antique Japanese glass fishing floats/buoys via Froulala.com

While at Daco, we did a quick house tour of our friends, Billy and Marlene Mondoñedo’s, gorgeous contemporary island home. Designed by top Philippine architect Ed Calma, it took about two years to build the house partly due to the logistical challenge.

My favorite part of the house is this bamboo loggia hung with

antique Japanese glass fishing floats/buoys.

via Froulala

IT IS FRIDAY!!!
We have enjoyed beautiful weather in NC this week.  It makes it very hard to stay inside during the day.  All I want to do is to get out and enjoy the warm temperatures and  sunshine.

photo via pinterest.com

What are you doing this weekend?  I hope you have as much fun as Maddie the Coonhound!

I’ll see you back here on Monday,

Patricia

CLICK HERE if you cannot see the video.

I’ll be humming that little tune at the end of the video all day, today.  I attended the 1969 1967 World’s Fair (Expo ’67) in Montreal, Canada with my grandparents as a YOUNG girl, a VERY YOUNG girl, practically a baby.  It was a wonderful trip and I still remember staying in the home of a very nice family that rented out a bedroom in their home to my Grandma and Grandpa.

Those fond memories made me to do a little research about glass at World’s Fair’s.

the Great Exhibition 1851

Queen Victoria opens the Great Exhibition, photo via wikipedia.com

The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations or The Great Exhibition, sometimes referred to as the Crystal Palace Exhibition in reference to the temporary structure in which it was held, was an international exhibition that took place in Hyde Park, London, from 1 May to 15 October 1851. It was the first in a series of World’s Fair exhibitions of culture and industry that were to become a popular 19th-century feature.

A special building, nicknamed The Crystal Palace, or “The Great Shalimar” was built to house the show. It was designed by Joseph Paxton with support from structural engineer Charles Fox, the committee overseeing its construction including Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and went from its organisation to the grand opening in just nine months. The building was architecturally adventurous, drawing on Paxton’s experience designing greenhouses for the sixth Duke of Devonshire. It took the form of a massive glass house, 1851 feet (about 564 metres) long by 454 feet (about 138 metres) wide and was constructed from cast iron-frame components and glass made almost exclusively in Birmingham and Smethwick. From the interior, the building’s large size was emphasized with trees and statues; this served, not only to add beauty to the spectacle, but also to demonstrate man’s triumph over nature.  The Crystal Palace was an enormous success, considered an architectural marvel, but also an engineering triumph that showed the importance of the Exhibition itself.  The building was later moved and re-erected in an enlarged form at Sydenham in south London, an area that was renamed Crystal Palace. It was destroyed by fire on 30 November 1936.

Philadelphia Centennial Exposition 1876 Glass Hand Vase

Philadelphia Centennial Exposition 1876 Glass Hand Vase

This classic design frosted glass vase was an unusually elegant and tasteful souvenir of the Centennial Exposition held in Philadelphia in 1876. The detailed hand holds a fan-shaped embossed vase. The photo via http://www.the-forum.com

Columbian Exposition 1893 – George Washington Glass Hatchet

Columbian Exposition 1893 "The Father of This Country" George Washington Glass Hatchet

Columbian Exposition 1893 “The Father of This Country.” George Washington Glass Hatchet. World’s Fair 1893 on reverse of blade.  The photo via http://www.the-forum.com

Tiffany Chapel Columbian Exposition 1893

Tiffany Chapel Columbian Exposition 1893

Tiffany Chapel Reredos, c. 1893

Tiffany Chapel Baptistery, c.1892

In 1893 Louis Comfort Tiffany exhibited a chapel interior at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago that brought him international acclaim few American artists enjoyed at the time. The chapel interior was installed in the Tiffany & Co. (the jewelry firm founded by his father) pavilion in the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building.

1939 New York World’s Fair Trylon & Perisphere Glass Vase

1939 New York World's Fair Trylon & Perisphere Glass Vase

This imposing, elegant souvenir from the New York World’s Fair of 1939 is the essence of simplicity. The Trylon & Perisphere are etched on the vase in frosted glass.  Photo via http://www.the-forum.com

1939 New York World’s Fair Milk Glass Vinegar Bottle

1939 New York World's Fair Milk Glass Vinegar Bottle

1939 New York World’s Fair Milk Glass Vinegar Bottle. Decorated with the words “1939 World’s Fair”, and maps of the world.  photo via http://www.the-forum.com

Glass From the World’s Fairs, 1851-1904, Corning Museum of Glass publication

Glass From the World's Fairs, 1851-1904, Jane Shadel Spillman

Pages: 60 pages, 20 color and 7 black and white illustrations
Author: Jane Shadel Spillman
Publication Year: 1986

2012 Worlds Fair; Yeosu, Korea

Did you know there is a World’s Fair 2012?

CLICK HERE if you cannot see the video.

The event will be held in Yeosu, Korea from May 12-August 12.  The theme of the Expo is “The Living Ocean and Coast” with subthemes of “Preservation and Sustainable Development of the Ocean and Coast,” “New Resources Technology,” and “Creative Marine Activities.”  I don’t know about you, but I see lots of glass at this event!

Worlds Fair 2015; Milan, Italy

The next World’s Fair will take place in 2015 in Milan, Italy.  The theme chosen for the 2015 Milan Universal Exposition is Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life. This embraces technology, innovation, culture, traditions and creativity and how they relate to food and diet.

Everyone should attend at least one World’s Fair in their lifetime.  Start planning now!

Rather than sketching out new designs, glass artist George Ponzini relies on his thirty years of seasoned glass experience to create each new piece by working directly in the medium. Combining colorful shapes using cold glass techniques, Ponzini works in a style he refers to as neo-deco.

- Artful Home

George Ponzini Stemware, photo via artglassusa.com

The Jazz Martini, George Ponzini, photo via artfulhome.com

Jazz Martini II, George Ponzini, photo via artfulhome.com

Neo Deco Champagne Flutes, George Ponzini, photo via artfulhome.com

Neo-Deco Red Wine Goblets, George Ponzini, photo via artfulhome.com

I enjoy the spontaneity of the design process. The climax for me is when the last piece of colored or textured glass brings the design together to create the finished piece -a type of three dimensional collage.

- George Ponzini

Check it out! In addition to the architectural stemware, George’s glass work includes beautiful perfume bottles, bowls, mirrors, and sculptures.

How now?, 2012, Charlotte Hughes-Martin

How now?, 2012, Charlotte Hughes-Martin

According to Charlotte, “It’s sand cast lead crystal and by far the heaviest thing I’ve ever made.”

I shared Charlotte’s work in a previous blog post when we looked at her glass milk bottles.  If you missed that blog post, CLICK HERE.  I highly recommend looking at Charlotte’s website and all of her work.  I love EVERYTHING she makes.  She has a real knack for seeing the details of her subject and then playfully incorporating those details into her pieces.

Pinterest photo showing the chandelier

Writing a blog can be challenging, at times.  In researching this photo, I found it posted ALL over the design blog world.  After 4 hours of looking at Pinterest boards, 6 Tumblr blogs (scroll, scroll, scroll), and the BHG blog, I finally Found it!

Moderna

The light is Moderna by Worlds Away.  I found the light via Houzz.

Pssst…If you would like this light with something other than clear glass, you can find a version with antique mirror

Groovy Baby Coasters, Dawn Turner Designs on Etsy.com

Groovy Baby Coasters, Dawn Turner Designs on Etsy.com

Groovy Baby Coasters, Dawn Turner Designs on Etsy.com

Polka dot Parade Fused Glass Coasters, Dawn Turner Designs on Etsy.com

Polka dot Parade Fused Glass Coasters, Dawn Turner Designs on Etsy.com

I am a graduate of the Crafts course at Derby University; we studied traditional and contemporary practice with emphasis on sustainability.  Since graduating in 2010, I was invited to set up in a studio in Derbyshire with a group of five other designer/makers – collectively known as Shed 2 Studios – see more at www.shed2.co.uk
I am passionate about and fascinated by glass – I also enjoy working with ceramics and printing processes.

- Dawn Turner

IT IS FRIDAY!!!!

I’ve been feeling very slow and unmotivated this week.  Feeling perfectly content to do absolutely nothing.

I’m looking forward to an ACTIVE weekend with my family.

How about you?

Have fun and I’ll see you back here on Monday.

Patricia

Tangled Wood, Opus 511, 2010 Glass, various sizes. Frame, 60 by 102 inches

Folded Postcard, Opus 504, 2010 Glass, 40 by 24 inches. Frame, 46 by 30 inches

Indian Summer, Opus 513, 2011 Glass, various sizes. Frame 34 by 72 inches

Wash Out, Opus 512, 2011 Glass, 16 by 10 inches. Frame 20 by 14 inches

Artist Roger Thomas visualizes the world through his glass landscapes. While he considers himself a painter, he has chosen to work in glass because he craves the challenges and depth the medium provides him. Originally from California, Thomas moved his studio north, to Portland, Oregon, two decades ago. He thrives in the region’s expansive array of native flora, drawing inspiration from the relationship between the natural world and the created environment.

-Roger Thomas website

Click the logo to see Roger on OPB’s Oregon Art Beat.

If you cannot connect via the logo CLICK HERE.

This guest house located outside of Paris is washed with natural light from an overhead skylight.  The light, faux finishes, shutters, and plants gives guests the illusion of being outside.

Le Loft d'Isabelle, office space

Gérard and Isabelle bought the Loft without hesitation in mid 2000.

Le Loft d'Isabelle, work in progress

At the time, the property was a rundown auto body shop.

Letting their imagination run wild, Gerard and Isabelle transformed the shop into a magical and unique place for guests to stay.  Inspired by Moroccan’s ryad architecture and colors of Provence in the south of France, the decor is unique, and eclectic, encompassing objects collected during their journeys around the world.

The glass roof of the Loft offers an amazing light all year round that allow the Olive’s tree grow right in the middle of the living room.

Le Loft d'Isabelle

Le Loft d'Isabelle Cafe

Le Loft d'Isabelle Dining Room

Le Loft d'Isabelle Living Room

Le Loft d'Isabelle Fireplace

I think that the skylight is the real feature of this guest house, don’t you?

Have a happy day!

All photos are from pinterest.com

THE FIFTH RUSSIAN TRIENNALE OF ART GLASS 2011

Was held in Moscow, Russia, in November 2011 — January 2012.

Supported by Russian Federation Ministry of Culture

Location: All-Russian Museum of Decorative, Applied and Folk Arts

This was a 15-th year celebration of this once-in-three-years event. The first one was held in 1995.

The main aim of the exhibition is to demonstrate the latest art-glass works by more than 100 participants from Russia and its regions, Ukraine, Belarus, Baltic states, Austria, Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Great Britain. Those were both experienced and young artists.

They demonstrated their self-expression in glass: we could see far-away voyage romance, beauty of space, childhood memories, philosophical and bible themes, famous literature heroes, folklore motives and fantasy characters, nature motives, exotic flowers and birds and so on.

Those were interesting experiments, sometimes playful, sometimes serious, lots of associations and impressions, transformed in glass, you can see some of them here. Enjoy!

Yulia Merzlikina (Russia), 'From Outside', 2011

Ivo Lyll (Estonia), Object 'Lace', 2010

Aysyan Kann (China), 'Birds', 2009

Elena Esikova & K. Litvin (Russia), composition 'Eskadrille' (fragment), 2010

Elena Yaroshenko (Russia), 'Evolution', 2011

Galina Krivolapova (Russia), 'Noah's Ark', 2009

Remigius Krykas (Lithuania), Object 'Amber Salt', 2011

Irina Morgunova (Russia), 'Wave Crest', 2011

Alyona Malygina (Russia), 'Waterfall', 2011

Viktor Shevchenko (Russia), 'Object', 'Torso', 1991

Igor Tomskiy (Russia), Object 'Inside', 2010

Alexandr Ivanov (Russia), 'Old Village', 2004

Lyubov Savelyeva (Russia), 'Serious Talk About Education...', 2011

Alexandra Yarmolnik (Russia), 'Thoughts', 2011

Tatyana Andriyashina, 'Sea bottom', 2009

You can find more pictures here:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.181514541956726.40447.100002945431029&type=3

A Facebook page of the exposition coordinator of this show, Yulia Merzlikina:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002945431029