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TAKE A TRIP THROUGH THE MAGICAL, MYSTICAL...
Aluminum Forest STORY BY EDDY HOYLE + PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA STAFF
MERRY AND BRIGHT The little duckling ornament on the right is hand-blown Italian glass. The Italians are known for stylized figural blown glass ornaments. The duckling is nested in a French custard cup with miniature glass balls. Above, McClure is shown in a true vintage custom-made brocade dress she found at The Bargain Box, where she volunteers.
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LocalLifeSC.com + DECEMBER 2019
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Imagine a door opens, you step inside, and you suddenly feel like you are inside a rainbow. Shimmering light in gold, silver, pink, and turquoise glistens and engulfs you. Walking (or gawking) through the Aluminum Forest is a magical trip back in time to a Christmas wonderland of yesteryear, and you are invited to experience it at an open house Dec. 5 at the Lowcountry home of Kelly McClure, a collector of vintage aluminum trees and all things Christmas. McClure’s vision is to share her collection of nearly 40 vintage aluminum trees with the public to benefit the Hilton Head Humane Association. “The Hilton Head Humane Association is an organization I care deeply about,” McClure said. “I adopted two dogs that were taken in with extensive medical and surgical needs. The cost to rehabilitate very ill and neglected animals is very high. I feel called to open my display to raise money for medical care provided by the Humane Association.”