During the same trip to the beach to see the hotrods we stopped at a local artisan's studio to take a peek and oh my goodness...
Guess what this is...it is...are you ready?
It is the middle of a beautiful blown glass flower!
There was a whole wall of the pretties...be still my heart! Flowers that never wilt, get bugs or require watering!
As we wandered about the studio I was in awe of the talent...
I was also terrified of my kids breaking any of it so Baby Boy was not even allowed to walk, he was firmly held by one of his older brothers for safe keeping. I had Sweet Girl with me, breathing at the back of her for fear she would bump something over!
There were glowing fish...
Funky birds...
And pumpkins..just look at those stems all curvy and delightful! I cannot even begin to comprehend what it takes to make glass do that...
And wait there's more...
Look at these beautiful little...
Cupcakes...with sprinkles no less! That's it...stick a fork in my I'm done. I am now a full fledged fan of blown glass art. Sign me up for a charter membership to the fan club!
What I am also is a fan of local artisans. Those ones that have their own little galleries, work in the back with their kids while their spouse minds the front. This is exactly what this place is...Meet said artist, John Cook of John Cook Studios
Hard at working making more pumpkins...the glass is glowing with the heat. Notice the kilns in the back ablaze!
His work space is raw and real and I was completely mesmorized by the process.
And there were colors of every imaginable hue...like a rainbow waiting to be discovered and lovingly created into something magical!
But I kept coming back to these...the flowers.
I want one...actually I want a whole bouquet.
Yes a handful of flowers just like this!
I would encourage you to stop at your local artisans galleries, take at peek at the local talent that is around you. Support them with your time and if you have it your money. Just pop in and tell them how awesome you think their work is...it makes the world a more beautiful place with people like this in it!
And here is my favorite of the day...not the most flashy but the sweetest most lovely flower in the place...
Did you purchase anything?
Well I did actually, but to the disappointment of my flower loving heart it was not one of these beauties. No for I have too many kids to risk something so precious in my house...I would not sleep for worrying about the little ones (or the big ones) breaking it with ball, bat, or lego being chucked across the room. So I settled for a charming little glass tile to sit on my windowsill. I hope that maybe someday one of these flowers will be mine, but for now I will have my photos and the memories of the little glass shop along the road on the way to the beach!
And if you ever get to Seaside Oregon stop in at the Glass Station and see what you find to fall in love with!
