out to be a portable stove for using over campfires. These were used during wartime, but apparently this is something that is still used today by hikers.
Thanks so much for all your comments. It’s so much fun to learn what these mystery items are.
This week’s mystery item is something I’ve never seen before.
I found this interesting pair of earrings a while back at a thrift store for $1.
Their outfits are so fun and colourful, and I love their primitive faces.
They’re definitely handmade.
The bodies appear to be made out of some kind of wire wrapped in wool and then clothed.
Such lovely details on such small things. The man is just about 1″ tall.
The brass ear wires are very basic, and have a lovely aged patina.
Here they are posing with a penny.
I’ve never worn them because I think they might be antique., but I’m not sure. I know absolutely nothing about them.
What the heck are they? Any ideas?
Thanks so much for reading and until next time…
keep on keepin’ on!
XOX
Very much like what you have
Thanks for the link Colleen! So they’re probably not as old as I thought. Just old looking. They’re still pretty cool though.
My goodness! How intricate they are! I would have snatched those up as well — so unusual. Well definitely they are earrings haha! That’s the extent of MY input!
haha. Thanks Lauren! That much we both knew. lol.
Me, too….earrings! But the outfits remind me of Mexico. That’s all I’ve got! Dona
Thanks Dona! I thought maybe Mexican too.
They look South American to me. The women has red, white, blue beads Chile’s flag colors. So my guess is Chilean. Great find!
That was my immediate thought, too. Perhaps commemorative items from a national celebration. Great find!
Thanks Debbie! That would be awesome.
Thanks Vickie! I was wondering what those beads were for. That’s cool!
I’m thinking South America or Mexico too. I can remember seeing an old woman (from a movie or tv) wearing an outfit with the same neck shawl. Can’t remember what it was about.
They are cute.
Thanks for the suggestion! I never really thought South American, but now that I look at them they kinda do have that look.
According to this Etsy shop they are Peruvian worry doll earrings. Vickie and I were close!
Lol I am just spamming you this morning! Looking for the background of Peruvian worry dolls, I find that actually they originated in Guatemala and Mexico so these doll earrings may be from one of those countries and Peru. Such an interesting subject and find!
lol. You are Debbie, but I appreciate the info. I kinda like the idea that they might be from Peru.
Thanks Debbie! I’d never heard of a worry doll. I kinda like the whole idea of that.
Am I allowed to say that these are definitely identified as something I would not wear on my earlobes under penalty of death? lol
Yes Ruth, you are allowed to say that. lol.
They are Peruvian – created for the tourist trade, probably in one of the mountain villages. I lived there for 3 years and watched the women make these, as well as many other intricate things that they thought would appeal to the tourists.
Wow, that’s so cool Karin! What an amazing experience that must have been. I love that they’re from Peru. I’ve always wanted to go to Machu Picchu.
It was a wonderful place to grow up and I still keep in touch with many of my schoolmates – we have reunions often. Machu Picchu is an awesome sight – and there are many other wonderful places to visit in Peru. The people are very friendly, especially in the mountain villages. Lima is very modern and very ancient all at once – there are some wonderful old buildings. You would have a wonderful time if you ever get to visit there!
I’m sure I would Karin! It looks pretty awe inspiring in pictures, and I’m sure it’s even more so in person. 🙂
How fun! Not sure why I didn’t think worry dolls right away. I had Peruvian worry dolls when I was young. Just not this intricate.
I love the idea that these are worry dolls, which I guess were meant to take your worries away. It would be very cool if it actually worked. 🙂
Interesting and would look cute hanging somewhere, but not on my ears!!
haha! I hear you AnnMarie. I don’t think they’ll be hanging on my ears either, but they’re fun to look at.
I had a set of these dolls long ago from Guatemala. They were souvenirs brought back from a friend’s trip. I hung them on the Christmas tree.
That’s a fun idea Donna! Maybe I’ll add them to an ornament or something.
Interesting earrings. I am not sure I would wear them but I do like Donna’s suggestion of hanging them on the Christmas tree.
I’m not sure I will either Debra. I agree that the Christmas tree might be a good place for them
They look Peruvian to me. I have seen similar dolls in import catalogs.
Thanks so much Sheryl!