Eclipse of the Century

The Total Solar Eclipse happened on August 21st, and we witnessed it in Idaho.

I don't know if I can use enough superlatives to describe what we just had the pleasure of witnessing this past month on August 21st. So I won't even try, because there are many NASA videos you can look up to see what my words can't describe. We stood in awe and wonder of this total Solar Eclipse.  I can guarantee we won't be around to witness this celestial event when it comes around in another 100 years. So I can say that I am one of the lucky ones to have bore witness to a total Solar Eclipse in my lifetime. Our little town of Idaho Falls was right in the path of totality and even experts from NASA were based here for the duration, it was THAT big of a deal. It was eerily beautiful for it's short duration of a little over 2 minutes as a total eclipse, with the whole event lasting close to 3 hours.  I remember envisioning I was in some kind of Sci-Fi thriller. It was so surreal to look up at the heavens and for a brief moment, see the stars in the middle of the day. And the sun's corona cast an amazing light display around the moon. This event measured up to (in my view) and surpassed everyone's expectations. The weather couldn't have been better. We had a beautiful sunny day with light breezes blowing. Our neighborhood is up in the foothills, so we had a perfect view of the Moon's shadow as it made it's way along our valley's floor. As the Moon reached the path of Totality with the Sun, I could hear screams of delight all throughout our desert valley, myself included. The spectacular experience will be ingrained in my mind for many years to come. 

So, of course, knowing the magnitude of this stellar event beforehand, we had to add to the Eclipse "craze" with some glass art works created in the Studio to commemorate the beauty of it all. This month's blog features various slumped and fused pieces Russ created for friends and family to remember it by.

Slumped and Fused "Spacey" Idaho with Total Eclipse in the center of the State.

 Above is an Idaho silhouette cut out with the glass saw and made to look like outer space, and the Eclipse right in the middle of our State. Below is a glass coaster set with an Eclipse theme. 

Eclipse themed Coaster Set

Eclipse pendants were handed out to family members that day too.

Eclipse Glass Pendant

One of our friends just happened to be celebrating her birthday on the 21st, and Russ made a special decorative plate with the Total Eclipse highlighted with gold, which was fired on in the kiln. (She and her husband just happen to be huge fans of all things to do with outer Space, and we think it couldn't have been a better present for her.)

Slumped and Fused Decorative Glass Eclipse Plate

The timing of this celestial event was much needed, as Russ just lost his beautiful Mom last month on July 30th, after a valiant battle with Alzheimer's. She always believed in and spoke about the power of the Universe. We all felt her that day, as her spirit soared through the vastness of the experience. She continues to be a shining star for all who have had the pleasure of knowing this great and inspirational woman. Many of her artistic talents still live on in her son, and we are grateful for the wisdom of her written words , and the beauty in her paintings. To say the least, she is a most heavenly being of light, and is greatly missed, but also ever present in our surroundings.

Russ and his dear Mom, Nita

The past month has been a very emotional one, and we will continue to deal with the loss of this lovely woman we have had the pleasure of calling Mom. The celestial event of the Eclipse took on a whole new meaning for us as we thought about her that day. But, eventually those of us still dealing with life on earth, have to come back to reality and carry on as best as we can.  It's hard to do, and every day presents new challenges. But there are many orders to get to in the Studio that need our attention and just won't wait, and the busy season is just about here. I suppose staying busy helps to deal with a loss of this magnitude. And busy we are! While Russ works the torch flames,  I am currently working on hundreds of fused wreaths that need to be shipped off next month to a client. I'm afraid it's just the beginning.... 

In the process of working on hundreds of glass wreaths.