Ornamental by Design

Fused glass snowman

I absolutely love this time of year - cheerful greetings, yuletide gatherings, pretty packaging, bells ringing, assortments of baked goodies, secret Santa's, children's choirs singing, and the list goes on and on. More than any other time of the year, we feel a sense of  "Peace on Earth" and an optimism of "Good Will towards Men," looking forward to what the coming new year will bring. Of course, it may have to do with the area we live in, being as we are so connected with Nature and don't have to deal with the hustle and bustle of a large Metropolis. That in itself brings on a sense of peace. But I have to admit, a green lawn with no snow seems a little off kilter for my personal taste. I'd feel slightly more cheerful with at least a bit of the white flakes falling from the Idaho skies. Yes, a blanket of snow would make for a heavenly night, just like the good old days of past Idaho winters.

But when the cold grey skies of December come calling, snow or not, it's time to cozy up to our warm torch fires and start making our own little cheerful creations out of shimmering glass rod and tubing. Seems to add to the already festive spirit in our small city. It's almost as if we were happy little elves working for the big guy up North!

We seem to come up with a new design every year for our glass ornaments. This year we created happy little snowmen using fusing techniques. We also made an assortment of fused Christmas trees. I'd have to say they really stand out nestled in the tree we put up in our studio, and compliment the blown glass ornaments nicely.

We also just wrapped up our Christmas Open House, which by the way, is a sure bet to become a yearly tradition the first weekend in December. Our choice of profession is certainly validated as patrons frequent the studio all weekend long, usually leaving with several of our own pretty glass creations for gift giving. Many of them choose a new ornament every year to keep up their tradition of ornament gifting. Our assortment makes it easy to keep this type of tradition up.

Glass Ornaments

Yes, I believe there is just the right amount of magic in the air for old and young alike this time of year. And just because the world seems to be spinning faster and faster in this age of technology, doesn't mean we can't take the time to slow down and enjoy the season of giving. Now I'm going to take my own advice and slow down and enjoy. Well, that is after I've made a few more ornaments with my guy, shopped, baked, wrapped, mailed packages, sang some carols alongside some old time crooners, decorated with tinsel, helped out a few less fortunate souls, and watched our first grandson enjoy the magic of Christmas with wonder in his eyes. This year I'm feeling blessed indeed! Personally, this year has been a good one to a couple of old school glassblowers and we are full of thanks. I hope that you, dear reader, will also take time to feel the magic and enjoy your friends and family. Let's all hope for Peace on Earth. Blessings to all and to all a good night.

Glowing basket of Blown glass balls

Blown Christmas Ball Ornament