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
ColleenB.~Texas says
April 6, 2017 at 6:25 amVery much like what you have
Tuula says
April 6, 2017 at 10:28 pmThanks for the link Colleen! So they’re probably not as old as I thought. Just old looking. They’re still pretty cool though.
Lauren says
April 6, 2017 at 8:22 amMy 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!
Tuula says
April 6, 2017 at 10:29 pmhaha. Thanks Lauren! That much we both knew. lol.
Dona says
April 6, 2017 at 8:40 amMe, too….earrings! But the outfits remind me of Mexico. That’s all I’ve got! Dona
Tuula says
April 6, 2017 at 10:29 pmThanks Dona! I thought maybe Mexican too.
Vickie says
April 6, 2017 at 8:51 amThey look South American to me. The women has red, white, blue beads Chile’s flag colors. So my guess is Chilean. Great find!
Debbie B says
April 6, 2017 at 8:56 amThat was my immediate thought, too. Perhaps commemorative items from a national celebration. Great find!
Tuula says
April 6, 2017 at 10:31 pmThanks Debbie! That would be awesome.
Tuula says
April 6, 2017 at 10:30 pmThanks Vickie! I was wondering what those beads were for. That’s cool!
Broken Bit Mosaics says
April 6, 2017 at 8:57 amI’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.
Tuula says
April 6, 2017 at 10:32 pmThanks for the suggestion! I never really thought South American, but now that I look at them they kinda do have that look.
Debbie B says
April 6, 2017 at 9:01 amAccording to this Etsy shop they are Peruvian worry doll earrings. Vickie and I were close!
Debbie B says
April 6, 2017 at 9:06 amLol 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!
Tuula says
April 6, 2017 at 10:34 pmlol. You are Debbie, but I appreciate the info. I kinda like the idea that they might be from Peru.
Tuula says
April 6, 2017 at 10:34 pmThanks Debbie! I’d never heard of a worry doll. I kinda like the whole idea of that.
ruth says
April 6, 2017 at 9:09 amAm I allowed to say that these are definitely identified as something I would not wear on my earlobes under penalty of death? lol
Tuula says
April 6, 2017 at 10:35 pmYes Ruth, you are allowed to say that. lol.
Karin says
April 6, 2017 at 9:09 amThey 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.
Tuula says
April 6, 2017 at 10:37 pmWow, 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.
Karin says
April 6, 2017 at 11:49 pmIt 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!
Tuula says
April 7, 2017 at 11:57 amI’m sure I would Karin! It looks pretty awe inspiring in pictures, and I’m sure it’s even more so in person. 🙂
Vickie says
April 6, 2017 at 9:24 amHow 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.
Tuula says
April 6, 2017 at 10:41 pmI 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. 🙂
AnnMarie says
April 6, 2017 at 10:07 amInteresting and would look cute hanging somewhere, but not on my ears!!
Tuula says
April 6, 2017 at 10:41 pmhaha! I hear you AnnMarie. I don’t think they’ll be hanging on my ears either, but they’re fun to look at.
Donna Wilkes says
April 6, 2017 at 1:14 pmI 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.
Tuula says
April 6, 2017 at 10:42 pmThat’s a fun idea Donna! Maybe I’ll add them to an ornament or something.
Debrashoppeno5 says
April 7, 2017 at 10:06 pmInteresting earrings. I am not sure I would wear them but I do like Donna’s suggestion of hanging them on the Christmas tree.
Tuula says
April 8, 2017 at 12:12 amI’m not sure I will either Debra. I agree that the Christmas tree might be a good place for them
Sheryl says
April 19, 2017 at 6:20 pmThey look Peruvian to me. I have seen similar dolls in import catalogs.
Tuula says
April 20, 2017 at 11:13 pmThanks so much Sheryl!