Frog Central Update

As many of you who check the Frog of the Day every day already know, Frog Central is in the process of moving to a new locale. The time is finally here! So I'll be off-line for the next couple of days, but hope to be back by Thursday morning with more of my frog collection. I haven't even scratched the surface of my collection - we have a long way to go, and new items are being added all the time thanks to those of you who have donated froggie items or made donations. So enjoy the extra items that have been put up over the last several days, or spend some time checking back through the archives and let me know which of the frogs have been your favorite. See you in a couple of days!

Hagen Renaker - Country Frog Band

Hagen Renaker - Country Frog Band
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

Here's the entire band!

Frog of the Day EXTRA

Hagen Renaker - Hammered Dulcimer/Cembalon Player
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

This is the last piece to the set of the Country Frog Band. It is labelled as a Cembalon Player, but in folk music circles it would be called a Hammered Dulcimer. It is made of porcelain by Hagen-Renaker. If you would like to know more about Hagen Renaker or see their latest items, you can check out their website www.hagenrenaker.com.

Frog of the Day

Hagen Renaker - Bass Player
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

Well things got hoppin' last night around the pond. The band played until well into the wee hours of the morning. So today I thought I'd put up the last two players that showed up to join the group.

This Hagen Renaker piece is the Bass Player. It is part of the set being showcased.

Frog of the Day EXTRA!

Hagen Renaker - Fiddle Player
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

I told you to keep checking back!

This is another of the pieces to the Country Frog Band and it is the Fiddle Player. This set is made of porcelain and was originally released in the early 1990's. It has since been retired.

Frog of the Day

Hagen Renaker - Mandolin Player
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

Today's Sunday and a day to sit around the pond and listen to some good country music. Over the course of the day today, the whole band is going to show up! So be sure to check back throughout the day.

This Hagen Renaker piece is the mandolin player to the set of the country frog band.

Frog of the Day

Hagen-Renaker - Guitar Player
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

Have a great Saturday everyone!

Today's Hagen-Renaker is called Guitar Player. It is part of the set that was begun yesterday with the banjo player. Dating to the early 1990's this set is retired but can still be found on auction sites like eBay from time to time.

Frog of the Day

Hagen-Renaker - Banjo Player
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

It's Friday and the last weekend before the big move! So the frogs are getting together for one last jamboree around the pond before hopping on to the new watering hole.

This is a piece from Hagen-Renaker. It is made of ceramic and is called Banjo Player. Introduced in the early 1990's, it has since been retired. This is one of a set that will be featured over the next couple of days. These frogs were happy to fill in while the other frogs have all been packed and ready to go!

Frog of the Day

The Garden Collection - Frog Bird Bath
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

It is such a nice day out that the frogs decided to try and attract some birds - secretly hoping that they will drop their worms nearby I'm sure!

This is a very large piece and is indeed a bird bath. The frogs are holding up a large lilypad that can be filled with water. It has a sticker on the bottom that says The Garden Collection, but I do not have any other information.

Frog of the Day

Hagen-Ranaker - Dancing Frogs
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

I received an e-mail the other day with questions that made you think and supposedly didn't really have answers. One of the questions was what do you call a male ballerina. Well, the frogs here wanted you to know. The ballerina is the star of the show, the rest of the dancers are known as the troupe. The male dancer who assists the ballerina is called the Cavalier. Now you know.

Today's collectible is from Hagen-Renaker and is called Dancing Frogs. This is a glass piece and Hagen-Renaker is highly collectible. This piece was originally introduced in the mid 1990's and is one of the few "musical" frog pieces still readily available.

Frog of the Day

Cairn Studios - George
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

It's been a busy morning already here at Frog Central. Every good job has a foreman and today George is doing the duty. As long as he has his cigar he's happy!

This Cairn Studios piece by artist Tim Wolfe is part of the Sony "Forest Guardian Spirits" collection (see Frank listed earlier this month). It is number 9132 and mine is edition number 86.

Frog of the Day

Westland - Frog Prince
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

It's Monday and the frog race has started again. It's hop here and hop there all day long, isn't it?

This is another of the Westland Fanciful Frogs - Frogs on Parade series. It is called Frog Prince. These are such delightful pieces. If you would like to purchase any in the series, you can go to The Frog Store (link is in the right hand column).

Frog of the Day

Old World Christmas - Frog King
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

I haven't seen the Brothers Grimm movie, but I'm sure the Frog King has the biggest part.

This ornament is from Merck's Family Old World Christmas and is based upon the Grimm's fairy tale about the Frog King. These are glass ornaments and this particular one was popular over the last year or two.

Frog of the Day

Cairn Studio - Tad
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

It's Saturday and hopefully the last day of packing for the relocation of Frog Central. Tad has offered to help by packing up his little treasures.

This collectible is from Cairn Studios and is part of the Charmers collection. The name of the piece is Tad. It stands just 1.5 inches high. It is item number 11000 and my edition number is 3.

Frog of the Day

Christopher Radko - Ribbits and Bows
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

It's Friday and rainy here at Frog Central. All the frogs have been happy for the rain because it has been a very, very dry summer for the most part. So today is a good day to sit back, relax, and let a little mud squish between your toes.

This is another of the wonderful Christopher Radko ornaments. It is called Ribbits and Bows. It is inventory number 1011191. It stands just 3.5 inches tall and was released in 2004.

Frog of the Day

Fanciful Frogs - Horny Toad
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

One of my favorite companies for frog collectibles over the years has consistently been Westland Giftware. One of their latest lines of frogs is from their Fanciful Frogs line called Frogs on Parade. This line is based upon frogs that were placed around a town in Europe. The idea of large frog statues around a town for the summer has taken off in the U.S. also, in cities such as Toledo, Ohio and Erie, Pennsylvania.

These collectibles are big, well made and reasonably priced. They can be purchased on-line from The Frog Store (link is in the right-hand column). This frog is called Horny Toad and is item number 6330. Some of the first of these collectibles are just starting to be retired, so it is still possible to have a complete collection.

On another note, if you would like to see the entire collection here, please click the donate button in the right-hand column and give generously. Thanks.

Frog of the Day

JMC Impact - Window Cling Frogs
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

Sorry for things that are out of season, but this is another of the frogs that hasn't been packed yet for the big Frog Central move. Things have been delayed for a couple weeks, so I may have to unpack a box!

This set of window clings is from JMC Impact, Inc. Obviously designed for St. Patrick's Day, but hey, I feel lucky every day to have so many good looking frogs around me!

Frog of the Day

Cairn Studio - Gimme A Kiss
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

In the theme of getting kisses - and we here at Frog Central know that's the whole goal in life - to get a kiss. I mean what could be better - oh wait, chocolate! This little guy knows how to combine the best of both!

This collectible is another of the wonderful pieces from Cairn Studio by artist Tim Wolfe. It is part of their Charmers line. I had a lot of problems with photographing it because it only stands 1.5 inches. It is item number 11007 and mine is edition number 30. It dates to 1998.

Frog of the Day

amscan - Frog Decoration
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

You may say this is a frog for Valentine's Day, but isn't every day a good day to get a kiss from a frog?

This paper decoration is from amscan, Inc. It stands 14.25 inches tall and has a 3-D body.

Frog of the Day

Precous Moments - Frog with lily
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

It's Sunday and I'm beginning to think I'm not going to have everything packed in time for the move! It's only a week away and there is still so much to do - good thing today is a day of rest, I think I'm going to need all my energies tomorrow!

This cutie frog statuary is from Precious Moments and is called Frog with Lily. It was made by the Universal Statuary Corp. in Niles, Illinois. It is made of DuraResin and hand-painted. It is part of The Garden Collection, comprised of six different Precious Moments animals. The artist is Sam Butcher and this piece dates to 1998.

Frog of the Day

Cairn Studios - Newlyweds
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

Today is my Mom and Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary and all of Frog Central wishes them a very happy anniversary and look forward to many more to come. Today's frog will take you back to those first days 50 years ago.

Today's frog is from Cairn Studios and is called Newlyweds. The artist is Tim Wolfe. The piece number is 9166 and the edition number of this piece is 23. It dates to 1999.

From the tag:
After several seasons of courting, this frog couple have finally taken the plunge . . . the big leap . . . Yup, they're now married! And what a grand wedding it was. Just about everyone from the pond attended. Uncle George even showed up, all the way from Japan! When the "I Do's" were over, the couple hopped to Niagra Falls for their honeymoon. After an evening of dining and going through the wax museum, Mr. and Mrs. Frog are sharing a warm bubble bath in the honeymoon suite. "Is this a nice pad or what?" said the groom. Are there any tadpoles in the newlywed's future? "Let's just say amplexus is definately in our vocabulary," grinned the blushing bride.

Frog of the Day

Christopher Radko - Just One Kiss
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

It's Friday and time to sit on a pillow and relax - oh wait, one of the frogs beat me to the pillow!

This christmas ornament collectible is from Christopher Radko and is called "Just One Kiss." It is item number 00-436-0, it stands 4.5 inches tall, and was introduced in 2000.

If you have a Radko ornament that looks a little different thany any I've put up here, don't worry. What happens is that in the planning stages, certain colors are chosen but after the ornaments arrive changes are made for the next order. So sometimes the same ornament name may actually have two or three different variations.

Frog of the Day

Wicker Frog Plant Holder
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

The weekend will soon be here! It's been such a long short week, hasn't it? We need a couple holidays for the middle of week!

This frog is made of wicker. He has a Made in China sticker on the bottom. I am not sure, but I believe this is an Avon item, but I won't swear to it. I just love the menacing look of the face - he kind of looks like a sumo wrestler frog!

Frog of the Day

Cairn Studios - Frank
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

You may remember the monkey who smoked cigarettes that recently made the news. Well that monkey has nothing on Frank, who loves his cigars!

This Cairn Studios piece is by the artist Tom Wolfe and is entitled Frank. It is item number 9158 and mine is edition number 32. It dates to 1998.

From the enclosed card:

At the request of the Sony Corporation, I have created a group of animal statues to be introduced in Japan as "Forest Guardian Spirits." As the name implies, these woodland friends are dedicated to the preservation and protection of the country's beautiful natural resources. While conservation is their foremost concern, they may also be called upon for guidance by those who have either lost their way or are in need of aid while traversing the countryside. From the shadowed mountains to the open sea - a guardian spirit will forever be . . .

Frank, or Frankie as he is known to his close friends, is one happening frog. Wherever he goes, action is sure to follow. Females swarm to him like bees to a flower show! Frank dreams of hitting it big in Vegas or the Big Apple, where he would croon the nights away and be Leader of the Pack. For now, however, he is happy to be at your service as a Forest Guardian Spirit. For this, Frank asks only for a good cigar in return. Here's to ya, Frankie Baby!

Frog of the Day

JMC Impact - Window Clings
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

I have to be sure that all my new neighbors know I'm a frogophile - I hope these window clings do the trick!

These window clings from JMC Impact's Classic Clings are reusable and very durable. I found them at the local supermarket.

Frog of the Day

Glass Frog Ornament
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

It's Labor Day - time to party. This glass ornament frog is doing just that. I don't have any information about him other than he was purchased at a Christmas House. It reminded me of the New Orleans guys who dance down the streets holding their umbrellas high - here's hoping they will do again soon.

Frog of the Day

Frog Fountain
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

It's Sunday and time to sit by the pond and listen to the trickling of the stream.

This cute frog collectible is a fountain that runs on two batteries. It has a Made in China sticker on the bottom. No other information is known.

Frog of the Day

Ex-Cell Home Fashions - Frog Pillow
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

Another busy day here at Frog Central. It may be a holiday weekend, but the packing continues! Only 17 days to the big move and the frogs are all wondering if things will be ready in time.

This cute frog pillow is from Ex-cell Home Fashions and is made in America. It asks the queston of "Just how many do you have to kiss?"

Frog of the Day

Firefly Books - Frogs 2004
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

It's Friday!

This calendar is from Firefly Books and was for 2004. The frog on the front is an orange-sided leaf frog. The photography in this calendar is just beautiful. I enjoy collecting these calendars every year because it's a good reminder of the origins of all the other collectible items that I collect. It is so important to protect their habitat. Many species are indigenous to small areas and those areas are encroached upon daily.

Frog of the Day

Glass Frog Ornament
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

It was tough getting up this morning, but the royal band started playing and that surely gets you moving.

This glass ornament is a cute Christmas ornament. I do not have any information about a maker.