The Lebkuchen Queen

What does the Queen of England, the German flag and a bag full of cookies have in common?

I picked up this fabulous and funny painting from my dear friends last night. Elizabeth we all know as the Customer Service Manager extraordinaire here at Gingerbread World and her husband Andrew who is both my kids' high school chemistry teacher and an accomplished artist. Andrew painted this whimsical piece as a tribute to taking risks and seeing success - taking a risk on a business concept and on importing products and hoping others will enjoy them (and buy them!).

We are so thrilled to have one of Andrew Hiebert's actual art pieces hanging in our home. I am totally in love with this big painting of spider chrysanthemums hanging in our family room. I get to brag that "I know the artist personally" when I am showing it to friends!

One of this year's little risks and wonderful successes was the adorable Nutcracker Queen. My daughter and I found her when we were visiting the Richard Glaesser volkskunst studio in Seiffen Germany
where she was dreamt up and made by hand. We ordered some on the spot and several weeks later we had to re-order because Her Majesty was so popular with our customers here in Canada.

I love the practical shoes and the big handbag. Oh the handbag...well it has a story all its own (and instead of me going into it I'll just share a link about the special coded messages the iconic Launer bag is able to convey!).

Now you'll notice in Andrew's painting that in addition to the handbag, HRM is carrying some bags of cookies - and not just any cookies but Elisen Lebkuchen (or German gingerbread). These cookies are famously baked in the city of Nuremberg (yes - the city also famous for its fabulous Christmas Market). Gingerbread World imports Lebkuchen and German Christmas pastries to Canada each Fall along with other confections, ornaments and gifts from Europe and ships them all over Canada.

We are a tiny little company based in Winnipeg. Mostly it's just me but I am so grateful to have some good friends join me each Holiday Season to take phone calls, enter orders and pack boxes. And grateful that our kids and husbands get involved and cheer us all on with encouragements like this funny painting!

PS. We're trying to get some more of the Queen Nutcracker in the New Year! If you aren't already on our newsletter list join us so we can let you know what's new and happening in our little online Christmas Market!

Best of the Season to you!

Tamara
Owner @ Gingerbread World