So Long, Goodbye 2020!

As everyone already knows, this year has been one for the record books! For our Studio, it was both a blessing and a curse. We had to cancel many of our events that would have included social gatherings, like our annual Holiday Open House. We don't have adequate ventilation to have more than a couple people in the Studio, so we opted to lay low most of the year, out of safety concerns.
However, we were lucky that our online presence benefitted greatly from the side effects of Covid-19. Many customers searched online for gifts the last few months, and we found ourselves overwhelmed with orders. It got to the point where we had to shut down our Etsy store because the two of us just couldn't keep up with the demand. What a strange time to be living in. But of course, we are so thankful to be Covid-free up to this point in time. We had to create some ornaments (pictured below) for comic relief, as this year has been pretty heavy and full of sadness otherwise.  

The  masks were an appropriate add-on to some of our ornaments this year. 

We created so many ornaments this month it was hard to keep count. Literally hundreds and hundreds shipped out the door. Below are some examples of ornaments and glass gifts made for both local customers, and customers all throughout the United States this month. 

Glass Painter's Palettes flew out the door this month. 

A wide variety of ornaments created for the last several months. 

Blown and sculpted glass angels with gold highlights. 

Blown glass cross ornaments

A new style of candy cane made with white glass.

A custom blown glass bass drum gift.

Blown glass fish are always popular for gifts. 

This was a custom piece sculpted for a repeat customer.

A new fused ornament created this year, a pair of ice skates.

Russ made time to create a glass reindeer family representing his immediate family tree, and each deer was sent to a family member. I also sent some glass reindeer to members of my family this year. Covid-19 reiterated how much we miss family gatherings that we once took for granted. Not being with family that we love is one of the hardest things we've had to deal with during these stressful times. But our struggles are minute compared with so many who have lost jobs, loved ones, homes, hope. We empathize with the many who have had their own share of struggles this year. It was a year of charitable giving from our Studio, for those less fortunate and down on their luck. 

Russ' family tree of blown glass reindeer, represents his loved ones. 

Speaking of family, we were happy to engrave and etch these wine glasses, gifted to our 4th son and his wife. They represent the three different states they've resided in since being married. And the personalized  fused ice skates pictured above were gifted to all our son's families this Christmas. 

Wine glasses were etched for our son and his wife. 

Now we are taking a much needed short break from all things glass and enjoying the simple things of life, like all our pets, along with the wildlife that wanders onto the property this time of year. 

Our 3 kittens wait for us to quit working and play.

A nice looking Buck pays a visit to our bird feeder, a regular sight for us this time of year. 

With all that has happened throughout the Nation and the World this year, we can't say we will miss 2020 in the least. Hoping for a better outlook in the new year, now that 2020 is in "hindsight". Sending our thanks to those who supported our Studio this year. We are thankful for each and every one of you. We hope the new year finds you both safe and healthy. Hopeful that we can all break free from the stress that defined 2020. Here's to a better year.....we can only hope.