I always think that it is really brave when customers fearlessly enter our store with active kids in tow. We embrace the childhood wonderment of visiting glassybaby...kids are always mesmerized by the glass blowing and always welcome. They are drawn to the signature glassybaby 'Mecca' of the hot shop floor. And, generally, kids want to touch the hundreds of colorful glassybaby...this is where adult bravery enters. One lovely customer visited our Madrona Store with her charming, kinaesthetic, 5 year old, grandson, named Jack. He watched the production floor. He blew out all of the candles on one of our display tables (I gave him the green light on this.) Also, he actually balanced a glassybaby drinker on top of his head, with a slight assist from his opposable thumbs. Nothing was broken during this marvelous visit...his "Mimi" chose the most gorgeous BFF glassybaby and before leaving, Jack named our store squirrel: "Fastey." Fastey is our beloved, bronze, squirrel hook that hosts our laminated media pages (see photo above.) Another great store passage.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October,) we want to share the incredible words of a breast cancer survivor named Sarah Thompson. She is a key member of The Young Survival Coalition of Seattle (www.youngsurvival.org/seattle):
"Several years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 38. After making my way through chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, I stumbled upon a very special support group for women diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 40 called the Young Survival Coalition. I began attending support groups and volunteering for outreach and education programs sponsored by the YSC Seattle. Over the course of the next few years I forged some amazing friendships with other members of the group; these are connections I will have for the rest of my life.
As sometimes happens in a group of cancer patients, we lost a very dear friend to our disease. She was so young, vibrant and beloved. Our lives are forever touched by her and her loss with always be felt among our group. A few of our members received glassybaby when they were diagnosed as gifts of hope from loved ones. We began bringing our glassybaby along with us when we got together to light in remembrance of our lost friend. I have attached a photo for you to see the light that always shines for our girlfriend and the love she left behind.
As you can imagine, glassybaby has become so special to our group. The Young Survival Coalition Seattle is so proud to partner with glassybaby for our upcoming Drink Beyond Pink Auction. glassybaby won't just be there to provide decoration and lighting, you will be there to provide reminders of hope and strength and will offer an enduring light for us to remember our friends by."
End note...the recent YSC "Drink Beyond the Pink Auction" raised more than 25 thousand dollars in one single candle lit evening. Thank you Sarah for your words and inspirational advocacy of young survival. You are incredible...and, by the way, Happy Birthday to you from glassybaby.
More Soon, Nicola
