With Valentine's Day behind us, Easter right around the corner and a recent trip to Dylan's Candy Bar still coursing through our veins, it's no wonder that even our sweet tooth is on a sugar high. Jonesing for a fix, we turned to Beth Kimmerle, chocolate and candy expert, historian and chef. One of those lucky few who has the kind of job most of us dream about during childhood but give up on once real life sets in, Kimmerle is the go-to gal in Candy Land. With sweet stints at Fannie May candies and Starbucks Coffee Company under her belt, she has authored four books on confectionary history, collaborated as a candy maker and consultant with various museums and private collectors and demonstrated her Willy Wonka skills on shows like Martha Stewart and Today. She also blogs regularly at Candymonium, where she shares recipes and industry news.

It's no surprise that Kimmerle's affection for confections started at an early age, though "I never knew as a kid that I could carve a career out of candy," she tells us. "I was so into it, as any kid is, but I was also really into collecting and cataloguing (albeit mostly Hello Kitty), and displaying my collections."

It was as an adult that Kimmerle merged her passions for candy and collecting into one. eBay quickly became a critical research tool: "As an adult, I worked for a Midwestern confectioner, Fannie May Candies, in the mid-90s, doing marketing, buying, and developing new candy.  In life and in candy, what’s old is new, so I would study the history of candy and try to understand the direction to take the new by seeing its place in history. Right around that time was when eBay launched, and eBay became a huge part of my research.  I understand the history of candy through objects, and eBay is a huge part of that. When I am working on my books, which are very visual, I go to eBay to collect images and inspiration, and often illustrate the books with objects I buy on eBay. I also have used eBay to find pieces for private collectors and museums. Just the other week, I was on Martha Stewart Show making caramels, and I wanted to make something special, working with goat butter and honey. I went straight to eBay to find some interesting candy recipe books.  Depending on what project I’m working on, I look for vintage candy ads, old candy jars, apothecary bottles, books, and packaging."

Beth Kimmerie (Photo by Kate Cunningham)

Kimmerle shares her personal eBay collection with us, along with similar items she is coveting right now.

Sunny Confection Boxes

"These were likely boxes from a carnival or fair. I came across these whimsical candy boxes while doing research for a lecture I gave at the Chicago History Museum.  I fell in love with the amusing characters and love how they have a 'collect them all' way about them.  I bought as many as I could find."

Now on eBay: Vintage Clown Candy Box (buy it now price, $9.99)

A Little Candy Cook for A Little Girl

"Signed 'X-Mas 1928' on the front page, this book is both a story book and a recipe book for young, aspiring candy makers.  I would have loved to have a book like this when I was growing up."

Now on eBay: Vintage 1855 Candy Girl Book (buy it now price: $80)

Kandy Kitchen

This is a 1960s children's toy from a company called Transogram. They made toys and games like Frisky Frog and Trik-Track. It comes with a plastic Mr. Kandy Man (the Star of the Kandy Kitchen) and supplies to make candy! 

Now on eBay: Kandy Kitchen Ad (buy it now price: $7.99)

Boles & Kehoe Trade Card

"Confectionery trade cards were one of the most popular forms of advertising in the 19th century. Often depicting children, animals and flowers, these elaborately printed cards were a way for confectioners to promote their products.  They were placed inside boxed confections as part of a themed set, encouraging patrons to collect them in scrapbooks. They were an ingenious way to get customers coming back."

Now on eBay: Victorian Fairy Trade Card (buy it now price: $14.95)

More from Kimmerle's Confection Collection

1. Souvenir Wrigley Gum Box: "This Wrigley gum box is dated May 1922 and was a gift to me from the Wrigley archives. I especially like it because all the gum is still intact. It was a gift for guests who visited the newly constructed Wrigley building during the 1922 National Confectioners Convention."

2. One-Cent Gum Machine: "These were manufactured by Northwestern out of Morris, IL. Likely from the 1940s, this piece was probably displayed on a drug store counter, beckoning children and adults alike—the original 'impulse buy.'" 

3. Bunte Box: "Bunte  Brothers started in 1876 in Chicago and by 1906 they were leading confectioners. They were so big that by 1920s, the company was selling over $2 million in product and employing around 1,200 people in its factory. I came across this box at a flea market and got really excited about the graphics because the top panel depicts cocoa pods on a tree."

4. Myty Good Candy Poster: "This poster is from the 1920s. [It's made] by a company called Doerrs, which is now Dare Foods Limited. I love the graphics featuring the clownish character in the beanie cap. I bought this on eBay"

5. Fannie May Pixies Box: "Fannie May is the confection company where I got my start in candy, so when I find antiques related to Fannie May, I get especially excited. This box was a gift from a friend who I worked with there, and it's especially unique because it contains 'display candies' made from molded wax."

Yolanda Edwards is a travel and lifestyle writer and author of the blog Travels with Clara. She was the founding travel and lifestyle editor at Cookie magazine.