New Spring Colors and Projects

Colorful glass eggs accent a real bird's nest we found in our yard.

Bird's nest completes our birdhouse outside

Time for us to check in again with our monthly blog. I'll keep it short and sweet this month. We are both ready for Spring color, and ready for March to be over. The winds are howling outside right now and it can grate on one's nerves after days on end of the same windy weather patterns. Just like the predictable winds, March was no exception to our pattern of staying busy in the Studio. 

While we had plenty of orders to take care of, I had been wanting to do something with this bird's nest I found in our yard. It had fallen from one of our trees. Russ created some colorful eggs, and I spruced up one of our bird houses outside with the recycled bird's nest. A fun project to create on the side.

Below are projects completed in the Studio while the March winds were whipping. The glass is hand sculpted in our lamp work flame. Some of the glass, like the crosses, are made using slumping and fusing techniques. There tends to be a wider variety of color when working with soft glass, as compared to the hard blown glass.

We've added a customized label to some of our ornaments this year.

Colorful balls remind us of an Easter basket full of colorful Spring eggs.

Glass crosses and a variety of other ornaments created for a customer.

Flowers were still in demand this month, and we had a variety of special orders to finish, like the anemones and tulips pictured below.

Our first try at a new flower

A pretty bouquet of Anemones

Glass Tulips are a perfect gift this time of year.

A completed glass tulip arrangement

One of our new baby chicks tip-toeing through the tulips

 Now that March is coming to a close, we are pondering which project to complete next. Hmmm, April showers bring May flowers. Maybe it's time to start thinking about doing some wedding bouquets.

October's Delights

Snake River Fall Foliage

All year long I anticipate my favorite month of all, October.  My senses love to take in the crisp smells of this month, and I relish the visual masterpieces I get to enjoy in this delightful season. We've made it a tradition to head into the mountains and enjoy the beauty of the Fall colors abounding on the Aspens surrounding our scenic Snake River. Nothing like stumbling onto a path of Fall foliage at it's height of  glory with brightly colored leaves and strong Autumn smells.  

A variety of sizes of  pumpkins from our pumpkin patch make for fun carvings

 I also enjoy carving the pumpkins we grew in the garden each year. Makes me feel like a kid again. We are not a Picasso with the knife, but we try out a new face to carve each year, and always have fun while enjoying each other's company. Not only do we enjoy the carving tradition, but the seeds that we scoop out are transformed into bite sized delights of salted or cinnamon sugar  treats.

 A variety of toasted seeds from the pumpkins

 Since the kids are all grown, we have given the dogs the yearly task of costume humiliation. They put up with our mockeries as they wait to scare some innocent trick or treating youngster passing by.

Halloween Humiliation

 There's something fun about dressing up as a quirky character, even when you're a grown up. This year I'm the "Great Pumpkin". Feels appropriate, after sneaking one too many goodies from the kiddie's treat bowl.

October Colors

Mostly though, it's the colors and smells of October that excite the two of us. Very inspirational for a new project in the studio.  

More beauty along the Snake River

  Russ has started on a fused and slumped piece called "Aspens in Autumn". Just in time for one of our Holiday Shows coming up in November. Happy Halloween! Don't get lost in the woods tonight.

Aspens in Autumn