Williraye Studio Gifts

I collect Nativity Sets. I have all kinds of different Nativity Sets. I have everything from Willow Tree to Lladro, when it comes to Nativity Sets. One of my favorite Nativity Sets I have however is one that is from Williraye Studios. In fact, when I purchased that particular Nativity Set, it was the first time I was introduced to Williraye Studio collectibles.

I have been in love with Williraye Collectibles ever since.

Williraye Studios is an artistic team that happens to be a husband and wife. Jeff and Bobbe Punzel-Schuknecht work together on their 60 acre farm in east central Wisconsin, which is actually their home and their Williraye studio too. The farm provides a combination of everyday life and work in the environs of nature’s beauty providing experiences that shape the collectibles they create. Their works of art literally become a reflection of their lives. Their gifts and collectibles are a combination of American and French Folk Art, with whimsical themes that are inspirational and motivational. This couple’s marriage is the union of imagination and artistry and makes up Williraye Studios.

Bobbe is the story teller who shares her ideas through the medium of drawing.  She has a sense of humor, which is seen in the characters she creates through her work.  After Bobbe expresses her imagination in the drawing of the piece then it is Jeff’s turn to go to work.   Jeff traces the Williraye collectible onto the piece of wood and gets to work with the band saw to rough cut it out.  Next he uses carving techniques that are centuries old which involve the use of hand tools to carve out the details and make the final three-dimensional Williraye sculpture.  This time consuming process of hand carving is what gives the unique expression to the once basic piece of wood making it a Williraye Collectible. 

After the hand carving is completed, the piece of art is stained, giving it a patina look that is more traditional.  This step is what makes Williraye collectibles stand out from the rest of the other gifts and collectibles.  When the staining is complete, the sculptured piece is then given back to Bobbe for her to add the details in paint.  Each piece is painstakingly done adding the distinctive look of Williraye Studios.  Their work is strongly influenced by classical folk art, but becomes more current with the artistic eye used to mix and blend the colors in a way that will please the modern viewer. 

Originally Williraye Studios could only be found at art shows throughout the Midwest, where their original hand carved and hand painted collectibles could be purchased.  About 15 years ago a company called Coyne’s & Company approached the couple and offered them the ability to reproduce their originals so that more people could enjoy Williraye Collectibles.  This process is one in which each piece is cast in high quality resin and then carefully hand painted maintaining the integrity of the original piece of Williraye art work. 

Whether you are shopping for yourself, or for a gift for someone else, Williraye Studios offers a broad variety of choices in several different categories like:

• Christmas/ Winter
• Easter
• Everyday
• Halloween
• Harvest
• Lakeshore
• Patriotic
• Roost
• Snowy Smiles

One of Williraye Studios best-selling pieces is called O’Holy Night Wise Men, which comes in a set of three.  These Three Wise Men, who traveled a great distance to welcome the newborn Jesus, are a grand trio. Robed for travel, each king is layered in richly colored wraps, extravagant in their lack of pattern, yet with a real sense of finery captured in the flow of each garment. The use of shading in the colors along with the trim effectively adds dimension and drama. Each of the Wise Men are carrying a gift to offer their King.

Another best-selling Williraye piece is called O’Holy Night Shepherd.  This is a must have piece to accent any Nativity Set.  The details given to this lowly Shepherd are seen as he carries his crook and is surrounded by those he has charge over, his sheep. 

Bobbe and Jeff consider themselves, "American Folk Artists". I certainly do too! Their work is unique and different is a warm and comfortable way. It reminds me of what it would be like to live in simpler times, when you could feel the beauty of living off the land.

Williraye Studios provides a nostalgic, but contemporary collectible that will fit in any decor. I love to accent my home with their collectibles.

I think that Williraye Collectibles would be a perfect gift for any occasion. Whether it be Christmas, weddings, birthdays, or even if you are in need of thank you gift ideas. Gifts and collectibles from Williraye will save the day!