Friday, December 4, 2015

The Early Workbasket ~ Nanny Pin

Welcome dear friends and needleworkers!

It's Friday, so lets see what's in today's 
Early Workbasket...


~ Nanny Pins/Brooches ~



The patent for this design was registered in 1895 but they
were extensively used during the Edwardian era.  


Nanny pins were brooches worn by the Nanny of the house,
which contained emergency sewing sets for repairs if
the children tore a garment while playing. 

One end unscrews to reveal a cylinder with thread wrapped 
around a needle case which holds a needle and pin.


These brooches were made out of brass with a central,
Goldstone or other various stones were used. 

These brooches  are much sought after!  

They are not worth buying if the central thread holder is missing.


This little girl probably had a nanny...



What is a Nanny?

A nanny is an individual employed by a family in either a
 live~in or live~out basis.  The essential function of a nanny 
 is to be responsible for all care of the child(ren) in the home in
a largely unsupervised setting. 



It took me a LONG time to finally add Nanny pins to my 
collection!



Nanny pins are referred to as the world's smallest sewing
set and was worn proudly by Nanny's as a badge of 
office.


Here is an example of a Nanny pin that is all brass
and embellished with a brass flower.


Check out her feather duster...I love it!


Typically, the center stone will be a 
"Goldstone", but there are also more elaborate 
ones...like the star shape one in the center from England.

  

Two other designs to look for...


A Cameo and a brass spider with a glass body.



Since purchasing my first Nanny pin, the price has really come
 down...Ebay has made them not only available but also affordable!


Christmas gift giveaway...


Okay, there are three Friday's before Christmas, 
therefore I will be giving away three different Christmas
gifts.

Today, will start the entry for gift box No. 1...


This first gift is an antique brass sewing kit from Germany.



From Me to You...from my private sewing collection!

To enter your name in the drawing, 
simply leave me a comment either at the end of my blog
OR by leaving a comment on my facebook page.


The winning name will be announced on  
Monday's blog!


Weekly Soul Food ~

Stand in awe, and sin not:
commune with your own heart upon your bed, 
and be still.

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
and put your trust in the Lord.

Psalm 4:4~5...KJV


I've got some serious cleaning and Christmas
decorating to do over the weekend!

Hope you enjoyed today's feature on Nanny Pins?

Be happy my dear friends,
Kindly, Tammy


59 comments:

  1. Loved your info on the pins. Kathy

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  2. Thank you for the Nanny pin information and a chance to win a Christmas gift.

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  3. Thank you for the Nanny pin information and a chance to win a Christmas gift.

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  4. Such an interesting history lesson- thank you!

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  5. I love nanny pins, have wanted one forever. Thank you for the pictures.

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  6. Thank you for educating me on Nanny Pins. They are simply glorious, ingenious and beautiful.....what treasure come in small packages!!! I hope that one of my Christmas presents is one of your give-a-ways......but if not you, my friend, are a treasure indeed!

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  7. Thank you for the information on Nanny Pins. Learned a lot. How interesting. ~Christine

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  8. I have never heard of a nanny pin, but I had seen them in pictures and read about them. It is so nice to see them. How nice you have such wonderful collections. I would love to be entered into your drawing.

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  9. Oh what lovely treasures - both your pins and the giveaway!
    Blessings, Patti

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  10. Fascinating!! I live antique sewing ephemera and I have never seen these before. Thx for sharing!!!

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  11. Thank you for the information and photos on the nanny pins, and also for the chance to win the clever little sewing kit.

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  12. I've heard of a Nanny Pin, but did not know what was hiding inside. How Amazing! Tammy, Your pins are lovely. Thank you for sharing both the history lesson & a chance to receive a pin. Colleen

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  13. I've never heard of a Nanny Pin! Thanks so much for the information and the Christmas give-away!

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  14. Thanks for sharing the information on the Nanny Pin. I learned a lot from this.

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  15. Thanks for sharing the information on the Nanny Pin. I learned a lot from this.

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  16. Never knew about nanny pins. Love them. I want one now. Thanks for the info

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  17. I love all of the antique sewing implements and try to think of how the women used them.
    Please enter me in your gift-away. Julia

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  18. It's a treasure....as are you!
    Jenny

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    1. Dear Jenny, Yay, your name was chosen for the Christmas gift giveaway...congratulations and Merry Christmas! Your package was shipped earlier today :) Blessings, Tammy

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  19. What a wonderful article, and a gorgeous sewing kit!

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  20. The Nanny Pins were very fascinating really enjoyed learning about them....always like your give aways...thanks for a chance. Blessings Tammy!

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  21. I love learning about sewing items on your blog. I had never heard nor seen a Nanny pin.

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  22. The pins are fascinating. Carolyn

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  23. You are a wealth of information! Thank you.

    Nancy A

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  24. I learned a lot reading this blog. Thank you for a chance to win something so special.

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  25. I had no idea nanny pins even existed. Thank you for the information. I would love to be entered in your drawing.

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  26. I really enjoy reading your posts on Monday and Friday...and the scripture messages are great. Thank you for including me in the opportunity to be entered into your drawing! take care....

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  27. Thank you for the education - nanny pins are totally new to me.

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  28. I had never heard of nanny pins before....I love the photos of the nannys!! Some look so young-probably teens! Thank you for the chance to win that gorgeous sewing set! Lisa ...scneth@verizon.net

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  29. Thanks for the history on Nanny Pins.
    You have a nice collection.
    Please enter my name in the drawing for the sewing set.
    Thanks!
    Marilyn

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  30. I never heard about Nanny Pins ..This is new to me..Thanks for the information.I love learning new things..

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  31. I love your blog. I learn so much.
    Annette

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  32. How very interesting. I had never heard of these.

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  33. Thank you for the knowledge on Nanny Pins! This was all new to me! They are beautiful!!!!!!!!!!

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  34. Thanks for the lessons Didnt know anything about these Learning made easy Please enter me in the giveaway Thanks

    linda m

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  35. Tammy thank you for sharing, great information on Nannie pins..I am 'Nannie' to my 4 year old grandson, Avery and now I am in search of a Nannie Pin! Sharing your blog on my facebook page. Happy Holidays!

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  36. Oh Tammy, do count me entered! I so enjoy your weekly postings...and I've learned so much. Enjoy every moment of your holiday preparations.
    Busy Hands...Happy Heart
    Patricia

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  37. So fascinating to learn about and they are quite ornamental as well. Having been born in Germany I do believe I need to be drawn for the first give a way!!!

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  38. I love your blog. Please enter my name in giveaway.

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  39. Love your "Nanny Pin" post. I've never seen one (at least that I know off)...they are beautiful and what a wonderful piece of history. Please enter my name...love your blog!

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  40. Great history lesson thank you for sharing. I do have a green one but I didn't know it was from Germany. thank again.

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  41. I had never heard of Nanny pins. love it!! Thanks for the offer of the gift!!

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  42. I learned something new today - Nanny Pin. Thanks for the chance to win your generous give away. My husband is of German descent so it would be perfect.

    Thanks for your blog - truly enjoy it.
    Charlotte

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  43. I had never heard of Nanny Pins. I certainly enjoyed learning about them. I really enjoy all that you share with us about historic tools used in stitching.

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  44. Tammy ~
    I am learning so much from your blog. Thank you.
    I would love to be entered in your most generous give-away.
    Hugs :)
    Lauren

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  45. My other love (besides stitching) is antiques!! Thank you for the interesting post; and a chance to win!

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  46. I never knew of Nanny-pins till now, but you can bet that the price of Nanny pins on ebay just went way up, since your post! How on earth you find such fascinating vintage sewing implements is beyond me. I've been antiquing my entire life and never run across the fabulous items you have in your collections.

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  47. Such a nice gift! Christmas giving is the best. Thanks Tammy. Interesting information about Nanny pins!

    Love your blog.

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  48. Just found you! Enjoyed your story about Nanny Pins. I never knew they existed. Thank you for the chance to win one! Merry Christmas.

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  49. Who knew? Nanny pins - how fascinating. Thanks for bringing us all that interesting info.

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  50. Thank you for all of your contributions to the needlework industry. You are truly inspiring!

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  51. Oh my goodness, I never knew about nanny pins! I love, love, love them! Thanks for telling us about them.

    Diane in North Carolina

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  52. Happy to have learned about the nanny pin-never had heard of them.

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  53. Such an interesting story and pictures....and what a beautiful little sewing kit! My husband and I are going to a Danube River cruise next summer so I'm going to get to see a little bit of Germany. :) blessings, marlene

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  54. The Nanny pin is a great thing. I had never hear of them. Thank you for the info.

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  55. omg Tmmy a give away! And i loved the article on nanny pins - dq bogfairy@yahoo.com

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  56. Great information on the nanny pins, love the history of it! Thanks for sharing and the give away.

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