Welcome to
The Flower Frog Gazette

Background

This site is a web revival of The Flower Frog Gazette. The original Gazette was produced quarterly from 1984-1989. It helped to unite a small group of collectors who were interested in learning about and sharing information on flower frogs. The original newsletters are still helpful to those who are collecting flower frogs- there are lots of photos, prices and info on manufacturers. There are 16 (1985-89) issues available for $20. Newsletters are sent Priority Mail. I pay postage. Each issue is a minimum of 8 pages. Sorry - sold out!

My book, Images of America - Stamford, published by Arcadia Books, was released October 3, 1997. It contains over 200 photos of Stamford, Connecticut, selected from the photo archives of the Stamford Historical Society. The photos date from 1860-1920. This was a period of tremendous industrial and economic growth for Stamford. The book may be purchased through me for $16.99. It is also available from local bookstores and Amazon.com. Images of Stamford. View a sampling of photos from Images of America - Stamford.

Visit my other website: lakequilters.org

New & Noteworthy

Send any news or info you'd like posted here to ffg@bullworks.net.

My book, Flower Frogs for Collectors, was released in April 2001. 900 flower frogs are shown in just over 600 color photos. For ease of use, the book is divided into three main sections: Pottery, Glass, and Metal. (Books are in stock and available unless otherwise noted) Learn more about the book and view sample pages Order Form Yes, I am selling autographed copies! Book Reviews: Read what others have to say about Flower Frogs for Collectors. Bonnie Bull bbull@bullworks.net

A year ago I put an announcement on the Fenton page that the Fenton Art Glass Company was closing after 102 years due to rising fuel costs and foreign competition. Guess what... they didn't close! Please read the letter of 8/15/08 from George W. Fenton, President of Fenton Glass. Letter from George W. Fenton, 8/15/08

I have added a new link for Viking Art Glass to the Links page. Lots of information on Flowerlites.

Mermaids, bathing beauties, flower frogs and half dolls made by The German Doll Company are currently appearing on eBay. In addition to a lady flower frog there are also Pierrot and Pierrette figures (one male, one female) on a shell with flower holes (search "flower frog" on their online shopping search. Their website "homepage" address is www.german-doll.com Note: There no longer is a German Doll Company website. Also Roland Schlegel (the German counterpart to the German Doll Co.) has been selling duplicate German flower frogs and figurines on eBay. They are not marked German Doll Co. and are listed as old. See the article Weiss, Kühnert & Co. Porcelain Factory for more information. Be sure to look at the 1927catalog page linked to that article before buying on eBay. 4/29/06. It has been pointed out to me that they have now resurfaced at www.german-doll.org. 2/18/09

Recent or Useful FFG Articles (see the Articles page for more lisitngs)

Nuart Metal Creations. This company made metal flower frog ladies similar to the Frankart ladies.2/16/2008.

English Pressed Glass Flower Frogs. A sampling of English unmarked glass flower frogs to help guide and enlighten the collector. Nyree, our fellow English flower frog collector, has helped verify and add to information compiled by Bonnie Bull. 2/99. Updated 3/00: Information was added to the main page and a second page was added on Jobling and Davidson with information supplied by Rod Crowshaw. Both pages Updated 1/26/08A third page has been added on Bagley.1/26/08.

Flower Frogs Sold in the 1962 Downs & Co. Catalogs. Shown are a black ceramic frog, a Danish adjustable plastic arranger, Adapto metal arranger for vases, lucite centerpiece ring, and lucite arrangers to fit over candles.3/29/05

Weiss, Kühnert & Co. Porcelain Factory. Catalog pages from the 1920s now identify five flower frog figures made by this German company that became part of East Germany. 6/30/03. Updated 4/29/06.

American Pottery Sampler Part I and II. Two pages of photos of American Pottery Frogs, nine photos (approx) per page.

Current Flower Frog Productions. This article should help identify what is being currently or somewhat recently produced.12/19/03. Last updated 12/5/04

Gillinder & Sons. Pressed glass round frog patented by Kraft Booth Dec. 7, 1915 and assigned to Gillinder & Sons, Inc.7/26/03

German Pressed Glass Satin glass figurals made by August Walther and Söhne from 1934-36. 4/28/02

Petal-Shaped Flower Holders Cast in Lead. These frogs, patented by Ernestine N. Pole, were produced in the 30s, 40s, and 50s. 11/15/01.

The Art That Influenced Female Flower Frog Design This main index page takes you to several different female design influences; such as, Venus, Psyche, Loie Fuller, the art of Mucha, and September Morn.4/01

Books Referencing Flower Frogs. This is a list of books (in alphabetical order by subject) that picture and/or describe flower frogs. Please help by contributing books you are aware of that are not on the list. 1/99. Updated 2/4/01.

The Chinese Launderer. This is a most unusual flower frog patented by Margaret Clayes of San Francisco in 1920.

Flower Frogs Sold by Mail Order 1984-1988. page 6 contains flower frogs offered by mail order from 1997-2007. Page 7 contains flower frogs sold in 2008-2009.

Positive Feedback:

12/20/09 "Your beautiful book has arrived. Thank you so much for your outstanding job with this book." Kathy Spence.

8/31/09 "Bonnie, your book arrived today, and I could not be more delighted! The only problem will be tearing myself away from it long enough to get anything else done. Thank you for a lovely and useful resource." Mitzi Ponce.

12/20/08 "I bought your book Flower Frogs for Collectors many years ago, and wanted to tell you how much I've enjoyed referencing the book while I collect frogs.I was wondering if you have published any more books on frogs? If not, would you -- could you?" Ann Barker.

2/25/07 From George who bought the book as gift for his wife: "Dear Bonnie: I received your book. My wife loves it. Thank you!!!!"

2/23/07 "Today I received your book ... I have been 'reading' it since we picked it up at the post office at noon. ...I am now eager to pack away my collection of snowmen and put out my collection of flower frogs. I always have some out, but now I must show all of them and I will definitely photograph the lot. Thanks again for all your work and research, Chris Bremner. "

2/11/07 From Pam Merrill: "...After purchasing my first two flower blocks in an antique store in St. Louis, the owner suggested I buy the Bonnie Bull collectors book. I'm hooked!"

10/27/04 Tracy Kaswinkle writes, "I loved your book! Your book was the first one I had found with pictures of what I collect (Viking flowerlites)." Tracy has just joined the directory.

2/21/02 From Israel Colon: "I purchased your book about a month ago. Thank you for the book and your autograph. I have only one complaint - it is too addictive. I find that I am constantly thumbing through it and checking out frogs on the internet. At this rate, I will soon wear out the book. I am now looking for a twelve step program for flower frog addicts."

1/21/02 From new member Jim Chilcutt, "Your book, Flower Frogs for Collectors, has been very helpful in the identification of flower frogs. Thanks for your efforts in supplying collectors with this guide. (I'd love to locate the sailing ship listed on page 125 of your book!)" Update 10/26/04: Jim was able to locate the sailing ship and adds that he has really gotten into frogs and his collection now numbers 191 (It was 90 when he first joined the directory).

12/27/01. From the Bradleys: "Again, thanks for providing a great place for people to learn about frogs and find others who share their interest. I use your book for IDs all the time. Great Book! Marcia & Miles"

12/21/01. From George Humphrey of Tennessee: "Thanks for the book! I enjoyed comparing my frogs with the photos in the book. I have only a few (compared to the serious collectors), but some of mine are in different colors than you mentioned, i.e. my "Bird in Flight" page 12 is in pastel green. Also, my Seiei & Co. madrigal frog, page 114, is in a similarly marked blue lotus blossom bowl. Your website is an added bonus to purchasing the book at a local antique mall. Thanks again."

1/27/01. "You are to be congratulated for publishing the information you have gathered and for the effort you and your husband have put into the project. Oh yes, and the expense. Good Luck, John Patten."

11/5/00. From new member Linda Alexander: " I was so thrilled to find you on the web. I have been an avid flower frog collector for many years. I thought I was alone in my fascination with these oddities, until the past couple of years when the antique dealers changed their tune from "What do you want those for?" to "Oh yes, we have several" (and they are priced quite high). For a long time I could get them out of dumpsters, at auctions in boxes of junk, in thrift stores for a quarter. My fascination started many years ago when my grandmother gave me one. Thank you so much for making my day."

3/3/00. "Wanted to let you know I've been enjoying your site for about a year... I just linked it to my site (see "Articles" following this section) in my newsletter section on "The Secret of Flower Arranging". I don't have the fabulous array of frogs that you have, but hopefully my readers will go on to view your site. Joy Myerscough, www.Flourishandgarlande.com."

3/3/00."Your 'making of the book' pages are a joy. It is wonderful to see other people who have these things all over their houses. When people come in here, the question I hear most often is 'What the heck are those?'" Ann Erickson, annson@aol.com

10/4/99. From Monica Callahan: "I am excited to hear about your book and I am thrilled to know that there are other minimalist collectors out there (minimalist in that I am much more interested in metal frogs than the figurine pieces). Your website has developed so much since I last dropped in on you. I will be a regular now. Thanks so much for your efforts..."

8/25/99. From Mary Beth Mobley: "Thanks for the work you put into your web page. I really do appreciate it as I'm sure others do!"

5/1/99. From new member Irene Berry: "...first off, I will tell you how much I enjoy the FFG site. I just started collecting flower frogs about 1 year ago and have learned so much from your site."

4/15/99. From new member Glorianne Liner (gliner@mcn.org): "Thank you for your wonderful web page. I have been visiting you for months and enjoy what I read and see each time. I have met several wonderful flower frog collectors online." Thank you, Gloria, for the good words. BB.

11/2/98. From Ron and Ruth (rrbuenin@gte.net): Just wanted to let you know I was reading your Q & A section, found it very interesting and informative. We, my husband and I, are Flower Frog collectors and found the letter about the oval orange bowl and frog quite interesting. We have 5 of the oval bowls and frogs and an oval frog without a bowl. The colors we have are emerald, amber, amethyst, and 2 clear with a silver overlay. One of the clear has a Poppy flower design and one has a leaf design. If at sometime someone runs across a Red one, round or oval, with a red frog we would sure be interested.

Articles or Info Appearing in Other Publications:

Flea Market Style magazine, Summer 2010 edition, printed a one page article on collecting flower frogs. The frogs pictured were all metal with the exception of one simple glass round. I was interviewed for this article but my comments didn't "fit" the point of view of the article. The author suggested "other" uses for flower frogs which included soap dish, paper weight, pencil holder, place card holder, photo display, and candle holder. BB. 2/20/10.

An article entitled "Frogs Worthy of a Kiss" appeared in the Hartford Courant Garden Section, on July 3, 2009, for which I provided the photos and an email interview. BB.

Ellen Hoffmann sent in information about the following article: "Jump for Joy: Designed to support stems in a bowl or vase, collectible vintage flower frogs are decorative enough to stand alone," CanadianGardening, Special Issue 2008, p. 46. The Flower Frog Gazette website was cited. Thank you Ellen.1/27/08. This information was also submitted by Chris Bremner, who noted that the short article was written by a Hilary Bellis, a floral designer.1/30/08

From Chris Bremner I have learned that the February 2007 issue of Martha Stewart Living features Japanese Flower Frogs on p. 167. Nine metal frogs are displayed on a copper plate. Some of these I have never seen before, such as, the crocodile, the lizard, and the crab. Don't have a copy of the magazine on hand? Currently, they can be viewed on the Martha Stewart Living website as part of a feature entitled "Collectibles We Love." Click here to see them.1/26/07. Sorry page no longer available.

"Frogs and Flowers" is the title of a one page article appearing in the June 2002 issue of Southern Living. It is not about collecting, but how to use needle and cage frogs to simplify the arrangement of cut flowers from your summer garden.

Claire Height sends in this information: "I thought you might be interested in an article in the May edition of Country Home Magazine. On page 100 there is an article on the top ten collectibles under $50. Flower Frogs is mentioned as one. It also shows on the same page an ad for Porch Light [an antique shop] which is displayed in one of the needle type frogs."

An article entitled "Princely Frogs" appeared in the September 2001 issue of Romantic Homes Magazine. While the article touches briefly on all types of flower frogs and their history, the photos predominantly illustrate inexpensive metal flower holders. There is one photo of glass rounds. The handful of collectors interviewed were from Illinois. Back Issue requests should be directed to: National Subscription Fulfillment Services, 5443 E. La Palma, Anaheim, CA 92807. (Thank you to James Moretz of the American Floral Art School in Chicago, Illinois, for letting me know about this article.)

Connie Swaim, Editor of the Eastern Edition of AntiqueWeek, wrote an interesting article about myself and this web site in the October 30, 2000 issue. On a recent episode of Who Wants To Be a Millionaire, the contestant was asked what the thing is that sits in the bottom of a flower container and holds the flowers up. According to Swaim, if he had put Bonnie Bull on his phone a friend list he would have gotten the question right! It seems the contestant phoned a friend, but still got the question wrong. Read the whole article.

Martha Stewart Living highlighted flower frogs in the June 2000 feature "find of the month." They were billed as "Flower Frog Organizers." Two flower frogs were pictured- a pottery round and a metal needle holder. The pottery round held pencils and the needle holder neatly arranged small papers, i.e., business cards and photographs.

An article on "The Secret of Flower Arranging" by Joy Myerscough in the newsletter section at Flourish and Garlande, Ltd. The article mentions this site and speaks of vintage flower arrangers.3/00 Sorry, website no longer in use.

An article on metal flower frogs appeared in the Nov.'99 issue of "Country Gardens," Meredith Publishing. The article is entitled "A Chorus of Frogs" and was written by Laura Beach. This site got a nice referral.

A modest article on flower frogs appeared in the June 23, 1997 issue of AntiqueWeek. It was entitled "Collectors don't have to make a trip to the pond for these frogs" and it was written by Mildred Jailer-Chamberlain. Interviewed for the article was long-time collector Everett R. Aldrich of New Hampshire, who is now listed in our Directory (11/00).

An article on Flower Frog Collecting appeared in the March 1996 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

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