I first became fascinated with these electrical insulators about five years ago when I found a Hemingray in the basement of my newly purchased preschool. Then I'd spot them every once in a while at the thrift store, but they always seemed too expensive for the condition they were in. While on holiday last week, we spent some time in Northern Minnesota and I came across an antique store where I found these for one dollar a piece. Not once chip or crack in any of them. I love them.
These always seem to conjure up memories for those who are old enough to remember seeing them when they were in use. I've heard tales of using them for target practice (trying to hit them high on a pole with a stone or a BB gun must have been great fun for some kids), I've heard that others use them as lamps, in their gardens and the man at the antique store where I bought them said he used to heat them in the fire pit until they were hot enough to stick together...end to end...to make a candlestick.
I just love the way they catch the light in my basement window.
Peeking around the internet I found
-Shaun Kotlarsky has been intrigued with them since he was a kid and has quite the collection
-I love his porcelain ones!
-LOVE these
-and lots to see for sale at etsy
