glassybaby tales

New Jersey and Jackson's Memory

   Weeks ago I received a call from Daniele Sbordi, an Italian restaurateur in the throes of opening a new restaurant in New Jersey. He and his business partner, a Frenchman, have migrated their culinary efforts to New Jersey from New York City. Their new gorgeous food and wine venture will be named Due Terre Enoteca.

   Daniele's wife provided web research support, to find the perfect candlelight for the new place. Lo and behold glassybaby emerged during her web search. Daniele simply called our store to place an order. After we discussed a color palette and samples were sent...Daniele and company decided upon the exquisite choice of 40 Grandma Jane's Caramel and 20 Caramel, a beautiful pairing of color. We look forward to posting digital photographs.

   Far from New Jersey and for that matter Italy and France we humbly reside in Seattle and I am forever struck by store passages. One of our beloved customers, mother of 3, called to check on the availability of a color: Given to Fly. As our phone conversation unfolded, Celia conveyed to me a moving story of her son Jackson and his memory. They had visited us early in the year. The new color Given to Fly was on the store shelf. I explained to Celia the meaningful story of naming this glassybaby. We had recently lost one of our glassblowers, Warren Farmer, a marvelous artisan who lost his life suddenly and much too early. In the wake of his passing...Given to Fly was named in his honor. By all accounts his ability to rock climb was preternatural, something to behold, something kindred to the awesome flight of a bird. Children hear us speaking and so did Jackson. His mother translated the tragedy to him on that day.

   When his ski instructor, a young woman, recently lost her father to an avalanche...Jackson's memory and youthful compassion spilled forward. 'We have to get her a Given to Fly glassybaby Mom.' And so they did, so perfect and beautiful.

Until Next Time...Nicola

   

Babies and glassybaby and Going Home

    One of our dear customers, Quynh Nguyen, hosted a gorgeous baby shower with friends. They adorned the buffet table with a swath of blue glassybaby. Everyone attending took a glassybaby home as a party favor. Quynh provided us with the lovely photo record of the event. Thanks and welcome baby boy.

    Another little boy, Max, visited our store, with beaming parents and grandmama. He is brand new...5 months old. His parents bought him a Big Sky and a Bedford Brown, a handsome combination. He didn't need a gift receipt.

   On Friday of last week a mother and 14 year old daughter came into our store 'under the wire,' nearing five o'clock. Another daughter, 16, waited dutifully in the car. There  was something celebratory about their presence. Also, there was some indescribable  energy made palpable by their midst. As I boxed up their dozen glassybaby in different combinations, the mother explained that they were finally on their way home to Gig Harbor after 100 days in Seattle. Their 16 year old daughter had received a bone marrow transplant for Leukemia at Children's Hospital...their 14 year old daughter was the donor...a perfect match. They were choosing some glassybaby for themselves (always wise) and others for thank you gifts. Many people had helped them on this journey. I wish I had asked their names.The girls chose pink, the mom got a mix including True White for gifts. Their visit to our store reminded me of something essential...simply put...to be thankful and to celebrate life.

Regal Incarnate and Sunset at Age 40?

   Last evening, in the twilight of our store hours, a three generation ensemble came in...mother, daughter and 5 month old grandaughter. Their presence struck me as they discussed and admired all of the colors. I listened with delight to this exchange:

"Mom this is absolutely your color. It is the bluest blue here...and the name is...Regal." Smiling response from the mother: "Ahhh...yes, Regal...that is my color."

And the beauty in this exchange...she seemed so regal to me...articulate in speech, wearing a cape-ish coat in some wonderful saturated color, her hair immaculately swept up into a bun. She described traveling the world to admire glassblowing in different countries, most recently Paris. She explained further that the family appreciation of colored glass spans years. It began to some degree in their home...a classic 1920's beauty, possessing a stunning stained glass window on the landing of their staircase. The window was instrumental when teaching her young children their colors. "Regal" incarnate entered our store so wonderfully.

   Another color translation that amuses me to reflect upon. A dear friend of mine just turned 40. To honor this anniversary and welcome her into the club, another dear friend spearheaded a great project. A broad stroke of friends were instructed to send birthday greetings to Jeanine that somehow incorporated imagery of the sun. (She is a known sun goddess.) I thought: "I have the perfect gift...a glassybaby...Seattle Sunset." After sending it off with cooing birthday wishes, I am left wondering about the sunsetting part in conjunction with the 40th birthday celebration part. Why didn't I think of Goldenrod? ( Post script...We received a warm thank you note...with no sign of dismay.)

Until Next Time...Nicola