It's funny how things evolve.
While shopping in a thrift store, an item on a shelf made me smile. It was a little bunny with one eye closed in sleep and one eye open. A pink and white blanket with a white flower and black leaves on it covered the small creature. He was only about three inches long from top to bottom.
Picking up the bunny, I decided to buy him because he was so darned cute. Flipping it over, it read "Peeps" as well as the word Pendelfin and made in England.
Because I love researching any "new to me" items, it was a delight to read that Pendelfin bunnies are very collectible and there is quite a history behind them.
It seems that Jeanne Todd and Jean Walmsley Heap made animal figures as gifts in Burnley, England, in the 1950s. They worked in a backyard wooden shed. Their very first piece was apparently modeled after "the Pendle Witch," according to one Internet website. Animals that followed had an elfin look to them. Consequently, the name Pendlefin evolved. As the popularity of the figures grew, the founders established a factory named Pendlefin which produced the art figures for many years. It eventually relocated to Briercliff, England.
A family of rabbits the artists modeled in 1956 gained immediate popularity and completely sold out. More figures were introduced and have been collected ever since. They are quite charming and often have humorous expressions.
There are even names to dozens of Pendlefin bunnies such as Bongo, Butterfingers, Dandy, Dodger, Muncher, Pieface, Rocky, Scrumpy, Totty Bunny, and Whopper.
When I saw that my bunny's name was "Peeps," it made me happy because I have so many "peeps" in blogland!
So that's the story of my Pendlefin bunny, "Peeps." He's half asleep on the corner of a table in our front hall for the Easter season, charming every guest who passes by.
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We have a winner in the Writing Straight from the Heart giveaway, Mo from the blog, Rose Petals from Heaven.
Check out her blog at http://www.rosepetalsfromheaven.blogspot.com/
Thanks to everyone who participated. I wish I could send a big fat package to every single one of you because each of you is so special to me. Unfortunately, I haven't won the lottery yet so have to stick with one winner for now. :)
Your "peep" is so cute! What a find! And the names they gave their bunnies --- creative and adorable! My mother would especially love your bunny. She collected bunny figurines and they always made their section of her living room so whimsical! She taught kindergarten, and the Velveteen Rabbit and Peter Rabbit were two stories that her students were well familiar with by the end of the year. They were woven into lessons and units time and again.
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute bunnie! I love the pink! Sweet! hugs, Linda
ReplyDeletePeeps remind me of the little yellow marshmellow chicks at Easter but your Peeps is a bunny. I hope he's friends with Peter Cottontail....You have such fun figurines!
ReplyDeleteHi Susan, Peeps is adorable. Isn't it a lovely thing when you purchase something in a thrift store and find out it actually has some history behind it. Wonderful little find. Hope you are having a super Saturday. I've been cooking and crafting all day long. Bliss! :) Tammy
ReplyDeletePeep is very sweet, I used to see these all the time at the car boot sales but now they have got a lot more collectable I dont see them as much. Scarlett x
ReplyDeletePeep is darling and Congrats to Mo!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Debbie
Peeps is adorable!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story on your find!
ReplyDeleteHow cute! Great story on your little Peeps! Happy Pink Saturday and thank you for your visit.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sandi
Hello Everyone! I want to welcome "Fadas de Luz," from Nilopolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this blog's 205th Follower. I don't speak or read Portuguese but I believe the writer of this blog is an artist and singer. Welcome! Please come to visit often.
ReplyDeleteHope you are all having a wonderful weekend so far! Hugs to all! Susan
Hi Susan,
ReplyDeleteYea! I am so happy to be the winner of your wonderful giveaway.
I also love the word "peeps".
*hugs*
mo
Congrats to Mo!
ReplyDeleteAnd it is a God Wink - you got 'peeps' - you're a great peep yourself.
sandie