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Store Home -> Ladies of the Locket
Many of us have special people from our childhood that helped make us the unique individuals we are today. For me it was my grandmothers, Mary and Jean. Through them, I inherited a love of beautiful pottery, glass, and collectibles.
As a small child, I was delighted to drink tea from a Blue Ridge, Ridge Daisy teacup and enjoyed the exquisite detailed Royal Doulton Toby Mugs and Ladies. I was fascinated by the window ledge decorated with colorful Fenton, Viking and other West Virginia Glass jugs that on sunny days cast rainbows on the walls. Holidays saw beautiful English China on the tables. I was attracted to the flow-blue plates, lovely English teacups and saucers as well as the figurines in cabinets and on shelves. We often looked at the back stamps and maker’s marks together and I listened carefully about the origins of each piece. Care and handling was part of the learning process as both grandmothers were proud of their collections.
 Mary Hawk was my maternal grandmother. Everyone loved her and her house was the central hub for the family. Grandma was an amazingly wise woman who was loving, hard working, dependable, kind, and forgiving. To a “wild child” granddaughter that was very important. She gave me unconditional love and understanding as well as many words of wisdom. She grew the most amazing roses that were the talk of the neighborhood, but I loved the wild vivid pansies and was always picking them to make bouquets. Her attic and home were full of treasures that I loved to sift through and she enjoyed telling me about them. She had some 1920’s outfits that I remember tenderly. There was a Chinese silk dressing robe with embroidered dragons on the bright red exterior with a deep purple silk lining. She would let me wear it in the morning to eat toast and jam and drink tea with her and Grandpa. I loved that robe and I constantly look through vintage clothing for a similar one or hope perhaps that very one (I will know it by the jam about one-third up the inside sleeves). She was an incredibly loving woman and loved me even when I was a stinker.
 Jean Dennison was my paternal grandmother and lived in Florida until I was about 9 years-old. I always loved that my grandmothers were friends and wrote to each other and I treasure those few letters that have survived. Grandma was loving, thoughtful and enjoyed her family. She was proud to be called GiGi (great-grandma) by my children. She was an avid reader, a wonderful storyteller, an enthusiastic gardener, accomplished needle worker, and fearless traveler. She too was very wise and a great researcher long before the internet. She could discover the history of people, places or things “like nobody’s business”. Grandma and I were fascinated with all things English and often talked of going there together. Sadly, we never made our trip to England, but today I love collecting English teacups and teapots and still dream about it. Grandma loved traveling and brought back small souvenir/collectibles as reminders of her trip. I especially loved the travel stickers that she put on the kitchen door. I think one of her favorites was the “I flew the Grand Canyon in a Piper Cub”, which she did when she was in her late seventies. She was an amazing woman.
Both of them were very devoted to church and family and respected by us all. Their love and patience served to encourage my curiosity, helped me to be self-motivated, determined, and gave me courage to try new things. By their example, my grandmothers taught me about commitment and doing things right. In 2006, I was able to draw on those gifts to realize my dream of having a collectibles/giftware store and opened Candabean Collectibles.
Many of the lovely pieces from my grandmother’s homes are gone or with other relatives, but I see them clearly in my mind. I search for and hope to recover many of the same patterns and treasures for my home. As I travel around finding my childhood, I discover other items of interest that need a home. I am gathering them here and perhaps they will remind you of your childhood or reflect a new interest in your life.
Candabean has been selling successfully online since 2006 and has earned a reputation of trust and dependability with our customers. I know that my grandmothers would be proud of my store. Our products are honestly and fully describe so that you can rely on our expertise and be delighted with your purchases. Our customers are our number one priority and we are committed to providing you with Five-Star Customer Service.
Things change daily and I encourage you to check back often or sign up for our Tea Party Newsletter to get the scoop on specials and newly acquired items.
I am so glad you stopped by to visit and hope to see you often!
Last Updated: September 15, 2009
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