Glass Blower's Christmas

The Glass Museum outdid themselves this year with the Glass Blower's Christmas.  

We got our annual ornament from this tree.  The ornaments are made by Federici Designs in Vineland, NJ.  I would have literally been happy with any of them so I had Russell pick it out.  I will shoot it on our tree for a later post, but it was similar to that small one to the immediate left of the large green with white and red splotches.  That might even be the one he picked.  

Amazing work.  I have half a mind to go back and get this one too just for every day decoration.

I couldn't stop taking pictures of this tree........I seriously want them all.

The only way to access these trees and ornaments is by paying the museum admission.

However, they have a few trees in the gift shop too, so you can pick something from in here without paying to see the whole museum (although it's well worth it to go).

I posted this one on Facebook and my local and relocated friends are dying to get their hands on one. It is too big for our tree.  I ended up going back the following week to pick one up.  Since it's our hometown, I thought we should probably have one!  They don't ship because the sign can come loose.

More Marble Mania!

I can't believe I didn't wear out my camera with the non stop snapping.  I figure if I can't own them, I might as well shoot them for posterity.

As you can see, you place the marble at the top and watch it roll down and around the track.  It was pretty cool.

This one is brilliant and so unique.

By this point, Russell asked me again what  I would do if I only had film to shoot on anymore. Seriously how did I live within the confines of 24 and 36 exposure film?

These are old sulphides.  They look kind of plain but they are among the most expensive antique marbles you can find.  I have 4 of them...3 in OK condition and the 4th is gorgeous and I paid a pretty penny for it too, I might add. 

Coloured glass sulphides are extremely rare and worth tons more than clear.

Here was another marble drop game.  I liked this one better than the other one.

More games.

What I wouldn't give to own this bad boy.....

More wee piggies

Marble Mania! at the Sandwich Glass Museum will be in town through March, 2016.  Definitely worth the visit!

Marble Mania, Part 1

We both love, love, LOVE marbles.  Any time I see a nice collection on eBay, Russell urges me to get it.  So he was as excited for this exhibit as I was.  And it was totally worth it.  I'm so glad we went.  Marble Mania is open until the end of March so I'm sure I'll be going again.

Many were contemporary

 

These piggy ones are so cute and fun!

Penguins!!!!!

There were old games as part of the exhibit

 Gorgeous antique German swirls.

Look at that onionskin!!!!!  WOW!

 The canes that are used for the swirly centers

I was DYING over this case of contemporaries!  I told Russell to distract the employees while I broke in and stuffed my purse and pockets!  hahaha  I wish!  Each one of these probably sells for upwards of $150.

Hard to see but this one had a chunk taken out so you could see the inside.

Amazing detail

Get in my collection!!!