Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

The Art of Glassblowing


George and I took our Anniversary trip in 2007 to Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. What an awesome trip!!!! I will gradually share lots of pictures from that incredible trip. Even though our anniversary is in the hot summer (June), on that particular week when we were there, an actual cool front had come through ---and the weather was incredible.


One (of many) 'treats' while there was to visit the Glassblowers in Jamestown. We stood and watched those guys work for the longest time. That is truly an art. I had never seen it done before --and I was so impressed. The artisans demonstrated the craft of 17th century glassblowing for us. Glassblowing was one of Virginia's first industries, started in 1608 by German and Polish craftsmen. Above and below are some pictures of these glassblowers at work.

































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NOW----look below at what I came home with from the Glassblowers that day.

This little vase was made by the Glassblowers in Jamestown, VA. I am thrilled to have this vase---and cherish it!!!! (The rose came from our yard!)


Have a wonderful day.
Hugs,

37 comments:

Darla said...

Glassblowing has always interested me! I love to watch them.

SquirrelQueen said...

What a wonderful experience, glassblowing is fascinating. I love the little vase you brought home and your rose is beautiful.

Hugs,
Judy

Joe Todd said...

I guess we both had "Glass on the Mind" great post and don't eat tooo much for Thansgiving

Carol said...

Hi Betsy, Thanks for dropping by my blog, although its just an ongoing journal of Jims cancer and life so his far away friends can keep up with him, but its always nice to hear from folks like you who I have met on the blogging trail. Love your little vase, its so cute! I used to live in Maui and they do that art in Upcountry Maui, fun to watch. Blessings, Carol in Cosby

pam said...

I've always wanted to see glassblowing in real life!

Kelly said...

...Rick, Matty and I and my bro, niece, and sis-in-law all went to the Historic Triangle several years ago, and we loved it. We had a wonderful time. While at Jamestown, one of the archeologists unearthed a German coin from 1607. He showed it to us because we were standing right there. I want to go back!

JLS Hall (Joysweb) said...

That's a lovely vase, and some great photos. We've been to Williamsburg, but haven't made it to Jamestown or Yorktown yet. Now I have a little preview of what we've got to look forward to! Thanks for the photos, and have a nice Tuesday.

T said...

I love to watch glassblowers at work. It's one of the area's of creating I've always wanted to try, but haven't had the chance to....yet.

You came away with a lovely vase!

diane b said...

It is mesmerizing watching them. I saw them in Germany but I refrained from buying even though there were many pieces I liked, but I couldn't fit them in my suitcase.

Beth said...

Great photos, Betsy. I love watching glassblowers, too---it seems almost like magic or maybe like a little miracle. :-) Your vase is lovely, as is the rose. Beauty created by God and by mortals together---wonderful!

Arkansas Patti said...

Love you vase. Such a beauty. Glass blowing is truly facinating and something I always wanted to try also.
Jamestown sounds really interestin.
You two haven't left too many stones unturned. Way to go.

Dorothy said...

Interesting! I haven't seen this done except on TV, but I think it's so neat!

Susie said...

I think that would be a neat thing to learn. I've not ever seen that done in person. Those people are quite creative.

Hope you guys have a great Thanksgiving!

I Am Woody said...

I am another one that has always been intrigued by glassblowing. They make it look so easy, so effortless. I would love to try it, just once!

Diane AZ said...

The art of glassblowing is fascinating and fun to watch, though I've never wanted to try it myself. How wonderful that you have one of their vases, the pink rose looks great in it!

Tabor said...

I have been to this area and remember it well. There is so much to see and do within a short drive. I kept my wits about me and did not purchase anything as I have way too much stuff collecting dust on shelves.

EG CameraGirl said...

What fun to read this post, Betsy. It seems like a miracle when glass blowers make an object before your very eyes.

Mary said...

No matter how many times you watch them do this, it is always so fascinating. It looks like such a hot art to do in the summertime. A beautiful vase to remember this trip!

Sunny said...

Glassblowing is fascinating to watch. I used to visit Pairpoint Glass when I lived on the Cape, and they had an area open to the public.
Your vase is very pretty, especially with one of your lovely roses.
Sunny :)

MadSnapper said...

the vase is beautiful and I to am glad I have the sight to see your blog and all the other blogs. Sight is precious and today I say thank you to God that I can see.

NCmountainwoman said...

We honeymooned in Williamsburg. I loved watching the artisans at work.

Busy Bee Suz said...

What a sweet work of art. I am always amazed by the glass blowers, we watched them in Venice, Italy too. So cool.

Cheryl said...

Wow, what a wonderful experience. And the little vase is beautiful! I love the header photo. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

That is an amazing talent to be able to turn a blob of molten lass into a beautiful vase.Thanks.
Blessings,Ruth

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: They did that at a couple of the downtown fairs that we have gone to. It is always interesting to watch and get a souvenir.

Cookie said...

I went to Jamestown when I was little... a long time ago. I am always fascinated by glassblowing. It is mesmorizing to watch :)
Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your trip! :)

Pat - Arkansas said...

Glass blowing is a fascinating thing to watch! Seems almost like a miracle that a blob of molten glass can be turned into something wondrous to behold.

I really like your Thanksgiving blog header photo. Verrrry nice!

Tina said...

Beautiful choice for a memory vase from you trip, Betsy! I love the color you chose..
I've always wanted to learn how to do glass blowing..and we have a class right down the street from me!! I took my students to this man's studio a lot and it was always fun to watch how they do what they do!! Just amazing!
Do have a great Holiday..and I'm glad you are thankful for leaf blowers!1 lol you cracked me up on that one!! yea titans!!

Lola said...

Pretty vase. I've watched glass blowing before & it is fascinating.

Wendy said...

How interesting! I've never seen glassblowing before. I thought somebody actually blew into something to make the glass. Hmmm. Guess not.
Sweet vase.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Nina said...

Oh How I love those "living" museums. Walking through times of old and seeing how they did things. Beautiful vase to compliment your gorgeous roses! Love and Light, Nina P

Unknown said...

A treasure holding a beautiful memory. I love Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown. Williamsburg was the first place DH and I visited together.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Diane said...

I love your glass blowing pictures, Betsy. Such an interesting art. And your vase is exquisite. I really like your 30 days of thankfulness. Great idea.

Small City Scenes said...

Glass blowing is such a neat art. so very interesting to watch and so amazing the beauty that comes from it. Just down the road from us is the Pilchuck School of Glass started by Dale Chihuly(I think I spelled his name wrong--oh well it is late at night). They have an open house once a year. It is set way back in the woods and nobody would know it was there.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us. MB

Anonymous said...

Looks so interesting - wish I could see that!

Janie said...

I've watched glassblowers before, and I'm always fascinated by their skill.
Nice photos of the artist at work.

Leedra said...

Glass blowers are so much fun to watch. They really do have talent.