Duck decoys date back to 2500 BC, when Ancient Egyptians would sculpt them from clay. In the early 1800s, production for decoys stepped up as hunting for sport gained traction in Europe and North America. By the mid-1800s, professional carvers emerged, taking the duck decoy to a whole other level with highly detailed features. These carvers would use wood and cork and paper mache’ to create their works of art. A Massachusetts man named A. Elmer Cromwell became one of the most famous carvers from that period due to his extremely detailed handiwork.

In the 20th century, hunting for sport shifted away from traditional and modern techniques. While duck decoys aren’t as popular in the sport of hunting, they’ve expanded their presence through the interest of collectors and enthusiasts as general home decor.

Many carvers continue to create highly detailed decoys, and we are enthused to be able to offer them to you! Antique, Vintage, or Modern… be sure to check the Care & Share Auction App regularly for your next Duck Decoy, or even, Family of Duck Decoys! 

Mitzvah literally translated from Hebrew means commandment but in the Jewish faith this word means a good deed. This does not rely on prayers, wishes, or thoughts but actions of good will, kindness, and empathy. This is a cornerstone of the Jewish faith and one that our dedicated Furniture Volunteer, Mona, holds very near and dear in her day to day life.

Mona’s true passion in life is horticulture and she has used her knowledge of plants and gardening to help others throughout both her professional and volunteer careers. She worked at Friends Hospital for a total of 25 years as the Horticultural Therapist and later was the Director of Rehab and Therapy. She then became the Volunteer Director at The Abramson Center (now Horsham Center) where she ran their Volunteer Program for about 15 years. This is where Mona met her second husband, Les, when he came in to volunteer for the Center. Les is also a C&S Volunteer in the Furniture Shoppe in the electronics room. They have been married for 11 years this August and share a passion for giving back to their community.

She began volunteering at Care & Share shortly after retiring as the Volunteer Director at The Abramson Center. Before she joined our team, she would go to the Outlet to shop for vases that she filled with donated flowers to deliver to hospice patients and seniors that attend the Peak Center for their day program. Mona and Les continue to put together flower arrangements to deliver to seniors in our community. Mona also brings in donated plants to be sold in the Furniture Shoppe and leaves cut flowers “past their prime” in the North Breakroom for other volunteers to take home and enjoy. You have also likely enjoyed some of Mona’s fantastic baking in the North Breakroom as well. Mona is a volunteer with The Garden of Health, a member of the Harleysville Rotary, and an active member in both her and Les’ synagogues. She also serves on the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and is a judge at the annual Flower Show in Philadelphia. And when she and Les travel up to Boston to visit family, she found an organic farm that she can volunteer with and provides educational programs while she is there.

Mona was drawn to volunteer at Care & Share not only because of our mission but also because of the flexibility that we provide to our Volunteers. She loves that she can volunteer here while still taking time for her other activities, volunteer work, and travel. She has always felt welcomed at Care & Share. Thank you Mona for serving with us!

The Care & Share Auction App offers unique collectibles encompassing a wide variety of categories. Today, we are pleased to highlight for you several beautiful glass pieces commonly known as ‘Fairy Lamps’. What is a Fairy Lamp? It’s as simple as a small decorative lighting fixture! Fairy lamps were first introduced by Clarke’s Pyramid & Fairy Lamp Co. in London, England during the mid-19th century. A man named Samuel Clarke owned the company and received his first fairy lamp patent in 1857.

Although other companies were producing fairy lamps at this point, Samuel Clarke was able to market his lamps as the top of the industry, the most well-known, and highly sought-after brand in the space. The category became known as “Fairy Lamps” because Samuel Clarke used an image of a fairy when registering the trademark for his company. It’s unknown why Clarke used the fairy when registering, but speculation has it that the soft glow of the lamp appears as a little fairy, and the pieces came to be referred to as Fairy Lamps. These beautiful pieces of Art Glass come in a wide variety of styles; from a number of famous manufacturers; and widely desired by collectors. Several examples of Fairy Lamps can be found on our Auction App right now.

Log on to the Auction App today and find your next treasure!

Raikes bears are well-known teddy bears that are made with wooden faces and feet.  They are sought after by collectors who appreciate the unique body construction and carved wood.  Their creator, Robert Raikes, sold these USA made bears in the 1980s and 1990s and today they can be found in toy collections across the country.  

Early in life, Raikes developed the hobby of wood carving, starting with furniture, sculptures, & carousel horses. In the 1970’s, Robert Raikes was commissioned to produce dolls via customer request and this is when he turned his hobby into a career. Raikes dolls weren’t constructed like traditional dolls with fabric & stuffing. Instead, Robert Raikes dolls and bears sported his signature carved wooden faces & feet along with sawdust filled cloth bodies. In the mid 1980s, Robert Raikes & toy company Applause came together for several years through a licensing deal. Raikes dissolved the partnership in the early 1990’s, taking back full ownership of his line of bears. The bears were made in the United States and nearly 40 years later are still highly sought by collectors.  Now’s your chance to start your Robert Raikes teddy bear collection, or ANY collection, today with the Care & Share Auction App!