JeffCarter

I use the Behr paint sample size paint from Home Depot. You can get them in any color they offer and if you run out, you can get it matched. The 8 oz size is perfect for amount for most cut out projects. You can get it in their exterior grade and any of the finishes they offer. Keep in mind you want to keep the finish "flat" or "egg shell." Any glossy finish will give you a hot spot when you hit it with a flood light. I also seal mine with a Spar Urethane. If you need anymore ideas check out my website: http://www.christmascraftsman.com/

Did you have any luck restoring the bells? Do you need any help rewiring them?

The ones on the bottom look like Fiberglas. Here's what I've found to clean clean them nicely:

I'm interested.

Well, bring the good old days back. It's easy to make these and other plywood projects and there is a whole generation that needs to see this kind of display. You'll really stand out in a neighborhood of inflatables and laser shows. ?

I posted this video of a U-Bild Plywood Santa project I just completed.

I show you the basic steps to make a plywood Santa for your Christmas display using U-Bild Santa Project # 189. https://www.u-bild.com/projects-holid... For more retro Christmas display and lighting ideas, check out www.ChristmasCraftsman.com.

Here's a comparison I did... https://forums.planetchristmas.com/index.php?/forums/topic/60836-new-leds-vs-incandescent/&_fromLogin=1#replyForm

The Macy's in Minneapolis is selling their old figurines that were part of their Christmas display. https://grafeauction.proxibid.com/asp/Catalog.asp…

It appears they are talking with a possible buyer...Stay tuned... https://pilotonline.com/business/general-foam-plastics-to-close-norfolk-and-n-c-factories/article_f9601fbf-fd24-5c79-8b7d-3233bf1f074b.html

They should have gone mail order or at least offered that option. I would make their molds available to those who would like them but don't have a local retail option.

Look great!

LED's are not there yet. Vendors claim they look just like incandescent but they don't. I have hope because I found a C7 LED in Home Depot that is marketed as a night light that perfectly matches the traditional C7 ceramic white lamp. These LED lamps also have a glass envelope and not a plastic one. Now if they would just ceramic color the glass envelope - not paint but fuse the color with the glass like GE used to do in the late fifties thru the late seventies - they would have a winner. I even did an experiment and sent it to the LED manufacturer. They don't seem interested but someone who a

LOR is not my area of expertise but there is a forum for that: http://forums.planetchristmas.com/index.php?/forum/262-light-o-rama-world/ Ask your question in that forum and I'm sure there will be plenty of folks willing to walk you through the process. Post a pic of your tree in this thread when you're done. I would love to see what you come up with.

I collect vintage Christmas Lighting, including the Lighting Guides that were popular from the 50's through the 70's. I gave a talk at the last two Christmas Expo's on the History of Christmas Lighting and covered a lot of this. Many are finding the "next big idea" is often hidden away in one of these guides. These Lighting Guides were compiled by illumination engineers and implemented the very best practices in lighting. Even though technology has changed, good lighting technique have not. Here's a link to several of those guides: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcarter629/collections/7