glassybaby tales

Bikram glassybaby, Bebe's Visit, Grand Theft

   It is official, we have heat. There has been a little known electrical glitch in our building matrix...no heat. If you have been to visit us in the colder months, you may remember being able to shop and see your breath at the same time. The furnaces pull so much amperage that we had to import more electricity. My overtaxed down vest has been laid down. Welcome Bikram glassybaby. We invite you into the warmth. It is divine.

   Every year a fantastic customer makes a pilgrimage from the distant shores of Bellevue to Seattle where we reside. I am always astonished to know that she begins her Christmas shopping in October...early October. So, today was the day that Bebe graced us with her presence...in holiday cheer of course. Upon entering the store she exclaimed: 'I listened to Christmas carols all the way over here...with the heat on high.' This is my kind of woman, like our new red glassybaby, a 'Fireball.' Merry Christmas Bebe.

   On the heels of Bebe came a deja vu customer. I had helped her just the day or two before. She came in with a disturbing exclamation: 'My glassybaby was stolen!'  Apparently she had carefully stowed, overnight, a single glassybaby (for the record Frog Hunting) in a Whole Foods shopping bag, in the back seat of her car. As her next day began curbside, she fell upon a ransacked car. The only thing stolen?...the one glassybaby. Obviously we extend a heartfelt condolence to our great customer; but somewhere in this exchange was a  kind of perverse compliment. Even thieves get it.

   Which reminds me of a left field anecdote...indulge me. Dear friends of my family are French. Years ago, the family home in Dax was broken into. Various antiquities and family treasures were sadly absconded with, but beyond this loss was the signature currency of the French thieves...they made off with the most important and valuable wines from the wine cellar. Surgical removal of the best years and vintners occurred. So dastardly.

   Stay warm, have a glass of good French wine and... lock your doors. Happy Fall from all of us. Until Next Time, Nicola

Nellie Cashman

   Last night was thrilling. We attended the 27th annual Nellie Cashman Awards ceremony sponsored by the amazing WBO Association (Women Business Owners.) Channel the Golden Globes...a dimly lit grand ballroom, swanky dinner rounds, autumnal florals, wine flowing. We encircled two glassybaby tables with Lee at our center. To explain, Lee was one of 5 finalists. In movie style, the winner was announced last night. The extremely lovely clothing designer, Luly Lang, winner of last year's award, sidled up to the podium after much ado. She unsealed an envelope and after suspended silence and cumulative heart palpitation announced: "...and the winner is Lee Rhodes." Our tables levitated with collective clapping and cheering Lee on.

   What a thrill and honor. For Lee to be in such esteemed company made it an even grander acclaim. In 'Nellie' solidarity we applaud:

• Kristen Betty of KBA Inc.
• Karen Say of Saybr Contractors
• Jean Thompson of Seattle Chocolates
• Tamara Wilson of Wilson PR

   A few anecdotes from the evening...Phil O'Reilley owner of Olympic Color Rod, who provides a lion's share of glassybaby glass, was in our fold. His customer service and friendship is not only outstanding, it can at times be outlandish in the best sense of the word. He arrived to the dinner table flanked by two Westin employees. A quick jostling of the floral centerpiece and water glasses, allowed him to carefully place a gorgeous hand blown pink vase full of flowers for Lee at the center of our table. With a team of glassblowers, he had made the vase for Lee. The scale of the vase conjures...well...Versailles. So celebratory and sweet.

   On another note. We all were splashy in attire. It was fun to watch each glassybaby dignitary enter and shimmer. Honorable mention goes to our lovely Marissa who wore a ruffled, 3/4 length sleeve, green silk dress. She would be in good company with, none other than, Sarah Jessica Parker and an Appletini.

   Lee nailed her moving speech. She spoke of the organic growth of glassybaby, the transcendence of simple, beautiful, glowing color, the signature business truth for glassybaby of giving back, specifically to cancer causes, and the daily testimonials of customers that move and buoy us always.

   Until Next Time, Nicola

   a special P.S. to Mimi Kirsch who, in all of her lovely wisdom, had the notion to nominate Lee.

4th Grade Math, Clean Bill of Health, Texas Candlelight

   My 4th Grade Math teachers daughter's were in to wish their Mom a happy glassybaby birthday. They each purchased a single glassybaby for Mom. When they mentioned their last name 'Millar' my mind invoked the six degrees of separation theory and I had to ask: "Is there any chance that your Dad taught at...?" Before I finished my sentence their heads were nodding 'yes.' I learned that their gorgeous names are Caitrin and Aylie. They chose Red Licorice and Cabo, and if my 4th Grade Math is still good: 2 glassybaby + 2 daughters + my years ago Math teacher = a sweet glassybaby vignette.

   A few weeks ago on one of those stunning early days of September that had all of us intoxicated by it's beauty...a customer walked in with a kind of joyful propulsion. I greeted her and she blurted out:'I just got a clean bill of health and I am here to buy a glassybaby for myself and one for my husband.' Her joy was infectious and when I responded: 'I am so happy for you,' I received the spontaneous embrace of someone who's life was just re-gifted to her, a deep fresh joy that I had the honor of catching a glimpse of. She chose, from the 'giving' pantheon, a color for herself. I believe that it was, poetically, Dream. She chose her husband Strawberry as he requested some sort of red, and away she went in all of her joy.

   Endnote...on the places we travel. A wonderful customer took the time to include this message with her web order:

"I own several of your glassybaby votives. They were lifesavers during our recent power outage from Hurricane Ike here in the Houston, TX area. They brought such happiness to me each night as I would light them for our evening lights."

   In warmth and wellness and light, Until Next Time, Nicola