Taking Earth Day to Heart

A beautiful tree blossoms this Spring in one of our local parks.

This past weekend "Earth Day" was celebrated in our community. While the weather wasn't very cooperative for an outdoor celebration, just the act of celebrating the Earth causes one to pause and reflect how each of us as individuals can do our part in being good stewards of the land. I am reminded by events like these how important it is that we each do what we can to conserve and take care of our planet. And since moving out to the country a few years ago... I have seen in our own lives, the gratification that comes from working the soil. Also planting trees, flowers, gardens, and recycling has given us a sense of purpose and responsibility for our own patch of land, minuscule as it may seem for our planet's overall health. 

A double rainbow delights us after a thunderstorm.

Spring has a way of  reminding us everything old and washed out can become new again. Mother Nature displays awe-inspiring rainbows after a sporadic thunderstorm. We are busy planting new seeds in the greenhouse and taking care of our young "ugly" chickens so they can give us fresh organic eggs later in the year.

New chickens in their awkward, "teenage" phase. 

Just beginning to see plants coming up in our greenhouse.

We use the blue barrels below to water the greenhouse and chicken trough. When a fresh rain falls, it is collected in our rain gutter and stored in the containers for future use. 

Our water barrels help us recycle rainwater.

We also try to reuse as much as possible in our Studio to prevent waste. Below are two pictures that show how we take old scrap glass laying around, and cut it and rearrange it in various patterns. Next, it is slowly heated in the kiln. The end result has taken the scrap glass and turned it into a functional glass vase.

Kiln heating up scrap glass

The end result is a pretty decorative vase.

 Probably the best way our Studio helps recycle unwanted waste, is to "upcycle" used bottles. Below are a few samples of the many 100's of wine bottles we have flattened or slumped in our kilns. I hand engrave a design on them, and accessorize with bead work and copper wire to dress them up. Now they have gone from trash to treasure, as they are functional kitchen art that can hang on the wall or be used as trivets. 

Wine bottle art 

We have many designs and sayings to choose from.

Dragonflies are popular.

An affordable gift to give.

A great accessory to the kitchen.

These two are slumped together, and make a great trivet.

We have plenty of options of the bottle art to choose from in our Studio, as an affordable gift to give. We also have many other uses for the bottles, such as drinking glasses, tiki torches, wind chimes, or hummingbird feeders like the one pictured below.

Many functional uses for old bottles are available, including hummingbird feeders.

Finally, to go with a recycled theme, the vase and platter pictured below were created from old float glass, or window glass, that would have been discarded and taken up more space in some land fill. This process gives it a whole new life. We really enjoy taking the time and effort it takes to turn trash into treasure. Hopefully we will continue to think of new ways to be good stewards of the Earth and recycle. 

Turning scrap window glass into functional art work.

Back to the Grind

Now that the two big events of the year for the Lewis Bunch have come and gone, (the last Lewis wedding, and the birth of our second grandson) it's time to get "back to the grind".  And to tell you the truth, there is nothing I would rather be doing. To be able to work with our garden harvest and yard work, also while ramping back up in the glass studio, brings a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Running a small business and setting the schedules between home and work is a privilege afforded to very few. I certainly don't take it for granted, and look forward to setting new goals with my partner Russ for continued success in our Studio in the coming months.

Our Fall Garden

September is already coming to an end, and of course it has continued to be one of the busiest months for us in the garden. Harvesting all the crops, cleaning, preparing, and canning take up a large amount of our time. Wouldn't have it any other way though. There isn't much that can compare to the satisfaction of a well stocked pantry full of food put there from our own labor. Everything looks fresh and delectable sitting there in the glass jars. This year I even made homemade soup to enjoy for the coming winter months. Nature gave us a beautiful array of color, both in the garden and around the yard. I thought I'd share some of that in this blog for you to enjoy.

Blooming Sweet Peas

The fish are always hungry in our pond.

Marigolds surround the perimeter of our garden

Oodles and oodles of fresh strawberries this year

We will have lots of sunflower seeds to roast from our giant sunflowers

Our apple tree produced apples for the first time this year. Yum!

Gladiolus bloom

Daisy blooms

Part of our new and improved back yard

Ariel shot of our garden area

Ripening Pumpkins

Holly Hocks have such a beautiful bloom

Our chickens are producing lots of eggs for us

Another Daisy bloom

The Arbor has been a nice addition to our garden this year

As I write this morning, a fresh rain is falling down. Nothing like a cloudy day to get in the mood to head into the studio. I've always believed that's why there are so many artists in the Northwest, as grey skies seem to bring about the creative juices. Below is our latest slumped and fused creation out of the kiln. 

Slumped and fused vase

And of course, the hunting season is upon us. For those who would like to accent their den with something other than what a taxidermist would offer, we have some artistic options to choose from. Or if the hunters out there come up empty handed, we can offer a consolation prize of some glass wildlife art. 

Moose on Manzanita Burlwood

Large bugling Elk

A large selection of playful fox pieces

Sandblasted deer on Manzanita burlwood

Large fighting Elk scene

 Thanks for taking the time to read my monthly blog. I hope there is something in here that speaks to you. Taking the time to sit back and reflect now and then as to where we are going in our Studio, proves to me we are on the right path of creativity. And I enjoy sharing some of those ideas with you through photos. Maybe in the least, it will inspire you to create your own zen, whether it be through art, music, or any other creative outlet you wish to pursue.

Preparations

Well here it is again - Fall, the busiest time of the year for most folks, including yours truly. I am struck by how quickly the season changes in our high desert climate from warm sunny weather to crisp Autumn mornings. It hits me that Fall has arrived as I go on a cool morning walk with the dogs. I witness the subtle changes and color variations in the plant life. We'll spend the next couple of weeks scurrying around the garden and tending the flower beds, and prepping the hens for the long winter months ahead.

One of our giant pumpkins in the pumpkin patch

Our hens are really starting to lay eggs this Fall

I am in the throws of canning the garden goodies, and have a ways to go. Our tomatoes were plentiful this year, so lots of work is put into our home made spaghetti sauce and salsas. We just harvested our potatoes, beans and onions. Then it's on to cucumbers that I'll pickle, beets, jalapenos, carrots, squash and our great pumpkin harvesting. There is nothing quite as gratifying to a middle aged woman and her spouse, as growing and harvesting the endless bounty of veggies and fruit. I really wish I would have taken up gardening at a much earlier age. Guess I'm making up for it now.

Preparing to can more tomatoes 

 Meanwhile, the work continues to pour into our studio, as we receive a rush of new orders from customers. Russ is working on a Columbine order for a gift shop in Colorado, then it's on to a very large order of blown ball ornaments. (More on that in the October blog.) After that, another customized glass chess set. Then before we know it, all the Holiday rush will be upon us.

Prepping to make quantities of Columbine flower ornaments

Some of the Columbine order

Starting on an order of blown ball ornaments

It's good to be busy, and regain clarity and focus on what our goals should be for the coming holiday season. From what we can tell, it looks to be another active couple of months behind the torches. Meanwhile, we are taking the time to enjoy the Harvest Moon rising above us in our back yard, as it gives us yet another reason to love the season of Fall.

Harvest Moon rising in our backyard

Spring Sprouting

Spring Tulips, blown, sculpted and sandblasted glass

Deer frequenting the garden area in typical Spring weather

Last year's chickens free- range by the greenhouse

 You know how we can tell it's Spring up in High Country? No, it's not the burst of colorful tulips popping out of the ground like you would most likely enjoy at lower elevations. Quite contrary... it is the howling winds of March that screech through the Snake River plains all the way through April, May, and sometimes even June. Spring up here is such a tease. You have a beautiful sunny morning reaching into the 50's and 60's, and then Boom! Mother Nature drops a bomb and the winds sweep in a Spring storm all over the valley floor. 

Well, we have news for you Mother Nature, we've caught on to your conniving ways, and are one-upping you with our weather proofed greenhouse/chicken coop!

Our latest hobby really "sprouted" out of necessity when it came to growing a successful garden plot in these harsh Spring conditions.  

Greenhouse lit at dusk

 Russ wanted to build something sturdy and strong enough to stand up to all kinds of Idaho weather, and would also serve to shelter our egg laying hens from the elements. So he drew up his own plans for the most amazing greenhouse/chicken coop that I have ever seen, complete with a root cellar. First, a space was dug out and electrical wiring was run out to the building area. An extra deep hole was dug out under the chicken coop area that would store our potatoes and onions in the colder months.

Railroad ties are the foundation of the greenhouse and are an excellent support system. The poly-carbonate panels are framed with construction grade wood, and we even sided and roofed portions of the outer shell. It's just another step in self sufficiency that we feel is critical in this changing world we live in. There is no better feeling than knowing we can truly live off the land with hard work and dedication to clean living.

Veggies growing in gutters

 Now we can start planting crops in February in our rain gutter designed planting beds, and have a fresh salad by late March-early April. It's only the first week of April, and already we have Swiss chard, kale, spinach and a variety of lettuce coming on strong. This could never be possible without the clever design of our rock-solid greenhouse.

My favorite part is the hen house. Russ put a lot of thought into the laying area, where all we have to do is pull a latch and grab the eggs of the day. He even installed a pull-out floor box to where we can easily clean out their pine shavings off the floor, even in the dead of winter.

Egg Laying box door

Inside greenhouse area

The sun's light is reflected through the poly-carbonate panels. This creates enough warmth, even on cloudy days, to allow everything to flourish.

Inside view of the greenhouse/chicken coop

 Everything is coming up nicely. Even on a blustery Spring day, things are nice and toasty in the Greenhouse/chicken coop.

 It's funny how life keeps changing even for a couple of old timers. Interesting to note that what started out as a hobby 25 years ago, glassblowing, has now turned into a full-fledged business. So a new hobby has "hatched" in what little down-time we have. The greenhouse/chicken coop is a great addition to ensure  we get the most out of our new hobby, gardening. In spite of the harsh Idaho environment, we enjoy watching everything "Spring" to life!

New Spring Chick with blown glass eggs