Feeling Thankful

An early Thanksgiving feast shared last weekend

November is the month that brings us the season of giving and thanks, and boy do we have a lot to be thankful for. We got to celebrate the feast a little early this year, enjoying a brine turkey with our oldest son and his wife this past weekend. There is nothing like conversing with your grown children and realizing what amazing adults they have grown into. We are really looking forward to another round of "thanks" as we enjoy my niece's company for Thanksgiving and the rest of the week. Family from far and near are always close to our hearts. Only one month until this household is full of happy kids and grand kids celebrating with us during the holidays. Much to look forward to.

Meanwhile, lots of focus is required in the Studio as of late. We have been cranking out many new pieces for local art shows and our Annual Open House, always held the first weekend in December. Below are the latest pieces added to our collection of glass art.

Slumped and fused glass Mallard, Cattails, Moon

Grizzly confronts Bobcat

Blown glass trout are very popular with our customers

Mountain Goat with a weathered tree

Blown glass Bighorn Sheep Butting Heads

Another large blown glass Trout Scene

Another reason we've kept the torch fires burning is Internet orders coming from all over the country. We think we are catching up, only to receive yet another order. A good problem to have. Below is a large quantity of candy cane ornaments waiting to be wrapped up and shipped to the east coast.

A large order of Candy Cane ornaments

We've unpacked all the glass from the last art show and are getting our Studio ready for our Open House next weekend. If you are local, stop on by and have some refreshment while you watch us blow glass. 

Various items for sale in our Studio

Wall Art in our Studio

Adding many ornaments as we prepare for our Open House

Blown glass ball cluster with peacock feathers

Preparing fused jewelry pendants to sell in the Studio

It pays to have a thankful heart, even when there are outside forces that can drag you down. What you give, you receive back. And lately, we are receiving so much to be thankful for, amongst which are our valued customers. We are so thankful for those of you who continue to inspire us to do better in our craft. We hope you too, can find reasons to give thanks and have a happy Thanksgiving.

A Mom's Inspirations

Today just happens to be the birthday of someone we hold near and dear to our hearts, Mom Lewis. I think it's time she got a little shout out from us.  She is the thread that holds our family's fabric together. What a sweet, humble, beautiful lady she is. We have always appreciated her words of wisdom and encouragement all through the years. She exudes sunshine from her pores, and has been there for all her children in good times and bad. She continues to inspire us with her loving ways and kind thoughts.

Mom and Dad Lewis with some of the family celebrating their birthdays a few years ago

We believe Russ got his artistic abilities from her.  She has always had a talent with painting for as long as we can remember. Something you can't teach, it's just in her. We lovingly recall her many days of experimenting with oils and acrylics, and still proudly display her beautiful works of art throughout our home. 

One of Mom's inspirational paintings

The piece below was made just for her a while back. She loves butterflies and anything to do with Nature. She is the Matriarch of the family and I think it is safe to say all of us, young and old, children and in-laws, look up to her in so many ways. Happy birthday Mom, you continue to inspire us every day. May you continue to have days full of butterflies and flowers, and peace and contentment. 

Fused Glass flower with butterflies

Thankful Giving

Thanksgiving Feast

  I'm really pretty old fashioned when it comes to the Holiday season. Some traditions are hard to let go of. Especially the one that my Grandpa instilled in me many years ago, when I was a young child. The world seemed far less complicated than today's fast paced and hectic way of life, with the latest techno. gadgets pushed every which way, upon every consumer.  Anyway, every Thanksgiving our family would take turns vocalizing what we were thankful for before we partook of the delightful Thanksgiving spread. When you're young, you don't put much thought into these kind of traditions. You just do it to appease the Elders so you can get on with the over-indulgence of that beautiful carved turkey and all the trimmings that go with it. But with age, comes reason and clarity about those traditions you seemed to be oblivious about as a child.

As an adult I have realized that I'm pretty idealistic by nature, and find myself wishing everyone would pull their resources together to solve issues of world hunger and poverty. Of course, the logic kicks in and tells me it is such a vast and complex issue, that it couldn't possibly play out the way I envision it . However, that doesn't stop me from knowing that as an individual I CAN help make a dent to ease the suffering of those much less fortunate than me. I have learned that when you are in a state of being thankful, you want to give of yourself so that others may experience the same state of gratitude. And that, my friends is thankful giving.

No gesture of the heart is too small. Someone, somewhere will carry a little less of a burden when you give of yourself. Whether it is helping out at the local food drive, putting a few coins in the red kettle, donating a turkey, or inviting the less fortunate to sit down at the table and break bread with you, all these things add up and make the world a better place. Good thoughts, good deeds, it's really that simple.

Although many of our family members will not be at our table to enjoy the bounties this Thanksgiving, I am thankful they are starting their own traditions of giving thanks with their significant others and loved ones. And I hope I passed on this realization to my sons: That the simple act of being thankful ripples out to their family, their community, and yes, eventually the world. There's my idealism peeking through again. 

Our family

Now it is time to get back to work creating and giving, both in the kitchen and the studio. The latest glass creation of  fused and feathered fowl are grateful they are "beauty to the eye of the beholder", and not part of the Thanksgiving feast.  Creating art that is uplifting to others and appreciated, is also an act of giving, both to the artist and the recipient of the artwork.  I am thankful to have the clarity that it is better to give than to receive. Happy Thanksgiving, and I hope you learn to live simply and enjoy what you have, while giving when you can. Life is better when you realize this, I know it is for the two of us.

Happy and thankful Rooster and Hen

Last Rites of Summertime

Every summer I find myself wondering how, in the blink of an eye, the season of sunshine can fly by so swiftly. I suppose there is truth to the saying "Time flies when you're having fun". Now the days are starting to wane, and the night temps. tell me Autumn will soon be upon us. Labor Day is looming on the horizon, and  we find ourselves preparing to spend the days harvesting and canning the bounty from our garden.

I'd say this summer was a summer of opportunity and special occasions that I will look back on and cherish for many years to come.  Among them were some extra special events that stood out. We enjoyed a milestone in our marriage as we celebrated 30 years together, renewing our vows in the mountains with some of our children witnessing. The time spent in the Tetons will always be treasured memories for me. 

Jenny Lake in the Teton Range

A great day of horseback riding in the Tetons

Next, we witnessed our youngest son say his vows to his bride in a beautiful outdoor June wedding. Another memorable and special event for the family.

Our youngest son and his beautiful bride

We also managed to get away and enjoy a few camping trips, having fun times alongside Nature's crystal clear waters, both at reunions and the old stomping ground of my partner's childhood, Meadow Lake. 

Campground at Meadow Lake

Pups playing Fetch at Meadow Lake

Crystal clear water at Meadow Lake

Just last weekend, we topped off the summer experience at Bear Lake (nicknamed the Caribbean of the Rockies), also one of my favorite getaways.

Beautiful day at Bear Lake

We  had some very successful outdoor art shows where we sold 2 of our biggest pieces of art work made in the studio to date, both of them hand sculpted trout scenes. Below is one that we affectionately nicknamed "Walter" (from the movie 'On Golden Pond'). 

Hand Sculpted  Glass Trout nicknamed "Walter"

Yes, summers are short here, so we try our best to take full advantage of them. Everyone should have an opportunity to enjoy a camping trip, or get away with the family on a fun Summer vacation. It's rejuvenating and so enjoyable, especially spent with the ones you love. Because before you know it, the season of preparedness and hard work will be upon us: Fall, which just so happens to be my most favorite time of the year! I will expound on that in the next blog.