glassybaby tales

Crash Test...Dream Story

   Inadvertently a glassybaby crash test was conducted in our store on Monday, October 22nd at approximately 10:30 am. The newly formed crash test protocol involved a young girl, her twirling teddy bear, a soaring Tutu glassybaby, the clear glass heel of the glassybaby bouncing off of our concrete floor, the mother, of the young girl, catching the bouncing Tutu, midair, before injury to insult ( if you will.) And, the results are in...the glassybaby did not break. I have witnesses. Strong.

   Last week I had one of those sacred encounters that just continues to resonate in my mind. A dear customer came in with a specific order...5 Dream. The giving nature of Dream seemed an important element. As I boxed them individually, I learned that these were to be gifts of soulful cohesion. To explain, the Dream glassybaby were being sent to family members, to be lit as our dear customer's husband was undergoing rigorous surgery in his battle against cancer. I found this to be so beautifully generous and poignant...and furthermore, to use the words: "We were diagnosed with cancer..." again won't leave my mind easily, the sheer beauty of that sentiment. We will dream as well and wish this family...health.

   Until Next Time, Nicola

   P.S. Thanks for reading...we just surpassed 20k hits to the blog...we are tickled.

Blustery...Generosity... glassybaby Menorah

   Blustery best describes our Fall weather incarnation. Wind swept customers usher through our door swathed in sweater; and I love that when I mentioned sweeping up the volunteer leaves on our store concrete floor...Lee said something to this effect: 'Leave them...they are gorgeous.' Perfect.

   One of our dear customers came in this week to buy 5 Red Feather...a specific mission for adorning her dining room table. Such a sophisticated choice. Red Feather somehow reminds me of Japanese lacquer...black and red. And I learned more about this dear customer through our requisite banter. She is of Italian descent (in fact just back from a marvelous trip to Sicily.) Her trip to glassybaby was a key element in preparing to celebrate her birthday. Her master birthday plan included:

• inviting three couples for dinner
• gorgeously decorating her dining table complete with 5 new Red Feather glassybaby (an addition to what she already has)
• preparing dinner herself (including homemade pasta)
• giving a fabulous bottle of Red wine to each of the men with homemade biscotti
• giving a glassybaby to each of the women

She explained humbly that it is her tradition to give her friends gifts upon celebrating her birthday and one word came to my mind: generosity. So...it only seems fitting to say: 'Happy Birthday to generosity'...I did not catch her name.

   Last note...a holiday teaser...we are on the brink of producing a beautiful custom made and designed glassybaby menorah. The last design details are being honed...we'll keep you posted.

   Until Next Time, Nicola

Seastar and Wellness

   This is swanky...Seastar restaurant in Bellevue faithfully lights Aquamarine glassybaby in their bar every evening to set the aquatic mood...beautiful  light to accompany their heavily seafood fortified fare. We are poised to glow in their dining room as well. We are thrilled...If you have a craving for octopus on the east side...come see us at Seastar.

   This will melt your heart. A dear customer Jamie Shanks has a tradition with her mother Carol...together, they host a table at the Swedish Hospital Women's Wellness Luncheon. A critical mass of women  convene for this event to celebrate wellness and promote wellness with dollar power (like adding a second mobile mammogram bus to Swedish's outreach program.) Jamie's mom is a cancer survivor. She survived as a 21 year old. How completely wonderful that she celebrates her wellness with her daughter. A signature of their luncheon table...it is adorned with glssybaby, which they light. Then each guest chooses one to take home as a table favor. What style...and we applaud your commitment to women's wellness.

   Jamie chose a gorgeous palette for her guests; which leads me to mention our stunning Fall palette. I love being surrounded by the Fall colors in the store. Trust me...they will inspire a walk upon the fallen leaves, a recipe tour of the stew section, pumpkin carving...or even reading a book with a hot toddy by  candlelight. Think: Warm Gravy, Autumn, Pumpkin...Tree Frog. They are marvelous.

   Happy gorgeous Fall from all of us at glassybaby.

   Until Next Time...Nicola

The Changing of the Guard

   After 2 weeks away I have returned to a 'changing of the guard' (knowledge that I was privy to...but chose to deny.) We have bid farewell to not one but two key players from our infrastructure...and they devastated us by leaving on the same day...a cruel twist of fate.

   Actually, we wish them so well. They are on to pastures as green as glassybaby. Kobi our treasured shipping agent has enrolled in and is attending college. Knowing the vast real estate of his mind...he is sure to blaze an intellectual, musical trail unsurpassed. Kobi, thank you for tracking packages, writing customer service emails, unparalleled in charm. Thank you for boxing and filling order upon order. Our solemn vow: we will only use the ribbon scissors for cutting ribbon. You are missed.

   And then, speaking of great brains, the real estate therein, and accomplishment...Elisa Pupko our Office Manager has transplanted to none other than New York City. We know that in a 'New York minute' she will be starring on Broadway (she is a thespian by passion.) She left a trail of excellence here...all of the Office Management details done to perfection. Her organizational skills righted our new Madrona ship. I now know exactly where the post-its are and we all have in boxes. Elisa...you are missed.

   Like with any great 'changing of the guard'...the torch has been passed. We have three new stellar additions. Celia in Sales (and much, much more.) She was perfect in the first five minutes. Hopefully you will have the pleasure of meeting her in the store...she is positivity incarnate and an amazing colorist.

   Katelyn, a Senior at UW, has joined us as a marketing intern and sales agent. Again, great energy comes our way. She has folded into our mix so effortlessly. We are thrilled. Welcome Katelyn.

   And finally we have wonderful Kim who will take on both shipping and the Office Management duties. After her first day...I am convinced that she is bionic. Welcome Kim.

   Until Next Time, Nicola