From One Wendt und Kühn Collector to Another - Emily’s Story

A New Blog Series Celebrating the Stories Behind the Figures

There’s something magical about a Wendt und Kühn figure—whether it’s the delicate hand-painted details, the timeless charm of the Grünhainichen Angels, or the memories these little works of art seem to carry with them. For many of our customers, collecting Wendt und Kühn isn’t just a hobby; it’s a meaningful part of their story. And we’ve heard some truly lovely stories over the years—stories of heirloom collections, Christmas traditions, and even entire shelves lovingly arranged to celebrate the changing seasons.

So we thought: why not start sharing these stories?

This new blog series—“From One Wendt und Kühn Collector to Another”—is dedicated to the collectors, the curators, and the dreamers who see more than just wood and paint. Each post will feature a customer’s story, offering a glimpse into how their collection began, which pieces hold special meaning, and why Wendt und Kühn continues to capture their hearts year after year.

At Gingerbread World, our own love story with Wendt und Kühn began several years ago. We had admired the brand from afar—its impeccable craftsmanship, its deep German heritage, and the joy it brings to people of all ages. But it wasn’t until we brought the figures into our shop that we truly understood their magic. Over time, we’ve become collectors ourselves, just like so many of you. We’ve learned to appreciate the artistry in each figure, the history in each design, and the way these little characters seem to quietly become part of the family.

This series is our way of celebrating that shared joy. Whether you’ve been collecting for decades or just welcomed your first angel into your home, we hope you’ll find something to love here—and maybe even see your own story reflected in someone else’s.

So here is our first Story - well, actually...it's Emily's Story!

“I saw my first Wendt und Kühn figure in 2004 while vacationing in Germany,” Emily recalls. “I noticed a little school boy and girl in a shop right by the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and thought, ‘This must be a common German collectible.’”

From that moment, she was hooked. Throughout the rest of that trip, Emily kept an eye out for more figurines—finding new treasures in Füssen, Munich, and Heidelberg. What started as a charming souvenir quickly became a cherished tradition.

“I continued to look for them any time I was in the UK or Europe,” she says. “They’ve become an integral part of my travels.” One especially memorable find? A magical toy shop in Amsterdam where she discovered her very first music box—a delicate spring tree surrounded by children.

Emily was thrilled to later discover she could continue building her collection back home in Canada through Gingerbread World. “These little figures always bring a smile to my face,” she shares, “and they remind me of all the wonderful places I’ve visited.”

Emily lives in Toronto and shares her love of beautiful things—including her Wendt und Kühn figures—on Instagram at @emilymusing. We’re so grateful to her for being the first to share her story in this new series. See some more of her pics below.

We’d love for you to join our growing Wendt und Kühn collectors community—just click here to share your email, and we’ll send you updates, new stories, and a little W&K joy every couple of months.