I was organizing my studio last week and in the midst of it realized how many different pipe cleaners I have. I did a challenge on them here with challenge #58, but focused on those of the colored variety meant for crafts. I have a cool collection of the traditional white/cream colored ones that were traditionally used for cleaning out pipes.
I always grab the pipe cleaners when I find them at estate sales as I like them for crafting. You can still buy them today, but I prefer to buy mine at estate sales. I like the assortment of graphics on the packages.
Polka dots. These will provide you with more pipe pleasure and were available at our local Fred Meyer store.
A Clean Pipe is a Sweet Smoke. By Mastercraft, 50 pipe cleaners for a quarter.
Dills brand. 24 pipe cleaners here for a nickle! I like that the pipe cleaners are "evenly wound" and "full bodied"...no skimping on pipe cleaner production here!
Dill's is the brand that I still see on the store shelves the most. I like the old style graphics better than the modern ones.
Rum and Maple Tobacco Corp. 36 for a dime.
From The House Off Edgeworth. 30 for a dime.
Love the little chimney sweep fellow hard a work cleaing this pipe. Barling brand.
Nu-Brush brand. Great helpful hint on the packaging about leaving the pipe cleaner in the pipe overnight for a really dry sweet smoke.
Cardinal brand. 40 pipe cleaners fro 39 cents. These are fun since they are flecked with red.
BJ Long brand. Again flecked with red.
Keep your PIPE sweet and clean.
Yorkshire Ream-N-Klean. It was carried by Sears.
The flip side of the packaging provided lots of other hints beyond pipe cleaning...cleaning typewriter keys, hearing aids and burners in gas stoves. Funny, I dont' see a mention of using them for legs and arms for spun head figures!
So many manufacturers for such a simple item! Are you wondering if I have a hidden pipe smoking habit with all the pipes in this post? Nope. All the pipes were my grandfather's and I inherited them when he passed away. They sit in his old pipe cabinet. Pipe smoke always reminds me of my grandfather whenever I smell it.
If you have an idea for a future collection challenge, leave me a comment and finish the sentence "Show me your collection of ___". Another week, another collection.
I love what you do with your special pipe cleaners!
Posted by: Musings from Kim K. | February 04, 2014 at 03:48 AM
As I was looking at the pictures I was thinking of my Grandpa, he too was a pipe smoker. I often wish I had one of his pipes. I really dislike smoking but there is something about the smell of a pipe!
Thanks for the memories, oh and old is ALWAYS better in packaging-you would think companies would learn and bring back old school designs!!!
Posted by: Melissa | February 04, 2014 at 04:23 AM
What a fun collection! I'm glad you inherited your grandpa's pipes. Ha ha ha....you're funny! I thought I saw a pic of you in character with a pipe somewhere? They should have tips on there for your spunheads and crafts now!
Thanks for sharing! I never got to meet any of my grandpas but I do have pics of one of them with a pipe in his hand or his mouth. The pipes did made me think of him :-)
Posted by: Doreen | February 04, 2014 at 07:20 AM
I like the way you snuck another collection into this collection post! A twofer! I bought some pipe cleaners not long ago that had sharp little barbs in them. Those suckers must have really cleaned out the pipe. But they hurt too much for crafting. My Mom inherited her Father's pipe collection. They have been boxed up for ears, but i just got to see them for the first time not long ago. There was such a variety of pipes!
Posted by: Shara | February 04, 2014 at 09:05 AM
This is a fun collection. Love that you have some from Fred Meyer. I'm stunned that they don't say anything about spun head design!!!
Posted by: Annette | February 04, 2014 at 09:10 AM
Oh my... who would have thought pipe cleaners had to be sterilized? What a great variety of packaging... those slogans and hints are hilarious!
Posted by: Maureen | February 04, 2014 at 12:38 PM
Well leave it to you to make a cute post about something as seemingly boring as white pipe cleaners! I will have to keep my eyes peeled for cute old packages when I'm out and about for you. Love the ones with the red flecks the best.
So happy that you have your Grandpa's pipes! My family is still being hoarders and won't let me have anything of my grandparents. Don't even get me started...
~Erica
Posted by: Erica | February 04, 2014 at 03:29 PM
Who would have ever think there were so many different brands of pipe cleaners! The Dills were the brand my Dad used!!!
Posted by: Chris | February 04, 2014 at 08:42 PM
My grandpa smoked a pipe too, pipes always remind me of him. He had a wooden pipe caddy and I used to play with it for hours. Another thing that will die out with our grandparents I guess, I don't see my husband taking up pipe smoking anytime soon.
Posted by: Marci | February 04, 2014 at 09:28 PM
Wow, great collection! Love all the different pipes! xo Heather
Posted by: vintage grey | February 04, 2014 at 10:15 PM
You crack me up!
These remind me of my brother, he is 11 years older than me and smoked a pipe for years.
Happy Wednesday friend! karen...
Posted by: karen | February 05, 2014 at 06:00 AM
Oh the memories these bring back. Thank you for sharing.
Sheryl
Posted by: Sheryl Remy | February 05, 2014 at 08:04 AM
Well anything I say to you now about pipe cleaners is redundant, since you and I have already agreed about the virtues of vintage pipe cleaners...:)
Yep. Some women need diamonds, but I need vintage supplies....
Posted by: Maria (Magia Mia) | February 05, 2014 at 10:36 AM
You have THE most unique collections! They always make me smile!
Posted by: Sherry@Back2Vintage | February 06, 2014 at 08:54 AM
This collection brought back a good memory. My brother and I riding bikes down to the pharmacy to buy my dad pipe cleaners. They cost 10 cents. He gave we a quarter and got to spend the rest on penny candy. Spearmint leaves for me, Mary Janes and Red Hots for him.
Posted by: Susan | March 04, 2014 at 04:01 AM