Full Plate on a Full Moon

 

Blown glass black cat and bright orange pumpkins created in the Studio.

Last evening as I walked outside with our dogs, I was privy to watch a very full moon rise on the horizon. I was wishing I had something other than my phone to take a clear picture of the bright round lunar mass. It literally lit up the whole sky. And on Halloween eve, it couldn't set the mood any better. I was out late in the evening after a very long day in the Studio, with a full plate of tasks to accomplish for the two of us.

A very full October moon last night on my walk with the dogs.

In between the many holiday orders already piling up, we managed to harvest the last of our garden goodies. The cantaloupes were nice and sweet this year, although on the small side.  We will be carving the pumpkins later today, just for tradition's sake. (And because the garden was so generous with the pumpkin patch this year.)

Last of the harvest from our garden, delicious, succulent canteloupes.

Russ spent many hours planning and working on the wall art project pictured below, trying to get it just right for our son and daughter-in-law. The colors were tough to choose, and many different styles were created before he felt good about the latest creation. It is all hand sculpted, blown glass. He also created the copper "stems" and painted them a matte black to compliment the decor in the bathroom area where it would be placed. It was a long time in the making, and given as a late house warming gift for their beautiful new home.

Up close picture of the latest wall art work. 

Cheery and bright blue floral art.

A nice addition to a beautiful bathroom. 

Now it is on to creating many different ornaments like the mountain goat pictured below, and the holiday rush that always happens in our Studio this time of year. It seems like we are getting many more online orders this year. Probably because more people feel more comfortable shopping in their home because of that dreadful Covid19. It is certainly keeping us hopping, even with months to go.

Mountain Goat Ornament

So I'm keeping the blog short and sweet, so I can get back at it. Many orders to ship, and pumpkins to carve. Happy Halloween! 

Our pumpkin patch gave us many "Great Pumpkins" this year. 

The Colors of October

"Hiding in the Woods"

If you know anything about me, you know that October is my favorite "color". 😊 And some of this month's glass creations just happened to reflect some of those vivid orange, red, and yellow hues of Autumn, currently on full display in many of our forests. The Slumped and Fused piece pictured above is nestled in a Birch branch.

Idaho's Fall Colors

Also residing in the Autumn foliage are a good number of mule deer and some white tail deer. Russ sculpted the mighty Buck pictured below, and placed it on an antler.

The Mighty Buck

I also finished a bunch of bright red blown glass chili ristras for a customer this month.

Glass Chili Ristras

The slumped and fused vase below incorporated just about every color on the spectrum.

Colorful Fused Glass Vase

This next creation wasn't inspired by the beauty of the Fall scenery. However, this month Russ was driven to create the piece below because of what has been going on with the political discourse in our country. His thought process went along the lines that the issues we are facing are not just a matter of "Black and White." Labels continue to tear us apart..... "Right vs. Left," "Wealthy vs. Impoverished,"  "Straight vs. Gay", "Christian vs. Agnostic," etc. etc. If we don't get our collective acts together soon, and figure out how to work together instead of continuing with the current polarization going on, our Democracy could melt into an uncertain future. What if we worked harder at embracing each other's ideas and worked  towards solutions for the common good. After all, "the future is in our hands" to create a colorful, healthy and vibrant America, and remember what it really means to be a great country. Lately it seems we have lost our way, it's time to get back on track. 

(A little back story on the creation below.)

"The Future is in our Hands"

The many layers in the fused piece below were another October creation.

Multi colored fused glass plate

To end a very busy month of October, Russ is taking on a rather large endeavor. There are many layers and contours to fill in with this project. 

A work in progress

There have been multiple firings in the kiln, of this Crested Crane, and Russ is working on the background environment. Still a work in progress.

Many firings in our kiln until it's complete, stay tuned.

Well, that's a wrap for this month. Looking forward to the little ghosts and goblins coming around to  trick or treat. That reminds me, I better get some pumpkins carved. Yikes!

Pumpkins from our garden.

The Pumpkin Patch

Black glass cat in our "glassy" pumpkin patch

I come from the generation that first fell in love with Charles Schulz's classic, "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown".  This year really dates me, as they are celebrating 50 years of the classic cartoon. Linus, Snoopy and the gang were a much anticipated Holiday treat that we first watched back in the 60's at both of our homes. Still to this day, I eagerly anticipate watching the whole Peanuts gang on Halloween night. Makes me feel like a kid again, and there's nothing wrong with bringing out the inner child now and then. Along those lines, while we didn't have much luck in our own pumpkin patch this year, (Only a few good pumpkins were picked) we enjoyed creating some out of glass, black cat included.

White Glass Frit accents our Snow Owl

We have also had our share of owls visiting the neighborhood this year, probably from the abundance of rabbits. Russ got inspired by the nightly hoots and created a cute glass Snow Owl this month.

Slumped and Fused Glass Vase accented with Fall colors

He also experimented with various scrap glass pieces and created a few new slumped and fused vases, including the one pictured above. 

Glass Display Stands in the Studio

It was time to update our display stands for an upcoming Art Show, so Russ used his welder for the base of the new stands. Then, using the scallop tool on float glass, he created the display stand pictured above. It accents the slumped and fused pieces quite nicely.

New creation of a slumped and fused decorative plate

Another iridescent and colorful plate was created this month. It has a riverbed of glass rocks fused and incorporated into this decorative piece.

Now if you will excuse me, I've got to be short and sweet on this month's blog, as we have lots of prep work before the first show of the holiday season. Here's hoping you found your own "Great Pumpkin" and have a spooktacular Halloween!

Boo-tiful Creations

Halloween Decorations on the front porch

It's almost time for the ghouls and goblins to come knocking at our door. We'll manage to take a breather from the Studio for just a bit to treat the little masked monsters. After that, the fires will be burning round the clock, and I'm not talking the kind of candles you would use to light your little Jack-o-lanterns either. Oh no, they will burn much hotter than that! There's lots to get done before our art show next week, so I'll keep this blog spookishly short. Mwaa-ha-ha-ha!

Denver Bronco Football Custom Glass Gift

We recently completed 2 unique glass gifts for a customer. They have a football theme and incorporate blown and sculpted glass with slumped and fused glass. Another challenging "outside the box" project, but we're happy with the outcome.

Custom Order  for a Miami Dolphins Football Theme

With this project behind us, we can get on to carving our pumpkins and tricking the little ghosts and goblins that come our way. We hope you get to do something spooky with your friends and family. Happy Halloween!

Have a howling good time with your friends this Halloween!

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

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