Time Marches On

And just like that, the month of March is fleeting. It's easy to let time slip through our hands, as we dabble in a variety of projects, both in the Studio and around our Property. This month's posting is short and sweet, as we really haven't spent much time in the Studio. We're finishing up loose ends on projects around the property, while we wait on a large order from the Yellowstone Stores to come through at the end of the week. So for this month's blog I thought I'd post some pictures of past projects we worked on for previous customers, to show the diversity we are capable of creating with both blown glass and slumped and fused glass.

Blown Glass Balls with Slumped and Fused Decorative Plate

Fighting Elk Scene

This month repairs were made to some glass that was damaged and broken. Past customers brought them in to have updated, including the blown glass Elk above, and the fun green Gecko below. 

Whimsical Gecko

The Swordfish below was a bit of a challenge to create, as the blue colored glass can be tricky to work with, as it tends to crack easily if it's not annealed right away.

Swordfish leaping out of the Ocean Waves

 The artistic piece below was sculpted in the Lamp Work flames a while back, and is still one of our favorite pieces to this date.

Labrador on the hunt for Pheasant

The floral bouquet pictured below, of tulips and daffodils, was sculpted this month to welcome in Spring. The pastel colors are fun to work with in the flame. I'd compare it to pulling taffy. Arrangements like these help brighten the mood of the room they are in. And that's about it for this month. Next time I write an entry, I'm sure we will be knee-deep in our contract to create a multitude of blown glass wildlife figures. So, off to finish a few more projects in the yard, before we head to the Studio for hours and weeks worth of work. Until next time, enjoy the Spring weather.

Spring Blooms sculpted in our Lamp Work Flames

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.

Green Ideas Springing Up

Spring is arriving early this year in our mountain west town. You won't hear us complaining too loudly. Of course when One lives in a high desert region, One hopes for a decent snow pack at least for the Farmer's sake. But, nevertheless, Spring has arrived early, leaving snow only in the higher mountains. Little blossoms are starting to pop up all over our property. We noticed "Spring Fever" has also rubbed off on us in the Studio this month, as we've experimented with lots of vibrant greens when fusing and blowing the glass projects. Below is a whimsical piece recently made to coincide with St. Patrick's Day. I think we'll be keeping the pot of "gold" for ourselves. Doesn't hurt to dream, right?

Blown Glass St. Patrick's Day Pot of Gold and Lucky Clover

Another sure sign of Spring are the distinct songs and sounds of the Meadowlarks. They are our favorite bird up here, and we've even caught them bathing in our pond. Every morning we awaken to their beautiful melodies.

Meadowlarks bathing in our pond

Meadowlarks frequently drop by our Backyard in the Spring

It really puts a smile on our face hearing that song, knowing it means the winter doldrums are coming to an end. Our recent works in the Studio also reflect the feeling of Spring, as we've experimented with many hues of green. Below are some examples of new art work just created.

Green hues on a slumped and fused vase

Fused Iridescent Glass Creation

One of our Favorite Fused Plates to date

Another unique fused glass plate

A commissioned slumped and fused glass vase

Crocus flowers are the first to bloom in our yard in Spring

                                  

 Our first blooms of the year were inspiration for the floral arrangement below. It didn't take much to turn an old recycled bottle into a nice little pick-me-up gift for a sick friend. New life breathing out of old things. It happens in Nature, and also in our Studio. Happy Spring!

Spring Glass Floral Arrangement in Recycled and Engraved Bottle