Byers Choice Williamsburg Collection for Spring

Byers Choice carolers, made entirely in the USA, aren’t just for Christmas any more.  The Byers Choice collection has expanded beyond Salvation Army Carolers to include special collections for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Spring, and Summer.  New Byers Choice designs are constantly being introduced, while others are retired.  The Little Traveler is honored to be a trusted Byers Choice retailer.

Although Joyce Byers still designs each caroler, they are brought to “life” by a team of artisans in Byers’ Pennsylvania workshop using the following process:

1. Each Byers Choice caroler begins with a coat hanger, which is cut and bent to form a wire frame. Plaster is hand poured on a table, with the coat hanger placed in the plaster before it dries.

2. After the plaster hardens, it is painted with a specific color of green. The body is then sculpted with tissue paper.

3. Joyce Byers sculpts every original head, from which plaster molds are poured. Clay is then pressed into the plaster molds. As the clay is removed from the mold, it gets slightly distorted. The artisan “cleans up” the head ensuring that each Byers Choice caroler is unique.

4. After the clay dries, the head receives a coat of flesh colored paint, and then the features are added. Each artisan uses an impressionistic technique to bring life to each face, again adding individuality to each Byers Choice figurine.

5. Joyce Byers designs every outfit worn by the carolers. She has hundreds of different fabrics, ribbons, and laces available to be mixed in various combinations to create traditional and Victorian carolers. Byers Choice only crafts 100 sets of any clothing design.  It is then retired.

6. Dressers combine a body, head, and clothes to craft a unique handcrafted Caroler. By changing the pose and adjusting the draping of the clothes, a dresser adds life and personality to each Byers Choice caroler.

Loving care from each artisan results in unique, handcrafted carolers that capture the warmth and spirit of Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Spring and Summer. These figures are divided among 3000 retail stores, including The Little Traveler, in Geneva, IL.

Joyce Byers pressed her husband, Bob, and their two sons into service to help produce the Byers Choice figures each autumn. It wasn’t long before the Carolers overwhelmed the dining room table, where the family gathered to work together. “Every year the house would be a total wreck, and I’d say that we’re never doing this again!” remembers Joyce.

But when a downturn in the economy hurt his construction business, Bob looked around and saw some potential in the Carolers. He decided to devote more of his energies to the fledgling business, and in 1978, the couple hired their first employee and turned the garage into a Byers Choice workshop.

The unique appearance and handcrafted quality of the Byers Choice Carolers quickly gained a following. Each year, Bob & Joyce would work with their crew of trained artisans up until Christmas Eve putting the finishing touches on Carolers.

The two sons joined the company upon graduating from college and have played an important role in the growth of the firm, with Bob working in production and Jeff helping with marketing and design. “We always say that mom’s hobby has gotten a little out of control,” jokes Jeff.

Together, the family now oversees a team of 180 Byers Choice artisans in Pennsylvania who handcraft those same creations that started out on the dining room table many years ago. And although the Carolers are sold in thousands of fine gift stores around the world, the company still holds to its starting roots: producing a quality product, at an affordable price, and dedicated to serving its customers and the community in the spirit of Christmas.  Each year Byers Choice donates 20% of its profits to charity each year, making the Salvation Army collection especially meaningful.

The Little Traveler is proud to be a Byers Choice retailer.  Come on in to see the classics, like the Salvation Army figures and what’s brand new:

• Nine Ladies Dancing and Ten Lords A-Leaping are the newest addition to the 12 Days of Christmas.

• Woman in a White Sleigh being pulled by a reindeer.

• Gingerbread Santa and Mrs. Claus will warm your heart.

• Woodland Santa in rich green and Polar Bear Cub go perfect in the peace and quiet of a winter forest.

• Santa and Mrs. Claus are busy whipping up chocolate treats!

• Scandinavian Caroler joins the cast.

• Family unity is evident with the new soccer family and the musical family… mom, dad, daughter and son.

• Don’t miss this opportunity to add Basket Man and Clock Man to your collection.

• Soup Lady is now available for your Salvation Army Collection.

• Seven Swans a-Swimming is the newest addition to the 12 Days of Christmas.

Byers’ Choice Event:

On December 5 during the Geneva Christmas Walk, a company representative will be showcasing all the new pieces for Christmas 2009.  Stop in and register to win a free piece from Byers’ Choice!

Friday and Saturday:

*Brighton On-The-Go – Receive a specially designed Dayplanner and Journal FREE with a $100 Brigthon Purchase.  Designed to fit in your Brighton handbag!

Friday, December 4 11 a.m.-3 p.m.:

* Swarovski Crystal Event – Meet Ann Andrea, Swarovski representative, see what’snew for Holiday 2009. With any purchase, sign up for a free gift drawing.

* Waterford Crystal Holiday Event — We have the new and exciting pieces for 2009. Sign up for a free gift drawing.

* Lladro Holiday Extravaganza –Angela Casa, Lladro representative, will meet and greet Lladro fans and present the newest in the line. Sign up for a free gift drawing.

* Williray for the Holidays –  Beccy Metzgar will visit the shop to show off these whimsical Country folk art pieces that are designed as a celebration of the holidays. Enter a drawing to receive a signed large creche, valued at $250. Special Purchase Friday Only: Holy Family Creche $132.50. (originally $265.00)

* Colonial Candle Gala –Light up your holidays with beautiful candles. Sign up for a free gift drawing.

Saturday, December 5:

* Byers’ Choice Event - During the Geneva Christmas Walk, a company representative will be showcasing all the new pieces for Christmas 2009.  Stop in and register to win a free piece from Byers’ Choice!

* Berghoff Cafe Cookbook Book Signing – at 1:00 p.m. Carlyn Berghof will be here to sign copies of this new cookbook filled with simple and satisfying classic recipes from Chicago’s Berghoff Cafe.

In Byers’ Choice:

• The new Pink Ribbon Caroler represents breast cancer awareness for campaigning and fundraising during the month of October.

• “The Witching Hour,” three new witches along with their haunted gingerbread house and pumpkin heads, get ready for Halloween fun.

• “The Amish Family,” complete with parents and kids in traditional clothing, represent a new look for this collection.

In Department 56:

• The Haunted Railroad collection expands with the “Haunted Rails Dining Car” complete with ghoulish waiter.

• New to the Halloween Village are the Gravely Estate, Croak-N-Haggard Mortuary, Deep Woods Haunt and The Black Widow Dating Service, along with many new added accessories.