The Corning Museum of Glass

We recently traveled to Corning, New York and visited one 

of my favorite places, the Corning Museum of Glass!

 Its many galleries include

Origins of Glassmaking,
Paperweights of the World,

The Rise of Venetian Glassmaking,

and Modern Glass.

I wanted to share some of my best photos

and to encourage you to stop in yourself 

if you're ever in that neck of the woods!

An 1867 French Baccarat punch bowl set

that had been displayed at the Paris World's Fair.

A colorful collection of snuff bottles.

An intricate English beadwork basket from the 17th century. 

A Persian enameled vase.

A Baroque glass holy water font dating 1675 - 1699.

A beautiful Salviati mosaic portrait of Elena of Montnegro, 1900.

I especially liked the reflective facets of her diamonds!

A 1907 micro-mosaic of the Basilica of San Marco.

And you know I was attracted to the glass beads!

18th, 19th & 20th century beads.

Chevron, Millefiori, Venice, Czechoslovakia.

An elaborate wager cup, Bohemia, 1880-1890.

So, what is a "wager cup?"

It has the design of a young woman whose long skirt is an upside down cup.

She is holding above her head a smaller cup that swivels on a frame. 

At wedding banquets, the groom would drink from the larger cup 

while the bride drank from the smaller cup at the same time.

A white marble tabletop, inlaid with over 

2,000 pieces of glass to create this gorgeous quilt-like mosaic!

Stained glass panels by the incomparable Frank Lloyd Wright.

Dragonflies with Water Flowers reading lamp

by Clara Driscoll for Louis Comfort Tiffany, 1899.

The Corning Museum of Glass is at

1 Museum Way, Corning, NY 14830.

Find out more at the website!

While in the area, we also visited the
Pennsylvania Grand Canyon!
See that post here.

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 Bonus~ Tiffany lamp photo bomb!

Gotta Laugh... Socks in the Dryer

Susan Farrington Mixed-Media Collages

I've always loved collages!
Making something special from artfully arranged snippets of odds-and-ends.
Susan Farrington selects bits of vintage ephemera, fabric and lace
to create these fantastic mixed-media collages.

I've chosen my favorites, then placed a close-up photo after each one
so you can get a better look at the details.


Non-edible Mushrooms 2

20 Faces

A terrific United States Map!

Necessary Angels 2

We started with Peace 2, let's end with Peace 1 !

Visit Susan Farrington's website,
 Etsy shop & Facebook page!

Images used with direct permission from Susan Farrington.

Memorial Day Taps

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Daniel Butterfield was a Major General in the Civil War.

He composed a song we all recognize: Taps.

Evoking respect, reverence, and often tears,

it's played as we lay to rest the brave men and women

who served our country, protecting our rights and freedoms.

We're familiar with the tune, but few of us know the words.

As you read the lyrics, take them to heart

in honor of those those who gave all.

"Fading light dims the sight,

And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.

From afar drawing nigh, falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun,

From the lake, from the hills, from the sky.

All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Then good night, peaceful night,

Till the light of the dawn shineth bright.

God is near, do not fear. Friend, good night."

Stig Lindberg Pottery

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Featuring the pottery of prolific designer Stig Lindberg,

mid-century Scandinavian artist-extraordinaire!

His contemporary shapes blend perfectly with rustic textures.

Just my style! Take a look for yourself!

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I really like these teapots!

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Stig Lindberg's well-recognized marking:

a "G" for the Gustavberg pottery factory, overlapped with a handprint,

along with his "Stig L" signature.

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Explore more at these posts:

Stig Lindberg Ceramics

Stig Lindberg Horses

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The Cell Phone Appendage

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I am beyond irritated by the behavior of cell phone users.
Am I alone on this out there? By the looks of these cartoons, I think not.
I'm stepping up to the podium and taking a turn to rant on the subject.

First some stats: As of January 2014,
90% of Americans have cell phones. 58% have smart phones.
For so many people with smart phones,
they sure ain't smart when it comes to manners.

There is a seemingly perceived notion that a cell phone must be carried around
as a mandatory accessory of life. Can we even exist without one?
It's rare to see teenagers without cell phones in their hands.
Ever at the ready. A status symbol to flaunt? A security blanket of sorts?
But, hey- let's not limit this to teenagers. Adults are right there with them,
and in their cases, it's even more ridiculous because they should know better!

To pay homage to Emily Post,
let's just say that when we're with other people,
we should consider any cell phone use
-be it calling, texting, tweeting,
 or checking to see if you've received one of the above-
an interruption.

Back in the day, (ha!), interrupting a conversation was thought to be bad manners.
Parents teach their small children not to interrupt, right?
A cell phone takes on a life of its own, poised to intrude with no apologies.
The blame lies not with the phone, but with its owner. 
Bang the gavel. Guilty as charged.

I get the feeling that you have no interest in what I have to say!
Am I rambling? Speaking Greek or Portuguese? Or just boring you to tears?
How about showing me some respect by turning it off and putting it away?





Back to those smart phones with unlimited info at your fingertips (literally).
Why is it OK, in the middle of a story or experience I'm sharing,
that I have to stop and wait while somebody flips through their phone
(Cue me demonstrating that left-to-right finger slide motion)
to find a name that escapes me, the exact location of a shop I've mentioned,
or the precise news article I am explaining?
- again, an interruption!
By then, I've lost my momentum and train of thought. Grrrr.


Another part of this, two sides of the same coin, if you will,
is that we're shortchanging ourselves.
We seem to have lost the value of spending time with each other.
Visiting. Hanging out. Face-to-face. Socializing. Connecting.
People, we are not living life in the moment!
We are not appreciating what's right smack in front of us!

When we're at a party or out to dinner, do we focus on enriching our relationships,
whether with a friend or loved one, or maybe a fascinating person we just met...
or do we allow ourselves to be distracted by 
that nasty little appendage called a cell phone?





And even if we're alone-
When we take a walk, do we delight in the simple pleasantries we pass?
At a park or the beach, do we breathe in the fresh air 
and soak up the beauty all around us?
Is a vacation or getaway weekend really a getaway anymore?

There's real value in detaching ourselves from all that electronic stuff.
Unplug. Unwind. Disconnect.
Let's release ourselves from the ties that bind!

I hereby challenge you to absorb and appreciate
 the experience, the relationship, the moment!

Another post of interest:
Unplug & Go Outside!

Have anything you'd like to add?

Speak your mind - leave a comment!

Watercolor Butterflies by Amy Kirkpatrick

Spring brings flowers and flowers bring butterflies!

These watercolor paintings by Amy Kirkpatrick are as lovely as they come.

Each one is prettier than the last!


"I tell of hearts and souls and dances...
Butterflies and second chances;
Desperate ones and dreamers bound,
Seeking life from barren ground,
Who suffer on in earthly fate
The bitter pain of agony hate,
Might but they stop and here forgive
Would break the bonds to breathe and live
And find that God in goodness brings
A chance for change, the hope of wings
To rest in Him, and self to die
And so become a butterfly."
~Karen Kingsbury

Amy has set up an coupon code just for my readers
for 10% off any purchase from her Etsy shop, Amy Kirkpatrick Art!

The code is MyPaisleyWorld and it's good through December 31, 2014!

Thanks, Amy!

Here are other places to find her work:
Website
Fine Art America
Facebook

All images used with direct permission from Amy Kirkpatrick.